Friday, November 30, 2012

Could Bill Clinton Be Getting a New Job in Washington? Who Else is Coming to Town?

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for five years. I recently discovered that she made between 10 and 20 porn videos when she was 19. We got married when she was 27. We have four kids from two previous marriages.I am devastated. When I confronted her about it, she cried harder than I had ever seen. She said she was lost, and it's the biggest regret of her entire life.I understand how hard it can be to tell someone you have done something like this. I haven't led a perfect life either, and I have my own skeletons and things that I would never mention. But still, I can't get over this. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/could-bill-clinton-getting-job-washington-else-coming-200437492--abc-news-politics.html

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Vegan Eats World by Terry Hope Romero New Cookbook | The Kitchn

Who knew seitan could sound so sexy? Terry Hope Romero manages to do just that and so very much more. In her latest vegan cookbook, Vegan Eats World, she dips into the dishes and flavors of Morocco, Thailand, India, Poland, Jamaica, and many more food-loving cuisines from around the world, vegan-style. Vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, however you identify yourself, we've hit the jackpot with this one.

Quick Facts

? Who wrote it: Terry Hope Romero, author of Veganomicon

? Who published it: Da Capo Press

? Number of recipes: 300

? Recipes for right now: Kale, Preserved Lemon, and Pomegranate Salad; Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Dukka, Yellow Split Pea Soup with Chard; Jamaican Plantain and Pumpkin Curry; Potato Pierogi with Fried Onions; Sweet Potato-Stuffed Paratha; Tom Yum Noodle Soup; Double Mushroom Glass Noodles; Moroccan Vegetable Filo Pie

? Other highlights: The sheer breadth of this cookbook is incredible. You'll find recipes for everything from spicy Malaysian laksa to Mexican red beans, each one made with a maximum of fresh vegetables and a total absence of weird artificial meat substitutes. The seitan does sound sexy in a great many of these dishes, but there are plenty of veggie-only or tofu-studded recipes if seitan isn't your thing.

As with Veganomicon, I find it easy to forget this is a vegan cookbook while rifling through the pages. The recipes just sound so good! The message here is definitely to focus on flavor and enjoy what you cook; the rest is just details. I can get behind that.

? Who would enjoy this book? New vegans or people considering veganism; long-time vegans looking for new dishes; anyone wanting to eat a little healthier without sacrificing flavor or favorite dishes in the coming year.

Find the book at your local library, independent bookstore, or Amazon: Vegan Eats World: 300 International Recipes for Savoring the Planet by Terry Hope Romero
? Visit Terry Hope Romero's website: Vegan Latina

Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.

(Images: Emma Christensen)

Source: http://www.thekitchn.com/vegan-eats-world-by-terry-hope-romero-new-cookbook-180853

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New York's Famed Plaza Hotel Sold to India-Based Conglomerate ...

November 28, 2012

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

?The seller had finished off a positioning of the property and had just finished off a retail level on the lower level,? Greg Rice, Solid Rock?s president, told?Commercial Property Executive?. ?With that being successfully completed, they thought it was time to sell. Capital is more widely available for buyers now, and sellers are making strategic decisions to bring their assets to market in this favorable environment.?

Solid Rock Advisors, a real estate consulting firm specializing in luxury resort and hotel transactions, advised the seller in the transaction.

Sahara India Pariwar, an India-based conglomerate, has acquired 75 percent interest in Plaza Hotel New York from real estate company El Ad US Holdings? position in the hotel with a total valuation of $575 million.

Located on the corner of 59th?Street and Fifth Avenue, adjacent to Central Park in Manhattan, the Plaza Hotel has a rich history that includes such notable guests as Eleanor Roosevelt, the Beatles, Mark Twain and Groucho Marx.

?It?s an iconic recognized property worldwide with obviously an unmatched Manhattan location,? Greg Rice, Solid Rock?s president, told Commercial Property Executive. ?Besides those key attributes, it gives the buyer a good profile here in the U.S., and at the same time, a property like this can enjoy a higher rate of appreciation.?

The other 25 percent of the property remains in the hands of co-owner Kingdom Holding Co., controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

The acquisition includes 230 hotel rooms, retail space, condominiums and a subterranean luxury mall.

From the buyer?s perspective, Rice said, they saw the New York hotel market as one of the world?s most liquid markets, excellent for capital preservation as it consistently outperforms inflation.

?In New York, you get accelerated value if you own property for the long term and I think that?s what this group was looking for,? Rice said. ?This was a great opportunity for the buyer to expand into a key U.S. gateway market with the purchase of such an irreplaceable asset as the Plaza Hotel.?

The new buyers are already planning some upgrades and changes; the most immediate being the re-opening of the legendary The Oak Room.

?I think they have some very exciting things in mind for the property,? Rice said. ?This is arguably one of the world?s most valuable pieces of real estate and I think they are looking to it as a long-term investment.?

The Sahara group also owns the historic London hotel Grosvenor House and a high-end hotel in Mumbai.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will continue to operate the hotel under a long-term agreement.

Source: http://www.cpexecutive.com/regions/mid-atlantic/new-yorks-famed-plaza-hotel-sold-to-india-based-conglomerate/

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2007 Ford F150 Extended Cab Pickup Truck, INV ID: 40100-S4WU65

Description

2007 Ford F150 Extended Cab Pickup Truck, INV ID: 40100-S4WU65
Inventory ID: 40100-S4WU65
Dept ID: S4WU65
Inoperable Code (If Applicable): not applicable
Wrecked Code (If Applicable): not applicable
Fuel Type: Gasoline
TITLE RESTRICTION: Good Title, No Restrictions
Additional Item/Lot Information: #197, 5.4L V8 SOHC 24V FFV, Condition Unknown

LOCATION CONTACT: Property Utilization, Billy Farmer or Joel Harris, 615-350-3373 or Property.Utilization@tn.gov for further information.

Location: Nashville Warehouse
6500 Centennial Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37209
Contact: Property Utilization, Billy Farmer or Joel Harris, 615-350-3373 or Property.Utilization@tn.gov for further information.

