Cameron braces for Murdoch storm at UK media probe

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Woods, Mickelson ready to renew rivalry at US Open

Tiger Woods hits a drive on the sixth hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods hits a drive on the sixth hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Phil Mickelson hits a drive on the sixth hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods looks over the green on the first hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Phil Mickelson talks to coach Butch Harmon on the ninth hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods looks over the green on the first hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson often bring out the best in each other's games. Just don't expect any friendly conversations when golf's greatest running rivalry resumes at the U.S. Open.

Luckily, there's a guy in their group with a pink driver and a green jacket to lighten the mood.

Woods and Mickelson will play with Masters champion Bubba Watson for the first two rounds beginning Thursday at The Olympic Club. It will be the first time Woods and Mickelson have been paired in the championship since Torrey Pines in 2008, when the USGA grouped players off the world ranking.

In typical fashion, Woods brushed off any notion that his playing partners will affect how he plays. Mickelson, meanwhile, couldn't stop gushing just thinking about all those giddy fans and camera clicks that will surround the ninth hole when he, Watson and the 14-time major champion tee off just after dawn.

Leave it to one of golf's grandest stages to bring such contrasting personalities together.

"It's fabulous," Mickelson said. "First of all, I get excited to play with Tiger, I love it. I think we all do. He gets the best out of me. I think when it's time to tee off on Thursday I'll be ready to play."

And Woods?

"I don't think we're going to talk about a lot," he said. "This is a major championship. We've got work to do. Any extra motivation? No. I'm just trying to get out there and position myself for Sunday."

And so the chase begins.

Again.

The pair last played together about a two-hour drive down the California coast at Pebble Beach, where Mickelson whipped Woods and rallied to win in February. In the majors, Mickelson topped him in the final round of the 2009 Masters won by Angel Cabrera, though Woods beat him soundly at Torrey Pines on his way to winning the U.S. Open.

Mickelson has been on the wrong side of history at this tournament.

A record five-time runner-up for the national championship, Mickelson has had more painful, exhausting ? and perhaps embarrassing ? moments taking on "golf's toughest test" than maybe any player with his resume.

Chief among them: Mickelson entered the 18th at Winged Foot in 2006 with a one-shot lead. After a tee shot into the merchandise tents left him a decent lie, he tried to carve a 3-iron around the tree, didn't pull it off and made double bogey to finish one shot behind.

"What an idiot I am," he famously said afterward.

Mickelson is embracing his latest chance to end the drought against his longtime rival.

The only real hiccups in his game that he would disclose is feeling "mentally lethargic" in the first two rounds of PGA Tour events. With Woods staring at his every shot, he has promised that won't happen at the start of the 112th U.S. Open.

Perhaps playing with Woods can cure whatever ails him.

"The one player I'm most concerned about if I play my best golf that may have a chance to beat me is Tiger," he said. "And the fact that we are on the same wavelength, I'm always in favor of. Sometimes we'll get a huge advantage in tee times, based on weather conditions or whatnot. If we're in the same wavelength, neither of us will have a distinct advantage."

Whatever pressure Mickelson faces is overshadowed by that of his counterpart.

Woods is still the most accomplished ? and watched ? golfer of his generation. His mastery at Muirfield Village two weeks ago ? the 73rd victory of his PGA Tour career ? makes him the betting favorite at Olympic Club to get his 15th major, first since the 2008 U.S. Open, and resume his quest of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18.

Then again, Woods' win at Bay Hill made him the pre-tournament rage at the Masters. He ended up in a tie for 40th, kicking his clubs and cussing all over Augusta National.

One can only imagine what the tight, twisting fairways on the unleveled Lake Course could bring out of him this week.

"It's such a test playing in this championship," Woods said. "I think this is one of those championships that I think the guys talk the least to one another because it's so difficult."

At least one guy won't be quiet.

Watson enters the group as perhaps the most overlooked Masters champion at the U.S. Open in recent history. The shot-shaping master, not an immediate fan of Olympic Club's tree-lined fairways and tiny greens, will have a front-row look when all the action begins ? and he's more than excited about the pressure not being on him.

Together, his playing partners have 113 PGA Tour victories and 18 majors.

"It's going to be like Sunday at the Masters," Watson said. "Huge galleries ... two legends."

One U.S. Open at stake.

___

Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

Associated Press

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Giant Tropical Lake Found on Saturn Moon Titan

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Berkshire Hathaway offers to buy ResCap unit

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) ? Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is offering to buy the mortgage division and loan portfolio of Residential Capital LLC, which filed for bankruptcy protection in May.

Residential Capital, also known as ResCap, is a subsidiary of Ally Financial Inc., the former auto lending arm of General Motors. ResCap was hobbled by payments on debt taken out to finance soured home mortgages.

Berkshire, a conglomerate based in Omaha, Neb., has significant interests in the insurance business as well as in a variety of other companies ranging from railroads to clothing, furniture and jewelry companies.

Berkshire already holds roughly $2.8 billion in mortgage-backed securities purchased for about $2.5 billion for its investment portfolio. Berkshire also owns manufactured home builder Clayton Homes, which runs its own lending unit, so it has some experience with mortgages.

