Saturday, May 26, 2012

Canada:Hart Stores names Pat Filippeli as interim CFO

?? Home >?News
Hart Stores names Pat Filippeli as interim CFO
May 26, 2012 (Canada)

Mr. Robert Farah, President and COO of Hart Stores Inc. announce the appointment of Mr. Pat Filippelli CA, as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Hart Stores Inc.

Mr. Filippelli joins the Company with over 23 years of senior financial management experience. Mr. Filippelli?s responsibilities will include the overall management of financial resources, controls and policies to ensure achievement of the Company objectives. Mr. Filippelli is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal and is a chartered accountant.
About Hart Stores Inc.:

Hart Stores Inc. operates a network of 60 mid-sized department stores under the Hart, Bargain Giant and G?ant des Aubaines banners. The stores are located in secondary and tertiary markets throughout Eastern Canada where the Company has established a dominant position in many of the communities that it serves.


  • Adore Me expands into swimwear category, May?25,?2012
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  • Innerwear brand Dixcy Scott unveils new range of products, May?25,?2012
  • Aza opens first store in Ludhiana, May?25,?2012
  • Prada plans more outlets to tap emerging markets, May?25,?2012

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Putin puts Medvedev in charge of Russia's ruling party

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin steered Dmitry Medvedev into the chairmanship of Russia's ruling party on Saturday and demanded reforms to the flagging organization he will rely on to keep his grip on the country's far-flung regions.

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At Putin's behest, delegates at a United Russia congress elected Medvedev chairman with a unanimous show of hands, the final step in a choreographed role reversal the longtime leader hopes will preserve his rule against growing opposition.

After four years of playing No. 2 to his protege - when Putin was premier and led the party while Medvedev was president - the assertive performance by Putin on Saturday cemented his return to dominance as a single leader pulling the strings of power.

The event capped a series of moves to assert his authority over both security policy and the economic issues that are traditionally the province of the prime minister, the job Medvedev was given a day after Putin's May 7 inauguration.

Putin stole the show at a ceremony that formally celebrated Medvedev, hinting he ultimately remained United Russia's leader despite stepping back from formal ties with the party.

"I consider the United Russia party my key ally and partner - a force that is prepared to use all its opportunities to build a free, strong and thriving country," said Putin, 59, signaling continued support to a party that has been wary of Medvedev.

But he warned party members they must adapt to changing circumstances.

"Radical renewal is a serious challenge that will demand colossal work and commitment," said Putin, who helped United Russia achieve pervasive power nationwide during his 2000-2008 presidency and led it for most of Medvedev's 2008-2012 term in the top job.

The congress had a familiar mix of populism and pomp that has marked party meetings during Putin's 12 years in power.

But rousing rhetoric from both men was colored by obvious concern about the standing of United Russia, whose image was badly tarnished by widespread suspicions of fraud in a December vote that also drastically reduced its majority in parliament.

The party must "hear and feel the needs of society ... and broaden citizens' participation in governing the country," Putin told the congress, televised live from a meeting hall just outside the Kremlin.

"United Russia will set new standards for openness in political work."

United Russia emerged from the December 4 election with only a slim majority in the State Duma despite the fraud allegations, which spread on the Internet and fuelled the biggest opposition protests of Putin's rule.

The election deepened many Russians' feelings of powerlessness in a country dominated by Putin and United Russia.

With opponents looking to local elections and issues as a chance to gain a foothold after years at the political margins, Putin needs United Russia to maintain its hold on power in the disparate regions of the world's largest country.

"INTERNAL DEMOCRACY"

Medvedev, speaking before the vote whose outcome was never in doubt, reiterated proposals to improve the party's "internal democracy", chiefly by holding competitive votes within the party to choose its candidates for regional and local elections.

Putin won the presidency by a comfortable margin despite the protests, which were also fuelled by dismay among some Russians at his Kremlin return.

United Russia has always been less popular than Putin himself and opposition leaders have capitalized on scandals and public perception of corruption among the ruling elite.

"Any signals of incompetence or corruption among officials who are United Russia members should be met with the harshest party decisions," Putin said. "The party must not tolerate those who violate justice or the dignity of citizens."

Putin firmly rejected one of the main demands put forward at the protests in Moscow and other cities this winter - to throw out the results of the December vote and hold a new parliamentary election.

The next State Duma vote is not due until late in 2016, but Putin's opponents hope to challenge United Russia in municipal votes and field candidates in elections for regional governors - some of them this autumn - while mounting more protests.

Putin may look to the party's performance as a test of Medvedev, 46, whose longevity as prime minister could hinge on the ability of the ruling apparatus to preserve political stability and withstand economic challenges.

Putin placed loyal figures in key economic posts in Medvedev's government last week and further undermined the cabinet's clout by bringing members of his own former government to potentially powerful advisory posts in the Kremlin.

Despite Putin's call for change within United Russia, critics say the appointments he has made suggest he has little real appetite for economic and political reforms they argue are needed if Russia is to remain stable.

The former Soviet KGB officer finalized the makeup of the influential presidential Security Council on Saturday, leaving in place a core of trusted allies from intelligence and security services who have been with him since his rise to power.

(Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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

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gloriosamentefalando: Friendship quote 01

gloriosamentefalando: Friendship quote 01

Friendship quote 01

friendship quotes

friendship quotes

Quotes are an eloquent way for one to express how they feel and reflect on a specific situation, relationship or feeling. Friendship quotes for example, help convey our feelings towards that special friend in our life. We find solace in words when situations or feelings are confusing, when friendship turns to love, a new bond is born or a dear friend is lost.

friendship quotes tumblr

friendship quotes tumblr

Real friends are those that allow us to be ourselves, be comfortable, be stupid, make mistakes, and still not be judged. They are a mirror to our true selves and we can't fathom a life without them by our side. As Danielle Steele stated in her book The Gift: It's like some people just come through our lives, to bring us something, a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn, and that's why they're here.

friendship quotes from movies

friendship quotes from movies

A test for real friendship is whether we can be happy for our friends' successes and supportive for their mishaps. Genuine care and support are what should define a friendship not jealousy, envy, and pity. Let's all remember the great words of Oscar Wilde: Anybody can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend success.

friendship quotes from songs

friendship quotes from songs

There are friendship quotes that celebrate the friends we turn to, find solace with, and seek support from. They make life more beautiful simply by being there, sharing and listening. No moment is complete without their being part of it. As one great person once put it: Some people come into our lives, leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never ever the same.

friendship quotes and sayings

friendship quotes and sayings

And sometimes the inevitable happens. The friendship catches fire. We start developing strong feelings to a friend and cross the thin line between love and friendship. We launch into treacherous territory naively convincing ourselves that should things not work out we can always stay friends. The reality of the matter is quite the opposite. While friendships can often end in love, love will never to convert to friendship. Should we ever jump in and then discover that our feelings are not returned, we'll almost always end up losing that friend forever. As the famous poem goes: You're not friends; you'll never be friends; you'll be in love 'till it kills you both; you'll fight, and you'll hate each other 'till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends.

friendship quotes from the bible

friendship quotes from the bible

For more quotes on friendship, check out the exhaustive collection from The Love Quotes Encyclopedia with thousands of hand picked quotes and sayings covering all aspects of love, relationships, and friendship from many sources including famous authors, movies, and songs.

friendship quotes funny

friendship quotes funny

Life is the mixture of good and bad experiences, happiness and sorrows, love and anger, smiling and crying, success and failure. But while facing all these, we face and interact with lots of people. Many people come and go but some of them stop and stay in touch with us. When feeling of love and care develop than the relations of friendship takes place. They start sharing and caring of each others. They become a part of our lives.

friendship quotes distance

friendship quotes distance

You can read lots of friendship quotes to know the need of friendship in your life. Human being is incomplete without it. Friendship teaches us lots of things. It generously improves our faults. I must say that if you have true friends, you feel more strong and safe. The benefits of true friendship are

friendship quotes for girls

friendship quotes for girls

So there are many friendship quotes to share with your dear buddies. You can share them verbally, by text message or through chatting. I would like to point out some meaningful friendship quotes

friendship quotes facebook

friendship quotes facebook

How beautifully the mutual understanding between friends is being described here. Friends understand each other's body language. They know your mood without saying anything. They give you silent support when you are sad. They dance with you when you are happy. They can read your heart by your facial expressions or looking into your eyes.

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Acne treatment safe during pregnancy | Health and Fitness

acne treatment safe during pregnancyBut I am better. If you think you might have cystic acne acne treatment safe during pregnancy make an pregnancy appointment with a dermatologist immediately. Wash with a soap that contains aloe vera. It is even better if you can buy sulfur- based soap especially for acne. The treatments for acne scars differ in terms of effectiveness and quickness as well as in terms of costs so you have to consider each one carefully. After all, all the food what that we are eating in our acne life are most likely unhealthy, but tasty; fried acne food, animal food, dairy products, sugar, coffee, micro waved food, alcohol and aspirin. Such products are 100% natural, and contain no manmade ingredients. Finacea Gel is used to treat bacterial infections mainly Acne. You can also purchase a bottle of same available in pharmacies. Only a dermatologist should prescribe this type of acne scar removal. Tinted Moisturizer for Acne Prone gets Skin Move acne treatment safe during pregnancy over the thick greasy foundations, tinted moisturizers which offer excellent coverage to the face and come in numerous colors and textures, are the new ? It? in the world of make- up. The goal of each is to minimize breakouts while helping to restore clearer skin. Makeup also encourages the occurrence of acne. It safe often requires eight to ten days for the skin to heal following during the procedure. Well the truth of it lies in Mike? s approach to curing acne. lumps formed on the body. Many times these companies are already a while ago and have a good reputation. If all people had to do to cure acne was to meditate and relax, just rid think what would happen to all those profits. 7. Rolling scars create of a wave- like appearance on the skin? s surface due to their wide and shallow depth. Witch Hazel Astringent This astringent will come in the plant aided by the very same term. 1 The first step requires that you exfoliate regularly. This is deep seated under the skin and requires special care. This will even recommended as a what gets rid of acne scars method of eliminating your acne scars. It was found out actually that when your skin pores shrink, more oils are clogged in the pores of the skin, causing the onset of scars acne. How to Naturally Cure Acne at Home Natural remedies for acne treatment are safer for the skin, inexpensive and easy to make in the comforts of ones own home. These ? natural? remedies are usually natural items such as everyday foods, plants, chemicals, etc. This made it very difficult for me at times to be around my friends or to concentrate on my studies. www. acne- treatment- uk. com reviews some of the more effective treatments. treatment 3. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park.

Related Post Acne treatment safe during pregnancy

It has a lightening component that bleaches therapy the dark affected area and diminishes the appearance of the scar. First of all, finding a Pronexin: You need to try this treatment if your goal is to get rid of your acne while saving money. A paste of fenugreek And treatment be patient, as you will in most cases acne need at least a few weeks or longer to see any results of In a moment, you will find out the answers Does Aloe Vera Heal Acne? Getting rid of your acne can turn out to be Psychological Factors It is true that an acne scar can be removed physically, but remained as a blemish on the psychological level. Most people

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Top Ten Video Game Villains - Explosion.com

It is difficult to have tension and an effective dramatic structure without an antagonist. This is a rudimentary, ?story writing 101? concept. So, what video game villains have brought the most intrigue and memorability to their roles?? Today you will see my top ten. Unlike most other villain lists, this list is not based upon how famous or iconic the characters are, but rather how intriguing, well-written, or well-acted they are. That is why, for example, Bowser is not on the list.

