Samsung takes wraps off its 16MP Android-powered Galaxy Camera with Jelly Bean

or whatever the crisis may be ? has a life of its own. Men and women keep dying, and U.S. policies keep accelerating the centrifugal forces that are driving the country toward civil conflict, which may have profound implications for future regional and international security." ? Sarah Chaynes, a senior associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in commentary published Sunday as analysts say that the a public worn down by a war that began just a month after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, no longer cares about Afghanistan, and that the war has slipped off the radar screens and is now considered by many to be over.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/samsung-takes-wraps-off-16mp-android-powered-galaxy-173427777.html

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States Consider Names, Logistics For Health Insurance Exchanges ...

California officials ponder how to brand the new marketplaces to create consumer buzz, while Connecticut officials move ahead with plans to launch next year.

Los Angeles Times: California's Health Exchange Considers A Fruity New Name
Want to buy health insurance from an avocado? California thinks you might. Officials at the California Health Benefit Exchange, knowing their new online marketplace for medical insurance is a mouthful, are considering some new brand names to generate buzz with millions of consumers. "Avocado: A uniquely California approach to affordable health care" was one possibility presented at a board meeting Thursday (Terhune, 8/24).

The Associated Press: Conn. Moving Ahead With New Health Care Exchange
Connecticut officials are pushing ahead with plans to set up the new health insurance exchange, a marketplace where individuals and businesses can find affordable coverage, by next fall. The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week awarded the state a $107 million grant. It was the latest allotment from the federal government as part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law. To date, the state has now received a total of $116 million (8/25).

In other health law news, a study shows Florida stands to leave a dollar on the table for every dime it saves from not expanding Medicaid --

The Associated Press: Florida Economists Reduce Health Care Estimates
State economists have reduced their estimates of what it would cost Florida to expand Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul. Gov. Rick Scott, an Affordable Care Act opponent, is against the expansion. It eventually would extend Medicaid coverage to about 900,000 more Floridians. While the overall numbers released Friday are lower, they still show Florida would lose about a dollar in federal funding for every dime of state savings from turning down the expanded program (8/24).

And some Connecticut health insurance rates are being driven higher by higher costs, not the health law --

The Connecticut Mirror: Connecticut Health Insurance Rate Increases Driven By Rising Costs, Not The Affordable Care Act, Filings Show
The double-digit rate increases recently granted to one and sought by two other large Connecticut health insurers are due mostly to increasing medical costs and only minimally to the impact of the Affordable Care Act, filings by the companies show. Aetna Health Inc. recently won approval for a 12.6 percent increase in its small group health insurance following its request for 14 percent -- just under a new 15-percent threshold that would have triggered a public hearing (Merritt, 8/27).

This is part of Kaiser Health News' Daily Report - a summary of health policy coverage from more than 300 news organizations. The full summary of the day's news can be found here and you can sign up for e-mail subscriptions to the Daily Report here. In addition, our staff of reporters and correspondents file original stories each day, which you can find on our home page.

Source: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2012/August/27/states-health-law-issues-expansion-exchanges.aspx

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Losing My Mind, Finding My Voice: The Essential Self-Improvement ...

by Versandra Kennebrew

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I?m gonna get off my rear end and lose some weight. I?m taking a few classes to enhance my skills and get a better job with more money. Maybe If I improve my time management skills I can spend more quality time with my parents. I hear some of my girls talk about time freedom and how much better it is to be self-employed than trading time for dollars, maybe I?ll see if entrepreneurship is for me too. Reading a new self-help book every-other-month should not be too hard to accomplish. These are some of the common commitments women make during National Self-Improvement Month, but what happens in October?Thought leaders, life coaches and other personal development professionals love September because besides January when millions of women set New Year?s Resolutions, this month is the month of massive self-reflection and life changing activity. Thirty days of looking in the mirror, wow... If you want to get the most out of National Self-Improvement Month 2012, consider this essential self-improvement guide for women entrepreneurs. ?

