Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Austin Debt Relief Attorney to Help the Client in Need - Scoopasia ...

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Austin Debt Relief Attorney to Help the Client in Need

United States, 20 May 2013 -- An experienced attorney will be of great help to fight case for bankruptcy foe anyone.

Puzzled with the financial crisis over your head? Financial debts and unmanaged finances at home do make life a living hell. It becomes confusing at times to solve the issues. Everyone needs a tension free life that is free of debt. A professional in this case can be of great help. Austin debt relief attorney can be of great help to anyone who is suffering from financial crunches in life.

Providing a range of services
The attorney provides its customers with an array of services to the customers in cases of bankruptcy. It helps the customers deal with difficult situations of finances, so that they can lead a stress free life. The attorney will help to provide the customer with situations that help to set him /her back on track in some time period. This will give the customer a start with finances all over.

Consultation with the attorney
The customers can get a consultation with the lawyer and that too free of cost. So everyone should avail this opportunity and schedule a visit with the attorney. This consultation with the attorney will help the customer to specify in detail about the scenario of finance. Plus the lawyer will also get to know in detail about the case of the client.

Charges of the attorney
Since the charge and the fee of the attorney vary from client to client. But it also depends upon the number if session the client has with the lawyer. It depends on how crucial the finance situation is. But overall the charge and the fee of the attorney is nominal and reasonable.

Book an appointment with the attorney
Fix an appointment with the lawyer and discuss the bankruptcy details at the earliest. More details about the services offered by the attorney are present on the web page. Check out the web page to know more. Give a call to the attorney right away!

Knowledge for bankruptcy filings
Many people do not know much about the filings of bankruptcy and what the legalities are so a professional help in such a case becomes a helping hand. The Austin debt relief attorney will help the customer in all kinds of proceedings and will explain what all needs to be done in every case.

Plus the attorney helps to inculcate knowledge among the client and also educates the customer so that it helps even in the long run.

Find more visit http://www.bankruptcylawyeraustintx.net/services/

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Submitted by Kain Black, Fiverr SEO Service on Monday, 20 May 2013 at 4:42 PM
Category: Legal/Law

Source: http://news.scoopasia.com/index.php/news/austin_debt_relief_attorney_to_help_the_client_in_need/

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Ziff Davis Is Buying NetShelter/InPowered's Display Ad Business

inpowered logoDigital media company and ad sales platform Ziff Davis is expanding its network of properties even further with the purchase of NetShelter's display advertising business, a well-placed source has informed us. The source couldn't share exact terms of the deal, but did reveal that InPowered, the product which NetShelter focused on and eventually essentially rebranded to last November, will be split into two teams, with half heading to Ziff Davis as part of the arrangement.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/8rTmKvec-1M/

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Palestinians hold off on UN agency membership

UNITED NATIONS (AP) ? A top official says Palestinians have done all the legal work necessary to join 63 U.N. agencies, conventions and treaties, but haven't applied yet mainly to give the U.S. peace effort a chance to succeed.

Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday that Palestinians have done "everything" to enable President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to succeed, and "there is a good opportunity now."

Kerry is heading to the Mideast this week to advance his two-month effort to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in November to upgrade the Palestinians from U.N. observer to non-voting member state, but have not begun seeking membership for Palestine in U.N. agencies ? a move opposed by both Israel and the United States.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/palestinians-hold-off-un-agency-membership-193427422.html

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Sports briefs: Nadal dominates Federer to win Italian Open | The Salt ...

Tennis ? After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.

In the 30th meeting between the tennis greats, Nadal controlled the final from the start and won 6-1, 6-3 Sunday for his seventh Italian Open title in Rome.

Nadal improved to 20-10 in his career against Federer.

In the women?s final, Serena Williams won her fourth consecutive title of the year in impressive fashion, defeating third-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3. The top-ranked American will go to Paris on a career-best 24-match winning run.

Indianapolis 500 will sport full field

Auto Racing ? One day after getting bumped from the top 24 starting spots for the Indianapolis 500, Josef Newgarden and Graham Rahal posted the two fastest times on the second and final day of qualifying at the historic 2.5-mile oval.

Newgarden will start 25th, the inside of the ninth row, after posting a four-lap average of 225.731 mph. Rahal will be next to him after going 225.007.

The first nine drivers out on the track Sunday all qualified for the race, assuring race organizers of a full 33-car field. The only one left out of the race Mexico?s Michel Jourdain Jr., who did not make a qualifying attempt Sunday.

story continues below

Leipheimer says he?s retired

CYCLING ? Rowland Hall graduate Levi Leipheimer says he retired from professional cycling when his six-month ban for doping violations ended March 1 and he was unable to sign with a new team.

Leipheimer told The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa, Calif., of his decision Sunday. His comments came after watching the final stage of the Tour of California, an event he won three straight times from 2007-2009.

The 39-year-old Leipheimer, from Butte, Mont., was fired by the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team in October after confessing to doping as part of the investigation that brought down Lance Armstrong.

? Tejay van Garderen stayed out of trouble to seal his first professional stage race title, winning the Tour of California in front of BMC Racing Team?s home fans. The American cruised through the smooth and scenic final stage from San Francisco to Santa Rosa to edge Australia?s Michael Rogers for the overall title by 1 minute, 47 seconds.

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/56334448-77/title-federer-nadal-final.html.csp

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Wyo. student who threatened to rape self on Facebook was convicted of assault

The 28-year-old University of Wyoming student who allegedly threatened herself with rape in a Facebook hoax in April was convicted of aggravated assault in 2005 after she brandished a gun at an employer who fired her.

Meg Lanker-Simons, now a newly-minted UW graduate, was charged with interference with a police investigation after she allegedly posted on an anonymous Facebook forum that she wanted to engage in angry sexual intercourse ? with someone named ?Meg Lanker Simons.?

The posting on UW Crushes read:

?I want to hatefuck Meg Lanker Simons so hard. That chick runs her liberal mouth all the time and doesn?t care who knows it. I think its so hot and makes me angry. One night with me and shes gonna be a good Republican bitch.?

