Marking India?s 64th Republic Day (26-01-2013) celebrations, a performance of Malayala Martial Arts, called Ka?larip-payattu, has been organized at Veerasingam Hall in Jaffna on Thursday, by New Delhi?s Consulate General in Jaffna. The Commander of the Sinhala military occupying Jaffna, Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe, will be the Chief Guest at the celebrations, presided over by New Delhi?s Consul General in Jaffna, Mr. V. Mahalingam. Genocidal Sri Lanka?s Ministry of Culture and Arts and New Delhi?s Indian Council of Cultural Relations jointly sponsor the programme. Meanwhile, India is in the top in training genocidal Sri Lanka?s Sinhala military at the rate of 1400 personnel per year, admitted, New Delhi?s envoy in Colombo Ashok K. Kantha.
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In pursuit of common aims and to raise awareness of the importance of Cheminformatics to accelerate the discovery of novel therapies for neglected diseases like TB and Malaria, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which provides scientific and industrial R&D that maximises the economic, environmental and societal benefits for the people of India today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between its Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) initiative and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the largest European organisation for advancing chemical sciences in its headquarter here in New Delhi. The MoU, spanning three years, aims to address the objective of finding novel, faster-acting, and more effective regimens for TB and Malaria by advancing the discipline of Cheminformatics. The collaboration envisions conducting workshops and conferences to build links between experts and leaders in the coming years and will focus on jointly building an online repository of real and virtual molecular structures along with developing free-to -use software tools for drug discovery and development. The partnership also aims at exploring the possibility of advancing OSDD?s e-learning program for students. Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri. S. Jaipal Reddy, said: ?The Royal Society of Chemistry has undoubted strength in the field of chemistry. This strength will now be coupled with the strengths of the OSDD programme, deployed to improve the innovation for neglected diseases?. ?Shri Reddy also stressed the importance of scientific institutions to work towards finding solutions for problems that predominantly affect the poorer sections of the society, like the need for new drugs for Tuberculosis, Malaria and Kala-Azar (Leishmaniasis). ?Prof. Samir K Brahmachari, Director General CSIR and Chief Mentor OSDD, also underlined the importance of this collaboration for finding new drugs for neglected diseases like tuberculosis (TB). He said ?What we cannot do alone, we with complementary skills, need to work together. Finding new drugs for TB is a major challenge. We are joining hands to find New Chemical Entities which could be potential anti-TB drugs.? The RSC?s Immediate Past President, David Phillips, who is in India to announce the MoU said: ?Through this agreement, the CSIR and RSC are responding to the challenge of ?lost data? ? that is the 90% of research output that never gets published.He said ?That data, that information, that knowledge, is lost to society. But it has enormous value to the chemical science research community and by using new tools and new disciplines, like Cheminformatics or e-Science, we can recapture that lost information. The importance of Cheminformatics in addressing this challenge cannot be underestimated.? The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is an autonomous society whose President is the Prime Minister of India. CSIR is an ensemble of 37 laboratories in engineering, physical, biological, chemical and information science clusters, funded chiefly by the government of India. CSIR laboratories engage about 5000 scientists and almost 10000 students pursuing higher degrees. CSIR provides scientific and industrial R&D that maximizes the economic, environmental and societal benefits for the people of India. Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) is an initiative funded and led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. OSDD is a team India consortium with global partnership with a vision to provide affordable healthcare to the developing world to solve the complex problems associated with discovering novel therapies for diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria and Leishmaniasis. The Royal Society of Chemistry is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, RSC?s activities span education, conferences, science policy, development of chemical applications and the promotion of chemistry to the public.
Tags:? delhi, india, internationalnewsandviews.com, invc, minister, MP, S. Jaipal Reddy, The Royal Society of Chemistry has undoubted strength in the field of chemistry : Jaipal Reddy
Our favorite Russian blogger, who's admittedly often wrong on a few little things, says he has the low-down on a new Vertu smartphone coming in February. It'd be the first release since Nokia sold the luxury brand to a private equity firm last year, and Eldar Murtazin claims the rumored switch from Symbian to Android is definitely a go-er. He also reckons the handset will cost around $4,000, which is loose change compared to some previous Vertus -- like the $27k model shown above. There are no further details to report, aside from a fleeting reference to the legacy of Nokia's 8800 slider, so don't go converting your Swiss francs just yet.
FILE - In this July 28, 2011 file photo, actor Kevin Connolly, left, and actor Adrian Grenier speak during The Television Critics Association 2011 Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Grenier and Connolly star in the series "Entourage" on HBO. Warner Bros. confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, that a film version of HBO's hit series ?Entourage? is in the works. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)
FILE - In this July 28, 2011 file photo, actor Kevin Connolly, left, and actor Adrian Grenier speak during The Television Critics Association 2011 Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Grenier and Connolly star in the series "Entourage" on HBO. Warner Bros. confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, that a film version of HBO's hit series ?Entourage? is in the works. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Vincent Chase and his entourage are jumping from the small screen to the big-screen.
Warner Bros. confirmed Wednesday that a film version of the HBO hit series "Entourage" is in the works.
Series creator Doug Ellin is writing and directing the film, which does not yet have a production start date or release date. The studio also has not finalized the cast.
"Entourage" ran for eight seasons and followed the Hollywood exploits of hot young actor Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his inner circle, including Kevin Connolly as his manager, Kevin Dillon as his half brother, Jerry Ferrara as an old neighborhood friend and Jeremy Piven as his slick super-agent.
Eating bright-colored fruits and vegetables may prevent or delay ALSPublic release date: 29-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Dawn Peters sciencenewsroom@wiley.com 781-388-8408 Wiley
New research suggests that increased consumption of foods containing colorful carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, may prevent or delay the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, published by Wiley in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, found that diets high in lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C did not reduce ALS risk.
Carotenoids give fruits and vegetables their bright orange, red, or yellow colors, and are a source of dietary vitamin A. Prior studies report that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of ALS. Further studies have shown that individuals with high intake of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, have a reduced ALS risk. Because vitamin C or carotenoids are also antioxidants, researchers examined their relation to ALS risk.
