tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52337993550007156342026-10-14T05:39:51.157-07:00Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.comBlogger1637125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-85215009218912722902012-11-28T16:07:00.000-08:002012-11-28T16:07:01.896-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">America's Most Popular Holiday Destination Is ... ?</span></div> By Darren Booth | CNBC<br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j4J5XxGz-IuMazaipLYgDoBXWE4YC7kD5R-HUup_B9LzTt2cJ1tvKMFcjfZpxGSQ3E2-aB3SV8Sf5apcyVrXGmxZ99a799wfpalyIU_nF15m5GyXYzK4-kpbqPrKhX1J6j8Wx-C4_obG/s1600/sp6.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a>Fliers this year can expect to pay about 8 percent more for holiday airfares and 6 percent more for New Year's airfares to top destinations than in 2011, according to a study released by<a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"> Orbitz </a>Monday. But some locations saw prices for flights and hotels drop.<br /> <br /> The <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">Orbitz</a> &nbsp;Holiday Travel Insider Index analyzed hotel and flight booking data from its website to rank the most popular holidays destinations for 2012. The study provides the top 10 holiday destinations for Christmas and New Year's, evaluating the average airfare and daily hotel rates in each of the most popular <br /> markets.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Airfares have risen all year, mainly due to higher fuel prices and airlines offering fewer seats for sale by flying smaller aircraft.<br /> <br /> The travel period studied were December 23-27 for Christmas and December 30-January 2 for New Year's.<br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9GIIvX5MMAWiE-G7w0ClmHoP4G58d0KYpIkhWcMC74YKZ2Ys9c_DHlld35m_ac-cSlSIu7ofPnMb6nASCjPPPds79yRFkMyNhhO7TGtFQaMUMQaa_mvFalJn7fz7j6kgWZfXobSP-HCO/s1600/a3.png" height="142" width="320" /></a>Thanks in part to price drops, Orlando took the top spot for both periods. The family-friendly destination is seeing a 4 percent decrease in average airfare and 7 percent decrease in hotel stays during Christmas from 2011 levels. And Orlando's New Year's airfare and hotel rates dropped 8 percent each from last year.<br /> If you're looking to save money regardless of location, New Year's airfares and hotel stays are cheaper on average than Christmastime. Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Denver and San Juan hotel and airfare prices decreased from last year during New Year's.<br /> <br /> Top 10 Christmas Destinations in 2012<br /> Orlando (Average airfare: $430; Average nightly hotel rate: $144)<br /> New York (Average airfare: $406; Average nightly hotel rate: $354)<br /> Fort Lauderdale (Average airfare: $457; Average nightly hotel rate: $198)<br /> Denver (Average airfare: $421; Average nightly hotel rate: $127)<br /> Los Angeles (Average airfare: $518; Average nightly hotel rate: $164)<br /> Tampa (Average airfare: $401; Average nightly hotel rate: $108)<br /> Fort Myers (Average airfare: $470; Average nightly hotel rate: $159)<br /> Cancun (Average airfare: $716; Average nightly hotel rate: $409)<br /> San Juan (Average airfare: $660; Average nightly hotel rate: $236)<br /> Phoenix (Average airfare: $407; Average nightly hotel rate: $121)<br /> <br /> Top 10 New Year's Destinations in 2012<br /> Orlando (Average airfare: $291; Average nightly hotel rate: $130)<br /> New York (Average airfare: $371; Average nightly hotel rate: $435)<br /> Las Vegas (Average airfare: $337; Average nightly hotel rate: $216)<br /> Cancun (Average airfare: $513; Average nightly hotel rate: $349)<br /> Fort Lauderdale (Average airfare: $318; Average nightly hotel rate: $209)<br /> Los Angeles (Average airfare: $488; Average nightly hotel rate: $182)<br /> Denver (Average airfare: $347; Average nightly hotel rate: $134)<br /> San Juan (Average airfare: $494; Average nightly hotel rate: $222)<br /> Island of Maui (Average airfare: $717; Average nightly hotel rate: $373)<br /> Fort Myers (Average airfare: $290; Average nightly hotel rate: $144)<br /> <div> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvqIFgIYY2vLkW1vQycjDEeARTmGNFgk5VH2CRQsV7O7HgVEHZyGCBJvFyF0W4DiUhVtyrRlGFpcp8-0D0GUOp6fD6MNfL3rCYNbVAnKt2wnvzfzFliRx3DBZnZD6zEC1lDemzHh7cRK9/s1600/season.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; 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init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> </div> <!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZH1FOR-nF1A%2FULalBCSMSnI%2FAAAAAAAAD9Q%2F2TdjzuJOFys%2Fs1600%2Fseason.png&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvqIFgIYY2vLkW1vQycjDEeARTmGNFgk5VH2CRQsV7O7HgVEHZyGCBJvFyF0W4DiUhVtyrRlGFpcp8-0D0GUOp6fD6MNfL3rCYNbVAnKt2wnvzfzFliRx3DBZnZD6zEC1lDemzHh7cRK9/s1600/season.png" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-27453563573426670232012-11-28T06:18:00.001-08:002012-11-28T06:18:52.153-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">China's People's Daily falls for 'sexy' Kim Jong-un spoof</span></div> RICK WALLACE, TOKYO CORRESPONDENT From: The Australian November 29, 2012 <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Kim Jong-un" src="http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/11/28/1226525/401430-kim-jong-un.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> A SPOOF report declaring North Korea's portly young leader the "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2012 seems to have caught out China's main state-run newspaper.<br /> <br /> The People's Daily Online reported, apparently in all seriousness, that The Onion had crowned Kim Jong-un, the rogue hermit state's playboy leader, this year's top international heart-throb.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>The English-language site, which featured a 55-photo slideshow, quoted the satirical site: "With his devastatingly handsome, round face, his boyish charm, and his strong, sturdy frame this Pyongyang-bred heart-throb is every woman's dream come true. Blessed with an air of power that masks an unmistakable cute, cuddly side, Kim made this newspaper's editorial board swoon with his impeccable fashion sense, chic short hairstyle and, of course, that famous smile."<br /> <br /> Marissa Blake-Zweiber, editor of The Onion Style and Entertainment, said: "He has that rare ability to somehow be completely adorable and completely macho at the same time."<br /> <br /> The Chinese site, effectively an organ of the country's Communist Party, made no suggestion that the story was satirical. The item appeared to have been replaced on the site yesterday.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://sirifarmishop.weebly.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JgMod3no_YUHaAJNumoNw4hlyI4s2f6x45UKxgHt1zniYADPGZPZlsbsS4WFbdACMLnWOTiSsMjEnMnJLrlemqTeVoSYV14Y_rKhJspbhfQ1hDg2kwlpKb6h6MUUyl1CTclbUn0xK_f_/s1600/shop13.png" height="320" width="260" /></a>The credibility of The Onion's report, in the eyes of the People's Daily Online, might have been boosted by the public relations makeover North Korea has embarked upon under Kim Jong-un.<br /> <br /> In contrast to his more dour and reclusive father, Kim Jong-il, the young leader has allowed himself to be depicted stepping out with his new wife, riding rollercoasters and attending concerts featuring Disney characters. It's safe to say, however, that he remains few people's idea of the sexiest man alive.<br /> <br /> The editors at The Onion, a long-running and successful US-based satirical news site, added an update to the original report, saying: "For more coverage on The Onion's Sexiest Man Alive 2012, Kim Jong-un, please visit our friends at the People's Daily in China, a proud Communist subsidiary of The Onion Inc. Exemplary reportage, comrades."<br /> <br /> North Korea's state-run news agency, KCNA, normally reports even the smallest item of praise directed towards the regime. But it appears to have been too savvy to fall for The Onion's report.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td 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value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option 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</tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> 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value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option 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src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --><br /></div> <!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_efd0oEPC5U%2FULYWrGsggtI%2FAAAAAAAAD7k%2F7Ml_umAG0xk%2Fs1600%2Ftr8.png&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmn__X13RAChnatO5hg6MSpDCmrCSLOeqF0Utl0RUM_gLikOzd3gWBseZGsEnLRJiRM0sBRZoimYZxGdQ86pnH2KzZF1RrdWcIaF8vUQ2IRKhwgG9rggwCnn74rKo3Re02LRkub13zp2/s1600/tr8.png" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-80126499313454246192012-11-28T06:10:00.000-08:002012-11-28T06:10:53.761-08:00<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">'I'll keep that': Prince William fuels Kate Middleton pregnancy rumours after accepting baby gift</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> 28 Nov 2012<br /> By Andy Rudd<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1461078.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/The+new+hairstyle+of+Kate+Middleton+is+blown+by+the+wind+during+a+visit+with+Prince+William+to+Cambridge" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> Pilot Wills given baby romper suit with a picture of a helicopter and the words “Daddy’s little co-pilot” during Cambridge walkabout<br /> <br /> Prince William has fuelled rumours that he and Kate Middleton are planning to have children soon after he accepted a baby present during a walkabout in Cambridge.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>There has been speculation around the world that the couple - who married in April last year - are expecting.<br /> <br /> And today, while meeting fans, Prince William, an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, gave the biggest hint yet that the couple could well be becoming proud parents soon.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> The Duke of Cambridge was given a little baby romper suit with a picture of a helicopter and the words “Daddy’s little co-pilot”.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Prince William receives a gift from a member of the crowd on his visit to Cambridge" src="http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1461218.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Prince+William+receives+a+gift+from+a+member+of+the+crowd+on+his+visit+to+Cambridge+" /></div> <br /> New mum Samantha Hill, 27, from Sudbury, Suffolk who made the present, had brought her daughter Beth, who is four weeks old tomorrow, to see the royals.<br /> <br /> She said: “I made it for when his little one comes along, he’s a helicopter pilot so his baby will think his daddy is cool.<br /> <br /> “When I gave it to him he said ‘I’ll keep that’ and handed it to his aide.”<br /> <br /> In August there was a surge of bets on a royal baby for Kate and Wills next year with several three-figure bets, and one bet of £1,000, being placed.<br /> <br /> The baby theme continued when Kate met another mother, Tessa Davies, 35, from Cambridge, who had given her son James the middle name William in honour of the Duke.<br /> <br /> The Duchess tickled the baby's foot as she chatted to Ms Davies, who told the royal about her tribute to William.<br /> <br /> "She said how cute he was.<br /> <br /> "My son was due on April 29, their first wedding anniversary, and I wrote to William saying congratulations ahead of the anniversary and telling him I would give my son the middle name William because I'm such a fan of his and the Royal Family.<br /> <br /> "He wrote me a lovely letter in reply, which hangs in my downstairs loo, thanking me for my support and I told Kate all this."<br /> <br /> Kate spotted another baby, three-and-a-half month old Zachary Tiger Sargent, who was wearing a white romper suit.<br /> <br /> Mum Laura said: "She asked what his name was and how old he was and shook his hand. <br /> <br /> Earlier Kate had battled with the windy conditions as she showed off her new hairdo. <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="The new hairstyle of Kate Middleton is blown by the wind during a visit with Prince William to Cambridge" src="http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1461076.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/The+new+hairstyle+of+Kate+Middleton+is+blown+by+the+wind+during+a+visit+with+Prince+William+to+Cambridge" /></div> <br /> Less than 24 hours after debuting her new sweeping fringe and glossy locks, Kate revealed that's she's "not sure" about her new hairstyle as it took a battering from the windy weather.<br /> <br /> The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given a rapturous welcome as they began their tour of the city with hundreds of well-wishers lining the streets.<br /> <br /> But it was the Duchess' new hairdo, believed to have been created by her favourite hairdresser Richard Ward, that was the talk of the day, after she showcased the new look at the National History Museum last night.<br /> <br /> However, it may be a case of hair today, gone tomorrow, after today.<br /> <br /> Speaking to fans Kate, 30, in a cream MaxMara coat and dress, hinted she was having trouble controlling her shorter new hairstyle in the wind.<br /> <br /> Joanne Baldwin, 30, said. "I told her I loved her new hair style.<br /> <br /> "She said: 'I'm not sure about it. It's a bit windy today.' I said don't worry, it looks lovely."<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmn__X13RAChnatO5hg6MSpDCmrCSLOeqF0Utl0RUM_gLikOzd3gWBseZGsEnLRJiRM0sBRZoimYZxGdQ86pnH2KzZF1RrdWcIaF8vUQ2IRKhwgG9rggwCnn74rKo3Re02LRkub13zp2/s1600/tr8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmn__X13RAChnatO5hg6MSpDCmrCSLOeqF0Utl0RUM_gLikOzd3gWBseZGsEnLRJiRM0sBRZoimYZxGdQ86pnH2KzZF1RrdWcIaF8vUQ2IRKhwgG9rggwCnn74rKo3Re02LRkub13zp2/s1600/tr8.png" height="120" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a><a href="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></a><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-23618797604874019682012-11-28T05:56:00.000-08:002012-11-28T05:56:11.129-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Facebook Makes It Official: An External Advertising Network Is Coming Soon</span></div> By Mathew Ingram on November 26, 2012<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="A view of an Apple iPad and iPhone displaying the Facebook app's splash screen" src="http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2012-11-26/1126_facebook_630x420.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> There’s been a lot of discussion over the past few days about the recent changes to Facebook’s (FB) privacy and governance policies—including the revelation that (gasp!) Facebook is not actually a democracy—but one element of the new rules has gotten less attention than it probably should: Namely, the giant social network is going to use the data it has about your likes and dislikes to show you ads outside of Facebook. This is the first real confirmation that the company is going to roll out an advertising network that extends beyond just its own walled garden, and it could turn out to be one of the biggest factors in the success or failure of Facebook’s revenue-growth strategy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>It’s true that the network wants to do away with the voting process it implemented as a way of improving its governance policies, which required it to get 30 percent of its users to support something before it could make a significant change. But this approach was mostly a failure before it could even get started, since the last vote the company held saw 0.03 percent of users participate—and as more than one person has pointed out, getting 30 percent of Facebook users to vote would mean 300 million people, which is more than twice as many as voted in the recent federal election in the U.S.