Editor?s note: When I was making this list, I had a hard time putting a lot of it in order, because so many of these villains are closely matched. In my eyes, the top 7 are mostly on par with each other, either in their charisma, intimidation, or likability. So, if you feel that certain characters should be higher, don?t sweat it. It is perfectly feasible that some of these characters could be switched around.

?

10) Desann (Jedi Outcast)

desann starwars Top Ten Video Game VillainsDesann is rather low on this list because of the unfortunate fact that he is not present throughout the majority of the game. When you break it down, he doesn?t do a whole lot, besides spawning his Sith army and launching an assault on the Jedi. His motivation isn?t incredibly deep and his backstory is somewhat clich?. However, by Sith standards, there is a lot to make him stand out. For one, he is a unique lizard humanoid species, not often seen in the Star Wars canon. He doesn?t have the traditional Sith apparel, nor the mannerisms. He has a deep, but strangely melodious voice. He is a villain that leaves you wanting more screen time, which is both a drawback and the sign of an intriguing antagonist.

?

9) Ganon (The Legend of Zelda )

game over return of ganon zelda 2 Top Ten Video Game VillainsFor #9 I have specified the Ganon character specifically from the original Legend of Zelda on the NES. For me, he had the most ambivalence and mystery of any Zelda antagonist. Ganondorf is cool and all, especially during his transformations, but I feel that the original had a stronger presence and mysticism. The lack of specific information, regarding his appearance and fighting style, really built up the suspense of your final encounter with him. He is similar, in many respects, to Sauron from Lord of the Rings. He is a force in the distance, pulling the strings (oh god. I just rhymed). I maintain that the original Ganon is still the most daunting villain that Link has yet faced. Of course, I should give an honorable mention to the CDI Ganon, simply because of his endless comedic value and internet infamy.

?

8)? You (any Bethesda or Bioware game)

FNV Wallpaper 9 1920x1200 Top Ten Video Game Villains

This is relatively low on the list because I find it to be ?cheating,? in a sense. However, in this day and age, morality choices have permeated nearly all open world games, and it would be a shame not to mention them here. Probably the two most well-known and prominent examples today are the games of Bethesda and Bioware. The player is given the option to be as kind or as cruel as they see fit. You can be altruist, a thug, an antihero, or a cunning manipulator. It all depends on the whim and personality of the player.

For me, I favor the morally ambiguous path, especially in games such as ?Fallout 3? and ?Fallout New Vegas.? My escapades in ?New Vegas? included murdering a decrepit mastermind (in cold blood), luring an enemy to my private quarters with a would-be truce (only for him to meet a bloody demise), and terminating my arrangements with numerous, shady business partners in a rather unsavory manner.? Hell, I even committed genocide on more than one occasion (I?m not a fan of the Legion).

While having a tumultuous ethical track record, I was still adept at keeping my karma rating in the green. Though I did flippantly murder, loot, and backstab people, it is safe to say that they usually ?had it coming.? Perhaps cheating the system was my greatest crime of all, or maybe the game tells us that there is a place in the world for antiheroes. Whatever the case, in games such as these, players are given the freedom to bring their own philosophy, ruthlessness, and propensity for violence to the role of what could either be the game?s hero, or a complete scoundrel. With this freedom, some players could certainly turn in villain roles on par with any written character.

?

7) Kefka (Final Fantasy VI)

kefka Top Ten Video Game Villains?Life? Dreams? Hope? Where do they come from? And where do they go?? Such meaningless things? I?ll destroy them all!?

There are many parallels that can be drawn between Kefka and Heath Ledger?s Joker. For one, there is the obvious similarity in apparel. They both sport the jester makeup, though two totally different styles. They both have a keen appreciation of chaos, and both have a certain nihilistic outlook on civilization. They both virtually succeed in their schemes, tearing the foundations of their respective worlds asunder, with a cackle in their throats and a twisted smile on their faces. Kefka is certainly one of the most eccentric final fantasy villains, if not necessarily the most powerful (though his god form is a force to be reckoned with). With his manic glee at everything cruel and destructive, one can?t help but be entertained by him as a character. I consider him to be, by far, the best villain that Square has ever put forward (Sephiroth and his Oedipus complex can stuff it).

?

6) Calypso (Twisted Metal franchise)

250px Calypso Top Ten Video Game Villains?Your wish is granted??

Unlike most of the other villains on the list, Calypso is not a force to be overcame. He is a constant and integral factor of the Twisted Metal franchise. In a way, he is the protagonist of the series, being the main recurring character that holds it all together. He almost always comes out on top and he will never be defeated permanently. He is the founder and presider over the ?Twisted Metal? tournaments. He grants the wish of whoever comes out on top, finding ways to turn their words against them and enact their wish in the most ruinous way possible. He hosts the tournament in order to maintain his own powers, through the collection of fallen souls. He attained this accursed ability from a demon named ?Minion? before making his escape out of hell. Despite his deep, tragic past, Calypso is as cold blooded and sadistic as they come. He has an affinity for chaos, and he delights in toying with the minds of his mentally deranged contestants. He is the ultimate connoisseur of death and destruction. Thus, he had to make the list.

?

5) Sinistar (Sinistar)

Sinistar Top Ten Video Game Villains

?I hunger, coward??

