Factbox: Key political risks to watch in Bulgaria

SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgaria is struggling to spur its small and open economy after a deep recession, but protests against tight fiscal policy and low living standards forced the rightist government to resign in February.

Sometimes violent protests, initially prompted by high electricity prices, continued for nearly three weeks and before it stepped down, the government also started the process to revoke Czech utility CEZ's license, raising questions over the investment climate in the European Union's poorest country.

Here are the main political risks for Bulgaria:

WHO WILL GOVERN?

Outgoing Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has kept a tight rein on fiscal policy to maintain a currency peg to the euro but did little to improve living standards, which are less than half the EU's average.

With an early election expected in May, Borisov's GERB party is neck and neck with the Socialists. Whoever wins will almost certainly have to strike a coalition deal with a smaller party.

Borisov was hospitalized with high blood pressure after his resignation, adding to a sense of political limbo.

What to watch:

- Who will President Rosen Plevneliev appoint in an interim government, due to be formed next week? Investors are looking for an experienced professional to maintain fiscal discipline at a time when protesters are demanding spending be increased.

- Who will win the early election? A hung parliament and horse-trading over a coalition look almost certain. Investors are wary of the Socialists, who lost power during an economic crash in 2009 and have pledged tax cuts and wage hikes. If GERB wins, there will still be pressure to roll back austerity.

SLUGGISH ECONOMY

The EU forecasts growth at 1.4 percent this year, compared with 6-7 percent before the economic downturn in 2009, but that is doing little to improve the lot of most Bulgarians. The average monthly pension is just 135 euros ($180) and the average salary 400 euros.

Bulgaria has managed to cut its deficit to one of the lowest levels in the bloc, at 0.5 percent of GDP last year, which is important to maintain confidence in the lev currency's peg to the euro.

What to watch:

- Will the interim government stay the fiscal course in the face of protesters' demands to cut electricity bills and raise wages and pensions? Will it be efficient enough to ensure budget revenues?

CORRUPTION AND CRIME

Corruption and organized crime still blight Bulgaria 20 years after the end of communist rule, deterring investors, hindering growth and delaying its entry into the EU's Schengen zone of borderless travel.

The Balkan country has failed to uncover details on over 100 contract killings in the past decade and has yet to jail a single senior official for corruption. The EU has its justice system, along with Romania's, under special monitoring.

What to watch:

- Will the country's courts succeed in convicting a top official? This might not move markets in the short term but would signal that Bulgaria was becoming an easier place to do business.

($1 = 0.7649 euros)

(Editing by Alison Williams)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/factbox-key-political-risks-watch-bulgaria-115935851--business.html

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Pope recalls 'joy,' difficulties in final audience

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 for the final time before retiring, waving to tens of thousands of people who have gathered to bid him farewell Benedict was driven around the square in an open-sided vehicle, surrounded by bodyguards. At one point he stopped to kiss a baby handed up to him by his secretary. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 for the final time before retiring, waving to tens of thousands of people who have gathered to bid him farewell Benedict was driven around the square in an open-sided vehicle, surrounded by bodyguards. At one point he stopped to kiss a baby handed up to him by his secretary. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives for his last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Tens of thousands of people toting banners saying "Thank you!" jammed St. Peter's Square on Wednesday to bid farewell to Pope Benedict XVI at his final general audience, the appointment he kept each week to teach the world about the Catholic faith. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI greeted the Catholic masses in St. Peter's Square Wednesday for the last time before retiring, making several rounds of the square as crowds cheered wildly and stopping to kiss a half-dozen children brought up to him by his secretary. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

A Vatican Swiss guard stands in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI is preparing for his final general audience, the weekly appointment he kept with the faithful and tourists to teach them about the Catholic faith. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

A man holds a cross as he stands in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI is preparing for his final general audience, the weekly appointment he kept with the faithful and tourists to teach them about the Catholic faith. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI basked in an emotional send-off Wednesday from an estimated 150,000 people at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy and also times of difficulty when "it seemed like the Lord was sleeping."

The crowd, many toting banners saying "Grazie!" ("Thank you!"), jammed the piazza to bid Benedict farewell and hear his final speech as pontiff. In this appointment, which he has kept each week for eight years to teach the world about the Catholic faith, Benedict thanked his flock for respecting his retirement, which takes effect Thursday.

Benedict clearly enjoyed the occasion, taking a long victory lap around the square in an open-sided car and stopping to kiss and bless half a dozen children handed to him by his secretary. Seventy cardinals, some tearful, sat in solemn attendance ? then gave him a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Benedict made a quick exit, foregoing the typical meet-and-greet session that follows the audience as if to not prolong the goodbye.

Given the historic moment, Benedict also changed course and didn't produce his typical professorial Wednesday catechism lesson. Rather, he made his final public appearance in St. Peter's a personal one, explaining once again why he was becoming the first pope in 600 years to resign and urging the faithful to pray for his successor.

