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TOKYO — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid his respects at a shrine honoring Japan's war dead in an unexpected visit Thursday that drew sharp rebukes from China and South Korea, who warned that the move celebrates his country's militaristic past and could further sour relations.
On his first anniversary of taking office, Abe spent about 15 minutes at the Yasukuni shrine in central Tokyo. "I prayed to pay respect for the war dead who sacrificed their precious lives and hoped that they rest in peace," he told waiting reporters afterward.
Japanese politicians' visits to Yasukuni have long caused friction with China and both Koreas, because the 2.5 million war dead enshrined there include 14 class A war criminals from World War II — national leaders who were either executed or died in prison or during their trials. Japan colonized Korea and occupied parts of China, often brutally, before and during World War II.
It was the first visit to the Shinto-style war shrine by a sitting Japanese prime minister since Junichiro Koizumi went in 2006 to mark the end of World War II. Abe previously visited Yasukuni while out of office.
Abe, a nationalist who advocates revising Japan's pacifist constitution, has always wanted to visit Yasukuni as prime minister, but he still surprised some analysts, who thought he might take a pragmatic approach to leadership that focused on reviving the economy and trying to avoid alienating neighbors.
The United States expressed disappointment "that Japan's leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors."
TV cameras followed Abe inside the shrine property, but were not allowed in the inner shrine. The prime minister was dressed formally in black jacket with tails and striped, gray pants. There is no fixed dress code for shrine visits, but conservative lawmakers usually dress formally to be polite and dignified.
Abe said criticism that visits to Yasukuni are an act of worshipping war criminals is based on a misunderstanding.
"Unfortunately, a Yasukuni visit has largely turned into a political and diplomatic issue," he said. "It is not my intention to hurt the feelings of the Chinese and Korean people."
He said he believes Japan must never wage war again: "This is my conviction, based on the severe remorse for the past."
His statements failed to assuage concerns.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke scathingly of Abe's visit and summoned Japan's ambassador to protest.
The visit "has created major new political obstacles for already strained Sino-Japanese relations, and China won't ever tolerate it. Japan must bear all the responsibilities caused by Abe's move," Wang said, adding that if Japan intentionally continues to exacerbate tensions and antagonism, "China will surely keep it company to the end."
"What Abe has done is leading Japan in a very dangerous direction. Lessons from history must be learned. The international community including China must heighten its vigilance and never allow the wheel of history to be turned back," Wang said.
China's state broadcaster CCTV closely covered news of the shrine visit, wrapping it into an already critical feature of Abe's past year in office. The foreign ministry's condemnation of the visit was the network's top news item on its noon nationwide bulletin.
South Korea's minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yoo Jinryong, labeled the visit "an anachronistic act" that "hurts not only the ties between South Korea and Japan but also fundamentally damages the stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia." His briefing was broadcast live on TV.
A statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo took note of Abe's expression of remorse, but said "the United States hopes that both Japan and its neighbors will find constructive ways to deal with sensitive issues from the past."
Adding to the unease of Japan's neighbors is Abe's push to expand the military at a time of rising tensions over a cluster of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea claimed by both Japan and China.
Japanese political scientist Koichi Nakano said the visit answered questions on whether Abe is a pragmatist or a rabid nationalist.
"I think we know where his beliefs lie," said Nakano, a professor at Sophia University in Tokyo. "He's not in politics because of economics. He's a conviction politician just like Margaret Thatcher was. Pragmatism and conviction don't go very well together."
Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo; Gillian Wong and Louise Watt in Beijing; and Youkyung Lee in Seoul, South Korea; contributed to this report.


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Introduction by Francis Cebedo:
We wanted to do something a little special for our review of the Fuji SLM 29 bike so we asked four of our experienced 29er riders to evaluate this one. Marco Soldano, Isaias Job, Rafael Rius and Chris Sota are four of the most enthusiastic pedalers in Norcal and have tried over a dozen 29ers between them. Marco is the Leadville endurance rider, Isaias is the cross racer, Rafael is the craft beer drinker and Chris is the Cat 1 XC racer.
The consensus seems to be that this bike is a looker and the frame is top-notch. It is built well with excellent acceleration and stiffness but balanced with good, stable condfidence inspiring descending characteristics. The downside seems to be heavier component choices, particularly the wheels. Read on and find out if this bike is for you.
Rafael Rius Review: 3 out of 5 Stars
Chris Sota Review: 5 out of 5 Stars
Isaias Job Review: 5 out of 5 Stars
Marco Soldano Review: 4 out of 5 Stars
Rafael Rius Review:
Bike: Fuji SLM 1.0 Carbon 29er Hardtail
Build Specification
- Full XT drivetrain and Brakes (40/28 crankset with 11-36 (10 speed) cassette, 160mm rotors)
- WTB Laserdisc Trail wheels
- Oval Stem, Bar, Seatpost
In general, the drivetrain and brake (XT) components are about right for the price. However, the wheel selection and the bar/stem/seatpost combinations could have been better for a race-oriented hardtail with the MSRP in this range. For the wheels, an immediate change/upgrade is necessary if used as a race bike. A simple switch to WTB Laserdisc XC TCS rims would have suited the bike better. Similarly, the cockpit components (stem, handlebar, seat post) warrant an upgrade as well. For a race bike at this price, I'd like to keep more of the OEM components and not need to spend much more. First impression, the stock seatpost was well short of adequate, and I was fortunate to have a 410mm seatpost readily available.
Rides and Rider Profile
6'1", 190lbs. Races Cat 2 XC, endurance, and gravity, Cat 4/5 for road. Primarily and endurance and XC rider that likes challenging technical trails on hardtails as well as full suspension trail bikes.
I was able to ride the Fuji on 5 rides, totaling about 75 miles and 16,000' of climbing on varied terrain from fire roads to buff singletrack, as well as technical trails that I typically prefer to ride with a full suspension.
Similar bikes owned/ridden – Salsa Mamasita, Niner EMD9 One9, Retrotec custom
The Fuji SLM has a slightly slacker seat and head tube angle than other carbon, race oriented 29er hardtails. The effective top tube, head tube, and stays were comparable to other bikes in this class.
In general, the Fuji frame felt very responsive to out of saddle efforts and accelerating out of tight switchbacks and grade changes. The angles resulted in the bike not feeling quite "race-oriented" as I would have liked, but I lowered the stem stack height after the first couple rides and the climbing improved. The bike still did not feel like a dedicated XC race bike but the climbing positions were more than adequate for most trail conditions with the exception of pure non-technical XC race courses. The downtube, and seat stays are a bit beefier than other carbon 29er hardtails, and this added to the noticeable stiffness on hard climbing efforts. This was a plus that mostly compensated for the slacker angles.
By the 3rd ride, I realized that geometry of this bike was probably not intended to be a dedicated race bike (out of the box) and intended to accommodate most trail riding conditions. Although the bike felt very stiff, the carbon provided a very smooth ride that absorbed a lot of the trail chatter. I am used to riding a scandium bike and the feel was noticeably more comfortable. The slacker angles of the frame also started to make a lot more sense. This would be a great bike for the enthusiast who wants to stick to a hardtail, but still ride everything. I set several personal hardtail records on technical descents that I have ridden many, many times.
The Fuji SLM is very, very comfortable on the descents and I would consider this the highlight of the bike. It was very fun to ride and I actually look forward to riding this bike at Soquel Demonstration Forest, which is typically a "full suspension" place. While the geometry suited the descents more than the climbs (relatively for a hardtail 29er), the responsiveness while accelerating out of tight turns and climbing efforts was really good.
The hardest of my test rides was about 4 hours long and included over 6,000' of climbing (and descending, duh). A really big plus was that toward the end of the ride, my body did not feel as sore and beat up as I often do coming off of my scandium bike.
The frame (shape) looks really good and the internal cable routing and color scheme/patterns were very nice and attractive.
One of the biggest weaknesses with the frame is only having one bottle cage mount. This would be fine on an all-mountain full suspension bike, but not for and XC oriented hardtail. This is likely due to space restrictions within the front triangle, which some of the oversized tubing and aesthetic curves contribute to, but a second bottle holder is something that should be provided on all XC hardtails.
The component specification at this price was questionable. The wheelset and cockpit setup requires an upgrade to be race ready, which shouldn't be necessary for a $4300 price tag. The XT crankset includes 40/28 gears, which is good for most of the local XC racer courses, but does not work as well for endurance riding or the weekend trail rides. On my personal bikes, I like to stay in a 36 gearing for most of the ride, on both the climbing and descending portions, especially in the predominantly rolling terrain around my area. I am personally not strong enough to stay in a 40 tooth chainring, so unless the trail was predominantly flat or downhill, a lot my riding was done in the 28 tooth ring. This was fine for the climbs, but the constant switch to downhill resulted in a lot of chain-slap if I didn't constantly change the front gearing every few hundred yards.