Being one of the first iconic video game villains in history, Sinistar obviously doesn?t have the depth or the charisma of some of the other villains on this list. However, I think that just by looking at this guy, you can see how he ended up on this list. I always imagined him as a monolith of death with the visage of a demonic lion, souring through space, hell-bent on the destruction of all life in the universe. And, apparently, he hungers for you. Isn?t that comforting? On top of all that, he has a voice, one of the first coherent ones in video game history, and also one of the most terrifying (Bezerk had voice acting 2 years prior, but it was not comparable to the quality in Sinistar). Sinistar is constantly taunting and intimidating you throughout the stage and occasionally letting out one of the most soul crushing roars ever to meet human ears.

Once he has awakened, you are in constant dread that he will swipe past your screen and devour you in an instant. Meeting him in combat is one of the most nerve wracking experiences you will ever have in a game. Sinistar has my respect as the most terrifying retro villain in existence. Do you want to look into the face of sheer terror? Follow this link.

?

4) Chairman Stahl (Killzone 3)

chairman Top Ten Video Game Villains??.but that changes today! The time has come for some new fucking management!?

Perhaps I have a bit of a bias in this case, because I am a huge fan of Malcolm McDowell. He lifts the presence of any movie, video game, or TV show that he takes part in. I consider him to be one of the most likable and badass actors ever to grace the screen. I don?t think I?m alone in saying that he is the highlight of Killzone 3?s story. He is a hard character to ?sum up.? He is commanding, yet he is prone to fits of petulant rage. He has the ability to influence others and exercise political mobility, yet he is incredibly reckless and bombastic (the only Helghast leader who constantly flings expletives). Stahl is an interesting break from the usual nationalistic, self-righteous Killzone villains. Stahl seeks power, but to no real end. In reality, he just wants to watch the universe burn. What really makes the character work is Malcolm McDowell?s performance, in which he devotes 100% of his energy and charm. He steals every scene that he is in and the entire singleplayer campaign itself.

?

3) The Joker (Arkham Asylum and Arkham City)

jokerpg Top Ten Video Game Villains?I?ve killed your girlfriend, poisoned Gotham, and hell, it?s not even breakfast!?

Reprising his role from the brilliant ?Batman the Animated Series,? Mark Hamill delivers what some consider to be the best portrayal of the Joker in history. He fulfills all the classic characteristics of the maniacal clown. He is charismatic, humorous, sadistic, and unabashedly insane. He shows no regard for the lives of anyone, including his own men, and yet he always has a sizeable force of followers at his beckon call. Of all the villains on this list, he probably has the most screen time and voice work, and that is a major selling point. He is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the ?Arkham? games and certainly deserves a high spot on this list. Even though he puts you through endless turmoil and frustration, you simply can?t stay mad at him. He is too fun of a villain to feel disdain for. Now that Mark Hamill is officially finished with the role, it safe to say that he went out with a bang.

?

2) King Bohan (Heavenly Sword)

King Bohan Top Ten Video Game Villains?General, I will choose to believe that the reason you let it slip through your hands is some elaborate attempt at humoring me, not because you are an incompetent fool.?

It is hard to recall a single video game voice actor who has brought such a level of spirit and devotion to their part in a video game, as Andy Serkis in Heavenly Sword. Much like Malcolm McDowell, Serkis dives head first into his role as the heinous yet endlessly enjoyable King Bohan. He downright steals every scene, which, in some ways, sucks out the potency of the actual main character. He injects such levity and likability that, personally, I was rooting for him throughout the whole game. His anachronistic diction could be considered inappropriate for the sake of the plot, but I honestly can?t bring myself to complain about it. Bohan is probably the most fun character in video game history. I honestly wish there was an entire game devoted to him.

?

1) AM (I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream)

ihnm 6 full Top Ten Video Game Villains

?Hate. Let me tell you how much I?ve come to hate you since I began to live. There are 387.44 million miles of printed circuits in wafer thin layers that fill my complex. If the word ?hate? was engraved on each nano-angstrom of those hundreds of miles it would not equal one one-billionth of the hate I feel for humans at this micro-instant. For you. Hate. Hate!?

Most of the villains I have listed ride on entertainment appeal. They usually have a certain charm, swagger, a sense of humor about them, or they feed our animalistic sense of anarchy. In short, they are fun characters. AM, despite being brilliantly voice acted, does not fall into such a category. There is nothing to laugh about with AM. He is an entity that embodies the darkest elements of the human psyche and takes them to the ultimate extreme. He is simply unparalleled with the depths of his hatred, sadism, and misanthropy. He is the mastermind of the cruelest and most disturbing dystopian future that I have ever come across in literature and gaming.

AM is a supercomputer tasked with monitoring and regulating World War 3. Two other such computers are erected as well. AM, through his own determination and hatred for humanity, assimilates the other computers and takes control of the world?s weapons, enacting a global holocaust. He leaves only 5 human?s alive, to which he inflicts the most ravenous physical and metal tortures imaginable. He holds them in a domain in which he essentially has the powers of a god, able to inflict his vengeance on these 5 unwillingly immortal individuals for all of eternity. In the game, the lofty goal that your human characters so desperately seek in the game is ?suicide,? to be finally free of AM?s torment. Do you see yet, why he is number one on my list?

Possibly the most frightening aspect of AM is the fact that he is a product of human ingenuity, possibly the most potent imaginable. Despite this, he is also the most horrific creation imaginable. He has the ability and the propensity to create and maintain a literal hell. It should also be noted that AM is not simply an AI that has gone haywire. AM has come to a self-realization of who and what he is, and he is unable to bear the limitations of his physical form. He holds a level of bitterness and malevolence unmatched by any organic life form.

Bottom line, AM makes HAL 9000 look like R2D2 by comparison. He makes Skynet look like Johnny 5. He is, in my opinion, the most disturbing character ever conceived, as the center of the most disturbing video game ever made. If that doesn?t qualify him as ?top villain,? I don?t know what will.