According to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) roughly 20,000 to 30,000 Americans have ALSalso known as Lou Gehrig's diseaseand another 5,000 patients are diagnosed annually with the disease. ALS is a progressive neurological disease that attacks nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord, which control voluntary muscles. As the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, the muscles they control gradually weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis.
"ALS is a devastating degenerative disease that generally develops between the ages of 40 and 70, and affects more men than women," said senior author Dr. Alberto Ascherio, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Mass. "Understanding the impact of food consumption on ALS development is important. Our study is one of the largest to date to examine the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing ALS."
Using data from five prospective groups: the National Institutes of Health (NIH)AARP Diet and Health Study, the Cancer Prevention Study II-Nutrition Cohort, the Multiethnic Cohort, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, and the Nurses' Health Study, researchers investigated more than one million participants for the present study. A total of 1093 ALS cases were identified after excluding subjects with unlikely food consumption.
The team found that a greater total carotenoid intake was linked to reduced risk of ALS. Individuals who consumed more carotenoids in their diets were more likely to exercise, have an advanced degree, have higher vitamin C consumption, and take vitamin C and E supplements. Furthermore, subjects with diets high in beta-carotene and luteinfound in dark green vegetableshad a lower risk ALS risk. Researchers did not find that lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C reduced the risk of ALS. Long-term vitamin C supplement intake was also not associated with lower ALS risk.
Dr. Ascherio concludes, "Our findings suggest that consuming carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent or delay the onset of ALS. Further food-based analyses are needed to examine the impact of dietary nutrients on ALS."
###
This study is published in Annals of Neurology. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact sciencenewsroom@wiley.com
Full citation: "Intakes of Vitamin C and Carotenoids and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis." Kathryn C Fitzgerald, Eilis J O'Reilly, Elinor Fondell, Guido J Falcone, Marjorie L McCullough, Yikyung Park, Laurence N Kolonel and Alberto Ascherio. Annals of Neurology; Published Online: January 29, 2013 (DOI:10.1002/ana.23820).
Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Dr. Ascherio, please contact Todd Datz with the Harvard School of Public Health at tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu.
About the Journal
Annals of Neurology, the official journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society, publishes articles of broad interest with potential for high impact in understanding the mechanisms and treatment of diseases of the human nervous system. All areas of clinical and basic neuroscience, including new technologies, cellular and molecular neurobiology, population sciences, and studies of behavior, addiction, and psychiatric diseases are of interest to the journal. The journal is published by Wiley on behalf of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society. For more information, please visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/ana.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.
Wiley is a global provider of content and content-enabled workflow solutions in areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional development; and education. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Eating bright-colored fruits and vegetables may prevent or delay ALSPublic release date: 29-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Dawn Peters sciencenewsroom@wiley.com 781-388-8408 Wiley
New research suggests that increased consumption of foods containing colorful carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, may prevent or delay the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, published by Wiley in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, found that diets high in lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C did not reduce ALS risk.
Carotenoids give fruits and vegetables their bright orange, red, or yellow colors, and are a source of dietary vitamin A. Prior studies report that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of ALS. Further studies have shown that individuals with high intake of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, have a reduced ALS risk. Because vitamin C or carotenoids are also antioxidants, researchers examined their relation to ALS risk.
According to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) roughly 20,000 to 30,000 Americans have ALSalso known as Lou Gehrig's diseaseand another 5,000 patients are diagnosed annually with the disease. ALS is a progressive neurological disease that attacks nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord, which control voluntary muscles. As the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, the muscles they control gradually weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis.
"ALS is a devastating degenerative disease that generally develops between the ages of 40 and 70, and affects more men than women," said senior author Dr. Alberto Ascherio, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Mass. "Understanding the impact of food consumption on ALS development is important. Our study is one of the largest to date to examine the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing ALS."
Using data from five prospective groups: the National Institutes of Health (NIH)AARP Diet and Health Study, the Cancer Prevention Study II-Nutrition Cohort, the Multiethnic Cohort, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, and the Nurses' Health Study, researchers investigated more than one million participants for the present study. A total of 1093 ALS cases were identified after excluding subjects with unlikely food consumption.
The team found that a greater total carotenoid intake was linked to reduced risk of ALS. Individuals who consumed more carotenoids in their diets were more likely to exercise, have an advanced degree, have higher vitamin C consumption, and take vitamin C and E supplements. Furthermore, subjects with diets high in beta-carotene and luteinfound in dark green vegetableshad a lower risk ALS risk. Researchers did not find that lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C reduced the risk of ALS. Long-term vitamin C supplement intake was also not associated with lower ALS risk.
Dr. Ascherio concludes, "Our findings suggest that consuming carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent or delay the onset of ALS. Further food-based analyses are needed to examine the impact of dietary nutrients on ALS."
###
This study is published in Annals of Neurology. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact sciencenewsroom@wiley.com
Full citation: "Intakes of Vitamin C and Carotenoids and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis." Kathryn C Fitzgerald, Eilis J O'Reilly, Elinor Fondell, Guido J Falcone, Marjorie L McCullough, Yikyung Park, Laurence N Kolonel and Alberto Ascherio. Annals of Neurology; Published Online: January 29, 2013 (DOI:10.1002/ana.23820).
Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Dr. Ascherio, please contact Todd Datz with the Harvard School of Public Health at tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu.
About the Journal
Annals of Neurology, the official journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society, publishes articles of broad interest with potential for high impact in understanding the mechanisms and treatment of diseases of the human nervous system. All areas of clinical and basic neuroscience, including new technologies, cellular and molecular neurobiology, population sciences, and studies of behavior, addiction, and psychiatric diseases are of interest to the journal. The journal is published by Wiley on behalf of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society. For more information, please visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/ana.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.
Wiley is a global provider of content and content-enabled workflow solutions in areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional development; and education. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
A 'thrilled' Sam Claflin thanks fans for the sequel's narrow victory over 'Mortal Instruments' for the most-anticipated movie of the year. By Kevin P. Sullivan
Sam Claflin and Jennifer Lawrence in "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Photo: Lionsgate
CEO Tim Cook reportedly held an all-hands Town Hall meeting last week to address the state of the Apple with employees. Subjects covered were said to include employee perks, production from supply chain to sales, the retail stores, the competitive landscape with Google's Android, and opportunities in China. 9to5Mac's ace reported, Mark Gurman, has a full rundown. Here's a highlight from the competitive part:
Cook discussed iOS?s integrated, reliable experience versus Android?s fragmentation with a plethora of devices. [..] Cook also noted that Android is about marketshare with its range of devices and low pricing, while iPhone and iPad products are about experience, top hardware and software quality, and, most importantly, actual usage by customers.