1.????? Be honest with yourself ladies, everyone has room for improvement

2.????? If you can?t think of an area to improve, ask someone who loves you how you can enhance your life

3.????? Speak your intention daily (I evaluate my life and initiate positive change immediately)

4.????? Be clear where you want to improve yourself (career, personal, family, finances, spiritual)

5.????? Write down where you stand today and where you want to be a 3-months, 6-months and a year from today

6.????? Have a strong reason why you want to improve yourself?

7.????? Write down the consequences that will occur if you don?t change

8.????? Choose to speak life in every aspect of your life

9.????? Write down and repeat affirmations to replace thoughts that do not serve your higher good

10.? Reward yourself for positive outcomes (manicure, pedicure, massage)

11.? Identify and recruit an accountability partner

12.? Hire a business or life coach to give you new perspective and to support exponential growth

13.? 30-days of practice makes perfect, if you fall, get back up and keep it moving

14.? Virtualize your new and improved self within the first 7-days?

15.? Visualize your new and improved self each day for 30-days

16.? Call upon the strength of why when you need a boost

17.? Seek balance in every aspect of your life (drastic changes are usually not permanent)

18.? Failing yourself is not an option

19.? Remember life is a journey and not a destination

20.? Keep a 30-day self-improvement journal and review your thoughts and concerns about yourself often?

Everything you see around you is a manifestation of thought activated by words. This essential guide is merely 20 thoughts to guide women entrepreneurs through 30-days of self-improvement. After reading them, embrace the thoughts that resonate with you and release those that do not serve your higher good. Activate your power thoughts by speaking life to them. Say to yourself, ?I am healthy. I feed my cells all the essential nutrients it needs to help me perform optimally at home, at work and at play.? Love yourself this September enough to be better than ever before.?

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Source: http://www.mindingmyvoice.com/2012/08/the-essential-self-improvement-guide.html

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Isaac threatens Fla. Keys, northern Gulf Coast

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) ? Tropical Storm Isaac gained fresh muscle Sunday as it bore down on the Florida Keys, with forecasters warning it could grow into a dangerous Category 2 hurricane as it nears the northern Gulf Coast.

Isaac drew new strength early Sunday during a warm-water crossing of the Florida Straits after causing weekend havoc in Cuba, where it downed trees and power lines. Before that, Isaac was blamed for four deaths in Haiti.

On Key West, locals followed time-worn storm preparedness rituals while awaiting the storm after Isaac swamped the Caribbean and shuffled plans for the Republican National Convention. Forecasters said the storm was expected to reach the archipelago sometime Sunday at or near hurricane strength.

A steady line of cars moved north Saturday along the Overseas Highway, the only road linking the Florida Keys. Residents boarded up windows, laid down sandbags and shuttered businesses ahead of the approaching storm. Even Duval Street, Key West's storied main drag, was subdued for a weekend, though not enough to stop music from playing or drinks from being poured.

"We'll just catch every place that's open," said Ted Lamarche, a 48-year-old pizzeria owner visiting Key West to celebrate his anniversary with his wife, Deanna. They walked along Duval Street, where a smattering of people still wandered even as many storefronts were boarded up and tourists sported ponchos and yellow slickers.

"Category None!" one man shouted in a show of optimism.

The Keys were bracing storm surge of up to four feet, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes. The island chain's two airports closed Saturday night, and volunteers and some residents began filing into shelters.

"This is a huge inconvenience," said Dale Shelton, a 57-year-old retiree in Key West who was staying in a shelter.

Isaac has already left a trail of suffering across the Caribbean.

The storm's center made landfall Saturday near the far-eastern tip of Cuba, downing trees and power lines. In the picturesque city of Baracoa, the storm surge flooded the seaside Malecon and a block inland, destroying two homes.

At least four people were reported dead in Haiti, including a 10-year-old girl who had a wall fall on her, according to the country's Civil Protection Office. The government also reported "considerable damage" to agriculture and homes. Nearly 8,000 people were evacuated from their houses or quake shelters and more than 4,000 were taken to temporary shelters.