It turns out that the April 24 incident isn?t the strident leftist?s first rodeo in Wyoming?s criminal system. As the Laramie Boomerang reports, Lanker-Simons had an aggravated assault conviction in 2005 as the result of a bizarre gun-brandishing incident.

After Lanker-Simons was fired from a radio station in the fall of 2005, she returned and pulled a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun from her purse. She waved the semi-automatic pistol around. She pointed it at the man who sacked her. He testified that he was ?in fear for his life,? notes the Boomerang.

The radio station was evacuated. Police caught Lanker-Simons as she tried to flee the scene in her vehicle. They held her at gunpoint.

In July 2006, Lanker-Simons ? then known as Meghan Michelena ? was sentenced to six years of probation. Her term of probation was subject to a number of conditions. She had to undergo counseling, complete community service, pay fines and apologize to her victims. She was also prevented from owning any guns.

The alleged Facebook hoax brought national attention to the Cowboy State?s flagship college. Initially, the administration stood firmly behind Lanker-Simons. ?No student should have to deal with such threatening language,? said one sternly-worded official statement. A school official also denounced ?rape culture,? according to KOWB.

Concerned fellow feminists also threw a rally for Lanker-Simons ? complete with all manner of signs condemning rape threats ? before police concluded that Lanker-Simons herself was behind the threats.

This month, Lanker-Simons participated in the University of Wyoming?s commencement ceremonies despite the charges against her. She graduated with a bachelor?s degree in psychology.

Lanker-Simons is also a blogger and a local radio host.

In 2010, Lanker-Simons and Bill Ayers sued the University of Wyoming after school officials decided to cancel a speech by Ayers, a former Weather Underground radical and mentor to President Obama. Also in 2010, her husband, Andrew Simons, ran a failed Democratic campaign for Wyoming secretary of state.

According to the Boomerang, the interference charge is a misdemeanor punishable by a prison sentence up to a year and a fine up to $1,000.

Follow Eric on Twitter?and send education-related story tips to?erico@dailycaller.com.
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Wyo. student who threatened to rape self on Facebook was convicted of assault

'IT'S SCARY': Records show IRS officials independently targeted conservative training materials

Lawmakers to investigate EPA FOIA scandal

Colorado sheriffs sue the state over new gun control laws

Top 5: Best videos of the Toilet Run at Preakness [VIDEO]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wyo-student-threatened-rape-self-facebook-convicted-assault-174802295.html

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Jennifer Lawrence, more stars shine at Cannes

Celebs

10 hours ago

The stars continued to sparkle despite the rain falling on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence was among the big names to step out on Saturday for the premiere of the film "Jimmy P. (Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian)" at the 66th annual festival.

Image: Jennifer Lawrence

AFP - Getty Images

Actress Jennifer Lawrence on May 18 in Cannes, France.

Image: Eva Longoria

AP

Actress Eva Longoria.

Image: Cheryl Cole

AP

Singer Cheryl Cole.

Image: Jane Fonda

EPA

Actress Jane Fonda.

Image: Paz Vega

AP

Actress Paz Vega.

Image: Liam Hemsworth

Getty Images

Actor Liam Hemsworth.

Image: Doutzen Kroes

AFP - Getty Images

Model Doutzen Kroes.

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/jennifer-lawrence-eva-longoria-more-stars-shine-cannes-1C9984451

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North Korea fires projectile into eastern waters

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? South Korea says North Korea has fired a projectile into waters off its eastern coast a day after launching three short-range missiles in the same area.

The South's Defense Ministry says the firing occurred Sunday afternoon. It did not say whether it was a missile or artillery.

North Korea routinely test-launches short-range missiles.

The launches come during a period of tentative diplomacy aimed at easing tension on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. responded to the previous day's launches by saying threats or provocations would only further deepen North Korea's international isolation, while South Korea urged the North to take responsible actions.

Earlier this year, North Korea threatened to attack South Korea and the U.S. to protest annual joint military drills and U.N. sanctions imposed after its February nuclear test.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-fires-projectile-eastern-waters-091823263.html

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Dollar soars, stocks gain amid talk of Fed QE exit

By Herbert Lash

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global equity markets rose and the dollar soared against a basket of currencies on Friday, reaching a nearly three-year peak, as speculation mounted over whether the Federal Reserve would soon begin to rein in its asset-buying program.

Wall Street opened higher, with the benchmark S&P 500 rebounding from its worst decline in nearly three weeks, following gains in European shares that were lifted by carmakers cheered on by signs of a revival in domestic sales.

Also lifting stocks was a survey that showed a rebound in U.S. consumer sentiment in early May to the highest level in nearly six years as Americans felt better about their financial and economic prospects, particularly among upper income households.

The dollar's strength was largely attributed to the euro, which fell to a six-week low on market talk that the European Central Bank could introduce negative deposit rates, a move that would make banks pay to park their cash overnight with the ECB.

The dollar index <.dxy>, which measures its value against a basket of six major currencies, rose to 84.312, its highest in nearly three years. It last traded at 84.262, up 0.81 percent on the day.

The euro fell 0.55 percent to $1.2810, while the dollar hit a 4-1/2 year high versus the Japanese yen, up 0.55 percent at 102.80.

"People are positive about the U.S. economic recovery despite recent weak data and today's theme is mostly about the broadly strong dollar," said Charles St-Arnaud, FX strategist at Nomura Securities.

"Meanwhile, data in the euro zone shows they remain in a recession and raised expectations the ECB will take further action is weighing on the euro," he said.

A measure of global equity activity, MSCI's all-country world stock index <.miwd00000pus>, rose 0.05 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was up 66.70 points, or 0.44 percent, at 15,299.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was up 9.98 points, or 0.60 percent, at 1,660.45. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was up 19.64 points, or 0.57 percent, at 3,484.89.

European shares <.fteu3> bounced off session lows to rise 0.23 percent to 1,248.30.

Gold fell for a seventh straight session, its longest losing streak in four years, driven by speculation the Fed may soon ease its asset-purchase program to boost the economy.