Overall Opinion:
4 out of 5 Stars
Complete Bike (build and value):
3 out of 5 Stars
This bike was a lot of fun. Personally, I have several bikes and my 29er hardtail is typically set up as a dedicated race bike or for non-technical long distance endurance rides. Most of the endurance and XC racecourses in my area are not very technical so I typically set up my 29er hardtail to save the most time on the climbs, and I just suffer through the descents. On the fun, untimed all-mountain weekend rides, I generally prefer to take a full-suspension bike. Although the climbing on the Fuji didn't feel as efficient, the geometry while descending felt really good, and I am likely to adjust my personal bike to a slightly slacker position based on riding the Fuji SLM.
The fact that the frame only has one bottle cage mount is an immediate deal killer for me, primarily because I ride endurance and XC, and more times than not, without a hydration pack. This may seem minor to many, but for an endurance/XC rider, it is a must.
I really enjoyed riding this bike, but I would probably recommend buying the same frame model with a lower component specification, and save some of the costs for upgrades that would be needed regardless. If I were to buy a hardtail for daily riding and not specifically for racing, the Fuji SLM would definitely be toward the top of consideration… if there were a 2nd bottle cage mount.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nine Inch Nails Release New Track 'Everything'
Yet another new Nine Inch Nails song has surfaced! Although the project's long-awaited eighth studio album is scheduled for a Sept. 3 release, you can hear the new track 'Everything' right now!
Since Trent Reznor surprised fans by revealing he had been working on 'Hesitation Marks' in secret for some time, a surge of new NIN material has been gifted. Nine Inch Nails unveiled 'Came Back Haunted' in early June, with the song receiving a music video directed by legendary experimental filmmaker David Lynch. Trent Reznor and his band would go on to debut the song 'Find My Way' live in Japan before offering 'Copy of A,' which has also been performed live, as a free download.
Released via NPR, Nine Inch Nails' newest single offering, 'Everything,' swerves in yet another direction, showcasing a curiously poppy tune fit for a cold and overcast day at the beach. Legitimately, 'Everything' sounds like a track that could be embraced by causal fans who just happen to have turned on the radio.
The dynamics found in Nine Inch Nails' new material are vast and ever-changing, which makes us ponder about the flow of 'Hesitation Marks' as an album. "I don't think it's a gentle record," Reznor says. "I do think it's more subversive in how it gets you. It's not about everything being at 11 and the pyrotechnics of sound and scare tactics, which I've definitely used in the past. But it doesn't feel like the middle-aged, I've-given-up record either."
Hold on tight for 'Hesitation Marks' and enjoy the single 'Everything' but clicking the button below.


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When Louise Evans was admitted to a psychiatric unit, she thought she had lost her right to vote.
Her parents used to be councillors so she had always been politically aware.
But being voluntarily treated for paranoid schizophrenia she thought she was too unwell to cast her ballot. So she was was surprised to find out most mental health service users can vote.
Patients under civil sections, those on a community treatment order, voluntary patients and prisoners who have been remanded to hospital can all vote.
Detained patients have to apply for Section 17 leave in order to exit the hospital to vote, or they can vote by proxy or by post.
Only patients convicted of committing a criminal offence cannot cast a ballot.
Yet the turnout for those with mental health problems is often very low.
The most accurate survey, from the 2010 General Election, showed inpatients in the central London area of Westminster were 50% less likely to register than the general public, and those who did were a further 50% less likely to vote.
According to the journal The Psychiatrist, a "significant number" of mental health service users are either unaware of their eligibility, do not know how to register or lack the confidence to vote.
Louise understands why. She was nervous walking up to the polling station as she thought she might be turned away.
"There's that conception you don't understand what you're doing, that you shouldn't actually be there," she said.
In Hillingdon Hospital, where Louise is being treated, staff are now using posters, quizzes and community chats about democracy to encourage its patients to vote.
Dr Masum Khwaja said: "Part of recovery from mental illness is about social inclusion and empowerment.
"The beliefs and the opinions of someone living with mental illness is equivalent to that of anybody else."
In 2000, the law was amended so patients could register to vote using a hospital address.
So when when Louise's father presented her polling card to Hillingdon Hospital, she was allowed to visit the polling station.
Louise is now recovering at a rehabilitation clinic at the hospital and she plans to vote in this election.


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Molly Crabapple via Instagram
When you buy Google Glass, you are not a consumer. You are an Explorer.
Everything about Glass affirms your specialness. The Swedish modern showroom, where a hot guy tweaks Glass's nose grips just for your face. The card that comes with Glass, calling you an "adventurer," a "founder." The fact that you must be invited to purchase your pair, since there are only 8,000 Google Glasses in the world.
When you wear Glass, you and Google are a team.
But explorers are not neutral. They are the shock troops of empire. The lands explorers traverse are later conquered by armies, their sacred objects melted down for gold. Glass Explorers continue the corporation's conquest of reality.
In December I did an art project called Glass Gaze. Wearing a pair of Google Glass that had been hacked by the journalist Tim Pool to live-stream, I drew my friend the porn star and aerialist Stoya. The interwebs could see what I saw as I made art. The model. The paper. The ink. The whole 19th-century practice of life drawing commodified and separated from me. I once tweeted, "Google Glass lets the government see the world from my perspective." With Glass Gaze, I was giving the network the same opportunity.


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Red, orange, yellow, green, blue indigo, violet is a popular color scheme. When you can't choose one or two, use them all in rainbow order.
Up first as the featured quilt is Kati Spencer's stunning Pixelated Colorwheel. Take a few minutes to take in this quilt.
Katie shared that she wasn't seeking perfect transition of one color to the next. She simply wanted to create the overall impression of a colorwheel. The squares in this quilt are 1 ½" finished. There are 841 squares in the quilt. Katie used six Kona solids charm packs, 1 of each colorway except 2 of the bright palette, though not all of those colors found their way into the quilt. There are four squares of white near the center of the quilt where the design begins. She started her quilting at this point as well.
Kati's thoughts on color:
"Working with color is an ongoing experiment for me. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don't. Frequently, I'll pull stacks of fabric for a quilt and let them sit on the shelf for days or weeks just looking at them occasionally. I often find that I'll remove several fabrics out of the stack because the color isn't quite right. Sometimes it takes me quite a while to realize which ones just won't work. I've also come to realize that the color combinations don't have to be perfect, but rather interesting. In this quilt, the color arrangement isn't perfect, with each color blending seamlessly to the next. I designed it this way to add interest. This quilt remained on my design wall for weeks before I actually started sewing. I would walk into the room, glance at it, and notice one or two squares that needed changed. It was an ongoing design process for quite awhile to get the colors just as I wanted them."
More about Kati:
Kati tells us, "Modern quilting means so many different things to me. Solids almost always say modern to me. I also think modern quilting frequently has an interesting yet relatively simple overall design." Kati is a member of the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild and blogs at From the Blue Chair. She loves her guild and tells us it's a great place to learn! Kati's favorite part of quilting is "seeking out great inspiration and then turning that great inspiration into unique quilts." She's definitely inspired us! You can see more of Katie's work in her Flickr photostream.


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Safety, risk and compliance manager, Sentinel
Apply now
Requisition Number: 510883
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Country: Panama
Location: Donoso
Site: Cobre Panama - Mine Site
Categories: Human Resources
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has grown from a small mineral operation in Zambia into a multinational mining business in less than two decades, with a global portfolio of copper and nickel assets in Europe, Africa, Australia and South America. This phenomenal growth is down to FQM people who have strived to be Bolder, Smarter and Driven in everything they do.
In March 2013, First Quantum Minerals acquired Inmet Mining Corporation, a Canadian-based mining company primarily producing copper and zinc from mines in Finland, Spain and Turkey, with also a major copper deposit under development in Panama, known as Cobre Panama. The combination of the First Quantum and Inmet assets has created one of the world's leading copper producers with a geographically diversified portfolio of high-quality operations and development projects in eight countries across five continents.
With a strategic plan to produce more than 1 million tonnes per annum of copper within five years, the Company is poised to become the largest, widely-held pure-play copper producer and one of the top five copper producers in the world.
Advertised: 05 Mar 2020 Eastern Standard Time
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BOULDER CITY, Nev. — In a warehouse in Boulder City, a couple of 60-something dreamers secretly nurture an idea that, as it turns out, they'd independently shared for nearly three decades — to find the holy grail of the tire industry: a synthetic replacement for rubber that would make cheaper, safer, simpler and wholly recyclable tires.
It was Richard Steinke, an inventor who grew up in a Cincinnati orphanage, who came up with a new urethane compound he says performs better than rubber — though he won't say what's in it. It is his "Coke formula" that's kept under lock and key.
