This situation might come up in a wide variety of situations. In some cases, it's probably not a big deal, say, if a boss or parent gives you a gift. Other times, you might be expected to give something in return. Do you come up with an excuse for not getting a gift? Or do you fess up that you didn't buy anything? Let's hear it.
Photo by David Orban.
orioles venezuela Sarah Jones chicago marathon barcelona vs real madrid Johnny Depp Dead college football rankings
7 hrs.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street traders are going to have to pack their tablets and work computers in their holiday luggage after all.
A traditionally quiet week could become hellish for traders as politicians in Washington are likely to fall short of an agreement to deal with $600 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts due to kick in early next year. Many economists forecast that this "fiscal cliff" will push the economy into recession.
Thursday's debacle in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Speaker John Boehner failed to secure passage of his own bill that was meant to pressure President Obama and Senate Democrats, only added to worry that the protracted budget talks will stretch into 2013.
Still, the market remains resilient. Friday's decline on Wall Street, triggered by Boehner's fiasco, was not enough to prevent the S&P 500 from posting its best week in four.
"The markets have been sort of taking this in stride," said Sandy Lincoln, chief market strategist at BMO Asset Management U.S. in Chicago, which has about $38 billion in assets under management.
"The markets still basically believe that something will be done," he said.
If something happens next week, it will come in a short time frame. Markets will be open for a half-day on Christmas Eve, when Congress will not be in session, and will close on Tuesday for Christmas. Wall Street will resume regular stock trading on Wednesday, but volume is expected to be light throughout the rest of the week with scores of market participants away on a holiday break.
For the week, the three major U.S. stock indexes posted gains, with the Dow Jones industrial average up 0.4 percent, the S&P 500 up 1.2 percent and the Nasdaq Composite Index up 1.7 percent.
Stocks also have booked solid gains for the year so far, with just five trading sessions left in 2012: The Dow has advanced 8 percent, while the S&P 500 has climbed 13.7 percent and the Nasdaq has jumped 16 percent.
Equity volumes are expected to fall sharply next week. Last year, daily volume on each of the last five trading days dropped on average by about 49 percent, compared with the rest of 2011 - to just over 4 billion shares a day exchanging hands on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and NYSE MKT in the final five sessions of the year,?from a 2011 daily average of 7.9 billion.
If the trend repeats, low volumes could generate a spike in volatility as traders keep track of any advance in the cliff talks in Washington.
"I'm guessing it's going to be a low volume week. There's not a whole lot other than the fiscal cliff that is going to continue to take the headlines," said Joe Bell, senior equity analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research, in Cincinnati.
"A lot of people already have a foot out the door, and with the possibility of some market-moving news, you get the possibility of increased volatility."
Economic data would have to be way off the mark to move markets next week. But if the recent trend of better-than-expected economic data holds, stocks will have strong fundamental support that could prevent selling from getting overextended even as the fiscal cliff negotiations grind along.
Small and mid-cap stocks have outperformed their larger peers in the last couple of months, indicating a shift in investor sentiment toward the U.S. economy. The S&P MidCap 400 Index overcame a technical level by confirming its close above 1,000 for a second week.
"We view the outperformance of the mid-caps and the break of that level as a strong sign for the overall market," Schaeffer's Bell said.
"Whenever you have flight to risk, it shows investors are beginning to have more of a risk appetite."
Evidence of that shift could be a spike in shares in the defense sector, expected to take a hit as defense spending is a key component of the budget talks.
The PHLX defense sector index hit a historic high on Thursday, and far outperformed the market on Friday with a dip of just 0.26 percent, while the three major U.S. stock indexes finished the day down about 1 percent.
Following a half-day on Wall Street on Monday ahead of the Christmas holiday, Wednesday will bring the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index. It is expected to show a ninth?straight month of gains.
U.S. jobless claims on Thursday are seen roughly in line with the previous week's level, with the forecast at 360,000 new filings for unemployment insurance, compared with the previous week's 361,000.
(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos; Additional reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Jan Paschal)?
Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/lump-coal-fiscal-cliff-mas-1C7662773
Nazanin Boniadi Deval Patrick Dedication 4 labor day college football scores khan academy Espn College Football
Chances are, you know a Doctor Who fan. Greg Kumparak, formerly of Tech Crunch is also a (pretty big) Doctor Who fan, and decided to get a little crafty and build his own TARDIS. As explained in the video above, a TARDIS is a vehicle to drive you through space and time, that just happens to look like a 1960s era British police call box. Greg's looks pretty authentic after a nice paint job.
But here's the thing about a TARDIS. They are bigger on the inside. While that is easy enough to accomplish with the magic of television, it took a different kind of magic to make it happen in the real world. That's where Android comes in. Using augmented reality, Greg can open the TARDIS door and point his Nexus camera at a freaky black and white pattern. Thanks to the Qualcomm augmented reality framework, Greg built an app to interpret that pattern, and display the interior of his TARDIS as it should be on his screen. Very cool.
This just might be the best use of augmented reality ever. Be sure to watch the video, and hit the source link to read a little about how it was constructed.
Source: GK's blog
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/WK-JXeQqrgQ/story01.htm
kashi neil diamond orange crush harden nor easter nor easter ted nugent
If you?re planning to sell your home you might be considering whether or not you should finish some of those home improvement projects you?ve often thought about doing.? If you?re working with a realtor, chances are they have pointed out some items that could use some upgrading for the sake of making your home more sellable.
?
If you?re like most people you are on a budget, and while I?m sure you?d love to do all the projects that your house needs, you probably don?t want to spend all your money on the house you?re about to sell.? After all, you?ll need to have some money left over to use towards the purchase of your next place.
?
So what project(s) will give you the most ?bang for your buck??? Let?s take a look.? First, let?s be honest about the reality of home improvement projects ? it is highly unlikely that you will recoup all the money you spend. Even if you increase the resale value of your home because of your efforts, the increase probably isn?t going to be enough to break even on the cost of the project.?? That being said, when looking at resale value, there are certain renovations that have historically provided a higher return on investment for homeowners.
?
Depending on where you live, certain upgrades/improvements will be better than others, but the projects listed below seem to be the most sensible home improvement projects because they are generally the least expensive, but most beneficial, way to sell your home for a higher price.? As a rule, mid-range improvements tend to be smarter choices than high-end simply because you?ll never recoup the money spent on lavish upgrades.? So here are some of the best mid-range upgrades that will give you the most ?bank for your buck.?
?
?
In contrast, here a few upgrades and improvements that should only be made when you are doing so for your own personal enjoyment.? While these items can increase the likelihood of selling, from an investment standpoint you will not regain the money spent, so think of these as personal enjoyment.
?
?
Lastly, remember to avoid unusual designs when making improvements. Buyers are attracted to homes that have ?move in? conditions. If you stray too far, fewer buyers will show interest in your home. Unless commonplace within your neighborhood, certain features like home theaters do not appeal to as many people.? So use caution when deciding which projects to complete; make sure buyers will be willing to pay extra for your add-ons.
About the author
Monte Mohr has sold over 2,000 homes in the last 25 years which has given him a unique perspective on the Franklin Tennessee Real Estate Market. To learn more about Monte Mohr and his real estate advice go to 1600 Westgate Circle Brentwood, TN 37027? or call the office at (615) 376-4500 my cell at 615-300-8393 http://www.tennesseedreamhomes.com/
aspirin aspirin 21 jump street illinois primary results acapulco mexico hines ward alex smith
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 file photo, an Afghan Commando and a U.S. Soldier from 20th Special Forces Group take part in a training exercise in Afghanistan's Wardak Province. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 file photo, an Afghan Commando and a U.S. Soldier from 20th Special Forces Group take part in a training exercise in Afghanistan's Wardak Province. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)
FILE - In this March 22, 2011, file photo, Afghan National Special Force soldiers patrol during a training session, seen through a destroyed building at Camp Morehead on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, April 12, 2012 file photo, Afghan special forces demonstrate a raid for rescuing a hostage during a showing to NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, unseen, at the commando training center in Kabul, Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq, File)
FILE - In this Friday, April 23, 2010 file photo, Afghan National Army recruits practice a house clearing during training exercise in Kabul, Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 22, 2011 file photo, Afghan National Army commandos practice a house clearing during a training session at Camp Morehead in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers serving in one of southern Afghanistan's most violent areas say they are successfully training the Afghans to secure their country and their progress so far will play a large role in determining how many more American troops President Barack Obama sends home next year. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PASAB, Afghanistan (AP) ? President Barak Obama will decide in the coming weeks how many American troops to send home from Afghanistan next year. A major factor in his decision will be the question of how successful U.S. troops have been in preparing the Afghans to secure their country at bases like this one, located in one of the country's most violent areas ? the birthplace of the Taliban.
