Coming Up With An Ecommerce Venture Would Be Profitable?

Facing the current economic situation, a considerable number of people worldwide have decided to do their own small businesses online to support themselves and their families for economic balance and development. They are persistently struggling to forge new and innovative business setups to establish a reliable financial fort. ?Setting up an ecommerce you have to expend a very little amount compared to running a physical store. Also, it goes without saying that Internet is a place of freedom globally for all kinds of business. And this global business process what we called ecommerce business which can come from a startup to a well established business and from small to medium and large businesses.

2009 was surely a year of global recession in terms of unemployment, purchaser credence and general uncertainty prevalent, and many other economical disorders consequently. In spite of that, by negating the power of recession, ecommerce succeeded in and build as a best industry with 11% of economic growth rate ( equivalent to $ 155.2 billion) in that year. ?When the economic indicators were getting downward in 2009 this ecommerce business idea bring out a huge success considering that. Subsequently, the economic sales grew at a rate of 14.8% in to the U.S Commerce Department2010. According, online purchasers spent $ 165.4 billion in 2010. The pace at which the online retail sales are going on is indeed astonishing, and continues to grow as more and more people shift to the E-business paradigm.

According to a report, ?U.S Online Retail Forecast 2009 to 2014?, Forrester Research states that ?growth in online retail sales will continue to surpass the growth in offline retail sales, as low prices, convenience, and selection drive more shoppers online?. The report takes a look at the years from 2009 to 2014 and gives prediction for potential growth in ecommerce sales over the five years which includes the next to follow. The 2009 statistics of online consumers was observed to be 154 million, which made 67% of the overall number of online users. The rate was expected to grow 10 % annually the following year. But the number of online purchases was equivalent to $ 164.6 billion and corresponded to 4.2% of the total retail sales. This indicated a 7% rise from the sales in 2009.

According to Forrester?s Report, the online retail sales were expected to grow at a rate of 10% annually from 2009-2014, and the same statistical result is awaited over the next year. It is predicted that the number of online sales will grow to $ 250 billion by 2014. ?In another report, 162.6 million people in the U.S are predicted to buy products and services online, in 2014.

Though the online retail sales are not growing at the speedy rate they once were, but they keep growing on gradually. Forrester is relatively more hopeful about the rise of online retail sales in Western Europe, as of 2014. He expects an 11% growth rate, with an increment of $ 93 billion in 2009 to $156 billion in 2014.? That makes online retail sales worth of 68 billion Euros in 2009 convert to $114.5 billion Euros in 2014. Online sales of prescription drugs, autos and tours are not part of Forrester?s calculations, however.

Other estimates regarding the U.S online sales forecast tell that:

• Three product types namely:? Computers, clothing, mobile phones and other consumer electronics contributed to more than 44% of online sales in 2009.
• By 2014, online purchases will represent 8% of the overall retail industry sales in the U.S; making a rise of 6% from the sales incurred in 2009.
• 42% of the total retail sales including the online and web influenced offline sales were achieved in 2009. This equals to retail sales worth of $ 917 billion in 2009, according to Forrester report. By 2014, the rate is expected to grow up to 53% of retail sales. Till then the web is expected to influence in-store sales reaching to $ 1.4 billion approximately.
• 70% of the online users in U.S do a proper research about the products on the Internet before they seek out to buy them in offline stores.

More data given here, have a look:

• In spite of the recession, the UK e-retail market is currently growing at 16% per annul
• In the UK, the ecommerce market provides employment for over 730,000 people
• Every year more than one billion parcels are shipped from online purchases from UK
• 59% of SME?s offers eCommerce services report that international eCommerce was in a driver seat in their decision to sell online products
• Of SMEs current offer in ?eCommerce, a quarter show that the transactions of overseas make up 30-40% of income
• 74% of currently offline SMEs planning to offer eCommerce transactions within ?the next six months
• Beyond the UK, ?78% of these businesses motivated by the selling potential these data collected from Global Exports.

Now have a check about table point about ecommerce sales statistics:

Sales Year	U.S. Online Sales
2012 (Q1)	$50,270,000,000
2011	$255,600,000,000
2010	$172,900,000,000
2009	$155,200,000,000
Year	Global Online Sales
2011	$763,200,000,000
2010	$680,600,000,000

Now have a look on online statistics about the customer buying choice:

Online Shopping Statistics	Percentage of user
User who have made an internet purchase	83 %
User who have made a purchase multiple times	56%
Retail sales percentage that are made online	8%

Resource collected from Statistics Brain.

Some Interesting Statistics for Ecommerce Entrepreneur:

E-commerce of the U.S. sales reached $56.99 billion the third quarter up 17.3% from $48.59 billion for the same period a year ago, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce department. Now have a look on the third quarter, 2011 e-commerce sales increased 3.7% from $54.94 billion in the second quarter and the statistics figure out to the department?s seasonally adjusted estimates.

When e-retail sales growth hovered just above 15%, the 17.3% growth posted for the third quarter that follows three quarters. When growth clocked in at 17.2%, the last time e-commerce sales growth was greater than 17% that seemed in the 2011?s first quarter. Source : Internet Trailer

As more and more purchasers are expected to spend considerably online in the future, the key growth drivers of Ecommerce businesses include:

Offline sales Cannibalization

There are as many as 161 million purchasers who prefer to spend a greater part of their budget using the web channel, annually. In a report, most of the online retail sales were escalated during the significant holiday season such as, Thanksgiving, ?when majority found online shops a great deal of help rather than visiting stores.

Great variety of merchandise

?The Ecommerce business gives way to a wide variety of products and services you can choose from. Two types of retailers exist in the web market:? Manufacturers who know how to provide a complete product catalog that cannot be provided or maintained by other retailer companies, and others are the small companies who sell unique collection and offerings, and make full use of strong site merchandising and excellent page layouts to drive more traffic, increase the number of purchases and drive sales.

