Security in Christ - Pocket Principle - WDA | Worldwide Discipleship ...

My daughter defines ?friendship? as a relationship where ?you can just be yourself?. We all need relationships with people who love us and accept us completely, a place where we feel safe and secure. Every relationship is unique, but healthy relationships have this in common: they are based on trust, loyalty, and commitment. They are places where ?we can just be ourselves?.

An environment of honesty, good will, and unconditional love reassures us that we are relationally protected. When we are with people who love us in this way we are able to be transparent, which serves to deepen the relationship. We all need relationships with safe people who love us if we are to thrive and grow. This is also true in our relationship with God. If we feel loved and accepted by God we will approach Him in faith and with confidence. Conversely, if we feel condemned by God, we will not have a healthy relationship with Him. Being secure in our relationship with God requires two commitments. The first involves His eternal commitment to us, the second involves our commitment to stay in the relationship with Him.

God is committed to keeping us as His children.

Jesus spoke of His love for His followers by comparing Himself to a shepherd who walks in front of his flock, guarding them, leading them to good places, and reassuring them with his voice. ?I give them eternal life,? He said, ?and they shall never perish: no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father?s hand. I and the Father are one.? (John 10:27-30)

This remarkable assertion is founded on God?s unswerving commitment to those whom He loves. Because of His unending love and unstoppable power, He is willing and able to guard us. (II Timothy 1:12) Even our own sins and lack of faith will not lessen His commitment to those who are committed to Him. Timothy writes that ?if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.? (II Timothy 2:11-13) His love for us is not grounded upon our performance, it is grounded upon His perfect love and character.

Make no mistake, God is holy and hates sin. But we still sin, even though we don?t want to. When we do, we need to remember that God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. We have Someone who speaks to the Father in our defense ? Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He promises, ?If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.? (I John 1:8-2:2) Because Jesus Himself suffered temptations and yet did not sin, He is able to be the sacrifice for our sins and also to help us when we are tempted. Through Christ, God remains steadfast in His love to us.

If we feel loved and accepted by God we will approach Him in faith and with confidence.

We are committed to continue as His children.

Someone said that home is where they have to take you in when you knock on the door. Unfortunately, not all homes are so welcoming. But God always welcomes His children. And He wants us to be assured of our place in His family. Because we are His children, members of His family, we have a role also; our responsibility is to remain in His family.

John wrote his letter, the book of I John, so that people would know whether or not they were Christians. Central to his message was the confidence that Christians can have in their relationship with God. He writes: ?I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.? (I John 5:13) The confidence that He will never leave us causes us in turn to remain connected to Him, even when life is difficult.

John says, ?I write these things? so you can have this assurance; so you can know for sure you are a believer. What are ?these things? that he writes? He is referring to three evidences laid out in his letter that show a person that he has become a believer. These evidences are our love (4:7), our obedience (2:3-6) and our faith in Christ (4:15, 5:1a). It is not that we will demonstrate perfect love, obedience and faith but that we will experience each of these in ways we cannot explain apart from the fact that Christ is changing us on the inside. In these ways, the true believer remains faithful to the end, ?continuing in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.? (Colossians 1:23)

At times we all face doubts, accusations, and even suffering. When this happens, it is essential to remember that we are God?s children, committed to follow Him. The fact that we are

God?s children does not mean we never sin or disobey God. Nor does it mean our salvation is dependent on our obedience. It does mean that we continually participate with God in our sanctification, working with Him by faith to grow in

Christlikeness. As true believers we continue to ?work out our salvation with fear and trembling? because we love Him and trust Him, pressing on to fully gain the salvation that is already ours through Him. (Philippians 2:12) To?those who recognize both the divine and the human aspects of following the Living God, this approach is both mysterious and practical at the same time!

The confidence that He will never leave us causes us in turn to remain connected to Him, even when life is difficult.

Put another way, God has given us everything we need to live a godly, holy life and be sure of our salvation. But we must make every effort to grow in righteousness, remembering that we have been cleansed from past sins and called to live as children of God. This way we confirm that God has brought us securely into His family.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and?to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if?you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom?of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:3-11

There is a basis for us to be secure in our relationship with God and be certain of our salvation. The basis of this security is God?s eternal love coupled with His ability to keep us to the end. This is confirmed in our lives when we have a trusting dependence on Him and a maturing character.

Summary

We can be secure in our relationship with God.

• A healthy relationship is based on trust, loyalty, and commitment.
• God is committed to keep us as His children.
• We can know we are God?s children and be committed to Him.
• God has equipped us to live godly, holy lives assured of our salvation.

Application Suggestions:

If you were God, what are some of the changes you would make in your own human character?

What are some of the signs in your life that God has begun that process of change?

Read and meditate on the book of I John.

WDA offers a complete set of Pocket Principles, along with Teaching Outlines and Lesson Plans at our WDA Store. Each Pocket Principle bundle can be ordered as an ebook pdf format.

Order the Knowing God Pocket Principle Bundle at the WDA Store

WDA Pocket Principle Bundle:?

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Editor Note: this was previous published as a download. Read the whole ?Knowing God Series called ?Laying Foundations for Spiritual Growth??Series Pocket Principle here each week.

Source: http://www.disciplebuilding.org/2013/05/31/security-in-christ-wda-pocket-principle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=security-in-christ-wda-pocket-principle

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PPL prices will be higher for residential customers, lower for small ...

Effective June 1, PPL Electric Utilities? price to compare will be higher for residential customers and lower for small businesses.

The new price to compare for residential customers will increase to 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, up from 7.2 cents per kilowatt-hour currently. For small business customers, the new price to compare will decrease to 7.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from the current 10.8 cents per kilowatt-hour. A full list of PPL Electric Utilities? new rates for all rate classes can be found at www.pplelectric.com/choice.

The total increase in an electric bill for non-shopping residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month will be $7. For non-shopping commercial customers using the same amount of power, their electric bill will go down by $34.

Like other electric utilities in the state, PPL Electric Utilities adjusts its generation rates and prices to compare for residential and small business customers every three months to reflect the cost of power purchases and adjustments based on customer use in the prior period. The company?s price to compare is updated on March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 each year.

PPL Electric Utilities encourages customers to explore their options for generation supply, shop for the supplier that can best meet their needs and possibly save by shopping with competitive electric suppliers. A list of state-licensed suppliers and their offer prices are available from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission?s website, www.papowerswitch.com. About 60 suppliers serve the residential market in PPL Electric Utilities? service area.

PPL Electric Utilities does not profit on the generation portion of customers? bills. It merely passes along the cost of that supply to customers without markup. PPL Electric Utilities? primary focus is on electric delivery, billing and customer service.

More than 622,000 PPL Electric Utilities customers, or 44 percent of the utility?s customers, have already shopped and obtain their power from other suppliers. More than 70 percent of the total amount of energy delivered by PPL Electric Utilities comes from alternative suppliers, including almost all power used by large commercial and industrial customers.

The price to compare is made up of two components ? the generation supply charge and the transmission service charge.

For residential customers, the generation supply charge increased from 6.5 cents per kWh to 7.3 cents per kWh. For small commercial and industrial customers, the generation supply charge decreased from 9.5 cents per kWh to 6.9 cents per kWh.? The change reflects the company?s costs to buy power for non-shopping customers.

