2013 Fresno State football recruiting: QB Zack Greenlee staying with Fresno State

Zack Greenlee has shunned Mississippi State and will stick with his commit to attend Fresno State.

Four-star quarterback Zack Greenlee has made it official (as official it can get before signing a letter of intent) by telling 247Sports that he will be sticking with Fresno State, and not signing with Mississippi State:

This tweet came after Mississipi State earned a verbal commit from dual-threat quarterback Damian Williams. The writing was on the wall for Greenlee to stay away from Mississippi State, because Williams was their second quarterback commit for the 2013 class.

Greenlee also would have been in a crowded group of quarterbacks trying to secure playing time, and also consider that he is not a mobile quarterback and would not fit in too well with the system that Dan Mullen runs.

This is a big win for Fresno State, and Greenlee will be battling for the backup spot as a true freshman with hopes of taking over for Derek Carr who will be graduating after the 2013 season.

For more Mountain West:

For the best news leading up to signing day:

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Source: http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/1/30/3932330/2013-fresno-state-football-recruiting-qb-zack-greenlee-staying-with

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Aetna, Texas Health Resources Form ACO

Written by Heather Punke?| January 30, 2013

Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Aetna have announced a new accountable care agreement, effective immediately.

The agreement is designed to provide Aetna members in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties with more coordinated care.

The ACO payment model will reward physicians for meeting the following measures:

??? ?Increase in percentage of members who receive recommended preventive care and screenings
??? ?Better chronic disease management
??? ?Reduced avoidable readmissions
??? ?Reduced emergency room visits by improving primary care access hours

Texas Health is building an integrated, physician-directed population health solution and also uses electronic medical records in its facilities, which will help physicians track their patients and facilitate smoother care transitions.

Aetna is not the first payor Texas Health has partnered with this year: The system announced an ACO with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas earlier this month.

More Articles on ACOs:

Aetna, Memorial Hermann Partner for ACO
ACO Readiness: 6 Chief Determinants
Disease-Specific ACOs Could Provide More Value

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To receive the latest hospital and health system business and legal news and analysis from Becker's Hospital Review, sign-up for the free Becker's Hospital Review E-weekly by clicking here.

Source: http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/aetna-texas-health-resources-form-aco.html

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Does your relationship with your father influence your choice of men?

That is wonderful that you have found that in both your husband and your father!

My dad and I weren't close. I always felt loved and supported but we didn't really talk and he wasn't particularly involved in my life. I remember when he moved out of home, I was turning 17. He never talked to me about it. He just moved out. I sat in my room listening to music.

He is a man of few words, with a large stature and a strong presence. I've observed the intimidating affect this can have on others. He likes to drink and it's his way of connecting. He's a man with a big heart though; has a lot of compassion.

When I was in my early-20's, we got drunk together on wine and he told me how he was upset that I rarely visited or called him after he moved out and how that was a difficult time in his life. I told him that I was the child in that situation and there was no support given to me. I expressed all the things I was dealing with during that time that he was clueless about. A time later, we both admitted our faults during that period and moved on.

I didn't rely on him emotionally but I did want to gain his approval. Being a man of few words, I've rarely heard words of encouragement from him but those moments that I have, I distinctly remember. I've since let that need for approval fall by the wayside. I'm good. I don't need that from him. I've asked his advice/insight with major decisions in life. I might not necessarily follow his advice but I do respect it. My husband highly respects my dad too.

But I would liken my husband more to my grandad. He likes to talk to people and is genuinely interested in others. He'll talk and laugh and his presence puts people at ease. He rarely drinks. He connects through conversation and making others feel welcomed and included.

Source: http://talkaboutmarriage.com/general-relationship-discussion/66468-does-your-relationship-your-father-influence-your-choice-men.html

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'Game of Thrones' meets 'Downton' on a piano

By Anna Chan, TODAY

Honor. Power struggles. Family drama. Death. Both "Game of Thrones" and "Downton Abbey" feature plenty of those themes, and now, they have another theme in common -- their theme songs.