No phone hardware, software, or service is perfect. Android's choice of devices is a huge selling point for some, a huge pain point for others. Google's been iterating Android at a fairly quickly and while things iOS users don't like about it, including how interface works, are still issues, how much longer will that be the case?
Apple's strategy for beating Android can't rely on poor user experience from Google. It has to rely on better software and services from Apple. Otherwise it's outside Apple's control. Based on how much passion Cook exudes when he discusses everything from the stairs at an Apple Store to the unibody on MacBook to the design of an iPad mini, he knows that better than anyone.
After the whole Vine kerfuffle and Yandex situation, Facebook clearly feels it has some explaining to do. Over at the site's Developer Blog, director, platform partnerships and operations Justin Osofsky would like to set some things straight about the social network's platform policies. He begins by assuring developers that most can just keep on keeping on.
Osofky adds, however,
For a much smaller number of apps that are using Facebook to either replicate our functionality or bootstrap their growth in a way that creates little value for people on Facebook, such as not providing users an easy way to share back to Facebook, we've had policies against this that we are further clarifying today
Those developers (and interested civilians) who'd like to drill down a bit further into those newly clarified policies can check the fine print in the source link below.
The short-stroke and three-weeks-tight patterns offer shareholders a chance to buy more shares. Aggressive traders may use either to initiate a position.
Both formations indicate a pause in a stock's advance, which may give the impression it's stalling. On the contrary, both can produce powerful breakouts.
The short-stroke pattern is rare. It forms over just two weeks. The first week is marked by a strong advance ? 10% to 20% or even more ? and usually coincides with or comes shortly after a breakout from a base.
The second week shows tight trading; the difference between the stock's weekly high and low is just a few percentage points.
Watch for the stock to rise or fall just slightly in the second week without making a new high. Such tame action after a big run-up shows that institutional investors are in no hurry to sell.
Research In Motion (RIMM), the maker of Blackberry phones, formed a classic short-stroke pattern starting in the week ended Dec. 26, 2003. The stock rocketed 52% in huge volume (1), clearing a six-week flat base with a 48 buy point (weekly chart reflects a 2-for-1 split in June 2004 ).
Trading was tight in the second week, with the weekly high of 34.74, 5% above the 33.05 low. Volume was light. The stock never passed the previous week's high. Better yet, the second week was an upside reversal.
The buy point was 10 cents above the first week's intraday high, or 35.52. The stock cleared that the very next week, jumping 10% in strong turnover.
From there, Research In Motion nearly tripled over the next year. It peaked at a split-adjusted 103.56 in December 2004.
In contrast to the short stroke, the three-weeks-tight pattern is fairly common. It's formed when a stock closes within 1% to 1.5% of the prior week's close for two straight weeks. Volume will be quiet during this period as the stock consolidates not long after breaking out of its base.
Again, the three-weeks-tight pattern signals that institutional investors are comfortable with the stock's advance. They aren't about to take profits. The buy point can usually be found by adding 10 cents to the highest price in the pattern.
For example, current IBD 50 stock SodaStream International (SODA) completed a three-weeks-tight pattern in the week ended Jan. 18 with a buy point of 50.08. It's nearly 7% above the entry.
Typically, investors should add only a small amount of shares ? say, 5% of what would be a full-size position ? when the stock clears a secondary buy point. Doing so gives investors a chance to benefit from further gains without taking a big risk.
Make sure the market is in a confirmed uptrend before adding shares at a secondary buy point. And remember to sell shares that fall 8% from the purchase price.
MTN Career for a Senior Manager, VAS, Data and Content Development
posted on 2013-01-25??|?by Admin | 49 views
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Job Title Senior Manager, VAS, Data & Content Development Department: Marketing and Strategy Location: Lagos Job Description: Quickly evolving platforms and partners Translate customer insights into innovative concepts that achieve business objectives while providing value to customer segments Integrate product development requirements with technical capacity such as Messaging, Portals, Data services, devices, content an d applications, and all supporting platforms including SDPs, service creation environments, policy control engines, etc Balance and negotiate stakeholder requirements Champion new data, applications, content portals and messaging product concepts, as well as existing key products and services across the organization Own and maintain all data, portals and messaging product and service business rules Support all business units with regard to product development and support Deeply understand and propose direction for multimedia portal and services investments Work and drive to optimise mobile device, content and applications value chain Review telecommunications market and contribute to the development of strategies for MTNN products and services, demonstrating an understanding of MTNN business strategies and needs of the customer. Develop detailed plans in support of approved strategies, organizing required resources, monitoring and periodically reporting progress of plans. Direct and provide a strategic framework for product managers to develop and manage new 3rd party relationships, contracts, data services/features, content and application portals and messaging products. Develop possible future scenarios of MTNN?s data, applications/content portals, VAS and messaging product portfolio by considering current and future business models and technologies, and determine combination of features and scenarios that will positively impact and satisfy customer?s needs and aspirations. Identify and advise on new opportunities for MTNN to explore by providing products and services based on the evolution of technologies. Design and develop new systems, products and services for multiple market segments, across the entire spectrum of customers addressed by MTNN. Ensure market managers and the rest of the organization are aligned with the evolution of the product and services roadmap based on new technologies. Drive product and service delivery across the organization in the medium to long term by agreeing and setting goals cross functionally. Maintain in-life products and services. Ensure full integration of quality management processes and their effective deployment on a day-to-day basis. Use relevant metrics and measures to routinely monitor progress against targets and take appropriate managerial action to ensure targets are met or exceeded. Provide performance data to support management decision-making. Identify training and development needs of team members and manage skills enhancement programmes for the team to ensure enterprise sales targets are fully met. Review performance of individual team members and complete appraisals in accordance with the employee performance appraisal procedures and time schedules.
