Sporting chance; firstdrive
Tuesday, November 24th, 20090 Comments | Wales On Sunday (Cardiff, Wales), Nov 22, 2009
Byline: JOHN CONNOR
SPORTS cars are strange beasts. They go fast but are generally expensive to insure, fuel and run, yetmotorists formqueues to buy them.
It does not seem to matter how low the cars sit on the ground, how noisy the exhaust, orhowsmall the boot, they attract drivers of all ages like moths around a lamp.
Modest open tops, compact two-seaters, and thoroughbred “get up and go” super cars that are only one step away from racing machines are all in this mix. In short, they are always someone’s dream machine.
Well for fans of the sports car there’s some good news from Mazda, which has introduced a very sportyMPSversion of its mid-sized hatchback.
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Mazda is an expert at producing highperformance cars, and it is recognised as the manufacturer whose faith in two-seat open tops saved the marque from extinction with its iconic MX-5. So its new Mazda3 MPS is not one to be ignored. Redlining at 155mph, this fourseat performance car can swallow up to 300 litres of luggage and its powerful 2.3-litre engine returns a creditable 29.4mpg on the combined cycle, although I feel its CO emission rating of 224g/km is a little on the high side. That said and done this sports hatch is a beauty to behold.
Its exterior looks have been toned down from the previous model. Even with a larger rear spoiler and sporty front end, I feel it is more sophisticated and offers a less overt – and more covert – sports look.
Looks, however, do not add or detract from performance and this MPS oozes performance. The handling is top notch. The brakes are powerful and the 18in alloys shod with R18 Dunlop tyres are ideal for the road.
Acceleration is good, the ride smooth and because the car has a lowered suspension, it sits comfortably on roads of all types
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Let RetailMeNot.com Pay Your Shopping Bill This Holiday Season
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Business Wire, Nov 23, 2009
Tweet the Name of the Store Where Youll Buy the Most Gifts this Year
and You Could Win a $100 Gift Certificate to that Store
MELBOURNE, Australia — RetailMeNot.com:
[Table Omitted]
About RetailMeNot.com
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is a top consumer destination for coupons, discountsand promotional
codes for merchandise, travel and services with 12 million visitors per
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100,000 retailers, restaurants and brands, including Amazon,
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, Home
Depot andGap.RetailMeNot.coms
mission is to help consumers save money and enjoy a hassle-free discount
shopping experience. RetailMeNot.com, a division of Stateless
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www.RetailMeNot.com
is a registered domain of Stateless Systems. All other domains, names
and trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective owners.
Laid-off Pixar janitors protest in Emeryville
Tuesday, November 24th, 20090 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 30, 2009 | by Angela Hill
EMERYVILLE — Adopting the robot janitor character from the Disney/Pixar movie “WALL-E” as their poster child, a group of janitors laid off from Pixar Animation Studios protested Thursday outside Pixar’s Emeryville headquarters.
Nine out of a staff of 21 janitors were laid off in January when Pixar entered into contract with a new janitorial firm, Preferred Building Services Inc., which has offices in San Francisco.
“As soon as they switched, they laid off the workers, took away health care benefits for the remaining ones and left them making $9.25 an hour,” said Sylvia Ruiz, political director for Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, which represents the janitors. “It’s pretty ironic that ‘WALL-E’ was a janitor, and they can profit by a cartoon janitor, but they can treat human janitors like trash.”
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The demonstration comes after months of petitions and letter- writing campaigns by SEIU to Pixar, demanding the company work with the union and rehire the laid-off employees, union officials said.
Calls to Pixar and Preferred Building Services were not returned Thursday.
StoneFly Introduces RAIDML for Extreme Protection of Mission-Critical Files and Applications on IP SANs
Monday, November 23rd, 2009Market Wire, November, 2009
StoneFly(TM), Inc., a leading supplier of
integrated IP storage area network (SAN) systems, today unveiled StoneFly
RAIDML(TM), a new multi-level (ML) approach to data protection for IP SANs.