"To love the church means also to have the courage to take difficult, painful decisions, always keeping the good of the church in mind, not oneself," Benedict said to thundering applause.

He noted that a pope has no privacy: "He belongs always and forever to everyone, to the whole church." But he promised that in retirement he would not be returning to private life ? instead taking on a new experience of service to the church through prayer.

He recalled that when he was elected pope on April 19, 2005, he questioned if God truly wanted it.

"'It's a great burden that you've placed on my shoulders,'" he recalled telling God.

During his eight years as pope, Benedict said he had had "moments of joy and light, but also moments that haven't been easy ... moments of turbulent seas and rough winds, as has occurred in the history of the church when it seemed like the Lord was sleeping."

But he said he never felt alone, that God always guided him, and he thanked his cardinals and colleagues for their support and for "understanding and respecting this important decision."

The pope's eight-year tenure has been beset by the clerical sex abuse scandal, discord over everything from priestly celibacy to women's ordination, and most recently the betrayal by his own butler who stole his private papers and leaked them to a journalist.

Under a bright sun and blue skies, the square was overflowing with pilgrims and curiosity-seekers. Those who couldn't get in picked spots along the main boulevard leading to the square to watch the event on giant TV screens. About 50,000 tickets were requested for Benedict's final master class. In the end, the Vatican estimated that 150,000 people flocked to the farewell.

"It's difficult ? the emotion is so big," said Jan Marie, a 53-year-old Roman in his first years as a seminarian. "We came to support the pope's decision."

With chants of "Benedetto!" erupting often, the mood was far more buoyant than during the pope's final Sunday blessing. It recalled the jubilant turnouts that often accompanied him at World Youth Days and events involving his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

Benedict has said he decided to retire after realizing that, at 85, he simply didn't have the "strength of mind or body" to carry on.

"I have taken this step with the full understanding of the seriousness and also novelty of the decision, but with a profound serenity in my soul," Benedict told the crowd.

Benedict will meet Thursday morning with cardinals for a final time, then fly by helicopter to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome.

There, at 8 p.m., the doors of the palazzo will close and the Swiss Guards in attendance will go off duty, their service protecting the head of the Catholic Church over ? for now.

Many of the cardinals who will choose Benedict's successor were in St. Peter's Square for his final audience. Those included retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, the object of a grass-roots campaign in the U.S. to persuade him to recuse himself for having covered up for sexually abusive priests. Mahony has said he will be among the 115 cardinals voting on who the next pope should be.

"God bless you," Mahony said when asked by television crews about the campaign.

Also in attendance Wednesday were cardinals over 80, who can't participate in the conclave but will participate in meetings next week to discuss the problems facing the church and the qualities needed in a new pope.

"I am joining the entire church in praying that the cardinal electors will have the help of the Holy Spirit," Spanish Cardinal Julian Herranz, 82, said.

Herranz has been authorized by the pope to brief voting-age cardinals on his investigation into the leaks of papal documents that exposed corruption in the Vatican administration.

Vatican officials say cardinals will begin meeting Monday to decide when to set the date for the conclave.

But the rank-and-file faithful in the crowd weren't so concerned with the future; they wanted to savor the final moments with the pope they have known for years.

"I came to thank him for the testimony that he has given the church," said Maria Cristina Chiarini, a 52-year-old homemaker who traveled by train from Lugo in central Italy with about 60 members of her parish. "There's nostalgia, human nostalgia, but also comfort, because as a Christian we have hope. The Lord won't leave us without a guide."

___

Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-02-27-EU-Vatican-Pope/id-14d520a525704aaeb9f748d37b591102

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PFT: Draft prospect Lotulelei has heart condition

AP

It?s late February.? The Combine is unfolding.? And that means it?s time for scouts to rip or praise players under the cloak of anonymity.

Plenty of writers who publish assessments made by unnamed scouts are now ridiculed when doing so.? The pedigree and accomplishments of Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tend to insulate him from scrutiny, even when his unnamed scouts swing and miss on players like Robert Griffin III.? (Heck, McGinn can even publish Wonderlic numbers without being vilified.)

McGinn assesses the players who could be available when the Packers use their first-round pick, and he shares the insights of a pair of unnamed scouts regarding Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner, a German-born-and-bred prospect who is now poised to fulfill the very unlikely dream of being a first-round draft pick in the NFL.

?He?s good, but I don?t see the special in him,? one unnamed scout said. ?Kind of a try-hard, good football player but nothing special.?

Said another:? ?He?s not a dynamic pass rusher but he seems to get sacks.? He comes off the ball hard but he?s not special.?

Without knowing anything about the team(s) for which these scouts work, there?s no way of knowing whether they?re badmouthing Werner in the hopes that he?ll be available when their team(s) pick.? That?s how it works.? Teams that love a player say bad things about him, wishing for a free fall.? Teams that hate a guy say great things about him, hopeful he?ll be taken early ? pushing down the board players in which the team is actually interested.