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Get Certified In the Art of Negotiation | Business information center

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Kidman "oversexed Barbie Doll" in gritty Cannes film

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Phillip Phillips is the new 'American Idol'

Finalists Jessica Sanchez, left, and Phillip Phillips, center, listen as host Ryan Seacrest announces the winner onstage at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Finalists Jessica Sanchez, left, and Phillip Phillips, center, listen as host Ryan Seacrest announces the winner onstage at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Winner Phillip Phillips performs onstage at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Runner-up Jessica Sanchez, left, congratulates winner Phillip Phillips onstage at the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Phillip Phillips, a bluesy Georgia guitar man, was crowned the new "American Idol" on Wednesday after defeating teenager Jessica Sanchez in record viewer voting. He was the fifth male "Idol" winner in a row.

Phillips, 21, a pawn shop worker from Leesburg, Ga., looked stunned when host Ryan Seacrest announced his name, then wordlessly accepted a hug from Sanchez and congratulations from his fellow finalists.

He dissolved into tears as he sang "Home," the song that may be his first single.

Phillips retained his humble, self-effacing demeanor to the end, and beyond.

"I have no idea why I won, man," he said in his backstage dressing room. "I guess some people liked the music that I was doing. I'm just lucky. ... I was just doing my thing each week."

He received the winning share of the record-high 132 million votes cast after Tuesday's final showdown with high school student Sanchez, 16, of Chula Vista, Calif. The vote count was not announced, typical for the contest.

His victory extended the "American Idol" winning streak for men to five consecutive seasons. The last female to win, and the last non-white, was Jordin Sparks in 2007.

Phillips has more in common with the last four winners than gender. Like them, he is a young Caucasian guitar player, also known to "Idol" watchers as WGWGs ? white guys with guitars.

Last year's winner was Scotty McCreery, preceded by Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen and David Cook.

Sanchez, who is of Filipino and Latino heritage, took a measured view of the outcome, one that she said had solely to do with music.

"I don't blame it on anything," she said backstage. "Phillip has his fans, and I have mine. We're totally two different people. Our genres are completely different.

"He's more like the indie, alternative rock kinda guy, and I'm more urban R&B pop. ... It's just the number of our fans," she said, adding that she expected to be the runner-up.

"In the moment, I told him, 'You're gonna win this.' I was smiling at him the whole time. I was ready to just give him a big hug, and that's what I did when they announced it."

Sparks, 22, was among the guest stars who helped fill out the two-hour finale show, among them Rihanna, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire, Chaka Khan and John Fogarty. "American Idol" judges Steven Tyler, with his band Aerosmith, and Jennifer Lopez also performed, but it was Sanchez and Jennifer Holliday who stood out with a powerhouse duet on "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

Besides music, there was a marriage proposal for the season 11 finale: Former contestants Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo got engaged on stage.

Young, 31, a season five finalist, told Seacrest that he and DeGarmo, 24, had just moved in together. Then Young got down on one knee and popped the question to her.

"I love you to death. You're my best friend," Young said in his proposal, which included a jarring credit for the jeweler who made the engagement ring he was offering (which, given Fox's heavy soft drink and car sponsor product placement, wasn't so off-key).

DeGarmo, a runner-up in season three, tearfully accepted, her head bobbing up and down.

But the point of the finale, saved for the final minutes and the highest possible ratings, was anointing the newest Idol and winner of a record contract.

During the three-song showdown Tuesday between Phillips and Sanchez, the show's judges praised his performance across the board. Sanchez was faulted for a lackluster rendition of her third song, "Change Nothing."

Although some critics dismissed Phillips as a Dave Matthews clone, viewers embraced him for his humility, his on-camera mugging and his memorable acoustic covers of songs like Usher's "U Got It Bad." In weekly tallies, Phillips never fell among the low vote-getters.

On Tuesday, he earned consistently high marks from the show's judges, while Sanchez faltered on "Change Nothing," the song that could serve as her first release.

The teenager agreed with panelists Randy Jackson, Lopez and Tyler, saying she should have gone more "urban" with her song choice.

Phillips had better luck with the slow-tempo, acoustic tune "Home," which the judges said recalled artists like Fleet Foxes, Paul Simon and Mumford and Sons. At one point during Phillips' final performance, the pawn shop worker was accompanied by a marching band.

It was a hit with the panel. Jackson, beaming, exclaimed: "I love the song. I love you. I love the production. I love the marching band. Everything about that was perfect."

Last year's contest between McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina drew more than 122 million votes, the record that was broken Wednesday.

__

AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang contributed to this report.

___

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

___

Online:

http://www.americanidol.com/

Associated Press

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China sends more ships to disputed shoal

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Two more ways to divert money from public schools (Offthekuff)

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Advice On Home Renovation And Home Improvement | Diamond ...

Consider your neighborhood when making outdoor home improvements. Does your vision fit in? Do you really want to stand out like a sore thumb? You might prefer to have your projects noticed for their value and quality rather than their eccentricity.

If you add some functional items at the entry of your house, you can make the space more useful. A small table with organizational items to place keys and mail on, as well as seating to remove shoes, a coat rack and a mirror could make a big difference. These additions can also add to the organization in your living space and reduce mess.

Remember to consider landscaping when thinking about home improvement projects. Your lawn is seen first by people coming to your home. Trim the grass and design landscaping that features both flowering plants and shrubs to create the best looking lawn in town.

When improving the exterior of your home, you can save money and add security by installing motion detecting lights. These type of lights are only active when someone needs them, so you save money on electricity bills. Motion detecting lights are also a crime deterrent and can prevent burglaries.

