Monday, August 22, 2011

Kardashian, Humphries wed in TV-friendly ceremony

Kris Humphries has officially caught up with Kim Kardashian. The basketball pro and the reality star are husband and wife.
Kardashian, 30, and Humphries, 26, tied the knot Saturday night in the exclusive Montecito area near Santa Barbara, Calif., Kardashian publicist Jill Fritzo told People magazine and E!
The ceremony will be televised as a two-part special on E! in October.
It is the first marriage for Humphries, who last played for the NBA's New Jersey Nets, and the second for Kardashian, star of E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." She was married to music producer Damon Thomas from 2000 to 2004.
People and E! reported Kardashian wore an ivory gown designed by Vera Wang. Her stepfather, Bruce Jenner, walked her down the aisle in front of 440 guests, including Demi Lovato, Mario Lopez, Eva Longoria, Sugar Ray Leonard, Alan Thicke and Lindsay Lohan.
Kardashian's gown had a tulle skirt, basque waist and Chantilly lace, and was matched with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, the media outlets reported. The bride planned to wear two other Wang dresses before the night and the party were over.
Her sisters and TV co-stars Kourtney Kardashian, 32, and Khloe Kardashian, 27, served as co-maids of honor.
The groom wore a white peak lapel tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants and, a white shirt and a white bow tie, all designed by Ermenegildo Zegna.
Kardashian and Humphries began dating late last year and announced their engagement in May. He proposed on bended knee with a 20.5-carat ring by spelling out "Will you marry me?" in rose petals.
Since the couple's engagement, the pending nuptials have provided constant fodder for the media and the Kardashians, who posted updates about the wedding on their blogs and websites.
The waves of hype that preceded the ceremony didn't seem to faze the bride. Earlier this week, Kardashian said she was "totally calm" about the much-hyped ceremony.
"I think that freak-out moment kind of already passed," she said at a party Wednesday to launch her new clothing line at Sears.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Ten ways to make certain your novel won’t get published

Ten ways to make certain your novel won’t get published
Tips for Writers 4: How not to get published

(in no particular order)

1. Don’t redraft on the grounds that you don’t want to lose the spontaneity of your work.

2. If you do decide to do the 8+ drafts necessary to make someone take you seriously, you insist on doing them online, instead of printing out each draft after the first 3 and editing on the hard copy, which would give you the objectivity you need.

3. Don’t join a writers’ centre – what could they possibly do for you?

4. If you do decide to join a centre, don’t take any workshops they offer to improve your writing, in case you ruin your ‘special voice’.

5. Don’t join a work-in-progress group. I mean to say, what do other people have to contribute to your novel?

6. When your tome is finished, send it straight off to the publisher without getting a manuscript appraisal – gotta get it out there quickly; besides, appraisals are too expensive.

7. If you do get an assessment, don’t take any notice of the assessor’s appraisal. After all, they didn’t seem to appreciate your genius.

8. Don’t read fiction (if you’re a fiction writer). Some of those bestselling authors’ styles might rub off on you and ruin the unique and remarkable style you have.

9. Don’t take the trouble to research what publisher publishes what, so you send your MS to a publisher who doesn’t deal with manuscripts of this genre.

10. Having done the right thing in all the above, you send the manuscript off to no one in particular at the publishers. Genius will out, you reckon.

Aah, yes . . .

http://danielledevalera.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/tips-for-writers-4-how-not-to-get-published/

Back to School 2011: Tips for Families

Budgets may have changed, but legal rights have not!
It’s that time again, and in some ways, this year’s back-to-school season may feel like every other year’s. But this is also a year of budget cuts, which could mean that, when parents and students get to school, they’ll find staff reductions, cuts to programs, and other changes.
So what can parents and students do about these problems, if they encounter them? A good first step is getting up to date on the legal rights of students, which have not changed in any way. Take a minute to review the Law Center’s easy-to-read guide on student legal rights in some key areas.
If you have questions, contact us at 215-238-6970.

http://educationlawcenter.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/back-to-school-2011-tips-for-families/

Google’s Latest Move

Today it was announced and reported that Google has agreed
on a deal to buy Motorola Mobility. Most agree the move is to help Google
compete with Apple by limiting the middlemen and gaining valuable patents. One
observer commented on the possibility being opened up to television cable
market for Google since the cable-modem and set-top boxes are also a part of
the deal.