RAIDML goes beyond conventional No Single Point of Failure (NSPOF)
configurations to provide the highest levels of data protection for
mission-critical files and applications, along with general file storage.
Now available as an integrated part of StoneFly’s Voyager HA IP SAN, RAIDML
offers the ability to create NSPOF volumes as well as purely RAID 5 or 6
protected volumes — all in a single storage unit or aggregated across
multiple storage units. The creation of different RAID sets in this manner
allows administrators to achieve multi-level data protection without
increasing costs and without the need for doubling drives to meet NSPOF
requirements.
An Economical Alternative to Conventional NSPOF Approaches
According to BJ Jalali, director of product management for StoneFly, there
are several conventional ways to attain NSPOF on storage volumes: mirroring
(RAID 1); mirroring and striping (RAID 10 or 0 1); complete subsystem
mirroring (RAID 51 or RAID 61); or host-based applications that manage
mirroring.
“Today’s storage devices have gone a long way toward protecting data
through the use of different RAID levels,” Jalali says. “However, to date,
all conventional NSPOF configurations require 100 percent duplication of
actual disk storage, leaving the customer with little choice but to spend
more while adding complexity to the data center. StoneFly is very pleased
to offer RAIDML as an economical and effective alternative.”
Implemented in StoneFly’s Active-Active Controller Architecture
RAIDML is implemented in StoneFly’s active-active controller architecture,
protecting both NSPOF and traditional RAID sets with comprehensive auto
fail-over and fail-back capabilities. RAIDML is supported by the StoneFly
StoneFusion(TM) operating system, which equips StoneFly IP SANs with a
patented storage virtualization engine; StoneFly Reflection(TM) for local
and campus mirroring; StoneFly Snapshot(TM) for fast, efficient data
recovery; and advanced features such as Quick Sync to further enhance data
protection.
Quick Sync allows customers to rapidly restore RAIDML or mirrored iSCSI
volumes in the event of a storage path or site failure
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Debut Broadcasting Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Results
Monday, November 23rd, 20090 Comments | Wireless News, Nov 23, 2009
Debut Broadcasting Inc., a media and entertainment company, announced a third-quarter net income of $166,510 on the strength of a 33 percent reduction in operating expenses.
The company said in a November 19 release that operating income has increased by $441,975 over this time last year. The company said it has been implementing a reorganization strategy intended to achieve profitability by the end of this year. That strategy included a recent financing agreement with River Falls Financial Services. Additional progress is anticipated during Q4, and the company plans to have all major milestones in the reorganization implemented by year-end.
Debut Broadcasting further noted it continues to work closely with management at River Falls to evaluate and execute an expansion strategy.
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
Birkenhead academy told it must cater for 'poorest'
Sunday, November 22nd, 20090 Comments | Daily Post; Liverpool (UK), Nov 20, 2009 | by KEVIN CORE
THE former Birkenhead High School for Girls is to cater for large numbers of pupils from deprived backgrounds, a new report reveals.
The prestigious, fee-paying, selective school became Birkenhead High School Academy (BHSA) in September, 2009, despite the council making it clear that, in an era of surplus places, it did not want another state girls school.
Now, in the council’s business plan for the multi-million pound remodelling of the Academy, it pledges the school will play its part in the borough’s education strategy by taking on children from poor surrounding areas.
It reads: “The Academy is situated within easy walking distance of many of Wirral’s most deprived young people.
“Historically, the former fee-paying independent school has not served such a community, but combined with excellent facilities and the academy’s traditional ethos of high expectation, could be instrumental in transforming opportunities for a large number of deprived girls.”
The decision to create the Academy gave education bosses in Wirral a logistical headache as Prenton Girls school already existed – ranked “outstanding” by Ofsted.
The document also begins the tendering process for a new-build 750-place boys Academy which has been proposed for Birkenhead.
Cabinet member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Phil Davies, said no decision had yet been made on this Academy, but it had been necessary to instigate the tendering programme at the same time as that of BHSA, as it was a government requirement and kept the option open.