Job Conditions: Normal MTNN working conditions. May be required to work extended hours. Frequent national travel. Reporting To: ??? General Manager, Innovation & Product Development Required Skills: ??? A first degree or post-graduate diploma in Marketing, Accounting, Business Administration or a related discipline An MBA will have an advantage A first degree or post-graduate diploma in Engineering and/or Design is desirable. Training and certification in Project Management is desirable At least 12 years work experience of which includes: 5 years in advanced Business development, or Product Development and Management experience in a Telecommunications-related environment 12 months experience in managing Portals or data services development, or technical/technology partner management 3 years experience in advanced Project Management 3 years in co-coordinating a number of external agencies and suppliers at management level 2 years experience in dealing with senior stakeholders within an established organization.
Employment Status : Permanent Qualification: other
Disclaimer: Though we make every effort to verify the authenticity of our job posts, Employment Nigeria is in no way affiliated with any of these companies whose vacancies we publish.
DALLAS (AP) ? Southwest Airlines Co. says fourth-quarter earnings fell by nearly half on higher spending for fuel, labor and maintenance.
The airline's revenue rose slightly, however, as the average fare climbed almost $8 higher than a year ago.
Southwest also said that bookings for the first three months of 2013 look strong. It said that based on bookings and ticket prices so far, a key revenue measure should rise by 2 percent to 3 percent in January compared with the same month last year.
Southwest, the nation's fourth-biggest airline, said Thursday that net income was $78 million, or 11 cents per share. That's down from $152 million, or 20 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items such as fuel contracts, the net income would have been 9 cents per share, beating the 7-cents-per-share forecast among analysts surveyed by FactSet.
Revenue ticked up 1.6 percent to $4.17 billion but fell short of the $4.20 billion that analysts expected.
Expenses rose faster, however, by 3.1 percent. That includes a 4.5 percent increase in labor costs and a 13 percent jump in maintenance as the airline continued to overhaul the cabins inside many of its planes.
Spending on fuel, the airline's biggest expense, rose a modest 0.7 percent. Southwest estimated that its fuel bill in the first quarter, which ends March 31, will drop to $3.30 per gallon from $3.44 in the first quarter of 2012, which CEO Gary Kelly called "an encouraging trend."
The average fourth-quarter fare on Southwest and its AirTran Airways subsidiary was $148.02, up 5.4 percent from $140.38 a year earlier.
Passengers flew 1.4 percent fewer miles on Southwest than a year earlier, and planes were less full ? 79.6 percent occupancy, down from 80.5 percent.
For all of 2012, Southwest earned $421 million, up from $178 million the year before and its 40th straight profitable year, which Kelly said was "a remarkable feat and a record unmatched in the airline industry."
The Standard & Poor's 500 index traded above 1,500 for the first time since December 12,?2007 following a sudden drop in claims for unemployment benefits, another sign that the labor market is healing.???
The index has not closed at 1,500 since Dec. 10, 2007, just months before the implosion of big Wall Street banks would send the major averages crashing to decade lows.
While many traders usually dismiss the big, round market?numbers as having little meaning from a fundamental or technical standpoint, eclipsing this mark could be different.?
"It's psychological more than anything," said Justin Wiggs, vice president of trading at Stifel Nicolaus. "If we stay above 1,500 it could bring some incremental dollars off the sidelines."
The move past 1,500 comes as investors have been showing more confidence in stocks, finally taking some of the $2.7 trillion lying dormant in low-yielding money market funds and pumping it into equities.
"To the degree that those are sticky investments and those dollars stay in equities, that will be a trend we'll be watching here in the first quarter," Wiggs said.
Market veteran Art Cashin, the floor operations manager for UBS, said the mark could be significant as the "bulls need a breakout punch like S&P through 1500."?
The market's stubborn march higher despite the array of factors against it - weak earnings, political tensions in Washington and a European recession to name three - have market bears feeling fairly helpless.
"This is a very frustrating market," said Kathy Boyle, president of Chapin Hill Advisors. "It's times like this when I feel like throwing in the towel. That's when I feel like I should stick to my guns."?
The Nasdaq fell about?two?points to 3,151.75. A 10 percent drop in Apple, the country's most valuable company, was enough to pull the technology-heavy index lower. Apple is the largest component of the Nasdaq, making up 9.9 percent of the index.?
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 97.93 points at 13,877.26 just before midday.?
The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to the lowest since January 2008. Applications dropped 5,000 to 330,000. The four-week average also hit a five-year low.?
Microsoft and Starbucks are scheduled to report after the closing bell.?
CNBC?and?the Associated Press contributed to this report.?
By now everyone has a pretty good idea of how important the flu vaccine is. Even in a mild flu season, the vaccine saves thousands of lives and millions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost workdays. But if you?re a public health official, it isn't so easy?it takes a really long time, often months, to actually produce a vaccine.
That should change, at least for next flu season: Two new flu vaccines were recently approved that will significantly cut the lead time needed to produce a flu vaccine targeted to a specific strain. (Every season?s virus has to be created specifically to fight that year?s predicted strain or strains.)
Flu Near You: See Flu Activity Where You Live
Public health experts have been waiting for a faster way to make the flu vaccine for a long time. The painfully slow process of making flu shots became clear during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-2010. That outbreak began in the spring of 2009, and by April the U.S. government had declared a public health emergency. By June, 18,000 cases of H1N1 had been reported.
But it took until early October before an H1N1-specific vaccine was available?and even then there was a limited supply of it.
The new shots will help health officials get vaccine to people much faster. One new product, called Flublok, was approved recently by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will be available for the 2013-14 flu season for people ages 18 to 49. The other new vaccine, Flucelvax, was approved in November 2012 and is already available for people ages 18 and older. Both vaccines are unique because they are not manufactured with chicken eggs. (Chicken eggs have been used to make vaccine for seven decades; the viruses need a host cell in which to replicate, and chicken eggs are seen as the least expensive type of host.)
Traditionally, the process of making a flu vaccine begins when officials with the Global Influenza Surveillance Network determines which strains are most likely to be a problem for the upcoming flu season and orders vaccines for those strains.?The actual manufacturing process is time-consuming and involves hundreds of millions of eggs. It can take up to six months -- and that's if everything goes well. Manufacturing problems, such as contamination, are common.