Universal accessibility

Internet can be accessed from any part of the world, at any time. It allows cross channel communication and allows people to perform different activities as conveniently as possible; from social networking to online business, from buying and selling products/services online to communicating with your distant loved ones and much more. According to a survey, the continued increment in online shopping attributes to the use of Tablet PCs and Smart phones for mobile shopping.

New and improved commerce models

The introduction of new business models like daily deal sites and flash sites provide convenient ways for online users to buy more frequently online.? The ?limited offer? model, ?digital media content downloads ?model and others are likely to turn the offline shopping trends downwards in the near future.

Hundreds of thousands of companies have started their online businesses, whether they are new to the business world or have already gained experience; so as to secure their financial life.

Source: http://devsteam.com/coming-up-with-an-ecommerce-venture-would-be-profitable

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Offer Your Residence On a Finances With These Successful Tips ...

Avoid feeling discouraged if you are faced with home selling on a small budget. If your home needs a lot of repairs, then you know that you cannot get all of them done. Just accept the reality of the situation and move forward. Supposing that selling your home is the most critical thing, than you can take care of some of the things that cost money. It follows that a brighter note would be that you can spend little to nothing and get a lot of repairs done that will make a positive impression. You would be flabbergasted at all the things you can get done with very little money. With that out of the way, you need to start determining the things that matter the most, when showing your home.

Unfortunately when a lot of folks are thinking about placing their home on the market; they are unable to find the funding needed to bring it up to quality standards. Keep the faith and just try to stay inside the parameters that are in your means. You will see all sorts of areas you can treat within your budget. It may be a good idea to talk to your real estate agent. Your real estate agent works with those who have certain demands everyday and will be able to relay those thoughts on to you. You have probably heard that the kitchen is one particular area that often takes priority over other areas. Remember that the bathroom is the room that will be the least captivating. This is correct, except when there is something drastically awful.

Realtors say that if you present something in the color yellow, it will add an upbeat appearance to your home. As you would imagine, this adds an upbeat, lighthearted effect that feels homey. Figure out how to make this addition viewable for passersby. The appearance of your home from the street is extremely critical. You can enhance the look with an item as fundamental as a pot of yellow flowers resting by your front door. Another suggestion would be to hang a wreath with yellow flowers amongst it. You get the idea and use your creativity and have a little fun with it.

As you can plainly see, what you will find out about home selling is some points are far more important than others. Nevertheless, the bottom line is how you want to use it, and how much of it will effect your situation. Yet you do realize there is much more to be discovered about this. We are keeping the best for last, and you will be delighted at what you will find out. Even after what is next, we will not quit there because the best is yet to come.

Another area that can be a deciding factor as to whether someone is interested in buying your home ? or not ? is the impression they get when they look at your bathrooms. If you have glass shower doors, undoubtedly they have a lime build up on them that results from use over a period of time. Go to your home improvement center and buy a lime remover. After using it, your shower doors will sparkle like new. Sometimes bath tubs will develop stains that are nearly impossible to get out. Buying a new bathtub usually isn?t an option, but a viable solution is to have the surface of the tub refinished. Not everyone is familiar with this process, but it?s not hard to find a company that does this kind of work. Potential buyers don?t spend a lot of time inspecting the bathrooms, so if yours appears clean and well-cared for, they might just do a cursory glance and then move on.

When you have the ability and creativity to improve some of the features of your home; it won?t be that expensive to make it appealing to a potential buyer. It is important to realize where you need to augment the appearance of your home to appeal to an interested party. You are now ready and know what it will take to make your home appealing to those who are looking to buy.

The author is an internet marketing and advertising specialist who writes on varied real estate subjects similar to ? Orlando real estate for sale, Tampa FL real estate and Tampa foreclosures.

Source: http://robertwatson.holdonhosting.net/offer-your-residence-on-a-finances-with-these-successful-tips/

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Suicide bomb hits Kabul as U.S. defense chief visits

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? A suicide bomber on a bicycle struck outside the Afghan Defense Ministry on Saturday, one of two attacks that killed at least 18 people as U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited the nation, officials said.

Nine people were killed in the bombing at the ministry, a fresh reminder that insurgents continue to fight and challenges remain as the U.S.-led NATO force hands over the country's security to the Afghans.

About a half hour later, another suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in Khost, the capital of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. An Afghan policeman and eight civilians, who were mostly children, died in that blast, said provincial spokesman Baryalai Wakman.

"We are still at war," Hagel said after he arrived on Friday, the same day that three men wearing Afghan army uniforms and driving an Afghan army vehicle forced their way onto a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan and opened fire, killing one civilian contractor and wounding other U.S. troops.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the morning attack at the ministry, saying it was meant to send a signal to the U.S. defense chief. "This attack was a message to him," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in an email to reporters.

Pentagon spokesman George Little said Hagel was in a briefing at a U.S.-led military coalition facility in another part of the city when the explosion occurred. He said the briefing continued without interruption.

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said the bomber on a bicycle struck just before 9 a.m. local time about 30 meters (yards) from the main gate of the ministry.

A man at the scene, Abdul Ghafoor, said the blast rocked the entire area.

"I saw dead bodies and wounded victims lying everywhere," Ghafoor told AP Television News. "Then random shooting started and we escaped from the area."

The ministry said at least nine civilians were killed and others were wounded.

Reporters traveling with Hagel were in a briefing when they heard the explosion. They were moved to a lower floor of the same building as U.S. facilities in downtown Kabul were locked down as a security precaution.

___

Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor and Heidi Vogt contributed to this report from Kabul.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/suicide-bomb-hits-kabul-us-defense-chief-visits-060335256.html

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Transfer of US prison to Afghans delayed again

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? The long-awaited transfer of the U.S. detention center in Afghanistan was delayed once again Saturday after a deal struck between the two governments broke down before the planned handover ceremony.

The delay suggests that the two sides have yet to resolve thorny issues such as whether Afghans can be held without trial and whether the U.S. will have the power to block the release of detainees it considers particularly dangerous. It also throws a pall over ongoing negotiations for a bilateral security agreement that would govern the presence of U.S. forces in Afghanistan after the current combat mission ends in 2014.