Referring to BHSA’s intake, he said: “By and large it will be opened to an all-ability intake which will be a revolution for them.
“That was one of the big selling points that this was a school that had an excellent reputation but would be free for the first time broadly getting rid of selection – apart from 10% by aptitude.
“This high-quality school will be open to kids who would never in the normal course of events be allowed to go to that kind of school.
“There may be a snobbish element because of people moving outside their perceived social class.
“I was very clear that this was the deal that we were entering into.
“I’m very keen that kids from more deprived communities have that opportunity. If there are difficulties, I would be looking to the staff to make sure those children coming in from those backgrounds can assimilate and have the benefit of the facilities.”
Birkenhead School headmaster John Clark said: “Regarding proposals for a new boys” Academy, I”m very supportive of the idea. It would operate in what Frank Field has called areas of educational deprivation and the role of an Academy is to serve the local community
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) for the Treatment of Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder in Pediatric Patients (Ages 6 to 17 Years)
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009Business Wire, Nov 20, 2009
PRINCETON, N.J. & TOKYO — Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY
(aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with
autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including
symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness,
temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.
While there is no approved treatment for the core symptoms of autistic
disorder, irritability can be an associated behavior of autistic
disorder and is manifested as aggression towards others, deliberate
self-injurious behaviors, temper tantrums, aggression and quickly
changing moods. Behavioral problems such as irritability can be a source
of impairment or distress to an individual with autistic disorder.
Pharmacological treatment for pediatric patients with irritability
associated with autistic disorder is indicated as part of a total
treatment program that includes psychological, educational, and social
interventions. The decision to initiate pharmacological treatment in
children with irritability associated with autistic disorder should be
made between healthcare providers and caregivers only after a thorough
diagnostic evaluation and discussion of both the benefits and risks
associated with pharmacological treatment. If treatment is initiated,
American Psychiatric Association (APA) consensus guidelines recommend
routine assessment and monitoring of patients weight, waist
circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma-glucose level and fasting
lipid profile for the development of metabolic adverse effects.1
The approval of ABILIFY for this indication is based on data from two
eight-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center,
Phase III studies in which ABILIFY, compared to placebo, significantly
improved scores on the Irritability subscale of the caregiver-rated
Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-I). The ABC-I subscale measured the
emotional and behavioral symptoms of irritability in autistic disorder,
including aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness,
temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods. Participating patients had
a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)
diagnosis of autistic disorder, confirmed by the Autism Diagnostic
Interview-Revised, and exhibited behaviors such as tantrums, aggression,
self-injurious behavior, or a combination of these problems.
The efficacy of ABILIFY (aripiprazole) for the maintenance
treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder has not been
evaluated. While there is no body of evidence available to answer the
questions of how long the patient treated with ABILIFY should be
maintained, patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the
continued need for maintenance treatment.
Study Design
Study CN138-178 was a flexible-dose study involving 98 patients at
approximately 20 U.S. sites
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Cinemark Launches Five New XD Auditoriums In Union City, Tucson, Albuquerque, Daly City and Hanover
Saturday, November 21st, 2009Business Wire, Nov 20, 2009
PLANO, Texas — Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), a leading motion picture exhibitor,
today announced the opening of five new Cinemark XD, Extreme
Digital Cinema auditoriums in Union City, CA; Tucson, AZ;
Albuquerque, NM; Daly City, CA; and Hanover, MD. These new Cinemark XD
auditoriums located at the Century 25 Union Landing (San Francisco Bay
Area), Century Park Place Mall 20 in Tucson, Century Rio 24 in
Albuquerque, Century 20 Daly City (San Francisco Bay Area), and the
Cinemark Egyptian 24 in Hanover are exhibiting the highly anticipated
movie The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Cinemark has transformed one auditorium at each location so that guests
can experience cinema like never before. The new auditoriums offer
complete entertainment environments featuring large, wall-to-wall &
ceiling-to-floor screens, plush seating and completely redesigned
viewing environments. In addition, they feature custom JBL Sound Systems
that contain over 30 speakers that produce crisp, clear digital sound,
and digital images delivered by the use of Doremi servers and Barco
digital projectors with a light output of 30,000 lumens.