<br /> <br /> In any case, the company has other goals it needs to meet first, and one of those is generating enough revenue to make Wall Street and other investors happy with its $50 billion market capitalization. And that has put a lot of pressure on Facebook to come up with a winning mobile strategy, among other things, since its click-through rate for traditional ads is abysmal.<br /> <br /> Sponsored stories (which have been criticized in a number of jurisdictions, and could become illegal soon in Norway, according to one recent report) are one way of trying to solve that problem. An external advertising network—one that uses information about users and their activity on Facebook as a way of targeting external ads on other websites—is another way. Chris Dixon, the Hunch founder who just became the newest partner in Silicon Valley venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, has described this as an “embedded option” for Facebook investors, meaning it could stand to significantly enhance the company’s financial prospects if it is handled properly.<br /> <br /> “An external ad network is inevitable. Google proved this model with Adsense. With an already huge base of advertisers bidding on CPCs, it is impossible for most other ad networks to compete on publisher payouts. But Facebook’s traffic is so great now that an external ad network might increase their revenues by 2x or so.”<br /> <br /> To put this in perspective, if an external ad network did manage to double Facebook’s revenues, that would take them to almost $10 billion a year from their current level of about $5 billion. Theoretically at least, it could push them even higher if Facebook manages to attract enough advertisers with its targeted data.<br /> <br /> There have been hints the company was planning to roll out such a network: Earlier this year, Facebook experimented with sponsored stories on Zynga’s (ZNGA) website that were governed by the data the social network had about users based on their activity inside Facebook. And the company also provided a preview of the latest changes in May, although most of the attention at that time was focused on the privacy implications. Now it has become even more obvious that an external ad network is the goal—and Facebook’s chief privacy officer said as much in a comment to Forbes magazine about the new rules:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarmishop.weebly.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JgMod3no_YUHaAJNumoNw4hlyI4s2f6x45UKxgHt1zniYADPGZPZlsbsS4WFbdACMLnWOTiSsMjEnMnJLrlemqTeVoSYV14Y_rKhJspbhfQ1hDg2kwlpKb6h6MUUyl1CTclbUn0xK_f_/s1600/shop13.png" height="320" width="260" /></a></div> <br /> “Everything you do and say on Facebook can be used to serve you ads. Our policy says that we can advertise services to you off of Facebook based on data we have on Facebook.”<br /> <br /> As Quartz points out, the first outcome of this new approach could be the introduction of ads to Instagram, which was acquired by Facebook earlier this year for $735 million. But the social network is sure to extend that to other websites and services it could partner with—if only because the kind of data Facebook has on user behavior (even though it is anonymized) is one of the biggest potential treasure troves of ad targeting that exists online. Access to information about the browsing and liking habits of a billion people isn’t something that comes along every day.<br /> <br /> Google (GOOG) has built a multibillion-dollar advertising business around showing people relevant ads while they search, and so far nothing has been able to match the effectiveness of that approach. But if Facebook is able to target ads on external websites and services based on the data it has, we could see one of the first major challenges to Google’s ad dominance.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmn__X13RAChnatO5hg6MSpDCmrCSLOeqF0Utl0RUM_gLikOzd3gWBseZGsEnLRJiRM0sBRZoimYZxGdQ86pnH2KzZF1RrdWcIaF8vUQ2IRKhwgG9rggwCnn74rKo3Re02LRkub13zp2/s1600/tr8.png" height="120" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a><a href="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></a><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-22215748137987194362012-11-27T14:30:00.002-08:002012-11-28T03:29:00.831-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Home prices: Biggest rise in more than 2 years</span></div> By Chris Isidore | CNNMoney.com<br /> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpfiWr-v8uZdkInmx48bY5fRCqT5f73bvRR430p2d97n52-fNs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpfiWr-v8uZdkInmx48bY5fRCqT5f73bvRR430p2d97n52-fNs" /></a>2012/11/27<br /> In another sign of a housing market rebound, home prices posted the biggest percentage gain in more than two years in the third quarter, according to the closely followed S&amp;P/Case-Shiller index.<br /> The 3.6% increase from a year earlier is more than three times the rise in the previous quarter and was the biggest jump in prices since the second quarter of 2010. But that 2010 rise was much more of a temporary <br /> <a name='more'></a>blip caused by a homebuyer's tax credit of up to $8,000 on homes purchased in late 2009 and early 2010.<br /> <br /> This latest rise comes as the housing market has shown numerous other signs of recovery in recent months. The rebound is spurred by a combination of record low mortgage rates, an improving jobs market and a drop in foreclosures to a five-year low, reducing the supply of distressed homes available. There is also a tighter supply of both new and previously owned homes on the market.<br /> The improvement in housing market fundamentals have helped to lift the pace of both home sales and home building.<br /> <br /> The latest rise in the Case-Shiller index was the second straight quarter of year-over-year improvement, while the monthly annual reading has climbed for four months in a row.<br /> Home prices are now back to where they were in early 2003, before the housing bubble inflated over the next three years before bursting. Even with the recent gain, the index is down 28.6% from the peak level reached the first quarter of 2006.<br /> <a href="http:">http://finance.yahoo.com/video31166746</a><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa5c9hetJPFO-tWIzWpjQsh9sYwwEwuQqHO6aAxQrIzS2wWV_eXOEtwIR0e5EbqaKJ5Fy8S1s3hi3dtbfB76Kigo3VXx7mR6Qi176ayjhA4Pj9CNf_41GK0VVMS3JUU2DirfVnHyO14Gf/s1600/leo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa5c9hetJPFO-tWIzWpjQsh9sYwwEwuQqHO6aAxQrIzS2wWV_eXOEtwIR0e5EbqaKJ5Fy8S1s3hi3dtbfB76Kigo3VXx7mR6Qi176ayjhA4Pj9CNf_41GK0VVMS3JUU2DirfVnHyO14Gf/s320/leo.png" height="141" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></a><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-90947993561124230132012-11-27T14:12:00.001-08:002012-11-28T03:26:40.845-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvin Miller spoke truth to power, changed sports forever</span></div> By Thomas Boswell, Tuesday, November 27,2012<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/27/Interactivity/Images/AP7203110431354031231.jpg" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> The most important man in sports in the past 40 years died at age 95 on Tuesday. Marvin Miller, whose union won free agency for baseball players in 1975 and thus eventually gained the same fundamental bargaining rights for all pro athletes, lived to see his vilified ideas utterly vindicated. What started as a cause became commonplace. What was once controversial became incontrovertible.<br /> <br /> When I started on the baseball beat, there was no free agency, in baseball or any sport. It was a different world. One story from that time defines for me why everything Miller stood for was right — both then and in <br /> <a name='more'></a>hindsight — while everything the owners fought dirty to preserve was the essence of greed and exploitation.<br /> <br /> Brooks Robinson played for the first team I covered. There was never a gentler, more decent and beloved ballplayer. In his entire 23-year Oriole career, Robinson earned less than $1 million in salary. In 1975, just months before Miller and his union won their court battle for free agency, Robinson won his 15th and final Gold Glove in his last full-time season. His financial timing was awful.<br /> <br /> Brooks’s post-baseball plan was his sporting goods store in Baltimore — nothing big, just a local business. What could be more logical and modest? But Robinson hated to nag local youth teams to pay for their equipment. He carried many accounts on the cuff. So, one of my first “scoops” on the beat was to ask one of my childhood heroes how he had gone bankrupt. Robinson blamed himself for not being tough enough in business. I blamed a century of baseball owners who never paid players a fraction of their worth.<br /> <br /> Fans inundated Robinson with small cash gifts in the mail. He sent them all back. A local lawyer, Ron Shapiro, was so upset by Robinson’s plight that when the Orioles asked if he would help Robinson handle his bankruptcy, Shapiro ended up becoming a player agent.<br /> <br /> Ron’s son, Mark, who became an MLB general manager, has told the story of how Robinson wanted to thank his dad for the help. “Brooks wanted to give my dad his 15th Gold Glove, and my dad wouldn’t take it,” Mark once recalled. “He rang our doorbell and ran away, and there was a Rawlings Gold Glove at our front door.”<br /> <br /> Some athletes will still go broke. But thanks to Marvin Miller, none will have to feel such mortification because their employers systematically robbed them of rightful fortunes, keeping the cash for themselves.<br /> <br /> From the first free agent class in 1976 until Miller retired after the 1982 season, I interviewed him regularly, because baseball labor-management wars never really ceased, they just took different forms between work stoppages. His primary weapon — aside from a formidable mind, quiet fierceness and an unapologetic personal hatred for most owners (out-and-out evildoers in his eyes) — was the simple truth.<br /> <br /> The facts, and American labor law for other citizens, were usually so starkly against baseball that he needed little else. In person, he was handsome, resembling actor Douglas Fairbanks. But his eternal on-point earnestness gave him gravitas. I never heard him laugh, except sardonically.<br /> <br /> In a contrast that was almost embarrassing, the owners’ reps, including executive committee members such as Bud Selig, seldom told a fib-free tale over a 20-year period. And the personal attacks on that “sport-wrecking radical” Miller were constant. For the past 15 years, of course, Miller has gotten nothing but outward respect from his old adversaries.<br /> <br /> But you’ll notice that Miller is still not in the Hall of Fame. They should throw out every plaque, except Babe Ruth’s and Jackie Robinson’s, into Cooperstown’s street until Miller’s in.<br /> <br /> Miller, and those after him, used that history-is-on-our-side stance to swing public opinion, which was largely against free agency for athletes in 1975. It took many years.<br /> <br /> Now, the major pro leagues still debate the form in which salaries are set — with salary caps or luxury taxes or revenue-sharing — but no one believes players should be prohibited from switching teams or from discovering the value of their talents in an open market.<br /> <br /> Before Miller, no sports owner, and few fans, believed in such basic rights.<br /> <br /> Pete Rozelle brought the economic stability and parity of revenue sharing to the NFL, then catalyzed football’s boom with brilliant public relations and marketing. Selig has recovered from his nadir as commissioner after the cancellation of the ’94 World Series and the subsequent PED scandals, with strategies to make MLB rich.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://marvin%20miller/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_E-jSpbD6dcB0KqVST43tfjRyqi52NIAdvmnepeGBdMJQ6DX81AqKIc0ge_6Q9GfsqZKcpSbEfot2k2vwNfYYxkmDtzjSUyV3bJg_gRhyphenhyphenaANkF4m0rnKR6ToBPHBPVgZ6SWpn6OL2rCf/s1600/a3.png" height="177" width="400" /></a>However, Miller’s impact outweighs any one athlete, owner or commissioner of my time. Athletes, once cheated, have become rich, perhaps too rich when you consider that their salaries, for the most part, simply pass through owners’ hands but are really paid by fans in the forms of ticket or cable television prices. But those nine-figure contracts also have added to the glamour and controversy of big-time sports. The 24/7/365 baseball news cycle, with year-round wheeling and dealing, is in part a byproduct of free agency.<br /> <br /> “I never before saw such a win-win situation my life, where everybody involved in Major League Baseball, both sides of the equation, still continue to set records in terms of revenue and profits and salaries and benefits,” Miller said in his last public speaking engagement at NYU School of Law in ‘12, noting that MLB revenue grew from $50 million in 1967 to $7.5 billion now. “You would think that it was impossible to do that. But it is possible, and it is an amazing story how under those circumstances, there can be both management and labor really winning.”<br /> <br /> Miller will remain a man of one great fair-mind idea, one simple cause and a long line of tough victories that inspired athletes in every other sport to follow suit. Though none has approached the record of Miller’s union.<br /> <br /> Personally, Miller was an easy man to respect but not an especially easy one to like. If you were in his union, you probably named children after him. But, acerbic by nature, he tolerated only one opinion if you were an outsider: his own. If you played Devil’s Advocate, that brought you perilously close to the Devil himself in Marvin’s eyes. Maybe all original crusaders share that trait.<br /> <br /> “Rest in peace” is the least apt epitaph for Miller. That’s exactly what he never let anyone do. By upsetting the peace, constantly, he changed American sport forever.<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-JdPysDaf22G4sZbaUnwoFZLZWtSeCdlbp6NwIYYYfM19XAkB4v__5i4j3Yl-643LxlTqaHkYFqu5MWiwYG6xlOpzIqxzl6YZq_N4c3zvZakg22re1_kssb6cm4Wzs3eZ-7f-Af3CorC/s1600/season.png" height="175" width="320" /></a><a href="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></a><a href="http://sirifarm.com/">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-30571575003639434412012-11-27T13:49:00.000-08:002012-11-27T13:52:47.551-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Record Powerball result of changes to boost sales</span></div> 2012/11/27<br /> By By DAVID PITT, Associated Press <br /> <br /> DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The historic Powerball jackpot boosted to $500 million on Tuesday was all part of a plan lottery officials put in place early this year to build jackpots faster, drive sales and generate more money for states that run the game.<br /> Their plan appears to be working.<br /> Powerball tickets doubled in price in January to $2, and while the number of tickets sold initially dropped, sales revenue has increased by about 35 percent over 2011.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Sales for Powerball reached a record $3.96 billion in fiscal 2012 and are expected to reach $5 billion this year, said Chuck Strutt, executive director of the Des Moines, Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association, the group that runs the Powerball game.<br /> There has been no Powerball winner since Oct. 6, and the jackpot already has reached a record level for the game. It was first posted at $425 million but revised upward to $500 million when brisk sales increased the payout. It's the second highest jackpot in lottery history, behind only the $656 million Mega Millions prize in March.<br /> It took nine weeks for the Mega Millions jackpot to get that high, before three winners — from Kansas, Illinois and Maryland — hit the right numbers, each collecting $218.6 million for their share of the split.<br /> With soaring jackpots come soaring sales, and for the states playing the game, that means higher revenue.