With more and more media swarming around the pre-draft process, there?s always someone ready to publish these anonymous assessments.

But citing an ?unnamed scout? tells the audience nothing about the skills or credentials of the scout.? As the late George Carlin used to say (as Carlin himself would say, he?s saying nothing now), there?s a worst doctor in the world ? and someone has an appointment with him tomorrow.? Similarly, there are plenty of scouts who aren?t as skilled as others.? Any time an unnamed scout is being quoted, there?s a chance that he?s the worst of them all.

You know, like the ones who told McGinn last year that, as to RG3, ?[e]verybody is just assuming because of the Heisman and the socks and all that bs. . . . they are ignoring a lot of bad tape that he?s had,? that ?I don?t think he has vision or pocket feel, which to me are the two most important components of quarterbacking,? that ?[h]e?s just running around winging it,? that ?[h]e?s [Michael] Vick, but not as good a thrower,? that ?he?s not as good as Cam Newton,? that ?[a]s much as is written about his athleticism, his athleticism under duress in the pocket isn?t even close to Cam Newton?s,? that ?the only way he gets big plays with his feet is if he?s got a wide-open field and the sea opens for him,? that ?[h]e?s got a little bit of a selfish streak, too,? and that ?[h]e doesn?t treat anybody good.?

Or maybe these unnamed scouts are just good enough to know how to push lies in the hopes of advancing agendas.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/24/combine-medical-test-reveals-star-lotulelei-has-heart-condition/related/

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Chatel A Ski Resort With Heart

Nobody really likes airport transfers do they? When it comes to a ski holiday, they are often seen as an annoying intermediate hurdle between you and the slopes. Yet the transfer from Geneva to Chatel is worth the effort because this is a very interesting resort. Not sure why we say that? Then read on.

Whats it really like?

Sitting in the French part of the famous Portes Du Soleil alpine ski resort, this is a family-oriented resort offering some great skiing and lovely scenery. Unlike some resorts, without mentioning names, this is a thriving farming village that has a pleasant and traditional centre. Thats a big plus for those skiers who sometimes feel a little overpowered by the entirely concrete jungles that exist in some other places. Its also attractive for having a distinctly French culture in town, rather than the slightly colourless internationalism that exists in some ski resort centres. With fast and frequent services available for your transfer from Geneva to Chatel, its accessibility is another bonus.

Its probably fair to say that the skiing immediately around the village is ideal for beginners to intermediate levels. There are 28 red and 6 black pistes, but advanced skiers might describe it as reasonable rather than exhilarating. Having said that, given that it is linked to all the other resorts in the vast Portes Du Soleil ski area, even very demanding skiers are likely to find challenges are readily available.

Nightlife

Quite a few French resorts have a reputation for being rather "sleepy" in terms of aprs-ski but this isnt one of them! There are plenty of bars and restaurants and the opportunity to enjoy yourself to 4am, if you have the energy! However, being French this rarely if ever gets out of hand, and if you prefer quieter evenings you should be able to get away from it all in cosy restaurants and bars, where the only excess is likely to be deciding whether to have another drink or not.

How to get there

Making the transfer from Geneva to Chatel is straightforward and there are plenty of services to choose from. The transfer time is around 90 minutes, though that might be extended in peak periods if traffic or weather proves to be an issue. There are also all the traditional options for trains and then subsequent transfers if you prefer to avoid air travel.

Summertime

Of course, due to its beautiful surroundings and authentic village centre, this is also a great destination for breaks outside of the snow season. Hiking, climbing, cycling, swimming and fishing are all popular activities in the surrounding areas. The local environs are also famous for their cuisine, using the very best of fresh produce from the surrounding hills and pastures, so culinary tours are also very popular. If you like serious mountain biking then, as you might expect, opportunities are just about everywhere around you.

So, winter or summer, its worth making the effort to make the transfer from Geneva to Chatel. The rewards are myriad.

About the Author:
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If youre looking for a ski transfer from Geneva to Chatel, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you dont miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/-Chatel-----A-Ski-Resort-With-Heart/4443928

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Australia wins Men's Team Pursuit title - Universal Sports

http://www.universalsports.com 2013, Minsk, Belarus, UCI Track Cycling World Championships, Although both Great Britain and Australia had close qualifying times, Australia dominated in the final for the win. (Watch the full event at UniversalSports.com)

Universal Sports Network is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering exclusive coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes, and in depth sports news year round.

