Monday, December 31, 2012

Iran showcases special forces during naval drills: report

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian special forces and military diving units practiced defending their ports and coastline against attacks on Sunday, state-linked media reported during naval war games meant to warn off states threatening the Islamic republic.

The highly-publicized "Velayat 91" exercises are taking place across a wide area from the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping route, to the Gulf of Oman and northern parts of the Indian Ocean.

Naval commanders have made regular appearances on Iranian television since Friday saying the six-day drill would show how Iran could defend its territory.

"Today there are attacks from invading forces on our ports and coasts and engagement of them by marine units and special operations forces (from helicopters)," said commander Amir Rastegari, according to Fars news agency.

Diving teams were also practicing attacks on enemy vessels, Rastegari said.

Cyber attack simulations and submarine and mine-laying exercises took place on Saturday, he said in a separate report on state news agency IRNA.

Israel has repeatedly threatened to launch strikes against Iran's nuclear program which many in the West fear is aimed at developing an atomic weapons capability.

Iran says it is only interested in generating electricity and other peaceful projects.

Over the last year, commanders of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if their country comes under attack.

The United States has responded by saying it would not tolerate any obstruction of commercial traffic through the Strait, which carries more than a third of the world's sea-borne oil traffic.

Washington maintains a sizeable military presence in the region.

Iran holds military exercises several times a year and regularly unveils advances in domestically-produced military hardware.

Defense analysts say Iran often exaggerates its military strength.

(Reporting By Marcus George; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/iran-showcases-special-forces-during-naval-drills-report-102539169.html

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Washington dodges the 'dairy cliff,' avoids spike in milk prices

The House's Agricultural Committee reached an agreement with the Senate to extend the US farm bill ?that will keep milk prices in check in 2013. Without the compromise the price of a gallon of milk may have reached $7.

By Jim Wolf,?Reuters / December 30, 2012

Jim Mitchell selects a gallon of milk at a Milwaukee grocery store Dec. 4. As the nation teeters on the brink of the economic ?fiscal cliff,? Washington has reached one compromise, extending the US farm bill, which if expired could have doubled the price of milk.

Dinesh Ramde/AP/File

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Farm-state lawmakers have agreed to a one-year extension of the expiring US farm bill that, if enacted, would head off a possible doubling of retail milk prices to $7 or more a gallon in 2013.

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The compromise measure resulted from bipartisan discussions in the?House of Representatives' Agriculture Committee?and talks with colleagues in the US?Senate,?Frank Lucas?of?Oklahoma, the?House?panel's chairman, said in a statement Sunday.

"It is not perfect - no compromise ever is - but it is my sincere hope that it will pass the?House?and?Senate?and be signed by the President by January 1," Lucas, a Republican, said.

It was not immediately clear whether?House?and?Senate?leaders would bring the measure to a vote soon enough to avoid putting the so-called "dairy cliff" milk price spike into action.

Separately, lawmakers are working on a last-ditch effort to avert the similarly timed "fiscal cliff," when the biggest tax increases ever to hit Americans are set to start, paired with significant federal spending cuts

US Agriculture?Secretary?Tom Vilsack, in an interview with CNN taped Friday and aired on Sunday, urged?Congress?to come up with such a solution, if only an extension of the old law that expired nearly three months ago, lest milk prices start rising after Jan. 1, 2013.

Absent a new bill or an extension of current law, milk prices would revert to rules set in 1949, the last "permanent" farm legislation in the?United States. Government price supports would kick in, based on production costs 64 years ago, plus inflation. The potential retail milk price has been estimated at $6.00 to $8.00 a gallon versus current levels near $3.50.?

Lucas said in the statement that time had run out in?Congress' current session to enact a new five-year farm bill, as farm-state lawmakers and the dairy lobby had hoped.

Vilsack told CNN that soaring milk prices - if it comes to that - would ripple throughout all commodities "if this thing goes on for an extended period of time."

The price of milk will not double on Jan. 1, if?Congress?fails to act. Instead, prices would rise gradually as supplies are removed from normal markets and land instead in US Department of Agriculture storage facilities.

With supplies more scarce in normal marketing channels, some milk distributors and dairy product manufacturers could have turned to imported supplies.

The Department of Agriculture is reviewing a range of options for administering programs should a permanent law become legally effective on Jan. 1, a spokesman said on Friday.

The?Senate?passed its new five-year farm bill in June, and the?House Agriculture Committee?followed with a version in July.

But the?House?bill, with large cuts in food-stamp funding for lower-income Americans, has never been brought to a vote by the full?House. The?Senate?and?House?have for months remained far apart on the issues of food stamps and crop subsidies.

Lucas said the year-long extension "provides certainty to our producers and critical disaster assistance to those affected by record drought conditions."

It would also mean another round of the direct subsidies to farmers that cost about $5 billion a year, and that both sides of debate had agreed earlier to eliminate.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/usa/~3/uzf2nG7Bc0s/Washington-dodges-the-dairy-cliff-avoids-spike-in-milk-prices

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Long Distance Relationship Advantages and disadvantages | Oister ...

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Source: http://oister.org/?p=2105

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No English Science, Maths books - Bonology.com Politically ...

Fourteen percent of schools in Sarawak have opted to use English in their Maths and Science, but parents doubt the Education Ministry's commitment to their choice.

Some 14% of primary and secondary schools in in East Malaysian state have opted to continue learning Mathematics and Science in English next year, but have failed to receive their English text books todate.

Said Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How: "On this eve of the opening of the new school year, it is discovered that schools in Sarawak have not received their English textbooks and workbooks, but only the Bahasa Malaysia versions were distributed to all the students.

"This is despite the fact that these schools have filled in and submitted a designated form distributed by the Education Department asking them to decide and indicate whether their primary school students from the PPSMI batch chooses to continue PPSMI fully in English, Bahasa Malaysia or both.

"These schools have expressly opted for English language for those students now in Standard 4 to Standard 6.

