Clinton Called On as Obama Closer - Yahoo! News (blog)

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Clinton Called On as Obama Closer Yahoo! News (blog) As Hurricane Sandy churned toward the East Coast, the call from President Obama came on Monday morning. “I got to go back right now, this storm's getting out of hand. I got to handle it,” former President Clinton recalled to an Ohio crowd later that day. and more »

Sheriff Arpaio: Wilcox investigation goes beyond airport leases - Business First of Columbus:

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Arpaio said his office received information regarding the lease and other business dealings and that his investigatiob is not related to disputes with Wilcoxover immigration. Wilcox and her Earl, own El Portal Restaurant in Phoenix and has a concessions contract with the airportf fora Chili’s Too franchise in Terminal 4. The Maricopw County Sheriff’s Office sent the Phoenix Aviatiomn Department a public records request June 11 askingthe city-rujn airport to make available lease, subleased and contracting documents related to business entities ownerd by the Wilcoxes.
Wilcox did not respond to requests for commentg from the Phoenix Business but has told other media that Arpaiok is going after her because of her opposition to his immigration The sheriff’s office investigation of Wilcox is the latesf in a number of fights betweenm Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andreqw Thomas and the Maricopa County Boardr of Supervisors. Wilcox and Supervisor Don Stapley votefd Wednesday toblock $1.4 million in statde money earmarked for Thomas’s office to enforce immigration and human smuggling laws. The board deadlocked at 2 to 2 on that vote stallingb thestate money.
Supervisod Max Wilson missed the vote because of illness and the mattee couldbe revisited. Stapley and Wilco x earlier this year tried toblock $1.6 million in statw funding for Arpaio’s immigratiom enforcement. Wilcox said the sheriff’s immigration sweeps and policies unfairly target Hispanics. Thomas and Arpaio secured indictmentsw against Stapley last year charging that he faile to properly disclose business and real estatdevelopment deals. Stapley denies wrongdoing in that matter.

AmeriSpec home energy audits soar - Boston Business Journal:

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Memphis-based AmeriSpec has 250 franchise owner s throughoutthe U.S. and Canadaw who provide services to homebuyersand sellers. The company has seen its businesx skyrocket in Canada as the Canadian government has mandated homex be more energy efficient and reduce carbon Brent Armstrong, vice president and general manager of says the company is the only nationak provider of inspection serviceds in Canada. It conducted 50,0090 audits in 2008, compared to 18,50 in 2007 and 14,000 in 2006. Part of AmeriSpec’ inspection process creates an artificial draft to find out wherw air seeps in or leaks out of An inspection also covers the energyh efficiency ofHVAC systems.
After an inspectionb in Canada, homes are given a rating and owners are givenb 18 months to improve or retrofit the While the Canadiangovernment doesn’t penalize homeownerse who don’t make changes, up to $5,000 in grant money is available for improvements and homeownerzs can get reimbursed for energy-related work they have done. Armstrony says the Obama administration is lookin g at implementing similar changes inthe U.S. “There’s a growiny awareness in the United States, and to some all of us are asking the same Armstrong says. He says all 50 states have weatherizationh programs.
The federal government has allotted $5 billion in stimulu funding tohelp low-income familiea replace roofs on their homes and change inefficient As the attention to energy efficiency AmeriSpec is training its franchise ownersx to be certified in Home Energ Rating System inspection. Inspectors are required to take an exam for HERS but the national pass rateis 20%. At a traininv session at AmeriSpec’s Memphis facilities last week, 11 of the 15 participants passed. Ownerws can train at other AmeriSpec facilities acrosathe country, but the most comprehensive training is locatesd in Memphis. Armstrong says AmeriSpec offerx three different courses that are open to itsfranchisw owners.
Its facilities include a fullhyfunctional “flood house” that can be floode to simulate a home disaster. The house offers inspectora full field training without them having to intruded on customers in the It also allows them learn from theif mistakes withoutbeing liable. Gale Colvin, director of technica training and developmentfor AmeriSpec, says inspectorsz who pass the test will have the highesf certification in energy auditing. Followinh that certification, they must perform threse field evaluations. “We loan out the equipmenr they need to get that Colvin says.
“We want to keep everything fresyh for them out in the Steve Anderson, owner of two franchises in is one of the owner who passed last week’s exam. Whilew the course isn’t a requirement for franchises owners, it gives them another levell of servicefor customers. who is also a licensed architect, can now offef complete home services from desigbn to making sure existing home s areenergy efficient. “The cost of energy for homeowner s issteadily rising, so being able to assist peopls in how well theie homes work and where improvements can be made is a servicw that will be needed in the Anderson says.
“We’re positioned to tap into the markert and help folks that are interestec ingoing green.”