But Steinke didn't know how to turn his secret sauce into a real tire until he met Rick Vannan, the retired research and development chief at Goodyear. "We would change the industry forever," Vannan said.
"When Rick and I got together, it was like the Wright brothers," Steinke added.
Does their invention fly? According to Vannan, "It's like having my first child!"
NBC was allowed to watch selective parts of the manufacturing process and wondered whether these revolutionary automobile tires — which take only seconds to make and can be made in any color — would work as well as traditional tires.
A performance test
Then NBC went out to the Las Vegas Speedway to try the tires.
As single-compound tires, there's no possibility of tread separation. And these tires also are designed to run flat for hundreds of miles, if necessary.
They say there are only two types of drivers: Those who've had a tire emergency and those who will.
So NBC let all the air out of one tire, and for good measure, drilled the sidewall and tread full of holes.
In a series of hard hairpin turns, there was no problem. Back at cruising speed, we couldn't tell the difference.
There are already skeptics, like tire expert Asa Sharpe, former tire designer and marketing manager for Goodyear, "I didn't grow up in Missouri, but I'd have to say, I'd have to answer it as a Missouri person."
Show me? "Absolutely," Sharpe answered.
And even if the new tire is what its inventors say it is, Sharpe says it would be years before they could be fitted to existing tire and vehicle technology. "Decades … I would think so," he said.
That's not what Steinke and Vannan say. They say in a year — two at most — the rubber tire industry, as it has functioned for a century, will come to a stop, with its replacement ready to roll.
© 2013 NBCNews.com Reprints


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A mixed bag of tunes on this show – pretty eclectic actually – here we go again:
- Steamkings – L1 125 – Sleepy Music Compilation – impressive band from the excellent Sleepy Music label from Brighton
- Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Hearts of Stone -Hearts of Stone – whilst there are no horns (which has horns) on this the preceding track made me think of Southside and drag out this track from the archives.
- Richie Barron – Tahoe Boogie – Rather Have The Green Than The Blues – otherwise known as Dr Tequila, from one of Richie's earlier albums which he kindly shipped over some copies of from the States last week. This definately has horns!!
- Thin White Rope – Disney Girl – Exploring the Axis – an excellent track from the first album from this great band which split in 1992. Like Steely Dan they take their name from a Bill Burroughs literary reference.
- Blue Orchids – Disney Boys – The Flood Single – seemed somewhat sensible to follow the preceding tune with this one….
- Half Man Half Biscuit – Arthurs Farm – ACD – having just ordered the new album, which is out on 26th September (90 Bisodol(Crimond)) , I had a compulsion to listen to this one. It's Tommy Walsh's Eco House by the way not Tommy Boyd as I say on the show, that's a totally different cultural reference.
- Sugar – If I can't change your mind – Besides – "Copper Blue" remains to this day one of my favourite albums – this acoustic version of a tune from the album featured on a CD Single and then turned up on the Besides compilation album.
- Wild Swans – Chloroform – The Coldest Winter for A Hundred Years – another glorious track from one the albums of the year for me.
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Cinnamon Girl – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere – a classic album, a classic band and a classic tune. Nuff said.
- Late Night Shopping – Late Night Shopping – Sleepy Music Compilation – have been playing this band for the last few weeks – very impressed with their off kilter look at the universe.
- Heinous Tarts – Real Life Failer – Compilation CD provided by Chris Goodhead – a five piece from York who are reforming for a one off gig at Fibbers on 30th September – all for charity – sign up with them on Facebook for lots more information.
- Ana Ege – Driving with no hands – Bad Blood – from the stunning new Steve Earle produced album – if you have not heard Ana before do yourself a favour and grab this album.
- The Explorers Collective – Please Please Yourself – Single – As it says on the press release "Incendiary debut single "The Factory" gained great radio support including:The British Breakfast in Richmond Virginia USA, Spark FM 6-6 playlist & interview, Salford City Radio (that would be me!) BBC Introducing Three Counties play and Interview, BBC Introducing Cambridge Interview and Live Session. Four permanent members The Explorer, Frazer Davidson, Mookherjee and Mr P. Paganotto + special guest poets, animators, rappers and musicians, make it their mission to combine killer hooks & wry observational wit with cutting-edge animation and leftfield imagination." Marvellous stuff!
- Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. – Pink Lady Lemonade Part 04 – Pink Lady Lemonade You're From Inner Space – i've been wanting to play something by these extremely hirsute purveyors of Japanese psychedelia for some time and what better way to start than their probably most recorded epic and this is from their most recent release as The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. – being the fourth part of a set of versions of the tune on the CD/Vinyl release.
To listen to the show, click on the link below


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October 20, 2015 - STAMFORD, Conn. and LUCCA, Italy
Austrian Bank BAWAG P.S.K. Adopts Tagetik's Corporate Performance Management Software
New performance management solution supports executive team with KPI management and analytics reporting
Tagetik, a visionary leader in global performance management software solutions, announced today that BAWAG P.S.K., one of the largest and most profitable banks in Austria, chose the Tagetik software to build a central hub for key performance indicator (KPI) management and analytics reporting. Now the bank's primary management information platform, the software sets new reporting standards and adds transparency to support executives in managing business performance.
pmOne, Tagetik's distributor in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, integrated the new solution with its business intelligence tool, cMORE. Management accountants at BAWAG P.S.K. can now build and administer reports that fulfill their complete design requirements completely on their own.
"pmOne understood our needs for self-service business intelligence and helped us implement them quickly," said Andreas H. Haider, leader of the Tagetik project team at BAWAG P.S.K. "The Tagetik software meets our current needs and is the ideal software platform to further address future demands in planning and banking-specific corporate performance management (CPM) processes in parallel."
Five of the ten biggest banks in Austria now use Tagetik's CPM software. In addition to BAWAG P.S.K., Erste Group, Raiffeisen Bank International, VB Wien Baden (formerly ÖVAG) and Bank Austria of the Unicredit Group are also Tagetik customers. "Companies in the financial services industry face very strict regulations and appreciate the rich, built-in functionality that Tagetik offers," said Oliver Vermeer, managing director of pmOne GmbH. "This software really unifies and harmonizes complex business processes and incorporates specific industry requirements – all within a single application."
"Tagetik takes great pride in being selected by companies such as BAWAG P.S.K. as the best solution for managing their finance processes," said Manuel Vellutini, Tagetik co-CEO. "Tagetik's emphasis on serving progressive CFOs leverages our strong expertise and proven success in addressing the complex processes of finance organizations. This means constantly listening to our clients and constantly innovating to meet their changing business needs. This passion is at the core of our long-term customer relationships and our strong worldwide partnership network."
About BAWAG P.S.K.
BAWAG P.S.K. is one of Austria's largest banking institutions with 1.6 million customers and a well-recognized national brand. The Bank focuses on three business segments: Retail Banking and Small Business offers simple, fair and transparent products and services which include lending, savings, payment, card, investment and insurance services for private and small business customers. These products and services are available through our branches all over Austria which are complemented by our digital sales channels. Austrian corporate businesses as well as international activities are managed within the Corporate Lending and Investments segment. The majority of the Bank's lending activities are within Austria. The international business is focused on corporate, commercial real estate and portfolio financing transactions primarily in Western Europe and the United States of America. Treasury Services
and Markets includes all activities associated with providing trading and investment services for the Group's treasury activities and the management of the Bank's portfolio of financial securities. Owners of the Bank are Cerberus Capital Management LP (52%) and GoldenTree Asset Management LP (40%).
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House Speaker John Boehner comments on alleged scrutiny of conservative groups by the IRS.
The top elected Republican in Congress says he's looking for prison sentences for those associated with IRS efforts to single out conservative advocacy groups applying for tax-exempt status.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, stoked conservative ire toward the Obama administration on Wednesday in the wake of an IRS inspector general report chastising agency employees for subjecting conservative and Tea Party groups to additional scrutiny.
"My question isn't about who's going to resign," Boehner said at a weekly press conference on Capitol Hill. "My question's about who's going to jail."
While the IRS report suggested that the employees' actions were not prompted by any outside influence, Republicans have nonetheless seized on the controversy, and openly suggested that the administration was deliberately targeting conservatives through the IRS.
""Basically all we've gotten from the IRS, on the other hand, is an attempt to scapegoat some folks out in Cincinnati and a laughable attempt to move past this whole issue with a ridiculous op-ed claiming 'mistakes were made,'" Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday morning on the Senate floor.
McConnell and the other 44 Senate Republicans all signed a letter to the administration demanding that IRS witnesses and materials be fully made available to congressional investigators.
"There are laws in place to prevent this type of abuse," Boehner said. "Someone made a conscious decision to harass and hold up these requests for tax exempt status. We need to know who they are, and whether they violated the law. Clearly, somebody violated the law."
This story was originally published on Wed May 15, 2013 10:34 AM EDT


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There are no Upcoming Shows listed for this comedian.
