Target 4Q hurt by Canada investment, weak holiday

NEW YORK (AP) ? Target is setting its bullseye on Canada in 2013.

Its investment in a Canadian launch this year and weaker-than-expected holiday sales caused Target Corp.'s net income to fall 2 percent in the fourth quarter of last year. But the second largest discounter in the U.S. said its foray into Canada, policy of matching competitors' prices and new designer lines will help its business this year.

"We believe that we are well positioned to succeed even in this uncertain environment, said CEO Gregg Steinhafel said in a call with investors.

The big-box retailer, known for its cheap but trendy merchandise, pulled out all the stops to lure in cautious shoppers during the winter holiday season, which runs from November through December. It launched a line of gifts created by 24 high profile designers in partnership with luxury department store Neiman Marcus and offered to match prices of online competitors such as Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com and Toysrus.com.

But the initiatives did not spur customers to buy more during the period, a time when retailers can make up as much as 40 percent of their annual revenue. In fact, Target noted that sales "bar belled," meaning that they were strong around Black Friday, the busy shopping day after Thanksgiving, and the days before and after Christmas, but not in between.

Overall, Target's number of transactions fell 1 percent during the quarter, although the amount spent per transaction rose 1.4 percent. The company said its gross margin ? the percentage of each dollar in revenue made that a company actually keeps ? declined during the quarter due to holiday markdowns.

Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough said the problem during the holidays was seasonal merchandise that didn't sell during a slow December. But overall it was a decent report, he added.

"Results were in-line, and forward guidance was pretty solid," he said.

Many had wondered how Target would do now that consumers are being squeezed by an increase in the Social Security payroll tax of 2 percentage points that was rolled out last month. Burger King and Wal-Mart have already noticed a pull-back from the tax hike.

Steinhafel did not mention an effect in the fourth quarter, but said that the payroll tax increase was one of several challenges that are giving the company a "tempered" view of revenue in 2013.

"While there are some encouraging signs in the housing market, volatility in consumer confidence, the payroll tax increase and rise in the price of gas all present incremental headwinds," Steinhafel said Wednesday in a call with analysts.

For now, Target, which has 1,778 stores across the U.S., is focusing on its launch in Canada. The company plans to open 24 Canadian stores by early April, one of five waves that should add up to 124 stores open before the end of the year. In addition, the chain plans to open 15 to 20 new stores in the U.S. It is the most new stores the company has opened in one year in its history.

"This is a big investment, people are going to be anxious to see how those are trending," said Yarbrough, the Edward Jones analyst.

For the three months ended Feb. 2, Target earned $961 million, or $1.47 per share, for the period ended Feb. 2. That's down from $981 million, or $1.45 per share, a year earlier.

Removing costs related to its investment in Canada stores and interest expense, earnings were $1.65 per share. Analysts expected earnings of $1.47 per share, on average, according to research firm FactSet, but some may have included the Canadian expense in their projections. Target had forecast adjusted earnings between $1.64 and $1.74 per share.

Revenue climbed 7 percent to $22.73 billion from $21.29 billion. This met Wall Street's expectations.

During the quarter, revenue at stores open at least a year edged up 0.4 percent. This figure is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed.

For the full year, the Minneapolis company earned $3 billion, or $4.52 per share. A year earlier it earned $2.93 billion, or $4.28 per share. Adjusted earnings were $4.76 per share. Annual revenue increased 5 percent to $71.96 billion from $68.47 billion.

Target's outlook for 2013 was brighter. The chain foresees first quarter adjusted earnings of $1.10 to $1.20 per share. Analysts predict earnings of $1.05 per share. It expects revenue in stores open at least one year to be flat to up 2 percent.

The chain's fiscal 2013 outlook is for adjusted earnings between $4.85 and $5.05 per share. Wall Street expects earnings of $4.87 per share.

In a call with investors, Chief Financial Officer John Mulligan said he expects revenue in stores open at least one year to be in line with the current year's 2.7 percent rise.

Target's stock fell 72 cents to $63.33 in afternoon trading amid a broad market rally.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/target-4q-hurt-canada-investment-weak-holiday-181515136--finance.html

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Justice Department says wins $1 billion Dow tax shelter case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it has won a $1 billion tax shelter case against Dow Chemical Co that involved a Swiss partnership, Wall Street financial giant Goldman Sachs and international law firm King & Spalding.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana rejected two tax shelter transactions entered into by the Dow Chemical Co "that purported to create approximately $1 billion in phony tax deductions," Justice said in a statement.

Chief Judge Brian Jackson also imposed penalties, the department said of the decision in the Baton Rouge court.

A Dow spokeswoman said in a statement that Dow sued the U.S. government for return of taxes paid for tax years 1993-2003.

"Dow paid all taxes at issue plus interest, but requested the U.S. District Court to agree that the taxes were wrongly assessed by the IRS," the spokeswoman said.

"Dow is disappointed by the trial court's decision ... we believe the opinion is not supported by the facts and applicable law. Dow is exploring all of its options, including appeal."

The case dates back to transactions Dow started in 1993 that involved patent transfers to company subsidiaries.

The IRS in 2005 denied Dow tax deductions based on the transactions, arguing the deals had no legitimate economic benefit to the company. Dow sued the government in 2005 to keep its tax deductions.

The transactions, created by Goldman Sachs and King & Spalding, involved forming a partnership that Dow operated from its European headquarters in Switzerland, according to the court's ruling.

Jackson wrote in his 74-page opinion that the government was correct to reject "the artificial tax benefits created by these schemes that were designed to exploit perceived weaknesses in the tax code and not designed for legitimate business reasons," according to the Justice Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of Justice's Tax Division said: "It is offensive to all taxpayers who pay their fair share when our largest corporations believe that they can claim hundreds of millions of dollars in tax deductions that are manufactured by abusive tax schemes."

Goldman Sachs and King Spalding both declined to comment.