There have been calls in Congress for Obama to increase the size of a planned drawdown of U.S. forces before the end of summer 2013, when the Afghan military is supposed to take the lead in security across the country. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, as well, has suggested he wants the drawdown accelerated.
"We are working to make this transition of security happen sooner. We want all the foreign forces to come out of the villages and go to their bases so the Afghan forces can carry out security," Karzai said last week.
But too large a pullout too soon could undermine the fight against the Taliban insurgency if Afghan forces are not fully prepared. It is widely thought that Gen. John Allen, the top military commander in Afghanistan, and his senior staff want to keep a large force in place for the summer fighting season, before international forces move into an entirely back-up and training role behind the Afghan forces by the start of autumn ? an event known as "Milestone 13."
Obama is expected to decide on the size of the withdrawal after meeting with Karzai in Washington in early January. Their talks will also be key on determining what the U.S. military's role will be in Afghanistan after December 2014, when the foreign combat mission is set to end and almost all international troops are scheduled to leave. The U.S. currently has 66,000 thousand troops in Afghanistan out of an international force totaling about 102,000.
The work of training Afghan army units being done at this dusty base in the Zhari district of Kandahar province and at other bases scattered around the country will help shape Obama's decision.
U.S. and Afghan officers here say the district is a success story: Violence has not gone up more than two months after the American presence here was brought down from around 3,500 troops to around 300, with Afghan forces taking the lead in more areas.
But the situation remains tenuous. Residents say Taliban fighters remain in control of large parts of the district.
Zhari is where Taliban leader Mullah Omar was born, where he founded the movement that ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s and has battled U.S. and Afghan forces for the past 11 years. Three years ago, Taliban forces controlled the district, and it has been one of the three most violent areas of Kandahar, the province that is the Taliban's traditional heartland.
U.S soldiers had a hard fight in Zhari when they moved into the south in large force as part of the surge in American troops early in the Obama administration. The district has rich farmland that produces pomegranates and grapes used for raisins, and the fields, covered in dirt mounds, formed natural trenches the Taliban could fight from. Food, which was abundant, was easily coerced by the Taliban from villagers.
Lt. Col. Tim Davis, commander of Combined Task Force Buffalo, said, "the density of mines was impressive" when his task force arrived and that it required "an entire combat operation just to put a road in."
The commander of international forces in Kandahar and three other southern provinces, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams, told reporters recently that progress in Zhari had been "astounding." Afghan forces are already in the lead of security duties in many parts of the district, he said. Across the south, the Afghans carry out 400 to 500 daily patrols without coalition assistance.
Afghan military officers in Zhari contend they can now handle the fight without much help from the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force.
"Zhari is about 70 percent safe now," said Col. Abdul Rahimi, operations officer of the Afghan army's 3rd Brigade 205th Corps at Pasab base, though he acknowledged neighboring Maiwand district remains a problem. The number of Taliban fighters was down to around 100 in Zhari and Maiwand, compared to some 900 two years ago, he said.
"The enemy is not able right now to fight against the government, nor can it take over if ISAF leaves," Rahimi said.
Residents in Zhari, however, give a different picture. Some said the government has control of the main highway but not much else.
"Government claims that they control most of the area are just a dream not related to any reality," Allahnoor Taraki, a 38-year-old farmer, said.
Mohammed Salim Danghar, a taxi driver, said the province remains hotly contested. While the government has improved its position, he said, "we all know that most of the area is controlled by the Taliban."
The American drawdown in Zhari is a model of plans for the pullback elsewhere.
Here, large American combat units have been replaced by smaller teams made up of about 18 soldiers each. The teams are embedded with Afghan units, advising them on tactics, leadership and strategy ? but not fighting.
In Zhari, attacks "have not only decreased, but significantly decreased," said Davis.