For Vehicles


  • Unit Number: 40100-S4WU65
  • Make: Ford
  • Model: F150 Extended Cab Pickup Truck
  • Model Year: 2007
  • Mileage/Engine Hours: 156325
  • VIN Number: 1FTPX12V37FA95220

Condition


NOTICE: ALL PROPERTY BEING SOLD VIA THIS AUCTION SITE IS AS IS AND WHERE IS.

-NO SALE WILL BE SET ASIDE DUE TO ERRORS IN THE DESCRIPTION OR FOR PROPERTY NOT PERSONALLY INSPECTED BY THE BUYER.

-INSPECTION IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

-HOURS FOR INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF PROPERTY ARE 8 AM UNTIL 11 AM, THEN 1 PM UNTIL 4 PM CENTRAL TIME MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY (EXCEPTING OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAYS).

-The buyer is responsible for ALL loading and transporting of property.

-Documentation must be provided if property is to be released to anyone other than the listed buyer.

-The State of Tennessee does not offer packing or shipping services and cannot recommend any particular shipping company.

-BY PLACING A BID FOR THIS PROPERTY YOU SIGNIFY THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS LISTED ON THIS SITE.

Source: http://penton.assetnation.com/index.cfm/general/LotDetail/LotNumber/A48457-0028?ssid=farmpress&utm_source=penton_farmpress&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=48457

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GOP Senators: Susan Rice Meeting Left Us 'More Disturbed' Than Before

Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) said on Tuesday that their highly anticipated meeting with U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice about the Sept. 11 anniversary attack in Benghazi, Libya, hadn't allayed their concerns about either the administration's explanation of the attack or Rice's qualifications as a potential secretary of state.

"Bottom line, I'm more disturbed now than I was before that the 16th of September explanation about how Americans died in Benghazi, Libya, by Ambassador Rice I think does not do justice to the reality at the time and, in hindsight, clearly was completely wrong," Graham declared at a press conference after the meeting.

Rice acknowledged in their discussion that she had been incorrect in initially suggesting the attack grew out of a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video, Graham said. He then questioned the administration's decision to roll out Rice as a point person to discuss the attack if she hadn't known the details.

The three senators had previously expressed serious reservations about supporting a possible nomination of Rice to be secretary of state, saying that her involvement in the post-attack media tour suggested she was not qualified for the position. President Barack Obama offered an aggressive rebuttal to their criticism earlier this month, and over the weekend McCain appeared to soften his opposition.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday if the morning meeting had changed their opinion of Rice's qualifications, however, Ayotte responded, "I have many more questions that need to be answered."

UPDATE: 1:45 p.m. -- Rice later released a statement on her meeting with the senators:

In the course of the meeting, we explained that the talking points provided by the intelligence community, and the initial assessment upon which they were based, were incorrect in a key respect: there was no protest or demonstration in Benghazi. While we certainly wish that we had had perfect information just days after the terrorist attack, as is often the case, the intelligence assessment has evolved. We stressed that neither I nor anyone else in the Administration intended to mislead the American people at any stage in this process, and the Administration updated Congress and the American people as our assessments evolved.

Earlier on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/gop-senators-susan-rice_n_2198255.html

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Finance: Individual Bankruptcy Suggestions Advice Article Category ...

Like a lot of people that elect to file bankruptcy Stockton attempted to work things out. Do not hide any income or assets or continue a spending spree before bankruptcy options: the judge will find out and may not possess a positive opinion of you. There are numerous people who feel that bankruptcy counseling is just a waste of your time. Declare each of the plans: Describe the motives either to submit alternatively protect your personal properties contained inside your official application form. Bankruptcy is very beneficial as it gives a person, who may have fallen prey to debts, a fantastic chance to start afresh. Hopefully you?ve figured out some tips to avoid bankruptcy for you personally or someone you know. inside your county regarding your filing options if you do own a company or have significant assets in places other than where you live. Brian from Life Line Legal

Some small businesses aren?t able to cope which has a tough economy and find yourself struggling financially. Brian from Life Line Legal 1408(2) it is possible to also file inside district court to the district that there?s already a personal bankruptcy case pending concerning your affiliate, general partner, or partnership. Consolidating your finances is one of the most important part of the process. You might be surprised with the number of options that you might be bombarded with. Some items which might be not forgiven by Chapter 7 are school loans, tax debt, child support or alimony payments, government fines, and debts assigned with a divorce decree. One of the biggest concerns individuals have when entering the bankruptcy process is whether or not their assets will likely be liquidated in order to satisfy debts to creditors. Shaking hands with your professional and experienced lawyers can definitely bring an end for your financial crisis.

Just like I said partly one with this article, if Congress had just waited a couple years none with this would?ve been necessary. Filing stop all credit collection, foreclosures, repossessions, and also wage garnishments at once. Once done, you?ll know if bankruptcy is right for you personally. Some of these so called, not for profit companies take your cash and don?t pay your creditors. Additionally, should you be trying to protect your assets, transferring them may not be necessary because some assets feel at ease from creditors. At that period of time, the sole messiah can be a personal bankruptcy law firm for any person who?s under debt. lifelinelegal.com/bankruptcyfaq.html Be as honest as possible when bankruptcy options; hiding liabilities or assets is only going to hurt you inside long run.

For example it is possible to search for Minnesota bankruptcy attorney and find many good, experienced attorneys to offer you. Again you will find still better benefits that could be gained from declaring bankruptcy if you?ve no other choice. After you?ve been to court, your lawyer will intercede for you personally before your creditors so your assets could be sold and the reorganization of one?s business can begin. After the approval of the plan one will continue the payment and the remaining debt is cleared after chapter 13 payment plan. You should be capable of call your states attorney to determine if any complaints are actually filed. But, with multiple cases the automatic stay just isn?t the same. This includes setting an expenditure plan, goals and managing debt.

One of the most important stuff that your bankruptcy lawyer are capable of doing for you is make arrangements which has a trustee who will control all assets, so that you can have a new debt-free beginning. Bankruptcy Leaves Many Homeowners and Investors Responsible for Empty Homes. If complaints are actually filed have they been resolved or is he still outstanding. After you file your documents, creditors have to avoid their collection processes while you remain under automatic stay. The debtor is very advised to endure the entire process with an open and positive mind. However, in due course of your time this impact on credit ratings can diminish if you can completely revive your financial situation. Consequently, many financiers may reject the job in case you apply for financing.

