Backlash forces shark fin traders onto rooftops

Antony Dickson / AFP - Getty Images

Shark fins drying in the sun cover the roof of a factory building in Hong Kong on Jan. 2, 2013.

Paul Hilton / EPA

Approximately 18 thousand shark fins are left out to dry on top of an industrial building in Hong Kong's Kennedy Town district on Jan. 2, 2013.

Bobby Yip / Reuters

Shark fins, which cost between HK$2,880 ($369) and HK$3,580 ($459) per Chinese catty (1 pound), are seen on display inside a dried seafood store in Hong Kong on Jan. 2, 2013.

Shark fin traders in Hong Kong have taken to drying freshly sliced fins on rooftops since a public outcry over them drying the fins on public sidewalks forced them to move the trade out of sight.?

Activists have raised concerns that the over-harvesting of fins is causing an environmental calamity. Although sales have fallen in recent years Hong Kong remains one of the world's biggest markets for shark fins, which are used to make soup that is an expensive staple at Chinese banquets. ?

-- European Pressphoto Agency, Agence France-Presse,?Reuters

Bobby Yip / Reuters

Thousands of pieces of shark fin are dried on the rooftop of a factory building in Hong Kong on Jan. 2, 2013. The fins were shipped from an unknown location and unloaded at a nearby pier to be dried on the rooftop.

Bobby Yip / Reuters

Workers lay out pieces of shark fin to dry on a rooftop of a factory building in Hong Kong on Jan. 2, 2013. Local sales of the luxurious gourmet food have fallen in recent years due to its controversial nature, but activists demand a total shark fin ban in the city, labelled by some as the shark fin capital of the world.

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Source: http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/02/16300681-backlash-forces-shark-fin-traders-onto-hong-kong-rooftops?lite

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98% Brooklyn Castle

All Critics (45) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (1)

"Brooklyn Castle" easily checkmates your inner cynic.

Katie Dellamaggiore's lively and affecting documentary introduces us to a cast of characters that's very winning (in both senses of the word).

It's not To Sir, With Love: It's fierce ambition, the channeling of emotion, and hours of drilling.

Enlightening, inspiring and expertly crafted.

An irresistibly uplifting doc.

Castle is suspenseful, funny and, particularly in its depiction of the challenging home lives of some of the kids, moving.

... a powerful and positive story about dedicated teachers helping kids succeed no matter what their circumstances

Like chess, not exactly a high-energy experience but seeing what these kids accomplish, seemingly against all odds is breathtaking all the same.

...provides a corrective to the popular image of American schools as obsessed with sports and popularity, and it makes the strongest possible case for funding after-school activities.

Chess, brilliant young students and great teachers potent mix.

The I.S. 318 team? A delightfully motley, vulnerable, multicultural bunch, whose addiction to chess has allowed them higher aspirations for top high schools and, eventually, college and careers. You will root for them like crazy.

We meet five of the team's members and several of their teachers; by its end, you'll be rooting for them all.

"BROOKLYN CASTLE is a compelling, engaging and inspiring Documentary, featuring Junior High kids that you can relate to. Even if you don't know the game of Chess all too well, it won't stop you from enjoying this pleasant film."

Brooklyn Castle provides a snapshot of indomitable American can-do attitude, and gives one hope.

The admirable Brooklyn Castle transcends its formula to become an optimistic look at extracurricular education and young people.

Great story, well-made, what's not to like?

It's clear that chess isn't just a game; for these students, it can also open doors.

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brooklyn_castle_2012/

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Senate panel to examine CIA contacts with "Zero Dark Thirty" filmmakers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After the Senate Intelligence Committee's chairwoman expressed outrage over scenes that imply "enhanced interrogations" of CIA detainees produced a breakthrough in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the panel has begun a review of contacts between the makers of the film "Zero Dark Thirty" and CIA officials.

In the latest controversy surrounding the film, Reuters has learned that the committee will examine records charting contacts between intelligence officials and the film's director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal.