(Additional reporting by Ernest Scheyder and Lauren LaCapra in New York; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Martin Golan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/justice-department-says-wins-1-billion-dow-chemical-220347437--sector.html

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Death Cafe: Today's interesting death event part 1

Today's interesting death event part 1

Transitus Open Day

Transitus is a growing national network of people with deep concern for the care and well-being of those approaching the End of Life

Registration 9.30 for 10.00 am ? 7.30pmThe day will include talks, discussions,and rehearsed reading of the play?Home Death? by Nell Dunn Presented byThe Martinsey Isle Trust and Taboo Amateur TheatreLimited space ? booking advisedCost: ?15.00 ? the dayBookings, food orders & travel instructions contact:Jean Francis, 28 Depot Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5HARegistered charity no. 1135600Transitus is a group of people with a deep concern for the care and well-being of those approaching the End of LifeSaturday 23rd March 2013 ? 10.00 am ? 8.00 pm. You are invited to the first Transitus meeting in Sussex: an opportunity for networking and to see what is available to help the dying and bereaved. Transitus is a network comprised of a growing group of people working in a way that honours all aspects of life - mind, body, spirit and emotions - who are involved with the sacred process of dying. The aim of Transitus being; to release the fear and taboo surrounding death; support those dying and help the bereaved; raise awareness of ?green? and family based approaches to death encouraging the acceptance of the concept of the continuity of consciousness. This it achieves through local gatherings for members only and events or ?festivals? for members and the public alike. The Network also supports its members so that none of us feels alone in this sometimes isolating work. The meeting will include a rehearsed reading of the play ?Home Death? by Nell Dunn, presented by The Martinsey Isle Trust and Taboo Amateur Theatre Company. Tickets for the day cost ?15.00 and include the play, tea & coffee. On booking, food orders can be placed or you may prefer to bring your own refreshment. For more information and to book - Tel: Jean on 01403 273754. Also see: www.martinsey.org.uk and to Transitus as details become available. Venue: Sedgwick Park House, Nuthurst, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6QQ

Source: http://www.deathcafe.com/2013/02/todays-interesting-death-event-part-1.html

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3 Tips To Avoid Internet Marketing Scams

The online world is full of scams. While this does not sound very promising for someone who is starting up their own business, it is important to be aware of the risks and dangers that are out there. Finding unbiased information is a lot more difficult these days, especially considering the amount of marketing that takes place on the Internet. There will always be people out there who are looking to make a quick buck. The first thing business leaders need to understand is what they have to do in order to avoid getting tricked or scammed. This is especially important for businesses like Pittsburgh Internet Marketing Exact and individuals who are just started to sell their services online.

Avoiding the Scams: Look for Reviews

Internet marketing scams can take a number of different shapes. This is often what can make it difficult to determine what is the truth and what is a scam. Some scammers are very clever and very good at hiding their true motivations from readers. If you receive an offer, it is a good idea to see if others have received it as well. What you can do is simply search online to see if others have had the same experience. By reading through the reviews of a specific company or website, you will begin to get an idea of what the company is like. It is important to remember that some customers may have it out for the company, and may falsely state that it is a scam. The trick here is to look at how many reviews state the company is a scam. Another possibility is that the scammer paid ?customers? to write good reviews of their website. Although this is not a completely accurate way of determining a scam, it is a good indicator that something is not right.

Contact Details

This may seem like a very simple thing to do, but it is vital that every business has contact details available. Normally when you go onto a website, there will be an icon that clearly marks out the company?s contact information. These will normally include a telephone number, an address, an e-mail and sometimes even a fax number. A lot of the time, there will also be a help desk available for customers who have questions. Steer clear of websites that have none of this. If you want to make doubly sure, you can always ask a question. See how long it takes for the company to get back to you. Companies that take themselves seriously and care about their customers needs will always respond to you promptly, even if it is two or three days later.

Look at Their Product Patterns

Scammers generally do not have sustainable products. Since these products generally do not last, they are going to constantly need ?new ones in order to replace them. Take a look at the product history of the company and, again, make sure to look at reviews. Patterns of new products being released only months apart is going to indicate a true scam here.

Keeping safe on the Internet is important, and it is also important to scrutinize anyone that you come across. There is a lot of opportunity out there for unscrupulous people to take advantage of others. By knowing some of the telltale signs, you will be able to avoid the worst companies.

Grow your web presence with Pittsburgh Internet Marketing.?Exact Match Domains are still a good idea. Visit the site ?for further information.

Source: http://blog.smbnow.com/2013/02/26/3-tips-to-avoid-internet-marketing-scams/

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Google+ Photos app coming to Chrome, developer gives us a peek

A new Chrome app is in the works, and developer François Beaufort  has let the cat out of the bag and shown the world a quick peek at Google+ Photos.

Nicknamed "Pulsar" the app is powered by Native Client technology and is gives you the ability to upload and share photos from Google Chrome. For now, Beaufort warns the app is broken (we can't get it to open on our Chromebook Pixel running the latest Chrome stable build, but it does install), but he's shared a few pictures showing a good bit of the UI.

Two of the features are mentioned specifically are automatic selection of the best shots and automatic import when inserting a memory card or plugging in a camera. It's a great example of what a full Chrome app might look like, and lets us know Google still has plans for ChromeOS.

If you're interested in checking out the source, you'll find it at the link below. Be sure to jump through the break to see the screenshots.

Source:+François Beaufort

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/c5q_Bldmhrs/story01.htm

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The Great Hacker Photo Hack

This hacker has a ham radio and a wrench. ?He?s probably pretty ready to wreck your Internet connection with those,? jokes Hacker Dojo?s Katy Levinson.

Photo by Santiago Zavala/Flickr

There?s a long-standing struggle in the technology world over the meaning of the word hacker. For engineers and computer geeks, it?s an honorific, connoting a person who jerry-rigs ingenious devices or programs, typically for the sheer satisfaction of doing so. It is this sense of the word that?s conjured by the influential tech website Hacker News or by Facebook?s Hackathons. Let?s call these types of hackers ?friendly hackers.?

In Hollywood, the computer security business, and the mainstream media, however, that meaning has gradually been overlapped by more sinister connotations. Since at least the 1980s, hacker has been widely used to refer to criminals who use computer code to break into other people?s systems and steal information or otherwise wreak mayhem. The 1995 movie Hackers helped to solidify this usage in the popular parlance, and today it?s common to hear of hackers infiltrating people?s email accounts or stealing their credit card numbers. We?ll call those types of hackers ?evil hackers.? Sometimes the good guys are called ?white hat hackers? and the bad guys ?black hat hackers,? though of course there are gray areas.

In Mountain View, Calif., just down the street from the Googleplex, there?s an unobtrusive, low-slung concrete building known as Hacker Dojo. Its members describe it as ?part coworking space, part events venue, and part community center,? but Hacker Dojo is also more than that. It?s a nonprofit, grass-roots collective, a band of techies with widely varying skills and interests but a shared affinity for doing nifty things with computers and electronics. Some are unkempt and unemployed; others are well-groomed professionals. From their ranks have emerged startups as wildly successful as Pinterest, which was recently valued at some $2.5 billion. Hacker Dojo?s members are, emphatically, of the friendly hacker variety.