Tim Yarosh
Tim's show is a high-energy medley of original observations and clever self-criticism with his own brand of southern flavor. Tim's show is a robust but not "Politically Correct" look at life, love and the world that surrounds us. Tim is the funniest "Biker/Tough" Guy you will ever see, it is truly entertaining. You will find his Southern views and take on life hilarious; he will keep you laughing from start to finish. Another winning feature in Tim's show is his ability to think on his feet; he's highly intuitive about audiences and can quickly read a room and customize each show for each crowd, rearranging and adding improv to his scripted material of topics ranging from growing up in the country, to precarious dating situations. No two shows are alike, but one thing remains constant: Tim's comedy is always a sure thing. Tim was born and raised in Havre De Grace, MD a town that is cliché small town America. His Father was a Biker and his Mother was the true Baptist Church member and Tim just spent most of his childhood in trouble. Noticing how well he could keep the attention of adults while telling stories about his adventures, Tim's mother told him then that he would either become a car salesman or a preacher. Nobody ever thought audiences would pay money to hear him, most people offer him money to go away. He has had various jobs and lived multiple experiences that give more material to entertain with then you can imagine. Now he his gracing the stages of Comedy Clubs all over with his twisted and somewhat perverted look at life and his philosophies.
Tim Yarosh's Upcoming Shows
Tim Yarosh is Known For


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The Air Resources Board (the Board or ARB) will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below to consider the adoption of modifications to the ARB Method 310, "Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Consumer Products," to include the determination of low vapor pressure-volatile organic compounds (LVP-VOC). At the hearing the Board will also consider the adoption of amendments to the definition and test method sections of the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions from Antiperspirants and Deodorants, the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions from Consumer Products, and the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions from Aerosol Coating Products.
|November 19, 1998
|9:30 a.m.
|Air Resources Board
Hearing Room, Lower Level
2020 L Street
Sacramento, California
This item will be considered at a two-day meeting of the ARB, which will commence at 9:30 a.m., November 19, 1998, and may continue at 8:30 a.m., November 20, 1998. This item may not be considered until November 20, 1998. Please consult the agenda for the meeting, which will be available at least 10 days before November 19, 1998, to determine the day on which this item will be considered.
This facility is accessible to persons with disabilities. If accommodation is needed, please contact ARB's Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594, or (800) 700-8326 for TDD calls from outside the Sacramento area by November 5, 1998.
Sections Affected: Amendments are being proposed to sections 94506(a), 94506.5, 94508(a)(78), 94515(a), and 94526, Title 17, California Code of Regulations (CCR), in order to revise the definition of LVP-VOC, to modify ARB Method 310, and to incorporate by reference those modifications to ARB Method 310 in the consumer products regulations.
Background: Section 41712 of the California Health and Safety Code requires the ARB to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum feasible reduction in reactive organic compounds (ROC) emitted by consumer products ("ROC" is equivalent to "VOC"). To date, the Board has adopted three regulations which establish VOC limits for various categories of consumer products. These regulations are the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions from Antiperspirants and Deodorants (the "antiperspirant and deodorant regulation"; sections 94500-94506.5, Title 17, CCR), the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions from Consumer Products (the "consumer products regulation"; sections 94507-94517, Title 17, CCR), and the Regulation for Reducing VOC Emissions form Aerosol Coating Products (the "aerosol coatings regulation"; sections 94520-94528, Title 17, CCR).
Each of these regulations contains a section specifying the applicable test methods. The test methods sections of the regulations are section 94506 (antiperspirants and deodorants), section 94515 (consumer products), and section 94526 (the aerosol coating products), Title 17, CCR. These sections incorporate a number of different test methods by reference . Some of the incorporated test methods are used to determine compliance with the applicable VOC limits, and some of the test methods are used to determine other types of compliance.
At its public hearing on November 21, 1996, the Board adopted Resolution 96-57 approving Method 310, "Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Consumer Products". At this hearing, the Board approved proposed amendments with various modifications to the originally proposed language. Revisions were approved to both Method 310 and to the test methods sections of the regulations specifically stating that Method 310 did not apply to the determination of LVP-VOCs in products. The revisions were adopted on September 25, 1997.
Since adoption of the modifications to the test method in 1997, ARB staff has worked closely with the public, including industry representatives, to develop a definition for LVP-VOC that would be both flexible and technically enforceable.
Description of the Proposed Regulatory Action: The ARB staff is proposing revisions to the definition of low vapor pressure-volatile organic compound (LVP-VOC) and to ARB Method 310, "Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Consumer Products." The proposed amendments to the definition would specify criteria for determining whether compounds or mixtures qualify as LVP-VOCs. These proposed amendments would be used in determining compliance with the applicable VOC limits, and the test methods as modified would be incorporated by reference in the test methods sections of the ARB regulations for antiperspirants and deodorants, consumer products, and aerosol coating products. The new test methods proposed to be incorporated by reference are ASTM D 86-96 (approved April 10, 1996), ASTM D 850-93 (approved April 15, 1993), ASTM 1078-97 (approved July 10, 1997), and ASTM D 2879-97 (approved April 10, 1997) as modified in Appendix B of ARB Method 310.
A product that initially does not appear to meet the applicable VOC standards may indeed be in compliance because it contains chemical compounds or chemical mixtures that qualify for the LVP-VOC exemption. Under the proposed modifications, if a product appeared not to meet the VOC standards, the Executive Officer would request the product manufacturer or responsible party to supply product formulation data. The Executive Officer currently has broad discretion to verify the accuracy of the formulation data. This includes conducting testing if the boiling point or vapor pressure is unknown. Such testing includes:
If a compound or mixture qualifies as an LVP-VOC, recalculate the percent VOC of the product using the formula as specified in Section 4.0 of the ARB Method 310.
Staff proposes changes to section 94506.5 to ensure consistent language with sections 94515 (consumer products regulation) and 94526 (aerosol coatings regulation). Under this section, for purposes of federal enforceability, the US EPA is not subject to approval determinations made by the ARB Executive Officer.
Staff proposes minor revisions to section 94526, subsections (c) and (e). These revisions delete language that is no longer necessary from a previous version of ARB Method 310.
Additionally, staff proposes updating seven reference test methods listed in Section 2 of Method 310 and incorporating them by reference. These reference methods, which have been recertified by ASTM and US EPA on the dates indicated, are the following: ASTM D 859-94 (approved May 15, 1994), ASTM D 2369-97 (approved July 10, 1997), ASTM D 3063-94 (approved November 15, 1994), ASTM D 3074-94 (approved November 15, 1994), ASTM D 3792-91 (approved May 15, 1991), ASTM D 4017-96a (approved July 10, 1996), and US EPA Method 8240B (approved September 1994). Staff also proposes clarifying that three methods referred to in section 94526 are incorporated by reference: ASTM 523-89 (approved March 31, 1989) , ASTM D 1213-91 (approved May 15, 1991), and ASTM D 5043-90 (approved April 27, 1990).
Staff proposes to add USEPA Method 8260B (approved December 1996). This method differs from USEPA Method 8240 by allowing the use of a capillary GC column. Otherwise, the two methods are essentially identical.
Staff proposes to replace the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Test Method 311 with SCAQMD Test Method 318. Test Method 311 determines the metal content of metallic aerosol coating products and is incorporated by reference in section 94526, subsection (c). In July 1996 the SCAQMD replaced Test Method 311 with Test Method 318, and staff proposes substituting Test Method 318 into section 94526, subsection (c), to be consistent.
Finally, staff proposes conforming revisions to the regulations to be consistent with the proposed modifications to the test method sections.
Comparable Federal Regulations: The US EPA has published a final rule, National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Consumer Products, which appeared in the Federal Register on September 11, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 48819). The federal rule specifies LVP-VOC criteria for exemption consideration and is similar in this regard to the ARB consumer products regulation. However, the US EPA's rule does not include a test method that is comparable with the proposed modified Method 310. Instead, the US EPA's rule relies predominately on formulation information to demonstrate compliance with its regulation.
The proposed modifications to Method 310 incorporate ASTM test methods by reference, many of which are also incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. However, the test methods incorporated in the Code of Federal Regulations are not used in the same manner as described in Method 310 (i.e., the federal test methods are not used to determine LVP-VOC status for consumer products).
The ARB staff has prepared an Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR) for the proposed regulatory action which includes a summary of the environmental and economic impacts of the proposal and technical support documentation. Copies of the ISOR may be obtained from the ARB's Public Information Office, 2020 L Street, Sacramento, California 95814, (916) 322-2990, at least 45 days prior to the scheduled hearing. The ISOR contains the full text of the proposed action. The staff has also compiled a record which includes all information upon which the proposal is based. This material is available for inspection upon request to the contact person identified immediately below. The ARB has determined that it is not feasible to draft the regulation in plain English due to the technical nature of the regulation; however, a plain English summary of the regulation is available from the agency contact person named in this notice, and is also contained in the ISOR for this regulatory action.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, please contact the Air Resources Board ADA Coordinator at (916) 322-4505, TDD (916) 324-9531, or (800) 700-8326 for TDD calls from outside the Sacramento area.