The transmission service charge increased from 0.687 cents per kWh to 0.911 cents per kWh for residential customers. For small business customers, the new charge will be 0.817 cents per kWh, down from the current 1.294 per kWh which includes a collection credit.

The transmission service charge is adjusted annually on June 1.? Transmission rates cover the transmission owners? costs to build, operate and maintain transmission facilities.

The new rates reflect the more than $300 million that is being invested this year to complete or begin projects to strengthen the company?s transmission system, the backbone of the delivery network that moves bulk electricity across the regional power system to local communities.

The components of the price to compare make up about 65 percent of the typical residential monthly bill for non-shopping customers. The price to compare does not include distribution charges, which apply to all customers and cover the company?s costs to deliver power and provide customer service.

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), provides electric delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania and consistently ranks among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.

Source: http://fox43.com/2013/05/29/ppl-prices-will-be-higher-for-residential-customers-lower-for-small-businesses/

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Samsung Galaxy S4 sales seen reaching 80 million units

Samsung Galaxy S4 Sales 2013

Samsung?s flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone quickly became the fastest-selling Android phone in history when Samsung announced that channel sales had reached 10 million units in under one month. That breakneck pace will surely slow down over time, but industry watchers see Samsung?s latest hero phone racking up some pretty huge numbers ? according to RBC Capital Markets analyst?Mark Sue, Galaxy S4 sales will hit 80 million units this year.

[More from BGR: Not afraid to fail: Google Glass spat highlights clashing cultures at Apple and Google]

?Galaxy S-4 demand in the first month of availability has been incrementally better than our estimate of 10M units,? Sue wrote in a note to clients on Thursday. ?In comparison, the S-III took nearly 2 months (50 days) to achieve the 10M units mark. Our broad-based channel checks at U.S. stores indicate that demand for the 16G S-4 devices remains strong with 32G Black devices mostly sold-out and 32G White devices yet to make it to the stores.?

[More from BGR: Can the Moto X compete with Apple?s iPhone 5S and Samsung?s Galaxy Note III?]

He continued, ?At this pace, the GS-4 is likely to cross 20M shipments in 2Q13, potentially reaching 80M S-4 unit shipments in CY13. We expect the new version of Samsung?s Note (III) to hit retail shelves in September. We expect Apple to have an updated multi-device smartphone portolio [sic] with the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5 and iPhone mini this year.?

Sue also agrees with other firms and believes most smartphone growth in 2013 will be driven by mid- and low-end smartphones. He sees global smartphone shipments growing 26% to 870 million units in 2013, and then growing a further 20% in 2014 to just over 1 billion units.

This article was originally published on BGR.com

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-sales-seen-reaching-80-million-182022040.html

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Video: Can Congress force Redskins to change name?

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/52034776#52034776

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It?s Over: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth Split?Engagement Off!

It’s Over: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth Split…Engagement Off!

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s three-year romance is reportedly over once and for all, with Miley telling friends they are “done”. There have been rumors of a split swirling for some time now, with sources saying Miley and Liam were trying to work through their issues. But it looks like they have split for good! ...

It’s Over: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth Split…Engagement Off! Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/05/its-over-miley-cyrus-liam-hemsworth-split-engagement-off/

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Video: China Goes 'Hogwild'

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Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/cnbc/52036510/

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Finance Loans In Mission Tx | A Ezbukz Blog For Financial Help

? May 28, 2013Posted in: consumer finance help

Do you require a truck loan to purchase or lease a vehicle for your business? Because of the vast size and many uses of trucks in todays modern society truck finance has become a very detailed and sometimes confusing option. For example a courier business may require a fleet of small trucks with a load carrying capacity of 5 tonnes or less; where as a large earth moving company may require a much larger vehicle capable of loads in excess of 100 tonnes. Business, companies or even private individuals have many options open to them when look at leding to purchase a truck. Leasing/commercial hire purchase/hire purchase/managed leases the list goes on!

There are finance/loan options for businesses, companies and private purchaser that have excellent tax incentives. These loans offer a diverse range of repayment options and allow companies or individuals good latitude in choosing the correct finance package to suit their requirements. Truck loans can be arranged generally with a minimum purchase price of ,000 to fleet purchases of in excess of several millions of dollars. This is why you should talk with a commercial truck loan consultant. He will organise the correct finance package best suited to your requirements, either utilising his knowledge of leasing or hire purchase repayment plans from a multitude of Australian lending institutions.

Companies, Business and private individuals requiring a small truck or a larger organisation wishing to purchase semi trucks or prime movers have an obvious need for a commercial truck loan. Our job is to match your individual requirements to the most suitable truck loans lender. We will advise you on what is available in the market place and the finance rates applicable to each option. Once you have decided which plan is suitable for you taking into consideration repayment amounts, residual values, loan terms and fees. Commercial truck loans are easy if you are aware of the pitfalls.

Most commercial truck loans require the applicant to prove their or their companies, business income. This is a common reason for applications being declined. Generally most lenders will accept the following as proof of income payslips, tax returns company tax returns and sometimes contracts to hire from the employer/company supplying the work. However there are certain truck finance options open to businesses and private individuals that do not require an income assessment, this type of loan is known as Low Doc commercial truck finance. Finance brokers specialise in providing factual information about this product. For more information about this niche type of lending and to enquire about lending rates please call one of our friendly consultants now!. Or visit our website which explains in detail low doc truck loans.

Next step to discuss with regards to the loan process is customer service, how helpful and informative is your truck loan consultant? Does he have the industry experience to provide the service he is offering? Talking to your finance broker can have a vast amount of effect on the outcome of you finance package. Tell him if you have past problems with previous commercial truck loans. The finance application and settlement will proceed much smoother if he knows the height of the fences he has to jump before he arrives at them. It is often to late then!
Before your contract documents are signed please check the lending rate, monthly repayment amount, loan term and correct residual value if any. These are common contractual mistakes finance brokers deal with everyday. Some commercial truck loans require the first payment upfront before you pick up the vehicle. The contract document is a legally binding agreement between you and the finance company, once this document has been signed it is to late to change it.

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Source: http://ezbukz.com/consumer-finance-help/finance-loans-in-mission-tx-2/

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Galaxy S4 will be first phone to use new Verizon spectrum

IDG News Service - Verizon Wireless customers buying the recently released Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the first who can start using a new spectrum band that the carrier will start turning on later this year.

The carrier plans to equip its LTE network to use the additional spectrum, in the Advanced Wireless Services band, in the next several months. It will significantly expand the capacity available on the high-speed cellular network.

Galaxy S4 owners will be able to turn on AWS LTE service on their phones through a software upgrade in the coming months, with the Galaxy S4 becoming the first mobile device that can use the band, Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney confirmed on Tuesday. The news had first been reported by Bloomberg News. The Galaxy S4 for Verizon went on sale May 23.

Though the additional spectrum won't increase the top speed of Verizon's LTE network, it will make more frequencies available for use. That should improve a subscriber's experience when many other users are vying for the network.

Stephen Lawson covers mobile, storage and networking technologies for The IDG News Service. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @sdlawsonmedia. Stephen's e-mail address is stephen_lawson@idg.com

Reprinted with permission from IDG.net. Story copyright 2012 International Data Group. All rights reserved.