<br /> "The purpose for the lottery is to generate revenue for the respective states and their beneficiary programs," said Norm Lingle, chairman of the Powerball Game Group. "High jackpots certainly help the lottery achieve those goals."<br /> Of the $2 cost of a Powerball ticket, $1 goes to the prizes and the other dollar is kept by the state lottery organization, said Lingle, who also is executive director of the South Dakota Lottery. After administrative overhead is paid, the remaining amount goes to that state's beneficiary programs.<br /> Some states designate specific expenditures such as education, while others deposit the money in their general fund to help supplement tax revenue.<br /> The federal government keeps 25 percent of the jackpot for federal taxes.<br /> Most states withhold between 5 percent and 7 percent. There's no withholding in states without a state income tax such as Delaware, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas. A New York City winner would pay more than 12 percent since the state takes 8.97 percent and the city keeps 3.6 percent.<br /> Powerball and Mega Millions games are seeing jackpots grow faster and higher in part because the states that play both games agreed in 2010 to sell to one another.<br /> Both games are now played in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands. The larger pool of players means jackpots roll over to higher numbers faster, which tends to increase the buzz about the jackpots which increases sales. It all can result in higher jackpots sooner.<br /> "It really happened with both of these games became national games," said Terry Rich, CEO of the Iowa Lottery.<br /> Still, just seven of the top 25 jackpots occurred after January 2010 when the cross-selling began. That just points to the unpredictability of games of chance like lotteries. It still comes down to the luck of the numbers, Rich said.<br /> It has been proven that once the jackpot reaches a certain threshold more players buy.<br /> The Quick Shop in Ottumwa, Iowa, is one of the state's highest-volume lottery ticket sellers due to its location across the street from a John Deere farm implement factory.<br /> "It's picking up by the minute," said store owner Mark Ebelsheiser. "We're selling probably 60 to 70 percent more than normal. When it gets up this high they really come out and get them."<br /> Bob Allison, a retired Indian Hills Community College instructor and administrator, buys tickets weekly for a group of people at the college in Ottumwa. On Tuesday he and two golfing and fishing buddies went in together to buy additional tickets. Allison said he usually buys a few additional tickets when the jackpot gets so high.<br /> He said he'd make a lot of people very happy if he won.<br /> "My kids would probably retire quick," said the father of three daughters.<br /> Between $20 and $30 million in tickets were sold between Wednesday and Saturday drawings for most of October. Once the jackpot hit $100 million on Oct. 27, nearly $38 million worth of tickets were sold by Oct. 31. As the jackpot grew to more than $200 million on Nov. 17, sales surged by nearly $70 million by the next Wednesday. Then the jackpot reached over $300 million on Nov. 24 and ticket sales over the next four days surpassed $140 million.<br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIaOs5uQeU3TKJFHogtu508PIcsHFJYZElP_ZU1bmyB7UzEr96kmNg6PEiBuztIM7nyiNiZCgDGeiDD3OzkbC2aj8JhflZp1dQ3y1xJdSZwuG41g7jmtjnED6ebFItbUTUHcXnrNq5KdP/s1600/a3.png" height="177" width="400" /></a>"Somewhere around $100 million those occasional players seem to come back into the stores in droves," said Rich, the Iowa Lottery CEO. The lottery also notices a significant increase in workers and other groups joining together in pools to combine resources to buy numbers, he said.<br /> Trina Small, manager at the convenience store in Bondurant, Iowa, where a couple bought a $202 million ticket on Sept. 26, said sales have been heavy. She said Monday night Powerball sales were at about $800, at least $200 more than normal. She expects Tuesday and Wednesday sales to be even more.<br /> "It's kind of like Black Friday all over again," she said.<br /> Small doesn't usually play the lottery herself but said she may buy a chance at the record jackpot. She's just trying to decide if her chances are better buying it elsewhere since a jackpot ticket was sold at her store just two months ago — the old adage about lightning striking twice.<br /> "The odds are against you anyway but I'm pretty sure they're more against you getting one from this store," she joked.<br /> Powerball has posted sales exceeding $714 million in the current jackpot run since early October and it's possible more than $1 billion in tickets will have been sold by the end of Wednesday when the next drawing is held.<br /> A single winner choosing the cash option would take home more than $327 million before taxes.<br /> Strutt said the chance of getting a winner this Wednesday is approaching 60 percent.<br /> <br /> <iframe height="221" id="kaltura_player_1354052558" src="http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/1_zfdu6433/uiconf_id/3775332/st_cache/16897?referer=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/powerball-drawing-winner-jackpot-grows-425-million-17803253&amp;autoPlay=false&amp;addThis.playerSize=392x221&amp;freeWheel.siteSectionId=nws_offsite&amp;closedCaptionActive=true&amp;" style="border: 0px solid #ffffff;" width="392">Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames.</iframe><br /> <div style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-45948989489800482712012-10-18T05:46:00.004-07:002012-10-18T05:46:52.897-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Google’s Search for a Second Act</span></div> By Jeff Macke | Breakout 2012/10/18<br /> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <object height="324" width="576"><param name="movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/nl/techticker/breakout/player.swf"></param> <param name="flashVars" value="vid=30894500&browseCarouselUI=show&"></param> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed width="576" height="324" allowFullScreen="true" src="http://d.yimg.com/nl/techticker/breakout/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="vid=30894500&browseCarouselUI=show&"></embed></object></div> </div> Google (GOOG) reports third quarter results after the bell today in one of the most highly anticipated events of this earnings season. According to Yahoo Finance the Street is expecting Google to have earned $10.65 per share on revenues of $11.9 billion. As usual, the numbers mean less than the guidance and updates on the company's growing stable of business lines.<br /> With GOOG stock up 30% in the 3 months since their last report, traders have a lot riding on the name. In the attached clip IronFire Capital founder Eric Jackson tells Breakout what he wants to hear from the company tonight.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Core Business<br /> Google at its core remains a search company. The metrics to watch are paid clicks and cost per click (CPC). Paid clicks are just the total number of people clicking on ads served by Google sites and the sites of its network members. The company has shown strong growth in total clicks for years, no one expects it to change now.<br /> Cost per clicks is the challenge. CPC is the amount advertisers pay Google to funnel traffic their way. Prices there have been falling, both as a function of the Internet maturing and the relative challenge of driving mobile ads. "Even though people are using Google in the mobile world it's just not as profitable," says Jackson. At it's core Google is a search engine ad company, "everything else is just an afterthought."<br /> Bullish Catalyst: YouTube<br /> The most promising of the assorted under-the-headline business lines at Google is YouTube. Acquired in 2006 for about $1.8billion, YouTube spent years hosting free videos and collecting what, for Google at least, were negligible revenues. Six years later with video streaming and hosting all the rage, the YouTube deal is looking remarkably prescient.<br /> Google is now hosting original content, both domestic and internationally. It's not going to be a profit driver immediately but online content is going to lie at the center of the evolution from passive to active television. Google has deeper pockets than most of the other content buyers without the borderline desperation of Netflix (NFLX). Glory is fleeting in emerging technologies but Google is marking it's turf.<br /> Jackson thinks evidence of a breakthrough with YouTube could be enough to drive shares of Google to $800, should everything else come in as expected.<br /> Bear Case: Hardware Margins<br /> On the topic of acquisitions that make only a little bit of sense, Google recently finalized the purchase of Motorola Mobility in August. In return for $12.5 billion Google got rights to a badly lagging phone division, a set-top box division with horrific prospects, and a slew of patents. Google also got a beefy lawsuit from TiVo (TIVO) regarding patent violations for DVR technology.<br /> It's the phones that concern Jackson. Hardware may be a necessary evil for Google to monetize its Android OS but that doesn't make handsets an attractive business. On top of inherently lousy margins, Motorola phones put Google in direct competition with partners like Samsung. A delicate situation for a company not known for being sweet.<br /> "Inevitably that thing (Motorola) is going to drag down margins," notes Jackson. "That could be the wild card that the bears are looking for over the next couple months."<br /> It's only one quarter but Google's strategy is constantly evolving, causing analysts to scrounge for any kernel of incremental info. Can the company justify Wall Street's love? Stay tuned.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s320/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-56008561246064633712012-10-18T05:40:00.002-07:002012-10-18T05:40:51.010-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">5 dividend stocks that insiders like</span></div> By Meena Krishnamsetty | MarketWatch 2012/10/18<br /> <br /> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSb4UuqbFvvGcFh0iYcGt_rQzJkZwA5wmO-MILCLQKXL_Ay9X68" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSb4UuqbFvvGcFh0iYcGt_rQzJkZwA5wmO-MILCLQKXL_Ay9X68" /></a>Sometimes, dividend yields can look attractive because the company's stock price has dropped; this can be a concern if the lower stock price is tied to poorer business performance, which could in turn lead to dividend cuts. It's also generally a good idea to review a history of insider purchases and sales — particularly purchases, as they tend to be more predictive of future performance — when looking at stocks. Here are five stocks which pay high dividend yields, are at least flat year to date, and have seen at least one insider purchase in the last three months:<br /> Aldo Zucaro, CEO of Old Republic International Corporation(ORI), bought about 10,000 shares of the company in August 2012. Old Republic is an insurer whose products include asset insurance (auto, marine, etc.) and specialty coverage. It is unprofitable when looking at the last four quarters, but grew its revenue slightly in the second quarter of 2012 and sell-side analyst consensus is for positive <br /> <a name='more'></a>earnings per share in 2013. As a result, its forward P/E is 14.<br /> Also, Old Republic pays a dividend yield of 7.4%. While this is very impressive from an income perspective, in terms of value we would want to see better results from the company. Billionaire Israel Englander's Millennium Management increased its stake in Old Republic by 63% during the second quarter, and billionaire Steve Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors also bought shares (check out Israel Englander's top stock picks).<br /> AT&amp;T Inc. (XNYS:T) saw a large purchase in late July from board member Scott Ford. Some degree of buying would be expected, as Ford had just joined the board in June, but he bought over $2 million worth in stock. The enormous AT&amp;T, with a market cap of over $200 billion, pays a generous 4.9% dividend yield. AT&amp;T is also somewhat popular with hedge fund managers, as billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller initiated a position in the stock during the second quarter (see more stocks Stanley Druckenmiller has been buying). Cliff Asness's AQR Capital Management also had a large position in the stock.<br /> At 14 times forward earnings estimates — though this anticipates strong earnings growth — it could be a more attractive investment than fellow telecom Verizon Communications Inc.(VZ), which trades at a premium to AT&amp;T based on its forward P/E of 16, or the unprofitable Sprint Nextel Corporation(XNYS:S).<br /> A board member at Integrys Energy Group, Inc.(TEG), Michelle Collins, bought shares of the $4.3 billion market cap natural gas and electric utility. It's not particularly surprising to see a utility with a 5.0% dividend yield, and the company trades at 20 times trailing earnings. Integrys did see a large pop in its earnings last quarter compared to a year ago, but this came off of a decline in revenue and we're not sure how sustainable this growth might be (and, of course, it is a utility so growth opportunities are likely limited).<br /> We don't think it is as good a buy as some of these other companies. However, Renaissance Technologies (founded by now-billionaire Jim Simons) bought shares during the second quarter (research top stock picks from Renaissance Technologies) and David Harding's Winton Capital Management did as well.<br /> Bruce Nicholson, who is on the Board of Directors at DTE Energy Company(DTE), invested about $100,000 in the company in late August. DTE is a Michigan-based electric and natural gas utility. As perhaps might be expected from its geographic focus, revenue and earnings were both down last quarter vs. a year earlier. It pays a 4.1% dividend yield, and carries a trailing P/E multiple of 16. We'd like to see the company halt its decline in net income, and even if it can get to no-growth its P/E seems a bit high. Billionaire Glenn Dubin's Highbridge Capital Management owned about 50,000 shares at the end of June, but this was about half as many as it had owned three months earlier (find more stock moves by Highbridge). Adage Capital Management was another notable hedge fund who was invested in the stock.<br /> Also making our list is Midwestern electric and natural gas utility Alliant Energy Corporation(LNT), with Board member Patrick Allen buying in. The dividend yield is good here as well, at 4.1%; like at Integrys, Alliant showed slightly lower revenue but considerably stronger earnings last quarter than it did in the second quarter of 2011. It is slightly cheaper than Integrys, however, at a trailing P/E of 18. Wall Street analysts expect considerably better numbers next year, and so Alliant trades at 14 times forward earnings estimates.<br /> Our impression is that it is the best of the utilities on this list, though out of the companies we've discussed we're most interested in taking a closer look at AT&amp;T. Billionaire David Shaw's D.E. Shaw liked the stock during the second quarter, reporting about 260,000 shares in its portfolio at the end of June (see more stocks this large hedge fund liked). Tim Flannery's Copia Capital, meanwhile, had sold most of the shares it had owned at the end of March over the next three months.<br /> Disclosure: This article is written by Matt Doiron and edited by Meena Krishnamsetty. Ms. Krishnamsetty has a long position in T.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s320/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-49993366353457826022012-10-18T05:25:00.001-07:002012-10-18T05:25:28.316-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">A Daily Multivitamin Reduces Cancer Risk in Older Men</span></div> <br /> By Olivia B. Waxman &nbsp;October 18, 2012<br /> <br /> <a href="http://timewellness.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/centrumsilver.jpg?w=360&amp;h=240&amp;crop=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="centrumsilver" border="0" src="http://timewellness.