The Grise River in Haiti overflowed north of Port-au-Prince, sending chocolate-brown water spilling through the sprawling shantytown of Cite Soleil, where many people grabbed what possessions they could and carried them on their heads, wading through waist-deep water.

Scores of tents in quake settlements collapsed. In a roadside lot in Cite Soleil, the dozens of tents and shelters provided by international groups after the earthquake were tossed to the ground like pieces of crumpled paper, and the occupants tried to save their belongings.

After Isaac passes the Keys, it will move over the warm, open waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to gain significant strength. It could ultimately make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

"Definitely the northern Gulf Coast should be preparing for a hurricane right now," Jessica Schauer, a meteorologist with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, told The Associated Press in a phone interview. However, she did note that the forecast that many days away is more uncertain than immediate predictions.

A Category 2 hurricane is capable of top sustained winds of 96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 kph).

Isaac isn't likely to hit Tampa head-on, but it could still lash the city with rain and strong winds just as the convention ramps up. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of Florida's west coast, including Tampa Bay.

Convention officials said they would convene briefly on Monday, then immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, when the storm is expected to have passed. Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, declared a state of emergency and canceled his plans to attend convention events on Sunday and Monday.

As of 8 a.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 135 miles (220 km) east-southeast of Key West, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Isaac had top sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph).

It was moving to the northwest toward the Keys at 20 mph (31 kph). Tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 205 miles (335 km) from the center, meaning storm conditions were possible in many places even if Isaac does not pass directly overhead.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the Keys, including the Dry Tortugas and for the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach south to Ocean Reef, among some other areas, authorities said.

Meanwhile, authorities said a new hurricane watch has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River ? not including the New Orleans metro area ? eastward to Indian Pass., Fla.

___

Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Tampa, Fla.; Trenton Daniel and Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Peter Orsi and Anne-Marie Garcia in Havana; Fernando Gonzalez in Baracoa, Cuba; and Ezequiel Abiu Lopez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/isaac-threatens-fla-keys-northern-gulf-coast-125654447.html

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Make writing, speaking, and listening more fun with Voki

Guest post by Willyn Webb | Cross posted at Teaching Generation Text
Students come to Delta Opportunity School for many reasons, but the one they all have in common is that they are credit deficient. Most feel incapable of writing even a basic essay. Thus every student has an individual learning plan focusing on their needs. In the small group English class there are students ranging in age from 15 to 20 as they are grouped not according to their grade level in school, but according to their ability level. The students love working at their level. So many have been passed along due to their age and many have missed important skills due to multiple moves, crisis in live, or nonattendance.? Efforts towards improving reading, writing, speaking, and listening are always at the forefront of learning for students. Making writing fun, using the skills they do have (such as texting and talking on the phone), and learning from each other are goals that teachers have in the classroom. To meet that goal, teachers have incorporated a tool called Voki and the use of student-owned devices to help improve these skills. Students who had never written a personal experience essay found themselves writing and enjoying it after first practicing with texted notes and calling Voki either at home or at school.

The embedded example below is from Joey, a student who had been placed in special education courses, labeled, and passed along until his mother started advocating for something more. Now he is thriving at Delta Opportunity School with love, support, counseling, and instruction in small groups of regular kids using innovative tools such as Voki. This personal experience became his first ever essay and was also used as an example by the American Lung Association. Joey has since written (some with Voki and some without) many wonderful essays and delivered a presentation in front of his class. This is remarkable given that previously he got so nervous he could barely get through a single sentence.