Source: http://rss.computerworld.com/~r/computerworld/s/feed/topic/15/~3/b7oWjN-o_uU/Galaxy_S4_will_be_first_phone_to_use_new_Verizon_spectrum

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Texas Legislature passes measure to prevent Medicaid expansion

By Corrie MacLaggan

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The Republican-majority Texas House and Senate on Sunday sent Governor Rick Perry a proposal to prevent the state from expanding its Medicaid program as outlined by President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.

Perry, a Republican, notified the Obama administration last summer his state would not expand Medicaid, which provides healthcare for low-income people. He repeated his opposition in an April news conference at which he called expansion "foolish."

The proposal, an amendment to a Medicaid-related bill, says state health officials "may only provide medical assistance to a person who would have been otherwise eligible for medical assistance or for whom federal matching funds were available under the eligibility criteria for medical assistance in effect on December 31, 2013."

The House had tacked on the amendment after the Senate had passed a version of the bill without the amendment. Members of both chambers met to work out differences in the legislation.

That House-Senate conference committee chose to keep the amendment, although its members tweaked the language to prevent unintended consequences, said the bill's author, Republican Senator Jane Nelson.

"This prevents the expansion of Medicaid," she said in a statement.

Republican Representative Jeff Leach, the author of the amendment, has said Medicaid expansion is too big of a decision to be made without lawmakers' input.

Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Obama's healthcare overhaul but allowed states to opt out of a provision expanding the Medicaid program.

Since then, 26 governors have indicated support for Medicaid expansion, according to the Advisory Board Company, a consulting firm that is tracking the issue.

Democrats have called on Perry to drop his opposition to expanding Medicaid in the state, which has the nation's highest percentage of uninsured people. About 24 percent of Texans are uninsured.

The biennial legislative session is set to end on Monday.

(Reporting By Corrie MacLaggan; Editing by Bill Trott)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/texas-legislature-passes-measure-prevent-medicaid-expansion-043027507.html

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Finance Degree Requirements Iu | A Ezbukz Blog For Financial Help

The world has become one global trading market. All currencies have value as compared to the other; that's the reason currency trading is becoming a huge market with enormous benefits. Fx trading system has become a popular method of generating income by indulging in currency trade business. A foreign exchange trading system uses the computer system software to forecast the increase and decrease of the currency prices. A computer program is used to do business on the customer's behalf, a customer just has to launch a program and follow the instructions. Currency trading systems are available with the leading financial organizations and websites at reasonable prices. Trading foreign exchange is a risky business. People can make and break their lives in this business. They can go from riches to rags within a blink of an eye. So making currency trading strategies is most important, if you want to be immune to the currency price fluctuations. Without any strategy, it's just a matter of luck if you get succeeded and you cannot always ride high on your luck. Making your own online strategies is as important as making investment decisions. This is the reason, why one should learn foreign exchange trading before investing in the trading of currency.

Forex trading market is expanding with every passing moment. Therefore, the need arises to keep track of every second of the exchange rates of currencies. Finance- live helps you to know every detail of the business world and exchange trade globally. It provides you with currency trading news and stock market news and with the business news of all around the world. Finance live acts as your personal foreign exchange broker. If you have little or no knowledge about the foreign exchange, this site can provide you with currency trading training. So that, you can understand, how the exchange market works and its norms and regulations. It provides you with currency trading online service, so that you don't have to go to the exchange office or the stock exchange every time to indulge in trading. It is a forex trading company, which provides you with best forex trading system. It assists you in foreign money exchange and provides you up-to-date information on the exchange rates of the currencies of all around the world. It guides you about your investment and tries that you get the best results for your investments.

Let the money flow into your life with " finance-live ".

Source: http://ezbukz.com/consumer-finance-help/finance-degree-requirements-iu/

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CLIA's Cruise3Sixty approaches sell-out status - Breaking Travel News

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that the ninth annual cruise3sixty conference and trade show is reaching near sell-out status, with nearly 1,300 national and international travel selling professionals registered to attend the event set for June 19-23 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Cruise3sixty is the largest cruise focused travel agent conference in North America, and is attracting participants from nearly all 50 states and Canadian provinces as well as international representation, including a contingent of 40 from Australia.? Approximately 46 percent of the agent audience will be Canadian while the total number of delegates at cruise3sixty 2013 is expected to surpass 2,000.

A comprehensive series of educational sessions and seminars will be offered alongside three days of general sessions led by industry leaders and a two-day trade show featuring more than 300 exhibitors and all 26 CLIA North America cruise lines. Agents also will have the opportunity to tour 10 cruise ships and attend a dedicated CLIA Specialty Cruise Collection Showcase on Thursday, June 20 that will provide an in-depth look at an increasingly popular and growing segment of the cruise industry. CLIA members and non-members can register now at www.cruise3sixty.com. Upon reaching sell-out status, cruise3sixty registrations will be managed by waitlist pending cancellations.

The general session programming at cruise3sixty kicks off Friday, June 21 with a keynote presentation from CLIA president and CEO Christine Duffy. American Express Travel Executives, Tony Gonchar, VP American Express Travel Network and Mark Cooper, VP and Associate Publisher of Departures Magazine, will present ?Insights? on trends in cruise, leisure travel and the luxury market.? An interactive discussion will follow featuring Vicki Freed, SVP Sales and Trade Support & Service, Royal Caribbean International, Dondra Ritzenthaler, SVP Sales and Trade Support & Service, Celebrity Cruises, Andy Stuart, EVP Global Sales and Passenger Services, Norwegian Cruise Line, Jan Swartz, EVP, Sales, Marketing & Customer Service, Princess Cruises/Cunard Line and Vicki Tomasino, Regional Vice President Community and Trade Relations at Carnival Cruise Lines. Joining these cruise line executives are travel agency leaders, Michelle Fee, CEO, CruisePlanners, Nicole Mazza, Chief Marketing Officer, TravelSavers and Karin Viera, CTC, Vice-President Sales, Vacation.com.

Saturday?s general session will feature a keynote address from renowned speaker and author Nolan Burris, presenting attendees with client and business-building advice titled ?From Agent to Advisor to Indispensable.? Burris will later facilitate a discussion between cruise line leaders and advisors including Randall Soy, EVP of Marketing & Sales for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Mark Kammerer, SVP of Marketing & North American Sales for Holland America Line, Ken Muskat, SVP of Sales & Marketing for MSC Cruises, and Scott Knutson, VP Sales & Marketing, North America of Costa Cruises.

On Sunday, June 23, cruise3sixty will feature motivation and education in an entertaining format with renowned speakers including; ?Golden Nuggets of Sales and Service? from Nancy Friedman, The Telephone Doctor, who will share 21 customer service and sales techniques to achieve excellence. Kathleen Passanisi, a noted speaker and ?therapeutic humorist? will also present on using laughter and life balance to boost employee productivity.

Featured evening events will include the Thursday, June 20, Welcome Reception at the Vancouver Aquarium located in the heart of world-famous Stanley Park, sponsored by Pacific Rim Cruise Association and American Express.