Investigators will examine whether the spy agency gave the filmmakers "inappropriate" access to secret material, said a person familiar with the matter. They will also probe whether CIA personnel are responsible for the portrayal of harsh interrogation practices, and in particular the suggestion that they were effective, the person said.

The intelligence committee's Democrats contend that is factually incorrect.

Zero Dark Thirty is a dramatized account of the hunt for al Qaeda leader bin Laden and the May 2011 U.S. Navy SEAL raid in which he was killed. Government e-mails and memoranda released to the conservative group Judicial Watch show that both the CIA and Pentagon gave the filmmakers extensive access.

But the film has also produced a series of awkward political headaches for President Barack Obama. Early on, Obama's Republican critics suggested it was a gimmick to boost his re-election campaign. But now, some of Obama's liberal supporters are attacking the film and officials who cooperated with its creators for allegedly promoting the effectiveness of torture.

The CIA had no comment on the latest congressional inquiry regarding the film.

One of the intelligence officials whom the documents show as having met with the filmmakers is Michael Morell, the CIA's deputy director at the time and now the agency's acting chief.

Current and former national security officials have said Morell, a highly regarded agency veteran, is a favorite to succeed retired Gen. David Petraeus as the agency's director.

CLOUD OVER MORELL?

But some of the same officials now say the controversy over the film's content has cast a cloud over Morell's prospects.

Last month, Intelligence Committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein joined Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and former Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in sharply condemning what they described as "particularly graphic scenes of CIA officers torturing detainees" in Zero Dark Thirty.

The film has been screened in New York and Los Angeles but does not premiere nationwide until January 11.

In a December 19 letter to the chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which produced the film, the senators alleged it was "grossly inaccurate and misleading in its suggestion that torture resulted in information that led to the location" of bin Laden.

The three senators claim Zero Dark Thirty "clearly implies that the CIA's coercive interrogation techniques were effective in eliciting important information related to a courier" for bin Laden, who would unknowingly lead the agency to his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The senators assert, however, that their own review of CIA records proves that the story told in the film is "incorrect" and "the CIA learned of the existence of the courier, his true name and location through means unrelated to the CIA detention and interrogation program."

Sony, in response, released a statement from Bigelow and Boal, which said in part: "We depicted a variety of controversial practices and intelligence methods that were used in the name of finding bin Laden.

"The film shows that no single method was necessarily responsible for solving the manhunt, nor can any single scene taken in isolation fairly capture the totality of efforts the film dramatizes."

Boal said in an email that he was unaware of the Senate committee's interest and had had no contact with the panel.

The person familiar with the committee's plan to review administration dealings with the filmmakers said initially this would involve reviewing uncensored copies of CIA records regarding the film. The committee presently does not plan to contact the filmmakers directly, the source said.

A 'DRAMATIZATION'

Last year, the CIA and Pentagon, in response to a freedom of information request from Judicial Watch, released hundreds of pages of internal documents discussing the agencies' arrangements for dealing with Bigelow and Boal.

The documents, many heavily redacted, show that top CIA and Pentagon officials, including Morell and Michael Vickers, now the Pentagon's intelligence chief, talked to the filmmakers.

One Pentagon email exchange with Ben Rhodes, a senior White House national security aide, said Boal had been briefed by CIA officials "with the full knowledge and full approval/support" of Leon Panetta, who served as CIA director and then Secretary of Defense while the film was being prepared.

A second person familiar with the matter said the committee had acquired copies of the CIA records last year.

The committee originally obtained the uncensored records at the request of Republicans, who were looking for evidence that intelligence or Pentagon personnel inappropriately shared classified information with the filmmakers, this source said.

Other Congressional Republicans, most notably Representative Peter King, outgoing chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, complained loudly about dealings between the Obama administration and the filmmakers following reports it would be released shortly before the 2012 Presidential election. Ultimately, the film was not released until after the election.