As recently as Friday morning, Afghan workers at the Defense Ministry were arranging transport for dignitaries and journalists to attend Saturday's ceremony at the detention center adjoining the Bagram Air Field, a U.S. base about an hour outside of the capital. The Parwan Detention Center houses Afghans and some foreigners picked up by U.S. forces.

Currently, there is an Afghan administrator of the prison, but the Americans have power to veto the release of detainees. The prisoners held under American authority do not have the right to a trial because the U.S. considers them detainees held as part of an ongoing conflict.

Then on Saturday morning, organizers told journalists that the ceremony had been canceled without giving a reason.

U.S. military officials said the ceremony was called off because they could not finalize the agreement with the Afghans.

"We continue to work out the details on the transfer of the Detention Facility in Parwan to the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," Jamie Graybeal, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, said in an email. He said that the U.S. remains committed to transferring the facility and all Afghan detainees.

"We intend to proceed with the transfer once we have reached full agreement," Graybeal said.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with U.S. commander Gen. Joseph Dunford late Saturday on the issue and Karzai's office said that they fully expect all the details to be worked out so that the transfer ceremony can be rescheduled for the coming week.

"Details will include respect for the national sovereignty of Afghanistan in the detention facility, and all technical and legal rights of the detainees," Karzai's office said in a statement. The statement said that Dunford also committed to transferring authority for the prison during this coming week. Graybeal, the U.S. forces spokesman, said he did not have information on the meeting and could not confirm if Dunford had made such a commitment.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/transfer-us-prison-afghans-delayed-again-055610552.html

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Long predicted atomic collapse state observed in graphene

Friday, March 8, 2013

The first experimental observation of a quantum mechanical phenomenon that was predicted nearly 70 years ago holds important implications for the future of graphene-based electronic devices. Working with microscopic artificial atomic nuclei fabricated on graphene, a collaboration of researchers led by scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California (UC) Berkeley have imaged the "atomic collapse" states theorized to occur around super-large atomic nuclei.

"Atomic collapse is one of the holy grails of graphene research, as well as a holy grail of atomic and nuclear physics," says Michael Crommie, a physicist who holds joint appointments with Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division and UC Berkeley's Physics Department. "While this work represents a very nice confirmation of basic relativistic quantum mechanics predictions made many decades ago, it is also highly relevant for future nanoscale devices where electrical charge is concentrated into very small areas."

Crommie is the corresponding author of a paper describing this work in the journal Science. The paper is titled "Observing Atomic Collapse Resonances in Artificial Nuclei on Graphene." Co-authors are Yang Wang, Dillon Wong, Andrey Shytov, Victor Brar, Sangkook Choi, Qiong Wu, Hsin-Zon Tsai, William Regan, Alex Zettl, Roland Kawakami, Steven Louie, and Leonid Levitov.

Originating from the ideas of quantum mechanics pioneer Paul Dirac, atomic collapse theory holds that when the positive electrical charge of a super-heavy atomic nucleus surpasses a critical threshold, the resulting strong Coulomb field causes a negatively charged electron to populate a state where the electron spirals down to the nucleus and then spirals away again, emitting a positron (a positively?charged electron) in the process. This highly unusual electronic state is a significant departure from what happens in a typical atom, where electrons occupy stable circular orbits around the nucleus.

"Nuclear physicists have tried to observe atomic collapse for many decades, but they never unambiguously saw the effect because it is so hard to make and maintain the necessary super-large nuclei," Crommie says. "Graphene has given us the opportunity to see a condensed matter analog of this behavior, since the extraordinary relativistic nature of electrons in graphene yields a much smaller nuclear charge threshold for creating the special supercritical nuclei that will exhibit atomic collapse behavior."

Perhaps no other material is currently generating as much excitement for new electronic technologies as graphene, sheets of pure carbon just one atom thick through which electrons can freely race 100 times faster than they move through silicon. Electrons moving through graphene's two-dimensional layer of carbon atoms, which are arranged in a hexagonally patterned honeycomb lattice, perfectly mimic the behavior of highly relativistic charged particles with no mass. Superthin, superstrong, superflexible, and superfast as an electrical conductor, graphene has been touted as a potential wonder material for a host of electronic applications, starting with ultrafast transistors.

In recent years scientists predicted that highly-charged impurities in graphene should exhibit a unique electronic resonance ? a build-up of electrons partially localized in space and energy ? corresponding to the atomic collapse state of super-large atomic nuclei. Last summer Crommie's team set the stage for experimentally verifying this prediction by confirming that graphene's electrons in the vicinity of charged atoms follow the rules of relativistic quantum mechanics. However, the charge on the atoms in that study was not yet large enough to see the elusive atomic collapse.

"Those results, however, were encouraging and indicated that we should be able to see the same atomic physics with highly charged impurities in graphene as the atomic collapse physics predicted for isolated atoms with highly charged nuclei," Crommie says. "That is to say, we should see an electron exhibiting a semiclassical inward spiral trajectory and a novel quantum mechanical state that is partially electron-like near the nucleus and partially hole-like far from the nucleus. For graphene we talk about 'holes' instead of the positrons discussed by nuclear physicists."

To test this idea, Crommie and his research group used a specially equipped scanning tunneling microscope (STM) in ultra-high vacuum to construct, via atomic manipulation, artificial nuclei on the surface of a gated graphene device. The "nuclei" were actually clusters made up of pairs, or dimers, of calcium ions. With the STM, the researchers pushed calcium dimers together into a cluster, one by one, until the total charge in the cluster became supercritical. STM spectroscopy was then used to measure the spatial and energetic characteristics of the resulting atomic collapse electronic state around the supercritical impurity.

"The positively charged calcium dimers at the surface of graphene in our artificial nuclei played the same role that protons play in regular atomic nuclei," Crommie says. "By squeezing enough positive charge into a sufficiently small area, we were able to directly image how electrons behave around a nucleus as the nuclear charge is methodically increased from below the supercritical charge limit, where there is no atomic collapse, to above the supercritical charge limit, where atomic collapse occurs."