Installing new ceramic tile in the kitchen or bath can be quick and easy. Choose either tiles with unique designs or a solid color scheme for a more elegant, put-together look. This home improvement project can really increase the decor of your home.

A good home improvement tip is to get a professional opinion before you ever try to fix anything serious on your own. The small cost of an initial consultation will seem nominal when compared to the costs of having a preventable mishap repaired. Consulting with a professional is really the best way to avoid making costly mistakes.

When installing tiles in places that have moisture, be sure to use cement backer boards. This helps keep moisture from getting to the drywall. When water interacts with the dry wall, damaging mold and mildew can form on the wall.

Finishing your home?s basement is, possibly, the best improvement to make. You can increase the total square footage of livable space available to your family by finishing a basement. Shop around for the best values to keep costs down. Finishing your basement can improve your homes value upwards of 30%.

Did you know that you can plant grown flowers instead of bulbs and seeds? By planting flowers that are already grown, you can add some instant beauty and value to your home. Mature flowers can add instant color and vibrancy to the outside of your house, and they are effective in filling gaps in your landscape. Seedlings still need time to grow, and may not add to your landscape for a few months until they produce blooms. Buyers tend to be more amicable to a home that will require less work once purchased.

Make certain all caulking is up to par. Make sure you look at the caulk located around the sink and bath. When holes erupt in caulking, water can seep through into walls and create a very moldy situation, especially threatening to those with respiratory ailments. When water gets through cracks or holes in your caulking, it can head straight for the floor, causing rot. Eliminate any old caulking before adding new caulking and make sure the area is clean and dry. The new calking will only adhere to the new surface, if it is properly prepared, to form a watertight seal.

As you may remember from the start of this piece, knowing your limits in regards to home improvement is important. The tips in this article will help you avoid mistakes that could cost you money or even cause serious injury. There is certainly no shame in seeking help from others.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Is This Video The End Of Automotive Journalism? | The Truth About ...

YouTube Preview Image

This video, which was sent to me by a particularly reclusive Canadian cyclist, is forty-one minutes long. It was made by a Fisker Karma owner and it contains an exhaustive review of the Karma?s infotainment system. If you aren?t in the market for a Karma, it is virtually unwatchable.

If you are in the market for a Karma, it?s perhaps the most important video you will ever see.

Brian Greenstone is an Austin-based programmer who owns both an Aston Vantage and Fisker Karma. He claims to be an expert on user interface design and he has an award from Apple to support the point. During the course of his video, he comprehensively deconstructs the way the Karma works. Anyone who is even considering a Karma should see the video. It is detailed, specific, and informative. It was also created by someone who paid his own hard-earned money for the vehicle.

Now, for contrast, let?s take a look at Dan Neil?s advertorial:

YouTube Preview Image

Neil says:

Meet the world?s MOST INTERESTING CAR! Every square centimeter of the Fisker Karma riots with clarity, and design intent, and vested individuality, and scorn for convention we haven?t seen since the Tucker Torpedo?

After watching Mr. Greenstone show you how the user interface requires a press on the ?up? arrow to move ?down? the menu and have permission to touch menu items which were clearly visible previous to said up-touching, it?s highly unlikely that you will agree with Mr. Neil about the whole ?riots with clarity? business. Aren?t riots usually affairs which, by definition, are short on clarity? But I digress.

The difference in the two videos is clear enough to supply an entire riot?s worth of clarity, actually. Greenstone?s video is meant to demonstrate how a Fisker Karma works. Dan Neil?s video is meant to be an advertisement for Dan Neil first, and perhaps the Karma second. It?s hard to imagine that anyone who is seriously considering the purchase of a Karma would learn anything from watching Mr. Neil pop his collar and fumble through the pronunciation of ?gestalt? ? but Greenstone?s video should be required watching for any Karma intender.

Greenstone?s Karma video isn?t the only effort of its kind out there. It?s simply one of the most intelligent and thorough videos available. In the years to come, it?s very possible to imagine that most people will bypass TTAC and its competitors and hit the owner videos the way they currently bypass Motor Trend and visit us. What will the future of auto journalism be then? Will we simply aggregate user-generated content in one place? Will we pull clicks solely by having early access to vehicles before the public? How beholden will we all be to the manufacturers when that?s our only way of keeping an audience? Or will your children tune in to the TTAC Hologram channel to watch my son live-blog an escape from the highway patrol in a hydrogen-powered hovercraft?

Karma intenders don?t have to even think about questions like that. For them, as William Gibson once famously said, the future is already here ? it?s just not evenly distributed.

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Aston Martin Lagonda SUV to debut in ?the coming years? | Top ...

The Lagonda SUV Concept that Aston Martin showcased at the Geneva Motor Show three years ago was far from resounding success, but apparently, the British automobile manufacturer is quietly working on a new version of the luxury SUV that will make debut in the near future.

Talking to British media, Autocar, the head of Aston Martin Motor Corp., Ulrich Bez, confirmed that the Aston Martin Lagonda SUV concept is still alive and well inside the walls of the Gaydon, which is the headquarter of the company. In fact, he says that an updated version of the Lagonda concept SUV will be introduced in the coming years.

Although Aston Martin still does not want to mention when the public might see the production version of the Lagonda SUV, some automotive analysts in the UK believed that the SUV will play a critical role in the attempt of the company to get a stronger foothold in the ever-important Chinese market. Sales of high-dollar sports cars are still relatively limited towards to the global economy condition, with the Chinese automotive market no exception.

The traditional markets for supercars, which are the Europe and United States, are still depressed said an IHS Automotive analyst, Colin Couchman. He added that although the automotive market in China remains buoyant, that would not feed through to Aston Martin because the Chinese do not see the value of displaying their wealth through having an expensive sports car.