But instead of chicken eggs, Flublok is made by infecting cultures of insect cells with a virus that turns them into hemagglutinin factories. Hemagglutinin is a protein the covers the surface of the virus. Flucelvax is made using mammalian cells. There is no risk of getting the flu from either vaccine.
Have an Egg Allergy? Flu Shots are Likely OK
"If we're suddenly afflicted with a new pandemic virus, we always struggle to create a vaccine as quickly as possible. Both of these methods, we anticipate, will curtail the time from the identification of the new pandemic virus to actually having a vaccine for use," Dr. William Schaffner, chair of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University and a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, told TakePart.
According to the manufacturer of Flublok, the production of the vaccine was achieved 21 days after obtaining the genetic sequence of the target virus. Flublok was found to be about 44.6 percent effective against all flu strains in studies (by comparison, this year?s vaccine is estimated to be about 62 percent effective). The vaccine's safety was tested in about 2,500 volunteers, according to the FDA. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches, which are also common in recipients of conventional egg-based flu vaccines.
"The immune response they create is comparable to the existing vaccine," Schaffner says. Moreover, studies indicate that Flublok may even confer protection against a broader spectrum of viruses.
Is Swine Flu the Next Pandemic Threat?
Some consumers who are allergic to eggs may prefer one of the two new vaccines, when they become available next year. However, Schaffner notes, several recent studies show the current vaccine that is grown in chicken eggs is safe even for people with egg allergies.
The new vaccine-manufacturing process is part of a new era of advances in influenza prevention. Researchers, for example, are intent on developing a vaccine that provides protection for more than one year and for many different strains of flu.
"I think it's fair to say in the last six years? -- ever since bird flu was on the horizon -- there has been more investment in researching improved influenza vaccines," Schaffner says. "Everyone is trying to work on a way to make a better vaccines."
Would you get the new egg-free vaccine during the next flu season? Did you get a flu shot this year?
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Related Stories on TakePart:
? Going Viral: Flu Pandemics Through History
? How to Avoid the Flu: 8 Easy Ways to Not Get Sick
? Researchers Are Closing In On a Method to Predict Flu Outbreaks
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Shari Roan is an award-winning health writer based in Southern California. She is the author of three books on health and science subjects.
A new survey by Deloitte shows that travelers are most concerned with getting a good deal, flying safely, and arriving on time when choosing an airline, a position that seems to justify many airlines' decisions to limit amenities and reduce fares.
Of 4,000 travelers asked to rank various attributes based on their importance when choosing an airline, 49 percent ranked "value for money" as "very important."
"Service" and "staff attitude" were ranked by nearly 40 percent of respondents as very important. But amenities and services like access to executive lounge and VIP privileges, free meals and parking, and in-flight technology received such high marks from fewer than 20 percent of travelers.
The Deloitte survey also revealed a shift away from business and first class travel on domestic flights: 64 percent of respondents fly economy even when traveling for business; 79 percent fly economy for leisure. The message is the same: Traveling cheap is preferable to traveling luxuriously.
This preference for value is good news for low-cost air carriers like Spirit Airlines, which have added fees for services long offered as part of the ticket price, like meals and checking bags.
Craig LaRosa, a principal at innovation and design consultancy Continuum, has argued that adding fees is not a sustainable growth model, and that passengers may eventually be driven away by extra costs that make a low fare more expensive than they expected.
But as the airline industry's profit margins are squeezed by high fuel prices, airlines will likely continue to reduce their own costs as much as possible, while offering low fares. For now, travelers seem to be okay with the tradeoff.
MONTREAL - Kate Middleton?s first official portrait, by Paul Emsley, now hangs in Britain?s National Portrait Gallery. It?s not a hit. Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak called it ?yet another pretty ordinary painting of a royal.? A lot of commentators have mocked it relentlessly. I think it makes her look older and harder than photos do.
Now Emsley tells Hello! mag his feeling were hurt. ?I?d be inhuman if I said (the criticism) didn?t affect me ? It felt like a bit of a witch hunt. The attacks were so vicious that there was a point where I myself doubted that the portrait ? was any good. But now, I?ve had time to reflect, I am still happy with it.?
Kate called it ?amazing? ? a great weasel word ? but also ?brilliant,? which she can?t really believe. Nobody understands why her hubby Prince William called it ?absolutely beautiful.?
Rihanna, undeniably a beauty but not known for big tips, is working to change that. The other night, as she and some pals were leaving the Laugh Factory, an L.A. comedy club, she paid the $80 tab.
Then she asked the waiter what his biggest-ever tip was. After he said ?$100,? she gave him $200, reports TMZ.com.
In the age of email and Skype, I?m not too sure what ambassadors do all day, exactly. But the jobs endure, because gigs as envoys to France and Spain and Italy can be nice rewards that political leaders can dispense. (Who said getting an ambassador?s job is ?a taskless thanks??)
For months, you?ll recall, there?s been talk that Barack Obama would post Anna Wintour, Vogue magazine?s famously un-diplomatic editrix, to London. That won?t happen, we now know; some campaign fundraiser got the spot.
Here?s the backstory: when the rumours began, last summer, Wintour was re-negotiating her deal with Vogue publisher Cond? Nast, reporters for WWD and the N.Y. Times are saying.
The prospect of a nice career alternative can?t have hurt Anna?s price. Now she?s been renewed for three years; terms not disclosed.
She?s 63.
It?s a boy, Milan Piqu? Mebarak, born Tuesday in Spain, for Shakira and her gentleman friend Gerard Piqu?. All are well.
In the Hispanic fashion, the lad takes his dad?s last name and then his mom?s; the singer, born in Colombia but with two Lebanese grandparents, was born Shakira Mebarak.
Via her website, the couple said ?Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification. Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth.?
Shakira?s 35.
Skinny Victoria?s Secret model Karlie Kloss now has her own brand of baked goods, inevitably called Karlie?s Kookies. She?s working with Momofuku Milk Bar, a New York bakery for people with more money than they need. Her cookies are ? get this ? $22 for a tin of six.