Ally, which is 74 percent owned by the U.S. government, makes loans to GM and Chrysler customers and finances dealer inventories. The government first bailed out the company, then known as GMAC Inc., in late 2008 as part of the Bush administration's aid to the auto industry. The Obama administration provided additional funding in May and December 2009.

ResCap had been a drain on Ally's finances for years, struggling to make payments on its heavy debt ever since the bottom fell out of the U.S. housing market in 2007. In regulatory filings before the bankruptcy, Ally said that deterioration in the U.S. housing market had led to fewer sources of money for ResCap, which was highly leveraged due to mortgage defaults.

Buffett has said that he believes the U.S. housing market will recover because more families continue to be formed, but he's not predicting when residential construction will rebound.

This investment could be related to Buffett's long-term optimism about the housing market, but it could also simply be a bid to pick up assets that are selling for less than they are worth.

The court filing mentions Ted Weschler, one of Berkshire's new investment managers, so it's not clear if this bid on ResCap's assets originated with Buffett. Weschler is a former hedge fund manager who started building a $2.75 billion investment portfolio at Berkshire in January.

Berkshire officials did not immediately respond to a message Tuesday morning.

In papers filed with the bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York on Monday, Berkshire said it will offer more favorable terms for ResCap's mortgage business than Fortress Investment Group LLC has.

ResCap agreed last month to sell most of its assets to a group that includes Fortress and NationStar Mortgage LLC, which is majority owned by Fortress

Berkshire said it will match Fortress' $2.4 billion bid for the mortgage unit, but will offer a lower breakup fee of $24 million. Fortress' breakup fee is $72 million if its deal doesn't go through.

Berkshire also said in the filing that it will not require any expense reimbursement. Fortress may get up to $10 million in expense reimbursement if it loses the auction for ResCap's assets.

Berkshire also says it will offer better terms for ResCap's loan portfolio, which Ally wants to purchase. Berkshire said it will pay $1.45 billion for the portfolio, compared with Ally's $1.4 billion offer. But Ally could pay $1.6 billion if a deal is made under ResCap's Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

An Ally spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message Tuesday morning.

Berkshire wants to replace Fortress and Ally as the "stalking horse," or initial bidder, for the ResCap assets. The company says its offers will stay open until June 19 for the court to approve. The deadline is consistent with Berkshire's policy not to enter into bidding wars.

Associated Press

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Mogadishu risks losing 'Most Dangerous City' title

MOGADISU, Somalia (AP) ? Mogadishu is at risk of losing a title it probably never wanted in the first place: The World's Most Dangerous City.

A prolonged peace in Somalia's seaside capital is luring back Somalis who fled decades of war. U.N. workers who have long operated out of Kenya's neighboring capital are returning. A U.S. assistant secretary of state even visited on Sunday, the highest-ranking U.S. visit to Mogadishu since the time of the military debacle known as Black Hawk Down.

Minnesota resident Abdikhafar Abubakar fled Somalia in 1992, leaving behind his family. He tried to visit his mother twice in previous years, but each time she said he could not come ? it was too dangerous.

Last week he finally returned to Mogadishu, where he saw his mother for the first time in two decades. For this trip he had his mother's blessing, and she welcomed him home with tears. He later walked the streets with his brother.

"One thing I could say about Mogadishu as the most dangerous city in the world, I've been here one week and I never felt any danger. When I was out walking around I wasn't scared. There was nothing to be scared of," Abubakar said.

Mogadishu's title as the World's Most Dangerous City was unofficial, of course. But al-Qaida-linked militants held sway over much of the city from 2007 to 2011, when full-fledged war raged with African Union troops. The U.N. and embassies pulled out in the 1990s, following the collapse of the last fully functioning government in 1991.

The city is still full of dangers. Abubakar's visit was not a tourist's dream: "I didn't see anything but I could hear some gunshots," he said.

African Union troops pushed out al-Shabab last Aug. 6, ending the daily grind of war. In the months after, al-Shabab has continued to unleash roadside bombs and suicide attacks. But in another sign of progress, African Union troops last month took control of Afmadow, an al-Shabab stronghold on Mogadishu's outskirts from where insurgents staged attacks.

One major hurdle to overcome still is the profesionalization of Somali troops taking over security. An Associated Press journalist last week witnessed a Somali soldier at a security checkpoint shoot a woman twice in the leg with little provocation.

Armored personnel carriers driven by Ugandan and Burundian troops still rumble through the city. But with the lack of combat, the military convoys feel more like heavy security than war-fighting troops.

And headline grabbing titles aside, it's clear that Mogadishu is no longer the most dangerous city in Somalia. That title belongs to al-Shabab-held cities in places like Merca or Kismayo, where some of the foreign fighters associated with al-Qaida have fled, said Robert Young Pelton, the author of the World's Most Dangerous Places.

"This is the longest period of sustained peace Mogadishu has seen in 20 years," said Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the spokesman for the African Union force known as AMISOM.

The best news for Mogadishu's future might lie in the port, where deputy port commander Ahmed Abdi Karie is overseeing the importation of massive amounts of construction materials. Land in Mogadishu that a year ago sold for $20,000 now sells for $100,000, Karie said.

"I keep saying Mogadishu is open for business. Reconstruction is at an incredible level," said Killian Kleinschmidt, the U.N.'s deputy humanitarian coordinator for Mogadishu, who relocated to the Somali capital earlier this year.