Within the Silicon Valley tech community, the group is well-known and respected. But in the outside world, it has an image problem, thanks to that other definition of hacker. Many times over the years, tech blogs and other news outlets scouring the Internet for stock photos to go along with stories about evil hackers have landed on images associated with Hacker Dojo and plucked them up for publication. Sometimes it was the group's building and logo that ended up in these stories. Other times group members would find, to their chagrin, their own likenesses slapped onto news items about the cyber world's ne'er-do-wells. They didn?t interpret this as an intentional slight. ?It?s because of Google autocomplete,? said Katy Levinson, a software engineer who serves as Hacker Dojo?s development director. ?Type in ?hacker? and we?re the second result.? For some less-than-diligent bloggers and editors, surely hard-up for photos of actual criminal hackers at work, the name hacker attached to photos that seemed to be licensed for commercial use was apparently enough.

All of which might have been more funny if it weren't for the fact that Hacker Dojo has been locked in a years-long fight for legitimacy in the eyes of buttoned-up Mountain View residents and city officials, who have several times threatened to fine or evict the group for a gamut of alleged violations of town zoning codes and other bylaws. Not to mention the group?s existential need to raise money from donors uneager to give to a cause with shady connotations.

So, in true friendly hacker fashion, the group decided last year to solve its hacker photo problem by coming up with ? a hack. Members staged a photo shoot in which they tried to embody all the absurd evil-hacker stereotypes they could think of. Hoodies. Dank basements. Green lights. Smoke machines. Wire cutters. Even rollerblades. ("As you probably learned in the 1995 movie ?Hackers,? all hackers wear rollerblades," Levinson joked in a blog post about the photo shoot.)?

This staged photo of hackers wearing rollerblades is a sly reference to the 1995 movie Hackers.

Photo by Katy Levinson/Flickr

Then they planted the photos on various publicly accessible Flickr accounts, tagging them as comprehensively as possible with keywords like "hacker," "criminal hacker," "teenage hacker," and the like. Then they waited.

?It was kind of a cathartic process,? Levinson recalls. ?I?m sure the actual people who stole your credit card do not have a fog machine at their feet and green lights in an abandoned warehouse.? But re-enacting those stereotypes helped the group work through its frustration with a culture in which hackers like Aaron Swartz are treated as threats to national security.

For months after the group posted the photos, nothing happened. Then, last month, they hit pay dirt. On Jan. 14, Wired.com?the distinguished gray lady of tech websites?ran an op-ed with the headline, ?The FBI Needs Hackers, Not Backdoors.? The piece used the word hackers in the breaking-and-entering sense, not the clever-hobbyist sense. At the top, in eerie black and green, was one of Hacker Dojo?s hacker photos. ?Victory!? David Weekly, a Hacker Dojo board member, proclaimed on his Facebook page.

This image, staged by Hacker Dojo as a send-up of hacker stereotypes, appeared as the featured image in an article on Wired.com.

Photo by Brian Klug/Flickr

On Tuesday, it happened again?appropriately enough, in a Wired.com post about Swartz. This time it was a less sensational image, one of a lone computer programmer sitting at a table in the faint glow of a single overhead bulb. The image, implausible as it is (whose workspace really looks like that?), feels oddly appropriate for Swartz, a troubled but brilliant young man who was admired by hackers around the world. Appropriate, because some of Swartz?s actions put him in the gray area between the two meanings of hacker. In his soul, he was a friendly hacker. But he was willing to stoop to evil-hacker-like tactics for what he was sure was the greater good. Hacker Dojo?s image depicts a friendly hacker in a way that makes him look like a stereotypical evil hacker?an apt metaphor for Swartz?s plight.

Unlike some hacks, the goal of Hacker Dojo?s stock-photo stunt was not publicity, and Levinson told me the group has no desire to embarrass any particular publication. Until now, the prank hasn?t been publicized outside the Dojo, and its members didn?t seek me out to crow about it?I just happened to catch Weekly?s Facebook post. Still, once I contacted them, the group?s members couldn?t hide a little bit of pride in a hack well done. Asked how it felt to see the second parody image appear on Wired.com, Levinson evinced a bit of classic friendly hacker satisfaction: ?Once you?re lucky. Twice you?re good.?

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=6b7b8257d8f4b7d5667afb68c5860969

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Horoscope: February 6 to be a very bad day for computers ? Van's ...

Most people occasionally read horoscopes for fun, but an astrology website is predicting a bad computer day for everyone tomorrow, February 6, 2013. Take a look at tomorrow?s fortunes for all twelve signs of the Zodiac from San Francisco-based Horoscope.com.

Aries: Computers and other equipment could go haywire today, limiting your abilities to work at maximum efficiency.

Taurus: Don?t try to sign up for a class over the phone or online today, Taurus, as it probably won?t work. This also isn?t a good day to travel ? delays are likely whether you fly or drive. If you?ve been planning a trip, don?t finalize the arrangements now. Wait a few days, as computers and other equipment used in such arrangements are likely to malfunction, and you could end up frustrated.

Gemini: The planetary energies don?t favor computers or other forms of modern technology used in such transactions, so wait a day or two.

Cancer: More than one problem with modern equipment could rear its head today, Cancer. Computers could malfunction, crash, or be maddeningly slow. You might also have a hard time reaching people you need to talk to.

Leo: A trip of some kind might have to be postponed, as computers and other technology involved in your arrangements might be temporarily out of operation.

Virgo: You might be a bit edgy emotionally and more likely to overreact when other people quarrel or machines break down.

Libra: Machines are likely to pose a few problems today, Libra, particularly where work and money are concerned.

Scorpio: Obstacles may arise in the course of your chores when machines break down and interfere with your efficiency.

Sagittarius: The planetary energies today don?t favor the smooth functioning of computers or other machines.

Capricorn: Frustration with machines or friends could have tempers on edge, so try to avoid the temptation to get into arguments.

Aquarius: Problems in your community may result from malfunctioning machines. Be prepared, Aquarius. Have flashlights handy in case of a power outage, and walk instead of drive in case signals cause major traffic jams.

Pisces: Temporary upsets regarding money might result from a computer failure of some sort.

Source: http://vanshardware.com/2013/02/horoscope-february-6-to-be-a-very-bad-day-for-computers/

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UBS private bank inflows weak as reports big loss

ZURICH (Reuters) - UBS saw weak client inflows at its flagship private bank in the fourth quarter as it reported a hefty net loss due to a $1.5 billion fine for rigging benchmark interest rates and restructuring costs.

Switzerland's biggest bank announced plans in October to fire 10,000 staff as it focuses on wealth management and ditches much of the trading business that ran up $50 billion in losses in the financial crisis and prompted the rate rigging fine.

But the wealth management business that is now the key to its future success only delivered 2.4 billion francs in fresh client money -- a key bellwether for future revenue -- clearly missing average analyst forecasts for 6.8 billion francs.

While inflows in fast-growing markets like Asia were healthy, withdrawals by clients in western Europe - where Switzerland is under fire for helping tax cheats - sped up towards the end of the quarter, UBS said.