I have my doubts about the marketing wisdom of this: She?s not much bigger around the waist than a cookie herself.
Returns Sunday, January 6 at 9 p.m. EST and moves to regular timeslot on Monday, January 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Jillian Michaels! She's back to help whip contestants into shape. Plus, for the first time, kids (ages 13-16) will be on the show along with 15 adult contestants.
"Downton Abbey"
Returns Sunday, January 6 at 9 p.m. EST on PBS <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Bates was left to rot in jail, Matthew and Mary finally got together and the Dowager Countess was sassy. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Americans! Shirley MacLaine guest stars as Martha, Cora's mother. She's very rich. Season 3 has already aired in the UK and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/26/downton-abbey-season-4-dan-stevens_n_2364574.html">one prominent character is saying goodbye to "Downton Abbey."</a>
"The Bachelor"
Returns Monday, January 7 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Sean Lowe <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Jilted "Bachelorette" contestant Sean returns to TV as "The Bachelor" and seeks to find love.
"Deception"
Monday, January 7 at 10 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Meagan Good, Laz Alonso, Tate Donovan and Victor Garber <strong>What's It About</strong>: A wealthy socialite and party girl is found dead of an overdose, but something's fishy about her death. Enter FBI Agent Will Moreno (Alonso), who recruits his former partner Joanna Padget (Good), the deceased's former best friend. Joanna hides her true occupation and infiltrates the family she grew up around to find the truth about her friend's death.
"Betty White's Off Their Rockers"
Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Betty White will entertain a ton of guest stars while introducing the elderly pranksters. Kim Kardashian, the ladies of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," Ed Asner and NeNe Leakes are among the names who will appear on the prank show.
"Pretty Little Liars"
Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC Family. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Toby is on the A Team, Garrett's dead, Aria's dad has some strange connection to Ali, Paige saved the day and Ezra's a dad ... and Alex Mack is his baby mama. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Mona is released from Radley and is back at Rosewood High. Clearly, she'll be working with Toby, who the liars are still in the dark about. It's only a matter of time before Spencer learns the truth ... and starts to lose it. Dr. Sullivan will return, hopefully to prevent any breakdowns. Plus, we'll see more about what the hell Byron was doing with Ali the night she died.
"Cougar Town"
Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 10 p.m. EST on TBS. <strong>Where We Left Off: </strong>Jules and Grayson had a quickie beachfront wedding and rode off into the distance on horseback. <strong>What's Ahead: </strong>For starters, it's on TBS! Everybody's favorite wine-guzzlin' crew will be joined by guest stars Alexndra Wentworth, Shirley Jones, Gillian Vigman, Tippi Herden and more.
"Justified"
Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: In Season 3, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) prevented carpetbagger/gangster Robert Quarles from establishing a criminal network in Harlan, but a pregnant Winona left the US Marshal and he found out his father shot a good man. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) will no doubt continue to be a thorn in Raylan's side.
"Stars In Danger: The High Dive"
Wednesday January, 9 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: JWoww, Bethany Hamilton, Alexandra Paul, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, David Chokachi, Terrell Owens, Antonio Sabato Jr. <strong>What's It About:</strong> C-list celebrities learn to dive like the pros with the help of Olympian Troy Dumais.
"1600 Penn"
Thursday, January 10 at 9:30 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Josh Gad, Bill Pullman, Jenna Elfman <strong>What's It About</strong>: The Gilchrists are your typical American family ... they just so happen to be the first family of the United States. Gad stars as the hapless son of President Dale Gilchrist (Pullman) and stepson of Emily (Elfman).
"Girls"
Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Jessa bizarrely got married, Shoshanna slept with Ray, Hannah and Adam broke up and Marnie still misses Charlie. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: After months of criticism, Hannah makes a black friend (or more than a friend) -- and it's Donald Glover. Patrick Wilson will also play a love interest for Hannah later in the season and Shiri Appleby joins Season 2 as Adam's new girlfriend, much to Hannah's dismay. Elijah moves in with Hannah -- and starts to question his sexuality. Shoshanna is dealing with her post-sex relationship with Ray. Plus, Rita Wilson will stop by to play Marnie's mom and to help her shape up.
"Shameless"
Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Karen had her and Lip's baby and fled, prompting Lip to move back home and go back to school. Estefania and Marco were on the verge of breaking up and in happier news, Fiona passed her GED. ("Teen Mom's" Amber: Take note.) <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: It's 137 days since we?ve last seen the Gallagher's. Jimmy has moved into the house with them and Fiona uses the family's money in desperation and the others aren't too pleased. Oh and (shocker) Frank's missing.
"Enlightened"
Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9:30 p.m. EST <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Following her very public breakdown, Amy (Laura Dern) returned to work with a positive outlook ... only to start down the path of revenge after being laughed at by her coworkers. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Will Amy return to the path of enlightenment?
"House of Lies"
Returns Sunday, January 13 at 10 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Did they or didn't they? Marty (Don Cheadle) and Jeannie (Kristen Bell) ended the season with a romp in the sheets ... maybe. They've gotten rid of the Rainmaker and stand triumphant. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Galweather Stearn brings in a new CEO who's all about female power. Adam Brody returns to TV with a guest role.
"Californication"
Returns Sunday, January 13 at 10:30 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: After Bates left Karen, Hank sees an opportunity. But when his ex Carrie returns and offers him an anti-depressant-laced drink, Hank loses consciousness just after seeing a vision of Karen, to whom he says, "I love you." <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Hank is penning a rock opera "about love conquering all" with Atticus Fetch (Tim Minchin), a coked up rock star. Maggie Grace has a nine-episode arc as infamous rock groupie Faith, who becomes involved with Hank, and in one episode, Grace's former "Lost" co-star Jorge Garcia will appear as an old contact from Faith's past. Season 6 will also see a guest appearance from Marilyn Manson.
"The Carrie Diaries"
Monday, January 14 at 8 p.m. EST on The CW <strong>Starring:</strong> AnnaSophia Robb, Freema Agyeman, Chloe Bridges, Austin Butler and more. <strong>What's It About:</strong> A prequel to "Sex and the City," the new CW series follows Carrie Bradshaw as a high schooler in the '80s. She's discovering her style, dating, dealing with the death of her mother and falling in love for the first time ... with Manhattan.