Sports teams and a nascent arts scene have returned. Beach-side restaurants serving lobster have opened. Many of Mogadishu's buildings still look like Swiss cheese from years of warfare, but the Somali government spokesman, Abdirahman Omar Osman, argues that Mogadishu is now safer than Baghdad and Kabul.

"Mogadishu is no longer the world's most dangerous city. It's on the peace path now," he said. "We are working on making it safe for foreigners to work here as well. The government is working on appointing the tourism minister to restore the city's tourism prospects."

Somalia's defense minister, Hussein Arab Isse, returned to Mogadishu last year after 30 years of living in the Oakland area of California. He believes that Somalia's leaders ? the men who have bickered and fought for 20 years ? know that they must work in peace to elect a new parliament, president and prime minister before Aug. 20, when the government's U.N. mandate expires. The returning diaspora, he said, is proof that Somalis believe in a brighter future.

"They're all returning because people, they want to come back and they've had enough of living abroad and they're investing their money. And that gives you confidence," he said. "A year ago no one was talking about investing their hard-earned money in Somalia. Property is skyrocketing in value, and that's good."

The patients who line up outside AMISOM's outpatient medical clinic used to come with gunshot wounds and bomb blast injuries. Today they come with infections and traffic accident injuries, said Dr. Leonard Ddungu of the Ugandan military. Malnutrition rates are down from last year, when much of Somalia suffered from famine.

"Patients are happier now. They are not the dying patients we used to get," Ddungu said.

Justin Brady, the head of Somalia unit of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is the first head of office of any U.N. agency to be based in Mogadishu since international staff left in 1995. Last week he visited a sprawling refugee camp where more than 100,000 Somalis live in simple cloth tents. One refugee told Brady: "You come here to do nothing."

"If you fly back to Nairobi it's easy to forget about that. It's much more in your face here that we have to get something done," Brady said, adding later: "There's a demand from Somalis to be here."

More U.N. staff will arrive in coming weeks. The challenges of carrying out their work remain huge. No area of the city is rated lower than "high risk" by the U.N., so U.N. staff have to travel in military convoys.

Pelton, who also runs the Somalia news website Somaliareport.com, said he believes Mogadishu is safe enough for white Americans and Europeans to walk around.

"It's a very peaceful city. People aren't trying to kill you," he said. "It had a singular institution causing the violence and conflict." And that institution ? al-Shabab ? has now been removed, he said.

Abubakar, the Minneapolis resident, was surprised to find running water and 24-hour electricity at his mother's house. The 45-year-old father of eight is considering moving his family to Mogadishu, though he acknowledged that living in Mogadishu would be safer for him ? a U.S. citizen but a Somalia native ? than most Americans and Europeans.

"I know it's not safe for a white person to walk around on foot," he said. "Even if you don't become a target everyone will be looking and saying, 'Oh, what is this guy doing here?'"

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Matthew McConaughey Wedding Details

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves? got married over the weekend, as I am sure you are all well aware and details of their wedding extravaganza have been released. US Weekly has spilled the beans on the festivities surrounding the nuptials of Matthew and Camila. It was a three day event that included some of Hollywood?s biggest names camping out, in air conditioned tents of course, at the couples Austin home. Some famous names you will recognize include Meg Ryan, Woody Harrelson, John Cougar Mellencam, Reese Witherspoon and her hubby Jim Toth. You can?t have two extremely good looking people like McConaughey and Alves’ tying the knot and not have them look freaking amazing right? It was full on glamor for this lovely couple. She wore a beautiful handmade Brazilian gown, while he was old school glamor decked out in a Dolce & Gabbana suit. One detail that is being reported that I think is really cool is that the couple whispered their vows to each other. Yep no one but the two of them heard them, which made for a really intimate and private moment. In true fashion fitting te star who is known for liking a good party, the [...]

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Report Composing: Can It Aid My Digital Assistant Small business ...

Question: I?m a Virtual Assistant. Can i use posts to advertise my business?
Signed, Eager VA

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Quite often VAs forget about one on the very best procedures of advertising their sites -article producing. Digital Assistants can compose about all sorts of subjects -how to organize email messages, buyer provider, hiring or firing a VA, ways a VA can advantage a business enterprise, or accounting among other issues. Then, they can share the posts, similar to any other site owner to push targeted traffic to their internet websites and establish an professional standing in their field.

If you are a VA who?s new to write-up sharing, it?s really fairly simple. You write a beneficial report and include things like your writer bio in the finish. (See the end of this article as an instance.) Then, you submit your report to Post Directories where hungry website owners, blog owners and ezine publishers eagerly grab your write-up to publish it on their websites.

Now, there is certainly stiff competition so it really is not rather that simple, but that?s the gist of how post sharing works. And, you realize it works due to the fact you?re studying my article that I?ve written and shared with write-up directories. There?s my Web address in the author bio and you have located my post because somebody has printed it on their internet site, weblog or in their newsletter. If it operates for me, it could function for you, also.

Report sharing is underutilized inside the Virtual Assistant field and i hope to see that alter in the coming year. Go grab that cost-free traffic and grow your VA enterprise. Not only will your VA company grow, but it is possible to share this method of advertising and marketing along with your customers and blow them away together with your information of web marketing and advertising. Finest wishes.