More and more teachers at Delta Opportunity School are finding that when we let the kids use the tools they are currently hiding in their pockets, great things happen.?Students are stepping up and learning, growing, and achieving. Student?s resulting self-esteem is an invaluable tool for further growth and teachers have discovered that enhancing learning can be fun!
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On the Voki website students create their avatar, and then get the call number to record the voice. This can be done at or away from school, on a cell phone or a landline. Students can read a written speech, speak impromptu, and use texted or written outlines or notes. The Vokis can be shared via email, on a class website, blog, or wiki. Students can watch one another?s Vokis and comment on them by creating another Voki. Students love listening to each others' Vokis as much as love making their own. Revision, the step of the writing process that most all students dread, is fun and easy with Voki. If you don?t like your Voki, simply re-record. It is all part of the process.?

Learn more about this free, easy tool at?
Voki.

Source: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-writing-speaking-and-listening.html

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Gingrich to play role of professor at 'Newt University'

Newt Gingrich has been given a role at the Republican National Convention that he says he loves to play: professor. The Republican National Convention declared four days of courses to be given by the former speaker of the House, "Newt University."

In an interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Gingrich said the role of professor is "who I am."

"I believe in learning, which I love to do. I love to teach and I love to see people grow," Gingrich said.

While running for president this year, Gingrich was often went into "professor mode" while on the stump and was lauded for his knowledge on almost any subject during debates - sometimes even appearing to "school" the other candidates. He received several standing ovations for correcting debate moderators.

This week, starting on Monday, Gingrich will bring together a host of politicians and experts to discuss themes such as Medicare, small business, energy and "Obamacare." Even Gingrich's wife, Callista, will speak on a course about religious freedom.

Gingrich said that at Newt U, "No one is rejected." And while most would think Gingrich would be a tough professor, he says history will be toughest grader. Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond said the goal will be to give attendees more than talking points on issues, but explain issues in depth, with history and background.

It was the Romney campaign that came up with the idea of Gingrich teaching courses on Republican issues. Though Gingrich had a reputation for speaking off the cuff during his campaign, Hammond said Gingrich does not have to adhere to specific RNC talking points.

"This isn't about RNC talking points. This is about going out and empowering grassroots activists with the actual information behind the public policy, the history ? how it is in public terms," Hammond said.

The courses will also be offered online at NewtUniversity.com, where anyone can attend or watch archives.

Gingrich says he hopes his university at the RNC will continue for a long time and Hammond says there are plans to carry Newt U past the convention and throughout the year.

"It's the beginning of a process that I think will go on for a number of years of trying to figure out how we talk about ideas beyond the 30-second sound byte or the nine-second sound byte or the 30-second commercial or even op-eds," Gingrich said.

In another public role for the former House speaker, the RNC announced today that Gingrich and his wife will speak on Thursday night at the convention. Gingrich told ABC News they will speak together and introduce a special tribute to Ronald Reagan.

"They came to us and they said, we really need to recognize Ronald Reagan and to talk about his role and how the 1980 campaign reflects the 2012 campaign. Big decision campaign. Bad incumbent. Bad economy. Real choice," Gingrich said. "We're both delighted to have a chance to do it."

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gingrich-says-newt-u-history-toughest-grader-022732589--abc-news-politics.html

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Redecorating With These Tips | Basis Home Improvement

If your bathroom carries a leak, you are able to repair it oneself. You are doing not have to worry about spending ridiculous sums of funds on a plumbing service. Many of the equipment that you need, for instance a wrench, are resources that you just already have or that may be easily obtained in a equipment retailer.

In case you are employing a professional, stay with your plan. Producing adjustments when specialists are working could be not just high-priced, but in addition frustrating for that specialists. Totally wasting their time costs you money, so stick to your unique strategy. You could adjust issues eventually if you feel you would like a thing various.

Once you start to plan a property advancement project make sure you consult with local authorities about what allows you want. If you do not accomplish this all the work which is accomplished may be needed to be torn lower along with the undertaking began throughout again on account of regulation violations.

It is rather essential to improve your air filtration systems. Not only is it healthier for your atmosphere that you just breathe in your home, however it is better to your home heating and air cooling unit. A lot of the support telephone calls these particular repairmen confront result from build-up which has become in the machine from filthy filters.