Chief financial officer Tom Naratil said Germany's rejection mid-December of a tax deal with Switzerland had contributed to the outflows.

However, the wealth management Americas business saw net new money of $8.8 billion, its highest rate of fourth-quarter inflows since 2007 and double analyst forecasts.

"Despite the lack of progress on certain bilateral tax treaties, we remain confident that our asset-gathering businesses as a whole will continue to attract net new money," UBS said in its outlook statement.

UBS has warned it could lose 12-30 billion Swiss francs from total European assets under management of over 300 billion as a result of steps to stop foreigners using secret accounts to evade taxes.

CUTTING RISK, BONUSES

UBS reported a 1.89 billion franc loss in the fourth quarter largely due to the fine it agreed in December for rigging Libor and other benchmark interest rates and charges from its restructuring plan to shed 10,000 staff.

The loss compares with a 2.078 billion franc net loss forecasts by analysts in a Reuters poll.

Bank Sarasin said the overall result is good because the net loss is narrower than expected, though the private bank's weakness in collecting new money is a drawback.

UBS said it will buy back 5 billion Swiss francs in senior debt in coming weeks, after the scaleback at its investment bank dramatically reduced liquidity and funding needs.

But it said the move to buy back the euro, Italian lira and U.S. dollar denominated debt could lead to a tightening of its credit spreads, and as a result could incur "significant" first-quarter own credit charges.

Like most global banking rivals, UBS is seeking to reduce its risky assets in a bid to meet tougher regulations aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis.

UBS is nearing its goal faster than expected by analysts, lowering risk-weighted assets (RWAs) to 258 billion francs in the quarter, nearing the target of 200 billion francs it set for 2017. RWAs stood at 301 billion at the end of the third quarter.

UBS said it was cutting its bonus pool for 2012 by 7 percent to 2.5 billion francs and introducing a scheme to pay bankers with loss-absorbing capital which are revoked if capital targets are not met. It issued roughly 500 million francs in those instruments in the fourth quarter.

Deutsche Bank is capping bonus payouts for 2012 at 300,000 euros for employees, not including deferred pay, sources told Reuters on Friday.

UBS's hometown rival Credit Suisse, where investment banking makes a larger share of profits, is pursuing a very different strategy. Credit Suisse is holding fast to its securities unit, even as it adapts to tough capital rules that make it harder to turn a profit from trading.

Credit Suisse reports quarterly results on Thursday.

So far, investors have shown a preference for Credit Suisse's stance, sending its stock 23 percent higher since November, when UBS unveiled its strategy. UBS's shares, meantime, have gained 15 percent, only just outpacing a 13.5 percent rise in the Stoxx 600 European bank index.

($1=0.9086 Swiss francs)

(Reporting By Katharina Bart, editing by Emma Thomasson and Mike Nesbit)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ubs-swings-q4-full-net-loss-libor-fine-055635575--sector.html

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Inscribing Industry: Interview with Joan Gelfand, award-winning ...

Interview with Joan Gelfand by Carol Smallwood (see Carol's bio following the interview):

Joan Gelfand is one of the New Chapter Development national representatives for the Women's National Book Association, the Co-Poetry Liaison for the San Francisco Writers Conference, a contributing Poetry Editor to the ?J? and a member of the National Book Critics Circle. She blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and teaches writing for Poetry Inside Out in addition to coaching writers in San Francisco. One of her current roles is serving as Co-Editor of the anthology Women and the Web:? How The Internet Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Women.?

Joan's work has appeared in over eighty national magazines, anthologies and literary journals around the world.? Her work has been nominated for both Pushcart and Carver Prizes. Publications include Vanity Fair, Poets & Writers, The New York Times Magazine, The Huffington Post, Rattle, The Toronto Quarterly, Kalliope, Eclipse and Meridian Anthology of Contemporary Poetry.? Her poetry collections include A Dreamer's Guide to Cities and Streams and Seeking Center. Her collection of short stories, Here and Abroad, is the Winner of the 2010 Cerven? Barva Press Fiction Contest, judged by Dorothy Freudenthal.? Transported is a spoken word CD with original music by Marty Castleberg.???

She served as the President of the Women's National Book Association from 2008 to 2010.

For more information, visit:? http://joangelfand.com/main/

1) How has your business background of over 20 years advanced your writing?

I've tried to take a similar approach in my writing as I did in my business career. I use the same persistence in my writing that made me successful in business. I try to be pragmatic and not take rejection, criticism or editorial suggestions personally.

I have also tried to find mentors and coaches and align myself with writers who are 'further down the line.' I am an enthusiastic cheerleader and supporter of other writers.

The truth is, that while writing is solitary, it is still a business. I've gotten involved in the community of writers, volunteered to further literacy and have helped other writers get started. I've also used my experience with goal-setting and planning to plan my writing.

2) You are active in associations. How have they helped your career?

I've learned so much from groups like the Women's National Book Association. I learned about 'the path to publication,' and I've been offered opportunities that I would never have gotten if I hadn't been involved as a volunteer.

For example, I am the Co-Poetry Liaison for the San Francisco Writer's Conference. I met the organizers through WNBA. I also started blogging for the Huffington Post through WNBA. I've been offered readings, interviews, and even publication opportunities through WNBA and PEN Oakland.

3) What is your writing and teaching schedule?

I teach part-time; about 2-3 days per week. As a rule, I write in the mornings. If I have class, then I have to change that around, but in general, I'm writing about 15 hours per week.

4) What are you working on now?

I just finished a novel and am in discussions with an agent. I have just sent out my third full-length poetry manuscript for consideration and I'm working on a few different blog posts. I'm also the Poetry Editor for the "J", a Northern California newspaper with a circulation of approx. 30,000.

5) What writing mistakes do you see students make the most?

They call the work finished too soon. Most writing needs to be drafted, allowed to sit, be reviewed, revised. Repeat. Unless I've worked on something 5-8 times, I won't let it go. I try to encourage my students not to rush, and to educate them that writing is a process.

6) How have you managed to become an accomplished public speaker?

Once I was published, people considered me an authority. I started speaking to writers on my experience of navigating the publishing world- how I got started, what works, what doesn't. I guess people like what I have to say because I've been invited to many panels on writing.

7) How do you make the most of websites, blogs, e-newsletters?

I try to spend some time 'on-line' every day. Through Twitter and Facebook, I learn about different websites of interest to writers. I send my own e-newsletter out about once a month to update my friends, family and colleagues on new developments in my career. I always include a section about 'friends' and also a section on 'opportunities.' That way it isn't all about 'me' but more of a community experience.