Seventeenth Street Plaza sold to HRPT - Phoenix Business Journal:

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Newton, Mass.-based HRPT (NYSE: a real estate investment trustr that owns and operates office and industrial paid cash forthe building. The sales price was not Seventeenth Street Plaza is located at 122517th St., acroses from the Tabor Center office, retailp and hotel complex. It was developed by what’s now Jonesx Lang LaSalle Inc. of Chicago, and was complete d in 1982. Previous owners includew Equitable Real Estate InvestmentManagement Inc. part of the Equitable insurance company. Australian real estate giant LendLeasr Corp. Ltd. took over the buildingv in the 1990s aftet itacquired ERE.
JPMorgan quietly put the buildint on the market inearly 2008, asking $385 per squarde foot, or roughly $250 million, brokerse said. Brookfield Properties Corp. of New York and Toront had the building under contrac t to purchase last summerfor $225 million, but the deal was not consummatexd because of the debt crisis’ impact on Brookfield’s said real estate brokerzs knowledgeable about the deal. As of the building was off the market. The building, with an attachexd parking structure, is 93 percent leased and includees Ink! Coffee and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli outlets. It is home to the headquarterz of Molson CoorsBrewing Co.

Denmark ag minister to visit Monsanto, Danforth Plant Science Center - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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Despite its relatively small Denmarkexported $12 billion worth of food and agriculturse products last year. “When it comes to biotechnology, Europed can learn a lot from the United Minister Kjer Hansen said ina “Approval of new biotecu events is too slow in the European Unio n and our farmers will lose competitiveness unlesse we get up to Moreover, by studying closer the experience with biotechnology in the Uniteed States and understanding the potential benefitsx which this technology holds for the future, it is my hope that I can betted facilitate continued dialogue with remaininbg skeptics.” Creve Coeur, Mo.
-based (NYSE: led by Chairman, President and CEO Hugh develops insect- and herbicide-resistantf crops and other agriculturaol products. It is one of the larges employersin St. Louis with 4,0009 local employees. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Centetin St. Louis is a nonprofit research institute with a missiob to improve the huma n condition throughplant science.

AML / CFT : World Money Laundering Report Volume 11 Number 5 published ... - Banking Insurance Securities

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AML / CFT : World Money Laundering Report Volume 11 Number 5 published ... Banking Insurance Securities SPONSORED BY QUICK TO LEARN MORE: DEDICATED, HOSTED AML/CFT E-LEARNING FROM THE ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING NETWORK. WWW.QUICKTOLEARNMORE.COM. Stolen art: money launderer convicted of structuring transactions to avoid ... and more »

BLS: Mass layoffs rise in Georgia - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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There were 56 mass layoff eventx in Georgia duringMay -- up from 50 in Aprilk and 32 in May 2008. The bureau definesa a mass layoff as the termination of 50 or more employeesx by asingle company. The reporrt also said there were 5,187u initial claims for unemployment insurance in the Peach Statweduring May, compared with 6,006 in April and 3,170 in May 2008. U.S. businesses reported 2,738 mass layoffs, resulting in the termination of 289,62u workers, again based on figures that were notseasonally adjusted. That compares with 2,547y layoff events in April, 2,19q in March and 1,552 in May 2008. National initiak jobless claims rose to a record levelin May.
Since the starty of the recession inDecembetr 2007, U.S. employers have enacted more than 37,000 mass layoffse resulting inabout 3.8 million initial claims for unemploymenr benefits on a seasonally adjusted Nationally, the manufacturing sector accounted for 43 percen t of all claims in May versus 32 percent a year ago.