"In fact, it was the Deputy PM (Muhyiddin Yassin) himself who revealed last year that 5% from the total classes in 7,495 primary schools and 9% out of 2,192 secondary schools chose to fully used English for Maths and Science.

"He is fully aware of the needs and extent of schools requiring textbooks and workbooks in English for the batch of students still under PPSMI policy, yet these textbooks and workbooks are not being printed and distributed.

"The schools were given the textbooks and workbooks in Bahasa Malaysia instead."

He added that a quick survey in the bookshops had shown that no English reference books are prepared and printed in English, as the profit-driven private companies are switching immediately to produce reference texts and workbooks for the policy of MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language, Strengthening the English Language) whereby Mathematics and Science are only taught and learned in Bahasa Malaysia.

'Muhyiddin is worst Education Minister'

See, who is also state PKR vice president, said parents were now doubtful as to whether or not the Education Department has the contents and syllabus of the books prepared.

"The schools and parents can't be blamed for their doubts and queries as to whether the education department is going to supply the requisite textbooks and workbooks in English to these schools.

"There are even doubts whether the education department has the syllabus and contents of the textbooks and workbooks prepared and whether it is printing them," he said.

See said the availability of Malay language books on the subjects meant teachers and parents were forced to translate the syllabus and contents, according to their own respective understanding and perception of the Bahasa Malaysia texts.

"It certainly reflects poorly on the Umno-led BN federal government. The Education Ministry should have the proper planning in the formulation and implementation of the country's education policies and plans.

"The Deputy PM and Education Minister (Muhyiddin) has failed to appreciate the sensitivity and special needs in the East Malaysian states, particularly Sarawak, where English is also an official language and that special rights to use English is cherished and dear to Sarawakians.

"The inconsistency in the formulation and implementation of the educational policies, regulations, guidelines and instructions are the hallmark of his ministership. He is the country's worst Education Minister," he said .

Read More @ Source

More ? Barisan Nasional (BN) | Pakatan Rakyat (PR) | Sociopolitics Plus | ??????

Source: http://www.bonology.com/2012/12/no-english-science-maths-books.html

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Nintendo Wii U Game System Review | Gear Diary

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Nintendo Wii U ushers in a new wave of ?next generation? video game console systems with expanded functions and convenient backward-compatible functions stemming from a sleek rectangular console and portable GamePad with screen.

The Hype

?For 30 years, game machines ? couldn?t take on a more important role than the TV itself.?

Make Wii U the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup with these applications, accessible the day you bring your system home. Every Wii U console comes packed with an array of applications to enjoy the day you bring your system home, after a quick system update. Interact with other Wii U players online, make video calls from your TV, download full games from the comfort of your couch, and much more.

The Reality

The Wii U had an original launch window between March 2012 and December 2012 and eventually debuted on November 18, 2012, so gamers experienced a predictable pre-order frenzy for the holiday season.

The impressive high-definition graphics make a winning combination with Nintendo?s vibrantly colorful games while the lightweight GamePad with separate screen offers great gameplay/viewing options.

The Wii U is currently available in the following two versions:

  • A white colored basic set (8 GB internal storage), Wii U GamePad controller, GamePad stylus, sensor bar, console AC adapter, GamePad AC adapter, and HDMI cable for $299.99.
  • A black colored deluxe set (32 GB storage), Wii U GamePad controller, GamePad stylus, sensor bar, console AC adapter, GamePad AC adapter, HDMI cable, Nintendo Land game, GamePad Stand, GamePad Cradle, console stand, and digital promotion eligibility for $349.99.

The Wii U is backward-compatible with Wii games as well as the Wii remotes, Wii MotionPlus remote, classic controller, and balance board. The Wii menu appears separately when loading Wii game discs.

The Wii U is not backward-compatible with GameCube games, which diminishes use of your existing game library, but work well on the developer side so they can develop an experience that cooperates with existing systems instead of trying to replace them.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

Setup works very well with matching color cords for power (yellow), HDMI, and the sensor bar (orange) plus a separate cord for GamePad similar to the Wii U power cord. The GamePad cord is not the same as the Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS handheld console power/battery charging cord. The GamePad cord plug is just a bit bigger and wider.

Next follow the quick start guide to establish your Nintendo Network ID and internet connection settings (maximum of six). Up to 12 users are available with unique parental controls for each. Users can perform a transfer from the Nintendo Wii to the Wii U where both systems are connected to a television.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

Players can transfer Miis to the Wii U from the Nintendo Wii and/or Nintendo 3DS. Like the Wii transfer the process gets fairly detailed.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Wii U has 1080p support and wireless (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connection.?The Wii U supports SD memory cards (port in front) and external USB storage with four ports (two in front and two in back).

Power buttons on the GamePad and console can be turned off when held for at least one second. The Wii U has activates an automatic power off feature after one hour of inactive use. The console and GamePad have impressive, reflective finishes that make cleaning relatively easily.

Wii U console weighs about 3.5 pounds and is capable of supporting two Wii U GamePad controllers, up to four Wii Remote (or Wii Remote Motion Plus) controllers or Wii U Pro Controllers plus Wii accessories such as the Nunchuk, Classic Controller and Wii Balance Board.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

A separate battery hatch on the front right contains a lithium coin cell battery (CR2032) that needs replaced when the console clock stops functioning.

Users can sync up to 10 controllers ? my ?dream team? would be two GamePads, four Motion Plus remotes, and four Wii U Pro Controllers (perfect for games like Call of Duty: Black Ops II). GamePads are scheduled to be sold separately in early 2013.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Wii U Pro Controller (sold separately from the Wii U) charges for 4.5 hours and lasts approximately 80 hours. It has a replaceable battery (similar procedure as GamePad).

The new GamePad must be synced or paired with the Wii U console ? a similar process for existing Wii controllers except the press console sync button twice then press sync on GamePad.