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Man gets five days in jail for punching basketball coach

WAILUKU - A Kula man who was angry that his stepdaughter hadn't played more in a Menehune League basketball game was sentenced to a five-day jail term after he punched a coach during a post-game confrontation at the War Memorial Gym.

Dennis Singson, 51, was taken into custody after he was sentenced Friday. He also was ordered to complete anger management treatment classes as part of his six months' probation.

"I think you need those," 2nd Circuit Judge Richard Bissen told Singson. "I think you should see what it's like to be on the other side of your anger."

In April, a jury found Singson guilty of harassment while acquitting him of third-degree assault of the coach on Feb. 24, 2010.

After the game, which the team won, Singson confronted coach Donald Shepherd about why he let another girl play instead of Singson's stepdaughter, according to trial testimony. There was a birthday cake for one of the girls and Shepherd had turned to join in and sing when he was hit, witnesses said.

Shepherd grabbed Singson and both men ended up on the ground, with Singson on top. Shepherd's adult daughter, who helps coach the team, tried to intervene, while girls on the team were present.

Shepherd suffered fractured ribs.

Defense attorney Matthew Padgett said Singson was hit in the eye and he "had to go through a character assassination at trial."

"He's already paid," Padgett said. "He's a good man. He works hard, and he takes care of his family.

"He might have used bad judgment. A lot of things happen at barbecues, get-togethers. This is one of those things that happen."

"I don't believe I should be incarcerated," Singson said in court. "Things happen. I just reacted to what happened to me."

The prosecution had recommended the maximum 30-day jail term for the petty misdemeanor conviction.

But Bissen said he was sentencing Singson to probation so that he would undergo anger management treatment.

"I don't know if your character was assassinated," the judge told Singson. "But I know this - you are a bully."

He said it wasn't Singson's place to bad-mouth the coaches and referees who are volunteers.

"You're that parent in the crowd that everybody else cringes when they sit next to," Bissen said. "They can't believe the things that come out of your mouth.

"You care about your child, which is a good thing. But you stand up for your child not in the right way. I'm not going to have you leave thinking what you did was correct. There is nothing you did that was correct at all.

"I'm not saying you are a bad person. I think the way you express yourself is totally out of line and it's a pattern with you. And it's a pattern that's never been stopped. So you almost build up momentum."

After hearing the testimony in the case, Bissen said it was clear that Singson hit the coach first.

"You wanted to pick that fight and you wanted to teach him a lesson," Bissen said. "I hope it stops."

He said it also was clear from Singson's own testimony that the reason he was angry was because he wanted his stepdaughter to play more in the game "so she could pad her stats, so she could win the scoring title."

Singson had been upset that another girl instead of his stepdaughter won the most valuable player award the year before, Bissen said.

He said Singson had a similar confrontation with a King Kekaulike High School baseball coach when he thought his stepson wasn't playing enough.

"These things happen far too much in our community," Bissen said. "At 51 years of age, you've outgrown this stuff. Just let the kids play, let the coaches coach. And the parents are supposed to cheer, even for the other team."

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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The Iron Throne: On Sale Now!

On HBO's Game of Thrones, countless characters are seeking the ultimate prize, paying with their lives for a chance to sit on the Iron Throne.

Which makes this sounds like quite a deal, really: you can do so for just $30,000!

Yes, the cable network has put a seven-foot tall replicate of this sought after item on sale. It's made of fiberglass and resin and weighs 350 pounds and you won't even need to fight off Joffrey's forces in order to claim it as your own.

You'll just need to shell out about one year's worth of college tuition.

Will you do so? How much would you pay for your very own Iron Throne?

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Megachurch pastor denies choking daughter

An Atlanta megachurch pastor who is accused of domestic violence on Sunday vehemently denied the charges from the pulpit, telling his congregation that he never attacked his teenage daughter.

Creflo Dollar, who was arrested on Friday on charges of family violence, child cruelty and battery, called the accusations "an exaggeration and sensationalism."

"The truth is, she was not choked, she was not punched," he said at World Changers Church International, which boasts nearly 30,000 members and numerous satellites.

The sympathetic congregation responded with applause and shouts of "Yes" from the seats.

Police arrested Dollar after his 15-year-old daughter reported he choked and hit her during an argument at their home.

Dollar's 19-year-old daughter corroborated the story, according to reports, and police said a scratch on the girl's neck was evidence of a fight.

Dollar, who was released from jail on $5,000 bail, said on Sunday that the mark on her neck was a skin condition.

"There were not any scratches on her neck, but the only thing on her neck was a prior skin abrasion from eczema. Anything else is exaggeration and sensationalism," he said.

Previous: Televangelist arrested in alleged choking attack on daughter

He said investigators didn't "have enough intelligence" to ask him what it was, and he called the omission "appalling."

Dollar has been preaching for nearly three decades after starting his church in 1986 at an elementary school and growing it into a multimillion-dollar operation with a weekly radio broadcast, four services every Sunday, and an $18 million, 8,500-seat sanctuary known as the "World Dome."

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

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Goji Berry Could Protect Eyes From Diabetic Retinopathy

An ancient berry may be a powerful tool in protecting eyes from diabetes-related vision loss, according to new cellular research.