The annual Hall of Fame Dinner & Awards gala on Friday, June 21, will honor cruise industry individuals whose efforts and accomplishments represent a significant contribution to the development and growth of cruise vacations and feature remarkable cruise line entertainment. Celebrity Cruises, in partnership with 54 Below ? Broadway?s Nightclub, will feature a performance by stage and screen star and recording artist, Megan Hilty.? Sponsored by Royal Caribbean International, an innovative vocal collaboration, MOSAIC, combines elements of funk, pop, rock, jazz, R&B, and opera to create a musical experience produced entirely by the human voice. The evening closes with a chic GlowH20 nightclub-style after party, sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world?s largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA?s Associate Member and Executive Partner program includes the industry?s leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year.

Source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/clias-cruise3sixty-approaches-sell-out-status/

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Myanmar's Suu Kyi slams 2-child limit for Muslims

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) ? Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rights groups and Islamic leaders expressed dismay Monday over plans by authorities in western Myanmar to revive a two-child limit on Muslim Rohingya families, a policy that does not apply to Buddhists and comes amid accusations of ethnic cleansing.

Over the weekend, authorities in strife-torn Rakhine state said they were restoring a measure imposed during past military rule that banned Rohingya families from having more than two children. Details about the policy and how it will be enforced have not been released, sparking calls for clarity and concerns of more discrimination against a group the U.N. calls one of the world's most persecuted people.

"If true, this is against the law," said Suu Kyi, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Suu Kyi has faced criticism for failing to defend the Rohingya following two waves of deadly sectarian violence last year. She told reporters she had not heard details of the latest measure but, if it exists, "It is discriminatory and also violates human rights."

The policy applies to two Rakhine townships that border Bangladesh and have the highest Muslim populations in the state. The townships, Buthidaung and Maungdaw, are about 95 percent Muslim.

The order makes Myanmar perhaps the only country in the world to level such a restriction against a particular religious group, and is likely to bring further criticism that Muslims are being discriminated against in the Buddhist-majority country.

China has a one-child policy, but it is not based on religion and exceptions apply to minority ethnic groups. India briefly practiced forced sterilization of men in a bid to control the population in the mid-1970s when civil liberties were suspended during a period of emergency rule, but a nationwide outcry quickly shut down the program.

For years, the Rohingya in Myanmar have faced a variety of heavy-handed restrictions. They needed permission to travel outside their villages, couples were required to have permission to marry, and were then limited to having two children. Any offspring that exceeded the regulation were "blacklisted" and refused birth registrations, and denied the right to attend school, travel and marry, according to a report by the Arakan Project, a Thailand-based advocacy group for the Rohingya.

Longstanding hatred toward the Rohingya erupted last year into mob violence in which Rakhine Buddhists armed with machetes razed thousands of Muslim homes, leaving hundreds of people dead and forcing 125,000 to flee, mostly Muslims. The New York-based group Human Rights Watch has accused the government and security forces in Rakhine of fomenting an organized campaign of "ethnic cleansing" against the Rohingya.

Since the violence, the religious unrest has expanded into a campaign against Muslim communities in other areas, posing a serious challenge to President Thein Sein's reformist government as it attempts to implement democratic reforms after nearly half a century of harsh military rule.

Rakhine state spokesman Win Myaing said over the weekend the policy was meant to stem population growth in the Muslim community, which a government-appointed commission last month identified as one of the causes of the sectarian violence. He said authorities have not determined how the measure will be enforced, but it will be mandatory.

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch called the development "outrageous," noting that the commission's report stated that any form of population control must be "voluntary" and conform to human rights standards.

"When one ethnic group starts talking about birth control for another group, it's quite chilling," he said. "This is a step precisely in the wrong direction ? going exactly the wrong direction from reconciliation and respect for human rights."

Robertson expressed concern that the state government was trying to formalize what was previously more of a de facto practice.

"Now there is a movement to codify this by the state government," he said. "They're deepening the commitment of the government in these policies. It is a major step."

The government has not made any statement about the two-child policy since Rakhine state authorities quietly enacted the measure a week ago. Calls seeking comment from government spokesmen have not been returned.

Although Muslims are the majority in the two townships in which the policy applies, they account for only about 4 percent of Myanmar's roughly 60 million people.

Myanmar's government does not include the Rohingya as one of its 135 recognized ethnic minorities. It considers them to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship. Bangladesh says the Rohingya have been living in Myanmar for centuries and should be recognized there as citizens.

"This restriction violates human rights," said Nyunt Maung Shein, head of Myanmar's Islamic Religious Affairs Council. "Even if it existed under the military regime, it should be considered inappropriate under the democratic system."

He cautioned that the measure could backfire and inflame already tense relations in Rakhine state.

"The authorities should be very cautious," he said. "If this is a step to ease tension between the communities, it will not produce the desired effect."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/myanmars-suu-kyi-slams-2-child-limit-muslims-120918078.html

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Carrie's Experimental Kitchen: Barbecue Party Calculator from Food ...

Are you having a last minute get-together??

ensure you have the right amount of food!?

For the Food

• Adults will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound.
• The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet.
• Guests will always eat and drink more at night than during the day.

For the Drinks

• You can either create a few mixed drinks to be served punch-style, allotting 1 gallon for 10 guests, or provide a do-it-yourself array of alcohol and mixers (one 1-liter bottle of alcohol will make up to 22 mixed drinks).?
• Allow for 1 bottle of wine per 8 guests.
• Guests will consume 2 drinks in the first hour, and 1 drink every hour after that.?
• Buy 2 pounds of ice per guest, and a large number of lemons and limes.

For Hors D'oeuvres and Appetizers Only

• Assume each guest will eat 4 to 6 bites per hour.?
• For a cocktail hour preceding a larger meal, 6 bites per person total is a safe estimate.?
• Planning a more intimate dinner party with plated appetizers? 10 ounces of leafy greens for an appetizer salad will feed 10.

For Main Courses

• Each adult 6 to 8 ounces of meat or seafood total for their main course.?
• Smaller grill staples like hot dogs, ribs, chicken legs and thighs each run 1 1/2 to 4 ounces each.?
• For hamburgers, each store-bought patty is about 6 ounces. Consider making homemade smaller patties so guests can mix and match proteins.

For Condiments

• For ketchup, one 20-ounce bottle. ?
• For mustard and relish, one 10-ounce bottle each.?

Side Dishes

• For pasta salad, 1 cup per guest
• Baked beans, about 1/2 cup
• For a group of 10, plan on 7 cups of potato salad and 5 cups coleslaw to feed the crowd.

Desserts

• Individual desserts like cookies and watermelon slices, assume guests will eat about 2 each.?
• For larger cakelike options, each guest will most likely eat 4 ounces.?
• Pre-slice your cakes or serve messier desserts or ice cream (also 4 ounces per guest) in cups.

Read more at Food Network?and Happy Memorial Day!?

Source: http://carriesexperimentalkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/05/bbq-party-calculator-food-network.html

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Economic reality finally cracks market fervor

By Andy Bruce

LONDON (Reuters) - As evidence mounts that a mid-year slowdown is taking place in the world economy, the next few days will offer a clearer glimpse of how that will impinge on policymaking and buoyant financial markets.