Pre-installed electronic manuals are also included for convenience and contain helpful web links. As with the Wii, avoid radio frequency interference so the synched remotes work properly and no issues arise for the near-field communication used in the GamePad.

The lightweight, 1.1 pound Wii U GamePad becomes the biggest game controller while offering other options similar to a computer tablet. One GamePad is included with every console.

The 10.5-inch wide GamePad includes a touchpad screen, two analog sticks, microphone, and separate speaker system and volume control with headphone jack. The sound is surprisingly strong and often has different sounds than the television and other entertaining effects.

The removable and rechargeable GamePad battery lasts about three to five hours after charging for approximately 2.5 hours. The Wii U Pro Controller offers a nice backup option for prolonged Wii U use while other third party options (e.g. Nyko?s U Boost) will release to prolong GamePad battery life.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The battery charging port on the GamePad is located at the top left while the bottom center also allows battery charging on the GamePad stand with the adapter plugging into the back.

When placed on a stand the GamePad should be in the horizontal position only, but gameplay incorporates the GamePad in several orientations include vertically and horizontally.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The touch screen on the GamePad controller measures 6.2 inches and acts as a second console when others want to use the television ? a defining feature for the Wii U. This unique two screen (a.k.a. ?asymmetric?) feature allows for individual experiences (e.g. television viewing, Wii U games, etc.) within the same shared viewing.

The GamePad screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD touch screen plus motion control capabilities using an accelerometer, gyro sensor and magnetic sensor.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Gamepad can also be used as a television remote control even while the Wii U console is turned off.

Traditional GamePad button controls include the directional pad, dual analog sticks, stick buttons, A/B/X/Y buttons, power button, home, select, start, +/ and directional pad. The design fits well and the lightweight structure fits the palms nicely. gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The ZL/ZR button and L/R button orientation will take some adjustment. Users have a nicely contoured bar behind the GamePad where they can alternate buttons using their index fingers or use their index fingers for L/R buttons and middle finger for the ZL/ZR buttons.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

Players can also push down on the dual analog sticks similar to L3 and R3 buttons on PlayStation 3.

The front-facing camera offers nice capabilities for video chats and other functions. Since the camera faces forward it would be great to eventually get a facial detection options where the system would automatically pause when someone is not in view. Another helpful energy-saving feature.

gear diary Reviews Games & Gaming Console Gaming  Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

A white colored indicator light displays when there is a disc still inside the Wii U.

Open source code users can try out open source software ?distributed under the terms of various open source licenses, including the GNU Library General Public License 2.0, the GNU Lesser General Public license 2.1, the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1, and the Mini-XML License (collectively, the ?OSS Licenses?).? as stated on Nintendo?s website.

Enjoy your Wii U experience as you enter the main (WaraWara) plaza. Look for an additional Wii U review here covering more applications, features, collaborations, and special functions expand in the future.

Review: Wii U

Where to Buy: Best Buy, GameStop, Kmart, Sears, Target, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart.

Price: $299.99 for white colored basic set / $349.99 for black colored deluxe set

What I Like: unique two screen/?asymmetric? feature allows for individual experiences within the same shared viewing, genuine all ages fun, easy setup, mobile and lightweight GamePad options, large GamePad display, high promise/potential for future features, pre-installed electronic manuals, touch screen interface blends well with motion control actions, strong sound options

What Needs Improvement: no backwards capability for GameCube games, cannot play DVDs or Blu-ray video discs, a more simple system transfer process, use the same Nintendo DS battery charging cord for GamePad instead of a different one

Source: personal console

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Tags: Console Gaming, Games & Gaming, Reviews

Source: http://www.geardiary.com/2012/12/28/nintendo-wii-u-game-system-review/

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Audiogalaxy music app will shut down entirely January 31st, as its team joins Dropbox

Audiogalaxy music app will shut down services entirely January 31st as its team joins Dropbox

When music streaming app Audiogalaxy announced its acquisition by Dropbox earlier this month and closed signups we feared the worst, and now it's been confirmed: the service is shutting down entirely on January 31st, 2013. It had previously announced subscribers would have access to their mixes until the end of this month, but after another month they'll have to move to a service like Google Play Music, or possibly self hosting with Subsonic or something similar. The original blog post mentioned a desire to bring "great new experiences" to Dropbox's 100 million plus users so we may see some of those features again, soon. As for the service itself, Founder Michael Merhej relaunched it just over two years ago after version 1.0 -- a web-based music file sharing service that eclipsed its competitors during its run from 1998 to 2002 -- was squeezed out by RIAA pressure, so we figure anything is possible in the future.

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Source: Audiogalaxy (Facebook)

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/z6gaUedrCPk/

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Senate renews warrantless surveillance act

4 hrs.

The U.S. Senate Friday voted?overwhelmingly in favor of keeping a?George W. Bush-era surveillance law that will allow continued warrantless surveillance of Americans for the next five years.

The Senate's 73-23 vote on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is an extension of the warrantless wiretapping law that grants legal immunity to telecommunications providers in order to continue to assist intelligence agencies with monitoring communications.

In addition to phone calls, text messages and emails may also be obtained by investigators for counterterrorism purposes, an easy assertion for law enforcement to make, Gizmodo reports.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an Internet rights advocacy organization, claimed in a statement that the act "allows the government to get secret FISA court orders???orders that do not require probable cause like regular warrants???for any emails or phone calls going to and from overseas. The communications only have to deal with "foreign intelligence information," a broad term that can mean virtually anything. And one secret FISA order can be issued against groups or categories of people???potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans at once."

"Incredibly, the Senate rejected all the proposed amendments that would have brought a modicum of transparency and oversight to the government's activities," the EFF said?Friday?after the vote.

The bill is now headed for President Obama's desk where he is expected to sign it. Although an identical bill elicited contentious debate in 2008, a different political climate made passage much easier now.