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Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLiM3BR1ZB8&feature=youtube_gdata

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In pictures Protesters urge Obama to say no to oil pipeline from Canada

The Globe and Mail Sunday 17th February, 2013

Protesters gather at the National Mall in Washington calling on President Barack Obama to reject the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, as well as act to limit carbon pollution from power plants and "move beyond" coal and natural gas, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.(Manuel Balce Ceneta /AP)

Read more

Source: http://www.texasguardian.com/index.php/sid/212640525/scat/bef2bf598e76a3e6

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2 firefighters dead, 2 hurt in Texas lodge fire

BRYAN, Texas (AP) ? Two Texas fire lieutenants have died of burns after battling a lodge hall fire, a city official said Saturday.

Gregory Pickard and Eric Wallace, both with the department in the Central Texas city of Bryan, were in a group of firefighters responding to the blaze about midnight Friday at a Knights of Columbus hall, city spokeswoman Mary Lynne Stratta said.

The team entered the burning building but didn't emerge when ordered to evacuate, Stratta said.

Wallace, 36, died at the scene and Pickard, 54, on Saturday at a hospital in Galveston, she said.

"He called for help, said he was low on air," Stratta said of Wallace, a 13-year Bryan Fire Department veteran.

With Wallace still inside, Pickard and two other firefighters ? Ricky Mantey Jr. and Mitchel Moran ? were sent in to rescue him when the roof collapsed in flames, Fire Chief Randy McGregor said.

Rapid response units found the men inside the building. Mantey, 30, and Moran, 21, also were injured. They were taken to the Galveston hospital with burns. On Saturday, Stratta said they were both in serious but stable condition.

The Texas State Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire in Bryan, about 90 miles northwest of Houston. A news release from the city said nothing was being held at the hall at the time.

"These four courageous individuals represent the best of the profession and are true heroes in every sense of the word," McGregor said.

Services for Wallace are scheduled for Thursday in Bryan, while those for Pickard, a 32-year veteran of the department, are pending.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/2-firefighters-dead-2-hurt-texas-lodge-fire-010508883.html

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New Zealand: Doctrine commission will examine same-sex blessings

[Anglican Taonga] A doctrinal commission will be set up to look at a theological rationale for the liturgical blessing of people in permanent, faithful same-sex relationships.

This ?Commission on Doctrine and Theological questions? is being convened at the instruction of General Synod Standing Committee, which met in Auckland last week.

The commission, which flows directly from the fourth and final Hermeneutic Hui in Auckland?s Holy Trinity Cathedral this month, will also look at the?implications of such blessings on the ordination of people in same-sex relationships.

That reflects the feeling, expressed several times during the hui, that the ordination question will sort itself out if and when the blessing question is settled.

In other words, if the church arrives at a point where it is ready to bless the unions of same-sex couples, then ordaining people in such relationships may automatically follow.

At Standing Committee?s request, the general secretary of the province, the Rev. Michael Hughes, has now written to the three tikanga secretaries ? the Rev. Sereima Lomaloma, Charles Hemana and Elizabeth Smaal (Tikanga Pasefika, Maori and Pakeha, respectively) ? about setting up the new commission.

He?s requesting the secretaries to ask their respective tikanga standing committees to appoint three members to that new commission.

Several speakers at the last Hermeneutic Hui had floated the idea of a theological hui on marriage, but Standing Committee opted for the commission route instead.

The Ma Whea Commission will need to be briefed on all the doctrinal questions before constructing its report to next year?s General Synod, and Standing Committee probably felt that a tightly focused team of theologians from each tikanga would better serve this timeline.

The new doctrinal commission will also make its findings available to the wider church for response, before supplying both its report and those responses to Standing Committee and the Ma Whea Commission by the end of this year.

Archbishop David Moxon says the Standing Committee spent some time honing the resolution, which is outlined at the foot of this story. The final wording was accepted ?because of its balance and care.?

Key theological positions
Immediately after the Hermeneutic Hui, members of the Ma Whea Commission met with the Church Reference Group which has been appointed to support it.

At that meeting the Ma Whea Commission asked the reference group to collate and summarize the key theological positions represented in all the papers delivered at the four hermeneutic hui, begining in August 2007.

The reference group appointed three of its members ? the Rev. Sue Patterson; the Ven. Lynda Patterson, and Karen Spoelstra ? to undertake that task.

Those three women will seek to answer four questions:

1. What is the theological common ground? (between the liberal and conservative positions).

2. What are the theological differences?

3. Where might there be potential for reconciliation?

4. Where will be the areas of ongoing disagreement?

The Patterson/Spoelstra group has undertaken to supply its pr?cis to the Ma Whea Commission by June 1 this year.

? ? ? ?

In his letter to the three tikanga secretaries, the general secretary?says he has been asked by General Synod Standing Committee to convene a ?Commission on Doctrine and Theological Questions?, as per Title B/Canon XVII, to consider and report on the question ? ?what is a theological rationale for a Christian approach to the blessing and marriage of people in permanent, faithful same gender relationships given the implications thereof on the ordination of people in same gender relationships.?