YouTube user Sagar Jethani mashed up the tunes pretty darn seamlessly on his piano to create "Game of Downton Abbey," a nearly three-minute opus complete with the howling of direwolves and hunting dogs. (OK, not exactly. His pooch Duncan got a little excited during the performance and offered up some vocals.) Check it out:

Sure, the video's about a year old, but with "Downton" airing season 3 right now and "GoT" coming right up, this is a great way to enjoy something from both.

"Downton Abbey" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS. "Game of Thrones" returns March 31 on HBO.

Which TV theme songs would you like to hear mashed together? Tell us on our Facebook page!

Related content:

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Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/01/30/16775217-game-of-thrones-meets-downton-abbey-on-the-piano?lite

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SuperVegan | Vegan Drinks LVII: Support the New York Coalition for ...

Join us THIS Thursday, January 31, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm for Vegan Drinks NYC! Find us at Fontana?s Bar, located at 105 Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side. Harmony Kitchen NYC will be serving Southern BBQ Panini, Chick Melt Panini*, Grilled Chipotle Tofu Sandwich*, Spicy Hummus Avocado Wrap*, Chorizo Empanada, Spinach Empanada, Dill Potato Salad*, ?Bacon? Caesar Salad, Chocolate Chocolate Brownie*, and White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie (*gluten free or gluten-free option available)!

This month, we?ll be benefiting the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF). NYCHSF introduces plant-based foods and nutrition education in schools to educate the whole school community. The organization does this by working with school districts to develop recipes with a special focus on the entr?e, and developing curriculum and other educational resources for use in the classroom. Stuff some dollars in their donation jar and stock up on their raffle tickets so you can walk away with the following great prizes:

• Candle 79 Gift Certificate
• Pure Food and Wine Gift Certificate
• Vaute Couture Item
• One Month Equinox Gym Membership
• Free Class or One Day Workshop at the Open Center
• + more to come!

Music by DJ Grand Format, DJ Megan Rascal, and DJ Jason Das!

Have you read the new and improved Vegan Drinks FAQ? Please read it, even if you?re a regular at our event. (Really, please read it. All of it.)

We?ll turn down the music around 8:30pm and encourage people to promote themselves, their groups and/or causes for 30 seconds. If you represent a veg*n or animal rights group, come prepared with your (very short!) spiel and literature.

If you?re not already following our every move, connect with Vegan Drinks on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@vegandrinks), and join our e-mail list.

Vegan Drinks NYC is usually held the last Thursday of the month from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Do you represent an animal rights group you think should be the beneficiary of an upcoming Vegan Drinks NYC? Visit vegandrinks.org/beneficiaries to learn more about how to make that happen.

Source: http://supervegan.com/blog/vegan-drinks-lvii-support-the-new-york-coalition-for-healthy-school-food-this-thursday-january-31-at-fontanas-bar-food-by-harmony-kitchen-nyc/

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Today is Plumbing?. | The Oracle Of Ahwatukee . . .

I still am not sleeping well, I don?t know if it?s the excitement/apprehension involved in the Home Improvement project so I?ve been getting up early and preparing myself for a day ahead of the workmen, noise and progress. This 4:00 am thing is getting a little old, though?..

Today plumbing is on the schedule. The plumber got here at 8:00 am sharp and is hard at work. It is noisy, so hopefully he?s getting a lot of work done! Gary the Tile & Stone man got here at about 9:30 ? 10:00 and showed me the new Roman faucet for the tub. It?s very nice. Two thumbs up on that??

Gary is waiting for Ken the plumber to finish with the plumbing though it may take longer than he thought since there was the extra work to do with the unexpected hidden pipes that needed to be?resituated?so his men can move ahead with the Durarock and prepare the walls and shower area for tile. Ken said it?s hard to work in the small space and it was taking longer than he thought.