Two days after the Senators made public their letter to Sony, the CIA released a statement by Morell, who said that Zero Dark Thirty was a "dramatization, not a realistic portrayal of the facts," and that while the agency had "interacted" with the filmmakers, it did not "control the final product."

Morell's statement was equivocal on whether "enhanced interrogations" had produced information critical to finding bin Laden.

"Whether enhanced interrogation techniques were the only timely and effective way to obtain information from those detainees, as the film suggests, is a matter of debate that cannot and never will be definitively resolved," Morell added.

(Editing by Warren Strobel and Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-panel-examine-cia-contacts-zero-dark-thirty-001330922.html

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Male Enhancement Pills: What Options Do You Have? ? Relationships

With tons of male enhancement pills on the market, with each promising to be the best one to use, you get confused and may need some guidance. At this moment, you are scratching your head and thinking, ?what are the best natural male enhancement pills on the market?? Let us explore the selections offered.

What do you look for in male enhancement?

You can use the pills to enhance your performance in bed or as erectile dysfunction treatment. When hunting for the best way on last longer in bed, you need to look at some factors which include the effectiveness of the product, whether the results have been clinically tested and proven and the components. elements need to be natural so that you do not get side effects. The last thought is the price of the product. Let us look at some of the pills on the market.

VigRX Plus

This product does not contain any synthetic ingredients or bodily hormones, it is fully natural. It is the only product that includes Bioperine which makes it different from other male enhancement pills. The natural substances make it very safe to use as it does not have any side effects.

This at a clinically tested product and has been medically proven to be effective. This suggests you will be able to see visible benefits inside a short time of use of the pill. If it doesn?t work, then you will be given your money back within 67 days.

This product happens with many rewardes relying on the pack that you purchase. You will also be able to purchase this product online from the comfort of your home. You can talk to their customer support any time of the day. These male enhancement pills go for $40.83 for each bottle.

MaleExtra

Male extra is used as a dietary supplement that is used daily. No doubt from 100% natural substances, the product is free from any unwanted side-effects.

Many men will experience different results when they use the same pills. Nevertheless, it has been proven that male enhancement pills work swifter than use of penis enlargement workouts.

As an extra bonus, the manufacturer provides you Penis wellness workout routines which you can watch on your DVD. The DVD will show you many penis enlargement tactics which will aid you get which you desire.

Whether you are in the US, UAE or UK, you will easily get the product once you order since they offer you free worldwide shipping. In case you are not satisfied with the results you get, you can ask for a refund within 180 days. You can get this product online at $38.24 for each bottle. It is possible to get a lot more info on the {product} {from} {their} customer support which is available 24/7.

Extenze

This product has been endorsed by NASCAR driver Kevin Conway, NFL coach Jimmy Johnson and Ron Jeremy, and adult film actor. It is made from natural components which make it safe to use.

When you order this product, you will get free shipping. You can also decide to use the product free for seven days before you purchase it. The product is accessible online at $45.99 a bottle

Tags: how to last longer in bed, Male Enhancement, male enhancement pills, vigrx plus

Source: http://relationships.emilie.org/uncategorized/male-enhancement-pills-what-options-do-you-have/

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Source: http://onadenak.posterous.com/male-enhancement-pills-what-options-do-you-ha

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No surprise: YouTube, Angry Birds, Instagram and Facebook among 2012?s top apps

During an oddly jokey statement at the White House as the fiscal deadline bore down Monday afternoon, President Obama said, "I'm going to be president for the next four years. I?hope." He was warning Republicans that, yes, they'd have to deal with him for a while. But it was, to be sure, a strange moment. Could he actually have been joking about assassination? About impeachment? The?apocalypse? Or has everyone just had enough of these negotiations??

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/no-surprise-youtube-angry-birds-instagram-facebook-among-150554865.html

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10 Home Improvements to Boost Home Security | Home Security ...

Home improvement projects can improve your home security and protect against intruders and other dangers.?Home improvements range from simple maintenance of old rooms to completely refurbishing them. Here are ten easy ways to make your home not only more beautiful and up-to-date, but a safer place to live.