Scientists from the University of Sydney discovered that a compound found in the goji berry, called taurine, may be able to protect the eye's retina from diabetic retinopathy. The condition occurs when glucose levels in the eye increase, thereby causing retina cells to die, explained Basil Roufogalis, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Sydney.

"Typically what happens is proteins in the eye become oxidated and high glucose levels force retinal cells to die," Roufogalis said in a statement. "What's more, blood vessels build up in the retina and grow over the vision spot, which can result in vision loss."

The study, published in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism, was conducted in cells exposed to high glucose that functioned as a model for diabetic retinopathy. The researchers exposed these cells to pure taurine, as well as goji berry extract that had taurine in it.

The researchers found that both the goji berry extract and the pure taurine seemed to protect the cells from dying.

"We are hopeful that these promising results for treating or preventing diabetic retinopathy will lead to human clinical trials," Roufogalis said in the statement.

Diabetic retinopathy is the No. 1 cause of blindness in adults in the U.S., according to the National Eye Institute.

According to 2005 to 2008 statistics from the National Institutes of Health, 28.5 percent of people with diabetes ages 40 and older have retinopathy (4.2 million people). Of those people, 4.4 percent had an advanced form of the condition, putting them at risk for blindness.

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Obama: Congress Needs to Help Rehire Teachers (Voice Of America)

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Samsung Galaxy S III launch dates, Hiding your gallery [From the Forums]

Missed out on some of the best Android news today? You can easily go ahead and get yourself caught up here on the Android Central blogs or in the Android Central forums. Have some questions? Need some help or just looking to chat Android? You know where to go, check out some of the threads below.

• Rumored Device Forums - What about the Motorola Atrix 3?
• Samsung Galaxy S III Forums - Official launch dates thread
• Samsung Galaxy Nexus Forums - Any way to hide albums in the gallery?
• HTC EVO 4G LTE Forums - Pair 2 BT devices simultaneously?
• HTC One X Forums - Where can I get the official 1.85 RUU?

If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.

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Nottingham Trent University named among UK's 'greenest universities ever'

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Nottingham Trent University named among UK's 'greenest universities ever'

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The People & Planet Green League assesses environmental and ethical performance

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Nottingham Trent University has been awarded a First Class Award for the fourth year in a row and kept its top five position out of 145 in the People & Planet Green League ? the UK's only comprehensive and independent green ranking of universities. The University will receive the award at a special graduation ceremony to be held in Westminster by People & Planet on 21 June 2012.

The People & Planet Green League assesses the environmental and ethical performance of all universities annually, awarding First Class degrees to the greenest and Fail to those doing the least to address their environmental impacts. Nottingham Trent University is among 46 institutions to achieve a First in 2012.

Chief Finance and Operations Officer, Stephen Jackson, said: "Maintaining a position at the top of the table for four years running tells a story of success and consistency that we can be proud of.? The University is one of the largest to sit at the top,? with some 26,000 students, and has succeeded despite some challenging issues ? including maintaining a number of listed and heritage buildings.?

"Our commitment to reducing the University's environmental impacts is as strong as ever and we aim to emulate this success for years to come."

Over the last year the University has been able to celebrate some fantastic achievements including:

• receiving the EcoCampus Platinum award for its Environmental Management System
• winning a Green Gown Award for work on monitoring and maximising space efficiency in teaching rooms and offices
• being one of the first universities to receive the Soil Association's Food for Life Silver award for serving sustainable, locally sourced and great value meals to staff and students in the main cafes
• the Big Clear Out project, which has gone from strength to strength with over seven tonnes of unwanted items diverted from landfill and donated to charity
• over 180 bikes hired out to students and staff through the Ucycle scheme with plans to purchase more bikes to meet demand for next year.

Grant Anderson, Environmental Manager at Nottingham Trent University, said: "Following another successful year for the University's green agenda we are really pleased to see our hard work being recognised nationally. We still have plenty of room for improvement and are looking forward to the upcoming challenges to help us retain our status as one of the greenest universities ever in the UK."

Notes to editors:

Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Senior Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782 or via email, or Therese Easom, Press and Internal Communications Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774 or via email.

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37 Ways to Get Traffic To Your Website | Business 2 Community

Each and every business today can benefit from a website. It can be a promotional site, an extension of your sales or services, and even the entirety of your business if you?re online-only. Once you?ve got a website developed and ready to go, you?ve got to get people visiting it. Here are 37 ways to drive the traffic you need to your site and earn the online exposure you want.

Online Advertising

Pay Per Click ? Text ads through Google AdWords, Microsoft adCenter, or any third-party PPC client.

Search Engine Optimization ? Embed keywords into your site content that draws traffic from relevant search results.

Blogging For Business ? Keep a business-relevant blog with regular updates, and you?ll be rewarded with higher page ranking and more search traffic from web searches.

Twitter ? The premiere microblogging social network service. Reach out to thousands of customers, professionals, and associates in under 140 characters.

Facebook ? The gold standard of online communication and social networking. Facebook Pages for Business let you customize your promotions, and per-click advertisements can draw extra traffic.

Google+ ? Google?s answer to Facebook, now with integrated search results. Establish a profile for your business, reach out to customers, and improve your page rank with upcoming AuthorRank search engine perks.