"This is the last opportunity for the next five years for the Congress to exercise a modest measure of real oversight over this intelligence surveillance law," Sen. Ron Wyden,?D-Oregon, told the press before the vote. "It is not real oversight when the United States Congress cannot get a yes or no answer to the question of whether an estimate currently exists as to whether law abiding Americans have had their phone calls and emails swept up under the FISA law."

Wyden had introduced an amendment to the bill that would have forced the National Security Agency?to disclose how many Americans had been affected by FISA. Since 2009 the agency has refused to share that information on the basis that it would violate the privacy of those affected.?

Copyright 2012?TechNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/senate-renews-warrantless-surveillance-act-1C7753034

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Shopping And Product Reviews - cebaln's ... - kuranamann

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Central African Republic appeals for French help against rebels, Paris balks

BANGUI (Reuters) - The president of the Central African Republic appealed on Thursday for France and the United States to help push back rebels threatening his government and the capital, but Paris said its troops were only ready to protect French nationals.

The exchanges came as regional African leaders tried to broker a ceasefire deal and as rebels said they had temporarily halted their advance on Bangui, the capital, to allow talks to take place.

Insurgents on motorbikes and in pickup trucks have driven to within 75 km (45 miles) of Bangui after weeks of fighting, threatening to end President Francois Bozize's nearly 10-year-stint in charge of the turbulent, resource-rich country.

French nuclear energy group Areva mines the Bakouma uranium deposit in the CAR's south - France's biggest commercial interest in its former colony.

The rebel advance has highlighted the instability of a country that has remained poor since independence from Paris in 1960 despite rich deposits of uranium, gold and diamonds. Average income is barely over $2 a day.

Bozize on Thursday appealed for French and U.S. military support to stop the SELEKA rebel coalition, which has promised to overthrow him unless he implements a previous peace deal in full.

He told a crowd of anti-rebel protesters in the riverside capital that he had asked Paris and Washington to help move the rebels away from the capital to clear the way for peace talks which regional leaders say could be held soon in Libreville, Gabon.

"We are asking our cousins the French and the United States, which are major powers, to help us push back the rebels to their initial positions in a way that will permit talks in Libreville to resolve this crisis," Bozize said.

France has 250 soldiers in its landlocked former colony as part of a peacekeeping mission and Paris in the past has ousted or propped up governments - including by using air strikes to defend Bozize against rebels in 2006.

But French President Francois Hollande poured cold water on the latest request for help.

"If we have a presence, it's not to protect a regime, it's to protect our nationals and our interests and in no way to intervene in the internal business of a country, in this case the Central African Republic," Hollande said on the sidelines of a visit to a wholesale food market outside Paris.

"Those days are over," he said.

Some 1,200 French nationals live in the CAR, mostly in the capital, according to the French Foreign Ministry, where they typically work for mining firms or aid groups.

CEASEFIRE TALKS

Officials from around central Africa are due to meet in Bangui later on Thursday to open initial talks with the government and rebels.

A rebel spokesman said fighters had temporarily halted their advance to allow dialogue.

"We will not enter Bangui," Colonel Djouma Narkoyo, the rebel spokesman, told Reuters by telephone.

Previous rebel promises to stop advancing have been broken, and a diplomatic source said rebels had taken up positions around Bangui on Thursday, effectively surrounding it.

The atmosphere remained tense in Bangui the day after anti-rebel protests broke out, and residents were stocking up on food and water.

Government soldiers deployed at strategic sites and French troops reinforced security at the French embassy after protesters threw rocks at the building on Wednesday.

In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry said protecting foreigners and embassies was the responsibility of the CAR authorities.

"This message will once again be stressed to the CAR's charge d'affaires in Paris, who has been summoned this afternoon," a ministry spokesman said.

He also said France condemned the rebels for pursuing hostilities and urged all sides to commit to talks.

Bozize came to power in a 2003 rebellion that overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse.

However, France is increasingly reluctant to directly intervene in conflicts in its former colonies. Since coming to power in May, Hollande has promised to end its shadowy relations with former colonies and put ties on a healthier footing.

A military source and an aid worker said the rebels had got as far as Damara, 75 km (47 miles) from Bangui, by late afternoon on Wednesday, having skirted Sibut, where some 150 Chadian soldiers had earlier been deployed to try and block a push south by a rebel coalition.

With a government that holds little sway outside the capital, some parts of the country have long endured the consequences of conflicts in troubled neighbors Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo spilling over.

The Central African Republic is one of a number of nations in the region where U.S. Special Forces are helping local forces try to track down the Lords Resistance Army, a rebel group responsible for killing thousands of civilians across four African nations.

(Additional reporting by Leigh Thomas; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/french-troops-protect-nationals-not-car-government-hollande-095315934.html

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Reaction to death of Norman Schwarzkopf

Reaction to the death of retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf:

___

"Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation. A distinguished member of that 'Long Gray Line' hailing from West Point, Gen. Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomized the 'duty, service, country' creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great nation through our most trying international crises. More than that, he was a good and decent man ? and a dear friend. Barbara and I send our condolences to his wife, Brenda, and his wonderful family." ? former President George H.W. Bush.

___

"With the passing of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, we've lost an American original. From his decorated service in Vietnam to the historic liberation of Kuwait and his leadership of United States Central Command, Gen. Schwarzkopf stood tall for the country and Army he loved. Our prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family, who tonight can know that his legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service." ? White House press secretary Jay Carney.