  1. Replace old, rusted locks. About 34 percent of burglars enter through the front door and 30 percent do it through unlocked doors. The more wear a lock has, the easier it is for burglars to break in, even if you remembered to lock up before you leave. Installing new locks will also ensure that you are the only one with keys to your home. For more up-to-date technology, you can try using electronic locks that take passcodes, or alarm monitoring allows you to lock and unlock your door whenever you want.
  2. Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Having these helpful devices around the home can save your life in an emergency. Most people won?t wake up during a fire, and carbon monoxide is almost undetectable by humans. You can also look into installing heat sensors and flood sensors for extra protection.
  3. Add lighting around your home. Burglars never want to be seen, so installing lights around your home will stop them from approaching. You will also feel safer walking back home at night or driving up to a well-lit area. Light timers can also come in handy. Possible places to implement more lighting are along the sidewalks and driveway, on your porch and around potential points of entry, such as doors and windows.
  4. Use a home security system. Today?s home security systems are sleeker, more convenient and more affordable. Wireless systems allow you to place discreet sensors wherever you want, and many system interfaces use touchscreens and extra features such as temperature, weather reports and home automation. Having a security system makes your home easier to control, as well as three times less likely to experience a robbery.
  5. Upgrade your doors. If any of them look run-down or damaged, replace them with new ones of metal or solid core. Burglars most often enter through doors and windows, and if they are old and worn, breaking in is quicker and easier for them. Invest in deadbolts for each door to add another level of security.
  6. Install a mail slot. With a mail slot, you can ensure that no one is taking your private mail when you are not around. People can access your checks and your personal information from your mailbox if it is right outside your house. Also, a large pile of uncollected mail is a good indicator of an empty home.
  7. Clean up with some yard work. A homeowner?s lawn plays a very important role in whether or not a burglar targets the house. Having a well-kept lawn will deter criminals as well as raise property value. Trim down trees and overgrown hedges to remove hiding places for burglars. Store away tools and toys scattered around the yard so potential burglars won?t be tempted to approach your house. You can even have trees completely removed if you think a burglar could climb to the second story, or if they could fall over in a severe storm.
  8. Drill a peephole in your door. This way you can check who is at the door without having to open it. Not only is it more safe, peepholes will allow you to avoid answering door-to-door sales people, solicitors and other potentially dangerous or threatening visitors. Drilling and installing a peephole can take less than 15 minutes to finish.
  9. Check your windows. Twenty-three percent of burglars enter a home through a first story window, and nine percent through a second story window. Use blocking devices for windows and sliding doors so burglars can?t get in. Putting in security bars for your windows can also be effective, and you can look into decorative patterns to match your home.
  10. Buy a safe for your valuables. Burglars know the hiding places people use for their valuables, including the freezer, the bedroom closet, drawers, under the mattress and many more. A safe provides extra guarded protection for the things you want to keep secured, and makes it harder for a burglar to find what he or she is looking for. Make sure the safe is too heavy to be moved, and conceal it in a discreet hiding place.

Home improvements can be a great opportunity to add new home features and increase your personal protection. With these handy tips, you can improve your home along with your sense of security!

This entry was posted in Featured, Home Security Blog and tagged alarm monitoring, doors and windows, home improvement, home security, safety. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://blog.safemart.com/2013/01/02/10-home-improvements-to-boost-home-security/

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Paparazzo Chris Guerra Killed After Following Justin Bieber?s Ferrari (VIDEO)

Paparazzo Chris Guerra Killed After Following Justin Bieber’s Ferrari (VIDEO)

BieberTwistA paparazzo, identified as Chris Guerra, was struck by a car and killed after he had been following Justin Bieber all day. Justin’s pal, rapper Lil’ Twist, was actually behind the wheel of Bieber’s white Ferrari at the time of the tragic incident. Rapper Lil’ Twist, 19, had been partying with Justin Bieber, 18, at ...