What does this mean

for other manufactures which use Android in their phones? That question wasn’t
brought up in the articles I read on the topic.
I do think it will be a critical question for the future if it hasn’t
already been explored. In my humble opinion I don’t think it would be a smart
move on Google’s part to alienate these partners. Smartphone usage and
purchases are on the rise and so is the Android operating system.

Apple has the cache

of being Apple but some people are not into or have grown tired of their
iPhones. I personally know of someone who is looking into Android phones
because the iPhone has lost its’ luster and not the greatest for the main
function, being a phone. I believe this is helping to raise the profile of
Android phones; thus making my statement above a valid consideration. Google
will need to figure out how to create a balance between producing its own product
line and working with its business partners.

http://fazsays.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/google%E2%80%99s-latest-move/

Asia-Pacific stock markets open higher

Asia-Pacific stock markets open higher
Associated Press

Asia-Pacific stock markets opened strongly on Monday, after stocks in the U.S. and Europe closed higher last week following a volatile few days.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index climbed 145.86 points, or 1.63 percent, to 9,109.58 in early morning trading.

In Australia, the country's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 58.3 points, or 1.4 percent, to 4,230.9.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX50 index was up 24.4 points, or 0.76 percent, to 3240.9.

Global markets fluctuated wildly lasteek as investors already concerned over Europe's worsening debt crisis were further rattled by signs the U.S. might be headed toward recession.

Stocks in Europe and on Wall Street ended the volatile week higher on Friday following positive retail sales data out of the U.S. and after European regulators imposed temporary bans on short-selling of financial shares late Thursday.

Shell cuts fuel prices in Jakarta, Surabaya following global trend

Shell cuts fuel prices in Jakarta, Surabaya following global trend

Shell Indonesia has cut fuel prices at its gas stations in Jakarta and Surabaya, following a recent decline in oil prices globally.

The new prices came into effect as of 10.01 p.m. on Sunday.

Shell Indonesia media relations manager Sri Wahyu Endah said the price of Shell’s R92 fuel in Greater Jakarta had dropped from Rp 8,400 (approximately US$1) per liter to Rp 8,200 per liter.

In Surabaya, the price has been reduced from Rp 8,650 per liter to Rp 8,450 per liter.

The price of R95 fuel, meanwhile, has been reduced from Rp 8,900 per liter to Rp 8,800 per liter in Greater Jakarta, and from Rp 9,100 to Rp 8,900 per liter in Surabaya.

The price of AGO fuel, meanwhile, has been reduced from Rp 9,400 to Rp 9,200 per liter in Greater Jakarta, and from Rp 9,500 to Rp 9,300 per liter in Surabaya, kontan.co.id reported.

Govt withdraws Komodo Park from voting in New7Wonders contest

Govt withdraws Komodo Park from voting in New7Wonders contest

The government has withdrawn Komodo National Park from voting in the New7Wonders contest, questioning the organizers’ credibility.

“I officially announce the withdrawal of the Komodo National Park from the list of candidates for the New7Wonders,” Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik told reporters at a press conference in Central Jakarta on Monday.

Jero said the organizers of the campaign, the New7Wonders Foundation, was unprofessional, lacked transparency and was not credible.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry was previously the official support committee of Komodo National Park’s bid to be named one of the world’s seven new natural wonders through an online voting campaign.

The ministry, while dropping its campaign to promote Komodo National Park in the contest, would continue to promote the park as conservation area and as a tourist destination along with other ministries, including the Forestry Ministry, Jero said.

Umar Patek ‘admits’ role in Bali bombing

Umar Patek, the suspected mastermind behind the 2002 Bali bombing, who recently arrived in Indonesia from Pakistan, admitted his role in making bombs for the fatal incident that claimed lives of hundreds of people, police say.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said police questioned Patek, upon his arrival in Indonesia on Thursday. He is being held at a detention facility in Kelapa Dua, West Java.