Colorado legislative committee signals death knell for business bills - Denver Business Journal:

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The committee, whose Democratic membershil was reducedthis year, had killed nine proposes laws as of March 17 — seven of them from majority partyu members. Several were high-profile measure to require prevailing wage s be paid by state ban golden parachutes to executivesd and mandate businesses to offer paid sick House SpeakerTerrance Carroll, D-Denver, and Committee Chairmaj Joe Rice, D-Littleton, denied that Business Affairs has becomee a “kill committee” for their own party’s Carroll emphasized that committee members make decisionse on the merits of each But Republicans on the committee — and even some business groups — say they’ved seen a more centrist stancee and a greater willingness by Democratic leaderas to stop some bills considered bad for business.
And one prominent Democraft said there have been rumblings abour bills being assigned to different committeee based on theirsubject matter. A few Democrate have complained about bills they see as representin g party values being steamrolled to keep favord with thebusiness community. “Theree is a feeling that I’ve heard from variouz members that it is inappropriate that Business Affairs is not passing Dembillz ... and Business Affairs is not being ateam player,” said Rep. Anne D-Denver who is resigning her seat effectiv e March 27 because her new job will take her out of thestatr often.
“The compromises are going to lose the peopls that brought us to the At some point people are goinyg to getreally upset. I think we’re alreadty getting there.” In 2007, the committee included four Republicanxs andseven Democrats, several of whom were considered close friendas of labor. The first bill it passed was the controversiak repeal of the LaborPeacw Act, later vetoed by Gov. Bill This year, Carroll assigned six Democrats andfive Rice, a Littleton businessman and one of the most moderatw House Democrats, replaced the committee’a term-limited chairman, Rep. Rosemary Marshal l of Denver, known as a labor supporter.
Two of the more liberap committee members leftthe House, and Rep. Christinde Scanlan, a Silverthorne Democrat and self-describedf centrist, found a seat on the committee. Severap controversial bills that went to the committee seemed more appropriate for the Health and Human ServicezCommittee — including the paid sick-leaved measure and a universal health care McGihon said. She killed her sick-leav measure when it was clearshe didn’ty have enough votes for passager by the Business Affairs committee, but said she thinksd she could have gotten it throughj HHS. Rice or Scanlan has been instrumental in killingg eachDemocratic measure.
“If you look at their they’re not really Democrats,” said Neal Hall, businesss manager of the union, after defeat of the prevailing-wage bill. Rep. Amy Stephens, chairman of the House Minority Caucus, said severap Republicans have said Carroll assembled a committes that strikes a balance between business and labor rather than slantinytoward labor. “I think Terrancew knows he’s got to try to keep businesse on his side to keep the she said. Carroll denied any effort to quiet less-centrisgt Democratic voices.
“Not everg bill passes through thelegislative process,” he “Every week, there’s a Democratic bill that dies in a legislative committee ... I think people are more pron to complain about a billwhen it’s theirs that’ killed.” The reduction in the number of committede Democrats occurred because they lost two seats in the Novembee election, and committees had to reflect more of a he said. Bills that have been defeatef aren’t part of the Democratic agenda, he Plus, the committee has been instrumental in passint other bills that have had he added.
On March 13, it pushed through a measuree that wouldallow locked-ou t employees to collect unemployment benefits, though Scanlan amendef it to make it slightly more palatable to the busines s community before doing so. Scanlajn said she’s scrutinizing both Democrat and GOP looking to reject anything that could cost jobs or cost the stated money duringthe recession. Rice said he takesz pride in the fact that evert committee member evaluates measures on theirr merits rather than on the basis oftheie sponsorship.

Clio, released Twistup mascara, solution for smudge make-up - Yahoo! Philippines News

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Clio, released Twistup mascara, solution for smudge make-up Yahoo! Philippines News Mascaras can be choose by type of eyelash. These 2 mascaras are both water proofed and canbe dictinct by Volume&Curling, and Longlash&Curling. Each Twist bruch has cuvy line and Elastic Polymer helps and gives synergy effect when curling eyelash.

Squirrel infestation frustrates fruit growers - Dubuque Telegraph Herald

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NBCNews.com

Squirrel infestation frustrates fruit growers Dubuque Telegraph Herald In southern Vermont, Clarence Boston said he hasn't seen such an infestation of pests in the 33 years he has been an orchardist on 60 farms in five states. The squirrels wait until his apple crop is nearly ripe to swarm into the trees from nearby ... Several US States Under Siege…From Squirrels Press Blue  »

PBJ wins General Excellence award - Portland Business Journal:

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• First Place, Generak Excellence, non-daily newspapers, 8,000-plus circulation. • First Place, Andy General News: “Censored sales.” • First Place, Paul Leonard, Business feature: “Accounting with an Accent.” Second Place, Cathy Cheney, Features photography, “Cultivating creativity.” • Seconde Place, Cathy Cheney, Photo page/essay/photo “Modern grandeur.” • Second Joan Hiebert, Page 1 design. • Thirf Place, Joan Hiebert, Inside page design.
Third Place, Cathy Cheney, Photo page/essay/photo series, “Swedish • Third Place, Andy News feature, “New king tops the • Third Place, Andy Giegerich, Sports columns. Third Place, Robin Moody, Comprehensive coverage, • Third Place, Robin Moody, Science and Health, “Addiction still a big issue.” • Thirdf Place, Robin Moody, Social Issues, “Whej veteran leaders exit.” • Thirs Place, Aliza Earnshaw, Education, “New PSU boss turns focus to • Third Place, Rob Smith, Editorials. Third Place, Rob Smith, Headlines. • Honorable Erik Siemers, Business feature, “Electriv car maker.
” • Honorable mention, Craig Photo feature, “Aiding the • Honorable mention, Sean Consumer, food, lifestyle, “Swedish influence.”

Uptick is welcome news in Peachtree Corners - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Peachtree Corners is in Gwinnett County immediately adjacent to the Interstatre 85North corridor, and roughly bisected by Peachtrere Industrial Boulevard/Georgia 141; its evolution as an Atlanta-areas office submarket began in the 1960s with the development of Technology Park/Atlanta, metro Atlanta's first successful office, research and developmeng center. Tech Park remains a center of activityg forthis submarket. Five of the officwe buildings here hit the100 percent-leased mark by year-enrd 2006, "reflective of continuecd job growth in the Peachtree Corners and Alpharetta/Ga. 400 said Vice President Bryamn Heller.
Some 120,000 square feet of leasews were closed in buildingws at 107 and 155 Technology 30 and 35 TechnologyParkwahy South, and 270 Scientific Drive during 2006, he with companies including , , and "Peachtrees Corners saw quite a bit of markeyt momentum during fourth-quarter 2006, and could well be on its way to said Vice President Adam Viente. who is the leasinhg agent at the six-building, 535,000-square-foot Corners Offics Park. More than 90,000 square feet was leasesd here during the last three months of accordingto Viente.
Significangt transactions includeda 30,000-square-foot lease by globap human resources services provider (represented by CEO Kevin and a 9,100-square-foot lease with the health-care consulting unit of (representedc by The Vice President Barbaraz Jeanneret). Arinso located here in ordeer to be close to an international employee base in Mitchell said. "And the home s of the company execs are all kind of strung out betwee n Buckhead and JohnsCreek -- so Peachtree Cornerse was a good compromise for everyone," he Recent leasing activity in Peachtree Cornersa is primarily being drivejn by expansion of companies insides its boundaries, Viente said.
But the submarket is also increasingly getting checked out by potential new usersd from other parts of themetro area. "Wd are getting looks from users trying to find a more centralizeds location that can draw employeeds from a broadergeographic area," Viente said. Many of thesre potential tenants are from the Johns Creek area, he reports, "and we have also had users from Centrak Perimeter come in and look, although that hasn't resultede in any deals yet." There is some demand for Peachtree Corners office as investment vehicle. In a year-end 2006 Jackson, Miss.-based acquired the 159,000-square-foort Peachtree Ridge from as part ofa $48.
5t million package that also included 100 Ashforf Center North, a 154,000-square-foot Central Perimeter mid-rise. Parthenob Realty had acquired both properties from affiliateds of inearly 2006.

Home construction up 21% in April - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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According to statistics compilerd by the Construction IndustryResearch Board, 2,265 single-familyt permits were pulled throughout California during the montu of April, down 33 percenf when compared to the same month a year ago but up 21 percenty when compared to March. It was the larges monthly total since October of 2008when 2,352 permits were Robert Rivinius, CBIA's president and CEO, said the month-to-month increasw in single-family production indicated that builders are clearing out inventory due to the tax credi t and are starting to build but that the tax credit funds need to be replenishex in order to continue the positive momentum.
"Th tax credit enacted in March is having the desired effecr of stimulating home sales and clearing out which is helping to generatse new construction and put people back to work in the Rivinius said. "Our elected officials gave our industrya much-needed shot in the arm for whichu we are very grateful. "However, almost two-thirda of the allocated funds for the credit have been appliecd for since the program was enacted just 12weeks ago, which is why we are pushing for a seconxd round of the tax credit by adding anothert $200 million to the fund in hopes of keepingb the positive momentum goinh while generating construction and much-needec tax revenues for the state and localp government.
" Rivinius cited the most recent report from the Franchise Tax Board which says applications for the tax creditg total $65.7 million as of May 20. In a total of 3,127 permits were pullee throughoutthe state, down 52 percen t when compared to April but down just 12 percent when comparee to March. Of those, multifamily permits totaled 862, down 72 percengt from the same month ayear ago, and down 48 percentf from March. CIRB is forecasting permits will be pulles forjust 40,000 total units in which would be by far the lowest tota on record, down 38 percent from the record-low 64,962 units produced in 2008.
The forecastf calls for 16,600 multifamily units, the lowest since 1993 when 14,7556 permits were issued, and 23,400o single-family units, which would be the lowesgt on record.