The full resolution on the Commission on Doctrine and Theological Questions reads:

1-? That this General Synod Standing Committee (GSSC) receives the biblical and theological work of all the Hermeneutics Hui;

2-? That this GSSC notes a recommendation at the fourth and final Hui, encouraging the Church to make enquiry into the theological rationale for a Christian approach to the blessing and marriage of people in permanent, faithful same gender relationships, with a view to assessing such rationale in this Church;

3-? That this GSSC asks the General? Secretary to convene the Commission on Doctrine and Theological Questions under Canon B/XVII, for the purpose of exploring the theological rationale above given the implications thereof on the?ordination of people in same gender relationships;

4-? That the Doctrine Commission seeks the discernment of members of this Church in response to its work and reports such work and its responses to the GSSC and the Ma Whea? Commission by the end of 2013.

The General Secretary?s letter to tikanga secretaries adds:

?That Canon requires me to ask each of you to approach respectively your Standing Committee, Runanga Whaiti, and IDCCG each to appoint three members to constitute this Commission for this purpose.?

?If you could consider this request at your next meetings, please, and advise me thereafter. I will seek to convene the Commission to begin its work as soon as practicable.?

Source: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/02/15/new-zealand-doctrine-commission-will-examine-same-sex-blessings/

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Learn the Butcher's Art with Pat LaFrieda's Big App for Meat | iPad ...

Pat Lafrieda?s Big App For Meat is an App Store Best of 2012, and for good reason. Pat is a legend amongst foodies and chefs in the United States. The third-generation owner of LaFrieda Meat Purveyors supplies meat to 1,000 restaurants as well as consumers. Famous chefs go to him for menu consulting and to create custom burger blends. The man has a passion for meat and he wants to share it with the world.

Add Zero Point Zero Production, Inc., the folks behind the Emmy award winning TV show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, and you?ve got the ingredients for a killer food app. If you love meat and want to learn more about meat from the grocery store to the kitchen to the restaurant menu, you need to keep reading.

Like the article? You should subscribe and follow us on twitter.

Getting Started

Launch the app and you?re greeted by a short video in which Pat introduces himself and the app concept. Pat encourages you to ?get to know your meat? and aims to help by teaching you simple butcher techniques and giving you tips to help you select the best meat. A funky guitar riff and Pat?s smiling, laughing face sets the tone for an app that?s fun and educational.

After the intro video the Main screen is a slideshow of options encouraging you to dive into the app. Here Pat stands in his prized Dry Aging Room for beef.

After the intro video the Main screen is a slideshow of options encouraging you to dive into a few highlights from the app, like the Learn About Dry Aging Beef video or A History of LaFrieda Meats timeline. The slides contain mouth-watering images of steak and attractively designed graphics that pull you in. You can also tap the Menu button on the bottom right corner to see all Pat LaFrieda?s Big App For Meat has to offer. It?s a big app and there is a lot to explore.

The Meat of the App

They call him the Magician of Meat, and the Meat Guide is truly an awe-inspiring feat of design and useful information. Tap on an area to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Pork, Beef, Lamb, Veal or Poultry in an easy-to-digest format.

Tap on a type of meat to learn where it comes from and explore all the different cuts available.

Once inside the Beef section, cuts of meat fall down into place like steaks raining down from heaven. Swipe left and right to view all 50, and tap on an image to learn more. An Introduction to Beef is an article on the history of beef, how the meat is raised, classifications and general tips for selecting and cooking beef cuts. The information is thorough, so both home cooks and serious meat aficionados will learn something new from the meat master.

Explore all the cuts of beef by tapping on each one for more information. Try Introduction to Beef for the full story and Where It Comes From for an interactive diagram of where each cut is found on the animal.

For an interactive diagram of the animal labeled by primal cuts, tap Where It Comes From. Here you can geek out on meat to your heart?s content, tapping on a region of the animal to see all the Individual Cuts found there. Select an individual cut, like Porterhouse Steak, and get to know it intimately.

Selecting the Porterhouse Steak reveals a lot of cool features, like handwritten tips from Pat, video instructions on how to butcher the meat and an interactive 360-degree view of the cut.

Handwritten notes from Pat share the tips you would get standing at the meat counter in times gone by. To the bottom right are several options for learning more about the cut, but these options are not consistent throughout the app. Every cut has a You Might Also Like suggestion of similar cuts, and you can upload your own photos through the Gallery. Some cuts have even more cool options in that bottom right corner, like Cut Location, 360-degree interactive views of the cut and a video of Pat butchering the cut. Tap the star icon in the top right corner to favorite any cut of meat.

Techniques

If the Meat Guide is the main course, Tips & Techniques are your knife and fork ??you can?t eat without them. The three-column layout with big bold titles almost feels like an old-timey newspaper (which has a fun nostalgic feel on the iPad). Scroll through each column by swiping up and down. This page is a random collection, including a couple of recipes, an overview of beef aging and meat grading, and video lessons for knife sharpening and meat grinding at home.