___

"With the passing of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, America lost a great patriot and a great soldier. Norm served his country with courage and distinction for over 35 years. The highlight of his career was the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. 'Stormin' Norman' led the coalition forces to victory, ejecting the Iraqi Army from Kuwait and restoring the rightful government. His leadership not only inspired his troops, but also inspired the nation. He was a good friend of mine, a close buddy. I will miss him. My wife, Alma, joins me in extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Brenda, and to her family." ? former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

___

"The men and women of the Department of Defense join me in mourning the loss of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, whose 35 years of service in uniform left an indelible imprint on the United States military and on the country. The son of a decorated Army officer, Gen. Schwarzkopf followed his father's legacy of service by enrolling in West Point in the 1950s. His bravery during two tours in Vietnam earned him three Silver Stars, and set him on the path lead our troops into battle in Grenada, and then to take charge of the overall allied effort in the first Gulf War as commander of United States Central Command. Gen. Schwarzkopf's skilled leadership of that campaign liberated the Kuwaiti people and produced a decisive victory for the allied coalition. In the aftermath of that war, Gen. Schwarzkopf was justly recognized as a brilliant strategist and inspiring leader. Today, we recall that enduring legacy and remember him as one of the great military giants of the 20th century. My thoughts and prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family in this time of sadness and grief." ? Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

___

"I was saddened to learn today of the passing of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, a fellow West Point graduate, former CENTCOM commander and one of the 20th century's finest soldiers and leaders. I join the civilian and military leaders of our country, and servicemen and women, past and present, in mourning his death. Gen. Schwarzkopf embodied the warrior spirit, serving with distinction in three conflicts over his 35 years of dedicated service. The hallmark of his remarkable career was the swift and decisive victory over Saddam Hussein's forces after they invaded Kuwait. The thoughts and prayers of the Joint Chiefs and the Joint Force are with Gen. Schwarzkopf's family and friends." ? Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/reaction-death-norman-schwarzkopf-014655500.html

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Starting a Successful New Business in 2013

Starting a Successful New Business in 2013Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the American economy. According to the Kaufman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, about 543,000 new businesses are started every month in the United States. After evaluating what it takes to start a business, maybe you?ve realized that now may be the time to start a business, so you?ve decided to kiss your boss goodbye and start your business in 2013! What are the next steps?

Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you start, run, market and grow your business. Here is a good list to get you started.

A New Business Toolkit

Check out our new business tool kit, which helps you understand how to find out what permits and licenses might be required for your business. According to the latest Statistics about Business Size (including Small Business) from the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 27.2 million businesses in the United States in 2008, 21.3 million of them had no employees. Since small business is such a vital part of the US Economy, there are many agencies dedicated to helping small business, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), which helps small business with loans and finances,?and SCORE, which is a mentoring organization that pairs successful entrepreneurs and business leaders with those just starting out to create business plans and apply for funding.

Small Business Marketing and Advertising

Once you have the legal and financial requirements accounted for, it?s time to start getting your name out there and bringing customers in. Here is a compilation of articles that will help you get a good start.

Local MarketingLocal Marketing

  • Free Advertising for Small Businesses ? depending on what type of business you have, one of the first steps should be getting your business listed with all of the local directories and search engines.
  • Network Your Business ? while it may seem old-fashioned, person-to-person networking can help you get your business off the ground, especially if it is a location-based storefront or service business.
  • Form and Improve Business Relationships -?creating alliances with others in your industry, maintaining good relationships with employees, and gaining the trust of your customers are all important goals for small business owners.
  • Is There ?Free? Advertising for Small Business ? public relations is an important part of your local marketing plan.

Internet Marketing

For more help and information with your new business, check out the Small Business Tips section of the Small Business Advisor blog or tell me what you think in the comments section.

Source: http://blog.supermedia.com/starting-successful-new-business-2013/

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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Add Convenience to Your Business or Home - ArticlesWide.com

[unable to retrieve full-text content]HOME :: Shopping and Product Reviews :: Electronics ... The under counter ice machine is a convenience for even the smallest shop or business since the hassle of obtaining ice is virtually non-existent. Installing an under ...

Source: http://www.articleswide.com/article/12173-Add_Convenience_to_Your_Business_or_Home.html

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MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice | Facebook Fan ...

phone

Question: I hope you can help me. I?m getting four to five automated notification calls a day from a credit card company.

They?re looking for someone who used to have my phone number. I finally got fed up with the robocalls and pressed zero multiple times to be connected to someone.

A representative wanted all my personal information, including my name and mailing address. I refused to provide that, since I have no desire for a business relationship with the company.

I was on the phone for more than half an hour and spoke with four people, including two supervisors. I?m not sure this will fix the issue.

Even though I filled out a ?non-solicitation? form, I?m not sure if it worked. Is there anything else I can do?

? Donald M., Washington

Answer: No one should call your number five times a day ? not even someone trying to collect a debt.

Under federal law, debt collectors are not allowed to phone you repeatedly. They?re restricted from phoning you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. and they?re not allowed to call you at work if you ask them to stop.

(You can read more about what a debt collector can and can?t do on this helpful Federal Trade Commission page.)

Bottom line: a business can?t harass you by phone, and clearly that?s what this credit card company is doing.

How could something like this happen? Easy. The previous owner of your phone number might have given his credit card his phone number and authorized it to update him.

I had a similar case a few months ago with a woman whose dead mother was getting calls every day from her bank. Technically, that?s legal, but practically speaking it was the worst kind of torture a company could inflict on a survivor.

There?s an easy way to end this, and it doesn?t involve giving the company any of your personal information. You can ask your phone company for a new number. It?s an extreme solution ? but it?s the only way to be sure.

I was faced with a similar problem a few years ago when I got a new phone installed. The calls came in every day, always asking for the same person, always from the same company, and there was no way to get rid of them.

I was naive; I thought that if I surrendered all the information they wanted, they?d go away.

They did ? almost a year later. I should have just switched numbers.

By the way, this kind of activity (and particularly the robocalls) should be illegal. But it?s a gray area when it comes to the Federal Do Not Call Registry, because it?s not immediately clear who authorized the calls.

I would presume it?s the person who owned the line before, which means they are allowable. There has to be a better way to opt out of nuisance calls.

And if this harassment continues, please let me know. I?ll do my best to help.

Do you have a question for MintLife columnist and consumer advocate, Christopher Elliott? Head over to the Mint.com Facebook page and ask away!

Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate who blogs about getting better customer service at?On Your Side. Connect with him on?Twitter?and?Facebook?or send him your questions?by email.

?

Source: http://www.mint.com/blog/consumer-iq/facebook-fan-qa-a-credit-card-company-wont-stop-calling-me-1212i/

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Holiday Obstacles for Authors | Writing and Publishing News

Merry Christmas. I hope you?ve noticed that I haven?t been blogging daily this week. It is good to be missed?to have people disappointed when they get up and head to their computer for words of publishing wisdom, only to find nothing new posted. It?s not that I want to disappoint you. Rather, I hope that you find value in this blog effort of mine. I?ve been posting here for 7 years and one month. For most of that time, I have posted daily. This is my 1,693rd post. I will hit the 2,000 mark sometime in 2013. Who else do you know who has posted anywhere near that number?

Okay, so it is Christmas day. It has been busy in the family arena and I?ve been enjoying every minute of it. But I am eager to get back to my client work and putting the final touches on my second novel. It will also be nice to feel as though everyone else is back to work. Some of you know what I mean. During the holidays and sporadically throughout the summer, you find it difficult to communicate with editors, publishers, reviewers, your publicists, program directors and so forth. Why? Because they take time off?they leave out-of-office-replies to your earnest emails. You are ready to move forward with your project. You want to set up speaking gigs, submit an article or a book manuscript, get your book reviewed, move your marketing program forward, etc, and they are taking a ?much needed break.?

Well, you?ll probably have to wait a little while longer. On the heels of this holiday, of course, is the tradition of seeing in the New Year. Maybe you?ll connect with the person or people who can help you move ahead around January 2. Although, some of the key people may have been waiting for the holidays to be over before heading out to snowboard, ski or maybe vacation in a warmer climate. Sigh!!

If you are a freelance writer or author, you know about obstacles and challenges. If you?ve been earning your living for many years through writing like I have or even just enjoying the writing life for a long time, you?ve experienced many different roadblocks?or potential roadblocks. Here are some words of wisdom from earlier generations: ?This too will pass.? Yes, the obstacle may diminish at some point, but what about the opportunity? Often, timing is everything. But as writers who must rely on others, it is difficult to know or have control over the timing of events and activities related to our projects.

It is up to us to do the research in order to learn whether our book, story or article is timely. And when we think we?ve nailed the time element and we move forward with our gut, to have doors to what we believe are the opportunities we need, close is?well, rather disheartening, don?t you think?

But we will survive. As writers and authors, we are creative. We know how to do the research necessary to move our projects forward. We understand the importance of filling many baskets with eggs (possibilities, opportunities, potentialities?).

And here?s another clich? I?d like to remind you of today: ?When one door closes, another opens.? But be ever aware because the next door might be a window?a small, nearly invisible window.

If you are a bit out of sorts because you have business you want to conduct this season and you are finding many closed doors despite your attempts, stay calm. Stay focused. Either take a break of your own and enjoy an aspect of the season or move to plan B and see what transpires.

In the meantime, good luck with your current project. May it bring you great joy throughout the process and beyond.

If you are an author in any phase of writing, producing or marketing one or more books, be sure to check out my most current array of books for authors:

Publish Your Book
Promote Your Book
Talk Up Your Book

All available at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores. You can also order your copies here: http://www.matilijapress.com

Download my FREE ebook, ?50 Ways to Prepare for Publishing Success? at http://www.patriciafry.com

Source: http://www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog/?p=2447

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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Whale Whodunit: How Investigators Solve Marine Deaths

Sometimes the bodies show up floating in the ocean, other times they wash ashore. Then it's up to investigators to figure out what happened.

Whales, like humans, can meet unnatural ends. The bodies they leave behind can tell a story about what killed them, sometimes revealing evidence of a prolonged, painful death.

Michael Moore, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Marine Mammal Center, is among those who lead examinations, known as necropsies, on dead whales.

Whales, because of their enormous size and weight, present a unique challenge when they wash up on a beach or appear floating at sea. [In Photos: The World's Biggest Animals]

A plan & tools

"I don't get involved unless I have a plan, because as soon as I am involved, I am committed to disposing of it," Moore said of a dead whale's body. "So essentially you work backwards from the end stage, whether it be digging a hole in the beach, or trucking it off or towing it back out to sea or whatever."

Moore's tools include a camera, knives (kept in a box marked with a note for airport security), chest waders, rubber gloves, hooks, chains and heavy machinery with trained operators. The heavy machinery ideally includes an excavator, for pulling the animal apart and digging a hole, and a front-end loader, for moving the animal and parts of it around, as well as filling the hole.?

"If you don't have the machinery it can take days and days, you may never finish," the necropsy and bury the whale, he said.

Overall, his crew typically includes eight or nine people.

The suspects

The deaths that most concern Moore are those caused by humans, specifically, by collisions with boats or fishing gear that entangles the whale.

Sometimes the cause is obvious. A ship's propeller can leave slices on a whale's body. In one case, a whale found floating near Jacksonville, Fla., had obvious propeller cuts down one side of its body, including into its chest.

"When the animal was pulled up the beach, you could hear gas coming out of the chest," Moore said.

The blunt trauma of a collision with a boat can be less obvious, while entanglement in fishing gear can be more obvious, or not.

Information about why whales die matters because many whale populations are small and vulnerable.

Right whales, a species of particular interest to Moore, were estimated in 2007 to number at least 396 in the western North Atlantic; they are one of the most endangered large whales in the world. Ship strikes and entanglements with fishing gear are believed to be holding back the right whale population's growth and recovery, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2011 stock assessment.?

The necropsy

After inspecting the whale externally and taking measurements, Moore and his crew measure the thickness of its insulating fat, or blubber, which they strip off by hooking the blubber to a chain attached to the bucket of an excavator, to "unpeel it like a banana," he said.