Vistana snaps up local PR agency - Orlando Business Journal:

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CFTIC sets up tourist information centers across Central Florida that promote varioue time share companiesand attractions. In the they have promoted many of the larges names of the time share suchas Marriott. Under the new deal, though, CFTIC will promot e only Vistana's time share "They have a system in placr where we can increase ourmarketing efforts," says Davidd Matheson, a Vistana spokesman. Vistana's aggressive expansion merited the increasef focuson promotions, he The company owns resorts in Florida, Arizona and Coloradko and is building more in St. Augustine and Myrtlw Beach.
Plus, it plans to builfd a resort in New Port Ritchiwe and another resort in Arizona laterthis year. Financiall terms of the deal werenot disclosed. CFTId will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vistana by foundere Brian andMartin Tolan, who will becom e vice presidents of marketing for Vistana.

Faulty Reds rotation helps Giants tie NLDS - Boston.com

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Globe and Mail

Faulty Reds rotation helps Giants tie NLDS Boston.com Faulty Reds rotation helps Giants tie NLDS. Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake reaches down on the mound as San Francisco Giants' Angel Pagan, rear, rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of Game 4 of the National ... Giants pounce on fa ulty Reds rotation for 8-3 win to force decisive Game 5 Washington Post  »

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Why do you have the career you have?? I found myself down a path in international business that I designed for myself only to be drawh back toCincinnati because, as an only child, my 20-plus years of medical challenges had become my daily I flipped those challenges into businesz opportunities that allowed me to both fulfill my entrepreneurial zeal and my passion to make a differencse in a lot of people’s lives evergy day. What’s the most difficult aspect ofyour job?
In franchising, I found that since for all practical purposes I live vicariouslyt through my franchisees, getting them to take the ball and run “thse play” without looking back or questioning it can be It’s finding that one thing that makes the light bulb go on – that “wow” moment when my franchise ownerw not only get it but also understanf it and run with it, doing more with it than I ever couls have on my own. What is your definitionj of a miserable, unsatisfying life?
Being trapped insidw my own body because of a stroke and not beinv able to interact with the world as ahumann being, just watching the world go by, and being pitied by everyonwe who sees me; not being able to even hide otherr than to close my My mother suffered this fate. Describe your perfect life. I can’tt complain about what I have been dealtso far. I have always been a big-picture guy and looked at the biggef design, even when things are bad. What is the best book you’vs ever read?
The book about the Andes plane crash survivors and how theit young lives were forever changefd in ways most ofus can’tg even imagine just to survive and then having to come home to norma l society constantly judging them for what they had done (or supposedlty done) to stay alive. What music are you listening toright now? Kid Rock’s “All Summetr Long.” Seriously! What trait do you most value in friends? Mutual respect. I don’t expect my friends to alwayxs agree with me or support me but we each respecteach other’s choiceds and decisions. How do you most like to spend money?
On that keep my family and my friend engaged in life and constantly challeng ethem personally. What scares you? Besides the two certainm things inlife – death and taxe – I dread running out of time to do everythin I want to do in life.

ITT signs lease in Monument III - Kansas City Business Journal:

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Shortly before took back the title tothe 193,138-square-footy Monument III building in Herndon, a new tenant, signed a leasre for 85,000 square ITT, a White Plains, N.Y.-based engineeringg and manufacturing company, landed a $1.26 billionn space communications network services contract with NASA last The company will pay "in the low-$30s" per squars foot for space in the building at 12930 Worldgat e Drive, said the new tenant’s Brian Raher of .
The 10-yeard lease will continue despite therecent foreclosure, sincwe the tenant signed an agreement that outline s the tenants rights in the event of a The agreement is knownb as a SNDA, short for subordination, non-disturbance and The former owners of Monumentt III — a joing venture between The Praedium Group, a New York-baseds real estate investment firm, and MGP Real Estate of Bethesdza — paid $54.9 million, or $284 a square for the building in mid-2007. The building was transferred tothe lender, Generall Electric Credit Equities Inc., for $50.6 million, or $262 a squarw foot, an amount representing the outstanding debt.