Gary said when he?s done the guys will be back to prepare the shower. I can?t wait to see that part of the process, unfortunately the plumbing is not a process where you?necessarily?see progress, and I can?t wait to see physical progress. We?ll then be on our way to getting ready for the tile??..I can?t wait to see that. I picked out tumbled stone in tannish white for the major part of the work and glass tile as the accent.

So we?re progressing?and I?m getting excited!

Evelyn Garone 1.29.13

About Evie Garone

I am a 40 something year old women with independent views of the world. I am spiritual but also realistic. I've raised two children who I've successfully sent off to college and now am following my love of English and writing. Thus, this blog and two books I'm currently working on. This entry was posted in artistic, bathrooms, Blogging, creative writing, Decorating, Home Improvement, Home Repair, Homes, plumbing, Uncategorized and tagged bathrooms, blogging, Home Improvement, plumbing, tile work. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://evelyngarone.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/today-is-plumbing/

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Iverson rules out basketball return in D-League

Allen Iverson has turned down an opportunity to return to basketball with the Dallas Mavericks' Development League affiliate.

Iverson posted a series of tweets on Tuesday explaining his decision to decline an offer from the Texas Legends. Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP with the Philadelphia 76ers, says, "While I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me."

Gary Moore, Iverson's manager, confirmed the decision with The Associated Press. Iverson was not available for an interview.

Iverson also wrote, "I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA." The 37-year-old Iverson has not played in the NBA since the 2009-10 season. He had a brief stop with a professional team in Turkey and has played exhibition games in China.

Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki recently passed Iverson for 18th on the NBA's career scoring list.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/iverson-rules-basketball-return-d-league-162559675--spt.html

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Kim Dotcom Is Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere and Live-Tweeting About It (Update: Escape)

Kim Dotcom is a character. Giving the finger to the government that took his site down by setting up a new one. Throwing a press conference complete with a fake FBI raid, pyrotechnics, and dancers. Demolishing cheap lawn furniture. Now, thanks to helicopter problems, he's stranded in the middle of nowhere. Ever the showman, he's making something of an event of it. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/mP_7fXYF59c/kim-dotcom-is-stranded-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-live+tweeting-about-it

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Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt: Just Pretending to Be Jackasses to Win Celebrity Big Brother?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/01/heidi-montag-and-spencer-pratt-just-pretending-to-be-jackasses-t/

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Education & Reference 2020: The Best American Science and ...

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://asokiano.blogspot.com/2013/01/education-reference-2020-best-american.html

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The Decayed & Blooming Blossoms

Kyo's alarm went off and he woke up growling. He stared at the white wall and got up. Getting dressed he slowly walked to the bathroom. Washing his face and then looking the mirror and sighing. He felt sore today and just wanted to sleep more. But he had to get up this was important and work related. He finished in the bathroom and got his keys. Walking to the door he slipped his boots on and sighed again.The opening the door and heading down the stairs. He then felt his mouth was dry and unpleasent.Kyo stood there at the vending machine waiting for his drink. He pulled it out when it was dropped in the slot. He grabbed it and then walked off.

The sun was still rising and the tips of the skyscrapers where glowing orange. Kyo looked at his watch and then stopped at the corner of the sidewalk. He then looked up and then crossed the street. It was a bit of a headache to those knew to Tokyo. The busy streets and loud sounds coming from just about everywhere.Kids yelling crying music playing and people yelling and laughing. He made his way around people and past shops heading to Die's place. Today was the day they would be coming up with new songs. It been a while and the band has been on a long break. But fans where getting worried about there absent. So the staff and the members have been starting to get back to work. Kyo got to a back ally and walked down it heading to a gate. He rang the door bell and the gate unlocked. He then headed down the path and then up metal stairs leading to Die's apartment.