Observing atomic collapse physics in a condensed matter system is very different from observing it in a particle collider, Crommie says. Whereas in a particle collider the "smoking gun" evidence of atomic collapse is the emission of a positron from the supercritical nucleus, in a condensed matter system the smoking gun is the onset of a signature electronic state in the region nearby the supercritical nucleus. Crommie and his group observed this signature electronic state with artificial nuclei of three or more calcium dimers.

"The way in which we observe the atomic collapse state in condensed matter and think about it is quite different from how the nuclear and high-energy physicists think about it and how they have tried to observe it, but the heart of the physics is essentially the same," says Crommie.

If the immense promise of graphene-based electronic devices is to be fully realized, scientists and engineers will need to achieve a better understanding of phenomena such as this that involve the interactions of electrons with each other and with impurities in the material.

"Just as donor and acceptor states play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of conventional semiconductors, so too should atomic collapse states play a similar role in understanding the properties of defects and dopants in future graphene devices," Crommie says.

"Because atomic collapse states are the most highly localized electronic states possible in pristine graphene, they also present completely new opportunities for directly exploring and understanding electronic behavior in graphene."

###

DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: http://www.lbl.gov

Thanks to DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127212/Long_predicted_atomic_collapse_state_observed_in_graphene

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Video: DPS: Barkley a top 15 talent?

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/51106008#51106008

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Whoa there! Quick switch to 'barefoot' shoes can be bad to the bone

Mar. 5, 2013 ? or the growing number of runners who are considering trying "barefoot" five-finger running shoes, researchers at BYU have a message for you: Take it slow!

A new study from a team of exercise science professors found that runners who transition too quickly to minimalist shoes suffer an increased risk of injury to bones in the foot, including possible stress fractures.

With minimalist shoes now making up 15 percent of the $6.5 billion running shoe market, the findings are nothing to run from.

"Transitioning to minimalist shoes is definitely stressful to the bones," said Sarah Ridge, study lead author and assistant professor of exercise science at BYU. "You have to be careful in how you transition and most people don't think about that; they just want to put the shoes on and go."

The research, appearing online ahead of print in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, studied 36 experienced runners over a 10-week period.

Each runner first underwent MRIs on their feet prior to the study period. Half of the runners were then asked to gradually transition into five-finger minimalist shoes while the other half continued to run in traditional running shoes.

Subjects in the experimental group followed an industry suggested protocol. They did one short (1-2 mile) run in the minimalist shoes the first week, and added an additional short run each week so that they ran at least 3 miles in the new shoes by week three. They were then told to add mileage in the minimal shoes as they felt comfortable, with the goal of replacing one short run per week in traditional shoes with the new shoes.

At the end of the 10-week period, MRIs were again conducted. The MRIs revealed that those who had transitioned to the minimalist shoes suffered greater increases in bone marrow edema (inflammation causing excessive fluid in the bone) and more stress injuries than those in traditional shoes.

"Whenever a bone is impacted by running (or some other repetitive action), it goes through a normal remodeling process to get stronger," Ridge said. "Injury occurs when the impact is coming too quickly or too powerfully, and the bone doesn't have a chance to properly remodel before impact reoccurs."

Interestingly, the study found the majority of those who suffered stress injuries were women.

Ridge and her coauthors, which include BYU exercise science faculty Wayne Johnson, Ulrike Mitchell and Iain Hunter, said the study does not mean minimalist shoes are bad.

Rather, to minimize the risk of injuries, runners should transition over a longer duration than 10 weeks and at a lower intensity (miles per week).

"People need to remember they've grown up their whole life wearing a certain type of running shoes and they need to give their muscles and bones time to make the change," Johnson said. "If you want to wear minimalist shoes, make sure you transition slowly."

This is the first of many studies looking at minimalist running shoes, the authors said. Over the next several months they plan to publish enough research to begin to establish clear recommendations for anyone considering making the switch.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Brigham Young University.

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Journal Reference:

1. Sarah T. Ridge, A.Wayne Johnson, Ulrike H. Mitchell, Iain Hunter, Eric Robinson, Brent S. E. Rich, Stephen Douglas Brown. Foot Bone Marrow Edema after 10-week Transition to Minimalist Running Shoes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2013; : 1 DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182874769

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/uA8UcgJpWY0/130307092523.htm

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Ala. sheriff recounts final moments at bunker

FILE -- In this photo taken Feb. 8, 2013, authorities continue their investigation at the site in Midland City, Ala., where a five year old boy was held hostage in an underground bunker. Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson on Thursday, March 7, 2013 said officers stormed the bunker because the man had told them something "real, real bad" was going to happen if they didn't meet his demands. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

FILE -- In this photo taken Feb. 8, 2013, authorities continue their investigation at the site in Midland City, Ala., where a five year old boy was held hostage in an underground bunker. Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson on Thursday, March 7, 2013 said officers stormed the bunker because the man had told them something "real, real bad" was going to happen if they didn't meet his demands. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) ? An Alabama man who held a boy hostage in a bunker warned authorities some "very bad things" would happen if they didn't meet his demands, a sheriff said Thursday, shedding more light on the final moments of the standoff.

Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said Jimmy Lee Dykes had two homemade explosives devices and authorities were worried he would set them off and kill the then-5-year-old boy. Officers raided the bunker Feb. 4 after a weeklong standoff and shot Dykes to death. The boy was rescued unharmed.

Olson said investigators still weren't sure of Dykes' motive.

"He kept saying he had a story that was very important to him and that he wanted to get out his story. But we've never been able to find out exactly what his story was. He would never really give us any insights into that," said Olson, who spoke to reporters after he gave a speech on gun legislation to lawmakers.

Investigators were reviewing writings found on Dykes' property to see if they offered any explanation into why he kidnapped the boy off a school bus Jan. 29, the sheriff said.

Dykes killed bus driver Charles Poland and took the child to an underground bunker near his mobile home. He had two explosive devices. One was set off in a PVC pipe but didn't harm anyone because authorities covered it with sandbags. The other device was more threatening, the sheriff said.