Google Places ? Tell Google about your business, and it will show up in local relevant searches with your information. Help Google help others find you.

Pinterest ? This hot new social sharing website is a favorite for older crowds willing to explore and spend more. Excellent for building positive feedback with potential customers.

Youtube ? Can you produce a lot of useful or entertaining video through your business? Host your own video content on Youtube, or advertise with the service for additional exposure.

Yelp ? Monitor what your customers think of your business, improve your services from direct suggestions, and encourage customers to drive traffic to your site by reviewing you online.

Other Social Media ? Go to where your customers are. Foursquare, LinkedIn, online forums; just about anywhere you can reach potential customers is untapped potential.

Banners ? Purchasing ad placements through third-party services can be pricey, but if your customers will see it, it may be worth the expense.

Affiliate Advertising ? Advertise other products and services your customers may appreciate, or advertise your own business on other relevant websites.

Email Newsletters ? Staying in touch with past customers is easy with email blasts and newsletters. Turn previous visitors into repeat customers with email campaigns.

Local Savings Offers Online ? Sites like Groupon and Livingsocial can distribute discounts coupons online and generate buzz for your website.

Purchasing Untargeted Traffic ? If you?re hurting for hits, you can sink money into untargeted traffic that may or may not bite on your website. Truly a last resort?your money can be better spent elsewhere.

Unplugged

Print Ads ? Purchasing newspaper and magazine ads is a great way to attract attention off the internet.
Event Sponsorships ? Drum up goodwill towards your business and your website by underwriting or hosting an event, locally or nationally.

Word of Mouth ? Nothing beats positive promotions directly from happy customers. Make your customers and clients happy, and they?ll send more business to you.

Local Business Affiliations ? Partner with small businesses in your area and cross-promote each other?s products and services.

Promotional Products ? Order a set of branded pens, notepads, or any other inexpensive, fun items. Give these away in-house or on-location at professional events with a link to your website.

Direct Mail Kits ? Direct mailers can be more than informative. Sending calendars, promotional items, or interactive ?pop-up? mailers can make an excellent impression and drive interest towards your website.

Press Releases ? Publishing press releases for your services and distributing them to news outlets can get added exposure to your site. Press releases can be published online, as well, and appear in searches.

Awareness Campaigns ? Sponsor awareness campaigns for causes and charities. If you?ve been affected by breast cancer, sponsor a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event or campaign.

TV and Radio ? TV and radio can extend your business?s reach with a well-placed interview or commercial purchase.

Local Discounts ? Offer local customers with return discounts, membership bonuses, and more. Reward your loyal customers with online and offline deals.

Branding Makeover ? Consider rebranding your business with a new logo, a refreshed website and an attractive new edge over your competition. Image can make the difference between loyal business and unimpressed visitors.

Creative

QR Codes ? Leave a hyperlink in physical space. Generate QR codes for print materials and send users to your mobile site directly.

Viral Content ? Never underestimate the power of viral content. Entertainment worth sharing can attract hundreds of thousands of new potential customers overnight.

Alternate Reality Games ? If you?re promoting a larger client or need to generate some long-term buzz, an ARG can grab the interests of dedicated customers and hobby sleuths by wrapping your brand in mystery and intrigue. Very complicated to pull off, but it can keep your brand viral for months.

Layar ? Set up virtual installations and promotional materials in physical space. Invite customers to visit the virtual side of your physical location, or send them on a digital scavenger hunt into the real world. Layar is a fun little service with infinite possibilities.

Mobile App ? Many small towns and small business communities have found mobile apps to be an interesting new source of traffic and customer leads. Smartphone users engage with apps longer than they do standard advertisements.

Brand Your Vehicle ? If you?re doing a lot of in-town commuting, your car can attract new traffic by branding your business or personal vehicle with your company?s address.

Operate Uniquely ? Are you doing something original? Is your business like no other? Your unique approach to business is definitely worth some additional exposure, be it from online interest articles and interviews, or local TV and radio reports.

Involve Customers ? Getting personal and reaching out to your customers can turn them into evangelists and advocates for your brand. Empower word of mouth advertising with a personal approach to communicating with your customers.

Kickstarter ? Kickstarter is an online crowd-funding platform. If you have a good idea, throw it on the site and let the community help you fund it. Just about anything and everything can be funded through Kickstarter if it gathers enough interest and is useful to a wider audience.

Local Improvement Projects ? Give back to your community by sponsoring improvement projects and getting your customers and neighbors involved. Get your hands dirty, do something good for your community, and you?ll see results in your business and online traffic.

These are primarily advertising techniques, but the secret to attracting traffic to your website is to be a good marketer for your company. These ideas are just starting points, and it?s up to you to find out what works best for your business. If you have any other excellent suggestions for attracting traffic, tell us about it!