"Lost Girl"
Returns Monday, January 14 at 10 p.m. EST on Syfy <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Victory! But the darkness continues to grow in Bo (Anna Silk). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Bo must make a deadly decision. Plus, tune in for guest star Linda Hamilton and recurring guest star Rachel Skarsten.
"American Idol"
Returns Wednesday, January 16 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Feuds! Divas! Dawgs! Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban join the judging panel alongside veteran Randy Jackson for Season 12.
"Anger Management"
Returns Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: After Charlie and Kate slept together, they were in a weird place with their relationship. And when Charlie's daughter Sam kissed a girl at school, a photo wound up on Facebook and Charlie and Jennifer questioned their daughter's sexual orientation. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: 70+ more episodes. And in Season 2, Charlie will blow up at his sister's baby shower and will question if his father Martin is developing Alzheimer's. Cee Lo Green will stop by as a version of himself, seeking Charlie's assistance under Hollywood pressure.
"Archer"
Returns Thursday, January 17 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: The ISIS crew -- including Archer -- were held captive on the Space Station Horizon <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: A "Bob's Burgers" crossover! H. Jon Benjamin provides the voice of both Archer and Bob.
"The Following"
Monday, January 21 at 9 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, Natalie Zea, Annie Parisse <strong>What's It About</strong>: Ryan Hardy's (Bacon) been out of the FBI game for a while, that is until his biggest catch, serial killer Joe Carroll (Purefoy) resurfaces ... along with a cult-like following ready to carry out his bidding.
"The Taste"
Tuesday, January 22 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, Brian Malarkey <strong>What's It About</strong>: Think "The Voice" (there are teams and coaches), plus "Top Chef" (culinary competition) and you've got ABC's "The Taste."
"White Collar"
Returns Tuesday, January 22 at 10 p.m. EST on USA <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Peter (Tim DeKay) and Neal (Matt Bomer) stepped into the boxing ring to infiltrate a white collar boxing club. Neal discovered his father was still alive (and played by Treat Williams!) <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Peter and Neal search for the truth about Neal's dad and his crimes and Neal goes undercover with the Irish mob ... And hopefully, more boxing.
"Dallas"
Returns Wednesday, January 28 at 9 p.m. EST on TNT. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Slaps, sex and secrets filled the first season of the new "Dallas." The season ended with John Ross (Josh Henderson) teaming up with J.R. (Larry Hagman) to destroy Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and Elena (Jordana Brewster). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Familiar faces return and the Ewings say goodbye to J.R. after series star Larry Hagman passed away about half way into filming Season 2. Producers will incorporate his death into the story.
"The Americans"
Wednesday, January 30 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Starring</strong>: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich <strong>What's It About</strong>: Elizabeth (Russell) and Phillip (Rhys) Jennings are the perfect couple: They've got two kids and are living the life of every American in the '80s ... but they just so happen to be KGB spies posing as regular ol' US citizens.
"Do No Harm"
Thursday, January 31at 10 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring:</strong> Steven Pasquale, Alana de la Garza, Phylicia Rash?d, John Carroll Lynch <strong>What's It About: </strong>A brilliant neurosurgeon (Pasquale) has a big secret: a very villainous dual personality. It's a modern-day Jekyll and Hyde story mixed with a medical drama.
"Rules of Engagement"
Returns Monday, February 4 at 8:30 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Audrey (Megyn Price) was upstaged at her own baby shower by Brenda (Sara Rue). Meanwhile, Russell (David Spade) started to display creative talents after taking a break from women. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Sitcom hijinks!
"Smash"
Returns Tuesday, February 5 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC and moves to its normal Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST timeslot on February 12 on NBC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Karen (Katharine McPhee) wowed the crowd as Marilyn Monroe in previews of "Bombshell" in Boston. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: More Broadway drama! There's a new musical in town that could rival "Bombshell" for all the buzz. Plus guest stars Jennifer Hudson, Liza Minnelli, Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin and more.
"Body of Proof"
Returns Tuesday, February 5 at 10 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Peter (Nicholas Bishop) saved Megan (Dana Delany) from a serial killer, but was stabbed in the process. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: New blood! Bishop, John Carroll Lynch and Sonja Sohn are out and Mark Valley is in.
"Community"
Returns Thursday, February 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Evil Abed, "lawsuits" and sandwich shops filled the "Community" Season 3 finale that aired what feels like 30 years ago. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Six seasons and a movie. Just kidding, although that'd be cool (cool cool cool). Malcolm McDowell, Tricia Helfer, Jason Alexander and more will drop by for some Human Beings antics. Plus, Chevy Chase will depart the show.
"Touch"
Returns Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Martin (Kiefer Sutherland) and Jake (David Mazouz) fled to California and met up with Lucy (Maria Bello). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Martin (Sutherland) and Jake (David Mazouz) soak up the Los Angeles sun ... and find themselves in the middle of a "global conspiracy."
"Survivor"
Returns Wednesday, February 13 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Jeff Probst, unnamed contestants <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Fans vs. Favorites, Round 2
"Southland"
Returns Wednesday, February 13 at 10 p.m. EST on TNT. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Cooper saved Tang, and then Tang got a big promotion becoming sergeant and watch commander. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: "One Tree Hill" star Chad Michael Murray joins the cast as goofball Officer Dave Mendoza.
"Zero Hour"
Thursday, February 14 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Scott Michael Foster, Addison Timlin, Jacinda Barrett and Michael Nyqvist <strong>What's It About</strong>: Think "National Treasure" and "Da Vinci's Code," but on TV and starring Dr. Greene from "ER." Edwards plays Hank Galliston, the publisher of Modern Skeptic Magazine. When his wife is abducted, Hank and his pals are joined by the FBI as they attempt to crack various conspiracies and get his wife back.
"The Amazing Race"
Returns Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Phil Keoghan, unnamed contestants <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Globetrotting adventure.
"Cult"
Tuesday, February 19 at 9 p.m. EST on The CW <strong>Starring:</strong> Matt Davis, Alona Tal, Jessica Lucas, Robert Knepper <strong>What's It About</strong>: Matt Davis stars as Jeff, a journalist who investigates his brother's disappearance and his involvement with a group of obsessive fans who have formed a pseudo-cult around a TV series ... about a cult.