The Tips & Techniques page is a mecca of meat knowledge. Scroll up and down through the videos, recipes and articles.

The professional video quality is fantastic ? sleek and well edited. Pat is a natural in front of the camera, and each video communicates his mastery of meat in a short and punchy style. The Steakhouse Secrets video delivers a guest appearance from Chef Michael Lomonaco (of New York City?s Porter House), who divulges the methods chefs use to cook great steaks in their restaurants. In Steaks 101, Pat breaks down the steakhouse menu so you can be a smarter diner. If all this talk about meat makes you hungry, just tap the Shop icon at the top right corner to order products from LaFrieda Meat Purveyors.

Find Your Meat with a Smart Search Tool

Find Your Meat on the Tips & Techniques page is a good tool that could be great with a little more development. This tool works in two ways: you?ve got a recipe but aren?t sure what cut of meat to buy or you?ve got a cooking method in mind (grilling, roasting, etc.) and you?re looking for the right cut. For example, type in Chili and the app suggests a whole load of options: chopped beef, beef chuck, beef cheek, pork butt, lamb shoulder, chicken thigh and chopped chicken. The feature works fine, but doesn?t seem to have a broad range of search possibilities.

Test Your Meat Mastery

All that learning would be no fun without a test, right? The Great Meat 101 Quiz asks you questions about how to cook each cut and challenges you to identify cuts from pictures.

Test your meat mastery with The Great Meat 101 Quiz. Questions are challenging and involve identifying cuts of meat from pictures and demonstrating knowledge of cooking techniques.

To keep things interesting, questions must be answered in 10 seconds and you can sign in to Apple?s Game Center and compete with others. Take the test as many times as you want, questions keep changing and you can keep track of your scores.

Conclusion

Pat LaFrieda?s Big App For Meat is awesome. That being said, at 739 MB the app is huge, requires a lot of time to download and takes up quite a bit of space on your iPad. It?s nice to be able to access the content without an Internet connection, though. Some apps do a great job on design but give you poor video quality, while other apps feature celebrity chefs with content that?s all fluff and no substance. Pat LaFrieda and the folks at Zero Point Zero Production, Inc. have created an app that?s beautifully designed, fun to use and full of valuable information. With Pat?s guidance, not only will you be a better cook, you?ll be a more informed consumer and a savvy diner.

Source: http://ipad.appstorm.net/reviews/food-drink/learn-the-butchers-art-with-pat-lafriedas-big-app-for-meat/

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Medicare Savings: Is the Answer in Mexico?

Karen Huntt / Corbis

American expats are moving in droves to Mexican towns like San Miguel de Allende

The words Medicare savings are a red flag to some and a carrot to others; depending on where you stand on the issue of health-care reform, the label is code for cuts or a promise to root out fraud and save billions. But far away from the debates in Washington, a group of expatriate baby boomers point to one place they believe real Medicare savings could be realized: Mexico.

Paul Crist, the owner of a Puerto Vallarta resort who once worked as an aide to former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, says that paying for medical treatment in Mexico could save Medicare almost a quarter of the average cost for most procedures. "My research, as well as the research of others, shows that health care in Mexico costs less than a third of that in the U.S.," Crist says. (See a guide to what health-care reform really means.)

A doctor's office visit or house call (still a common practice in Mexico) costs only $25 to $40, according to a 2007 study by the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs. The same study presented information on comparative costs for common procedures: a hip replacement costs between $43,000 and $63,000 in the U.S., compared to $12,000 in Mexico, according to Texas-based hospital chain Christus Muguerza, which also operates in Mexico; a coronary bypass in Mexico costs an average of $21,000 compared to $149,000 in the U.S. Citing statistics from the U.S. census and State Department, Crist estimates approximately 200,000 of the 1 million U.S. citizens living south of the border are Medicare-eligible. (See what health care is like around the world.)

However, Crist says many Medicare-eligible expats living south of the border are forced to fly back to the U.S. for medical treatment because Medicare will not pay for most coverage outside the U.S., even though they have paid into the system during their working lives. Medicare will cover only emergency care if it occurs within 60 days of leaving the country. To utilize their benefits, Medicare-eligible American citizens in Mexico have to opt for periodic flights home or else choose to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses. And because expatriates have diverse geographic origins in the U.S., there are no specific congressional districts they can pressure to legislate change in the Medicare rules on their behalf.

Crist took matters into his own hands. Touting the potential savings to Medicare, he founded Americans for Medicare in Mexico and began campaigning for reform. He travelled to Washington earlier this year to lobby Congress for expansion of Medicare to expats in Mexico. He visited about 85 congressional offices and says many members were open to the idea. Other expat groups like the Association of American Residents Overseas (AARO) joined in a letter-writing campaign. But as the health-care-reform battle grew larger and the bills more complex, Crist says supportive members of Congress told him 2009 was not going to be the year the change could be made.