"If he had detonated that device, it would have killed him," Olson said of the boy. "We felt like his life was definitely in harm's way."

Dykes had been planning the event for weeks and became friendly with the bus driver, even clearing out a place close to his property where Poland could turn the bus around on the dead-end street.

Officers communicated with Dykes from the beginning by using the PVC pipe that led to the bunker. The sheriff said Dykes initially appeared focused on the child's safety, but that changed as the days passed and negotiations deteriorated.

He said Dykes gave officers a deadline to do things or else "some bad things would happen." The sheriff wouldn't say want those demands were.

Authorities, including the FBI and Alabama Bureau of Investigation, had developed different plans about what to do if that moment arrived, and they decided to act, he said.

The 40-year-old sheriff, who has two young daughters, said he handled the tense days with his children always on his mind.

"I don't want to look like a big boob and start crying. Now I do love my children, and I could only imagine what it would be like if that would have been my child. That's why I tried to do everything possible I could to make sure we had a safe return," he said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-07-Alabama%20Bunker%20Standoff/id-7e70a24e28b74f05afb20570ddb75c9c

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ScienceDaily: Living Well News

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/living_well/ Stories about health and wellness, lifestyle issues and trends, family concerns and other topics about everyday life.en-usThu, 07 Mar 2013 12:16:32 ESTThu, 07 Mar 2013 12:16:32 EST60http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gifhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/news/living_well/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134230.htm New work expands the understanding of how Th17 cells develop, and how their growth influences the development of immune responses. By figuring out how these cells are "wired," the researchers make a surprising connection between autoimmunity and salt consumption, highlighting the interplay of genetics and environmental factors in disease susceptibility.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:42:42 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134230.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134224.htm Researchers provide specific pre-clinical scientific evidence supporting the concept that prolonged and intensive stimulation by an enriched environment, especially regular exposure to new activities, may have beneficial effects in delaying one of the key negative factors in Alzheimer's disease.Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:42:42 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306134224.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305174041.htm Researcher found that getting intrusive could increase student support at universities. The researcher examined intrusive advising -- working with at-risk students to identify challenges and solutions to overcome them -- in residence halls.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:40:40 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305174041.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305154531.htm Researchers show how fish oils help lower blood pressure via vasodilation at ion channels. In vascular smooth muscle cells, such as those that line blood vessels, ion channels that span the outer membrane of a cell to let such ions as sodium, calcium, and potassium in and out, are critical to maintaining proper vessel pressure.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:45:45 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305154531.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305145137.htm Researchers have found a new potential benefit of a molecule in green tea: preventing the misfolding of specific proteins in the brain.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:51:51 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305145137.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305131404.htm A new study says a low-cost program of aerobic walking is just as effective as expensive clinical therapy in the treatment of lower back pain.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:14:14 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305131404.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305131249.htm New research finds that older adults who play video games report higher levels of emotional well-being.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305131249.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305130740.htm Product benefits that occur later in time are more likely to appeal to more independent consumers than to those who are more group or family oriented, according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:07:07 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305130740.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305130449.htm Homes in neighborhoods that incorporate protected open space command prices 20 to 29 percent higher than those without open space, according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:04:04 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305130449.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305100951.htm In a large neuroimaging study, 127 volunteers played a take-it-or-leave-it game that shows cold reasoning and hot feelings may be more intimately connected than previously thought.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305100951.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305100926.htm Marriage may not always be as beneficial to health as experts have led us to believe, according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305100926.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090958.htm Religious college students report less alcohol use than their classmates -- and the reason may have to do with how their parents handle stress, according to new research.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090958.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090956.htm Adults whose parents were divorced are more likely to switch religions or disassociate themselves from institutional religions altogether -- but growing up in a single-parent family does not have any effect on private religious life, including praying, according to a new study.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:09:09 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305090956.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305080452.htm If you think giving someone the cold shoulder inflicts pain only on them, beware. A new study shows that individuals who deliberately shun another person are equally distressed by the experience.Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:04:04 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130305080452.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151807.htm A new mother may constantly worry and check to see if her baby is breathing. Or she may obsess about germs. A new study found postpartum moms have a much higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the general population. This is the first large-scale study of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in new moms. The symptoms could result from hormonal changes or be adaptive, but may indicate a psychological disorder if they interfere with a mother's functioning.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:18:18 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151807.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151805.htm For the first time ever, a research team is able to explain why our brains feel tired when we exercise. By mapping the mechanism behind so-called central fatigue, the researchers are hoping, among other things, to learn more about how to identify doping use.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:18:18 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304151805.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123551.htm Exercise can affect your sleep. The results of the National Sleep Foundation's 2013 Sleep in America? poll show a compelling association between exercise and better sleep.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123551.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123549.htm A new study shows that alcohol is now the third leading cause of the global burden of disease and injury, despite the fact most adults worldwide abstain from drinking.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123549.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123540.htm Debtors who apologized were seen as more remorseful and were expected to manage their finances more carefully in the future compared to debtors who did not offer an apology, finds a new study.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123540.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304105658.htm Eating your greens may be even more important that previously thought, with the discovery that an immune cell population essential for intestinal health could be controlled by leafy greens in your diet. The immune cells, named innate lymphoid cells, are found in the lining of the digestive system and protect the body from 'bad' bacteria in the intestine. They are also believed to play an important role in controlling food allergies, inflammatory diseases and obesity, and may even prevent the development of bowel cancers.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:56:56 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304105658.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304105531.htm Studies finding that grandmother's smoking habit may cause her grandchild to have asthma suggest environmental factors experienced today can affect families' health for generations to come.Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:55:55 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304105531.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301123312.htm While those active on social media aren't shy about expressing opinions on their Facebook pages, how much do their "Likes" really reflect the quality of an organization? A new study shows that Facebook "Likes" were indeed an indicator of hospital quality and patient satisfaction.Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:33:33 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301123312.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301122306.htm A new study of women's feet during and after pregnancy shows that arch height and arch rigidity decrease significantly from early pregnancy to five months after childbirth, causing corresponding increases in foot length that appear to be permanent.Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:23:23 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301122306.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301034833.htm Researchers have found that healthy adolescent females have predetermined expectations for becoming parents in the future, but have concerns about fertility and childbearing should they develop a life-threatening illness, such as cancer.Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:48:48 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130301034833.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228194659.htm Want to know what you are eating? DNA barcodes can be used to identify even very closely related species, finds a new article. Results from the study show that the labelling of game meat in South Africa is very poor with different species being substituted almost 80 percent of the time.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:46:46 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228194659.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124142.htm Most serious traffic accidents occur when drivers are making a left-hand turn at a busy intersection. When those drivers are also talking on a hands-free cell phone, "that could be the most dangerous thing they ever do on the road," said an expert.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124142.