Spot gold prices fell $16.49 to $1,369.20 an ounce.

Comments on Thursday from John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, that the Fed could begin easing up on stimulus this summer stirred speculation.

Prices for U.S. Treasuries added to losses after the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment rose to 83.7 in early May from 76.4 last month, topping economists' expectations for 78.

It was the highest level since July 2007.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note was down 11/32 in price to yield 1.9175 percent.

In Europe, German Bunds hit one-week highs, with traders citing talk the ECB was checking with some banks on whether they were ready for a potential cut in its deposit rate to below zero.

German Bund futures rose as much as 43 ticks on the day to 145.74, before paring gains to trade 9 ticks higher.

Oil climbed towards $105 a barrel, rebounding from an earlier decline and heading for a small weekly gain, although concern about the strength of demand growth limited the rise.

Brent crude rose 78 cents to $104.56 a barrel. U.S. crude future added 68 cents to $95.84.

(Additional reporting by David Brett in London, Reporting by Herbert Lash; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dollar-firmer-fed-remarks-asian-shares-mixed-043219740.html

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Saturday, May 18, 2013

New era of fisheries policy needed to secure nutrition for millions

May 17, 2013 ? A new study published in PNAS argues that for fisheries policies to be effective they must take in to account not just fish stock conservation and environmental issues, but also research data on the patterns and dynamics of fish trade, markets and user consumption.

Securing the critical contribution of wild fish stocks to food and nutrition security in the developing world depends on better governance and management of the fisheries sector.

Fish is a key source of animal protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and micronutrients like iron and zinc that contribute to a balanced diet, and is a particularly important food source in many developing countries.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America argues that for fisheries policies to be effective they must take in to account not just fish stock conservation and environmental issues, but also research data on the patterns and dynamics of fish trade, markets and user consumption.

"This is particularly important in the developing world, where the countries whose populations are most dependent on fish for nutrition are found," says Director General of WorldFish, Dr. Stephen J. Hall, lead author of the paper.

Fisheries don't exist in isolation and multi-sectoral perspectives and approaches need to be developed and supported to ensure policies also consider the millions of small-scale fishers.

"These fishers often work part-time during times of seasonal hunger or temporary unemployment, and the ways that they catch, prepare and sell fish are diverse. Policies need to take in to account the varying contexts that fisheries exist in. A 'one size fits all' policy is destined to fail," says Dr. Hall.

Policies developed for open ocean trawlers whose catch is primarily destined for an export market must be different to those for small-scale fishers selling their catch to local customers.

This will help to ensure a constant supply of good quality fish for consumers, a satisfactory standard of living vital for millions of fishers, and the sustainability of wild fish stocks.

FAO estimates that 30% of the world's fish stocks were over-exploited, depleted or recovering in 2009, and this number is increasing.

While aquaculture is the fastest growing agricultural sector for most developing countries, its growth and production rate cannot replace capture fisheries or even make up losses of local wild fish in the next 10 to 15 years.

The paper is highly relevant for responding with effective and efficient policies to the strategic challenges fisheries will face in the future.

The authors argue that such policies will have to consider the appropriate level for decentralized decision making, the primacy of genuine stakeholder dialogues, the inclusion of the whole value chain for fish and the incorporation of fisheries in the perspective of other sectors of the economy and rural development.

With such policies we will secure wild fish stocks, ensure an income for fishers, and food and nutrition security for consumers throughout the developing world.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/NcrieCyIIZc/130517102632.htm

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Attacking MRSA with metals from antibacterial clays

May 18, 2013 ? In the race to protect society from infectious microbes, the bugs are outrunning us. The need for new therapeutic agents is acute, given the emergence of novel pathogens as well as old foes bearing heightened antibiotic resistance.

Shelley Haydel, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute has a new approach to developing effective, topical antibacterial agents -- one that draws on a naturally occurring substance recognized since antiquity for its medicinal properties: clay.

In research appearing in the journal PLOS ONE, Haydel and her graduate student, Caitlin Otto, lay out the case for clay, demonstrating that certain varieties of clay have the ability to aggressively kill a range of pathogens including E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) -- a stubborn, highly contagious, and dangerous pathogen that has lately been the scourge of many hospitals and is a common cause of skin infections in the community. Their study further indicates that, rather than the physical particles of the clays, particular metal ions attached to the clay are likely responsible for its potent antibacterial properties.

"While some natural clays, which have absorptive properties similar to sponges, have been used topically for centuries, scientific studies investigating the antibacterial mechanisms represent a relatively new area of research," Haydel says. "With this study, we have demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of these natural clays is not dependent on the physical clay particles, but rather the abiotic, microbicidal activities of specific metal ions desorbed from the clay surface. While we are still working on mechanism of action studies, determining that specific metal ions influenced antibacterial activity was critical in leading us in the appropriate scientific directions."

Medical use of clay has a storied history. As early as 5000 years ago, clay was listed in the ancient tablets of Nippur as a wound-healing medicament. Around 1600 BC, the Ebers Papyrus -- recognized as the world's oldest medical text -- recommended clay for ailments including diarrhea, dysentery, tapeworm, hookworm, wounds, and abscesses. Clays came into common use in the 19th century as topical treatments for surgical wounds, demonstrating their beneficial effects for pain management, inflammation, putrefaction, and healing processes.

In their current study, Otto and Haydel examined four clay samples and their respective aqueous mineral extracts or leachates and determined that the clays exhibited different in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli and MRSA. Mineralogically, the samples were nearly identical with 52 percent clay and 48 percent non-clay minerals, but the composition of metal ions released from the mineral surfaces varied considerably across the samples. The tests, using aqueous mineral leachates of the four clay samples, uncovered a variety of elements in varying concentrations. Based on previous studies, the research team focused on five metal ions -- iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn).

When non-antibacterial clays with low concentrations of these five critical metal ions were supplemented with higher amounts and the pH was matched with that of antibacterial clays, the new formulation displayed killing ability against E. coli and MRSA. The result pointed to the presence of metal ions in sufficient concentration as the antibacterial agent in the clay. Further tests narrowed the field of antibacterial candidates, establishing Fe+2, Cu+2, and Zn+2 ions as contributing antibacterial agents.