Created By: Sacha S.T. Ross

Source: http://thethrivepoweredbyelevate.com/finance-individual-bankruptcy-suggestions-advice-article-category/

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

nimitarora53: Malicious Ways that Spam Can Ruin Your Business ...

Spam can come in many forms, including ?special? toolbars and comment spam designed to post comments on your site that are false and sometimes embarrassing.? In a recent post from Google, we?re told that Google will penalize our sites if too much spam is tracked to the site.? This could be disastrous for your business and frustrating for you.?

Here are two ways that unchecked spam can hurt and possibly ruin your sites:

  • Rankings.? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the main way that most marketers build their sites for quality traffic and great rankings.? But spamming techniques can ruin your good rankings by luring visitors to your site(s) by droves in an unethical manner.

Malicious Ways that Spam Can Ruin Your BusinessSpamming techniques such as invisible text, stuffing unrelated keywords into your content, and duplicate content can alert search engines that you?re contriving to get traffic in an unethical manner, and they will ?red flag? those sites and penalize the site owners.

  • Credibility.? It?s so easy to lose your online credibility with spamming techniques.? Blogs are especially susceptible to these methods because visitors and participators in the blog don?t want to be inundated with useless content and multiple backlinks that have nothing to do with the purpose of the blog.

These spammers can use the legitimate backlinks on your blog to sell to other ?black hat? Internet Markets, causing your blog followers to fall by the wayside like flies.

Your reputation and ethics are so important to anything you do online while building your site(s).? Keep appraised of spammers who are out for a quick buck and who can ruin interest in your online efforts.

Web Spam Vs. Email Spam

You should know that there?s a difference between web spam and email spam.? The simplest explanation is that email spam is out for you to purchase a product, and web spammers (comments and/or blog posts) want your visitors to purchase their products.? You?re not the target ? but your clients are ? and that can drive them off of your site or blog in droves.

Malicious Ways that Spam Can Ruin Your BusinessThere is a service that you can turn to that will automatically delete comment and blog spam so that you don?t have to worry about it anymore.? The service is called Akismet, and you can access it through plugins such as WordPress or the Akismet API.? All you have to do is register and API key (like a password) which is your own private access to your account.

Then, each time a comment, pingback or trackback?appears on your site, the Akismet service tests it and either Okays it or turns it down.? You don?t have to do a thing ? and, you can be assured that the spam designed to ruin your site and steal sales and customers from you is taken care of.? Click Here to Tweet this Post.

When you use a plugin such as Akismet to stop spam from invading your site, you?ll keep Google and other search engines from penalizing your sites and from losing credibility with your followers.

Malicious Ways that Spam Can Ruin Your BusinessI?ve spoken about ?black hat techniques? before, and web spamming is definitely one of the worst.? They?re hoping you?ll disregard them because these spam techniques use flattery, praise and other positive comments to catch you off guard.

There?s no way for you to know if these comments and posts are legitimate.? That?s why it?s a good thing to use a plug in like Akismet to check it out for you.? Just be sure you?re protected from these spammers who are thieves and who can run your business off the Internet.?

Related posts:

  1. Spam Blocker For WordPress
  2. 5 Plug-ins You Need for your WordPress Blog
  3. 6 Ways To Get Free Traffic For Your Website
  4. Empower Your IM Business by Building a List

Source: http://www.carolamato.com/malicious-ways-that-spam-can-ruin-your-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=malicious-ways-that-spam-can-ruin-your-business

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Source: http://sterling796.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/malicious-ways-that-spam-can-ruin-your-business-summer.html

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Source: http://nimitarora53.blogspot.com/2012/11/malicious-ways-that-spam-can-ruin-your.html

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Half of borrowers who get rid of payday loans can't repay them and a ...

The information provided on SupportGroups.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information and interaction provided on this site is solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. Information on this site does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of SupportGroups.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.

Source: http://abbeville.supportgroups.com/sg/abbeville/half-of-borrowers-who-get-rid-of-payday-loans-

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Arkansas Fisheries Society Promotes Various 'Fish Culture' Interests ...

The Bear State, the Land of Opportunity and the Wonder State have all been past nicknames of Arkansas. The Arkansas Fisheries Society takes pride in Arkansas? current nickname of the Natural State as it aims to utilize the state?s natural water resources and wildlife for environmental purposes.

There are over 100 American Fisheries Society chapters nationwide, with a total of over 9,000 members.

?The mission of the American Fisheries Society is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals,? said Dustin Lynch, Ph.D. student and AFS president. ?We promote interest in this through activities such as involving education, recreation and environmental cleanup.?

The national organization was founded in 1870 as the American Fish Culturists? Association, according to the national website. The dues are $20 for a student member and $80 for a regular member.

?The Arkansas Fisheries society at the UA currently has around 15 members,? Lynch said. ?People can join by sending a message to the AFS Facebook page with email contact info, and we will include them on our mailing list with time and place for the meetings.?

The UA chapter of AFS is also involved with the state chapter, and in September of 2013, the national AFS meeting will be held in Little Rock, Ark.

?This past spring, several members of the club attended the Arkansas chapter of the American Fisheries Society meeting,? said Brad Austin, biological sciences Ph.D. student. ?At the meeting, members learned about research in the fields of stream ecology and fisheries, providing an experience that members would not normally get in the classroom.?

The Natural State has hundreds of lakes to fish in, according to Arkansas.com, but many people are still foreign to the sport. AFS is mainly comprised of experienced members who are avid about having new members engage in their hobby. AFS envisions a future where worldwide fishery? production is optimized and sustained while structural and functional conditions of marine, freshwater and estuarine ecosystems are maintained, according to the national website.

?Currently, our membership consists mainly of undergraduate and graduate students within the department of biological sciences,? said Brad Austin, biological sciences Ph.D. student. ?So, one of our goals is to increase our membership, bringing in members from across campus.?