Once the blubber is off, the team peels away the now-exposed muscle, getting down to the chest and abdomen, where they remove ribs and examine the animal's organs ? if they haven't already decomposed.

Moore can't explain what a decaying whale smells like; he lost his sense of smell in veterinary school, because of exposure to formalin, a preservative made with formaldehyde. But rather than an advantage, this is a problem, he said: "I think a good sense of smell is a valuable diagnostic tool, so I regret not having my sense of smell." [The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries of 2012]

During this process, the investigators are looking for abnormalities, such as bruising, often accompanied by fractured bones. These are common signs of a boat collision.

Evidence of a fishing gear entanglement may be obvious ? for instance rope, net or other gear still attached to the animal ? but sometimes these are gone.

The whale may have lost the gear over time or fishermen may have removed it in the hopes of salvaging the gear, Moore said.

One humpback whale he examined had obviously been in a trawl net, yet only a small knot of twine in its mouth remained.

A slow death

Particularly agonizing stories can show up in the entanglement deaths.

Right whales that pick up gear meant for lobsters or humpbacks that catch herring trawl nets can survive for months. The gear ? depending on where it has become attached ? can kill in a variety of ways, Moore and colleagues describe in a review article published in the Journal of Marine Biology earlier this year. It can drown a whale; if caught in the whale's mouth, the gear can starve the animal; it can exhaust them by creating drag; it can cause injuries that can lead to infection and loss of blood.

In the review, Moore and graduate student Julie van der Hoop label these long-lasting whale entanglements "cruel" in their article.

"I think any animal on this planet, especially the more cognitive, higher sentient beings have a right to be as pain-free as possible, and when human activities cause wild animals to be in pain I object to that," Moore said.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook?& Google+.

Copyright 2012 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/whale-whodunit-investigators-solve-marine-deaths-153657744.html

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Some Of The Things That Windows Kenosha Clients Should Consider

It is imperative for some creativity to be displayed while a windows Kenosha client is trying to improve the look that a home has. The use of blinds is a means that can be used in such an endeavor. When in place, they are very instrumental in the control of the amount of light allowed into the room.

Vertical blinds are an example of the kind that an individual can have installed in room. These are most suitable for cases where a person is interested in a particular type of material. Several types are available including those that come from faux wood, aluminum, cellular and even fabric.

It is possible for a person to go for those known as roller blades. There are also those that are made of plastic. These can be found in all sorts of materials plastic. They can also be got in all types of colors possible. This ensures that the rooms get to be given matching accessories. With them in place, an individual not interested in the morning light can keep it out.

Roman blinds are another alternative that an individual can opt to go for. These are made in such a way that they resemble the roller blades. With them, a person is also able to adjust it in such a way that only a desired part of a window gets to let in light. To make them, any desired fabric may be settled for.

One of the designs an individual may go for is the Venetian, this is the kind that is made of horizontal slats. These can be used in any room in a house. Most people find them to be convenient especially when making installations in places such as above kitchen sinks and even bathrooms. This is because one can opt for the kind that is water proof when installing them. An individual can also choose the material to be used depending on what is desired. For a contemporary look, aluminum will come in handy. Wood I s what can be used to give it a more traditional look.

For the purposes of improving the safety in the home, there is need to have some measures in place. One of which would be to use blinds that do not have cords. This helps a lot especially when small children are around the home. They are known to be agents of strangulation.

Those with an intention of making purchases of such blinds should proceed with some degree of caution. The reason being; various companies have come up with such products in huge numbers. They are varied and their difference is distinct. When one goes to the various dealers, he or she will be able to check out various aspects including their cost and even design. A decision that one can be satisfied with will therefore be reached.

A number of things including size, color and the design should be considered by the windows Kenosha clientele when purchases are being made. When some of these methods are used in making a selection, regrets will get to be avoided. Those people known to one who already have such accessories should also be checked with as they will be better placed at dispensing the necessary knowledge.

You can visit the website www.millworkmasters.net for more helpful information about Some Of The Considerations To Be Made By Windows Kenosha Clientele

Source: http://www.cohocton.org/139-some-of-the-things-that-windows-kenosha-clients-should-consider

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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Iraqi telecom Asiacell hopes to raise $1.3 billion

BAGHDAD (AP) ? Asiacell, one of Iraq's three mobile service providers, said Tuesday it is looking to raise $1.3 billion through what would be the country's biggest stock offering yet.

A successful floatation on Baghdad's low-volume stock exchange could reassure international investors, many of whom remain wary of the risky Iraqi market nearly a decade after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

The company plans to offer 67.5 billion shares for at least 22 Iraqi dinars, or just under 2 cents, apiece when it launches the initial public offering on Jan. 3. Investors will have until Feb. 2 to submit orders for the shares.

"We're delighted to be able to provide the chance for all Iraqis to participate in our future by taking a stake in Asiacell," Managing Director Faruk Rasool said in a statement. "We're confident in our future as Iraq's mobile industry continues to grow."

The shares being offered represent a quarter of Asiacell's total share capital. The Gulf state of Qatar's government-backed Qatar Telecom owns 53.9 percent of Asiacell, which is based in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah.

A number of the company's founding shareholders will be cashing out at least part of their investment with the floatation.

Asiacell competes against Zain Iraq, part of Kuwait's Zain, and Korek, an affiliate of France Telecom.

The three companies are required to list shares on the stock exchange as a condition of their 15-year operating licenses, which cost $1.25 billion when they were acquired in 2007. All three missed a deadline in August 2011 to offer shares to the public.

Asiacell began offering cell phone service in Iraq's highly autonomous northern Kurdish region in 1999. Mobile phone services did not exist in the rest of Iraq until after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

The company now boasts nearly 10 million subscribers and says its network covers 97 percent of Iraq's population.