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/centrumsilver.jpg?w=360&amp;h=240&amp;crop=1" /></a>There hasn’t been strong evidence to support the idea that vitamins can combat cancer—until now.<br /> <br /> <br /> In the first rigorous, long-term study of multivitamins and their effect on cancer, older men who took daily vitamins lowered their risk of cancer by 8% compared to men who skipped the supplements over an average of 11 years of follow up.<br /> <br /> Participants included 14,641 male U.S. male physicians ages 50 and over for 11 years enrolled in the Physicians’ Health Study. The men were randomly assigned to take a multivitamin —Centrum Silver — or a placebo, and neither they nor the scientists were aware of their status. Overall, they were healthy; two-thirds exercised on a regular basis and only 4% were current smokers. The doctors’ mean age was 64. Nine percent (1,312) reported a history of cancer (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer).<br /> <br /> (MORE: Vitamins and Supplements Linked to a Higher Risk of Death)<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>“It appears that there may be a modest benefit in preventing cancer in men over the age of 50,” said Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, lead author of the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and chief of the Division of Aging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in a teleconference call.<br /> <br /> Previous studies haven’t been so definitive, which is why the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the National Institutes of Health both decided that the evidence wasn’t strong enough to advise healthy people to take vitamins daily. One placebo-controlled study published in JAMA revealed that taking large doses of vitamin D supplements did not prevent colds or reduce symptoms in healthy adults any more than a placebo. Another analysis of clinical trials found that omega-3 supplements do not reduce users’ risks of heart attack, stroke, or death from heart disease. And older women who took daily multivitamins were 6% more likely to die over a 19-year-period compared to those who did not take the pills. Higher odds of death were associated with vitamin B, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper supplements; calcium, however, was associated with a 10% lower risk of death in the women.<br /> <br /> LIST: 31 Healthiest Foods of All-Time<br /> <br /> But because the participants in Physicians Health Study were randomly assigned to take vitamins or placebo, and because they were followed for a relatively long period of time, the findings may finally provide some clarity on the role that vitamins can play in suppressing cancer.<br /> <br /> That doesn’t mean that vitamins are the antidote to cancer, or that they can offset cancer-causing behaviors like smoking or an unhealthy diet. It also doesn’t mean that vitamins are the only way to fight cancer. Skipping the vitamins and getting the same nutrients from a well-balanced diet can also be an effective way to keep tumors at bay. “A varied diet is associated with reduced risk of cancer, so a multivitamin may mimic the vitamins and minerals we get from that varied diet,” Gaziano said.<br /> <br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s320/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-42031765793883286482012-10-18T04:31:00.001-07:002012-10-18T04:31:40.321-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Bank of America says housing has ‘begun to turn,’ but mortgages still bring banks headaches</span></div> Associated Press, Published: October 17<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/17/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/1110537.jpg" /></div> NEW YORK — For banks, mortgage-making kept profits humming before the financial crisis, then blackened reputations and stamped out earnings when the crisis hit.<br /> <br /> Now, the business of mortgage lending is more of a mixed bag.<br /> Bank of America, the country’s second-biggest bank, reported Wednesday that mortgage originations jumped over a year ago — up 18 percent to $21 billion. But the mortgage unit still lost money as the bank worked through problem mortgages issued before the crisis.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a><br /><br /> It’s the latest sign that five years after the housing bubble burst, mortgages remain thorny for the banking industry. They still drive revenue, but banks are getting hit with expensive reminders of the risky mortgage lending of last decade, in the form of lawsuits, foreclosures and regulatory headaches.<br /> <br /> Bank of America’s chief financial officer said Wednesday he thought the housing market had turned, noting that home prices are rising more consistently. His statements echoed what JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, the country’s two largest mortgage lenders, suggested last week.<br /> <br /> “I think we’ve clearly begun to turn the corner,” Bruce Thompson said in a conference call with reporters to discuss the bank’s third-quarter earnings, which beat Wall Street expectations.<br /> <br /> Still, Thompson noted that any recovery is tenuous. He said he’d remain “a little bit cautious because there are headwinds out there.”<br /> <br /> “’It’s obviously early in the cycle with home prices moving up,” Thompson said. “There are obviously certain questions that remain in the economy with respect to other matters.”<br /> <br /> On Monday, Citigroup executives showed wariness when asked about the housing market. Citi’s chief financial officer wondered whether the U.S. is creating enough jobs to support a sustained recovery.<br /> <br /> Bank of America is the last of the mortgage-heavy mega-banks to report third-quarter earnings.<br /> <br /> Mortgage originations soared at Wells Fargo, rose respectably at JPMorgan and Bank of America, and fell at Citigroup.<br /> <br /> Refinancing made up the bulk of the banks’ mortgage growth this quarter — at Bank of America, it accounted for 83 percent. That saves homeowners money and makes money in fees for the banks. But refinancing does less to drive the housing market recovery than a sale.<br /> <br /> The banks’ mortgage units also continue to draw lawsuits. Last month, Bank of America announced it would forgive the second-lien mortgages of certain struggling homeowners. It made the pledge as part of a settlement between federal and state governments and the big banks in March.<br /> <br /> Repurchase demands, in which investors demand that a bank buy back mortgages it sold before the crisis, are also mounting. Outstanding claims at Bank of America jumped to more than $25 billion from $10 billion a year ago.<br /> <br /> Overall, Bank of America earned $340 million in the third quarter, which worked out to a fraction of a penny per share. That was far less than a year ago, but better than the loss of 11 cents that Wall Street was expecting.<br /> <br /> The results were skewed by one-time charges. The bank took a $1.6 billion charge for litigation expenses. Most of that was because it agreed last month to settle a shareholder lawsuit accusing it of misleading investors about its decision in 2008 to purchase Merrill Lynch. Bank of America denied the allegations but said it wanted to move on.<br /> <br /> It was also hurt by an accounting charge of $1.9 billion from a controversial accounting rule that governs how banks value their debt.<br /> <br /> The rule penalizes banks when the bonds they issue to investors look safer and rise in value. The theory is that it would cost banks more to buy those bonds back from investors. The rule could be phased out as early as next year.<br /> <br /> It’s difficult to fairly compare the bank’s results to the same period a year ago, because those results were also clouded by one-time items.<br /> <br /> Judging solely by net income, the third quarter of 2011 looked terrific: The bank made a profit of $6.2 billion. But it was helped by a gain from the accounting rule, as well as other one-time gains like the bank’s selling part of its stake in a Chinese bank.<br /> <br /> By other measurements, the year-ago period was a poor quarter for the bank. Investors were fleeing the stock market, unnerved by a downgrade of the U.S. government’s debt and a congressional standoff over the national budget.<br /> <br /> Without the accounting charges, revenue in this year’s third quarter was essentially flat at $22.5 billion, beating the $21.9 billion expected by analysts polled by FactSet.<br /> <br /> Like many of its peers, Bank of America is cutting jobs and expenses to weather an uncertain economy. The bank has shed more than 16,100 jobs from a year ago, or about 6 percent of its work force. The jobs number would have fallen more if the bank hadn’t added hires to work through problem mortgages.<br /> <br /> Bank of America stock fell 2 cents to close at $9.44 Wednesday.<br /> <br /> Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-50577734524567626502012-10-18T04:17:00.000-07:002012-10-18T04:17:29.617-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">FBI says man tried to blow up Federal Reserve Bank in NYC</span></div> Atlanta Business Chronicle by Carla Caldwell, Morning Call Editor<br /> Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012<br /> <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WjBN4tKARZs/0.jpg" /><br /> Federal prosecutors have charged a 21-year-old Bangladeshi man with conspiring to blow up the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The man, Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, tried to remotely detonate what he believed was a 1,000-pound bomb in a van he parked outside the building in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, reports the New York Times.<br /> Nafis, who came to the United States in January on a student visa, worked to make contacts and recruit people to form a terrorist cell to help him carry out an attack, according to a criminal complaint in the case.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>One of these recruits was an FBI informer who introduced him to an undercover FBI agent. The incident on Wednesday was recorded as part of a string operation carried out by the FBI and the New York Police Department, according to court papers obtained by the NYT.<br /> Officials said Nafis spoke of a desire to “attack and kill” a high-ranking government official. A senior law enforcement official said Wednesday night that the official was President Obama, but that Nafis’s desire did not get beyond talking about it, the New York Times reported.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MYcgVhsV7oY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-10462593927672889752012-10-18T04:05:00.000-07:002012-10-18T04:17:53.872-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">The Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Travel Taxes</span></div> How Much of Your Vacation Dollar Goes to Levies on Hotel Rooms, Rental Cars and Flights by Municipalities<br /> By SCOTT MCCARTNEY<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe frameborder="0" height="288" scrolling="no" src="http://live.wsj.com/public/page/embed-1C00F1E9_871A_4D5B_B8A3_555A7CEC9E77.html" width="512"></iframe></div> 17, 2012<br /> In Chicago, the tax on a case of Miller Lite beer runs about 9%. That pales in comparison with the 16.4% tax on a hotel room and the 23% tax on car rentals at O'Hare International Airport.<br /> <br /> Travel is one of the most heavily taxed activities in the U.S., even though most cities and towns try hard to encourage visitors and tourism. Travelers don't vote where they travel, so cash-strapped cities and states continue to push fees and taxes onto hotel rooms, rental cars and airports. Cigarettes are about the only thing taxed more heavily among consumer purchases.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Often the money is used not only to build and run facilities for travelers, such as convention centers and airports, but also to help finance general coffers and pay for sports stadiums and youth ball fields. In some cities, taxes on visitors help fund arts facilities and school systems, according to a study published last month by the Global Business Travel Association, a trade and lobbying group for corporate travel managers.<br /> <br /> The impact can be significant: GBTA said travelers pay taxes that total, on average, 57% more than if they just paid the normal general sales tax.<br /> <br /> Car-rental companies and airlines say heavy taxes on their services damp demand. With rental cars, some consumers, particularly leisure travelers, are discouraged from travel or opt for smaller cars to hold down the price of a rental, where taxes can sometimes exceed the car cost.<br /> <br /> "Taxes clearly have an impact on consumer behavior," said Richard Broome, spokesman for Hertz Corp.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="[image]" border="0" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-BK319_MIDSEA_DV_20121017175926.jpg" /></a>A survey last year by the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit industry group, found 49% of respondents had altered plans because of high travel taxes, such as by staying in less-expensive hotels and spending less on shopping and entertainment. Ten percent of people surveyed said they had changed city choices for trips because of taxes.<br /> <br /> Travelers in some destinations can reduce some of the tax outlay by booking hotels outside of city centers, renting cars at non-airport locations and taking meals away from airports and hotel restaurants. However, the savings would usually be marginal and more trouble than they are worth.<br /> <br /> Among major destinations, the tax on a day's travel spending can range from as little as $22.21 in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and West Palm Beach, Fla., to as much as $40.31 in Chicago, GBTA found. That is calculated by keeping the cost of hotels, car rentals and meals the same in each city so the difference reflects the tax structure, not higher or lower travel costs. Some cities that depend heavily on tourists, such as Honolulu and Orlando, avoid imposing too many taxes on visitors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="[image]" border="0" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-BK320_MIDSEA_DV_20121017182750.jpg" /></a>Car-rental companies have fought local proposals to raise taxes on rentals, narrowly losing an effort in June to stop an 11% increase on car rentals in San Mateo County, Calif., at the San Francisco International Airport. "It seems like increasing travel taxes is one of the first places local politicians go when they need revenue," said Mr. Broome.<br /> <br /> Airlines say taxes have a significant impact on air travel because they raise ticket prices so substantially. High prices deter buying and airline tickets are taxed at levels similar to alcohol and cigarettes, where the government imposes taxes to discourage use.<br /> <br /> There are a total of 17 potential different taxes and fees levied by the federal government and airports on airline tickets. Passengers pay a federal excise tax to help fund the Federal Aviation Administration, a security fee to help fund the Transportation Security Administration, various fees for international inspections and fees charged by airports for passing through terminals.<br /> <br /> On a typical $300 domestic ticket with one connection, the airline fare is really $238.88 and taxes and airport fees are $61.12—more than 20% of the $300 cost comprises taxes and government fees. By comparison, a pack of cigarettes that costs roughly $12 in Chicago has $5.67 in federal, state, county and city taxes, or about 47% of the cost.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="image" border="0" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-BK308_MIDSEA_D_20121017180904.jpg" /></a>This year the Department of Transportation began forcing airlines to include taxes in any price quote for airline tickets. Under pressure from consumers to show full prices, rental-car companies began including taxes prominently when people book reservations, showing an estimated total price for each rental. Hotel companies are starting to display taxes more clearly: Marriott includes taxes in hotel price quotes when customers are asked for name, address and credit card.