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124132.htm Much to the chagrin of parents who think their kids should spend less time playing video games and more time studying, time spent playing action video games can actually make dyslexic children read better, new research suggests. In fact, 12 hours of video game play did more for reading skills than is normally achieved with a year of spontaneous reading development or demanding traditional reading treatments.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124132.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103458.htm Having more control in the workplace can have negative consequences for individuals, but it depends on the form of job control. Having control over one's work schedule and job autonomy are associated with lower levels of job pressure.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103458.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103443.htm A healthy diet during pregnancy is critical to the future health of your children. New research suggests that pregnant mothers who consume junk food cause developmental changes of the opioid signaling pathway in the brains of their unborn children. Consequently, these children are less sensitive to opioids released upon consumption of foods high in fat and sugar, and need to eat more to achieve a "feel good" response.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228103443.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228080547.htm Although the long-term consequences of childhood obesity are well documented, some school districts have reduced physical education classes to devote more time to the three Rs in education -- reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, there is new evidence that leaving out an important fourth R -- aerobics -- could actually be counterproductive for increasing test scores. A new study studied the associations between aerobic fitness, body mass index, and passing scores on standardized math and reading tests.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:05:05 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228080547.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228080135.htm Researchers have discovered that acne bacteria contain "bad" strains associated with pimples and "good" strains that may protect the skin. The findings could lead to a myriad of new therapies to prevent and treat the disfiguring skin disorder.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:01:01 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228080135.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227225636.htm The perennial stress-buster -- a deep breath -- could become stress-detector. According to a new pilot study, there are six markers in the breath that could be candidates for use as indicators of stress.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:56:56 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227225636.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183526.htm New research reveals that individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes would benefit from being told to sit less and move around more often -- rather than simply exercising regularly. The experts suggest that reducing sitting time by 90 minutes in total per day could lead to important health benefits.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183526.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183458.htm Sports-related head injuries are a growing concern, and new research suggests that even less forceful actions like 'heading' a soccer ball may cause changes in performance on certain cognitive tasks, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183458.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183456.htm Higher humidity levels indoors can significantly reduce the infectivity of influenza virus particles released by coughing, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:34:34 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183456.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183316.htm Praising children, especially those with low self-esteem, for their personal qualities rather than their efforts may make them feel more ashamed when they fail, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:33:33 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227183316.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151258.htm Research indicates that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, well before adulthood. Three new studies investigate the cognitive, genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to mental health disorders in adolescence.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151258.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151254.htm A 98-year-old researcher argues that, contrary to decades of clinical assumptions and advice to patients, dietary cholesterol is good for your heart -- unless that cholesterol is unnaturally oxidized (by frying foods in reused oil, eating lots of polyunsaturated fats, or smoking).Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227151254.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227134342.htm Does your neighborhood really define health? Most of us make a choice between suburbs, countryside, or city and settle down. But others, particularly those living in poverty, don?t always get to make that choice ?- the choice that could actually determine our quality and length of life. So how does this choice affect our health?Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:43:43 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227134342.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227121903.htm While water bottles may tout BPA-free labels and personal care products declare phthalates not among their ingredients, these assurances may not be enough. According to a new study, we may be exposed to these chemicals in our diet, even if our diet is organic and we prepare, cook, and store foods in non-plastic containers. Children may be most vulnerable.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:19:19 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227121903.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113100.htm New research is the first to systematically examine the role of trust in biasing memories of transgressions in romantic partnerships. People who are highly trusting tended to remember transgressions in a way that benefits the relationship, remembering partner transgressions as less severe than they originally reported. People low on trust demonstrated the opposite pattern, remembering partner transgressions as being more severe than how they originally reported.?Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:31:31 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113100.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113058.htm Researcher says terms such as "normal," "healthy" or "successful" aging can prejudice our views of seniors.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113058.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htm Most parents would agree that raising a generous child is an admirable goal -- but how, exactly, is that accomplished? New results shed light on how generosity and related behaviors -- such as kindness, caring and empathy -- develop, or don't develop, in children from 2 years old through adolescence.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:29:29 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102100.htm Same-sex couples who live together have worse health than married opposite-sex couples and similar health as opposite-sex couples who are living together (after adjusting for socioeconomic differences), according to a new study.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102100.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227101929.htm Older people who have low expectations for a satisfying future may be more likely to live longer, healthier lives than those who see brighter days ahead, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:19:19 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227101929.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085840.htm Advertisers who put images of female celebrities and models next to their products spark scorn rather than shopping, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:58:58 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085840.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085838.htm Pregnant women should avoid taking vitamin D supplements, new research suggests. Substitution appears to raise the risk of children developing a food allergy after birth.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:58:58 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085838.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085706.htm Same-sex cohabitors report worse health than people of the same socioeconomic status who are in heterosexual marriages, according to a new study, which may provide fuel for gay marriage proponents.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:57:57 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085706.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htm A study finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:40:40 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226141235.htm Fingers are one of the first body parts to suffer from the cold and popular fingerless texting gloves can lead to frostbite and in worst cases, amputation, says an expert.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226141235.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226101259.htm Orthopedic surgeon, spine specialist says excessive leaning head forward and down, while looking at a phone or other mobile device could result in what some people call ?text neck.?Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226101259.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htm During sleep, our brains store what we have learned during the day a process even more effective in children than in adults, new research shows.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:11:11 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225181536.htm Results of a major study aimed at assessing the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases show that such a diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or tree nuts reduces by 30 percent the risk of suffering a cardiovascular death, a myocardial infarction or a stroke.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225181536.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htm Giving back through volunteering is good for your heart, even at a young age, according to researchers.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153046.htm Targeting CPR education in high-risk neighborhoods could increase the number of bystanders giving CPR and decrease deaths from cardiac arrest, according to a new statement.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153046.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153029.htm The idea that boys are better at math and in competitions has persisted for a long time - primarily because of the competition format. A new study shows that competitions that extend beyond a single round result in parity between the sexes.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153029.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131541.htm A newly released international study reveals that the issue of climate change is not a priority for people in the United States and around the world. The surveys showed that when asked to rank priority worries, people were five times more likely to point to the economy over the environment.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131541.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131532.htm People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers have found.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131532.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122047.htm New research highlights a memory strategy that may help people who suffer from depression in recalling positive day-to-day experiences.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:20:20 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122047.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112320.htm All employees are accountable for something, but very few fully understand exactly what they are accountable for, according to a new study.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:23:23 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112320.htm