While the pH level was found to play a mediating role, the lethal effect of the clays could not be attributed exclusively to pH, absent the influence of metal ions. Metal speciation modeling and statistical analysis of the results indicated that Cu+2, Co+2, Ni+2, and Zn+2 are effective against E. coli, while Cu+2, Co+2, and Zn+2 are effective against MRSA. Intriguingly, the study found that the metal ion toxicity of a given clay sample is not always proportional to the total ion concentration. Toxicity instead is critically dependent on a variety of other factors including pH, ion solubility, osmotic strength, and temperature. The tests undertaken helped to evaluate the interplay of these factors in determining both the antibacterial effectiveness and toxicity of the samples.

Haydel notes that physical and chemical properties of minerals contained in clays together contribute to healing properties. Minerals contained in clay mixtures have a negative surface charge that allows the free exchange of compounds from the environment, including bacteria, viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, and cations. Kaolinite, talc, and smectite clay minerals are highly absorptive. Due to their ability to adhere to the skin, clays offer mechanical protection similar to a bandage, sealing out external physical or chemical agents, as well as absorptive properties which assist in removing devitalized tissue, particulate matter, or foreign materials from a wound.

Haydel is optimistic about the potential for medicinal clays to play a greater therapeutic role, particularly against the growing threat of topical and antibiotic-resistant infections:

"We have demonstrated that mineralogically-identical clays exhibit chemical variability which correlates with variability in antibacterial activity. Since clays can contain toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, safety precautions must be in place to minimize exposure to toxic ions. Efforts must be taken to standardize the composition and antibacterial efficacy of clays if they are to be used therapeutically and prophylactically."

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/3E_teaH1plo/130518153744.htm

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Friday, May 17, 2013

Yahoo schedules product-related event for May 20th in NYC, Marissa Mayer expected to speak

Yahoo schedules productrelated event for May 20th in NYC, Marissa Mayer expected to speak

Call us crazy, but it sure feels like Yahoo's had one heck of a spring. When it comes to spending, anyway. Just as soon as it can get one check to clear, the search icon is breaking the ink back out to write another. According to a breaking tweet from CNBC, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is scheduled to speak at a "product-related" event in New York City this coming Monday. It's tough to tell what kind of surprise will be in store, but we wouldn't be shocked if it involved the word "Tumblr." We're digging for more as we speak, and will most certainly be on hand to see what comes to fruition.

Update: We've just heard back from Yahoo, and the event is indeed going down in order to "share something special." And yes, we'll be there to bring whatever happens to your browser of choice.

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Source: CNBC (Twitter)

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/EX0A7k3s2sQ/

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The CW Preview Reel: What's Ahead?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/05/the-cw-preview-reel-whats-ahead/

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Innovation requires accountability - Business Insider

Today's advice comes from marketing guru Seth Godin via his blog Seth's Blog:?

"As organizations and individuals succeed, it gets more difficult to innovate. There are issues of coordination, sure, but mostly it's about fear. The fear of failing is greater, because it seems as though you've got more to lose. So urgency disappears first. Why ship it today if you can ship it next week instead? There are a myriad of excuses, but ultimately it comes down to this: if every innovation is likely to fail, or at the very least, be criticized, why be in such a hurry?"

Godin says this lack of urgency is no different from lack of accountability. Ideas get shuffled from meeting to meeting, but only until someone actually steps up and takes responsibility will things get accomplished. In this way, meetings aren't always necessary; the point is to hold someone accountable to making an idea happen.

"We see the two symptoms of the organization unable to move forward with alacrity, the two warning signs of the person in the grip of the resistance. You don't need more time, you just need to decide."

Want your?business advice featured in Instant MBA? Submit your tips to?tipoftheday@businessinsider.com. Be sure to include your name, your job title, and a photo of yourself in your email.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/innovation-requires-accountability-seth-godin-2013-5

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

First direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly fractal observed in moir? superlattices

May 15, 2013 ? A team of researchers from Columbia University, City University of New York, the University of Central Florida (UCF), and Tohoku University and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, have directly observed a rare quantum effect that produces a repeating butterfly-shaped energy spectrum, confirming the longstanding prediction of this quantum fractal energy structure, called Hofstadter's butterfly.

The study, which focused on moir?-patterned graphene, is published in the May 15, 2013, Advance Online Publication (AOP) of Nature.

First predicted by American physicist Douglas Hofstadter in 1976, the Hofstadter butterfly emerges when electrons are confined to a two-dimensional sheet, and subjected to both a periodic potential energy (akin to a marble rolling on a sheet the shape of an egg carton) and a strong magnetic field. The Hofstadter butterfly is a fractal pattern -- it contains shapes that repeat on smaller and smaller size scales. Fractals are common in classical systems such as fluid mechanics, but rare in the quantum mechanical world. In fact, the Hofstadter butterfly is one of the first quantum fractals theoretically discovered in physics but, until now, there has been no direct experimental proof of this spectrum.

Previous efforts to study the Hofstadter butterfly, which has become a standard "textbook" theoretical result, attempted to use artificially created structures to achieve the required periodic potential energy. These studies produced strong evidence for the Hofstadter spectrum but were significantly hampered by the difficulty in creating structures that were both small and perfect enough to allow detailed study.

In order to create a periodic potential with a near-ideal length scale and also with a low degree of disorder, the team used an effect called a moir? pattern that arises naturally when atomically thin graphene is placed on an atomically flat boron nitride (BN) substrate, which has the same honeycomb atomic lattice structure as graphene but with a slightly longer atomic bond length. This work builds on years of experience with both graphene and BN at Columbia. The techniques for fabricating these structures were developed by the Columbia team in 2010 to create higher-performing transistors, and have also proven to be invaluable in opening up new areas of basic physics such as this study.