Global stocks stumbled last Thursday in one of the few times the grey economic reality cut through this year's reverie in financial markets.

And that could mark the start of a trend, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last week hinted the U.S. central bank could soon scale back its monthly bond purchases that have flooded stock markets with new cash.

Some poor business surveys from China have also had an impact, suggesting the world's No.2 economy is struggling for momentum.

While there is little in the way of major economic data this week that will send chills through stock markets as happened on Thursday, there is a renewed sense of caution in the market.

"The underlying momentum in the global economy is weaker than it should be at this point of the economic cycle, five years after the global crisis," said Lena Komileva, director of G+ Economics consultancy in London.

"We have yet to see evidence of a convincing, self-sustained positive feedback loop between real growth and market value inflation."

Hope that market confidence would filter through to the real economy was memorably described as "positive contagion" by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi in January - in hindsight perhaps more in hope than expectation.

Growth is still proving to be elusive for the euro zone economy, largely thanks to the extent of the budget austerity taking place across the continent.

On Wednesday, the European Commission will release its review of its countries' debt-cutting policies, which will confirm that the likes of France, Spain and Slovenia are to be given more time to trim their budget deficits to target.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's semi-annual review of the world's major economies will come out on the same day, having identified global economic activity "picking up" in its interim assessment in March.

Now, the world economic growth seems to be moving into a soft patch, although there is no sign of anything that will curb it significantly.

Last week's purchasing managers indexes showed factory activity in China declined slightly for the first time in seven months, while in the United States manufacturing grew at its slowest pace since October.

"These surveys suggest that the Chinese economy is doing a bit worse than expected and the euro zone marginally better, but they do not alter our view that global growth will remain weak, and imbalanced, for the rest of this year," said Andrew Kenningham, senior global economist at Capital Economics.

He noted, however, that economies like the UK and Japan that weren't covered in last week's PMIs have performed better than expected in recent months, so the global economy could be slightly stronger than the surveys implied.

TAKING STOCK

Since last Thursday's stock markets wobble, analysts are largely agreed that period of moderation, rather than a big correction, lies ahead for risk assets.

European markets have been particularly sensitive to shifts in sentiment over the last few years, and three Italian government bond auctions next week will provide more clues on investor intentions.

Spanish yields rose at auction for the first time in three months in the past week, and the Italian auctions will provide further interest because they will be the first since Fed Chairman Bernanke hinted that waves of new cash from central banks will not go on forever.

Governments in the euro zone's most vulnerable economies, like Spain and Italy, have benefitted hugely from reduced borrowing costs resulting from easy cash flowing out from the Fed and Bank of Japan, and into their bonds.

That of course applies to stock markets too, and Bernanke's intervention will set a new tone on global bourses in the coming weeks, marked by increased uncertainty.

The Euro STOXX 50 Volatility Index, Europe's widely used measure of investor risk aversion, surged 13 percent to a three-week high last Thursday alone.

"We remain positive on equities in general ... (but) more broadly, equity markets may lose some momentum now that they must worry about stimulus withdrawal," said Guy Foster, head of portfolio strategy at Brewin Dolphin.

(Additional reporting by David Brett; editing by Ron Askew)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/economic-reality-finally-cracks-market-fervor-192600020.html

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Mango Garden Restaurant - Rainbows & Hearts

Mango Garden Restaurant - Rumah Terbalik, Tamparuli , Kota Kinabalu

No idea where to find a place in Kota Kinabalu that serves true authentic local malays and native east malaysian food?

Fret no longer! We finally have a restaurant in Kota Kinabalu that serves all these delectable and authentic traditional cuisines from Sabah under one roof and that is - Mango Garden Restaurant.

The outside of Mango Garden Restaurant

If you're wondering where is this restaurant, it is actually located just right next to the first upside down house (Rumah Terbalik ) in South East Asia, located in Tamparuli area which opened in early February 2012. There is currently only 5 of these unique structures in the entire world, two in Japan and Europe respectively. I was there to visit the Rumah Terbalik when it just opened last year and at that time, the restaurant doesn't exist yet nor any construction work was taking place at that time. Now that they have a restaurant within the span of a year, shows that it has fast progressed as a unique choice of tourist destination in Kota Kinabalu.

I personally didn't know this restaurant existed until the owner of Rumah Terbalik's wife Ms. Diana Chia dropped me an email and kindly invited me for food tasting. So I did my usual research on this restaurant and found it very interesting because I am looking forward to the unique traditional dishes that I get to taste. Since my dad is a fan of traditional Kadazan food, I'm a Sino as well so I took him along with me for this food tasting.

Upon arrival, my dad & I were greeted by their friendly staff, the manager, Kenny at the carpark, then by Diana herself and their Executive Chef, Fortunato Lowel.

Mango Garden Restaurant derived its name originally from this piece of land as it used to be a mango tree farm. I honestly didn't know this place used to be a mango tree farm until Diana enlighten me about the reason why they chose this name.

Mango Garden Restaurant has a very nice exterior to it, designed to look like a house with a structured body made of glass, it does add on the little touch of class to this restaurant. This restaurant able to cater to 100 person at once, on any occasion just inside. However, they're able to add more tables and a mini stage if you require one outside and cater to a larger functions. I also noticed that they have a couple of mini portable live cooking stalls outside which they use for functions as well.

The Executive chef, Fortunato, used to worked for Petronas for a couple of years, where he took his chance to travel around the world and explore cuisines from different parts of the world until he realized that his job environment is constantly a high risk area. Being a family man himself, he decided to quit and settle in Sabah where he previously worked at Lembah Impian, and now Rumah Terbalik.?

He brought along his years of experience to create fusion dishes, and on top of that he always travels to other towns in Kota Kinabalu where he spoke to local natives around the areas and learnt their signature dishes . Together he incorporated both ideas and that's how the menu came about for this restaurant.

As you can see above, the menu serves a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main course, local?favorites? individual meat and vegetable items, desserts and drinks.

You'll definitely be spoilt for choices because there's just too many to choose from. I find it very interesting and easy to read the menu because it has very detailed?explanation?of the dishes, especially when it involves the clear picture of the ingredients used and method of cooking. What made it even better, it comes with pictures of the dishes as well. I no longer have to guess how my food will look like or wonder what is it, good job on this one!

So firstly, we ordered our drinks. We were told by recommendation of the waitress that they are famous for their smoothie, made with local fruits. Thus we opted for Pineapple smoothie and Mango smoothies.

I liked how their smoothies tasted so fruity with just the right amount of fruits and sweetness to it. Texture wise it is really smooth and thick, unlike some other which I've tasted before that's just pure watery and tasteless. A great drink to have on a warm sunny day definitely.

Mango Smoothie

RM 8.50

Tinutuk Mangga * Signature Dish

RM5.50

For starter, we had the Tinutuk Mangga which is basically young mango being cut julienne style and mixed together with traditional fresh herbs, lime, shrimp paste and chili. As the mango is young and raw, it creates the sour-ish taste to this dish and the chili complement this dish well and created a mild spicy and sour-ish appetizer.