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/rss/living_well.xml

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Google+ (on the web) rolls out huge cover pics, new local reviews tab

Google+ today rolled out some interesting improvements to its web version. The biggest, obviously, is the gianormous new cover photos. What was once long and skinny is now long and not-so-skinny. (We know how it feels.) When fully expanded, the new cover photos have a 16x9 aspect ration and can be as large as 2,120px by 1,192px. That's big. So make sure your image doesn't suck.

Next is a new tab for your local reviews. If you've reviewed something in your hamlet, it'll show up here. You can use it to showcase specific reviews, or you can hide it altogether. Your call.

Editing your info also is easier now, with better separation of content in the About tab, with cards acting as category separators.

Source: +SaraMcKinley

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/6LKLCRVNXts/story01.htm

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Obama dinner with GOP signals shift in approach

The dinner between President Barack Obama and a group of Senate Republicans on Wednesday -- described by different attendees as "honest," "interactive," and "cordial" -- launched the latest attempt by the chief executive to cultivate alliances with rivals who have stood opposed to his policy proposals.

On Thursday, Obama invited Rep. Paul Ryan and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the top Republican and Democrat on the House Budget Committee, to lunch at the White House. And next week he'll attend meetings on Capitol Hill with the entire House and Senate Republican coalitions, along with members of his own party.

Obama is attempting to reach rank-and-file lawmakers, who he's largely avoided in budget negotiations, choosing instead to work with the party's leadership. Social events with lawmakers were also largely absent from his calendar during his first term and the president was criticized for that from some members of Congress, including Democrats.

Obama took a blame-Congress approach in the showdown over the forced spending cuts that went into effect on Friday. A White House official told CNN on Wednesday that the president's outreach was a "change in approach" following the deadline-driven atmosphere of the previous week.

The dinner Wednesday, which came at Obama's request and included some of his most vocal critics, lasted a little over two hours. Emerging afterwards, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gave a thumbs-up and said the meal went "just fine."

Another GOP senator, who asked not to be named because it was a private event, described it as a "very positive meeting" that focused on the debt and deficit. The senator also used the words "interactive," "respectful," and "sober" to describe the gathering, adding that it was even jovial at times.

Another senator who asked not to be named said Republicans got into some detail on each subject, especially tax reform and Medicare. The senator said they were all candid about ideas, and what could be considered "challenges" within each party.

According to this senator, one Republican told the president that if he really wants to do tax reform in a way that attracts fiscal conservatives, he should entertain the idea of throwing out the tax code and revamping it and "do something dramatic."

Obama, the senator said, reacted "openly" to that and other ideas.

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., called the dinner "a candid and constructive conversation on both sides."

Source: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/politics/Obama-dinner-with-Republicans-signals-shift-in-approach/-/9379266/19217652/-/dbarakz/-/index.html?absolute=true

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Small airports upset at removal of new scanners

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) ? Managers at dozens of small airports have expressed outrage at federal officials for hauling new full-body scanners away from their facilities and sending them to large hubs that haven't yet upgraded older machines criticized for showing too much anatomy.

U.S. Transportation Security Administration contractors were threatened with arrest after officials at a Montana airport said they received no notice before the workers arrived. In North Dakota, the scanners are set to be yanked from a terminal remodeled last year with $40,000 in local funds just to fit the new machines.

"We think it's silly to have installed the thing and then come back nine months later and take it out," Bismarck airport manager Greg Haug said.

The L3 Millimeter Wave body scanners, which are about the size of a minivan on end and produce cartoonlike outlines of travelers, are being removed from 49 smaller airports across the country to help replace 174 full-body scanners used at larger airports. After controversy erupted over the bare images of a person's body the full-body scanners produce, Congress set a June deadline for them to be removed or updated.

But officials at smaller airports said removing their machines will produce longer lines, increased pat-downs, decreased security and a waste of taxpayer money.

North Dakota officials are especially critical of the swap because the state's airline boardings are skyrocketing with booming oil development. TSA is slated to remove the newly installed scanners this week at airports in Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot.

"It does seem like a waste of time and energy, but the biggest issue is security concerns," state Aeronautics Commissioner Larry Taborsky said of removing the machines. "We are feeding a lot of traffic into the national system."

"Smaller airports are being treated as less important as bigger airports in the system," said Dave Ruppel, manager of the Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Steamboat Springs, Colo. "Any airport you go through is an entrance into the whole system."

Ruppel's airport lost its scanner late last month. He said the move to replace machines at big airports with scanners from smaller airports is "a political solution to a security problem."

TSA said in a statement that it will cost about $2.5 million to remove the machines from the 49 smaller airports and reinstall them at bigger facilities. The agency would not identify the specific airports where the scanners are slated to be removed. Airport directors said the machines cost about $150,000 each.