To map the graphene energy spectrum, the team then measured the electronic conductivity of the samples at very low temperatures in extremely strong magnetic fields up to 35 Tesla (consuming 35 megawatts of power) at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The measurements show the predicted self-similar patterns, providing the best evidence to date for the Hofstadter butterfly, and providing the first direct evidence for its fractal nature.

"Now we see that our study of moir?-patterned graphene provides a new model system to explore the role of fractal structure in quantum systems," says Cory Dean, the first author of the paper who is now an assistant professor at The City College of New York. "This is a huge leap forward -- our observation that interplays between competing length scales result in emergent complexity provides the framework for a new direction in materials design. And such understanding will help us develop novel electronic devices employing quantum engineered nanostructures."

"The opportunity to confirm a 40-year-old prediction in physics that lies at the core of most of our understanding of low-dimensional material systems is rare, and tremendously exciting," adds Dean. "Our confirmation of this fractal structure opens the door for new studies of the interplay between complexity at the atomic level in physical systems and the emergence of new phenomenon arising from complexity."

The work from Columbia University resulted from collaborations across several disciplines including experimental groups in the departments of physics (Philip Kim), mechanical engineering (James Hone), and electrical engineering (Kenneth Shepard) in the new Northwest Corner building, using the facilities in the CEPSR (Columbia's Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research) microfabrication center. Similar results are concurrently being reported from groups led by Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim at the University of Manchester, and Pablo Jarillo-Herrero and Raymond Ashoori at MIT.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/W8rieeisaFg/130515131554.htm

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Pat Healy?s positive drug test costs him $130,000

Pat Healy made a memorable cross-over from Strikeforce at UFC 159. He submitted Jim Miller and won two bonuses to steal the show at the April event. Unfortunately, he also tested positive for marijuana after the fight. His fight result has been changed to no-contest, and he will have to give up the bonuses that totaled $130,000.

Healy both tweeted about the positive test and released a statement. He will be suspended for 90 days. Healy attributed the positive test to a night out with friends a month before the fight.

Marijuana's acceptance in the United States is growing. Medical marijuana laws are becoming more common, and it's legal in two states. However, it's still a banned substance that state commissions test for, and fighters know this going into their bouts. Healy apologized in his statement, and said he should have been a better role model.

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? Slideshow: Michael Vick's journey to prison and back

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/pat-healy-positive-drug-test-cost-him-130-154118542.html

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Brain makes call on which ear is used for cell phone

May 16, 2013 ? If you're a left-brain thinker, chances are you use your right hand to hold your cell phone up to your right ear, according to a newly published study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

The study -- to appear online in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery -- shows a strong correlation between brain dominance and the ear used to listen to a cell phone. More than 70% of participants held their cell phone up to the ear on the same side as their dominant hand, the study finds.

Left-brain dominant people -- who account for about 95% of the population and have their speech and language center located on the left side of the brain -- are more likely to use their right hand for writing and other everyday tasks.

Likewise, the Henry Ford study reveals most left-brain dominant people also use the phone in their right ear, despite there being no perceived difference in their hearing in the left or right ear. And, right-brain dominant people are more likely to use their left hand to hold the phone in their left ear.

"Our findings have several implications, especially for mapping the language center of the brain," says Michael Seidman, M.D., FACS, director of the division of otologic and neurotologic surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford.

"By establishing a correlation between cerebral dominance and sidedness of cell phone use, it may be possible to develop a less-invasive, lower-cost option to establish the side of the brain where speech and language occurs rather than the Wada test, a procedure that injects an anesthetic into the carotid artery to put part of the brain to sleep in order to map activity."

He notes that the study also may offer additional evidence that cell phone use and tumors of the brain, head and neck may not necessarily be linked.

Since nearly 80% of people use the cell phone in their right ear, he says if there were a strong connection there would be far more people diagnosed with cancer on the right side of their brain, head and neck, the dominant side for cell phone use. It's likely, he says, that the development of tumors is more "dose-dependent" based on cell phone usage.

The study began with the simple observation that most people use their right hand to hold a cell phone to their right ear. This practice, Dr. Seidman says, is illogical since it is challenging to listen on the phone with the right ear and take notes with the right hand.

To determine if there is an association between sidedness of cell phone use and auditory or language hemispheric dominance, the Henry Ford team developed an online survey using modifications of the Edinburgh Handedness protocol, a tool used for more than 40 years to assess handedness and predict cerebral dominance.

The survey included questions about which hand was used for tasks such as writing; time spent talking on cell phone; whether the right or left ear is used to listen to phone conversations; and if respondents had been diagnosed with a brain or head and neck tumor.

It was distributed to 5,000 individuals who were either with an otology online group or a patient undergoing Wada and MRI for non-invasive localization purposes.

On average, respondents' cell phone usage was 540 minutes per month. The majority of respondents (90%) were right handed, 9% were left handed and 1% was ambidextrous.

Among those who are right handed, 68% reported that they hold the phone to their right ear, while 25% used the left ear and 7% used both right and left ears. For those who are left handed, 72% said they used their left ear for cell phone conversations, while 23% used their right ear and 5% had no preference.

The study also revealed that having a hearing difference can impact ear preference for cell phone use.

In all, the study found that there is a correlation between brain dominance and laterality of cell phone use, and there is a significantly higher probability of using the dominant hand side ear.

Studies are underway to look at tumor registry banks of patients with head, neck and brain cancer to evaluate cell phone usage. Controversy still exists around a potential association of cell phone use and tumors. Until this is fully understood, Dr. Seidman advises using hands-free modes for calls rather than holding a phone up to the side of the head.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/_2o8TE_Bk8k/130516161655.htm

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Google unveils Samsung Galaxy S 4 running stock Android Jelly Bean, available June 26th for $649

Google unveils Samung Galaxy S 4 running stock Android Jelly Bean

Google just dropped a pretty big surprise during its opening day I/O keynote. It's taken the wraps off a new edition of Samsung's Galaxy S 4 that runs stock Android Jelly Bean. The device itself is fully unlocked and packing LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile, along with 16GB of storage and what Google promises will be prompt system updates. Not surprisingly, this won't quite be the budget-friendly off-contract option that the Nexus 4 is -- the phone will run $649 when it hits Google Play on June 26th.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/ARtCbTduFhU/

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Chuck Muncie dies, leaves legacy as NFL star who fought drug abuse

Chuck Muncie dies: A former NFL running back, Chuck Muncie went to jail for selling cocaine. But later, Chuck Muncie helped at-risk kids with his story of drug abuse. "His most impressive work was done in the second chapter of his life," says his former wife.