Further inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to George Lew of the Board's Engineering and Laboratory
Branch, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, California 95812,
(916) 263-1630. Further information may also be found by visiting the Internet at:
The determinations of the Board's Executive Officer concerning the costs or savings necessarily incurred in reasonable compliance with the proposed regulatory action are presented below.
The Executive Officer has determined that the proposed regulatory action will not create costs or savings, as defined in Government Code section 11346.5(a)(6), to any state agency or in federal funding to the State, costs or mandate to any local agency or school district whether or not reimbursable by the State pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with section 17500), Division 4, Title 2 of the Government Code, or other nondiscretionary savings to local agencies.
In developing this regulatory proposal, the ARB staff evaluated the potential economic impacts on private persons and businesses. The Executive Officer has determined in accordance with Government Code section 11346.5(a)(8), that the proposed regulatory action will not have a significant adverse economic impact on businesses, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states, or, in accordance with Government Code section 11346.5(a)(9), on directly-affected businesses or private persons. In accordance with Government Code section 11346.3, the Executive Officer has determined that the proposed regulatory action will not affect the creation or elimination of jobs within the State of California, the creation of new businesses or the elimination of existing businesses in California, or the expansion of businesses currently doing business within California. In accordance with Government Code section 11346.5(a)(11), the Executive Officer has determined that adoption of the proposed amendments will not have a significant effect on housing costs. An assessment of the economic impacts of the proposed amendments can be found in the ISOR.
The Board's Executive Officer has also determined, pursuant to Government Code section 11346.5(a)(3)(B), that the regulation will affect small business.
Before taking final action on the proposed regulatory action, the ARB must determine that no alternative considered by the agency would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the action is proposed or would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons or businesses than the proposed action.
The public may present comments relating to this matter orally or in writing. To be considered by the ARB, written submissions must be addressed to and received by the Clerk of the Board, Air Resources Board, P.O. Box, 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, or 2020 L Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, no later than 12:00 noon November 18, 1998, or received by the Clerk of the Board at the hearing.
The ARB requests, but does not require, that 20 copies of any written statement be submitted and that all written statements be filed at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The ARB encourages members of the public to bring any suggestions for modification of the proposed regulatory action to the attention of staff in advance of the hearing.
This regulatory action is proposed under the authority granted to the ARB in sections 39600, 39601, 39607, 41511, and 41712 of the Health and Safety Code. This action is proposed to implement, interpret, or make specific sections 39002, 39600, 39607, 40000, 41511, and 41712 of the Health and Safety Code.
The public hearing will be conducted in accordance with the California Administrative Procedure Act, Title 2, Division 3, Part 1, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with section 11340) of the Government Code. Following the public hearing, the ARB may adopt the regulatory language as originally proposed or with nonsubstantial or grammatical modifications. The ARB may also adopt the proposed regulatory language with other modifications if the modifications are sufficiently related to the originally proposed text that the public was adequately placed on notice that the regulatory language as modified could result from the proposed regulatory action. Staff is evaluating whether an additional method, such as ebulliometry or some similar method, could be used to determine vapor pressure. If an additional method is found to be suitable, staff will propose to include it in these modifications. In the event that such modifications are made, the full regulatory text, with the modifications clearly indicated, will be made available to the public for written comment at least 15 days before it is adopted.
The public may request a copy of the modified regulatory text from the ARB's Public Information Office, 2020 L Street, Sacramento, California 95814, (916) 322-2990.
Michael P. Kenny
Executive Officer
Date: September 22, 1998


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Countries that have royal families tend to be besotted with their monarchy. The British are no exception, and after living in the Royal Borough of Windsor for 4 years now, I also confess to some "royal watching". I admit to checking the flag on Windsor Castle daily (from my bedroom window), just to see if the Queen is in. "Queen's in" I'll quip, on my way to making myself my morning cuppa…silly woman that I am, it means nothing, but it is sort of nice to know!
Since I was away for Prince George's first birthday (shame on me), spending the summer in Canada, I was delighted to find this picture book in my house upon my return – a gift left from a house guest. Thanks Evelyn!
It's a great humorous look at all the fuss families make about a child's first birthday, when actually the toddler will never remember the event anyway, and in truth will usually ignore all the expensive toys and end up playing with the box! The greatest picture books are just as entertaining for the adult who's reading them, as for the children who are listening, and this one achieves that, in fact it will likely have the adults chuckling more.
Ada Grey has done a marvellous job of the illustrations: colourful and recognizable sketches of all of the members of the royal family including the Middletons. And there are corgis involved in all sorts of fun activities on every page! I wonder if the parachuting Queen was inspired by the London Olympics?
A fun picture book for Brits and Canadians alike, because even though they may not admit it, Canadian royal fans are just as besotted.
In case you are interested in royal collections, there was a previous book by Martha Mumford called Shhh! Don't Wake the Royal Baby which coincided a year ago with Prince George's birth.
Newsflash: Announcement made last night, another royal baby on the way! 🙂


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Breast and Lymphatic System Basics
Check With Your Health Care Provider About Breast Changes
Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer
Finding Breast Changes
Getting Your Mammogram Results
Follow-up Tests to Diagnose Breast Changes
Breast Changes and Conditions: Getting Follow-up Test Results
Getting the Support You Need
Breast Conditions and Follow-Up Care
Resources to Learn More
You may be reading this booklet because you, or your health care provider, found a breast lump or other breast change. Keep in mind that breast changes are very common. Most breast changes are not cancer. But it is very important to get the follow-up tests that your health care provider asks you to.
What are breast changes?
Many breast changes are changes in how your breast or nipple looks or feels. You may notice a lump or firmness in your breast or under your arm. Or perhaps the size or shape of your breast has changed. Your nipple may be pointing or facing inward (inverted) or feeling tender. The skin on your breast, areola, or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen. You may have nipple discharge, which is an abnormal fluid coming from the nipple.
If you have these or other breast changes, talk with your health care provider to get these changes checked as soon as possible.
This booklet can help you take these steps:
- Call your health care provider to make an appointment as soon as you notice any breast changes.
- Go back to see your health care provider if your mammogram result is abnormal.
- Get all of the follow-up tests and care that your health care provider asks you to.
It may be helpful to bring this booklet with you. It discusses breast changes that are not cancer (benign), as well as changes that are abnormal or could be signs of cancer. Feel free to read different sections in this booklet as you need them.
To order free copies of this booklet, call the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or click here to get free copies sent to you.
Breast and Lymphatic System Basics
To better understand breast changes, it helps to know what the breasts and lymphatic system are made of.
What are breasts made of?
Breasts are made of connective tissue, glandular tissue, and fatty tissue. Connective tissue and glandular tissue look dense, or white on a mammogram. Fatty tissue is non-dense, or black on a mammogram. Dense breasts can make mammograms harder to interpret.
Breasts have lobes, lobules, ducts, an areola, and a nipple.
- Lobes are sections of the glandular tissue. Lobes have smaller sections called lobules that end in tiny bulbs that can make milk.
- Ducts are thin tubes that connect the lobes and lobules. Milk flows from the lobules through the ducts to the nipple.
- The nipple is the small raised area at the tip of the breast. Milk flows through the nipple. The areola is the area of darker-colored skin around the nipple. Each breast also has lymph vessels.
What is the lymphatic system made of?
The lymphatic system, which is a part of your body's defense system, contains lymph vessels and lymph nodes.
- Lymph vessels are thin tubes that carry a fluid called lymph and white blood cells.
- Lymph vessels lead to small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are found near your breast, under your arm, above your collarbone, in your chest, and in other parts of your body.
- Lymph nodes filter substances in lymph to help fight infection and disease. They also store disease-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Check With Your Health Care Provider About Breast Changes
Check with your health care provider if you notice that your breast looks or feels different. No change is too small to ask about. In fact, the best time to call is when you first notice a breast change.
Breast changes to see your health care provider about:
A lump (mass) or a firm feeling
- A lump in or near your breast or under your arm
- Thick or firm tissue in or near your breast or under your arm
- A change in the size or shape of your breast
Lumps come in different shapes and sizes. Most lumps are not cancer.
If you notice a lump in one breast, check your other breast. If both breasts feel the same, it may be normal. Normal breast tissue can sometimes feel lumpy.
Some women do regular breast self-exams (BSE). Doing a BSE regularly can help you learn how your breast normally feels and make it easier to notice and find any changes.
Remember—doing a BSE regularly is not a substitute for regular mammograms.
|Always get a lump checked. Don't wait until your next mammogram. You may need to have tests to be sure that the lump is not cancer.