<br /> <br /> Yet hotel companies say higher taxes don't have a big effect on bookings. That is one reason the taxes keep coming: Cities, counties and states have so far been able to raise more money without crimping business or angering local voters.<br /> <br /> "We really don't see an impact on business due to hotel taxes," said Marriott spokeswoman Laurie Goldstein.<br /> <br /> When Chicago raised its portion of the hotel tax to 4.5% from 3.5% earlier this year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel predicted continued increases in tourism—and so far he appears to be correct. Chicago hotel occupancy rates are up slightly so far this year, according to Smith Travel Research. The tax increase "will help increase revenue that supports tourism, not deters it," the mayor said in a statement at the time. The city didn't respond to requests for additional comment.<br /> <br /> The hotel-tax increase in Chicago, which had the highest total tax burden for travelers of any city in the survey, raised the total hotel levy there to 16.4%. That includes a 2% tax to help pay for the Chicago White Sox stadium, 2.5% to help pay for the McCormick Place convention center and state taxes as well. Chicago's rental-car tax is even higher. The tax on a $56, one-day car rental at the airport raises the cost by 23%.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-91387730663258133962012-10-16T06:13:00.001-07:002012-10-16T06:13:17.721-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Is The Idea Of 'Gay Travel' Counterproductive?</span></div> 10/16/2012<br /> Form huffingtonpost.com<br /> <br /> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://api.ning.com/files/IPD95myYeDlihkIyPf9zKefj4M7Bhy1nxVfIoTamT9u1Jkee62D6MstWIkhXRqzQWFafb7tQ3oUS09XHkrmt2iyyznMnZL8E/gay_travel_385x261.jpg" /></a>During my recent visit to the all-but-destroyed island of Bali, a local friend convinced me to stay someplace I wouldn't have chosen on my own: Spartacvs, an all-male, clothing-optional resort.<br /> <br /> Now, I love naked men as much as the next gay dude with a travel blog. But my sexuality is never among my first considerations when choosing a destination.<br /> <br /> Ironically, since Bali's scenery and culture, which are always among my first considerations when choosing a destination, have been badly mutilated by decades of excessive tourism, Spartacvs became something of a refuge for me.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>As lovely as Spartacvs, its staff and my fellow guests were, the experience reminded me why I tend to avoid "gay travel" whenever I can.<br /> <br /> The chief benefit of travel, so far as I've been able to deduce in my seven years of doing it, is that you are able to step out of your comfort zone for a short time, to live in a way you might not otherwise choose or have the opportunity to experience. So why would you travel with your boyfriend to someplace populated exclusively with other men and their boyfriends?<br /> <br /> I do want to be able to show my affection for a same-sex partner without fear of violence or discrimination, but one of the necessary steps to global acceptance of gays is global awareness of gays so I don't wall myself off when I travel. Unless you holiday in places with state- or church-sponsored homophobia, the worst that will befall you upon kissing your honey in public is gasps and whispers.<br /> <br /> And I have holidayed extensively in homophobic countries myself, so I understand how alienating it can be to go weeks or months without so much as seeing another openly gay person, sexual frustration notwithstanding. But at the end of the day, my experiences feeling alienated, frustrated and even afraid have been positive ones -- they make me thankful I don't need to feel that way every day!<br /> <br /> Obviously, a little bit of hedonism never hurt anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed all of my "gay travel" experiences pre-Spartacvs, from an inside look into the Brazilian sex motels, to jam-packed arena parties in Tel Aviv, to sleeping with practically half the city of Montréal back in June. I'm sure I'll have more of them in the future.<br /> <br /> But just as it seems ridiculous for me that extremely rich people travel to poor countries in high luxury, it's disappointing that such an expectation-defying segment of the population would be so damn predictable when we travel.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-10012855976342062792012-10-16T05:51:00.001-07:002012-10-16T05:51:30.052-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazon to hire more than 50,000 for holiday&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">season</span></div> <br /> <br /> 2012/10/16<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/hmjR3tavw1g1TOlQGTYzkg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zODY7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSTECH_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-16T051335Z_1_CBRE89F0ELF00_RTROPTP_3_AMAZON-RESULTS_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A box from Amazon.com is pictured on the porch of a house in Golden" border="0" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/hmjR3tavw1g1TOlQGTYzkg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zODY7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSTECH_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-16T051335Z_1_CBRE89F0ELF00_RTROPTP_3_AMAZON-RESULTS_original.jpg" /></a></div> (Reuters) - Online retail giant Amazon.com Inc said it will hire more than 50,000 seasonal employees at its fulfillment centers across the United States, as the company and its rivals gear up for the winter holiday season.<br /> Retailers typically add seasonal staff in the weeks leading up to the holiday shopping season to work in stores and help in other areas, such as in distribution and fulfilling online orders.<br /> "Temporary associates play a critical role in meeting increased customer demand during the holiday <br /> <a name='more'></a>season, and we expect thousands of temporary associates will stay on in full-time positions," Dave Clark, vice president of Global Customer Fulfillment, said in a statement.<br /> Amazon did not say how many seasonal workers it hired for the 2011 holiday season, but said the plan to hire more than 50,000 is up slightly from last year.<br /> In September, Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it plans to hire more than 50,000 seasonal employees to work at its Walmart stores in the United States, slightly more than it did last year.<br /> Target Corp has said it plans to hire about 80,000 to 90,000 seasonal employees for its stores and distribution centers. While Target plans to hire fewer than the 92,000 seasonal staff it brought on in 2011, it said that 30 percent of those who were hired to work during last year's holiday season were then given year-round positions.<br /> (Reporting by Sakthi Prasad in Bangalore; Editing by Chris Gallagher)<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFldAsbUN51Zb6vvZF8EwKXo7bb6Fp298z87nlunzAMk9NUEggXR6eIVfnnm_lPbz3j5hb1Py2fLVkW-aXDdsEIDsfxNihrDSluom-JrZPdgrdvJSlM1-M95MlasewRVIehZFN6ZnVEnL/s1600/t22.png" height="77" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-6400105132183191382012-10-16T05:45:00.003-07:002012-10-16T05:52:12.993-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </div> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Vikram Pandit to Step Down as Citigroup CEO</span></div> By CNBC | CNBC <br /> 2012/10/16<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/MS8hegzr0r49eye6rLrmSA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNzc7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSBUS_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-15T204025Z_2_CBRE89E1BN500_RTROPTP_3_CITIGROUP-RESULTS_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="File photograph of Citigroup's CEO Vikram Pandit giving an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange" border="0" src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/MS8hegzr0r49eye6rLrmSA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNzc7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSBUS_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-15T204025Z_2_CBRE89E1BN500_RTROPTP_3_CITIGROUP-RESULTS_original.jpg" /></a></div> Vikram Pandit announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as CEO of Citigroup. The board of directors named Michael Corbat its new chief executive.<br /> President and Chief Operating Officer John Havens also resigned.<br /> After finishing 5.5 percent higher Monday, shares of Citigroup (C) were lower in pre-market trading following the announcement. (Click here to get the latest quotes for Citigroup.)<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>"Citigroup is well-positioned for continued profitability and growth, having refocused the franchise on the basics of banking," Pandit said.<br /> Citi's board of directors praised Pandit's "leadership, integrity and resilience in guiding Citi through the crisis and positioning it well for the future."<br /> Corbat was formerly the chief executive of Citi's Europe, Middle East, and Africa division.<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-34707590746154550482012-10-15T06:42:00.000-07:002012-10-15T06:42:24.321-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">10 Money Mistakes That Can Ruin a Marriage</span></div> By Renee Morad | Money Talks News – Fri, Oct 12, 2012 <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Couples who reported disagreeing about finances once a week were 30 percent more likely to get divorced than couples who reported disagreeing about them once a month." src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/fvZQHg2t8GOp9If7kkXkdA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NTEzO2NyPTE7Y3c9Njg0O2R4PTA7ZHk9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD00NzI7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/284/2012/10/12/75627513-jpg_161840.jpg" /></div> As anyone who’s been there knows, there’s no such thing as a friction-free marriage. But arguing can be ominous when the topic is money.<br /> Couples who reported disagreeing about finances once a week were 30 percent more likely to get divorced than couples who reported disagreeing about them once a month, according to a Utah State University study.<br /> In another survey, published in the Forum for Family and Consumer Issues, finances proved to be the leading cause of conflict in marriage, with 39 percent of respondents listing it as their primary issue and 54 percent as their secondary issue.<br /> Here are 10 of the most common mistakes couples make when dealing with money.<br /> <br /> 1. Not talking enough about finances<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>There’s a time and place for everything, but it’s often difficult to find the right time and place to talk money.<br /> Some couples benefit from scheduling a time to talk about money matters, just like they would for a date night or business meeting. Other couples might choose to set a monetary limit that would initiate a conversation: Let’s say, for example, they decide purchases under $500 are discretionary but spending money over that amount warrants a discussion.<br /> Find what works for you and your spouse and commit to it. It might not be the most enjoyable way to spend time together, but you’ll thank yourselves later.<br /> <br /> 2. Thinking you can buy love<br /> If you think splurging on a new diamond ring or luxury car will help improve your marriage, think again.<br /> A Brigham Young University study found couples with two materialistic spouses were worse off on nearly every measure. Following behind were couples with one materialistic spouse.<br /> Couples who claimed money was not important to them, however, were lucky in love: They scored 10 to 15 percent better on marriage stability and other measures of relationship quality than couples with one or two materialistic spouses.<br /> Interestingly, it didn’t matter how much money they had, but how much value they put on money. In the study, couples who were better off financially but admitted to having “a strong love of money” found that money was a bigger source of conflict.<br /> <br /> 3. Ignoring conflicting spending habits<br /> Scholars have found that individuals gravitate toward spouses who look, sound, and act as they do – except when it comes to money, according to surveys conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University.<br /> Penny pinchers and reckless spenders tend to marry the other, but these couples report unhappier marriages than those in which both spouses had similar spending habits, the studies revealed.<br /> Disparity in spending can be manageable, but if issues aren’t addressed, research says this could increase your likelihood of divorce. The Utah State University study found individuals who feel their spouse spends money foolishly reported lower levels of marital happiness and gauged their likelihood of divorce at 45 percent.<br /> <br /> 4. Not agreeing on how to divide money<br /> Whether you have joint or separate accounts – or both – doesn’t really matter. What does is whether your financial plan is the right one for your marriage.<br /> This comes down to you and your spouse’s spending habits and money values. If you’re unnecessarily stressing about small, day-to-day purchases, for example, it might be better to put part of your finances in separate accounts – so you’re less likely to question your spouse’s every buy. If you work better as a team knowing where all your money is and where it’s going at all times, then merged accounts could be better.<br /> <br /> 5. Taking on too much debt<br /> About 76 percent of Americans admit money is a significant source of stress in their lives, according to an American Psychological Association report.<br /> There’s nothing more stressful about money than debt – especially the high-interest, hard-to-pay-off kind. If there’s debt hanging overhead that’s threatening to come between you, read stories like A Simple System to Destroy Debt and focus on paying it off – together.<br /> <br /> 6. Hiding purchases or debts<br /> Eighty percent of married couples hide some purchases from their spouse, according to a survey by nonprofit CESI Debt Solutions – with men admitting they’re more likely to routinely cover up their spending.<br /> The survey revealed 30 percent of respondents view financial infidelity as being just as harmful as sexual infidelity. What’s more, 79 percent of married respondents were more likely to confess about their financial infidelity to a friend than their spouse.<br /> <br /> 7. Lending or borrowing money from family<br /> In our recent story The 7 Dumbest Ways to Borrow Money, we explained that borrowing money from family comes with major strings attached. After all, you’re risking your relationship if the deal goes bad.<br /> These waters are even more treacherous for married couples. Rule of thumb: Whether it’s borrowing or lending, the fewer in-laws involved, the better.<br /> Of course, with the right scenarios, borrowing money from or lending it to family can be a success. But proceed with caution: Consider drafting a legal document to ensure everyone’s on the same page, and resist splurging on luxury items while you still owe family members money.<br /> <br /> 8. Believing you need to split up financial responsibilities traditionally<br /> Traditional roles suggest that women manage the day-to-day finances, like balancing the checkbook and paying the utility bills, and men typically handle investing and financial planning. But traditional isn’t always best.<br /> A better option: Recognize each other’s individual strengths and divvy up the financial tasks accordingly. You want the best candidate for the job, regardless of what other couples do or used to do.<br /> <br /> 9. Failing to recognize that money matters carry emotional weight<br /> Compared with disagreements over any other topic, research shows financial disagreements last longer, are more salient to couples, and generate more negative conflict tactics, such as yelling.