AFS has a division specifically for ?fish culture,? which was formed in 1974, according to the national AFS website. The local chapter in Arkansas also participates in promoting and engaging in fish culture.

?Fish culture refers to advancing cultivation technology of aquatic organisms for food, commercial and recreational fisheries enhancement, ornamental purposes, and conservation, emphasizing things like nutrition, economics, breeding, et cetera,? Lynch said.

The AFS national website has a tab for job postings so that members have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistant, research and full-time jobs within the organization?s many fields.

?This RSO has provided the ability to invite speakers in to talk about their work in the field of fisheries management,? Austin said. ?I think this is good for myself and other members because it makes us aware of the potential jobs that we are preparing ourselves for in the fields of fisheries management and stream ecology.?

The Arkansas Fisheries Society is close in friendship among its members, but it is also involved with other RSOs on campus.

The club assisted in putting on a booth with Springfest 2011 with the biological graduate student association, Austin said. ?With our booth, BGSA members talk about the impacts of improper waste disposal and not recycling our trash on the environment, while the AFS club focuses on the diversity of organisms that can be found in local streams, and in the past our booth has included live fish and bugs that kids can touch and/or hold.?

The RSO began in the spring of 2011, and since then it has focused on creating clearer lakes. Members participate in cleaning up the area around Lake Fayetteville every semester. ASF allows those who enjoy the outdoors of Arkansas to be in an organization that brings a diverse group of fish culture interests together.

?The types of people who join this organization are varied and have a wide variety of interests and reasons for joining,? Lynch said. ?A lot of people are primarily into sport fishing for recreation, and game fish species. I actually am not a fisherman myself and have more of an interest in smaller non-game stream fish, their ecology and conservation. It?s an organization that encompasses a lot of different interests.?

Source: http://www.uatrav.com/2012/11/26/arkansas-fisheries-society-promotes-various-fish-culture-interests/

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No water rights negotiations with iwi - PM - Stuff

TRACY WATKINS AND VERNON SMALL John Key

Fairfax NZ

JOHN KEY: "The basic principle here is the Crown believes it's right."

Prime Minister John Key has ruled out direct negotiation with iwi over water rights as a High Court challenge over the Government's asset sales enters its second day.

He has also warned that losing the case would force the Government to borrow more money as there is none left in the coffers for capital spending on new projects like schools and hospitals.

"We have no capital budget allocated in our accounts; so in other words we are working on the principle that when we buy other assets on behalf of New Zealanders we'll be using funds we get out of the Mixed Ownership Model process," Key said.

"If we can't sell those 49 per cent stakes, in principle we are going to have to make a decision about whether we are going to go ahead and buy other assets. There are some assets we just need to purchase so arguably New Zealand would go into debt.

"At a time when the world is going through an economic crisis, where debt is fundamentally bad....I can't see why New Zealanders would want us to add more debt than we absolutely have to to the New Zealand balance sheet."

The Maori Council wants the sale of shares in Mighty River Power put on hold till water rights are resolved. Mighty River Power is the first State owned power company which the Government plans to sell a minority stake.

The Maori Council challenge has already delayed the share float till next year.

But Key said he did not believe there would be further delays, even if the challenge went to the Supreme Court as expected.

And he ruled out a settlement to make the challenge go away.

"The basic principle here is the Crown believes it's right. The Crown does not believe that the selling of shares in any way impinges on a Government's right to register rights and interests if they believe those rights and interests are genuine.

"I can't see any particular reason why we would want to back away from our current position."

On the first day of the hearing yesterday, the Maori Council case appeared to turn on whether ministers are simply implementing the will of Parliament by declaring Mighty River Power is no longer a state-owned enterprise.

Justice Ronald Young identified the Crown's ''king hit'' submission was that ministers would be carrying out Parliament's intent by transferring the state assets to the mixed ownership model in line with an amendment to the State Owned Enterprises Act.

That would mean the court could not review the decision, because Parliament is sovereign. However, the lawyer for the Waikato River and Dams Claim Trust, Helen Cull QC, argued the court could review the decision, which would be implemented by an order-in-council.

She said the Government had breached Section 9 of the SOE Act by acting in a way that was inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Before the company was transferred its water rights and other generation assets should be ''tagged or marked'' or some other mechanism used to preserve Maori interests.

Justice Young said he did not understand why the Government needed to act before the transfer because water rights were determined under the Resource Management Act and the Government could change that any time in favour of Maori. ''I don't follow why it matters who owns Mighty River Power.''

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/8000624/No-water-rights-negotiations-with-iwi-PM

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Photos: Mount Everest litter transformed into art

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 51-year-old man. Three years ago, my first and only marriage ended after 20 years. Over the past two years, I have been in a wonderful relationship with a very bright woman, "Toni," who told me she had been married twice before.A year ago, her job required that she move out of state, but we have successfully maintained the long-distance relationship with frequent visits and daily phone calls.A few days ago, I learned by chance that she was briefly married a third time while she was in her early 20s. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/mount-everest-litter-becomes-art-slideshow/

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Syrian rebels struggle to keep regime Air Force on the ground

Aware that options for combating the Syrian Air Force are limited once jets and helicopters are in the air, rebels are trying to take over air bases and destroy aircraft before they get off the ground.?

By Tom A. Peter,?Correspondent / November 26, 2012

In this image taken from video obtained from the Ugarit News, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, Syrian rebels capture a helicopter air base near the capital Damascus after fierce fighting in Syria, on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.

Ugarit News via AP video

Enlarge

In recent weeks, Syrian opposition fighters have claimed a string of tactical gains, most recently capturing two regime bases, a helicopter base near Damascus, and a hydroelectric dam in the north of the country.?The victories are said to have caused a significant blow to the morale of the embattled Syrian Army and brought the outgunned rebel forces closer to besieging the capital city and cutting off critical regime supply lines.

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In Aleppo, fighting around the airport is one of the most critical battlefields. The airport does not host any fighter jets, but rebels say several military helicopters, which supply regime troops and carry out airstrikes, use the airfield.