Nipple discharge or changes
- Nipple discharge (fluid that is not breast milk)
- Nipple changes, such as a nipple that points or faces inward (inverted) into the breast
Nipple discharge may be different colors or textures. Nipple discharge is not usually a sign of cancer. It can be caused by birth control pills, some medicines, and infections.
|Get nipple discharge checked, especially fluid that comes out by itself or fluid that is bloody.
Skin changes
- Itching, redness, scaling, dimples, or puckers on your breast
|If the skin on your breast changes, get it checked as soon as possible.
Talk with your health care provider.
To get the most from your visit, talk with your health care provider about any breast changes you notice, as well as your personal medical history and your family medical history.
Tell your health care provider about breast changes or problems:
- These are the breast changes or problems I have noticed: ________________________________
- This is what the breast change looks or feels like: (For example: Is the lump hard or soft? Does your breast feel tender or swollen? How big is the lump? What color is the nipple discharge?) ______________________________________________________________________________
- This is where the breast change is: (For example: What part of the breast feels different? Do both breasts feel different or only one breast?) _____________________________________________
- This is when I first noticed the breast change: __________________________________________
- Since then, this is the change I've noticed: (For example: Has it stayed the same or gotten worse?) ______________________________________________________________________________
Share your personal medical history:
- I've had these breast problems in the past: ____________________________________________
- These are the breast exams and tests that I have had: ___________________________________
- My last mammogram was on this date: _______________________________________________
- My last menstrual period began on this date: ___________________________________________
- These are the medicines or herbs that I take: __________________________________________
- Right now, I:
- Have breast implants
- Am pregnant
- Am breastfeeding
- I've had this type of cancer before: ___________________________________________________
Share your family medical history:
- My family members have had these breast problems or diseases: __________________________
- These family members had breast cancer: ____________________________________________
- They were this old when they had breast cancer: ________________________________________
For a printable checklist, please see page 6 of the Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women pdf.
Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer
Most women have changes in their breasts during their lifetime. Many of these changes are caused by hormones. For example, your breasts may feel more lumpy or tender at different times in your menstrual cycle.
Other breast changes can be caused by the normal aging process. As you near menopause, your breasts may lose tissue and fat. They may become smaller and feel lumpy. Most of these changes are not cancer; they are called benign changes. However, if you notice a breast change, don't wait until your next mammogram. Make an appointment to get it checked.
Young women who have not gone through menopause often have more dense tissue in their breasts. Dense tissue has more glandular and connective tissue and less fat tissue. This kind of tissue makes mammograms harder to interpret--because both dense tissue and tumors show up as solid white areas on x-ray images. Breast tissue gets less dense as women get older.
Before or during your menstrual periods, your breasts may feel swollen, tender, or painful. You may also feel one or more lumps during this time because of extra fluid in your breasts. These changes usually go away by the end of your menstrual cycle. Because some lumps are caused by normal hormone changes, your health care provider may have you come back for a return visit, at a different time in your menstrual cycle.
During pregnancy, your breasts may feel lumpy. This is usually because the glands that produce milk are increasing in number and getting larger.
While breastfeeding, you may get a condition called mastitis. This happens when a milk duct becomes blocked. Mastitis causes the breast to look red and feel lumpy, warm, and tender. It may be caused by an infection and it is often treated with antibiotics. Sometimes the duct may need to be drained. If the redness or mastitis does not go away with treatment, call your health care provider.
As you approach menopause, your menstrual periods may come less often. Your hormone levels also change. This can make your breasts feel tender, even when you are not having your menstrual period. Your breasts may also feel more lumpy than they did before.
If you are taking hormones (such as menopausal hormone therapy, birth control pills, or injections) your breasts may become more dense. This can make a mammogram harder to interpret. Be sure to let your health care provider know if you are taking hormones.
When you stop having menstrual periods (menopause), your hormone levels drop, and your breast tissue becomes less dense and more fatty. You may stop having any lumps, pain, or nipple discharge that you used to have. And because your breast tissue is less dense, mammograms may be easier to interpret.
Finding Breast Changes
Here are some ways your health care provider can find breast changes:
Clinical breast exam
During a clinical breast exam, your health care provider checks your breasts and nipples and under your arms for any abnormal changes. This exam is part of a routine check-up.
A mammogram is an x-ray picture of your breast tissue. This test may find tumors that are too small to feel. During a mammogram, each breast is pressed between two plastic plates. Some discomfort is normal, but if it's painful, tell the mammography technician.
The best time to get a mammogram is at the end of your menstrual period. This is when your breasts are less tender. Some women have less breast tenderness if they don't have any caffeine for a couple of days before the mammogram.
After the x-ray pictures are taken, they are sent to a radiologist, who studies them and sends a report to your health care provider.
Both film and digital mammography use x-rays to make a picture of the breast tissue. The actual procedure for getting the mammogram is the same. The difference is in how the images are recorded and stored. It's like the difference between a film camera and a digital camera.
- Film mammography stores the image directly on x-ray film.
- Digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer. Digital images can be made lighter, darker, or larger. Images can also be stored and shared electronically.
A research study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) showed that digital mammography and film mammography are about the same in terms of detecting breast cancer. However, digital mammography may be better at detecting breast cancer in woman who are under age 50, have very dense breasts, or are premenopausal or perimenopausal (the times before and at the beginning of menopause).
Talk with your health care provider to learn more about what is best for you.
|Mammograms are tests to check for breast changes that are often too small for you or your doctor to feel. Getting mammograms on a regular basis is the best way to find breast cancer early in most women. Talk with your health care provider about how often to get mammograms.
|Mammograms are used for both screening and diagnosis.
|Talk with the women in your life. Let them know that mammograms save lives. Take time to care for yourself and those who need you.
|Mammograms and breast implants
|When you make your appointment, be sure to tell the staff if you have breast implants. Ask if they have specialists who are trained in taking and reading mammograms of women with breast implants. This is important because breast implants can make it harder to see cancer or other abnormal changes on the mammogram. A special technique called implant displacement views is used.
Magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI, uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer to take detailed pictures of areas inside the breast. MRI is another tool that can be used to find breast cancer. However, MRIs don't replace mammograms. They are used in addition to mammograms in women who are at increased risk of breast cancer.
MRIs have some limits. For example, they cannot find breast changes such as microcalcifications. MRIs are also less specific than other tests. This means that they may give false-positive test results—the test shows that there is cancer when there really is not.
Talk with your health care provider about having other screening tests, such as an MRI, in addition to mammograms. Ask your health care provider if you are at increased risk of breast cancer due to:
Getting Your Mammogram Results
You should get a written report of your mammogram results within 30 days of your mammogram, since this is the law. Be sure the mammography facility has your address and phone number. It's helpful to get your mammogram at the same place each year. This way, your current mammogram can be compared with past mammograms.
If your results were normal:
- Your breast tissue shows no signs of a mass or calcification.
- Visit your health care provider if you notice a breast change before your next appointment.
If your results were abnormal:
- A breast change was found. It may be benign (not cancer), premalignant (may become cancer), or cancer.
- It's important to get all the follow-up tests your health care provider asks you to.
If you don't get your results, call your health care provider.
Keep in mind that most breast changes are not cancer. But all changes need to be checked, and more tests may be needed.
What can a mammogram show?
Mammograms can show lumps, calcifications, and other changes in your breast. The radiologist will study the mammogram for breast changes that do not look normal and for differences between your breasts. When possible, he or she will compare your most recent mammogram with past mammograms to check for changes.
Lump (or mass)
The size, shape, and edges of a lump give the radiologist important information. A lump that is not cancer often looks smooth and round and has a clear, defined edge. Lumps that look like this are often cysts. See Breast Changes and Conditions: Getting Follow-up Test Results for more information about cysts. However, if the lump on the mammogram has a jagged outline and an irregular shape, more tests are needed.
Depending on the size and shape of the lump, your health care provider may ask you to have:
- Another clinical breast exam
- Another mammogram to have a closer look at the area
- An ultrasound exam to find out if the lump is solid or is filled with fluid
- A test called a biopsy to remove cells, or the entire lump, to look at under a microscope to check for signs of disease
Calcifications are deposits of calcium in the breast tissue. They are too small to be felt, but can be seen on a mammogram. There are two types:
- Macrocalcifications look like small white dots on a mammogram. They are common in women over 50 years old. Macrocalcifications are not related to cancer and usually don't need more testing.
- Microcalcifications look like tiny white specks on a mammogram. They are usually not a sign of cancer. However, if they are found in an area of rapidly dividing cells, or grouped together in a certain way, you may need more tests.
Depending on how many calcifications you have, their size, and where they are found, your health care provider may ask you to have:
- Another mammogram to have a closer look at the area
- A test called a biopsy to check for signs of disease
Are mammogram results always right?