"He confirmed that he took part in making bombs for the Bali bombing, that he cooperated with Azahari Husin and that he was involved in Christmas Eve bombings of churches in 2000," Anton said Friday.

Azahari was believed to be the technical mastermind behind both the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings. He was killed in a raid by counterterrorism forces in 2005.

Anton said evidence and witness testimony had been prepared to try Patek under the criminal code.

He said Patek fled to the Philippines after the 2002 bombing, but returned to Indonesia in 2009 to plan more attacks in the country along with Dulmatin, another suspect involved in both Bali bombings. Patek then fled the country again.

He was captured by Pakistani authorities in January and deported Thursday, along with his Philippine wife Rukiyah, Anton said.

"She was arrested in Pakistan for using false identity documents," he said, adding that Patek's wife would likely be tried in Indonesia for using a forged passport.

Police are attempting to determine where Rukiyah obtained her Indonesian passport. (rcf)

Obama compares himself to Martin Luther King at exclusive $36,000 a head fundraiser

Obama compares himself to Martin Luther King at exclusive $36,000 a head fundraiser

Daily Mail [UK], by Staff Posted By: KarenJ1- Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:12:08 GMT President Obama has reportedly compared himself and his agenda to that of Martin Luther King Jr. The respected D.C. blog White House Dossier says the remarks were made at a small, exclusive fundraiser on Thursday night in New York City. The event was hosted by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Veteran White House reporter Keith Koffler writes on the blog that people may have forgotten how Martin Luther King vilified and controversial and that nobody was more despairing at times. Noting that Mr King now has his own memorial on the Mall in D.C,

5 Things That Keep Halle Berry Looking and Feeling Young

5 Ways that Halle Berry Stays Young

1. She devours right. Because Berry is diabetic, she pays additions special consideration towards her diet, devouring five mini-meals around the day that are shower and full of veggies and protein. While she does possess the occasional bit of trash food, it's a treat — not the norm.

2. She gets intense. In the gym, that is! Halle isn't concerned towards cream up the heavy weights and crank up the opposition onto the elliptical. From circuit coaching towards hiking, her workouts are strong — and evidently get results!

3. She focuses onto family. Berry spent her 45th birthday with a day onto the beach with her family. No matter how bustling her acting itinerary is, Berry earns moment for having fun with her little ones.

4. She robs care of her skin. From consuming the latest beauty products towards staying moisturized, Berry robs nice care of her skin. And she always wears sunscreen!

5. She has fun. Her biggest looking-young secret of all? She doesn't rob herself seriously and knows how towards possess a nice time! Just glance at this shear of her dancing with Ellen!

Happy birthday, Halle!

Highlander reboot sacrifices director

Highlander reboot sacrifices director

Bad timing has inflicted Justin Lin towards pace down from the helm of relaunching the popular fantasy franchise.

Summit’s remake of the original Highlander picture, a premises which spawned a huge franchise incorporating a long-running television series, has been within industry hell for again three years with alone one name tied solidly towards it: Director Justin Lin. This week, Summit decided - necessarily because their Twilight franchise is arriving towards an end - that production onto Highlander necessary towards enter the next phase.

This arrives at a bad moment for Lin whom has already accepted organise the next Fast and Furious picture (as whether we need another) and is currently within conversations towards organise the Terminator reboot. This is everybody too much for the up and arriving manager, so he’s picked towards pace down from the helm of Highlander, although he shall stay onto as a producer.

Summit appears towards be glancing immediately for a novel manager, so don’t wondered whether we encounter out very soon whom the novel helmer is going towards be. They need a manager ahead of casting can initiate, and they need the cast ahead of a final rewrite of the script can be finished.

For his own portion, Lin seems towards regret the bad timing, but is excited that he’s getting so much assistance and consideration, specially regarding the Terminator film.

"I don’t know whereas it’s going towards command, but I never idea at this grade [I would] be able towards greet filmmakers and be within situations whereas they’re that gracious and insightful and so inclusive," he told IndieWire, referencing a confronting with Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron.