The rebels lack effective antiaircraft weapons, relying instead on heavy machine guns that they say have made a dent in the regime?s ability to attack freely by air.?But shooting down planes with such equipment is often more a matter of luck, or ?God?s will,? as Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters prefer to say. Destroying planes and helicopters still on the runway is the FSA?s best air defense.

?We don?t have anti-aircraft weapons so we have to sneak into the airport at night and destroy helicopters when they?re on the ground. We don?t have the heavy weapons to shoot them out of the sky,? says Abu Hamdu, a deputy FSA commander who leads troop now fighting at the airport. Mr. Hamdu claims his men have destroyed several helicopters.

The capture of another base about 10 miles outside of Damascus, the Marj al-Sultan, is particularly important for the rebels, not just because of its proximity to the capital, but because it resulted in the destruction of two helicopters, say opposition fighters.?

Throughout Aleppo, activists who monitor airstrikes say they?ve seen about a 65 percent drop in attacks in the past two months. While rebels say this is because of??their improved antiaircraft defense system?that relies on heavy machine guns mounted on trucks spread throughout the city, there may be a number of other factors contributing to the drop in attacks, such as maintenance issues that reduce flying time for jets.

Government jets are still carrying out lethal attacks, such as a recent one in which activists say a government jet dropped a cluster bomb over a playground east of Damascus, killing 10 children. The Assad regime has denied the mounting allegations in recent months that it is using cluster bombs, which have been banned by 77 countries because of the threat they pose to civilians.?

FSA fighters have asked the international community for support and weapons, such as stinger missiles, to help them counter the Syrian Air Force. So far, the opposition has struggled to acquire any backing, due in large part to a fragmented leadership that lacks a clear command and leadership structure.

Earlier this month, opposition leaders in Qatar agreed to create a new organization called the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces. The international community hopes?that the coalition can serve as a conduit for assistance and possibly weapons to arm the FSA.

In Aleppo, however, a group of commanders representing almost all FSA units in the province came together last week and rejected the authority of the new coalition, saying it lacked on-the-ground representation. They now say they?ve created their own unified military command representing fighters in Aleppo.

?Through this new unified command the international community can talk to us and give us weapons,? says Abu Hamam Al Dulani, an FSA commander who participated in the meeting that created the new military command.

The new unified Aleppo command lacks a central leader, preferring to make decisions by an Islamic shura council. The lack of a singular leader, and it?s rejection of the new coalition in Qatar, however, may only serve as yet another sign of division and a red flag for outside nations considering backing the Syrian opposition.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/EJcvp3_pNt8/Syrian-rebels-struggle-to-keep-regime-Air-Force-on-the-ground

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Best Save Some Money With Some DIY Home Improvements.

Given all of the information resources at the homeowner?s fingertips today, choosing the best home improvement advice can be tough. Without the right information, your projects can turn into a disaster. The article below can help you get started with a number of home improvement tasks the right way.

Tie or snip extra cord length on your window blinds. It is easy for a child or pet to get caught and strangled in these cords. Make sure you do leave enough cord to maneuver the blinds, but make sure that the cord that does hang down serves no purpose. You may prevent a tragedy by removing the excess cord.

Install a pergola to give your house some character. This garden fixture will add both romance and tranquility to the aesthetics. A pergola can be installed in as little as one weekend when you enlist the help of your friends.

Many people use CFL bulbs, but few know how to deal with them when they break. Bulbs contain mercury, which is poisonous to living beings. Therefore, when one breaks, you should immediately clear out any person or pet so that the room can air out. Then clean up the glass fragments, using duct tape to carefully pick up the smallest pieces. Dispose of the shattered bulb in a double bag, and thoroughly vacuum the entire area, emptying the canister or bag immediately after.

As you plan on making home improvement projects, try to find out how to do certain things by yourself. The pros charge as much as $50 per hour, so tackling those projects on your own can save tons of money. Plus, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

Improvement Projects

Research ideas for your home improvement projects before you begin. When you stay on the lookout for projects that you think could work in your home, you give yourself many options from which to choose when it comes time to decide on which home improvement projects you want to undertake. Don?t rush into picking color schemes; you don?t want to stress yourself out.

Consider how long you plan on living in the house. If you plan to move in less than five years, it makes no sense to spend a lot of money on huge changes. You should however not overlook maintenance, but any major improvements can be left to a long time owner.

Always carefully review any home improvement contract prior to signing it. As silly as it may seem, you want to make sure everything you are agreeing to is to your approval. If you sign without realizing what the contract contains, you can lose a lot of time and money. Whether you trust him or not, read the details.

Clean with an old toothbrush you no longer use. Whether you?re cleaning the grout in your bath tub area or scrubbing engine parts, you will find that old toothbrushes do an outstanding job. What?s more is that they are free! Why get a new brush when you still have something with a lot of life in it! Save the money for later.

To save money, refinish dreary cabinets in lieu of replacing them. Repaint the cabinet base and replace the doors and fixtures to get an updated new look. It is a more affordable way to improve the look of the kitchen.

In rooms that are most used, installing ceiling fans will help circulate your home?s air. You will not need to turn your air conditioner up as high and you will get warm air moving in the winter. Fans typically can be switched so that they either draw or push air as needed.

Any decent home improvement project will include laying brick and purchasing as many as necessary beforehand would make things flow much quicker. If you should need to repair or add to brickwork, you may have a difficult time trying to match the bricks you already have. Styles of brick change often. If you have extras on hand, you will be well prepared for the future.

Improvement Project

Remember that is easy to make a home improvement project a lot more complicated than it should be. With the tips provided in this article, you will be able to obtain legitimate information about home improvement. By incorporating the tips and techniques found in the above article, you will be well on your way to completing any home improvement project.

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Source: http://www.laiguanateatro.com/save-some-money-with-some-diy-home-improvements/

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Pioneer Foods earnings hit by empowerment costs

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African Pioneer Food Group posted a 17 percent drop in full-year earnings on Monday, hit by costs related to an empowerment transaction.

The group, which makes bread, breakfast cereal and juices, said headline earnings per share for the year to the end of September totaled 337 cents from 407 cents last year.

Headline earnings, the main profit gauge in South Africa, exclude certain one-off items.