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Faith scholars who backed Obama before see weakening Democratic interest in religious voters (Star Tribune)

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Best Penny Stocks To Invest In | Class Act Homes

There are many interested stock market investors who are limiting their investment options with blue chip stocks. While this type of stock represents well known or highly successful companies, each stock or share is expensive. Because of the high worth of the blue chip stocks, you can end up either gaining a large profit when the stock rises or a huge loss if the company?s worth in the market suddenly crashes. If you?re thinking about investing your hard earned money in the stock market, you might want to check out the stock options other than blue chip stocks first. Whether you are thinking of trying out the stock market first or want a low investment option first, then you should consider investing in penny stocks. These are stocks for small companies that are publicly traded in the stock market. These stocks are called as such because they can be priced as low as a penny to no more than a few dollars at most. Many find it appealing to invest in penny stocks precisely because of the low risk investment involved. Although you do have to keep in mind that investing in thousands of shares can equate to large potential loss if you choose the wrong shares. The key is in finding the Best Penny Stocks to invest in. Those who are unfamiliar with this type of trading can find a variety of resources that can help you learn how to identify the companies to invest in.

The internet is one venue you should definitely check first. There are many industry experts who use the online venue as a means to educate those who are new to penny stock trading. There are relevant websites that can provide you with an updated List of Penny Stocks that are worth checking out. These updated lists include penny stock options for companies with expected growth, because of good publicity or a gain in productivity.

Aside from getting a list of potential stocks to invest in, there are other features to some of these penny stock specialty sites. Some of these sites can help you understand what look out for in the Best Penny Stocks you can invest in. These sites can provide you with information regarding penny stocks and how to identify the stocks that are worth investing in. Certain sites feature tools you can utilize for research and to identify the stocks to invest in. You can also check these sites to find out the latest penny stock trading news.

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Human Resources Training

Recruitment resources is the key sector of the operation in the human resources strategy of any business. The growth of the organization depends on the proper use and placement of resources, tied with the human resources strategy. Every organization strives to spend considerable sums on the documentation of human resources functions properly developed as the resource contributes to a higher level. Recruitment of new resources poses several key challenges for any business. Resources should be well equipped in accordance with their level of training and development. This methodology provides all information necessary for functional resources to manage the daily work and care tasks independently.

It is the importance given to any organization in the human resource training and development, individual resources provide valuable information and take part in the growth of the company. Although the progress of the company revolves around the environment of operational performance and respect for human resource strategy and update a great help to society. The HR strategy is very useful for the organization that identifies among its peers and represents the most cherished values ??undersigned.

Many of the companies that extend support for causes such as environmental concerns run beyond business objectives to work with the company. This is done by the incorporation of these noble thoughts and ideas in your business development plan. This allows employees to identify causes and work towards your success.

The company?s growth depends entirely on the performance of human resources and how quickly they react to the changing situation in which they operate. Any qualified person if appropriate training as part of the human resource training and development program of the company, these resources offer a higher return for the company. Although in the short term, it takes considerable time and attention on improving the skills of individuals is necessary, these molds approach the person to develop his character and facilitate the work contracted by the company with confidence.

The driving force behind all the good work that you have a complex design and a well-conceived strategy that ensures qualified resources to meet their objectives within a specified time. Such as human resource training and development entails significant costs for the organization, training should identify measurable objectives in terms of individual resources. Each time the application is complete a task, the results should be shared. As the field of vocational guidance recognizes a coach must quickly identify areas for improvement and continue to target resources to achieve the desired results. Observation and orientation to ensure better results and return on investment in human resource development will allow the company to take advantage of your company. Knowledgeable and competent resources will be able to function independently in all areas of activity. This will help the company to plan and assign tasks that require the independent operation of resources. A person trained and brings measurable benefits society provides incentives for taxpayers who work for these companies to grow.

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Watch a pint-sized Captain Kirk take flight

By Alan Boyle

They're action figures rather than real actors, and it's the stratosphere rather than outer space ? nevertheless, it was a bold stroke to gather funding from Kickstarter contributors to send the captains from the Star Trek saga toward the heavens. The payoff from more than $6,000 in contributions is on view in this video from the Discovery Channel's "Daily Planet" program.

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A team of engineering students from the University of Illinois, captained by Logan Kugler and Shannon Downey, pulled off the high-altitude balloon stunt on May 5. More than 150 folks contributed $6,193 through the Kickstarter website. As a result, the "Send Picard to Space" venture sent up an action-figure away team that included not only "Next Generation" Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but Riker and Data plus James T. Kirk and custom-made dolls representing "Star Trek" filmmakers J.J. Abrams and Roberto Orci.

The 90-minute flight brought the balloon-borne spaceships and their crews, as well as six HD video cameras, up to a height of about 100,000 feet before the balloon popped and the apparatus fell back to Earth for recovery. The Discovery Channel spot aired last month, and a follow-up video is being put together by Kugler's team.

In an account written for StarTrek.com, Kugler says he'll soon hand-deliver the balloon-flown action figures to their real-life counterparts in Los Angeles. "Picard and Kirk still have about 20,000 more light-years to go, but this is a start," Kugler wrote.

Balloon-enabled flights to the 100,000-foot region of the stratosphere, known as "near-space," are becoming almost routine. Such flights don't rise anywhere near as high as true spacecraft such as SpaceShipOne or the SpaceX Dragon. The internationally accepted boundary of outer space is more than three times as high: 100 kilometers, or 328,000 feet. But even at the 100,000-foot level, you get an impressive view of the earth below and the black sky of space above. For another example of the genre, check out this?"First Tent in Space" video, produced last month to publicize Scotland's Vango AirBeam tents. Then click on the links below.