Interviewer Bio- Carol Smallwood co-edited Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching (McFarland, 2012) on the list of "Best Books for Writers" by Poets & Writers Magazine; Women Writing on Family: Tips on Writing, Teaching and Publishing (Key Publishing House, 2012); Compartments: Poems on Nature, Femininity, and Other Realms (Anaphora Literary Press, 2011) received a Pushcart nomination. Carol has founded, supports humane societies.

Source: http://inscribingindustry.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-with-joan-gelfand-award.html

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NFL: Beyonce not the cause of Super Bowl blackout

NEW YORK (AP) ? Don't blame Beyonce for blowing the lights out at the Super Bowl.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that the halftime show was not the cause of the power outage that darkened the Superdome for half an hour during Sunday's broadcast.

"There's no indication at all that this was caused by the halftime show. Absolutely not. I know that's been out there that this halftime show had something to do with it. That is not the case," Goodell said.

Beyonce was the halftime performer at Sunday night's game and used plenty of power to light up the stage. Some had joked that her electrifying performance was to blame for the outage.

But the halftime show was running on its own generator, said Goodell and Doug Thornton, a vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Superdome.

"It was not on our power grid at all," Thornton said, adding that the metered power consumption went down during halftime because the house lights were down.

Beyonce's 13-minute set included hits "Crazy in Love," ''Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and a Destiny's Child reunion.

The energetic performance was sung live days after she admitted she sang to a pre-recorded track at President Barack Obama's inauguration. And it won applause from critics who called it a major improvement over Madonna, who sang to a backing track last year, and the Black Eyed Peas' much-criticized halftime show in 2011.

Alicia Keys performed the national anthem on piano before the game, and Jennifer Hudson sang "America the Beautiful" with the 26-member Sandy Hook Elementary School chorus.

Beyonce posted on her blog that she was proud to be among those female talents, which included her Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

"What a proud day for AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN!!!!," she wrote. "You are all beautiful, talented and showed so much class! It was an honor to perform at the Superbowl with you phenomenal ladies."

Beyonce announced Monday that her "The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" will kick off April 15 in Belgrade, Serbia. The European leg of the tour will wrap up May 29 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The tour's North American stint starts June 28 in Los Angeles and ends Aug. 3 in Brooklyn, N.Y., at the Barclays Center.

It was also announced Monday that a second wave of the tour is planned for Latin America, Australia and Asia later this year.

___

AP Sports Writer Brett Martell in New Orleans contributed to this report.

___

Online:

http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/home

___

Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MusicMesfin

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nfl-beyonce-not-cause-super-bowl-blackout-180012065.html

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Louis Freeh to chair U.S. law firm Pepper Hamilton

(Reuters) - Louis Freeh, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of MF Global, has become chair of the law firm Pepper Hamilton LLP, the firm's leaders said on Tuesday.

The move, which follows the acquisition of Freeh and his eight-member investigations law firm in August 2012, underscores Pepper Hamilton's efforts to bolster its investigations practice, an increasingly lucrative area for law firms.

Freeh, 63, said that he intends to continue recruiting lawyers in New York, Washington and California to investigate possible wrongdoing at companies, and that he also plans to build on the firm's more general practices.

"I think it's much more than government investigations," Freeh said in an interview. "Beyond (that) there's civil litigation and bankruptcy matters."

Freeh will continue to serve as the trustee liquidating bankrupt MF Global , He said in a court filing last week former customers of Jon Corzine's collapsed brokerage would recover most, and probably all, of their money.

At Pepper Hamilton, Freeh succeeds Nina Gussack, who served two three-year terms as chair before stepping down this month. Gussack will continue to practice with the firm as the chair of Pepper Hamilton's health effects litigation practice, the firm said.

Other law firms, too, have been recruiting government lawyers to work on investigations.

Last year, the New York law firm Skadden, Arps, Meagher, Slate & Flom hired Patrick Fitzgerald, the former U.S. Attorney in Chicago whose prosecutions included corruption cases against two Illinois governors, as well as a case against an aide to then-Vice President Dick Cheney. With Skadden, Fitzgerald focuses on government investigations and enforcement matters.

Last month, the Los Angeles law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher recruited Reed Brodsky, the former U.S. Attorney in Manhattan whose prosecutions led to insider trading convictions of former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta and hedge fund titan Raj Rajaratnam. Brodsky will focus on white collar defense and general litigation.

Pepper Hamilton has more than 500 lawyers in seven states and the District of Columbia specializing in a range of practices including corporation, litigation and regulatory legal services.

(Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-law-firm-pepper-hamilton-names-louis-freeh-183547767--sector.html

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Prescription overdose rate reaches epidemic levels in NYC

Monday, February 4, 2013

The rate of drug overdose from prescription opioids increased seven-fold in New York City over a 16-year period and was concentrated especially among white residents of the city, according to latest research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The study is one of the earliest and most comprehensive analyses of how the opioid epidemic has affected an urban area.

The findings are published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

There are two classes of prescription opioids: analgesics, or painkillers like Oxycontin (oxycodone), and methadone, which is used to treat heroin addiction but which carries a risk of overdose. Using data from the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the period 1990-2006, the researchers examined the factors associated with death from prescription opioids versus heroin, which historically has been the most common type of opioid fatality in urban areas.

They found that the increase in the rate of drug overdose was driven entirely by analgesic overdoses, which were 2.7 per 100,000 persons in 2006 or seven times higher than in 1990. Meanwhile, methadone overdoses remained stable, and heroin overdoses declined.

Whites were much more likely to overdose on analgesics than blacks or Hispanics. By 2006, the fatality rate among white males was almost two times higher than the rate among Latinos and three times higher than the rate among blacks.

Deaths were mostly concentrated in neighborhoods with high-income inequality but lower-than-average rates of poverty.

"A possible reason for the concentration of fatalities among whites is that this group is more likely to have access to a doctor who can write prescriptions," says Magdalena Cerd?, DrPH, assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health and the lead author on the study. "However, more often than not, those who get addicted have begun using the drug through illicit channels rather than through a prescription."

Price may also play a role, since heroin costs less than analgesics. Additionally, users of prescription opioids may perceive they are safer than other drugs.

Although methadone overdose rates did not increase overall, fatalities among whites increased almost nine-fold while among blacks decreased by 2%. This shift may reflect a change in the nature of methadone use, from a treatment for heroin addiction to a treatment for chronic non-cancer pain.

The study suggests that the profile of a recreational prescription opioid user is very different from the heroin consumer, with less involvement in street-based forms of drug-trafficking and use of other drugs such as cocaine. Because of the different demographics between heroin and prescription opioid users, a different public health approach is needed to target the latter group, say the authors. "It's a different type of drug with a different profile, and we need a different type of response to it," said Dr. Cerd?.