Pioneer Foods said the earnings were impacted by a charge of 161 million rand, relating to the implementation of the second phase of a broad based black economic empowerment transaction.

It said revenue rose 10 percent to 18.6 billion rand.

The company's shares are down 3 percent so far this year, compared with an 18 percent rise in the broader All-share Index.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pioneer-foods-earnings-hit-empowerment-costs-053431933--finance.html

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Homemade Salad Dressing So Good You Will Want To Drink It ...

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I am ready for some food on the lighter side! ?Enter this amazing Homemade Salad Dressing. ?It really IS SO GOOD that you will want to drink it, or at least eat more greens than usual, just so you can have it. ?I made this a week ago, and I have wanted a salad every day since.?

?I make it a priority to eat leafy greens everyday no matter what, whether in the form of a smoothie or a salad. ?The amount of nutrients you can get in leafy greens just can't be beat, & this dressing makes it super easy to actually want and look forward to a daily salad.

?This dressing is a breeze to throw together. ?It uses ingredients that most people have on hand. ?The recipe calls for dijon mustard, ?which I didn't have, so I used plain yellow mustard. ?It was still drinkable & delicious!

?{it starts with a base of olive oil & red wine vinegar}

At our local farmers market, there is a booth that I always look forward to. ?She has tiny sample cups of ?salad dressing, and a chunk of bread to soak it up with. ?We love her salad dressing, and I buy a bottle every time we go. ?I have been missing her dressing now that it is fall, but I must tell you, this recipe tastes JUST LIKE hers. ?Even my daughter noticed this when she tasted it. ?Looks like we will be saving some money come Farmer's Market season--or not--now that I have this recipe I will probably need to buy more greens!

?{add seasonings & stir}

This would make a great dipping oil for bread when entertaining, and also a great marinade for chicken or fish. ?It is so much better for you than the salad dressings on the market, most of those are full of preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. ?Blech!

{pour into bottle & shake before using}

?This recipe will be one I use often. ?It has been a week and I'm already out. ?Time to make more! ?Good thing it is an easy recipe.

Homemade Salad Dressing

{so good you will want to drink it straight}

1 cup olive oil

1 cup red wine vinegar

2 1/2 tsps. garlic powder

2 1/2 tsps. dried oregano

2 1/2 tsps. dried basil

2 tsps. pepper

2 tsps. salt

2 tsps. onion powder

2 tsps. Dijon-style mustard (I used regular mustard)

Mix together and shake well. Store at room temperature tightly covered.

//

Have you ever made your own salad dressing? ?Do you have a favorite recipe to share?



Source: http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/11/homemade-salad-dressing-so-good-you.html

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

pentateuch bridle: DataSphere Videos: Home Improvement and ...

By Vadim |

Here are several videos I shot and edited in recent months for various home improvement, roofing and plumbing companies in Colorado.

Logistics Plumbing and Heating

Roof Worx

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Source: http://www.velfilm.com/2012/11/23/datasphere-videos-home-improvement-and-restoration-services-in-colorado/

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Source: http://pentateuch-bridle.blogspot.com/2012/11/datasphere-videos-home-improvement-and.html

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Saturday, November 24, 2012

WordPress Course ? WordPress Crash Course | Computers ...

You are here: Home / General / WordPress Course ? WordPress Crash Course



WordPress Course - WordPress Crash CourseYou get two solid hours of online video instruction where you watch my computer screen as I build a fully functional, search engine optimized site .

In this WordPress tutorial series you?ll be able to watch me every step of the way and pause the video to perform the same action for yourself.

Currently there are 37 videos in the member?s area and I may add a few more based upon member feedback. I purposely kept each video short, most are around five minutes. This is so you?ll have an easy reference should you need to go back and review a specific task. You can watch a short sample of one of the training videos below.

I?ve also added a 23 step, quick reference check list for you to refer to after watching the videos. You can print out the list and check off steps as you complete them. This will help you set up your blogs and websites very quickly without missing important steps.

The WordPress tutorial videos are made with a high quality screen capture software and they are in an extra large format so you can clearly see everything I?m doing. You can forget about blurry, hard to understand YouTube videos. I?m also speaking in clear English with no hard to understand accents (well, I guess I do have an American accent).

Other WordPress training courses teach you how to get your blog up and running over a period of weeks. The WordPress Crash Course is presented in a way that will help you get your blog online with all the essential elements and looking great TODAY, even if you are a complete beginner.

I cut out all of the fluff and unnecessary information that you would normally find in other courses?


Read more?

Posted by Dan on Friday, November 23, 2012 at 10:13 am?
Filed under General ? Tagged with

Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/computers_technology/wordpress-course-wordpress-crash-course/

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buzz soviet: Shopping and Product Reviews by Marcell Eward: Gift ...

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Source: http://kirbybarrick.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/buzz-soviet-shopping-and-product-reviews-by-marcell-eward-gift.html

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Why You Should Buy a Home During the Holidays : Ardor New York ...

By Rehna on November 23rd, 2012


Every year there are better times than others to buy a home. And who would?ve thought the holiday season would be prime buying time? Well, if find yourself knee deep in house hunting materials read on; there are some definite advantages to pulling the trigger on a home purchase during the upcoming months.

1.) People are preoccupied. Think you just can?t handle the stress of entertaining out of town guests while still looking for your dream house? That?s what everyone else thinks too! People that have been house hunting for months will be taking a much needed break right around this time and if you can stick it out you can capitalize on their weariness.

2.) People are strapped for cash. Buying a home typically requires a large down-payment, and between purchasing holiday decorations, thanksgiving feast supplies and Christmas presents, everyone?s savings can start to take a bit of a hit, meaning the thought of putting $10,000 down on a new home might seem like a bad idea at the moment. Many people choose to wait a few months after the holiday season to build their savings back up and then make an offer. But if you?re smart and choose to stay within your holiday budget, your down payment will be ripe for the plucking.

3.) Motivated sellers. Just as people are going to be too busy to worry about buying a house, sellers will also be too busy to worry about selling it. With all the added stress, they are often just excited to get it over and done with, meaning they will be willing to accept much lower offers than during another time of the year. They might even be willing to throw in added bonuses, like appliances or window dressings just to speed things along.