"The challenge is when we start pulling back," he said. The key to a successful transition will be "to see if the local security forces can take up the slack."
The U.S. military plans to repeat that process elsewhere in the south and east by creating 400 such teams. At the same time, eight of the 14 U.S. brigades in Afghanistan will be reduced in size to 1,400-1,900 personnel, down from 3,500, to act as support for the teams. That role change alone will mean a reduction of between 13,000 to 17,000 NATO troops.
The U.S. military has not made public its recommendations to Obama about the size or timing of next year's drawdown. Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said recently that NATO and the Afghan government intend to begin the final phase of transition by the mid to latter part of 2013 ? suggesting he prefers a later start to the drawdown, as opposed to earlier in 2013.
The top contender for Panetta's job, former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, is thought to support a more rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has already announced that about 3,800 of his country's troops will leave by the end of 2013, leaving 5,000 to stay into 2014.
The Afghan army now numbers about 350,000 and has taken the lead on security in areas that are home to 76 percent of Afghanistan's population of 30 million. Still, despite their progress, only one of Afghanistan's 23 brigades around the country can operate on its own without coalition help of some kind, the U.S. Defense Department said in its most recent semi-annual report to Congress.
Attacks by insurgents around the country have not decreased, but the violence has been pushed out of most population centers, the report said. Civilian and NATO casualties have fallen. But Afghan forces are taking an increasing toll. More than 300 Afghan soldiers and policemen are dying each month, according to Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, who said that represented an increase, though he did not provide comparative figures.
"We still face challenges in southern Afghanistan," Abrams acknowledged in his headquarters at Kandahar Air Field.
Associated PressTrick or Treat Amy Weber Happy Halloween! Star Wars Episode 7
If you wish to settle in Makawao HI and love horses or farming, it is time to purchase a farm and ranch in Makawao HI. There are lots of attractive, roomy, lucrative farmland and ranches offered for sale in this area. Vast acreages right here provide you enough room for livestocks to forage and adequate land for you to farm. Right here you could indulge in country living as never ever previously.
The Toursit Advantage When Possessing A Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Hawaii is a vacationer haven and thousands of visitors from across the world come here to delight in different tasks. Farm touring is getting in popularity and numerous farm land owners motivate and invite tourists for an outstanding farm trip experience. When you have a farm and rach in Makawao HI, you can take visitors around the vast home and show them your fruit and vegetables and pets. If you have a vineyard, provide your tourists a free glass of homemade wine!
You can easily get innovative and offer picnic breakfast, lunch or dinner at your farm and ranch in Makawao HI depending on the time of the day. Introduce your visitors to your favored horses on the ranch. You can additionally take them around the farm on horseback for a fantastic experience. Program them exactly how more number of individuals could grow their very own meals and become self-sufficient. If you are a long-time local of Makawao HI, share great tales about the regional history with love and passion.
Company Possibility With Your Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Another remarkable reason why you must acquire the most effective farm and ranch in Makawao HI is that you could make your plot of acres of land very lucrative. At Maui, you could discover tracts varying from a couple of plots of land to hundreds of acres for sale. If you are lucky, you can locate sits that attribute lava tubes, historical sites and waterfalls in the excellent green acres. In Maui, many people invest in ranches and farmland. This is among the major reasons why it is easy to find huge, average and small farm and ranch in Makawao HI.
Two Major Industries Advantages For Your Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Farmers in Maui who own their plots of land produce their own fruits, veggies, flowers and plants. After consuming just what is required for their household, they have now started distributing the exact same amongst neighbors, friends and family as a token on goodwill. Many smart landowners now bring in travelers and have initiated a new trend called agro-tourism. Welcoming travelers to their farm for a tour or picnic brings in substantial profits. Farmers also create income by selling regional products.
How Can You Find The Best Farm & Ranch in Makawao HI?
If the prospect of doing this company interests you or if you simply wish to lead a quiet country life with your favored horses in a ranch, you could locate a host of properties in Maui. To create an ideal have you can call your own, you have to initially pick whether you want an undeveloped or developed land. If you are anticipating building a residence or a commercial structure for running your company, you can easily pick from a variety of developed land for sale. If you wish to delight in the exquisite nation experience in Maui, you could relocate with your family members and horses of course to the best farm and ranch in Makawao HI.