Resistance to the expansion of Medicare to Mexico is coming from some health-care industry groups like the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association, according to David C. Warner, who teaches public affairs at the University of Texas LBJ School. Warner says these groups see it as the beginning of a slippery slope that will lead to expansion of Medicare coverage to places like China and Eastern Europe where health-care costs are rock bottom. (See a video of Ze Frank explaining health-care reform.)

Warner adds that the issue also has been raised at the highest levels by Mexican President Felipe Calder?n in a meeting earlier this year with President Barack Obama. But any pressure from Mexican interests could be politically tricky, Crist says: "It would not necessarily be helpful to have Mexican firms pressuring Congress on an issue that will benefit this industry and the Mexican economy generally. This could create a backlash among some [U.S.] political groups."

However, there are several forces set to join the battle that could change the power balance. Not only are more expats finding Mexico's climate and low costs welcoming, but investors are flocking to Mexico as a growth market for health care and senior living. "Many in the baby-boomer generation have seen their retirement savings disappear and it is not likely those funds will be built back up quickly," Crist says, explaining why Mexico, with its low costs, has become attractive. Seeing potential profits, he adds, "the developers and operators of senior housing, which runs the spectrum from independent-living communities through nursing-care facilities, are certainly betting on a substantial influx in the coming years." Developments aimed at attracting seniors have been built near Puerto Vallarta and in the northern Baja peninsula, and independent-living projects are planned for San Miguel de Allende, already a popular expat center north of Mexico City, Warner notes. (See the top 10 health-care-reform players.)

"Some of the developers in Mexico are affiliated with firms in the U.S., so there will certainly be support in Washington from those firms," Crist says. "Both the senior-housing industry and the health-care industry are internationalizing, and the U.S. players in these industries will be big winners. They have the capital, and the experience to dominate this industry in Mexico and elsewhere, because the senior-housing industry, in particular, is so new in many countries."

Crist plans to hold town-hall meetings in 15 Mexican cities beginning January to pull the expat community together and launch a massive letter-writing campaign. He and other proponents are also hoping to engage another key group in the fight, the so-called returnees ? Mexican dual citizens, or Mexican-born citizens with legal status in the U.S. who are Medicare-eligible after a lifetime of payroll contributions. In the U.S., proponents will focus on gaining the support of a key member of Congress to carry the banner. Warner says two from Texas are likely targets: Democratic U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and Republican U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, whose districts include concentrated returnee populations, multigenerational families with roots in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, the cradle of Mexican independence and a favorite spot for expat retirees.

"The opportunity to provide services to Americans at much lower cost outside the U.S. border is enormous," Crist says. "This is pushing even private insurers to explore coverage options outside of the U.S., and Medicare will certainly be a part of this globalization, sooner or later. My preference is for sooner."

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/time/mostemailed/~3/LUGVeEBbL8c/0,8599,1931559,00.html

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Maxxis' Beau Baron Takes Two Wins at WORCS R2 - ATV On Demand

Team Maxxis/H&M?s Beau Baron won both the Pro ATV and Pro Production Side x Side races at the second round of WORCS.

Team Maxxis/H&M?s Beau Baron won both the Pro ATV and Pro Production Side x Side races at the second round of WORCS. Teammate David Haagsma won the Production 700 Side x Side class at the race, held February 8-10 in Primm, Nevada.

Baron praised the performance of his Maxxis tires in the Pro race: ?The tires were awesome. I flailed on the start, but after that I was making passes on the hard slick, just sliding and catching traction. And the whole time other guys were just spinning all the way down the straightaways.? Baron gained the lead in the fifth lap and won by a margin of 45 seconds, with Haagsma in fourth place. Baron and Haagsma are first and second in the overall Pro points race.

Due to mechanical difficulties, the Pro Side x Side race was more challenging for Baron, but he still crossed the finish line first. ?I pulled a pretty sizable lead right off the bat, and all of a sudden, my car went ?crunch,? and I knew it was a sway bar because the car started leaning really bad, so I started backing it off because I didn?t want to break my car,? he said. ?Then like three fourths of the way through, everyone starts pointing at their wrist like ?time, time, time, someone?s going to beat you on time, not physically, but on time? because they started on different rows. So I picked it up again, and I ended up making it to the finish line with some hanging pieces off of it. We?re two for two!?

Baron rode Maxxis Vipr tires for the Pro Side x Side race, as did fellow Maxxis rider and second-place finisher Ryan Piplic. The two are also first and second in class point standings. Haagsma chose Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires to take him to victory in the Production 700 Side x Side class.

Maxxis congratulates Beau Baron and David Haagsma on their victories and thanks them for choosing the brand of champions.