<br /> Money conflicts in marriage particularly affect men. Research suggests that since they are socialized to be providers, men tend to take financial conflict harder than women.<br /> <br /> 10. Not enjoying your money together<br /> Money doesn’t always have to be a source of stress or conflict. It can also be a source of pleasure. Some of my happiest memories with my husband wouldn’t have been possible without us spending money – on things like exploring Italy, or taking our daughter on her first trip to Florida.<br /> In fact, research indicates that spending money on new experiences, like concert tickets or a wine tasting, produces longer-lasting satisfaction than spending money on material possessions. Experiences bring us happiness not only when we’re experiencing them, but also whenever we reflect back on them as memories.<br /> Fond memories, after all, usually turn out to be one of the most valuable assets in a marriage.<!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s320/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-13698131219325056202012-10-15T06:35:00.000-07:002012-10-15T06:35:46.650-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Citigroup profit drops as it writes down brokerage unit</span></div> <a href="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/zsp8GXxHd6UsureQOvj2Sg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NjAyO2NyPTE7Y3c9ODAwO2R4PTA7ZHk9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD0xNDM7cT04NTt3PTE5MA--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSBUS_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-15T130320Z_1_CBRE89E0XIP00_RTROPTP_3_CITIGROUP_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="People walk beneath a Citibank branch logo in the financial district of San Francisco, California July 17, 2009. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith" border="0" height="240" src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/zsp8GXxHd6UsureQOvj2Sg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NjAyO2NyPTE7Y3c9ODAwO2R4PTA7ZHk9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD0xNDM7cT04NTt3PTE5MA--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_REUTERS_OLUSBUS_WRAPPER_H_LIVE_NEW/2012-10-15T130320Z_1_CBRE89E0XIP00_RTROPTP_3_CITIGROUP_original.jpg" width="320" /></a>2012/10/15<br /> (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc said quarterly profit plunged on a $4.7 billion write-down of its stake in a brokerage operated by Morgan Stanley, but North American mortgage lending revenue increased and capital markets results rebounded.<br /> The New York-based global bank on Monday said third-quarter net income was $468 million, or 15 cents a share, compared with $3.77 billion, or $1.23 a share, a year earlier.<br /> Adjusted earnings, excluding the previously announced write-down and an accounting charge for the change in the value its debt, was $3.27 billion, or $1.06 cents a share, compared with $2.57 billion, or 84 cents a share, a year earlier.<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>It was not immediately clear if the adjusted results were comparable to analysts' average estimate of 96 cents per share found in surveys by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.<br /> The adjusted results also included a benefit of 19 cents a share for the resolution of tax audit items.<br /> The bank said profits from the Securities and Banking unit increased 67 percent on stronger revenue from fixed income and equity markets and lower expenses. The North American Consumer Banking segment saw an 18 percent increase in profits on higher mortgage revenues.<br /> Results outside the United States were generally weaker, with income from International Consumer Banking down 3 percent, and profits in transaction services provided to businesses and governments outside North America down by single-digit percentages.<br /> In September Citigroup agreed on a price to sell its 49 percent interest in the brokerage to Morgan Stanley. At the time, it said it would take a charge to reduce its carrying value for the asset by about 40 percent.<br /> The joint venture was created in the financial crisis in 2009 as a way for Citigroup to shrink by transferring its Smith Barney brokerage assets to Morgan Stanley.<br /> (This version of the story has been corrected to change 1st paragraph to "North American mortgage lending revenue increased" from "mortgage lending increased")<br /> (Reporting by David Henry in New York; editing by John Wallace)<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFldAsbUN51Zb6vvZF8EwKXo7bb6Fp298z87nlunzAMk9NUEggXR6eIVfnnm_lPbz3j5hb1Py2fLVkW-aXDdsEIDsfxNihrDSluom-JrZPdgrdvJSlM1-M95MlasewRVIehZFN6ZnVEnL/s320/t22.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-42705370796393718242012-10-15T06:30:00.002-07:002012-10-15T06:30:58.228-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Cramer's Earnings Preview for Next Week</span></div> By Drew Sandholm | CNBC<br /> <br /> <a href="http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/images/97_1jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/images/97_1jpg.jpg" /></a>What follows is "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer's "Game Plan" for the week of Monday, Oct. 15.<br /> MONDAY, OCT. 15<br /> Citigroup (C) will report earnings before Monday's opening bell. Although earnings results from rivals JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Wells Fargo (WFC) failed to excite Wall Street Friday, Cramer thinks the banking sector is still worth a look.<br /> (Related: Big Opportunity in Banks: Pro.)<br /> "The group is cheap. The companies are making tons of money and they will soon be returning billions of dollars to shareholders," Cramer said. "They're making gobs of cash thanks to the robust mortgage market."<br /> Unfortunately for Citi, though, Cramer doubts it will have enough mortgage business to offset its weakness in emerging markets.<br /> "I'd stick with JPMorgan and buy more Wells Fargo before I'd venture into the world of Citigroup, though," he added.<br /> (Read More: Are JPMorgan's Revenue Springs Drying Up?)<br /> TUESDAY, OCT. 16<br /> Coca-Cola (KO) is scheduled to deliver earnings Tuesday morning.<br /> "KO shot the lights out last quarter and I bet it's even better this time because the dollar has gotten weaker versus where it was the last time they reported," Cramer said. "That's going to make for a <br /> <a name='more'></a>potential upside surprise for this huge international company."<br /> Coke has produced "incredibly strong" sales numbers in Asia lately, Cramer said. It's a very well-run company, too. He thinks its stock is worth considering.<br /> Goldman Sachs (GS) is also slated to report earnings before Tuesday's open.<br /> "Has the government curtailed the opportunities Goldman used to have to make lots of money?" Cramer asked. "Has the bountiful corporate bond issuance business made up for the dearth of IPOs and mergers and acquisitions?"<br /> Cramer hopes the investment bank will give a sense as to whether business is really coming back.<br /> Meanwhile, Cramer will also listen for earnings results from Johnson &amp; Johnson (JNJ).<br /> Cramer noted Alex Gorsky, the company's new CEO, has been at the helm for some time. So he hopes to hear about a possible break-up. If Gorsky does mention something along those lines, Cramer thinks the stock could instantly shoot $15 higher.<br /> After the close, Cramer will look for IBM's (IBM) earnings report.<br /> "Consistent grower. Taking share. Buying back stock with a new hardware product cycle - very few stocks give you what IBM has," Cramer said. "And my charitable trust is betting that IBM delivers once again despite the slowdown in Europe."<br /> WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17<br /> Bank of America (BAC) will announce earnings before Wednesday's opening bell.<br /> "The great untold story about this company is how it has systematically been cleaning up its balance sheet and buying in expensive debt left over from the bad old days," Cramer said. "With fewer foreclosures and some major settlements for liabilities, Bank of America is putting the past behind it."<br /> So long as the bank stocks continue to get hammered, Cramer thinks BAC is a buy ahead of earnings.<br /> PepsiCo (PEP) will also report earnings Wednesday morning.<br /> To Cramer, Pepsi's last quarter was terrific. Cramer thinks its restructuring plans are already paying off while the company's international growth will provide upside for its stock. He hopes executives break down the strength of particular brands on a country-by-country basis and address New York City's recent ban on large-sized sodas.<br /> THURSDAY, OCT. 18<br /> Union Pacific (UNP) is expected to report earnings before Thursday's open.<br /> From its assessment of the coal industry, crops or intermodal freight, Cramer said there are many reasons to listen to this railroad's conference call.<br /> Union Pacific has re-priced many of its contracts lately, too, which should improve margins. To Cramer, this stock might be worth buying on a pullback ahead of the quarter.<br /> After the close, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) will report its quarterly results. To Cramer, this is a "battleground" stock.<br /> "A bunch of boutique investment firms came out in the last few days, saying alternately that same-store sales are back on a higher trajectory for Chipotle and that those sales would disappoint," Cramer said. "I don't know who to believe, but unless we hear about a 9 to 10 percent same store-sales gain, I think you're going to get still one more leg down in this stock, as there are a lot of smart short-sellers in the name."<br /> Google (GOOG) will also deliver earnings Thursday. Cramer thinks this will be one of the hottest momentum stocks going into the end of the year. For those interested in playing it ahead of the quarter, he recommends deep-in-the-money call options.<br /> Speaking of tech, Microsoft (MSFT) is also expected to announce earnings Thursday. The company will likely discuss Window 8, which it's preparing to launch soon. Being as the PC market is struggling, though, Cramer wonders how bad Microsoft's quarter could be.<br /> FRIDAY, OCT. 19<br /> Cramer will look for General Electric (GE) to report earnings Friday. The conglomerate has been very bullish lately, Cramer said. He wonders how much more bullish executives will be on the conference call, including the possibility of dividend boost.<br /> Finally, Honeywell (HON) will also announce earnings Friday.<br /> "This is about the only major industrial that has consistently guided above the street or reaffirmed with some degree of upside," Cramer said. "The world has slowed since it spoke last, though, and I fear the streak may be broken. If so, and you can get this stock in the mid-$50s, it will be a steal."<br /> When this story was published, Cramer's charitable trust owned Coca-Cola, General Electric and IBM.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s320/t33.png" width="320" /></a><a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --><br /></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-51877911312557457972012-10-15T05:26:00.001-07:002012-10-15T05:26:30.525-07:00<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk Dies</span></div> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> Ron Corben<br /> October 14, 2012<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://gdb.voanews.eu/19FD439F-791C-4AFC-BC02-63B8A16772C0_w640_r1_s_cx0_cy1_cw0.jpg" /></div> BANGKOK — Chinese state media reports that Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk, one of Southeast Asia's defining leaders, has died in Beijing. He was 89. King Sihanouk led Cambodia to independence, but war and his role in the murderous reign of the Khmer Rouge marred his life and times. <br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Flamboyant monarch, politician, film and music maker, King Norodom Sihanouk brought his ancient kingdom through independence from France, war and genocide to form a fragile democracy.<br /> <br /> Sihanouk, born in 1922, was an only child whose parents were estranged. He was educated in Saigon and Paris, and came to the throne as a shy student of 19 in 1941. <br /> <br /> In October 2004, in fading health, he abdicated in favor of his son, Norodom Sihamoni.<br /> <br /> Another of Sihanouk's sons, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, spoke in 2002 of his father's artistic gifts and broad interests. <br /> <br /> "He has made 21 movies. But not only is my father a filmmaker, but he is a great politician, even unique … and also great French cuisine amateur, great musician, composer. No one can imitate my royal father," he said. <br /> <br /> Sihanouk quickly developed into a flamboyant, tough politician whose support came mainly from the people in the provinces. He ruled his kingdom off and on more than 60 years, and was an important symbol for his people, who witnessed one of the most tragic genocidal reigns of the 20th century. <br /> <br /> Author and commentator on Cambodia, David Chandler says Sihanouk was a powerful link between ancient traditions and modern times. <br /> <br /> "He brought Cambodia into the world, whereas the French had kept it cocooned and isolated for … 90 years …. But (he) was also … a figure of the old Cambodia," he said. <br /> <br /> While Cambodia was still under French rule in 1947, he issued a constitution promising parliamentary government. Cambodia gained partial independence within the French Union in 1949, but Sihanouk campaigned for the total independence that came peacefully in November 1953.<br /> <br /> Two years later, Sihanouk abdicated the throne to his father, while remaining head of the government. In that position, Sihanouk held a monopoly on power for the next 15 years in what became known as the "Sihanouk Era." <br /> <br /> On the world stage, Sihanouk was a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was meant to serve as ballast in the Cold War between the Sino-Soviet bloc and the West.<br /> <br /> Sihanouk, however, failed to fend off insurrections by both communist rebels and from within his own government. During the Vietnam War, rebels backed by China and other communist governments built strength, and the North Vietnamese army also frequently crossed into Cambodia as they fought the United States. Eventually, he was overthrown. <br /> <br /> Carl Thayer, a U.S. expert on Southeast Asia, explains. "He was overthrown when he was overseas begging Moscow and Beijing to stop their support for it (the Vietnam War)," he said. <br /> <br /> Stripped of his power, Sihanouk fled to China in 1970 where his agitation against the new government started an internal conflict that paved the way for the genocidal rule of the Khmer Rouge.<br /> <br /> After the Khmer Rouge swept into Phnom Penh in early 1975, Sihanouk aligned himself with the radical communists, believing it was a key to power. But by 1976, he was sidelined and fearing for his life. <br /> <br /> The Khmer Rouge fell in early 1979, after Vietnam invaded. But Sihanouk's name was soiled by his association with the movement, which took the lives of almost two million Cambodians. <br /> <br /> Cambodia's civil strife continued after Vietnam withdrew its troops in 1989, and in 1991, warring factions agreed to a cease-fire and signed a U.N.-backed peace agreement. <br /> <br /> The deal enabled Sihanouk to return to Phnom Penh in 1991 from exile. He regained his throne in 1993, and became a central figure the country's political development over the past decade. <br /> <br /> Norodom Sihanouk was one of Southeast Asia's defining leaders during some of the most turbulent years of the 20th century.