If you need a power resource to get a brief-period venture, consider hiring 1 from your home remodeling shop rather than buying it yourself. You are going to not merely save area inside your garage area or workshop, however you will not likely be saddled using the maintenance of a tool that you simply use extremely infrequently.

In the event you don?t know how to start updating your house, offer the home a photo. If you upgrade the kitchen, particularly should it be outdated, aged, and dark in layout, you will see that the price of the house is greatly increased within this room on your own. Beginning with your kitchen is usually an excellent start.

When comparing quotes from building contractors for redecorating, don?t just consider the buck quantity. There are lots of elements which ought to be evaluated, like guarantees, time lines, labor fees, and exactly how usually they can be contracted to get on site. You need to equilibrium the price of the venture with exactly how much it can have an effect on your daily life.

Minor renovation function could be handled with the owner of a house without the need to involve a licensed contractor. Through making minimal maintenance and advancements a homeowner can enhance the value of his or her household from a unexpected volume. Relying on the homeowners own abilities is likely to make home advancements less expensive, due to the fact there is absolutely no earnings eliminate for extraneous contractors and industry experts.

Are you currently tired of linoleum and carpeting? Possibly it is time and energy to put in individuals hardwood flooring that you understand lasts an entire life and enhance your home. Hardwood surfaces are classy and stylish, and they are generally an easy task to preserve. Great hardwood flooring shines and speaks quantity about the price of your own home.

Source: http://basis-documentation.com/redecorating-with-these-tips

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Dropbox releases two-step verification beta, rolling out to all accounts soon

The latest Dropbox beta adds support for two-step verification, and what's more -- Dropbox will be rolling out two-step verification to all accounts over the next few days. Similar to Google's two-step verification, in addition to your password (something you know), Dropbox will send an additional access code to you via text message to your phone, or allow you to generate something using an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator, on your iPhone or other mobile device (something you have). It's not without some caveats, however. According to The Verge's Dante D'Orazio:

We're a bit concerned about the backup options should you lose access to your phone ? Dropbox only provides a single emergency access code ? but otherwise the feature seems to be working well.

Two-factor authentication gained newfound attention recently following the brutal hacking and burning of Wired's Mat Honan, whose Apple, Amazon, Gmail, Twitter, and other accounts were compromised and abused, and his data trashed. No third-party system, including two-factor, can make up for not having proper backups or social engineering attacks compromising services outside of your control. But if your data lives in Dropbox, two-step verification is absolutely better than one.

You can try it out now via the Dropbox forums, or wait until the option officially rolls out to your account. If you do take it for a drive, let me know how it works for you.

Source: Dropbox forums via The Verge

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/53D5ZdQEkRA/story01.htm

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Gay Marriage Watch ? Blog Archive ? California, USA: Prop 8 ...

Written by scott on August 25th, 2012

Prop 8 Plaintiffs Ask Supreme Court To Decline Prop 8 CaseLawyers for the gay and lesbian plaintiffs in Hollingsworth v. Perry (formerly Perry v. Brown and Perry v. Schwarzenegger), the federal case challenging the constitutionality of California?s Proposition 8, today filed a brief asking the nation?s highest court not to hear the case.

If the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear the case, lower court rulings that found Prop. 8 unconstitutional will stand and marriage equality will be restored in California, possibly by the end of this year.

?The Ninth Circuit found that eliminating the ability of gay and lesbian couples to have their relationships designated as marriages ? and relegating them to separate and unequal domestic partnerships ? achieves nothing except the marginalization of gay and lesbian individuals and their relationships, and therefore cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny,? plaintiffs? attorneys Theodore B. Olson and David Boies wrote in today?s brief.

Authored By Sunnivie Brydum ? See the Full Story at The Advocate

Find more articles and gay wedding resources in California.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook. We?re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

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Source: http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/08/california-usa-prop-8-plaintiffs-ask-supreme-court-to-decline-prop-8-case.html

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