4.) Lenders are foaming at the mouth. Less homes being bought and sold during this time of the year means lenders are receiving less business, and less business means they?re willing to go the extra mile to get yours. You could be looking at a lower interest rate or fewer fees in general, and who doesn?t love that?

5.) Tax benefits.? December 31st is fast approaching, but if you?re able to close before then you could be eligible for some substantial tax benefits. The interest element of your first monthly mortgage payment may be eligible for a tax reduction. Plus, anything you pay could be used as deduction points to reduce your loan interest rate. You should consult and experienced tax advisor to see what you would qualify for in your state, of course, but be aware of the potential tax benefits.

In the end, it?s tough to decide when it?s right to buy a home. There are so many factors that need to come together; it?s easy to see why anyone would be stressed! But just because things may get hectic around the holidays, don?t rule it out; you just might be able to find your pot of gold when everyone else stops looking!

Source: http://www.ardorny.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/why-you-should-buy-a-home-during-the-holidays/

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Friday, November 23, 2012

6 relocation tips | Real Estate Real Estate

Source: http://realtylightpost.com/topics/real-estate/6-relocation-tips/

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jamainai: HEALTH and FITNESS | Disability Benefits Explained Ebook

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Source: http://eugenegrove.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/health-and-fitness-disability-benefits-explained-ebook.html

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Source: http://jamainai.blogspot.com/2012/11/health-and-fitness-disability-benefits.html

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Source: http://uvudyfiky.posterous.com/jamainai-health-and-fitness-disability-benefi

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New coronavirus related to viruses from bats

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The virus that is causing alarm among global public health authorities after it killed a man in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia earlier this year and is now linked to two other cases of disease is a novel type of coronavirus most closely related to viruses found in bats, according to a genetic analysis to be published in mBio?, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, on November 20. Researchers studied the genome of the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus in detail to learn about its relatedness to other viruses and about possible sources. The results of the sequencing and analysis could be used to develop diagnostic methods and possibly in creating therapies and vaccines if they are eventually needed for this emerging disease.

"The virus is most closely related to viruses in bats found in Asia, and there are no human viruses closely related to it," says Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, who headed up the study. "Therefore, we speculate that it comes from an animal source."

The case in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, in which a 60-year-old man suffered from acute pneumonia and renal failure before his death, reminded public health authorities around the world of the threat posed by coronaviruses, a group that includes the the SARS virus, a pathogen that emerged in 2002 and eventually lead to the deaths of more than 900 people.

The HCoV-EMC/2012 virus is under increasing scrutiny today as two other patients suffering from infections with similar viruses have been identified. Since the patient in Saudi Arabia died in June, an individual from Qatar has been diagnosed with a very similar condition and is currently being cared for at a hospital in London. The full genomic sequence of the virus from that patient was made available on November 13, and Fouchier says it is a very close match with the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus sequence he analyzed in the mBio? paper, showing only 99 single nucleotide differences (in an unpublished analysis).

"That makes it clear they are the same species. Ninety-nine nucleotides on the full genome amounts to only 0.3 ? 0.4% difference," says Fouchier. "That, of course raises new questions."

Now a third case of illness from this new virus has been identified, this time in Saudi Arabia again, but the genome sequence of that virus is not yet available.

The genome of the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus that is the focus of the mBio? study was fully sequenced within a few days by combining an optimized random amplification deep sequencing approach, which covered about 90% of the genome, with conventional Sanger sequencing to confirm these draft findings.

Phylogenetic analyses place the virus within the Betacoronavirus genus, where its closest fully sequenced relatives are viruses called BtCoV-HKU4 and BtCoV-HKU5, both of which were originally isolated in Asia from Lesser bamboo bats (Tylonycteris pachypus) and Japanese house bats (Pipistrellus abramus), respectively. HCoV-EMC/2012 bears only 77% sequence similarity with the BtCoV-HKU5 virus, however, making it distinct enough to be called a novel species of virus, says Fouchier. A partial sequence from a virus that was isolated from a species of bat in the Netherlands appears to be a closer match with HCoV-EMC/2012, but without a full genome sequence the exact degree of relatedness is impossible to tell.

Based on the similarities the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus shares with viruses from bats, and taking into account a separate serological study carried out in Saudi Arabia that showed 2,400 hospital visitors had no antibodies to the virus, Fouchier feels confident saying the virus is new to humans. That source may well be bats, he says, since Pipistrellus bats are present in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

The relatedness between the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus and the virus that infected the patient in the unnamed London hospital is interesting, says Fouchier, since they are similar enough to be the same species but different enough that they are probably not directly linked. "It is unlikely they would be infected from the same source. We really need to understand whether these viruses are coming from a single source or multiple sources" before more cases come to light, he says.

In addition to the insights it provides for identifying the source of the virus and linking cases of illness together, the genome sequence of the HCoV-EMC/2012 virus will also enable scientists to study the virus in more detail. By making synthetic copies of the virus genome, Fouchier says scientists can reconstruct the virus in the lab and study its properties to identify the sources of its virulence.

The genome sequence could also be pivotal to protecting public health. "A well-annotated genome sequence is crucial to further the development of diagnostic methods and antivirals and vaccines that might be needed," says Fouchier. Considering that three cases of disease from the virus have already been identified, he says, "we certainly need the diagnostics already."

"Whether we would need antivirals and vaccines? Well, I certainly hope not," says Fouchier.

###

American Society for Microbiology: http://www.asm.org

Thanks to American Society for Microbiology for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 15 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/125376/New_coronavirus_related_to_viruses_from_bats_

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Qatar set to host major climate talks

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, the 45 meter height Wind Tower brings upper level wind to the public square at the Masdar Institute campus as a part of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Hosting the climate talks is the latest bid by Qatar to flex its muscles on the international stage, following its successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup and its backing of Libyan and Syrian rebels. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, the 45 meter height Wind Tower brings upper level wind to the public square at the Masdar Institute campus as a part of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Hosting the climate talks is the latest bid by Qatar to flex its muscles on the international stage, following its successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup and its backing of Libyan and Syrian rebels. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, the Beam Down Pilot project, a joint pilot project of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Japan's Cosmo Oil Company and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, takes the conventional concentrated solar power design and literally turns it to on its head at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Hosting the climate talks is the latest bid by Qatar to flex its muscles on the international stage, following its successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup and its backing of Libyan and Syrian rebels. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

(AP) ? When the tiny desert nation of Qatar was chosen to host the latest round of United Nations climate change negotiations, environmentalists were stunned.