These Cinemark XD, Extreme Digital Cinema auditoriums
engage all of your senses and pull you into the movie, comments Alan
Stock, Cinemarks Chief Executive Officer. We have now opened fourteen
XD auditoriums and plan to add one more before the end of the year. We
show the newest & biggest movies every week in these auditoriums
including 2D and Real D-3D pictures.
Customers can check showtime information and purchase tickets for the Cinemark
XD auditoriums online at www.cinemark.com.
The Century 25 Union Landing is located at 32100 Union Landing in Union
City, CA
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Costa Bingo Supports BBC Children in Need
Friday, November 20th, 2009Market Wire, November, 2009
Costa Bingo has announced it will donate GBP 1 to the BBC’s Children in Need Appeal for every winning Pudsey card.
A special Pudsey-shaped online bingo pattern has been created to raise money for the 82-year-old charity.
The online bingo site will donate GBP 1 to Children in Need for every player who wins a 75-ball game on the Pudsey pattern.
“Our bingo cards offer many different winning patterns but we hope our players will put superstition to one side and play Pudsey,” says Costa Bingo Operations Director Debbie Gent.
“It costs them nothing extra to play the charity card and – if they win – Children in Need get GBP 1. We all think it’s a no brainer and hope to raise lots of money for Children in Need.”
David Ramsden, Chief Executive Officer of BBC Children in Need , says: “Every year we are both humbled and inspired by the extraordinary lengths our supporters go to raise money, and we hope this year is no exception. This is why we are asking for your support again in 2009.”
Since the BBC Children in Need Appeal started in 1980, over GBP 525m has been raised to make a real and tangible difference to the lives of disadvantaged youngsters.
The 2009 Children in Need Appeal will reach its crescendo with a star-studded BBC One TV show on Friday, November 20.
About Costa Bingo
CostaBingo.com launched in June 2009 and is already the fastest growing online bingo provider. Thousands of players log on every day to enjoy a range of bingo and instant games. Every new player receives a 200% welcome bonus and an ongoing 50% bonus for deposits thereafter
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E*Trade Offers New Tools for Fixed Income Investors
Friday, November 20th, 20090 Comments | Wireless News, Nov 20, 2009
E*Trade announced that E*Trade Securities has added several new tools to its Bond Resource Center aimed at helping individuals identify, evaluate and implement fixed income investments that meet their needs and goals.
“Investor appetite for fixed income products, tools and services is strong as more and more investors are considering fixed income as a key component to portfolio diversification,” said Paul Vienick, Senior Vice President, E*Trade Securities. “We’re committed to helping investors effectively incorporate fixed income into their portfolios by providing the best selection of products along with easy-to-use, friendly tools and education.”
The new tools, available to E*Trade customers, include:
– Fixed Income Portfolio Report – provides investors with a clear overview of their current fixed income positions and maturity dates, plus further breakdown and analysis including bond ratings, security types, and cash flow schedules – all of which can be saved, downloaded and printed in PDF format.
– Bond Ladder Tool – guides customers through the process of building a bond ladder, beginning with identifying preferred bond types and ratings, stating preferred time horizon (including dates and frequency of maturities), and finally selecting those bonds or brokered CDs that fit the customer’s criteria. The tool provides users with a “short list” of bonds that meet their criteria, which may be expanded if more options are desired.
– Bond Scatter Plot Tool – simplifies the bond screening process by creating a “scatter plot” graph of bonds that fit the investor’s requested maturity and yield, and allows users to zoom in on sections of the scatter plot graph for a closer look and greater detail on specific bonds or bond groups.
“The turmoil in the markets is affecting the way many investors think about diversification of assets,” Vienick said. “In a recent survey of Mass Affluent customers (those with $50,000 or more in investable assets at E*Trade), almost 50 percent indicated that their interest in fixed income increased over the past two years
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