By Brett Martel,?Associated Press / May 15, 2013

San Diego Charges quarterback Dan Fouts (14) and running back Chuck Muncie (46) flash big smiles as they leave field following the Chargers win over the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football playoff game in San Diego in 1980. Muncie, a Pro Bowl running back with both the Saints and Chargers, has died. He was 60.

(AP Photo/File)

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Chuck Muncie, a Pro Bowl running back with both the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, has died at age 60, the NFL clubs and a family spokesman said Tuesday.

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Muncie family spokesman Vintage Foster said Muncie died at his Los Angeles-area home on Monday from heart failure.

Muncie was the Saints' first-round pick, third overall, out of California in 1976. He played 4? seasons in New Orleans before being traded in 1980 to San Diego, where he finished his nine-year NFL career.

In 1979, Muncie became the first Saint to rush for 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,198 and 11 touchdowns, and his 1,506 total yards from scrimmage earned him the first of his three Pro Bowl selections.

Muncie and fellow Saints running back Tony Galbreath formed what then-coach Hank Stram dubbed the "Thunder and Lightning" combination in the New Orleans backfield. Muncie's photo is among those featured on the Saints' Hall of Honor inside the club's training facility.

Saints owner Tom Benson said in a written statement that the Saints were mourning Muncie's "untimely passing," adding, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and other loved ones at this difficult time."

Muncie was traded by the Saints at midseason in 1980 to San Diego, where he played 51 games and was named to Pro Bowl rosters two more times, in 1981 and '82. In 2009, the club recognized him as one of the 50 greatest Chargers of all time.

His accomplishments on the field came despite cocaine use, and in 1989, five years after his retirement from pro football, Muncie was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a cocaine distribution conviction.

Thereafter, however, he began sharing his life story with at-risk youth, highlighting his struggles with drug abuse. He created the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation, the mission of which was to offer children mentoring, educational assistance and counseling.

"His work with at-risk youth, the Boys and Girls Clubs and his foundation were the things that really made him shine," Muncie's daughter, Danielle Ward, said in a written statement provided by Foster.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/0uquA-_cTAc/Chuck-Muncie-dies-leaves-legacy-as-NFL-star-who-fought-drug-abuse

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

O.J. Simpson testifies in bid for new trial

LAS VEGAS (AP) ? His leg shackles rattling as he shuffled to the witness stand, a grayer, bulkier O.J. Simpson made his case for a new trial on armed robbery charges Wednesday, saying he was relying on the advice of his trusted attorney when he tried to reclaim mementos from his football glory days.

The former NFL running back also said his trial attorney never told him about possible plea bargains with much less prison time. And he said his attorney assured him he could not be convicted.

After more than four years in prison, Simpson seized the opportunity to recount how he and some friends confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007, and how he believed he had the right to take back what he claimed had been stolen from him, including photos and footballs.

"It was my stuff. I followed what I thought was the law. My lawyer told me I couldn't break into a guy's room. I didn't break into anybody's room. I didn't try to muscle the guys. The guys had my stuff, even though they claimed they didn't steal it," the 65-year-old former NFL star and actor said.

Simpson did not testify when he was tried and convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008. He was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison.

His fall from long-ago fame and fortune was demonstrated as he made his way to the stand with shackles around his ankles for a hearing on his claim that he was poorly represented by his attorney during the trial.

As his new lawyer, Patricia Palm, questioned him, he provided details that seemed to encompass every minute of a weekend that began with plans for a friend's wedding and ended with him under arrest.

He said he knew the memorabilia dealers, had no fear of them and certainly didn't need guns. "There was no talk of guns at all," he said. Simpson declared he never even saw guns during the confrontation.

During the trial, two former co-defendants who testified for the prosecution said they had guns.

Simpson's bid for freedom hinges on showing his lawyer badly represented him. He mentioned the lawyer, Yale Galanter, from the outset.

"He was my guy," he said of his long friendship and professional relationship with Galanter.

But he blamed Galanter's advice for getting him in trouble. He said Galanter told him he was within his rights to take back his possessions as long as there was no violence or trespassing.

Another Simpson attorney from the 2008 trial has said it was Galanter who pushed on Simpson a decision not to testify.

While the trial prosecutor testified earlier that there were preliminary discussions with Galanter about a plea bargain, Simpson testified he was never told a bargain was under consideration and that he did not remember any offer being given to him at trial.

Asked by Palm if he knew he could have gotten as little as 30 months in prison if he pleaded guilty to robbery, Simpson said no, and that he would have considered it if he had known.

Simpson also said Galanter led him to believe he could not be convicted on the charges.

"If you understood you could be convicted on the state's evidence, would you have testified?" Palm asked.

Simpson said yes.

Dressed in a drab blue prison uniform, Simpson spoke clearly as he recounted events leading to the hotel room where the dealers had the memorabilia. His voice cracked a bit as he recounted recognizing items on the bed, including framed photos that used to hang on the wall of his Los Angeles home.

"Look at this stuff. Some of the stuff I didn't really realize was gone. These were things I hadn't seen in 10 years," he said. "You know, you get a little emotional about it."

There is no jury in the hearing and Simpson's fate will be determined by District Judge Linda Marie Bell.

While Simpson's previous court cases, including his 1995 acquittal in the killings of his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman, were media events, there were empty seats in the courtroom for the first two days of the hearing.

But on Wednesday the courtroom was full, with Simpson family members and friends in the second row. A marshal turned people away, sending them to an overflow room where video was streamed live.

Still, the scene was much tamer than in the past.