Talks were already in trouble, and now the high-level discussions were moving to a member of OPEC that had shown little interest in climate change and appointed a former oil minister to lead the negotiations, which start Monday. The country's economic boom, driven by vast oil and gas reserves, has led to free electricity for citizens and an abundance of gas-guzzling SUVs in the capital, Doha. It has also made Qatar the world's highest per capita carbon dioxide emitter.

"Nongovernment organizations had mixed feelings about it," said Wael Hmaidan, a Lebanese activist who is director of the Climate Action Network. "Some were very concerned and found it a threat knowing that Qatar has not been engaged in the climate change negotiations, while others found it an opportunity to get the climate debate higher on the political agenda of the region."

Activists complain Qatar has shown little leadership so far and been much less transparent than previous hosts of the annual climate conference.

Among the most vocal has been advocacy group Avaaz, which asserts that "having one of the OPEC leaders in charge of climate talks is like asking Dracula to look after a blood bank." It also criticized Qatari leaders for attending a big oil conference just ahead of the talks, a sign its priorities may misplaced.

But publicly, delegates have been careful to avoid criticizing the emirate. The top United Nations climate official said preparations are on track.

"I'm not concerned," said Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the United Nations Climate Change secretariat. "We are very grateful. Qatar not only offered, but literally fought for the opportunity and privilege of hosting."

"We have been impressed with work of the Qatar team and how they have brought themselves very quickly up to speed with the complexity of the issues," she said.

Hosting the conference is part of the tiny Gulf nation's campaign to project itself as a powerhouse on the world stage, after winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup and backing rebellions in Libya and Syria.

It also offers the ruling family an opportunity to change perceptions about a region that in the past has seemed concerned only with protecting its vast oil and gas reserves from the impact of any climate agreement.

Qatar and its Persian Gulf neighbors insist that portrayal is outdated.

The United Arab Emirates has, for example, endorsed the extension of the Kyoto Protocol, which limits the greenhouse emissions of industrialized countries. It was also the first Gulf nation to sign on to the Copenhagen Accord supporting a long-term deal to reign in emissions.

Even Saudi Arabia, which in the past led opposition to a global agreement capping greenhouse gas emissions, has moderated its position and shaken up its negotiating team.

Leaders in the Gulf also are more vocally acknowledging the impact of climate change, endorsing the science that shows emissions are on rise and recognizing they are not immune to the impact of global warming. They also are promising to do their part to combat it.

"I describe Qatar as the epicenter of climate change. There is no water, no food. It's barren desert," said Fahad Bin Mohammed al-Attiya, chairman of Doha's COP18 organizing committee. "Any problems to harvest season or productivity outside the Gulf would immediately impact our ability to have access to food at reasonable global prices."

Qatar and the UAE have rolled out green building codes in an effort to shift away from energy-wasting high-rises that dominate the skyline. Qatar says it will produce 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2024, while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE have announced plans to invest heavily in solar power.

The UAE, which has set a target to generate 7 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020, is home to the International Renewable Energy Agency and the government-run Masdar Institute, which has built the first phase of a pre-planned city powered by renewable sources. The UAE has also announced plans to build four nuclear reactors, the first of which should be operational by 2017.

"We don't want to continue to be seen as only an exporter of oil through barrels or gas through pipelines," said Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, the chief executive officer of Masdar and UAE's Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change.

"Our approach should be an energy mix approach where oil and gas continues to play a role, nuclear continues to play a catalytic role but the only energy source that will grow over time will be renewable energy," he said. "That is simply because the technology is maturing and the world better recognizes the need for advancing this technology."

Activists, though, want to see Gulf countries go further at the climate talks.

Former Irish President Mary Robinson said they should commit to voluntary emissions targets, like former conference host Mexico did. Gulf nations' total emissions are a fraction of China's and the United States', but setting targets would help inspire others to take action.

"Leadership of the Gulf countries is very important" she said at a meeting addressing climate change in Dubai.

Activists say they also could do more to cut fuel subsidies that make bottled water more expensive that gasoline in many Gulf countries, policies partly enacted to keep the lid on political dissent.

Others have called on the Gulf ? which has some of the world's highest per capita incomes thanks to its vast petrodollars ? to contribute to the U.N.'s Green Climate Fund. The fund aims to channel $100 billion annually by 2020 to aid to poor countries. So far, Gulf countries have contributed nothing.

"Qatar has a GDP per capita which is three times ours in Europe," EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard told The Associated Press. "Should ... also the Qataris come up with some financing? So we have tried to encourage them. I don't know what the response will be, but let's see."

Expectations are also high that the Gulf countries will play a more productive and public role in negotiations, after years in which only the UAE countered Saudi Arabia's obstructionist tactics and its widely-ridiculed demands that OPEC members be compensated for loss of oil revenues in any agreement ? a move criticized by impoverished nations who would be forced to compete with the world's top oil producer for aid.

Those views have been moderated, al-Attiya said, as Gulf countries recognize efforts to diversify their economies are not as difficult and costly as they once seemed. Still, Gulf countries led by Saudi Arabia are demanding measures in any agreement that would assist them in shifting away from fossil fuels.

The Gulf countries want to have the right to use a diversity of energy sources, including both fossil fuels and renewables, said al-Attiya.

"It's not an excuse," al-Attiya said. "Every country wants that right, provided that right to diversify is governed by rules that say, for instance, you are not going to diversify at the expense of causing more damage to the environment. "

___

Associated Press writer Karl Ritter in Stockholm contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-11-22-Climate-Gulf%20Goes%20Green?/id-c4988233e4e74957a9dbe7a55e155250

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