Hinava Sada * chef signature dish

RM7.50

Next, we had another very popular appetizer in Sabah originated from the Kadazan Dusun Tribes called the Hinava Sada. It is actually a dish made with freshly selected fish fillet marinated in lime juice, shallots, ginger, sliced chili and grated Badu (wild mango seeds). It was my first time trying out this dish, as I don't normally eat authentic Kadazan dish. This dish has an acquired taste in my opinion but I know it does taste good. More like local made tuna where you can eat it with your bread. Nevertheless, I gave it a try but still it's not what I can easily get use to eating instantly.?

Tuhau Miampai Daging Salai

RM 10.50

Another appetizer, is actually sliced beef marinated with Tuhau, or what we call local ginger stem pickles, char-grilled and mixed with chili, lime, lemongrass and other herbs. According to Fortunato, this dish is taken during drinking session as titbit but can be taken with rice as well.

For main course, I'm sure everyone knows what is a Rendang Daging. It is one of my favorite malay dish of all times, and a must have during any special occasions such as Hari Raya. I liked how this dish was exceptionally tender and flavorful as it is the key to cooking a good rendang. The beef cubes were slowly braised with local herbs and spices, with mixture of thick coconut milk till it is soft and tender.

? ? ? ? ? ?Sup Tombol Ekor *Chef Specialty

RM12.50

In another words, this dish is called Oxtail Soup as most of us would've known. The oxtail is braised with vegetables such as potato and?radish?, along with the usual add on of local herbs and spices. The moment I had this soup, I instantly felt like I just had the most authentic oxtail soup which I didn't have in a long time. In KK, it is not easy to find this soup which are rich in its taste and flavor of oxtail in the soup unless you go to an authentic malay restaurant. This is a must try :)

Sayur Kailan Masak Dua Rasa *Chef signature dish

RM10.50

I find this dish very unique due to the different styles of preparation. We usually can find the normal Kailan stir-fried with seafood in any Chinese restaurant. Little did I know you can actually deep fry Kailan and it tasted like seaweed, most important it is very crispy. Apparently this method of cooking is adapted from the Bajau Semporna tribe. The crispy kailan was complemented with salt and anchovies and each bite of the vegetable does give a very rich green leaf taste. I love this very much.?

Sotong Bakar Masak Sambal Tomato

RM12.50

Next, the last main course of the day is a favorite?dish of the Bajau Ubian Tribes.?we had the marinated and?barbecued?squid topped with homemade sweet and spicy tomato sambal and onions which created a thick and flavorful sauce to cover the strong barbecued taste.?

"I love you like a fat kid love cakes "

Rumah Terbalik has an indoor coffeehouse as well that serves a variety of beverages mainly their specialty coffee , cakes and fresh buns daily. Price wise is considered reasonable for a coffeehouse. They have free wifi in this coffeehouse as well. Perfect for anyone in search for a quiet and peaceful time to have their discussion, or generally just any tech savvy person who can't live without their internet wherever they are ;D

Berangan Banana Caramel Chocolate Cake

RM 6.50

For dessert, my dad and I opted to share this banana chocolate cake as we were already full from the heavy lunch. The unique thing about this cake is the Berangan banana was caramelized before it is use to make this cake. It has a very ideal sweetness to it , a smooth texture and to top with the moist chocolate sponge cake and a layer of chocolate mousse. It is one of the best cake I have ever tasted. Another thing is, they made their cakes using entirely local fruits and ingredients. ?Definitely a must try!

I had the opportunity to taste the special "Rumah Terbalik" special coffee and was so impressed by it. ?I had the Mocha Latte. Look at the picture above you may see how foamy and smooth is the coffee. Little did I know Rumah Terbalik has made all of its coffee with its own secret coffee beans specially made by Cap Kuda, one of the famous coffee bean company based in Kota Kinabalu. The management had blind coffee tasting before deciding on the base of the taste they wanted for their coffee which cannot be found anywhere else. Apart from that, their Barista were also sent for training at Cap Kuda company where they learnt the skill and knowledge on how to make good coffee.

Their coffee comes in different sizes of mugs as well, a huge and a tiny one.

As it was Mother's day during that weekend, I decided to buy my mum a Cassata Siciliana cake because I find it unique. Unlike any other cakes you normally find in the bakery shop. It is actually an Italian cake, similar to a fruit cake. However, I find it a little bit too sweet to my liking though. I wished its a little bit less sweeter then it would be perfect.

Finally, the latest addition to Rumah Terbalik which just opened about 3 weeks ago? Which was the Tandas Terbalik, or what we called as "Upside Down Toilet ". Be sure to check it out!

I also would like to thank the whole team of Rumah Terbalik for doing a great job and specially to Diana and Fortunato for inviting me to this food tasting session. I definitely had a great time learning about this place and the uniqueness of the food it offers.

To know more about this place, please refer to :?Upside Down House?or visit them at

Batu 21, Jalan Telibong, Tuaran, Sabah.

Tel: +6088 783 911

Fax: +6088 782 503

Source: http://justme-elaine.blogspot.com/2013/05/mango-garden-restaurant-rumah-terbalik.html

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Malawi cuts 2013 growth forecasts, sees sharply lower inflation

Ultimately, many of the photos and cellphone records of Trayvon Martin released online Thursday by George Zimmerman?s defense attorneys ? indicating that the slain teenager smoked marijuana, got into fights at school, and had an interest in, and perhaps access to, guns ? may be ruled inadmissible in court. But they are already making the rounds in the court of public opinion, which can influence everything from fundraising efforts to the mind-set of potential jurors in Mr. Zimmerman's murder trial.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/malawi-cuts-2013-growth-forecasts-sees-sharply-lower-145336260.html

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Thousands watch as murdered anti-Mafia priest is beatified in Sicily

ROME (Reuters) - A Sicilian priest gunned down by the Mafia twenty years ago outside his home in Palermo was beatified in a seafront ceremony on Saturday attended by an estimated 100,000 people from all over Italy.

Father Giuseppe Puglisi was shot in the back of the head in September 1993 in the crime-ridden Brancaccio district of the Sicilian capital where he preached against the Mafia.

School parties, local dignitaries and top government ministers braved a stiff wind as the emeritus archbishop of Palermo read out the formal letter of beatification from Pope Francis in Latin.

Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict, put Puglisi on the fast track towards sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church when he signed a decree last year recognizing that Puglisi had been killed "in hatred of the faith."

That meant he could be beatified - the last step before sainthood - without a miracle being attributed to his intercession with God. A miracle is required for him to be declared a saint, however.

A huge photo of Puglisi was unveiled as white doves were released in the two-hour ceremony in a vast square surrounded by palm trees. He was repeatedly referred to as a "martyr" who paid for his constant preachings against the Sicilian mob.

He was killed for "depriving the Mafia of support, manpower and control of the city" with his large following in Palermo, said Cardinal Paolo Romeo, the primate of Sicily who presided over most of the ceremony.

Many of the faithful wore T-shirts with photos of Puglisi, who was killed on his 56th birthday after serving in Palermo for 33 years.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said in a statement that Puglisi "continues to be an example for all those who refuse to give in to the power of organized crime."

Six mafiosi were sentenced to life in prison for the murder, which took place a year after the high-profile killings on the island of anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, at a time when the Sicilian mafia was particularly ruthless.