About Maxxis International

For over 46 years, Maxxis International has delivered high-quality tires to both original equipment and aftermarket customers. Maxxis offers products for automotive, light truck, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, lawn & garden and industrial use. The company has operations in Asia, Europe and North America, and its products are distributed in approximately 170 countries. For more information, please visit maxxis.com.

Tags: 2013, atv racing, beau baron, maxxis, round 2, side by side racing, utv racing, worcs

Source: http://atvondemand.com/news/?p=6514

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Kerry calls foreign officials in first day on job

WASHINGTON (AP) ? New Secretary of State John Kerry had a busy first full day, calling officials in Israel, Turkey, Canada and Mexico.

The State Department says Kerry spoke with Israeli President Shimon Peres (shee-MOHN' PEHR'-ehs) on Saturday about the formation of the country's new government and the Mideast peace process.

Kerry got an update from Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu (AH'-meht dah-voot-OH'-loo), about the investigation into Friday's suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.

Among the issues that came up during Kerry's conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird were Iran, Mali and the proposed oil pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas.

Kerry and Mexico's foreign minister, Jose Antonio Meade, discussed the deadly blast at the headquarters of Mexico's state-owned oil company.

Kerry, who was sworn in Friday afternoon, had lunch with George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-03-US-Kerry/id-bef2695375454c62bfe9cee35e4eaaa3

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Personal finance teaches life skills | The Current Online

by Jetta Barbar

With the rising costs of tuition and living and increased unemployment rates it is more important than ever for students to be educated in the area of finance. Luckily, MCCKC-Longview offers a course to help students plan for their financial presents and futures.

Skylar Rolf was the professor of the course for the fall 2012 semester at the Longview business department. His experience with finance ranges from developing a business with his brother on his family?s farm as a teenager, to earning his MBA and serving as the Chief Operations Officer at a local nonprofit organization.

?This course teaches students the ins and outs of personal finance and equips students with the knowledge to succeed in their personal financial life,? Rolf said. The course covers a variety of topics, from career planning, taxes, banking, investments, consumer strategies, and housing.

?Finances impact everyone, whether we have very little money or are extremely wealthy. It?s important that students are equipped to handle money wisely.? The importance of a course that teaches these skills is clear in this economic climate.

To enhance students? understanding of the financial world, Rolf brought in guest speakers working in different areas of the financial sector. Students heard from an accountant, a banker, a mortgage loan officer, and a personal financial officer. ?Each of these individuals were able to share their perspective on personal finance and how it affects people?s lives. They gave the students insight into what a career in finance may look like, as well as some tips on how to be successful in reaching their own personal goals,? Rolf said.

Professions in this field include many options, from insurance to personal financial advisor. Rolf stated that the top financial professions include positions in accounting, banking, advising, investment management, insurance, lending, and analysis.

?The most important aspect of personal finance is understanding how money works and being disciplined to execute your personal financial plan.? Rolf stated that some students think that being a math whiz is essential to having a career in this field, but that is simply not true. The most important component of succeeding financially is being a planner.

The class is offered as an elective, but it is highly recommended by Rolf. ?I hope that students take advantage of the opportunity to learn about personal finance. It?s a course that will give them a solid foundation as they begin their careers.?

Rolf?s final financial advice is ?creating a financial plan and monthly budget, and then sticking to it. If an individual can stick to a budget and spend less than they make, they will usually be in good shape.?

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Source: http://longviewcurrent.org/2013/02/01/personal-finance-teaches-life-skills/

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French president awaited in Mali's Timbuktu

A French soldiers stands guard outside Djigarey Ber mosque during friday prayers in Timbuktu, Mali, Friday Feb. 1, 2013. French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to visit the fabled city Saturday. (AP Photo/Harouna Traore)

A French soldiers stands guard outside Djigarey Ber mosque during friday prayers in Timbuktu, Mali, Friday Feb. 1, 2013. French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to visit the fabled city Saturday. (AP Photo/Harouna Traore)

Men walk in Timbuktu, Mali, Friday Feb. 1, 2013. French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to arrive in Timbuktu Saturday for a short visit.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Malian soldiers patrol the streets of Timbuktu, Mali, Friday Feb. 1, 2013. French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to arrive in Timbuktu Saturday for a short visit.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

TIMBUKTU, Mali (AP) ? French armored personnel carriers are lining the streets of Timbuktu ahead of the arrival of French President Francois Hollande.

France's leader is making a triumphant stop in Timbuktu, which French forces liberated six days ago from the al-Qaida-linked extremists who seized northern Mali last year.

French soldiers are deployed at the intersections and on the perimeters of this fabled city where he is to visit later Saturday.

Around 800 French forces took part in the effort to free Timbuktu, including hundreds of paratroopers who parachuted onto nearby dunes.

France launched the military offense three weeks ago in its former colony. Despite the initial successes, some fear what will happen once they hand over to Mali and other African forces.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-02-02-Mali-Fighting/id-e0c088acbb994a28b8646064d0b8aab6

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