"This is less hoopla than I expected. It's real toned down," said Wyatt Skaggs, a retired defense attorney visiting from Laramie, Wyo.

___

Find Ken Ritter on Twitter: http://twitter.com/krttr

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 14: O. J. Simpson (R) talks to his defense attorney Patricia Palm during a break in an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 14, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ... more? LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 14: O. J. Simpson (R) talks to his defense attorney Patricia Palm during a break in an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court on May 14, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson, who is currently serving a nine-to-33-year sentence in state prison as a result of his October 2008 conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping charges, is using a writ of habeas corpus to seek a new trial, claiming he had such bad representation that his conviction should be reversed. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) less?

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/oj-simpson-testifies-bid-vegas-trial-170536252.html

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U.S. soldier in Iraq acted with premeditation in killing comrades : judge

By Eric M. Johnson

TACOMA, Washington (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier who pleaded guilty to shooting dead five fellow servicemen at a combat stress clinic in Iraq killed his comrades with premeditation, a military judge said on Monday in a ruling that will almost surely get him life in prison.

U.S. Army Sergeant John Russell, in a deal that spared him the death penalty, pleaded guilty last month to killing two medical staff officers and three soldiers at Camp Liberty in Baghdad in a 2009 shooting that the military has said may have been triggered by combat stress.

Russell faced an abbreviated court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state to determine the level of his guilt and whether he acted with premeditation, as prosecutors said, or on impulse, as the defense has argued.

The judge in the case, Army Colonel David Conn, asked Russell, who appeared at a brief morning hearing in green military dress, to stand and gave his ruling. He did not provide further details.

Russell's state of mind before, during and after the attack, one of the worst incidents of soldier-on-soldier violence in the Iraq war, has been central to legal proceedings over the past year at the Pacific Northwest military base.

In his ruling, the judge ultimately sided with prosecutors who said Russell tried to gain a quick exit from the Army and had then sought revenge on a mental health worker who would not help him achieve that goal.

The mandatory sentence for even one count of premeditated murder is life in prison, and at issue going forward is whether Russell will ever be eligible for parole. Both sides will present arguments, and Conn is likely to rule on that by week's end.

Prosecutors have argued that Russell had more than 40 minutes to consider his actions as he drove to the clinic in a stolen Ford SUV and M16-A2 rifle, and witnesses have testified to how he removed identification tags and the gun's optic, and had a stone-faced demeanor as he stalked to the clinic.

An Army forensic science officer who analyzed the scene after the attack testified that Russell killed with the tactical precision of a trained soldier.

Defense attorneys said Russell's mental health, severely weakened by several combat tours, deteriorated further and that he was suicidal prior to the attack and provoked to violence by maltreatment at the hands of healthcare workers he sought for help at Camp Liberty.

A forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Sadoff of the University of Pennsylvania, concluded that Russell suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis at the time of the shootings and had death wishes related to his illnesses.

(Editing by Cynthia Johnston, G Crosse and Bernard Orr)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-soldier-acted-premeditation-killing-comrades-iraq-judge-160435843.html

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Learning to recycle: Does political ideology matter?

May 14, 2013 ? Some targeted messages based on political orientation are more effective at persuading consumers to recycle, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

"Given the sharp differences in attitudes toward sustainability, surprisingly little attention has been paid to understanding how to appeal to differences in political orientation in order to influence recycling. Unique appeals targeted to liberals and conservatives may be more effective at getting them to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors," write authors Blair Kidwell (The Ohio State University), Adam Farmer, and David M. Hardesty (both University of Kentucky).

In one study, consumers were asked about their recycling intentions after reading various appeals. Consumers who call themselves liberals were more enthusiastic about recycling when the focus was on fairness and reducing harm to others to create a sense of feeling good. Meanwhile, consumers who call themselves conservatives were more likely to express an intention to recycle when appeals focused on group membership, duty, or obligation to authority.

In another interesting study, consumers were asked about their intentions to recycle, purchase CFL light bulbs, and conserve water after reading persuasive appeals. Consumers who call themselves conservatives showed greater commitment to sustainable behaviors when the appeals were accompanied by patriotic images, while appeals displaying a well-known charity (Habitat for Humanity) had a greater influence on consumers who call themselves liberals.

"While there has been progress in getting consumers to embrace recycling, much remains to be done to uncover new ways to increase sustainable behavior. Persuasive appeals consistent with underlying political ideology can influence both sustainable intentions and behavior," the authors conclude.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/lWQxcIuLPK0/130514112743.htm

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An M16-Based Crossbow Is a Truly Terrifying Thing

The M16A1 is an iconic gun, so it's no surprise that our favorite weapons designer Joerg Sprave fancied the idea of using one as the base of a crossbow. The result is rather terrifying.

Read more...

    


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/P6-p-a6PgQs/an-m16-based-crossbow-is-a-truly-terrifying-thing-504341343

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T-Mobile Galaxy S3 getting Android 4.1.2 and multi-window update

Galaxy S3 update Galaxy S3 update

T-Mo's Galaxy S3 gets full-screen multi-tasking in latest update

Looks like there's a new over-the-air update heading out to T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy S3 today. Reports from XDA and TmoNews point to an official Android 4.1.2 update, which brings with it Samsung's "multi-window" feature. Multi-window, which we recently demonstrated on the Galaxy S4, allows the screen to be split between two concurrently-running applications. The new "Paper Artist" app, lock screen changes and a new "4G" logo are also among the reported changes.

The over-the-air update package weighs in at more than 186MB, so you might want to wait until you're on Wifi before hitting the download button. To see if your update is ready, head to Settings > About phone > Software updates.

T-Mo GS3 owners, be sure to hit the comments and let us know how you're getting on with this latest firmware version.

Source: TmoNews, XDA

    


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/EXb3cIqcGjQ/story01.htm

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Monday, May 13, 2013

Bangladesh search over; death toll 1,127

SAVAR, Bangladesh (AP) ? Nearly three weeks after a Bangladesh garment-factory building collapsed, the search for the dead ended Monday at the site of the worst disaster in the history of the global garment industry. The death toll: 1,127.