Over the last 20 years, prescription drug overdoses have risen dramatically in the U. S. By 2006, overdose fatalities exceeded the number of suicides, and by 2009, they exceeded the number of motor vehicle deaths.

Most studies on recreational opioid use have focused on rural areas, which have been hit the hardest by the epidemic, but this study suggests that urban areas are contending with a growing health burden from opioid use.

The authors recommend regulating the aggressive marketing of potent drugs like Oxycontin, controlling over-prescribing of analgesics, and taking stricter measures to regulate sales. They also say there should be more law enforcement measures to identify illicit networks of distribution of these drugs and education outreach for physicians and patients.

###

Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health: http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu

Thanks to Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health 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.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126600/Prescription_overdose_rate_reaches_epidemic_levels_in_NYC

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McCain cool to suggestion of Hagel filibuster

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republican Sen. John McCain, a sharp critic of Chuck Hagel's nomination as defense secretary, said Monday he will not support a filibuster of President Barack Obama's pick, even though he declined to say whether he intends to vote for confirmation.

"I do not believe a filibuster is appropriate and I would oppose such a move," McCain told reporters Monday, two days after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell raised the possibility of forcing a showdown vote.

In the fiercest exchange of Hagel's confirmation hearing last week, McCain questioned the nominee about the Iraq war and whether he was right or wrong in opposing an additional 30,000 U.S. troops in 2007. The Arizona senator said he still has questions on the nomination and "was not happy with his (Hagel's) failure to answer a really simple question."

But McCain insisted he would not support use of the filibuster, a procedural tactic which can derail a confirmation vote and which can be stopped only by the votes of 60 of the 100 senators.

Several other Republican senators echoed McCain about a step that would be historic on a Cabinet choice. Nominees facing stiff opposition or serious ethical questions typically have withdrawn before any vote. The last nominee to be defeated was John Tower, President George H.W. Bush's choice for defense secretary who failed on a 53-47 vote in 1989 amid accusations of drinking and womanizing.

"It would be unprecedented for the Senate not to allow an up-or-down vote on a president's Cabinet nomination, but I haven't made any decision about a vote," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was "not inclined to support a filibuster regardless of my ultimate decision" on the nominee.

Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, who opposes Hagel's nomination, said he would not support a filibuster.

Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who suggested the administration re-evaluate its choice, said "filibustering is something I do very reluctantly."

In interview this past weekend, McConnell gave Hagel a poor grade for his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee and said opposition to the former Republican senator leading the Pentagon was growing.

"Whether that means he will end up having to achieve 60 votes or 51 is not clear yet," the Kentucky senator, who is seeking re-election, said Saturday at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Louisville.

Hagel seemed ill-prepared under withering cross-examination from committee Republicans in nearly eight hours of testimony last Thursday. He was repeatedly pressed about past statements and votes on Israel, Iran and nuclear weapons, with GOP lawmakers suggesting he wasn't sufficiently supportive of Israel or anti-Iran.

Senate Democrats, who hold the majority, continue to stand behind the nomination, and no Democrat has said he or she would vote against the president's pick for his second-term national security team. Hagel, 66, is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran who served two terms as Nebraska senator.

About a dozen Republican have said they will oppose their former colleague and several others have indicated they are likely to vote no.

Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate and two Republicans have announced their support for Hagel ? Sens. Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Mike Johanns of Hagel's home state of Nebraska. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of the leadership, said he would oppose Hagel, but would not back a filibuster.

McConnell's failure to rule out a filibuster marks the first time the leader has suggested it could be an option. In the past, when Republicans occupied the White House, GOP senators have argued strenuously that nominees should get an up-or-down Senate vote, especially Cabinet picks.

Last Friday, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration would be "stunned if, in the end, Republican senators chose to try to block the nomination of a decorated war veteran who was once among their colleagues in the Senate as a Republican."

The White House insisted on Monday that the president stands behind the nominee.

"The issue here is 'how will an individual do the job,' and there's no question in the president's mind that Sen. Hagel will do the job well," Carney said aboard Air Force One.

The Senate Armed Services Committee could vote as early as Thursday on the nomination and refer it to the full Senate. Democrats hold a 14-12 edge on the panel.

___

Associated Press writer Bruce Schreiner in Louisville contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mccain-cool-suggestion-hagel-filibuster-013736132--politics.html

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Soccer-Alcoholic Gascoigne's life in danger, says agent

LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne needs immediate help with his life in danger because of alcoholism, his agent said on Sunday.

The 45-year-old, who became a national hero thanks to his performances and tears as England reached the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, started shaking uncontrollably at a charity event last week and footage has appeared in the UK media.

"He won't thank me for saying it but he immediately needs to get help," agent Terry Baker told BBC radio.

"Whatever's happened to him in the five or six weeks since I saw him before Christmas he is not as well as he has been. His life is always in danger because he is an alcoholic. Maybe no one can save him - I don't know. I really don't know."

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player was treated for mental illness twice in 2008 and has long battled alcoholism since his playing career.

Baker said his break down at the charity event came after a friend had died in a medical facility while holding Gascoigne's hand.

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel used Twitter to call on England's Professional Footballers' Association to help.

"This is not fun watching. Gazza needs help. Come on PFA and (PFA chief executive) Gordon Taylor, time to step up," the Dane wrote. (Writing by Mark Meadows, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/soccer-alcoholic-gascoignes-life-danger-says-agent-124802956--sow.html

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Gases work with particles to promote cloud formation

Feb. 4, 2013 ? Researchers at Columbia Engineering and Georgia Institute of Technology have published a study in the online Early Edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) showing -- for the first time -- that certain volatile organic gases can promote cloud formation in a way never considered before by atmospheric scientists.

The study was published the week of February 4, 2013.

"This is the first time gases have been shown to affect cloud formation in this way," says V. Faye McNeill, Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University's Fu Foundation School for Engineering and Applied Science, and co-leader of the research team. "This is a very exciting finding that will improve our ability to model cloud formation, an important component of climate."

The research team, co-led by Athanasios Nenes, Professor & Georgia Power Faculty Scholar at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has been focused on understanding the impacts of aerosols, or airborne particulate matter, on clouds, because clouds have such an significant influence over our climate.

"Low-level clouds cool the planet by reflecting incoming sunlight back to space, so anything that perturbs them can have a major impact on our climate," explains Nenes, adding that pollution produced by humans releases many airborne particles to the atmosphere which can act as a seed for forming a cloud droplet, so clouds formed in polluted airmasses have a good chance of being more reflective than their cleaner counterparts.

"Our study," Nenes says, "shows that certain gas phase compounds tend to stick on particles, making them 'soapier' and promoting their ability to form cloud droplets. This mechanism has not been considered in climate models before."