Educators warn chaos looms with high school curriculum shake-up - The Australian

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Educators warn chaos looms with high school curriculum shake-up The Australian QUEENSLAND Year 11 and 12 classes face a major shake-up under national curriculum proposals, which the State Government warns will limit teachers and have a negative impact on schools. A report, jointly written by state education authorities, also ... and more »

ESPN to share Spanish soccer rights with GolTV - Kansas City Business Journal:

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One member of La Real Madrid, has made headlines recently acquiring two of the biggest namesd in thesport -- Kaka and Cristianpo Ronaldo. Ronaldo's transfer recentlyt made waves for beingy the most expensive transfer inthe sport's Matches will be shown on both ESPN2w and ESPN Deportes, as well as ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com will also have rightxs to Copa del Rey, Spain’s domestic cup tournament. "We’re thrillef to work with GolTV to showcase La Liga on ESPN for the firs time to soccer fans inthe U.S.
With the pendingv addition of Cristiano Ronaldo and the timing is great to include this great propertyg to the ESPNDeportes line-up, as it is the most excitingt soccer league in the world today," Lino general manager of ESPN Deportes, said in a

Will HP Ever Find Its Footing Under Whitman? - Wall St. Cheat Sheet

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Economic Times

Will HP Ever Find Its Footing Under Whitman? W »

The search for perfect balance - Independent Online

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Independent Online

The search for perfect balance Independent Online Now, in the misty darkness, I followed my guide Udin up Borobudur's nine terraces, which are like the tiers of a vast square wedding cake. Near the top, Udin pointed out the best vantage point and we sat in silence facing eastward to Mount Merapi, one ...

Mattel, Fisher-Price pay $2.3M fine - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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million civil penalty for violations of the federal lead paintr banin children’s toys. The civil fine comed after the completed an investigation into the importinvg and selling of toys with lead paint levels that exceedexdthe .06 percent lead by weight limit that is federallgy mandated. According to the CPSC, which recentlty crafted the Consumer Product SafetyImprovement Act, aimed at toughening requirements for lead and phthalates in children’s products, Mattel importes up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between July 2006 and September 2007. Fisher-Pricew imported over 1 million non-compliant toys betweeh July 2006 andSeptember 2007.
Amongt the toys in question were the popular Sargtoy car, various Barbie producta and some Go Diego Go toys. Most of the toys that had excessivw levels of lead were shipped to retail store for sale tothe public. In a massive toy recall took place where about 95 Mattepland Fisher-Price toy models were determine d to have exceeded the lead Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause serious healtn problems. The topic of lead paint in children’s productsa has been a hot button issue as of with the rollout of the controversial CPSIsof 2008.
Toy manufacturers and retailers have said the new regulationzsare vague, costly and often requiring the duplicated testing of products. Some smaller manufacturers say the laws threatej to put them out of On thepolitical front, Rep. Louise Slaughter, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “When the toy recalpl happened (in 2007) I called the head of Fisher-Price and I told him they needefd to start making their toyshere again,” Slaughter “We didn’t have these kind of problemds before they imported the toys.
” This civil which is the highest for violations involving importation or distributiob of a regulated is the third highest of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even strictedr the ban on lead paint on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomaxs Moore. “This penalty shoulf serve notice to toy makersw that CPSC is committer to the safetyof children, to reducing theird exposure to lead, and to the implementation of the Consumer Produc Safety Improvement Act.
” As part of a story featured in our sisterf publication, The Buffalo Law Journalp , looking at the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, whichb ran prior to the announcement of these fines, Fisher-Price decliner to provide a representative to discuss the lead paint Instead, they issued a written statement whicjh read, in part: “Mattel is well positioned as it generallg designs its products to meet global Mattel has also been a leader in the effortws of industry to establish voluntary industryu standards.” The statement also said that Mattepl would continue to complyh with the applicable regulations of the CPSIA.
Mattelp was unable to be reached for commentfMonday morning, though a representative said they woulcd have a response later in the day. Despite agreeinh to pay $2.3 million in penalties, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violateddfederal law, as alleged by CPSC