Paparazzo Chris Guerra Killed After Following Justin Bieber’s Ferrari (VIDEO) Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/01/paparazzo-chris-guerra-killed-after-following-justin-biebers-ferrari-video/

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Cricket-Commentator and writer Martin-Jenkins dies

During an oddly jokey statement at the White House as the fiscal deadline bore down Monday afternoon, President Obama said, "I'm going to be president for the next four years. I?hope." He was warning Republicans that, yes, they'd have to deal with him for a while. But it was, to be sure, a strange moment. Could he actually have been joking about assassination? About impeachment? The?apocalypse? Or has everyone just had enough of these negotiations??

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cricket-commentator-writer-martin-jenkins-dies-121750624--sector.html

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Roberts urges full financial support for the court

(AP) ? Urging full financial support for the U.S. court system, Chief Justice John Roberts said in his year-end report Monday that the federal judiciary, unlike executive branch agencies, does not have discretionary programs it can eliminate or projects it can postpone.

The judiciary has been doing its part to carefully manage "its tiny portion of the federal budget" and because the courts have already pursued cost-containment so aggressively, it will become increasingly difficult to economize further without reducing the quality of judicial services, said Roberts.

The chief justice's report came amid a New Year's Eve drama as President Barack Obama worked with Congress to avert the fiscal cliff. The White House and congressional Republicans agreed to block across-the-board tax increases set for midnight, but held up a final deal as they haggled away the final hours of 2012 in a dispute over spending cuts.

Virtually all of the judiciary's core functions are constitutionally and statutorily required, Roberts said in his year-end report.

"The courts must resolve all criminal and civil cases that fall within their jurisdiction, often under tight time constraints," said Roberts. "A significant and prolonged shortfall in judicial funding would inevitably result in the delay or denial of justice for the people the courts serve."

"I therefore encourage the president and Congress to be especially attentive to the needs of the judicial branch and provide the resources necessary for its operations," said Roberts.

In the just-ended fiscal year, the Supreme Court requested an appropriation of $75.6 million for judicial operations ? a 2.8 percent decrease from the previous year's $77.8 million. In the current fiscal year that began Oct. 1, the Supreme Court's appropriation request rose to $77.2 million, largely in response to new judicial security needs ? but still less than its fiscal year 2011 request.

In his report, Roberts said that for fiscal year 2014, the court will submit an appropriation request of $74.9 million ? a 3.7 percent decrease from its fiscal year 2011 request.

The chief justice said that in the 2012 fiscal year, the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, other federal courts, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Federal Judicial Center, received $6.97 billion in appropriations, representing "a mere two-tenths of 1 percent of the United States' total budget of $3.7 trillion."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-31-Supreme%20Court-Year-end/id-7971fbd191014847928650783a416a74

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GLHFCasting ? The Many Benefits to Accounting

Business Accounting in Phoenix With our country?s current financial dilemma, it is now increasingly vital to ensure your company?s spending is done correctly. An accounting firm can be a very helpful asset to look over your financial business. They provide a wide variety of services to both individual and business clients including budgeting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, auditing, and consulting. If your business is up for sale, your accounting firm can perform a extensive corporate analysis. Hiring a licensed and experienced accounting firm will guarantee that any project, large or small, gets completed in the right way.| There are several things that need to be monitored in order to ensure your business excels. Amongst other things, you should make sure that your employees receive proper training, ensure satisfactory customer relations, and effectively advertise your brand. You also must monitor your finances in a professional manner. If you are a new business, you probably don?t have the experience or the time to adequately take care of your finances. For an affordable price, you can actually outsource your financial operations to a business accounting consulting services company. A few of the services that the CFO can provide include operational accounting, financial reporting, M&A consulting, transaction services, and employee training. If you are the middle of a small business restructuring or are looking to obtain capital to open a business, they can assist you with these projects as well. With our business accounting consulting services company, your company?s finances will be in good hands.

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Source: http://www.glhfcasting.com/the-many-benefits-to-accounting-9/

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