___

Follow Adam Schreck on Twitter at http://twitter.com/adamschreck

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/iraqi-telecom-asiacell-hopes-raise-1-3-billion-124111889--finance.html

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Kaitam: LoveOnTheNet: Relationship Enhancement Kelowna ...

http://www/naturalhealthcommunity.org/davidchurch/ David Church is the president and founder of the Smart for Love relationship enhancement program. David created Smart for Love because he wanted to help couples experience greater happiness and success in their love relationships.


More info... Relationship Enhancement Kelowna

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Improve Your Life And Increase Happiness Through Self Improvement

Learning about self improvement is the number one way to guarantee you?re improving yourself in the best way possible. There is a vast amount of information available on this subject, so it is in your best interests to take the knowledge you learn here and apply it towards being the best person you can possibly be.

Only you can decide that you are ready for and want change. You can only change and grow when you openly welcome the changes and choose to evolve.

TIP! Stress is an enemy of happiness. When the human mind is preoccupied with a state of stress, damage can be caused to both physical and mental aspects of the body.

You need to be both modest and wise to get ahead. Look for opportunities to learn something new every day, and always be willing to admit when you simply cannot change something. Use modesty to work within your given limits. Your wisdom can distill the past to help you improve the future.

You need to care for yourself before you can care for others. It doesn?t matter where you are in life; you need to take the time for rest and relaxation.

TIP! Having a degree and the ability to do the job is usually more important than which school you attended. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as the large financial institutions.

Learning to react selflessly is a sign of progress in the path of personal development. There are times when you may have to sacrifice something and simply care for someone else. When you can make sacrifices that lift others up without jeopardizing your own well being, you will grow into the kind of person you wish to be seen as.

Stay around like-minded individuals. This will reinforce the aspects of your personality that you are seeking to develop, while allowing you to distance yourself from toxic individuals in your life.

TIP! When trying to handle depression, focus on your diet and increase your complex carbohydrates. If you are not consuming adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates, your serotonin levels may be lower than they should be.

Picture how your life is right now and where you want it to be in the future. See your shortcomings. This is the best way to be able to set a course of direction to get there. Unless you are honest about your starting point, your goals will not be a true reflection of where you need to go for maximum personal growth.

Failure can be devastating to one?s ego when one is trying to better oneself through self improvement. Treat failure as a chance to learn and grow. Failure is a method of learning your strengths and your weaknesses. Try to see every failure as an accomplishment, since you will have learned more about yourself.

TIP! Keep notes on how you progress by being more organized. If you break big goals down into little sub-goals, you will gain confidence as you achieve the sub-goals.

Don?t be a shopaholic like those people on Hoarders. Instead, find a hobby to take up your time that doesn?t cost you much money. This way, you won?t be running up high bills and filling your house with things you don?t need.

Educating yourself is an important part of self improvement. You must also be able to apply that knowledge. You can develop into your own unique person in many different ways. Applying some of these tips should make you more confident.

TIP! Make sure that you have specific and tangible personal development goals. If you have a list of specific goals you want to accomplish, you will have an easier time traveling along the path to success.

Whenever you are trying to learn about something new, it is important to have methods that work. Now that you know more about training, you can start using this advice in your life. You will find that you can achieve more of your goals by using the great advice contained above.

Categories: Personal Development | Permalink

Author: manpro

European Marketing Professional Online- and Networkmarketer Online Afiliate Marketer

Source: http://www.mindandbodymagic.com/improve-your-life-and-increase-happiness-through-self-improvement/

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Monday, December 24, 2012

Winter Dining Round the Family Dining Table is back | ArticleBro.com

With the winter approaching and the BBQ covered for the season there is a growing trend to return to family dining around a large dining table. Be it a lovely large formal dining table like Downton Abbey ?upstairs? .. or more like the antique farmhouse table ?below stairs? at Downton Abbey tastes vary but the principle is the same. Collective eating around a large dining table is back! With grandparents living longer there is an even greater need for dining tables to comfortably accommodate 4 to 6 people and yet be able to extend to a larger size when the generations gather.

Elisabeth James Antiques are the UK?s largest stockiest of original dining tables from Early Period, Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Under one roof we always have at least 100 tables in oak, mahogany and walnut. The range includes formal round tables to seat 6, 8 or 10 people, formal extending tables to seat 6 to 30 people and refectory or farmhouse tables to seat up to 16 people.

All of our stock is original and we select the best quality tables from estates and clearance to ensure that the restoration process produces the most stunning example from any period. Our in house team of restorers have specialised in finishing large dining tables for a combined 160 and use traditional techniques rather than the modern spray finishes most companies adopt today. Quite simply, whether a classic French polish, traditional wax finish or a hardy heat resistant lacquer, our team produce the most perfect finish of your choice. We supply the fine antiques trade and customers around the World with the very best quality at the lowest prices possible.

Amongst our antique dining tables and antique occasional tables our stock includes :-

17th, 18th and 19th Century oak refectory tables ? from 6ft to 14ft in length

Oak farmhouse tables ? from 6ft to 14ft in length

French farmhouse tables ? up to 13ft in length

Georgian mahogany pedestal tables ? from 8ft to 24ft in length

Regency mahogany pedestal tables ? from 8ft to 24ft in length

William IV extending tables ? from 8ft to 18ft in length

Victorian extending tables in mahogany, walnut and oak ? from 7ft to 20ft in length

Edwardian extending tables in mahogany, walnut and oak ? from 7ft to 16ft in length

Nest of 4 (four) coffee tables

19th century Regency period mahogany Pembroke table

Early 19th century trestle ended occasional table

Antique Lowboy ? George II oak lowboy

Antique Georgian breakfast table

Antique Georgian console table

Georgian butlers tray

Victorian Mahogany Whatnot

Victorian 19th century bamboo occasional table

Antique Victorian oval dining table

Elisabeth James Antiques is a family run business which allows the flexibility to manage all requirements 7 days a week and we offer home viewings in London and the Home Counties without obligation. Our warehouse is based just off junction 14 of the M1 so within easy reach from London in one hour.

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