Mammography is an excellent tool to find breast changes in most women who have no signs of breast cancer. However, it may not detect all breast cancers. See your health care provider if you have a lump that was not seen on a mammogram or notice any other breast changes.
Follow-up Tests to Diagnose Breast Changes
An ultrasound exam, an MRI, a biopsy, or other follow-up tests may be needed to learn more about a breast change.
An ultrasound exam uses sound waves to make a picture of breast tissue. This picture is called a sonogram. It helps radiologists to see if a lump or mass is solid or filled with fluid. A fluid-filled lump is called a cyst.
Magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI, uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer to take detailed pictures of areas inside the breast. Sometimes breast lumps or large lymph nodes are found during a clinical breast exam or breast self-exam that were not seen on a mammogram or ultrasound. In these cases, an MRI can be used to learn more about these changes.
Breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of breast cells or tissue, or an entire lump. A pathologist then looks at the sample under a microscope to check for signs of disease. A biopsy is the only way to find out if cells are cancer.
Biopsies are usually done in an office or a clinic on an outpatient basis. This means you will go home the same day as the procedure. Local anesthesia is used for some biopsies. This means you will be awake, but you won't feel pain in your breast during the procedure. General anesthesia is often used for a surgical biopsy. This means that you will be asleep and won't wake up during the procedure.
Common types of breast biopsies:
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes. Your health care provider inserts a thin needle into the breast to take out fluid and cells.
- Core biopsy
A core biopsy, also called a core needle biopsy, uses a needle to remove small pieces or cores of breast tissue. The samples are about the size of a grain of rice. You may have a bruise, but usually not a scar.
- Vacuum-assisted biopsy
A vacuum-assisted biopsy uses a probe, connected to a vacuum device, to remove a small sample of breast tissue. The small cut made in the breast is much smaller than with surgical biopsy. This procedure causes very little scarring, and no stitches are needed.
|Your doctor may use ultrasound or mammography during a breast biopsy to help locate the breast change.
- Surgical biopsy
A surgical biopsy is an operation to remove part, or all, of a lump so it can be looked at under a microscope to check for signs of disease. Sometimes a doctor will do a surgical biopsy as the first step. Other times, a doctor may do a surgical biopsy if the results of a needle biopsy do not give enough information.
When only a sample of breast tissue is removed, it's called an incisional biopsy. When the entire lump or suspicious area is removed, it's called an excisional biopsy.
If the breast change cannot be felt, wire localization, also called needle localization, may be used to find the breast change. During wire localization, a thin, hollow needle is inserted into the breast. A mammogram is taken to make sure that the needle is in the right place. Then a fine wire is inserted through the hollow needle, to mark the area of tissue to be removed. Next, the needle is removed, and another mammogram is taken. You then go to the operating room where the surgeon removes the wire and surrounding breast tissue. The tissue is sent to the lab to be checked for signs of disease.
Questions to ask if a biopsy is recommended:
- Why is a biopsy needed? What will it tell us? ___________________________________________
- What type of biopsy will I have? How will the biopsy be done? ______________________________
- Where will the biopsy be done? How long will it take? ____________________________________
- Will it hurt? _____________________________________________________________________
- How much breast tissue will be removed?_____________________________________________
- Will I be awake? ________________________________________________________________
- What tests will be done on the breast tissue? __________________________________________
- When will I know the results?_______________________________________________________
- Will there be side effects? _________________________________________________________
- How should I care for the biopsy site? ________________________________________________
- Will I need to rest after the biopsy? __________________________________________________
Questions to ask about your biopsy results:
- What were the results of the biopsy? _________________________________________________
- What do the biopsy results mean? __________________________________________________
- What are the next steps? Do I need more tests? ________________________________________
- Who should I talk with next? ________________________________________________________
- Do I have an increased risk of breast cancer? __________________________________________
- Who can give me a second opinion on my biopsy results? ________________________________
For a printable checklist, please see page 19 of the Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women pdf.
Breast Changes and Conditions: Getting Follow-up Test Results
Test results will tell if you have:
Breast changes that are not cancer
Breast changes that are not cancer, but increase your risk of cancer
Breast changes that may become cancer
Breast cancer
Breast changes that are not cancer
These changes are not cancer and do not increase your risk of breast cancer. They are called benign changes.
Adenosis: Small, round lumps, or a lumpy feeling that are caused by enlarged breast lobules. Sometimes the lumps are too small to be felt. If there is scar-like tissue, the condition may be painful and is called sclerosing adenosis.
Cysts: Lumps filled with fluid. Breast cysts often get bigger and may be painful just before your menstrual period begins. Cysts are most common in premenopausal women and in women who are taking menopausal hormone therapy.
Fat necrosis: Round, firm lumps that usually don't hurt. The lumps most often appear after an injury to the breast, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Fibroadenomas: Hard, round lumps that may feel like a small marble and move around easily. They are usually painless and are most common in young women under 30 years old.
Intraductal papilloma: A wart-like growth in a milk duct of the breast. It's usually found close to the nipple and may cause clear, sticky, or bloody discharge from the nipple. It may also cause pain and a lump. It is most common in women 35-55 years old.
|Ask your doctor when you will get your test results. See the chart in Breast Conditions and Follow-Up Care for follow-up information.
Breast changes that are not cancer, but increase your risk of cancer
These conditions are not cancer, but having them increases your risk of breast cancer. They are considered risk factors for breast cancer. Other risk factors include, for example, your age and a family history of breast cancer.
- Atypical hyperplasia:
- Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the breast lobules.
- Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the breast ducts.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the breast lobules. There are more abnormal cells in the lobule with LCIS than with ALH. Since these cells have not spread outside the breast lobules, it's called "in situ," which is a Latin term that means "in place."
The abnormal cells found in these conditions are not cancer cells. If you have ALH, ADH, or LCIS, talk with a doctor who specializes in breast health to make a plan that works best for you. Depending on your personal and family medical history, it may include:
- Mammograms every year
- Clinical breast exams every 6 to 12 months
- Tamoxifen (for all women) or raloxifene (for postmenopausal women). These drugs have been shown to lower some women's risk of breast cancer.
- Surgery. A small number of women with LCIS and high risk factors for breast cancer may choose to have surgery.
- Clinical trials. Talk with your health care provider about whether a clinical trial is a good choice for you.
Breast changes that may become cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): DCIS is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. These cells have not spread outside the duct to the breast tissue. This is why it is called "in situ," which is a Latin term that means "in place." You may also hear DCIS called Stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ or noninvasive cancer.
Since it's not possible to determine which cases of DCIS will become invasive breast cancer, it's important to get treatment for DCIS. Talk with a doctor who specializes in breast health to learn more. Treatment for DCIS is based on how much of the breast is affected, where DCIS is in the breast, and its grade. Most women with DCIS are cured with proper treatment.
Treatment choices for DCIS include:
- Lumpectomy. This is a type of breast-conserving surgery or breast-sparing surgery. It is usually followed by radiation therapy.
- Mastectomy. This type of surgery is used to remove the breast or as much of the breast tissue as possible.
- Tamoxifen. This drug may also be taken to lower the chance that DCIS will come back, or to prevent invasive breast cancer.
- Clinical trials. Talk with your health care provider about whether a clinical trial is a good choice for you.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer cells:
- Grow and divide without control
- Invade nearby breast tissue
- May form a mass called a tumor
- May metastasize, or spread, to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body
After breast cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out the extent, or stage, of the cancer. The stage is based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.
For more information about breast cancer and to get answers to any questions you may have, call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). One free booklet you can ask for is: What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer. You can also visit the National Cancer Institute (NCI) online at www.cancer.gov.
|Get a second opinion
You may want to talk with another doctor to get a second opinion on your diagnosis or on your treatment. Many women do. And remember—it's important to talk with a doctor who specializes in breast cancer or in the breast condition that you have.
You can talk with your health care provider to find:
Most doctors welcome a second opinion, especially when treatment is involved. Getting a second opinion is often covered, or even required, by your health insurance. Talking with another doctor can give you peace of mind. It can also help you make the best choices about your health.
Getting the Support You Need
It can be upsetting to notice a breast change, to get an abnormal test result, or to learn about a new condition or disease. We hope that the information in this booklet has answered some of your questions and calmed some of your fears as you talk with your health care provider and get the follow-up care you need.
Many women choose to get extra help and support for themselves. It may help to think about people who have been there for you during challenging times in the past.
- Ask friends or loved ones for support. Take someone with you while you are learning about your testing and treatment choices.
- Ask your health care provider to:
- Explain medical terms that are new or confusing
- Share with you how other people have handled the types of feelings that you are having
- Tell you about specialists that you can talk with to learn more
- Get in touch with the organizations listed in Resources to Learn More to learn more.