Clouds form when water vapor condenses on atmospheric particulates called cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Variations in CCN concentrations, say the researchers, can profoundly impact cloud properties with important effects on both regional and global climate. Organic matter, which makes up a significant percentage of aerosol mass in the troposphere, (the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere and the one in which we live) can profoundly influence the activity and concentration of CCN and cloud droplets.

In this PNAS study, the researchers present evidence that two ubiquitous atmospheric trace gases, methylglyoxal and acetaldehyde, can enhance aerosol CCN activity even if they do not contribute any detectable organic mass when taken up by aerosol particles. They generated aerosol particles in the McNeill Lab and exposed them to the surfactant gases methylglyoxal and/or acetaldehyde in the lab's aerosol reaction chamber for up to five hours. The exposed particles were then tested for their ability to form cloud droplets using a cloud chamber that was co-invented by the Nenes group. Their results showed the gas-phase surfactants may enhance the activity of atmospheric CCN, so that, as they conclude in the study, "volatile organics in the atmosphere may act as a reservoir of surfactants that can be taken up by aerosol particles and augment their CCN activity."

McNeill and Nenes plan to do more experimental work with other organic gases under a variety of conditions that will, they say, "help us understand how general this newly discovered phenomenon is, and, most importantly, will enable us to incorporate it into models of cloud formation so we can improve the predictive power of climate models."

"The effects of aerosols on clouds is one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in our understanding of climate," adds McNeill, "so it's fun to work on a problem that is both important and intellectually fascinating."

The research was funded in part by NASA, by the ACS Petroleum Research Fund, by the National Science Foundation, and by Georgia Tech.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Neha Sareen, Allison N. Schwier, Terry L. Lathem, Athanasios Nenes, and V. Faye McNeill. Surfactants from the gas phase may promote cloud droplet formation. PNAS, February 4, 2013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1204838110

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/lczUL03mI54/130204153601.htm

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White House offers proof Obama wasn't just shooting from the lip (reuters)

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Getting ready for ICE Totally Gaming | Conferences News : Online ...

February 3, 2013

ICE Totally Gaming is scheduled to open its doors in a few days and if you haven?t made your preparations yet for the three-day festival from the 5th to the 7th of February, here?s your chance to get up-to-speed with what you need to do to make the most out of your time in London. We?re not auditioning to be anybody?s tour guide; we?re just here to give you the heads-up on what to expect and what to look out for during ICE Totally Gaming.

First thing?s first: spare yourself all the potential hassle and register for free entry to ICE Totally Gaming beforehand. You wouldn?t want to be that guy (or girl) who forgets to register before the event and immediately add some worries to your time in London. Just hop on over to the ICE Totally Gaming website, complete your details, and you?re all set. It won?t take more than sipping a cup of tea to get it done so better get to it. As soon as you hit the ExCel on the 5th, you can print off your badge and you?re ready to walk straight into arguably one of the biggest expos on the gaming industry calendar.

Here?s another benefit of registering early: before the expo even starts, you?ll get a chance to receive briefings from the organizers of ICE, allowing you to be fully briefed on what to expect for the entire three-day expo.

Once you?ve registered, you can start mapping out your itinerary for the entire duration of the event. Creating a schedule not only allows you to make efficient use of your time, but also gives you a chance to network with your industry peers without having to worry about potential time ramifications. Remember, ICE Totally Gaming isn?t all about the conferences and the seminars; it?s also an opportunity to rub elbows with your fellow colleagues. Make sure you have time for both!

Speaking of having time for something, don?t forget that ICE Totally Gaming will also have a host of companies that will be on hand to showcase their newest products at the yearly exhibition. This year will be no different, and days ahead of the expo?s opening, there are already a host of companies that are scheduled to debut their new products! Be on the look out for them and the rest of the exhibitors.

No iGaming expo is complete without a party to look forward to. This year, the Official ICE Party will be the only place to be on the 6th of February. Be sure that when you register, be sure to apply for your complimentary ticket to the Official ICE Party at Building 6 at the O2 Arena, just across the river Thames from the ICE venue at ExCeL. The party will no doubt be one for the books and if there?s any hint on the ?circus? theme of the party, then expect nothing short than a blast of an event.

Source: http://calvinayre.com/2013/02/03/conferences/getting-ready-for-ice-totally-gaming/

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Missing 13-year-old girl found dead in Calif. park

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (AP) ? A 13-year-old girl reported missing Thursday has been found dead in a park in the Northern California city of Fairfield, police said.

A passerby discovered the girl's naked body a little before 7 a.m. Friday in the city's Alan Witt Park and flagged down a police officer who was driving by, Fairfield Police Officer Cleo Mayoral said Saturday.

An autopsy was performed, but police did not release the girl's name or her cause of death. Mayoral said there were no obvious signs of trauma to the girl when she was found.

"I thought to myself, that looked like a mannequin, didn't look like a human body," the passerby, Eric May, told KTVU-TV.

The girl was reported missing around 5:45 p.m. Thursday by her guardian at a foster home in nearby Suisun City. That city's police Cmdr. Tim Mattos told the Daily Republic that the guardian last saw her board a school bus. He said she was in class all day and was expected home around 4 p.m.

He called the discovery of the dead child "a shock to our system."

No suspect or suspects have been identified, but detectives were canvassing neighborhoods and checking video images from surveillance cameras as part of their investigation, Mayoral said.

Sacramento television station CBS13 reported the girl attended Green Valley Middle School, which is about eight miles from the park.

School Principal Gregg Hubbs declined to comment on the girl's death.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/missing-13-old-girl-found-dead-calif-park-214422266.html

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Turkey: US Embassy bomber had terror conviction

An embassy security guard asks for help at the US embassy just minutes after a suicide bomber has detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, At least two people are dead, officials said. An Associated Press journalist on Friday saw a body in the street in front of an embassy side entrance. (AP Photo/Yavuz Ozden, Milliyet) TURKEY OUT - INTERNET OUT

An embassy security guard asks for help at the US embassy just minutes after a suicide bomber has detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, At least two people are dead, officials said. An Associated Press journalist on Friday saw a body in the street in front of an embassy side entrance. (AP Photo/Yavuz Ozden, Milliyet) TURKEY OUT - INTERNET OUT

Satellite map locates Ankara, Turkey site of a U.S. embassy explosion.