"Golden Boy"
Premieres Tuesday, February 26 at 10 p.m. EST. Special showing on Tuesday, March 5 at 10 p.m. EST before moving to its regular Fridays at 9 p.m. EST time period on March 8 on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Theo James, Chi McBride, Kevin Alejandro, Bonnie Somerville <strong>What's It About</strong>: The series charts the rise of Walter William Clark Jr. (James), a beat cop who quickly moves up the ranks of the NYPD before becoming commissioner.
"Psych"
Returns Wednesday, February 27 at 10 p.m. EST <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Henry (Corbin Bernsen) got back into the detective game with the help of Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule Hill). But the case ended with a bang as Henry was shot by a former friend. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Parminder Nagra joins the cast as a love interest of Gus. Plus, the long-awaited musical episode airs! Look for episodes inspired by "Clue" and "The Blair Witch Project" and for guest stars Jeffrey Tambor and Anthony Michael Hall, as well.
"All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"
Sunday, March 3 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Trace Adkins, Stephen Baldwin, Gary Busey, Penn Jillette, Lil Jon, Bret Michaels, Dennis Rodman, Dee Snider, Marilu Henner, La Toya Jackson, Claudia Jordan, Omarosa, Lisa Rinna, Brande Roderick <strong>What's It About</strong>: It's "Celebrity Apprentice," but with contestants who have already been to the boardroom with Donald Trump.
"Red Widow"
Sunday, March 3, 9:00 p.m. EST and moves to its regular timeslot on Sunday, March 10, 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Radha Mitchell, Goran Visnjic, Clifton Collins, Jr., Sterling Beaumon <strong>What's It About</strong>: Marta Walraven (Mitchell)'s husband Evan supports the family by exporting weed and is involved in the world of organized crime with Bratva, Russian gangsters. After Evan's murder, Marta seeks to protect her kids, but gets tangled in the seedy underworld.
"Fashion Star"
Returns Friday, March 8 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos return to the show with new host Louise Roe as 13 new contestants compete for the chance to launch their own clothing line.
"Dancing With the Stars"
Returns Monday, March 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Tom Bergeron, Brooke Burke Charvet, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and unnamed celebrity contestants. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Celebrities dancing.
"The Voice"
Returns Monday, March 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. <strong>Starring</strong>: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Usher and Shakira <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Presumably, a lot less ridiculously outfits without Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.
"Game of Thrones"
Returns Sunday, March 31 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: War came. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/game-of-thrones-finale-recap_b_1566867.html">Read Maureen Ryan's recap for more</a>. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Tons of new cast members played by the likes of Diana Rigg, Iwan Rheon, Mackenzie Crook, Clive Russell and many more. Season 3 will be about half of George R.R. Martin's "A Storm of Swords," one of the series' most beloved books.
"How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life)"
Wednesday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Sarah Chalke, Elizabeth Perkins, Brad Garrett <strong>What's It About</strong>: Polly (Chalke) is a recently divorced single mom. Since the divorce, Polly's been having some struggles and decides to move back in with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Perkins) and Max (Garrett). Hijinks ensue.
"Family Tools"
Wednesday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Kyle Bornheimer, J.K. Simmons, Leah Remini <strong>What's It About</strong>: After Tony (Simmons) suffers a heart attack, he's forced to hand over the family handyman business to his bumbling son Jack (Bornheimer).
"The Goodwin Games"
TBA on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: Becki Newton, Scott Foley, T.J. Miller <strong>What's It About</strong>: Three estranged siblings reunite after the death of their father and unexpectedly find themselves heirs to a $20 million fortune ... if they adhere to their dad's wishes.
"Save Me"
TBA on NBC <strong>Starring:</strong> Anne Heche, Michael Landes and Alexandra Breckenridge. <strong>What's It About: </strong>Anne Heche stars as Beth, a woman whose life -- and marriage -- is falling apart. However, after a new-death experience, Beth claims God starts speaking to her and sets her on a new life path.
I guess I was wrong in guessing it would take Congress forever to get anywhere with Comprehensive Immigration Reform. ?Senator Harry Reid has introduced S.1 in the Senate, where it was read and sent to the Judiciary Committee for review. ?The official bill isn?t visible on Thomas.gov yet, but the text per The Oh Law Firm states -?
S. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.: This Act may be cited as the ?Immigration Reform that Works for America?s Future Act?.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE SENATE:?It is the sense of the Senate that Congress should? (1) create a roadmap for immigrants who are here without?legal status to earn citizenship, provided they pay taxes, complete a background check, learn English, and show a commitment to America; (2) allow students who?came to America as children to earn citizenship?by attending college or joining the Armed Forces; (3) protect the sustainability of the American agricultural industry, including the dairy industry, with a stable and legal?agricultural workforce; (4) encourage those who seek to?invest?in the United States and create American jobs; (5) permit and encourage individuals who?earn an advanced degree?from one of our world-class universities to remain in the United States, rather than using that education to work for our international competitors; (6) fulfill and strengthen our Nation?s commitments regarding security along our?borders?and at our ports of entry; (7) strengthen our Nation?s historic humanitarian tradition of welcoming?asylum?seekers and refugees and improve existing policies that support immigrant victims of crime and domestic violence; (8) create an effective?electronic verification?system and strengthen enforcement to prevent employers from hiring people here illegally; (9) implement a?rational legal immigration system that promotes job creation?by converting the current flow of illegal immigrants into the United States into a more manageable, controlled, and legal process for admitting immigrants while, at the same time, safeguarding the jobs, rights, and wages of American workers; and (10) adopt practical and fair immigration reforms to help ensure that?all families are able to be together.
So, Items 1, 2, 3, and 8 address illegal immigration, #6 is a hattip to southern border states, 4, 5, 9 and 10 address legal, highly skilled immigrants and #7 is humanitarian.
The bill?s sponsor and co-sponsors are all democrats, so I am both frustrated at the likelihood of bickering (hoping I?m wrong again) and the likely death of the STEM Jobs Act.
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Public release date: 29-Jan-2013
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