"And that’s a franchise that I’m working onto right already, but again, whether I’m going towards be kind of the gatekeeper towards it, I need towards earn sure that I can, hopefully, construct it up the right distance - and, so far, that’s been the most fun. Just towards be able towards [pick] James Cameron’s brain and for him towards be so open even although he has none bets within it, just as a human being, that’s something that I shall always remember as a portion of my ride as a filmmaker."

The novel Highlander picture from Summit Entertainment does not yet possess a release date.

Explorer Marco Polo 'never currently went to China'

Explorer Marco Polo 'never currently went to China'
Marco Polo's travels to China and the Far East deployed him as one of history’s maximum explorers but archeologists now think he never currently went there.

They think it more possible that the Venetian merchant adventurer picked upward second-hand stories of China, Japan and the Mongol Empire from Persian merchants whom he welcomed on the shores of the Black Sea – thousands of miles brief of the Orient.

He thereafter cobbled them jointly with other scraps of knowledge for what became a bestselling bill, “A Description of the World”, one of the first ride books.

The archeologists point in specified to inconsistencies and inaccuracies in his description of Kublai Khan’s undertaken invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281.

“He confuses the pair, mixing upward facts approximate the first expedition with those of the second. In his bill of the first invasion, he describes the fleet retiring Korea and being hammered via a typhoon ago it arrived the Japanese coast,” said Daniele Petrella of the University of Naples, the president of an Italian archeological venture in Japan.

“But that befallen in 1281 – is it actually possible that a alleged eye witness could mistook occasions which were seven years apart?”

Search for female swept through Niagara Falls turns higher male body

Search for female swept through Niagara Falls turns higher male body

A college scholar any person who overstepped a safety railing plunged into Niagara Falls through the weekend and searchers staring for her body on Monday found an unfamiliar male body instead.

The 19-year-old worldwide scholar from Japan was supposed drowned later she plunged into the fast-flowing waters near the brink of Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the plunges at come seal 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to Canadian open space police.

She had climbed through a railing and straddled it where loving the outlook with a associate, police said.

"The young female stood higher in what arose to be an offer to climb behind through after she hidden her residual and fell," reads a assertion from Canadian open space police.

No foul play is suspected in the happening, police said.

The woman's identity was withheld pending notification of her family in Japan.

With a helicopter poised above, an worldwide track down party scoured Niagara Falls Gorge for her body. On Monday, she stayed nonexistent but searchers instead spotted an unfamiliar male body at the foundation of the plunges in an paddock known as the whirlpool, police said.

Authorities were toiling with the coroner's office to detect the body, which was not thought to be joined combined to Sunday's accident.

In another unrelated mishap, assignments are pending against an Ontario man, 27, any person who scaled a safety wall and plunged 30 feet into the gorge, fracturing his leg.

The Real Reason Warren Buffett's Taxes Are Low

The Real Reason Warren Buffett's Taxes Are Low

Warren Buffett was within the New York Times today bragging approximately his low effective tax rate and remarking how he would want towards be paying more. Fellow Forbes contributor Tim Worstall weighed within quibbling approximately Mr. Buffett not factoring within the corporate taxes onto Berkshire Hathaway’s earnings. I’m just a mere CPA, whose steady won’t even lent him sign audit reports anymore. (That’s true of everybody tax partners here via the way. I don’t rob it personally). I don’t need towards quibble with a quibble but obviously economists possess a steely moment figuring out the prevalence of the corporate income tax (i.e. whom is genuinely paying it), so I think we can lent go of that chip of the analysis.

Still, Mr. Buffett is not sharing the actual reason that he doesn’t remunerate much within the distance of income tax comparative towards his great fortune. The secret is no whereas within plain sight. Mr. Worstall alludes towards it when he mentions that Berkshire Hathaway does not within fact remunerate dividends. Mr. Buffett’s secret which you can encounter blew everybody again the Internet is one of his known quotations:

Our favorite retention period is forever

You alone remunerate income taxes at any rate onto implemented appreciation. An investment with a retention period of forever incurs a capital benefits tax of 0%, whilst everybody along the owner can be getting wealthy from appreciation. That’s the actual reason Mr. Buffett does not remunerate a lot of income taxes.