The Sicilian Mafia, known as Cosa Nostra, is probably the best known of Italy's three main criminal organizations, but in the last two decades many of its top bosses have been captured.

The Camorra, which operates around the southern port of Naples, and the 'Ndrangheta, based in the most southerly mainland region of Calabria, are now considered to be more powerful.

(Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/thousands-watch-murdered-anti-mafia-priest-beatified-sicily-123712235.html

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The Xbox One Misses the Perfect Set-Top Box Target

The Xbox One could have been the true center of your TV universe that let you throw all those other boxes away.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/QMx1SkdsfG0/

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The health and wellness gap between insured and uninsured ...

If you have health insurance, chances are you take several actions to bolster your health such as take vitamins and supplements (which 2 in 3 American adults do), take medications as prescribed (done by 58% of insured people), and tried to improve your eating habits in the past two years (56%). Most people with insurance also say they exercise at least 3 times a week.

Fewer people who are uninsured undertake these kinds of health behaviors: across-the-board, uninsured people tend toward healthy behaviors less than those with insurance.

This is The Prevention Problem, gleaned from a survey conducted by TeleVox which has published various reports under the company?s Healthy World?initiative. The chart illustrates what TeleVox, a communications support company for health providers, calls out as ?The Ugly Truth? ? that is, the disparity between the health and wellness status of the insured versus the uninsured.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• Fewer than 1 in 5 uninsured people consider themselves to be extremely healthy
• People without health insurance are less knowledgeable about preventive care: 33% were uncertain what constitutes prevention, versus 16% of insured people
• Still, 91% of the uninsured believe that some form of prevention is important, and 81% of the uninsured say that taking preventive care measures can save patients money
• Nonetheless, 17% of the uninsured who have been given preventive health recommendation gave themselves a grade of ?F? when it came to following this information up.

The consumer survey was conducted among 1,015 Americans age 18 and over in April 2013, along with a poll of over 2,200 health providers.

Health Populi?s Hot Points:? Three-quarters of people die from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) ? conditions like heart disease, diabetes, various cancers among them ? which are largely amenable to prevention and changing lifestyle behaviors. There are 4 such behaviors that move the needle on chronic disease:

1. Doing more physical activity
2. Eating healthy food in healthy proportions
3. Drinking alcohol moderately
4. Quitting smoking.

Fewer people who lack health insurance tend to make fewer of these healthy choices.

It?s not easy to change health behaviors. The Edelman Health Barometer of 2011 found that two-thirds of people try to change a behavior in a past year, and only one-half sustain that change, lapsing back into the original (unhealthy) choice.

As uninsured people in America are invited to access health plans through health insurance exchanges (marketplaces), folks will be exercising new muscles. First, the lack of knowledge of how to shop for health insurance, and how to evaluate different options across different health plans available in the local marketplaces; and second, once enrolled in a health plan, how to use the health system. This new-new milieu means finding a primary care doctor, versus continuing to use the emergency department for an infection or to investigate a lump that went unchecked for many months before attaining insurance coverage.

Learning to be health literate, and health plan literate, will be Job 1 for the newly-insured. TeleVox?s survey shows us there is much education to be done. Setting up a health insurance exchange ? which is heavy lifting in itself ? is but one pillar of getting the uninsured insured. Once insured, there?s new workflow for people to embrace and implement. Health behavior change is hard, and one of those behaviors will be shifting newly-insured consumer mindsets from expensive, inappropriate health care settings (namely, hospital departments) to lower-cost, more appropriate and convenient providers (e.g., primary care, retail health clinics, worksite clinics, school-based clinics, and the like).

That?s the health care utilization piece of the puzzle. The other big opportunity is to promote prevention and healthy behaviors where the newly insured live, work, play and pray ? in their home and communities. That?s where the local food system, schools, workplaces, retail and community organizations play a huge role on a daily basis to help people access local resources to improve on food choices, increase physical activity, and support smoking cessation (very amenable to social networks and competitions).

While costs of serving the newly insured may raise aggregate health care costs in the U.S. in the first years of health reform implementation, in the longer run, the public?s health burden of disease could benefit from getting people into preventive programs sooner?thus, closing the health/wellness gap that is The Ugly Truth of the insured and the uninsured.

Source: http://healthpopuli.com/2013/05/24/the-health-and-wellness-gap-between-insured-and-uninsured-people/

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White tiger mystery solved: Coat color produced by single change in pigment gene

May 23, 2013 ? White tigers today are only seen in zoos, but they belong in nature, say researchers reporting new evidence about what makes those tigers white. Their spectacular white coats are produced by a single change in a known pigment gene, according to the study, appearing on May 23 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.

"The white tiger represents part of the natural genetic diversity of the tiger that is worth conserving, but is now seen only in captivity," says Shu-Jin Luo of China's Peking University.

Luo, Xiao Xu, Ruiqiang Li, and their colleagues advocate a proper captive management program to maintain a healthy Bengal tiger population including both white and orange tigers. They say it might even be worth considering the reintroduction of white tigers into their wild habitat.

The researchers mapped the genomes of a family of 16 tigers living in Chimelong Safari Park, including both white and orange individuals. They then sequenced the whole genomes of each of the three parents in the family.

Those genetic analyses led them to a pigment gene, called SLC45A2, which had already been associated with light coloration in modern Europeans and in other animals, including horses, chickens, and fish. The variant found in the white tiger primarily inhibits the synthesis of red and yellow pigments but has little to no effect on black, which explains why white tigers still show characteristic dark stripes.

Historical records of white tigers on the Indian subcontinent date back to the 1500s, Luo notes, but the last known free-ranging white tiger was shot in 1958. That many white tigers were hunted as mature adults suggests that they were fit to live in the wild. It's worth considering that tigers' chief prey species, such as deer, are likely colorblind.

Captive white tigers sometimes do show abnormalities, such as crossed eyes, but Luo says any frailties are likely the responsibility of humans, who have inbred the rare tigers in captivity. With the causal gene identified, the researchers ultimately hope to explore the evolutionary forces that have maintained tigers in both orange and white varieties.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/ZOp68XNrHeQ/130523143342.htm

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4 Trends That Are Converting Business Owners from Saying ...

When a business owner says, ?I don?t need to get found on the internet? or ?Clients do not look for my business?on?the internet,??it tells me a few things about their business.??First, the business owner has probably owned their business for a long time, and?built it by networking, developing referral sources, making introductions?and perhaps buying or inheriting a reputable business.? Congratulations, as this is not easy to do.??I attend a lot of networking events and I know how difficult it is to build trusted relationships and a reputation that stands out from the crowd.? However, the saying, ?It?s not just what you know, it?s who you know,? has been updated for today?s business environment (more on this below).

Second, the business owner is probably using traditional marketing tools to attract and retain clients (i.e. advertisements, direct mail campaigns,?press releases, brochures and yellow pages, etc.).? These are all great marketing tools and if they?are driving new opportunities to your business then?by all means keep them up.??However, if they are not successfully attracting new clients, building?your company?s brand awareness, or establishing you as a leader in key markets then?you need to fix them (or hire someone with the expertise who can).

Third, their website is probably 5 ? 10 years old and it has not been updated for several years.? Business owners who apply a fraction of the?time and money they spend on?traditional marketing tools?to enhance their website?s presence on the internet will achieve impressive and?measurable results.