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a><a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-30211067433424989522012-10-15T05:18:00.001-07:002012-10-15T05:18:36.924-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Traveling The World Brings Andrew McCarthy Home</span></div> by NPR STAFF<br /> <br /> October 14, 2012<br /> <a href="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/10/11/andrew-mccarthy_vert-afbfaefd98fc0c3922177fbc59f8ac6b6fb9e494-s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In actor Andrew McCarthy's parallel career as a travel writer, he serves as an editor at large at National Geographic Traveler. " border="0" height="320" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/10/11/andrew-mccarthy_vert-afbfaefd98fc0c3922177fbc59f8ac6b6fb9e494-s1.jpg" width="240" /></a>He's an 80s teen heartthrob who turned to travel writing — and now soul searching. A few years ago, Andrew McCarthy decided to confront the fears that had followed him his whole life. As he prepared to marry the women he loved, he headed out around the world to find the part inside of himself that just kept saying "no" to everything good in his life.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>McCarthy spoke with weekends on All Things Considered guest host Celeste Headlee about his new memoir, The Longest Way Home.<br /> <br /> Interview Highlights<br /> <br /> On being famous young<br /> <br /> "I got successful in a certain way, and famous in a certain way, in my early twenties when my personality was still being formed. You know, so it became very much a part of who I was to become as a man. I had really no awareness of myself, so as I grew and developed it was implanted on me. I have often said I wouldn't waste success on anyone under 30. To me it was a very mixed blessing, you know, it was a wondrous, untethered time, but it was also something that filled me with ambivalence."<br /> <br /> <br /> On his perception of American fear of travel<br /> <br /> "I think America is an extraordinary place, but I think America is incredibly fearful, and I think the main thing that travel does is obliterate fear. It did in my life, it does in many people's lives. I'm not talking about vacation, I am talking about going and interacting with the world. That Mark Twain line, 'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness,' is absolutely true in my opinion.<br /> <br /> "I think that if we traveled we would be less fearful, and discover that the guy with the towel around his head probably isn't trying to kill me ... So my soapbox is really changing the world one trip at a time. I do believe that very strongly. I think Americans don't travel primarily because of fear. They will often say it is finances, and maybe that is true to some degree, but I think it's fear that stops us."<br /> <br /> On letting go of fear through travel<br /> <br /> "I find answers to my questions when I travel. Some people go to therapy, some people sit around and have coffee when their buddies. I find answers by traveling. I am illuminated to myself when I go. I'd always had this ambivalence toward many important things in my life. To my early success as an actor — I really wanted this and yet I really pulled away to a real degree.<br /> <br /> "The same thing with certain intimacies I've had with people. I really want them, and yet I pull away. I think it has prevented me in a very real and substantial way, in a deep way, of making the kind of progress in my life I'd like to make. I found myself about to enter into this relationship and I said, enough of this.<br /> "I was so excited to be finally getting married. We finally decided after four years, yes, let's get married — and the next day I was leaving on a trip for a magazine down to Patagonia. So I was sad to be going, but at the same instant I was so excited to be leaving, and I said, 'What is that, that paradox? How can I live with these two disparate qualities in myself? I need to solve that. I know I am going to get married. I am going to show up on the day, I am going to all the right things, but emotionally, I would really like to get there. I'd try and bring home a better version of myself."<br /> <br /> On dancing at his wedding<br /> <br /> "My wife has given me the gift of learning how to love, you know ... It was a joyous moment, you know. It was sort of a culmination to me ... of the book, and of myself ... because I am not a dancer. My wife loves to dance, and is always trying to drag me dancing, and I am very self-conscious and drawn back, and I felt so at ease and so free and so fully inhabiting myself that it was a great relief and a joy. So, again, it was a metaphorical moment as well as a literal one of just sort, wow, I am wide-open here, come and hurt me, come and love me ... That's progress for me."<br /> <br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-30188541188250091042012-10-15T05:01:00.000-07:002012-10-15T05:01:21.382-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Growth of business travel spending is slowing, study finds</span></div> Firms are expected to spend 2.6% more this year than in 2011, when spending climbed 7.2% compared with the previous year.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Growth of business travel spending is slowing, study finds" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-10/72888268.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times<br /> October 15, 2012<br /> After a dramatic slump during the economic recession, spending on business travel in the U.S. climbed in 2010 and 2011.<br /> <br /> But business travel spending is slowing down, perhaps a sign of anxiety in corporate America over the still-shaky economy, turmoil in Europe and slower growth in China, said a report by the Global Business Travel Assn., the trade group for the world's travel managers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>"Corporations are in a wait-and-see mode and holding back on investment decisions that would help boost the economy," said Michael W. McCormick, the executive director of the group.<br /> <br /> The study, sponsored by Visa Inc., predicted U.S. businesses will spend a total of $257 billion in 2012, a 2.6% increase over the previous year. The increase sounds like good news except that the projected growth pales in comparison with the 5.1% increase in spending in 2010 and the 7.2% increase in 2011, according to the study.<br /> <br /> The bad news is that the report attributes most of the spending increase to a rise in travel costs, not in a higher number of trips. The report predicted 438 million business trips will be made in the U.S. this year, a drop of 1.6% from the 445 million trips in 2011.<br /> <br /> Study identifies stress factors during work trips<br /> <br /> Business travel can be bad for your health.<br /> <br /> That was the conclusion of a Columbia University study last year that found high obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure rates among those who travel the most for work.<br /> <br /> Now a new study by CWT Solutions Group, a travel management consultant, identifies those things that cause the most stress to travelers and possibly lead to health problems.<br /> <br /> Here are the top five sources of stress, based on a ranking from zero to 100, with 100 being the most stressful:<br /> <br /> Lost or delayed luggage (79)<br /> <br /> Poor or no Internet connection (77)<br /> <br /> Getting stuck in an economy seat on a medium or long-haul flight (73)<br /> <br /> Delays (72)<br /> <br /> Inconvenient departure or arrival times (69)<br /> <br /> The survey also found that travel stress increases with age and travel frequency and that women report higher stress levels than men.<br /> <br /> What upsets women the most? Women get more stressed than men over losing luggage and not being able to eat healthfully, the report found. Meanwhile, men get more upset than women about flying in economy seats on long flights.<br /> <br /> The authors of the report said the findings can help businesses make changes in the way they plan travel to reduce stress and increase productivity among workers.<br /> <br /> For example, the report suggested that booking employees in economy seats might save money but could end up costing more in the long run on lost productivity from stress-related illnesses.<br /> <br /> "When travelers are traveling for business, they need to be productive," said Michelle Surkamp, a spokeswoman for CWT Solutions. "This study is meant to help travel managers keep stress levels down."<br /> <br /> Public Wi-Fi use up 240% in last year despite risks<br /> <br /> Despite the fear of identity theft and threats from computer viruses, the use of public wireless Internet access has jumped 240% in the last 12 months, a new survey has found.<br /> <br /> The top log-in sites were coffee shops and restaurants (75%), hotels (54%) and airports (38%), according to an online survey of 377 people by the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center in partnership with Private WiFi, a firm that develops online protection software.<br /> <br /> Still, Internet users are aware of the risks of using public Wi-Fi. Nearly 80% of those surveyed said they feared they could be victims of identify theft. Nonetheless, 24% of those surveyed said they made an online purchase using a credit card and 57% accessed sensitive work-related material.<br /> <br /> The survey's authors suggest users of public Wi-Fi log on with a virtual private network, or VPN, to protect their data. But 44% of those surveyed said they didn't know there was a way to protect themselves while using public Wi-Fi.<br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28dtfYCX64n3h2hYTSqPyuLeP4eYRn56DGP-T_weL17bT4a5kfy7mAqaAuCtcfNTWKqMubdIsEHcr0maaVrIK35MajM0uISZ3YI9KoLsV4OpnfQTGlSzcSbou72cnWeqUxUpSBN9zBrwe/s1600/t33.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-53692345680805203972012-10-11T05:26:00.004-07:002012-10-11T05:26:59.277-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">HP on Gartner figures: We're still on top</span></div> By Charlie Osborne for Between the Lines | October 11, 2012 <br /> According to figures released by research firm Gartner, PC maker HP was knocked off its perch when Lenovo claimed the top-spot in worldwide PC sales.<br /> <br /> However, the computer firm was not about to back down quietly in the face of its Chines rival; instead, HP has gone for Gartner's jugular .. albeit politely not mentioning the research firm by name.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>"While there are a variety of PC share reports in the market, some don’t measure the market in its entirety. The IDC analysis includes the very important workstation segment and therefore is more comprehensive. In that IDC report, HP occupies the No. 1 position in PCs," the company said.<br /> <br /> HP has held the top spot continuously since the fourth quarter of 2006, and no doubt didn't appreciate being booted down to second place. While Gartner was busy giving Lenovo the top spot, IDC decided to join the fray -- countering with the assertion that HP was still in the lead -- albeit by a narrow margin.<br /> <br /> So, who said what? According to IDC, HP shipped roughly 13,946,000 units in Q3, in comparison to Lenovo's 13,824,000 shipments -- a difference of only 122,000. Keep in mind the shipments are in thousands:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/005610/zdnet-idc-q3-2012-pcs-v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hp gartner figures wrong shipment q3 pc sales" border="0" src="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/005610/zdnet-idc-q3-2012-pcs-v1.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> In comparison, Gartner asserted that the Chinese firm was King, based on shipment figures of 13,767976 from Lenovo, and 13,550761 by HP, a margin of difference reaching 217,215.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/005610/gartner-global-pc-shipments-3q12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hp gartner figures wrong shipment q3 pc sales" border="0" src="http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/story/70/00/005610/gartner-global-pc-shipments-3q12.png" /></a></div> <br /> Both research firms noted the drop in market growth -- IDC pegging the drop at 8.6 percent, whereas Gartner released a slightly more modest 8.3 percent. IDC and Gartner said that HP's shipments have fallen 16.4 percent, whereas Lenovo has been given a sales growth percentage of 10.2 and 9.8 respectively.<br /> <br /> HP is going through a tumultuous year. The firm announced in May that roughly 8 percent of its workforce are facing the axe by the end of 2014, as newly installed chief executive Meg Whitman leads the firm through a dramatic restructuring process. Lenovo, on the other hand, is the only bright spot based on the research figures -- enjoying growth where others are struggling.<br /> <br /> HP's issue with the Gartner figures may be nothing more than a quick scrap in the playground -- where naturally you would side with a search result that suits you better. However, HP's point concerning the workplace segment is well made, even though Gartner's practices of including figures down to singular digits may also be a factor.<br /> <br /> The PC industry is facing difficult times. As reported by ZDNet's Rachel King, IDC's senior research analyst Jay Chou has put the market's state of health clearly in perspective:<br /> "A weak global economy as well as questions about PC market saturation and delayed replacement cycles are certainly a factor, but the hard question of what is the 'it' product for PCs remain unanswered. While ultrabook prices have come down a little, there are still some significant challenges that will greet Windows 8 in the coming quarter."<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl7z-B9RiGJMyjW7-EgDfXLsAp3TX9NZYrqy2bXDz2I1l8yNSSaaOpR8a1x58m_pB8-ay3-ZXTq674pz5cx4qGoAUsOOFx05gPanzbUIjaTc8_G-cTLPL7zMXk7SpgskSHWTVPS7YeNkD/s1600/tii.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl7z-B9RiGJMyjW7-EgDfXLsAp3TX9NZYrqy2bXDz2I1l8yNSSaaOpR8a1x58m_pB8-ay3-ZXTq674pz5cx4qGoAUsOOFx05gPanzbUIjaTc8_G-cTLPL7zMXk7SpgskSHWTVPS7YeNkD/s1600/tii.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl7z-B9RiGJMyjW7-EgDfXLsAp3TX9NZYrqy2bXDz2I1l8yNSSaaOpR8a1x58m_pB8-ay3-ZXTq674pz5cx4qGoAUsOOFx05gPanzbUIjaTc8_G-cTLPL7zMXk7SpgskSHWTVPS7YeNkD/s1600/tii.png" height="77" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-21689539721758765162012-10-11T05:18:00.002-07:002012-10-11T05:18:55.888-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Spanish Yields Retreat</span></div> By TOMMY STUBBINGTON and MICHELE MAATOUK<br /> October 11, 2012<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe frameborder="0" height="288" scrolling="no" src="http://live.wsj.com/public/page/embed-A1722A3F_15CD_4E91_B010_A95FFF97141A.html" width="512"></iframe><br /></div> <br /> Bond yields on Spanish government debt eased back from earlier highs Thursday, while Spain's benchmark equity index pared losses and the rest of the region's stock markets edged higher, as investors grew hopeful that Standard &amp; Poor's Corp.'s downgrade of Spain's credit rating would force the country's hand in seeking a bailout.<br /> With Moody's Investors Service already assessing Spain's credit-worthiness at its lowest investment level, the country is a step closer to losing its membership in key bond indexes, which could in turn prompt selling of the nation's bonds, push yields even higher and force the government to seek a bailout.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a>Late in the European morning, Spain's 10-year government bond yield came off highs, largely unchanged at 5.78%, having touched 5.90% earlier in the session. Yields on Spanish debt are still considerably lower than peaks of more than 7% earlier this year.<br /> <br /> Spain's IBEX-35 index lost 0.4% even as other European equity gauges rose.<br /> <br /> The yield on Italy's 10-year government bond was down 0.02 percentage point at 5.07%, according to Tradeweb. Earlier, Italy sold the maximum targeted €3.75 billion euros ($4.83 billion) of its three-year benchmark bonds, although borrowing costs did tick higher.<br /> <br /> Italy's FTSE MIB had reversed losses to trade up 0.5%.<br /> <br /> Most investors with negative views on Spain have already placed their bets, according to Jane Foley, a currency analyst at Rabobank in London. "Investors are [therefore] less likely to display the lemming-like behavior required to force yields higher." she said.