"Vangonaut" dolls rise to a height of 104,000 feet from the Scottish Highlands near Oban in May as part of a publicity stunt for Vango AirBeam tents.

More near-space adventures:

Update for 12:35 a.m. ET June 2: To get the full picture, you should check out Kugler's photo essay for StarTrek.com.?

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Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding Cosmic Log's Google+ page to your circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.

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Truck Finance Gets You On The Road Benefits Minus Outlay | Free ...

Get your new van engine firing fast with smart finance

Good business is about working smarter not harder. You know a new lorry will grow your business capacities while improving operations. Yet raising necessary funding is putting the brakes on your lorry purchase. Truck finance gets you possession benefits minus the outlay.

Top truck finance solutions move your business forward

Truck finance is as individual as your selected commericl vehicle. Sure you want that wagon to increase business performance. But before you climb into the cab you need to ensure you will gain perfect commercial benefit. That implies your truck finance must serve your business as completely as practicable. Controlling risks while protecting your cash flow and capital. Fortunately there are a selection of truck finance solutions that you have access to. So you can tailor your chosen structure to match individual business situation. Secure finance for your new commercial vehicle thru options including:

• Commercial hire purchase ? offering fixed rates and easy terms with no deposit needed
• Chattel mortgage ? makes 100 % finance available while you hold title to your truck
• Operating lease ? get your new, second hand or upgraded truck thru fixed monthly payments
• Novated lease ? take instant lorry possession while enjoying flexible leasing terms and tax benefits
• Finance lease ? secure your chosen truck with no front-loaded outlay and fully tax-deductible finance
• Sale and lease back ? unlock your urgent business capital while obtaining the truck you need
• Small ticket finance ? borrow as little as $1000 for your new business or self- employment venture

You can even refinance your present lorry loan to understand better terms.

Take your lorry home quicker with personalized finance

So many truck finance selections, so little time. Day by day business keeps you busy enough with no need to rigorously research which truck finance option is your ideal fit. So skilled finance brokers like Natloans do the legwork for you. With a longtime network of many banks. Natloans have immediate accessibility to lots of loan and finance products. And the know-how to swiftly deliver premium truck finance individualized to your necessities. Not to mention fast finance approvals to get you trucking sooner.

Mary Nebotakis ? B.Economics, Dip.Financial Services, Cert IV Workplace Learning & Assessment. Australian Credit Licence: 386297.

On her web site she?s got many fascinating articles on truck finance. You will also find more information on a chattel mortgage.

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Facebook to let users vote on privacy changes

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2011 file photo, a magnifying glass is posed over a monitor displaying a Facebook page in Munich. Facebook is letting its nearly 1 billion users vote on changes to its privacy policy beginning on Friday, June 1, 2012. This is the second time Facebook let users vote on policy changes. The first time was in 2009 when Facebook was a much smaller, privately held company with about 200 million users (AP Photo/dapd, Joerg Koch)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2011 file photo, a magnifying glass is posed over a monitor displaying a Facebook page in Munich. Facebook is letting its nearly 1 billion users vote on changes to its privacy policy beginning on Friday, June 1, 2012. This is the second time Facebook let users vote on policy changes. The first time was in 2009 when Facebook was a much smaller, privately held company with about 200 million users (AP Photo/dapd, Joerg Koch)

This Friday, May 18, 2012, file photo shows Facebook's headquarters behind flowers in Menlo Park, Calif. Facebook is letting its nearly 1 billion users vote on changes to its privacy policy beginning on Friday, June 1, 2012. This is the second time Facebook let users vote on policy changes. The first time was in 2009 when Facebook was a much smaller, privately held company with about 200 million users. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma,File)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Facebook is letting its nearly 1 billion users vote on changes to its privacy policy.

The previously announced changes include new sections explaining how it uses people's information. The updates also reflect recently added features such as a new profile format called Timeline.

The new policy also opens up the possibility for Facebook to start showing people ads on outside websites, targeting the pitches to interests and hobbies that users express on Facebook.

The voting period starts Friday and runs through next week. The company had announced the changes in May, a week before its initial public offering of stock. Facebook's highly anticipated IPO landed with a thud, closing just 23 cents above its $38 offering price on its first trading day. The stock has declined another 26 percent in the two weeks since then.

This is the second time Facebook Inc. is letting users vote on policy changes. The first time was in 2009 when Facebook was a much smaller, privately held company with fewer than 200 million users.

It may be the last time, though.

Thirty percent of Facebook's 900 million users, or 270 million people, have to vote on the changes ? for or against ? to have the process be binding. Otherwise, Facebook considers the vote "advisory."

That will most likely be the case. Facebook's experiment in democracy hasn't panned out as expected. While thousands of people have left comments on Facebook's proposed changes, "our original intent was to get high-quality," and not high-quantity comments, said Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy officer of policy.

Facebook said it is still interested in getting user feedback on its policies, but it is reviewing how best to do so.

"While our participatory mechanisms may change, our commitment to greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness will not," Facebook vice president Elliot Schrage wrote in a blog post. "We will explore ways to bring user suggestions and concerns before Facebook's management."

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To vote:

http://on.fb.me/JXVN6J

Associated Press

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