Medics and firefighters carry an injured woman on a stretcher to an ambulances after a suicide bomber had detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. A suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital on Friday, killing himself and one other person, officials said. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

FILE - In this April 14, 2012 file photo, Didem Tuncay, then a diplomatic reporter for Turkish news channel NTV, interviews Iran's Chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Istanbul, Turkey. Tuncay, a respected television journalist, 38, was injured after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, A hospital official said she was " not in a critical conditoion." (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, File)

Emergency personnel are seen in front of a side entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, Friday Feb. 1, 2013. The bomb appeared to have exploded inside the security checkpoint at the entrance of the visa section of the embassy. A police official said at least two people are dead. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) ? The suicide bomber who struck the U.S. Embassy in Ankara spent several years in prison on terrorism charges but was released on probation after being diagnosed with a hunger strike-related brain disorder, officials said Saturday.

The bomber, identified as 40-year-old leftist militant Ecevit Sanli, killed himself and a Turkish security guard on Friday, in what U.S. officials said was a terrorist attack. Sanli was armed with enough TNT to blow up a two-story building and also detonated a hand grenade, officials said.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that police believe the bomber was connected his nation's outlawed leftist militant group Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C. And on Saturday DHKP-C claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on a website linked to the group. It said Sanli carried out the act of "self-sacrifice" on behalf of the group.

The group called itself "immortal" and said, "Down with imperialism and the collaborating oligarchy." But it gave no reason for attacking the U.S. Embassy. The authenticity of the website was confirmed by a government terrorism expert who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with rules that bar government employees from speaking to reporters without prior authorization.

Turkey's private NTV television, meanwhile, said police detained three people on Saturday who may be connected to the U.S. Embassy attack during operations in Ankara and Istanbul. Two of the suspects were being questioned by police in Ankara, while the third was taken into custody in Istanbul and was being brought to Ankara.

NTV, citing unidentified security sources, said one of the suspects is a man whose identity Sanli allegedly used to enter Turkey illegally, while the second was suspected of forging identity papers. There was no information about the third suspect.

Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler said Sanli had fled Turkey after he was released from jail in 2001, but managed to return to the country "illegally," using a fake ID. It was not clear how long before the attack he had returned to Turkey.

NTV said he is believed to have come to Turkey from Germany, crossing into Turkey from Greece. Police officials in Ankara could not immediately be reached for comment.

DHKP-C has claimed responsibility for assassinations and bombings since the 1970s, but it has been relatively quiet in recent years. Compared to al-Qaida, it has not been seen as a strong terrorist threat.

Sanli's motives remained unclear. But some Turkish government officials have linked the attack to the arrest last month of dozens of suspected members of the DHKP-C group in a nationwide sweep.

Speculation also has abounded that the bombing was related to the perceived support of the U.S. for Turkey's harsh criticism of the regime in Syria, whose brutal civil war has forced tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to seek shelter in Turkey. But Prime Minister Erdogan has denied that.

Officials said Sanli was arrested in 1997 for alleged involvement in attacks on Istanbul's police headquarters and a military guesthouse, and jailed on charges of membership in the DHKP-C group.

While in prison awaiting trial, he took part in a major hunger strike that led to the deaths of dozens of inmates, according to a statement from the Ankara governor's office. The protesters opposed a maximum-security system in which prisoners were held in small cells instead of large wards.

Sanli was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and released on probation in 2001, following the introduction of legislation that allowed hunger strikers with the disorder to get appropriate treatment. The syndrome is a malnutrition-related brain illness that affects vision, muscle coordination and memory, and that can cause hallucinations.

Sanli fled Turkey after his release and was wanted by Turkish authorities. He was convicted in absentia in 2002 for belonging to a terrorist group and attempting to overthrow the government.

On Saturday, the U.S. flag at the embassy in Ankara flew at half-staff and already tight security was increased. Police sealed off a street in front of the security checkpoint where the explosion knocked a door off its hinges and littered the road with debris. Police vehicles were parked in streets surrounding the building.

The Ankara governor's office, citing the findings of a bomb squad that inspected the site, said Sanli had used 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) of TNT for the suicide attack and also detonated a hand grenade. That amount of TNT can demolish "a two-story reinforced building," according to Nihat Ali Ozcan, a terrorism expert at the Ankara-based Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey.

Officials had earlier said that the bomber detonated a suicide vest at the checkpoint on the outer perimeter of the compound.

The guard who was killed was standing outside the checkpoint. The U.S. ambassador on Saturday attended his funeral in a town just outside of Ankara.

A Turkish TV journalist was seriously wounded and two other guards had lighter wounds.

DHKP-C's forerunner, Devrimci Sol, or Revolutionary Left, was formed in 1978 as a Marxist group openly opposed to the United States and NATO. It has attacked Turkish, U.S. and other foreign targets since then, including two U.S. military contractors and a U.S. Air Force officer.

The group, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other European allies, changed its name to DHKP-C in 1994.

Friday's attack came as NATO deployed six Patriot anti-missile systems to protect its ally Turkey from a possible spillover from the civil war raging across the border in Syria. The U.S., Netherlands and Germany are each providing two Patriot batteries.

Ozcan, the terrorism expert, said the Syrian regime, which had backed terrorist groups in Turkey, including autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels, during the Cold War era and through the 1990s, had recently revived ties with these groups.

As Turkey began to support the Syrian opposition, Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime began to try "rebuilding its ties with these organizations," Ozcan said.

Radikal newspaper reported that the DHKP-C had recently been taking an interest in "regional issues," reviving its anti-American stance and taking on "a more pro-Assad position."

Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson speculated that the masterminds of the embassy bombing may have been partly motivated by U.S.-Turkish policy on Syria.

"A successful attack would embarrass the Turkish government and security forces, and it would have struck at the United States, which is widely ? if wrongly ? thought to have manipulated the Erdogan government into breaking with Bashar al-Assad and supporting efforts to remove him from power," Wilson, director of the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, wrote in an analysis. "That might rekindle public support for the group. Alas for DHPK/C, this seems unlikely."

Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey expert at St. Lawrence University in the United States, said the bombing showed that a "relatively isolated and obscure group" still has the capacity to cause havoc.

"They really fall outside of our comfortable narratives," Eissenstat wrote in an email to The Associated Press. "And they do seem to have been left in an ideological time warp. There is something distinctly cult-like about them."

The attack drew quick condemnation from Turkey, the U.S., Britain and other nations, and officials from both Turkey and the U.S. pledged to work together to fight terrorism.

It was the second deadly assault on a U.S. diplomatic post in five months.

On Sept. 11, 2012, terrorists attacked a U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. The attackers in Libya were suspected to have ties to Islamist extremists, and one is in custody in Egypt.

U.S. diplomatic facilities in Turkey have been targeted previously by terrorists. In 2008, an attack blamed on al-Qaida-affiliated militants outside the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul left three assailants and three policemen dead.

______

Associated Press writers Ezgi Akin and Burhan Ozbilici and Christopher Torchia in Istanbul contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-02-02-Turkey-US-Explosion/id-d29f845328a04f16bc6c4a56f53574ac

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