"TSA's deployment strategy is designed to ensure advanced imaging technology units are in place at checkpoints where they will be used a significant portion of operating hours, increasing overall use across the system," the agency's statement said. "TSA will continue to evaluate airport needs and will reassess its deployment strategy when additional units are procured."

That's little comfort for airport officials who point out the scanners were touted by TSA for being more secure, less intrusive and quicker.

At the Grand Forks airport, a bank of windows at the terminal had to be removed to place the machine, said Patrick Dame, airport director. The airport authority board in Grand Forks passed a resolution last week that prohibits the TSA from altering the terminal to remove the machine that has been in place less than a year.

"They're free to take the equipment, but they can't take the building apart to do so," Dame said.

Minot's scanning machine has been in place for only about 10 months, airport director Andy Solsvig said.

"With ours, they can disassemble it and wheel it out the door," Solsvig said.

That's what happened Tuesday night at the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, Calif., said Jack Gotcher, airport director. The airport had its new scanner for about a year but it's now going to Los Angeles International Airport, he said.

"We're back to the metal detector, where we were before," Gotcher said.

Many of the 140,000 boardings at the Bakersfield airport are oil workers heading to North Dakota's rich oil patch in the western part of the state, he said.

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission said 2012 was a record year at the state's eight commercial airports with more than 1 million boardings, bolstered by big gains in the western part of the state, where booming oil development has spurred huge increases in airline activity.

Haug, Bismarck's airport manager, said to keep the machines, an airport must have had more than 250,000 boardings annually for three consecutive years. Bismarck had 236,000 boardings last year and is projected to surpass that soon.

"It's just a matter of time that they'll have to come back in under mandate and reinstall them because we'll quality as a bigger airport," Haug said. "This is not one of TSA's finest hours."

Airport officials in Helena, Mont., have been more drastic in attempts to keep the machines. Airport manager Ronald Mercer said workers under contract with TSA attempted to pull the machine at the airport last week but were told to leave the property or be arrested.

"We told them we weren't going to allow them to do it," Mercer said.

TSA's decision to remove the machine was a surprise to airport officials, Mercer said.

"We never heard they were coming to get it in the first place and we haven't heard anything since," he said. "We have heard rumors that they are sending federal marshals to come get it."

Taborsky, who has had a hip replacement, said the new machines allowed him to pass through security checkpoints without setting off an alarm. He said he'll likely have to go back to being a subject of pat-downs once the machines are gone.

"I'm going to set off the old metal detector now so it is really personal," Taborsky said. "It's going to impact the elderly, who have had hip or knee replacements, in particular."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/small-airports-irked-removal-body-scanners-214729410.html

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"Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society" | NCSE

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"Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society"

A new report issued by the National Center for Science Education, "Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society" (PDF) offers recommendations for improving climate and energy literacy in the United States over the course of the next decade. As NCSE's Mark McCaffrey remarked in a March 4, 2013, press release announcing the report, "We have lots of information about climate change, but much of it is falling on deaf ears"; "Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society" is intended to provide a way forward. As the executive summary explains:

Understanding the causes of and responding to climate change is the major challenge of the 21st century. Most Americans do not understand the basics of climate change and energy or how they are inextricably connected, yet informed decisions, a prepared workforce, and risk reductions are not possible without a clear understanding of these topics. Research shows that in general those who have a basic understanding of the science are more concerned with addressing climate change (Leiserowitz 2010, 2011, Miller 2012). Moreover, improving society's climate and energy literacy should be a top priority addressed through science education and through a range of other education, communication, and outreach strategies.

To counter the scientific illiteracy standing in the way of meeting these urgent 21st-century challenges, a group of fifty leaders in the climate and energy community gathered in Berkeley, California, between December 7 and 9, 2012, to participate in the Climate and Energy Literacy Summit hosted by the National Center for Science Education. The attendees included climate, energy, education, technology, and research experts, curriculum developers, philanthropists, science journalists, representatives from climate- and energy-related non-profits and professional societies, federal and state agencies, and the National Academy of Sciences.

The goal of the Summit was to identify ways "to substantially and measurably improve climate and energy literacy to provide society and the next generation with the scientific foundation to take informed actions to minimize climate impacts and prepare for changes that are already well underway."

Participants agreed that many components already exist to forge a national climate and energy literacy initiative, but substantial challenges remain in terms of coordination, training and funding. Following are key recommendations of the Summit:

• Create a national initiative using the Collective Impact approach for effective partnership by developing a common agenda, shared measures, engaging in reinforcing activities and continuous communication, and having a supporting infrastructure;
• Significantly expand through private funding the availability of existing high-quality climate and energy related education, communication, and outreach programs;
• Emphasize teaching climate change and energy topics throughout education, which is vital to establishing a strong foundation for future decisions and in fostering resilient communities;
• Build on existing resources and frameworks, including the U.S. Global Change Research Program's Climate Literacy and Energy Literacy documents (see Appendix II);
• Support the climate and energy-related aspects of the forthcoming Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS);
• Collaborate with key programs and partners, including the 100K in 10 initiative, which aims to recruit and prepare 100,000 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers in ten years;
• Maximize the potential for digital learning opportunities, including online courses, educational gaming and the use of digital badges and certification;
• Identify and address the education, communications, and outreach needs of underserved and vulnerable communities relative to these topics;
• Conduct a national survey to determine whether, where, and how climate change and energy topics are taught in formal education; and
• Anticipate and effectively respond to denial and manufactured doubt about climate change.

"It's easier said than done," NCSE's Minda Berbeco commented in the press release. "The challenges are considerable in terms of coordination, training, and funding." But NCSE's executive director Eugenie C. Scott insisted that the task is vital: "With climate change the major challenge of the 21st century, it is imperative to ensure that the current generation of K-12 and college students are equipped with the best scientific information available to help them make the crucial decisions about climate and energy policy that they will have to make."

Source: http://ncse.com/news/2013/03/toward-climate-energy-literate-society-0014744

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