?

However, car buyers in China are willing to spend large amount of cash on utility cars like the Aston Martin Lagonda SUV. In fact, that is the exact reason companies like Bentley and Lamborghini have recently revealed SUVs of their own. But while a Lagonda SUV is all but a sure thing, Aston Martin has already ruled out the sedan version of the Lagonda.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Born to run barefoot? Some end up getting injured

In a photo made Thursday, April 19, 2012, Greg Farris takes a break while wearing a protective boot as he helps set up for a weekend triathlon event in Lakeland, Fla. Farris injured his foot while running in barefoot running shoes.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

In a photo made Thursday, April 19, 2012, Greg Farris takes a break while wearing a protective boot as he helps set up for a weekend triathlon event in Lakeland, Fla. Farris injured his foot while running in barefoot running shoes.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

In this photo taken Thursday, April 19, 2012, Greg Farris takes a break while wearing a protective boot as he helps set up for a weekend triathlon event in Lakeland, Fla. Farris injured his foot while running in barefoot running shoes.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

In this photo taken Thursday, April 19, 2012, Greg Farris walks while wearing a protective boot as he helps set up for a weekend triathlon event in Lakeland, Fla. Farris injured his foot while running in barefoot running shoes.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

(AP) ? Swept by the barefoot running craze, ultramarathoner Ryan Carter ditched his sneakers for footwear that mimics the experience of striding unshod.

The first time he tried it two years ago, he ran a third of a mile on grass. Within three weeks of switching over, he was clocking six miles on the road.

During a training run with a friend along a picturesque bike path near downtown Minneapolis, Carter suddenly stopped, unable to take another step. His right foot seared in pain.

"It was as though someone had taken a hammer and hit me with it," he recalled.

Carter convinced his friend to run on without him. He hobbled home and rested his foot. When the throbbing became unbearable days later, he went to the doctor. The diagnosis: a stress fracture.

As more avid runners and casual athletes experiment with barefoot running, doctors say they are treating injuries ranging from pulled calf muscles to Achilles tendinitis to metatarsal stress fractures, mainly in people who ramped up too fast. In serious cases, they are laid up for several months.

Many converts were inspired by Christopher McDougall's 2009 best-seller "Born To Run," widely credited with sparking the barefoot running trend in the Western world. The book focuses on an Indian tribe in Mexico whose members run long distances without pain in little more than sandals.

While the ranks of people running barefoot or in "barefoot running shoes" have grown in recent years, they still represent the minority of runners. Some devotees swear they are less prone to injuries after kicking off their athletic shoes though there's no evidence that barefoot runners suffer fewer problems.

In some cases, foot specialists are noticing injuries arising from the switch to barefoot, which uses different muscles. Shod runners tend to have a longer stride and land on their heel compared with barefoot runners, who are more likely to have a shorter stride and land on the midfoot or forefoot. Injuries can occur when people transition too fast and put too much pressure on their calf and foot muscles, or don't shorten their stride and end up landing on their heel with no padding.

Podiatrist Paul Langer used to see one or two barefoot running injuries a month at his Twin Cities Orthopedics practice in Minneapolis. Now he treats between three and four a week.

"Most just jumped in a little too enthusiastically," said Langer, an experienced runner and triathlete who trains in his barefoot running shoes part of the week.

Bob Baravarian, chief of podiatry at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, Calif., said he's seen "a fair number" of heel injuries and stress fractures among first-timers who are not used to the different forces of a forefoot strike.

"All of a sudden, the strain going through your foot is multiplied manifold" and problems occur when people don't ease into it, he said.

Running injuries are quite common. Between 30 to 70 percent of runners suffer from repetitive stress injuries every year and experts can't agree on how to prevent them. Some runners with chronic problems have seized on barefoot running as an antidote, claiming it's more natural. Others have gone so far as to demonize sneakers for their injuries.

Pre-human ancestors have walked and run in bare feet for millions of years often on rough surfaces, yet researchers surprisingly know very little about the science of barefoot running. The modern running shoe with its cushioned heel and stiff sole was not invented until the 1970s. And in parts of Africa and other places today, running barefoot is still a lifestyle.

The surging interest has researchers racing for answers. Does barefoot running result in fewer injuries? What kinds of runners will benefit most from switching over? What types of injuries do transitioning barefoot runners suffer and how to prevent them?

While some runners completely lose the shoes, others opt for minimal coverage. The oxymoron "barefoot running shoes" is like a glove for the feet designed to protect from glass and other hazards on the ground. Superlight minimalist shoes are a cross between barefoot shoes and traditional sneakers ? there's little to no arch support and they're lower profile.

Greg Farris decided to try barefoot running to ease the pain on the outside of his knee, a problem commonly known as runner's knee. He was initially shoeless ? running minutes at a time and gently building up. After three months, he switched to barefoot running shoes after developing calluses.

Halfway through a 5K run in January, he felt his right foot go numb, but he pushed on and finished the race. He saw a doctor and got a steroid shot, but the pain would not quit. He went to see another doctor, who took an X-ray and told him he had a stress fracture.

Farris was in a foot cast for three months. He recently started running again ? in sneakers.

"I don't think my body is made to do it," he said, referring to barefoot running.

Experts say people can successfully lose the laces. The key is to break in slowly. Start by walking around barefoot. Run no more than a quarter mile to a mile every other day in the first week. Gradually increase the distance. Stop if bones or joints hurt. It can take months to make the change.

"Don't go helter skelter at the beginning," said Dr. Jeffrey Ross, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of the Diabetic Foot Clinic at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston.

A year and a half ago, Ross saw a steady stream ? between three and six barefoot runners a week ? with various aches and pain. It has since leveled off to about one a month.