These are some of the issues that my colleagues and I will be addressing at the New Economy Boot Camp on June 18th in Cambridge, MA.? In the interim, here are four trends that are converting business owners?from saying, ?Customers don?t look for us online,? to ?We need to get found online!?

?

4 Trends That ?Are Converting Businesses from saying:

?Customers don?t look for us online,? to ?We need to get found online!?

?

1) Digital marketing?is?changing the way that consumers and companies are doing business.

In the past, customers used phonebooks and directories to locate companies and they asked friends and advisers for recommendations before making a significant purchase or investment.? Customer buying behavior has changed.?Today, more and more consumers and companies are using digital marketing tools?(ex. mobile applications, social media, videos and search engines, etc.) to help them find what they want to buy, when they want to buy it.

2) From a marketing perspective, the focus has changed?from companies looking for customers who might like to buy, to customers finding companies when they are ready to buy.

The saying, ?It?s not just what you know, it?s who you know,??has been updated.? Today?s business owners need to focus on, ?What do I want to be known for, and where do I want to be found??? For example, you might want to be known for ?estate planning for single parents with teenagers? and be found by families in?Massachusetts and Rhode Island.?? Or, you might want to be known for ?developing portable fuel cells? and be found by companies in the transportation industry.? In general, the better you are at describing what you want to be known for, the more likely customers will find you (vs. your competitors) in the markets where you want to be found.

3) Last month, there were over 20 billion searches on Google alone (Bing and?Yahoo are other popular search engines)

As a business owner, your clients might not be searching the internet for your products or services today,?but the next generation of customers, business owners, buyers and?leaders is?already there.? As I mentioned earlier, more and more consumers and companies are using the internet to find what they want to buy, when they want to buy it.? So, if your business does not have a strong internet presence then it is not likely to be found by Google or other major search engines.? For example, most people who search the internet will only look at the first page of their search results.? If your business appears on page 3 or 4, then the likelihood that customers will find you is greatly diminished.? Further, you risk being perceived as less effective, capable and successful than businesses that appear on page one (even if you are better than your competitors!).

4) There is no silver bullet for getting found on the internet.

Sometimes business owners can have false expectations about what the internet can and cannot do for their business.? For example, just because you create a video it doesn?t mean that it is going to go viral.? Or, just because you optimize your website, it doesn?t mean that you are going to appear on page one of? Google next month.? The fact is,?Google?is constantly changing its algorithms for getting found on the internet, digital marketing tools are continuously being updated and introduced to the market, and one-hit- wonders?on YouTube?make it difficult for business owners to discern myth from reality and maintain industry best practices.

Promoting your business on the internet takes time and it requires a strategy if you want to be successful.? If want to get on board with digital marketing (or at least kick the tires) then please join me and my colleagues?on June 18^th at the New Economy Boot Camp on: ?Mobile, Social Media, Video & Search: Myths and Best Practices for Growing Your Business.?

Source: http://neweconomybootcamp.com/2013/05/4-trends-that-are-converting-business-owners-from-saying-customers-dont-look-for-us-online-to-we-need-to-get-found-online/

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Polish man gets quick face transplant after injury

WARSAW, Poland (AP) ? A 33-year-old Polish man received a face transplant just three weeks after being disfigured in a workplace accident, in what his doctors said Wednesday is the fastest time frame to date for such an operation. It was Poland's first face transplant.

Face transplants are extraordinarily complicated and relatively rare procedures that usually require extensive preparation of the recipient over a period of months or years. But medical officials said the Polish patient's condition was deteriorating so rapidly that a transplant was seen as the only way to save his life. The patient is now being watched for any potential infections.

In a photo taken Tuesday, just six days after the surgery, the patient, identified only by his first name, Grzegorz, was shown giving a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed. Another picture, based on computer tomography, showed the extensive damage to his skull.

He was injured in an April 23 accident at his job at a stone mason's workshop near the southwestern city of Wroclaw when a machine used to cut stone tore off most of his face and crushed his upper jaw.

He received intensive treatment at a hospital in Wroclaw that saved his life and eyesight. But an attempt to reattach his own face failed, leaving an area close to the brain exposed to infections, doctors said. The damage was too extensive for doctors to temporarily seal the exposed areas.

So he was taken to the Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology in Gliwice, the only place in Poland licensed to perform face transplants. The center has experience in facial reconstruction for patients disfigured by cancer and its experts have practiced face transplants on cadavers.

Doctors at the center said the 27-hour face and bone transplant was performed May 15 soon after a matching donor was found.

The surgery reconstructed the area around the eyes, the nose, jaws and palate and other parts of the man's face. Pictures show stitches running from above the patient's right eye, under the left eye and around the face to the neck.

The donor, a 34-year-old man, was chosen from a national registry of potential donors after his age, gender, blood group and body features were determined to be a good match for the injured man.

The head of the team of surgeons and other specialists, Dr. Adam Maciejewski, said it was the first time a face transplant was carried out so soon after the damage. Face transplants are usually a last resort after conventional reconstructive and plastic surgeries have been tried.

"In such an extensive injury, where the structures close to the skull base and in contact with the brain area are exposed, any infection would be dangerous, not to mention the impossibility to function normally, including problems with breathing, with eating," Maciejewski said. "All that led us in one direction."

"We assume the surgery will allow the patient to return to normal life. He will be able to breathe, to eat, to see."

Maciejewski said that over time, the face will mold to the man's facial bone structure and he will not look like the donor.

The patient is now breathing on his own and responds to questions by nodding his head or squeezing the hands of doctors. But his condition is serious and it will be months before the procedure can be declared a full success, said Dr. Krzysztof Olejnik, head of the team of anesthesiologists.

Another member of the transplant team, surgeon Dr. Maciej Grajek, told The Associated Press that the patient was receiving drugs to ward off any potential viral, bacterial or skin infections, but the face is alive and is healing.

Though he is in sterile isolation, the patient has started the rehabilitation process. He will stay on special drugs for the rest of his life to prevent rejection of his new face.

More than two dozen transplants of the face or parts of the face have been performed around the world. The first one was a partial face transplant in a woman maimed by her dog in France in 2005.

Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, who in 2011 led a team in the United States that performed a full face and double-hand transplant on a woman mauled by a chimpanzee, said in an email he believes that in the future surgeons will decide more swiftly on a transplant, just as the Polish team did.

"This is the way we likely will practice in the future," said Pomahac, a reconstructive surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. However, he cautioned that patients should be given more time to be fully involved in a decision that will have a life-long impact on them.

"I still think that a traumatized patient, even with all the psychological support, probably has a hard time making the right decision within hours/days after life-changing trauma," Pomahac said.

Dr. Zbigniew Wlodarczyk, who has performed limb transplants in Poland but was not involved in the face transplant, told the AP the surgery was groundbreaking because it was carried out on a fresh injury and on tissues that have not healed, but that leaving such an extensive wound open would have led to infection and the patient's death.

"Such rare but spectacular procedures show the possibilities of medicine today and advance it," he said. "This places Poland in the elite group of countries performing such transplants.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2013-05-22-Poland-Face%20Transplant/id-f2c110877f22499e9e603b17f226a6d5

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