<br /> <br /> S&amp;P maintained its negative outlook on Spain, warning that its credit-worthiness could continue to deteriorate as it struggles to bring its budget deficit under control.<br /> <br /> Fitch Ratings is known to be concerned about Spain's deepening recession, while Moody's Investors Service is set to decide by the end of the month whether it will lower Spain's debt rating to below investment grade.<br /> <br /> Junk status may push Spanish bonds out of debt indexes that include only investment-grade securities, forcing investors who track these gauges to sell their holdings of Spanish bonds to match changes in the benchmarks. A wave of bond selling would crank up the country's debt-servicing costs.<br /> <br /> "The prospect of seeing the two major agencies rating Spain below investment grade will lead to widespread selling over the coming month,," said Ciaran O'Hagan, an interest-rate strategist at Société Générale in London.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the euro was resilient, fetching $1.2916 from $1.2876 late Wednesday in New York, clawing back the ground it had lost after the S&amp;P downgrade was announced. The dollar was at ¥78.40 from ¥78.19.<br /> <br /> Core European markets fared well, with the benchmark Stoxx 600 index up 0.5%. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index was 0.6% higher, Germany's DAX was up 0.8% and France's CAC-40 was 0.7% firmer.<br /> <br /> Greece's ASE Composite was down 0.6%, but off lows.<br /> <br /> Retailers gave investors something to cheer about. Burberry BRBY.LN +10.67% soared after the British fashion house reported an increase in first-half sales, while Carrefour CA.FR +3.72% rose after posting a rise in sales of 2.1% in the third quarter from a year earlier.<br /> <br /> In commodities, November Nymex crude oil futures were up $0.60 at $91.85 a barrel and the December Brent oil contract was up $0.76 at $113.94. Spot gold was up $5.70 at $1,769.70 a troy ounce.<br /> <br /> The December Bund contract was up 31 ticks at 141.54.<br /> <br /> —Nina Bains contributed to this article.<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFldAsbUN51Zb6vvZF8EwKXo7bb6Fp298z87nlunzAMk9NUEggXR6eIVfnnm_lPbz3j5hb1Py2fLVkW-aXDdsEIDsfxNihrDSluom-JrZPdgrdvJSlM1-M95MlasewRVIehZFN6ZnVEnL/s1600/t22.png" height="77" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; 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font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /> <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --><br /></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233799355000715634.post-11061912977103322232012-10-11T05:09:00.000-07:002012-10-11T05:09:48.570-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Teachers Make Money Selling Materials Online</span></div> By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP Associated Press<br /> SEATTLE October 11, 2012 (AP)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://a.abcnews.com//images/US/42ccedea45904500b62d54701940aed5_mn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Online Teacher Resources.JPEG" border="0" src="http://a.abcnews.com//images/US/42ccedea45904500b62d54701940aed5_mn.jpg" /></a>Kristine Nannini spent her summer creating wall charts and student data sheets for her fifth grade class — and making $24,000 online by selling those same materials to other teachers.<br /> <br /> Teachers like Nannini are making extra money providing materials to their cash-strapped and time-limited colleagues on curriculum sharing sites like teacherspayteachers.com, providing an alternative to more traditional — and generally more expensive — school supply stores. Many districts, teachers and parents say these sites are saving teachers time and money, and giving educators a quick way to make extra income.<br /> <br /> There is a lot of money to potentially be made. Deanna Jump, a first-grade teacher at Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Macon, Ga., is teacherspayteachers.com's top seller, earning about $1 million in sales over the past two years. She believes the site has been successful because educators are looking for new ways to engage their students, and the materials are relatively inexpensive and move beyond textbooks<br /> <br /> <a name='more'></a><br /><br /> "I want kids to be so excited about what they're learning that they can't wait to tell mom and dad," she says.<br /> <br /> Dozens of Internet forums have been created to help teachers distribute their material and pick up ideas from other educators. Teacherspayteachers.com is one of the biggest. It was started by a former teacher in New York in 2006 and quickly grew. Others followed, like the sharemylesson.com run by the American Federation of Teachers, the nation's second largest teachers union, where free curriculum ideas and materials are offered.<br /> <br /> While most characterize these sites as an inexpensive way for teachers to supplement textbook materials, some teachers may get pushback from administrators for their entrepreneurial efforts.<br /> <br /> Seattle Public Schools' recently revised its ethics policy, with the new policy prohibiting teachers from selling anything they developed on district time, said district spokeswoman Teresa Wippel.<br /> <br /> "Anything created on their own time could also cross a gray line, depending on the item and how closely tied it is to classroom work," she said.<br /> <br /> Teacherspayteachers.com currently has about 300,000 items for sale plus more than 50,000 free items.<br /> <br /> All told, more than 1 million teachers have bought or sold items on teacherspayteachers.com since it began. Teachers had $5 million in sales during August and September, Edelman said. After paying the site fees, teachers have collectively earned more than $14 million on the site since it was founded.<br /> <br /> At all of the websites, the quality varies. Jump said she learned over the years that her colleagues — and their students — are only interested in professional-looking materials that offer the kind of information and instruction they need. Teachers are able to rate items offered for purchase or distribution.<br /> <br /> Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies, despite receiving a few hundred dollars a year for that purpose from their districts. Increasingly, teachers say, they are going to these curriculum sharing sites to look for materials like the ones Nannini and Jump made available because their funds go further than at traditional school supply stores.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://a.abcnews.com//images/US/bbc60732363647f2a6416cc0e5987afb_mn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Online Teacher Resources.JPEG" border="0" src="http://a.abcnews.com//images/US/bbc60732363647f2a6416cc0e5987afb_mn.jpg" /></a>"I guess I've created something that everyone really needs," said Nannini, a Grand Blanc, Mich., teacher who just started her fourth year in the classroom.<br /> <br /> Jump has made a lot of her money selling science curriculum for the early grades, helping her colleagues teach 7-year-olds about scientific discovery. She has split her earnings between her family, charity and her school, including buying one classroom a smart board.<br /> <br /> Stephen Wakefield, spokesman for ASCD, a prominent teacher training organization that has a blog promoting ways for teachers to get help online, said no national organizations approve or rate the multitude of online curricula available to teachers. However many offer lists of places for teachers to explore, he said.<br /> <br /> Kathy Smith, a Seattle parent with two daughters in public school, says she knows teachers get materials from a variety of sources and she trusts them to make good decisions about what they choose to share with their students.<br /> <br /> "I've got a lot of faith in teachers," she said. "I don't see any problem using computer sites for supplementation at all."<br /> <br /> Becky Smith, a special education teacher from rural Alabama, says everything she has gotten off teacherspayteachers.com has been free. Smith says the website saves her driving time and cash, because she can buy only what she needs — not a $20 workbook filled with a variety of things.<br /> <br /> She also likes the idea of supporting other teachers, not corporations.<br /> <br /> "I was on there for hours just looking for things before school started," she said.<br /> <br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - WITH OPEN DESTINATION INPUT --><br /> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.res99.com/custom_trip.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /> <div id="cbFlightHotels"> <form action="http://www.res99.com/nexres/start-pages/gateway.cgi" method="GET" name="ct_horizontal_a"> <input name="engine" type="hidden" value="customtrip" /><br /> <input name="src" type="hidden" value="10029926" /><br /> <input name="action" type="hidden" value="search" /><br /> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 520px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td valign="top" width="100%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFldAsbUN51Zb6vvZF8EwKXo7bb6Fp298z87nlunzAMk9NUEggXR6eIVfnnm_lPbz3j5hb1Py2fLVkW-aXDdsEIDsfxNihrDSluom-JrZPdgrdvJSlM1-M95MlasewRVIehZFN6ZnVEnL/s1600/t22.png" height="77" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://sirifarm.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">http://sirifarm.com/</a></div> <br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><img height="126" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/g_searchFor.gif" width="147" /><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#B3C4E6" width="100%"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>To:</b> <input name="goingTo" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="To" /></td> <td width="4%"></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="48%"><b>From:</b> <input name="leavingFrom" onclick="this.value='';" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" type="text" value="From" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><br /> <b>Depart:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateLeavingMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay');dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingDay" onchange="dateChangeListener(this.form,'dateLeavingMonth','dateLeavingDay','dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay',2)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateLeavingTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> <td rowspan="2" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" width="33%"><br /> <b>Stops:</b><br /> <br /> <select name="stops" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option selected="selected" value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top"><b>Return:</b></td> <td valign="top" width="66%"><br /> <select name="dateReturningMonth" onchange="populateDays(this.form,'dateReturningMonth','dateReturningDay')" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">Jan</option> <option value="2">Feb</option> <option value="3">Mar</option> <option value="4">Apr</option> <option value="5">May</option> <option value="6">Jun</option> <option value="7">Jul</option> <option value="8">Aug</option> <option value="9">Sep</option> <option value="10">Oct</option> <option value="11">Nov</option> <option value="12">Dec</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningDay" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> <option value="15">15</option> <option value="16">16</option> <option value="17">17</option> <option value="18">18</option> <option value="19">19</option> <option value="20">20</option> <option value="21">21</option> <option value="22">22</option> <option value="23">23</option> <option value="24">24</option> <option value="25">25</option> <option value="26">26</option> <option value="27">27</option> <option value="28">28</option> <option value="29">29</option> <option value="30">30</option> <option value="31">31</option> </select><br /> <select name="dateReturningTime" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="12:00am">12:00am</option> <option value="1:00am">1:00am</option> <option value="2:00am">2:00am</option> <option value="3:00am">3:00am</option> <option value="4:00am">4:00am</option> <option value="5:00am">5:00am</option> <option value="6:00am">6:00am</option> <option value="7:00am">7:00am</option> <option value="8:00am">8:00am</option> <option value="9:00am">9:00am</option> <option value="10:00am">10:00am</option> <option value="11:00am">11:00am</option> <option value="12:00pm">12:00pm</option> <option value="1:00pm">1:00pm</option> <option value="2:00pm">2:00pm</option> <option value="3:00pm">3:00pm</option> <option value="4:00pm">4:00pm</option> <option value="5:00pm">5:00pm</option> <option value="6:00pm">6:00pm</option> <option value="7:00pm">7:00pm</option> <option value="8:00pm">8:00pm</option> <option value="9:00pm">9:00pm</option> <option value="10:00pm">10:00pm</option> <option value="11:00pm">11:00pm</option> <option value="Morning">Morning</option> <option value="Noon">Noon</option> <option value="Evening">Evening</option> <option selected="selected" value=" ">Anytime</option> </select><br /> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#8AA2D2"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="adults" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option value="0">0</option> <option selected="selected" value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> Adults (15-64)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <select name="children" onchange="childChange(this.options[this.selectedIndex].text)" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> </select><br /> <br /> Children (2-14)<br /> <br /></td> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><select name="seniors" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;"> <option selected="selected" value="0">0</option> <option value="1">1</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> </select><br /> <br /> <br /> Seniors (65+)<br /> <br /></td> </tr> <tr align="left"> <td style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px;" valign="top" width="33%"><br /> <div id="multichildLabel" style="display: none;"> Child Ages:</div> </td> <td colspan="2"><br /> <div id="divAge1" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge1" name="minorAge1Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge2" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge2" name="minorAge2Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge3" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge3" name="minorAge3Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> <div id="divAge4" style="display: none;"> <select id="minorsAge4" name="minorAge4Room1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 10px; width: 42px;"> <option>-?-</option> <option value="2">2</option> <option value="3">3</option> <option value="4">4</option> <option value="5">5</option> <option value="6">6</option> <option value="7">7</option> <option value="8">8</option> <option value="9">9</option> <option value="10">10</option> <option value="11">11</option> <option value="12">12</option> <option value="13">13</option> <option value="14">14</option> </select></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <input height="21" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/btn_searchNow.gif" type="image" width="134" /><br /> <br /> <img height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/ct/a_clear.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top" width="100%"><img alt="" border="0" height="3" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="3" /></td> <td bgcolor="#B3C4E6" valign="top"><img alt="" border="0" height="5" src="https://images.wctravel.com/images-general/null.gif" width="5" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </form> <script language="JavaScript"> window.onload=cbSync; init(ct_horizontal_a); </script><br /> <!-- CUSTOMTRIP - END OF HORIZONTAL SEARCH BOX - TYPE A --></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05247313681571250352noreply@blogger.com0