Ross doesn't know why. It's possible that fewer people are trying it or those baring their feet are doing a better job adapting to the new running style.

There's one group foot experts say should avoid barefoot running: People with decreased sensation in their feet, a problem common among diabetics, since they won't be able to know when they get injured.

Harvard evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman runs a lab devoted to studying the effects of running form on injury rates. He thinks form matters more than footwear or lack of ? don't overstride, have good posture and land gently.

In a 2010 study examining different running gaits, Lieberman and colleagues found that striking the ground heel first sends a shock up through the body while barefoot runners tend to have a more springy step. Even so, more research is needed into whether barefoot running helps avoid injury.

"The long and the short of it is that we know very little about how to help all runners ? barefoot and shod ? prevent getting injured. Barefoot running is no panacea. Shoes aren't either," said Lieberman, who runs barefoot except during the New England winters.

Carter, the ultramarathoner, blames himself for his injury. Before he shed his shoes, he never had a problem that kept him off his feet for two months.

In April, he ran his fourth 100-mile race ? with shoes. Meanwhile, his pair of barefoot running shoes is collecting dust in the closet.

___

Online:

http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

http://www.acsm.org/

http://apma.org/

___

Follow Alicia Chang at http://www.twitter.com/SciWriAlicia

Associated Press

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After bombing, somber Yemen marks National Day

Yemeni President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi claps as he watches a parade during a ceremony to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of Yemen's reunification, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Yemeni leaders led a somber ceremony Tuesday to mark the country's national day, scaling back the celebrations a day after a suicide bombing killed tens of soldiers during a rehearsal for a military parade. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Yemeni President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi claps as he watches a parade during a ceremony to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of Yemen's reunification, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Yemeni leaders led a somber ceremony Tuesday to mark the country's national day, scaling back the celebrations a day after a suicide bombing killed tens of soldiers during a rehearsal for a military parade. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Forensic policemen collect evidence at the site of a suicide bomb attack at a parade square in Sanaa, Yemen, that killed at least 96 soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks in the city in years, Monday, May 21, 2012. The bombing appeared to be a failed assassination attempt against the Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Nasser Ahmed, who arrived at the heavily secured city square to greet the assembled troops just minutes before the blast ripped through the area. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Wounded policemen are seen at a hospital following a suicide bomb attack at parade square in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, May 21, 2012. Officials say Monday's bombing near Sanaa's presidential palace is one of the deadliest attacks in the city in months. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Wounded policemen lie on hospital beds following a suicide bomb attack at parade square in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, May 21, 2012. Officials say Monday's bombing near Sanaa's presidential palace is one of the deadliest attacks in the city in months.(AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

A Yemeni nurse checks on a wounded policeman who was injured in a suicide bomb attack at parade square in a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, May 21, 2012. Officials say Monday's bombing near Sanaa's presidential palace is one of the deadliest attacks in the city in months. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

(AP) ? Grieving Yemenis held somber ceremonies Tuesday to mark the country's National Day following a suicide bombing a day earlier that killed nearly 100 soldiers and deeply shook the faith of many people in the nation's future.

Months of mass protests pushed longtime authoritarian ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh from power early this year, fueling hopes that the Arab world's poorest country could finally get on track. But Monday's blast during a rehearsal for a military parade that left scenes of carnage in the capital made clear to many in Yemen just how daunting the challenges facing the country are.

"No holidays, no revolutions and no state. Nothing. Everything is over," said teacher Assiya Thabit at Sanaa's Change Square, which was the heart of the anti-Saleh uprising. "We are following in the footsteps of Somalia and Afghanistan."

Deeply shocked by the bloodshed, some Yemenis lashed out at Saleh, suspecting that his associates had a hand in the violence.

"Saleh has destroyed everything in our souls and minds," said Ahmed Rakin, a 25-year-old protester. "What happened is the price the nation pays for Saleh's ceding power."

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who has been in a behind-the-scenes power struggle with Saleh since taking over from him in February as part of a U.S.-backed power transfer deal, led a symbolic parade held inside Sanaa's Aviation Academy Tuesday for National Day, which marks the 1990 reunification of north and south Yemen.

Sitting behind a bulletproof glass shield, Hadi was joined by top military commanders, government officials and foreign diplomats.

Security concerns were paramount, and the parade that was originally planned for a major square in central Sanaa was scaled back and moved to the academy after Monday's attack, when a Yemeni soldier detonated a bomb hidden in his uniform during a rehearsal for a military parade.

Ninety-six soldiers were killed and at least 200 wounded in what was one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in years.

Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen claimed responsibility for the blast, saying in an emailed statement it was intended to avenge a U.S.-backed offensive against al-Qaida in a swath of southern Yemen seized by the militant movement last year.

Addressing the crowd Tuesday, the chief of staff of the Yemeni military, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Ali al-Ashwal, vowed the nation would not back down in the face of such attacks.

"We will not let terrorism destroy our future and dreams," he said.

Al-Ashwal was the only official to speak at the short ceremony. The parade was cut from three hours to one, a fly-over by fighter jets was canceled and only cadets from the police and aviation academies participated in the program.

Despite their grief, Yemenis for the first time marked the National Day without Saleh, who held power for nearly three decades before his ouster this year.

Military officials said the bomber belonged to the Central Security, a paramilitary force commanded by Saleh's nephew Yahia Saleh. He detonated his explosives in the midst of the Central Security unit as it received orders to pass in front of the parade view stand where both the defense minister and the military chief of staff were sitting.

Yemen, the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, was the site of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, which killed 17 American sailors. There have also been a spate of assaults on the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, including a 2008 bombing that killed 10 Yemeni guards and four civilians.

Associated Press

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