Choose From Lush Acres For Your Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Some of the preferred, sought-after homes can be found in Haleakala. This island produced by a volcano features lush acres, rolling hills and rugged landscapes. Here you will certainly find lots of vacant land or existing ranches for sale.
Located 4000 feet above the sea, Haleakala ranches are full of country cheer, laughter and serene living. It is not difficult finding households living in Haleakala ranches and farms interacting to rear livestocks and harvest produce. It is indeed a bewitching site to see a dozen turkeys, more than a few pigs, dogs and horses looked after tenderly by individuals. You can easily have all of these wonderous things with your farm and ranch in Makawao HI.
It is not unusual to find site visitors very carefully directed on horsebacks over the steep slopes in Maui. They carefully amble past the sandalwood trees and eucalyptus groves brushing shoulders with wild pheasants. The wild and barbarian landscapes right here draw in lots of investors and realtors. They always enquire about the most effective farm and ranch in Makawao HI offered for sale.
Select From An Array of Diverse Micro-Climates For Your Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Makawao HI is an one-of-a-kind location that enjoys assorted micro-climates. On the northern and eastern side of Maui, you can easily locate misty, lush rainforests and strikingly beautiful, sun-drenched beaches on the southern and western sides. This can be terrific for some who are thinking about possessing a farm and ranch in Makawao HI.
If you are a horse fan or an outside lover, select from a variety of beach houses or upcountry cottages in Hana. You can easily appreciate a cool temperature right here and be attracted by the location?s pristine peacefulness.
Outside activities here consist of horseback riding, rambling trails and remarkable waterfalls. You can choose a farm and ranch in Makawao HI or an enchanting beach home in Lahaina, Kapalua, Makena, Wailea or Kihei to access fishing, snorkelling, surfing and sailing.
What Else Are You Getting With Your Farm And Ranch In Makawao HI
Maui is a fun-filled place, that numerous potential and actual home owners consider their dream become a reality. If you?re looking to construct a business in Maui, particularly one that keeps you active seven days a week, understand you?ll still have the ability to do things other than often your farm and ranch in Makawao HI.
Thinking about numerous horse-ranch owners also like other facets about pets and nature, Maui is an excellent spot. With so much sea and wildlife, it?s hard for any animal lover to transfer to Maui, begin the business they enjoy, and think that their life ends up not being satisfying.
There are additionally other activities, such as browsing, bon fires by the ocean, dinners, motion pictures, shopping, jet skiing, and more. If you want to do it, be it an odd activity or an usual one, the wonderful thing about Maui is that it?s a speed that can in fact supply it to you.
Source: http://find-your-perfect-home.com/farms/maui-hi/makawao-horse-farm-for-sale/
cirque du freak eric cantor eric cantor pope joan pope joan paul pierce strawberry festival
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - An international peacekeeper killed three other peacekeepers before killing himself in the Darfur region of Sudan, the U.N.-led international peacekeeping force (UNAMID) said on Friday.
The shooting happened at a UNAMID site in Mukjar in West Darfur on Thursday, UNAMID spokeswoman Aicha Elbasri said, adding that the gunman had shot himself and another comrade had been wounded.
The African Union-United Nations force initially had said the peacekeeper killed four comrades. "The mission is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident," Elbasri said, declining further comment.
Despite the presence of the world's largest peacekeeping mission, fighting between Sudan's armed forces and rebels has continued, alongside banditry and tribal clashes, since the conflict erupted in 2003.
In a separate statement, UNAMID said it was investigating whether the Sudanese air force had bombed this week two areas in North Darfur as reported by local sources.
It sent a patrol to Shangil Tobaya to verify reported bombings but had been denied access by the Sudanese army, UNAMID said, adding that civilians had fled the area.
"The Mission...warns that continued fighting could lead to a catastrophic humanitarian situation for the displaced civilians in North Darfur," it said.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and other officials for masterminding war crimes in Darfur. They deny the charges and refuse to recognise the court.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/peacekeeper-shoots-dead-three-comrades-self-sudan-084016970.html
pregnant man outside lands 2012 lineup beloved ufc results water for elephants old school nick swisher