The collapse of the Rana Plaza building focused worldwide attention on the hazardous conditions in Bangladesh's low-cost garment industry and strengthened pressure for reforms.

On Monday, the government said it will begin allowing garment workers to form trade unions without permission from factory owners. Swedish retailing giant H&M and Britain's Primark Stores also announced they have accepted a safety plan drawn up by labor groups that requires retailers to help pay for factory improvements.

Mohammed Amir Hossain Mazumder, deputy director of fire service and civil defense, told The Associated Press the search for bodies from the April 24 collapse was called off at 6 p.m. "Now the site will be handed over to police for protection. There will be no more activities from the fire service or army," he said.

Bulldozers and other vehicles have been removed from the building site, which will be fenced with bamboo sticks. Red flags were erected around the site to bar entry.

The last body was found on Sunday night. A special prayer service will be held Tuesday to honor the dead, said army Brig. Gen. Mohammad Siddiqul Alam Shikder.

For more than 19 days, the collapsed Rana Plaza in the Dhaka suburb of Savar had been the scene of frantic rescue efforts, anguished families and the overwhelming smell of decaying flesh.

Miracles were few, but on Friday, search teams found Reshma Begum, a seamstress who survived under the rubble for 17 days on cookies and bottled water.

Begum spoke to reporters Monday from the hospital where she is being treated. She told them she never expected to be rescued alive, and she vowed, "I will not work in a garment factory again."

Working conditions in the $20 billion industry are grim, a result of government corruption, desperation for jobs, and industry indifference. Minimum wages for garment workers are among the lowest in the world at 3,000 takas ($38) a month.

The Rana Plaza owner and eight other people, including garment factory owners, have been detained in the collapse investigation. Authorities say the building owner added floors to the structure illegally and allowed the factories to install heavy equipment that the building was not designed to support.

Reshma Begum, 19, rescued from the rubble of the Rana Plaza building 17 days after the building collapsed, speaks during a media conference at Savar Combined Military Hospital in Savar May 13, 2013. ... more? Reshma Begum, 19, rescued from the rubble of the Rana Plaza building 17 days after the building collapsed, speaks during a media conference at Savar Combined Military Hospital in Savar May 13, 2013. Bangladeshi salvage workers neared on Monday the end of their search for victims of the collapse of a factory building, scouring the basement of the complex that crumbled in on itself killing 1,127 people. REUTERS/Khurshed Rinku (BANGLADESH - Tags: DISASTER SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) less? ?

Fashion retailer H&M, the largest purchaser of Bangladesh garments, and Primark said they have accepted a legally binding fire and building safety plan drawn up by Bangladeshi and international unions. The plan would establish an independent inspectorate to oversee factories, with powers to shut down unsafe facilities and require renovations financed in part by Western retailers.

The Clean Clothes Campaign, which seeks better working conditions in the global garment industry, praised H&M's decision, saying it would pressure other retailers to sign the plan as well.

The agreement was signed earlier by two other companies ? PVH, the owner of the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands, and German retailer Tchibo.

Primark is one of the few retailers that have acknowledged that their clothes were being made by factories in the building at the time of the collapse.

The Cabinet decision to allow trade unions came a day after the government announced a plan to raise the minimum wage for garment workers. Both moves are seen as a direct response to the collapse of the building, which housed five garment factories.

Government spokesman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the Cabinet approved an amendment to the 2006 Labor Act lifting restrictions on forming trade unions in most industries. The old law required workers to obtain permission before they could unionize.

"No such permission from owners is now needed," Bhuiyan told reporters after the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "The government is doing it for the welfare of the workers."

Local and international trade unions have long campaigned for such changes.

Though the 2006 law technically allowed trade unions ? and they exist in many of Bangladesh's other industries ? owners of garment factories never allowed them, saying they would lead to a lack of discipline among workers.

Trade union leaders responded cautiously.

"The issue is not really about making a new law or amending the old one," said Kalpana Akter of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity, a group campaigning for garment workers' rights. "In the past whenever workers tried to form associations they were subjected to beatings and harassment," she said. "The owners did not hesitate to fire such workers."

Bangladesh's government has in recent years cracked down on trade unions attempting to organize garment workers. In 2010 Hasina's government launched an Industrial Police force to crush street protests by thousands of workers demanding better pay and working conditions.

That year police arrested at least six activists, including Akter, on charges of instigating workers to vandalize factories. They were later freed, but some charges are still pending.

The activists are also angry that police have made no headway in the investigation of the death of a fellow union organizer, Aminul Islam, who was found dead a day after he disappeared from his home in 2012.

"Islam's case is going nowhere even though police say they are investigating," said Akter.

On Monday, nearly 100 garment factories shut down in the Ashulia industrial area near Dhaka, the capital, after protests erupted over the death of a female worker whose body was found inside a garment factory.

The body of Parul Akter, 22, was found on Friday. A local police official, Badrul Alam, said she committed suicide.

Thousands of workers took to the streets Monday and vandalized vehicles and shops before police used sticks to disperse the protesters. Several people were injured, said a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The wage board will include representatives of factory owners, workers and the government, he said.

Bangladesh has 5,000 garment factories and 3.6 million garment workers. It is the third-biggest exporter of clothes in the world, after China and Italy. China lacks independent labor unions for all industries; the only legal unions are controlled by the Communist Party, and workers complain that they fail to represent their interests.

On Sunday, the Bangladesh government set up a new minimum wage board that will issue recommendations for pay raises within three months, Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiky said. The Cabinet will then decide whether to accept those proposals.

Government officials also have promised improvements in safety. Since 2005, at least 1,800 garment workers have been killed in factory fires and building collapses in Bangladesh, according to research by the advocacy group International Labor Rights Forum.

In November, 112 workers were killed in a garment factory in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital. The factory lacked emergency exits, and its owner said only three floors of the eight-story building were legally built.

___

Hossain reported from Dhaka. Associated Press writer Matti Huuhtanen in Stockholm contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bangladesh-collapse-search-over-death-toll-1-127-122554495.html

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