Breast Conditions and Follow-Up Care
|What Your Doctor May Recommend
|Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
Regular follow-up, such as:
Treatment, such as:
|Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)
Regular follow-up, such as:
Treatment, such as:
|Breast cancer
Treatment depends on the extent or stage of cancer.
Tests are done to find out if the cancer has spread to others parts of your body.
Treatment may include:
Clinical trials may be an option for you. Talk with your doctor to learn more.
|Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Treatment is needed because doctors don't know which cases of DCIS may become invasive breast cancer. Treatment choices include:
|Fat necrosis
|Intraductal papilloma
|Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Regular follow-up, such as:
Treatment choices:
|More information on these breast conditions can be found on www.cancer.gov or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
Resources to Learn More
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
NCI has comprehensive research-based information on cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, and supportive care. We also have a clinical trials database and can offer tailored searches.
|Web site:
|www.cancer.gov or www.cancer.gov/espanol
Order publications at www.cancer.gov/publications or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER
We invite you to call or go online to talk with our trained information specialists, who speak English or Spanish, to:
- Get answers to any cancer-related questions you may have
- Get free NCI publications
- Learn more about specific resources and organizations in your area
- Find information on the NCI Web site www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society (ACS)
ACS gives cancer information and support to patients, families, and caregivers. It also supports research, community education, advocacy, and public policy issues. Trained cancer information specialists can answer questions about cancer, link you to resources in your community, and provide information on local events.
|Web site:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC conducts, supports, and promotes efforts to prevent cancer and increase early detection of cancer. CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides these services for underserved women:
- Clinical breast exams
- Mammograms (free or low-cost)
- Diagnostic tests if results are abnormal
- Referrals to treatment
|Toll Free:
|Web site:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS provides information for consumers about patient rights, prescription drugs, and health insurance issues, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and any age with permanent kidney failure. It covers an annual screening mammogram, among other services. Medicare has information about providers in your area. English-or Spanish-speaking representatives can help you.
|Web site:
Medicaid is a program for people who need financial help with medical bills. You can learn more about this program by calling your local state welfare offices, state health department, state social services agencies, or your state's Medicaid office. Spanish-speaking staff is available in some offices.
|Web site:
National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC)
NWHIC is a gateway to women's health information. NWHIC has English-and Spanish-speaking Information and Referral Specialists who will order free health information for you. They can also help you find organizations that can answer your health-related questions.
|Web site:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA has fact sheets and brochures about mammography, as well as information about a certified mammography facility near you. It also has laws about how these facilities are run.
|Web site:


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December 22, 2010
Thoughts for 2011
Posted in Market News by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
As we approach the end of 2010, I like to pause and reflect on the events of the year relative to both the economy as a whole, and the real estate markets in particular.
Read More >
December 20, 2010
December Perspective: Looking ahead
Posted in Windermere by Geoff Wood
It is December again, and beyond all of the holiday festivities it is also prediction season. It's that time of year when prognosticators everywhere wax eloquent on what might happen next year and beyond. Looking back, history is full of predictions from silly to bizarre, and from incredibly wrong to amazingly correct.
Read More >
December 14, 2010
Getting Through the Holidaze
Posted in Living by Tara Sharp
Perhaps it is just me, but I don't remember the distance between Halloween and mid-December ever being so short. I am shocked Chanukah has come and gone and Christmas is nearly here. Consensus seems to be that the year has flown past.
Read More >
December 10, 2010
What You Need To Know About Buying a Bank Owned Home
Posted in Uncategorized by Windermere Guest Author
Recently, news about how to purchase a real-estate owned (REO/bank owned) home, foreclosure property or short sale is everywhere. Bank owned homes are sold directly from the lender after the foreclosure process is complete, and while you may save quite a bit of money by choosing to go for this type of home, it is not without trials and tribulations.
Read More >
December 07, 2010
Does the Home of Your Dreams Really Exist?
Posted in Buying by Windermere Guest Author
When you ask yourself to visualize the home of your dreams, what comes to mind? Certainly not a nondescript 3 bedroom, two bath home. It's much more likely that your vision could include features like maple flooring, granite countertops, 6-panel doors, built-in speakers, or access to 220-electricity in the garage for a workshop. Everyone has their own custom needs and desires.
Read More >


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The Florida Highwaymen painter
Florida Highwaymen living legend Mary Ann Carroll, 68, says "Treasures are being destroyed. That's why I like painting landscapes. It's painting history." She has painted thousands of pictures depicting Florida's beautiful scenery.
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Börzen Zeitung reports Germany and France kick-off high-level discussions in Berlin today aimed at laying the groundwork for a crunch EU summit on the eurozone debt crisis at the end of the month. It is the first in a series of monthly mini-summits between Merkel and Sarkozy, who want toughen up the rules governing countries which use the single currency. The draft pact, which has been obtained by Sky News, proposes using the European Court of Justice to ensure eurozone countries keep their national debt and budget deficits within agreed limits. The mini-summit will also examine the introduction of a financial transaction tax, which Britain also strongly opposes.
Al Ahram reports that Arab League Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo have demanded that the Syrian government cease its bloody crackdown on protesters but affirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation in the country, despite criticism that monitors have been ineffectual at stopping violence. The move defied opposition politicians and activists who want to halt the mission and refer the issue to the UN Security Council. Many of them are calling for international military intervention.
Sanaa Radio announces that Yemen's cabinet has approved a draft law which grants President Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution as part of a Gulf-brokered transition deal. The law is still to be approved by the country's parliament. On Friday, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay criticised the deal, saying those who committed abuses during a crackdown on the civil unrest unrest must face justice.
Akhbar Al Youm reports aid groups were mounting a "major emergency operation" in rural South Sudan after tribe-on-tribe violence sent tens of thousands fleeing and killed an unknown number of people. The UN's humanitarian co-ordinator in South Sudan, Lise Grande, said aid groups were responding to a call for help from South Sudan's central government after a column of 6,000 armed men from the Lou Nuer ethnic group marched into Pibor in Jonglei state to target the Murle community in late December and early January.
Manila Times quotes President Benigno Aquino of the Philippine warnng of a possible terrorist attack during today's annual procession of a centuries-old image of Jesus Christ known as the Black Nazarene. Aquino said several terrorists planning to disrupt the religious procession, that may draw more than a million devotees, had been sighted in the capital. He asked devotees not to take mobile phones or weapons to the event.
Abrar quotes Iran's top nuclear official announcing that the country was on the verge of starting production at its second major uranium enrichment site – the Fordo plant, near the city of Qum. The new facility, buried deep underground on a well-defended military site, is considered far more resistant to airstrikes than the existing enrichment site at Natanz, limiting what Israeli officials, in particular, consider an important deterrent to Iran's nuclear aims.
Raw Story reports US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has confirmed that Iran is not developing its nuclear programme to make weapons.
News also from Iran today that former US Marine Amir Hekmati has been sentenced to death on charges of espionage. He has 20 days to appeal.
US Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has come under fire from fellow contenders ahead of Tuesday's primary vote in the state of New Hampshire. At a nationally televised NBC debate, the former Massachusetts governor's economic programme was called "timid" and his conservative credentials were also questioned.
New Straits Times reports Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been acquitted of sodomy after a two-year trial. Anwar, 64, had consistently denied the charges and called them a government bid to cripple his political ambitions and influence. He was jailed for sodomy in 1999 but the conviction was overturned. He had faced up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Jerusalem Post says The Bill to Prevent Infiltration, a central tenet of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's new policy on illegal immigration, is expected to pass its second and third (final) readings in the Knesset late Monday night. The new law could mean indefinite detention for refugees.
Japan camera maker Olympus is suing it's president Shuichi Takayama and other senior executives for concealing details of $1.7billion of fraudulent deals over a period of 13 years. The former Olympus CEO Michael Woodford was fired from his post after confronting Takayama.
Voice of Nigeria quotes President Goodluck Jonathan admitting for the first time that sympathisers of the Islamist Boko Haram group were in his government and security agencies. His comments come amid a wave of violence blamed on Boko Haram which has left dozens of people dead in the north, most of them Christians. Boko Haram, wants to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state, has warned southerners, who are mostly Christian and animist, to leave the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria. A senior Christian cleric has warned that the country is sliding towards civil war.
SwissInfo reports the new Libyan government decided on Sunday to lift sanctions against Switzerland and Lebanon, which Moammar Gaddafi had enacted several years ago.
Times of Malta reports that Police in Norway cut in half a traffic fine for a Swedish trucker on the grounds that Swedes earn less than Norwegians. Oslo newspaper VG reports that Ulf Ander Andersson, 61, was driving a lorry for his Norwegian employer in March when he was stopped by police, who found his brakes were not in order. He was fined £857 ($1,323) but last month got a letter saying the sum had been reduced due to his nationality. Mr Andersson told VG he was grateful, though he found it "very strange".


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