Die opened his door and smiled and let Kyo in." want anything ?" He asked and smiled heading to the Kitchen. Kyo shook his head and then sat on the couch. The others would be here soon so Die left the door open a bit. Getting himself a red bull and joining Kyo. It was quiet as they sat there not saying a word. It was early and they both seemed sleepy still. Die then spoke" so how you been? its been a while you haven't been answering my texts or calls". Kyo looked at him" yah sorry...been busy and not feeling like talking much those messages keep coming...its pissing me off". Kyo said almost loosing his temper but calmed down. " ya just ignore them....little punks are just writing them to get us upset...there nothing Kyo...let them go". He smiled and looked at his phone and then to the door

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/YZyN-iAkraY/viewtopic.php

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Anger Management and Modifying Your Daily Behavior | Healthy ...

Webmaster | January 27, 2013 (2 hours ago) | no comments

Anger management is a strategy by which a human being comes to discover how their anger is brought on.

Sometimes conflicts in critiques, insecurity, or emotions of unfair treatment could lead to these issues.

Many modern day beliefs with regard to anger management lean toward the premise of living in the moment.

Once we?realize?that we in reality have very little or no power over other people?s thoughts and ideas, we can start to liberate ourselves and take responsibly for our own anger management triggers.

Occasionally in the course of a dispute folks will come to feel that another person?s opinion is a immediate attack on the very moral?fiber?of an individual. All of us is entitled to their own attitude and opinion.. Other people?s. You may wonder why this can make us angry.

The major mistake that people make whenever they process ridicule is that they believe the criticism to be a personal attack and thus they tend to take it personally. An effective anger management technique lies in seeing criticism constructively.

For instance, your spouse might complain that they don?t receive enough attention from you. Rather than pondering it as a personal attack, a very good anger management method will focus on this conduct specifically and not be offended by a personal attack.

By removing ourselves emotionally from criticism, we can commence to cultivate an perspective toward change that is balanced and can lead to less episodes of inappropriate anger. We have developed the process sound far too effortless, understandably.

But the truth of the matter is, it is challenging to alter. ?No pain, no gain? is a basic term that can come to mind in relation to anger management. It is so straightforward to return to old?behavior? specifically when we believe another person is attacking us personally. At this stage you really should seek out professional support with your anger troubles.

All through my tenure as a psychologist, many individuals who wanted advice in dealing with melancholy and anxiety. the underlining sense was anger. To understand the root of the condition, it could also require a variety of classes. We can start working together the moment the complaint with the customer is acknowledged as one of anger management

Mastering anger management skills has assisted countless people take notice of an improvement in overall amounts of fear and depression after only a couple of sessions.

Collectively with depression, fear, and a great number of other stressors that can take place in the path of everyday, typical daily life, anger must be harnessed to make full use of your intellect and refine it to the greatest of its healthy capacity.

A number of alternate concepts around psychological health complications, for example anger management concentrate highly on methods such as meditation and self-awareness therapy. These actions can give you power over your ideas as well as tranquility of mind, specifically feelings of rage and anger.

Anger by itself is not a negative thing, it is important to note this at this point. Quite a few of the accomplishments or overcoming of factors in history have at some point been motivated by anger.

The appropriate utilization of anger has the capacity to be an extremely potent foundation of energy.

All through history, anger has been accountable for bringing about incredible changes in the world and the way that we are living.

For more information, get in touch with an anger management therapist in your area.

?

Article by Wilmer Charpia

About the Author :?Wilmer Charpia is a personal trainer in Brisbane with over 10-years experience in personal training!

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Category: Healthy Mind

Source: http://www.healthylifestyleplus.com/mind/anger-management-and-modifying-the-every-day-behaviors/

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Aon Benfield see Sandy insured losses at $28.2 billion

LONDON (Reuters) - Natural disasters in the United States accounted for nearly 90 percent of global insured losses in 2012, with superstorm Sandy topping the bill with an estimated $28.2 billion in insured losses, reinsurance broker Aon Benfield said on Thursday.

Sandy's insurance cost combines the bill from private insurers and the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program from the storm, which slammed the east coast in October 2012, and is ranked as the second-worst disaster in U.S. history.

The NFIP said it expects losses from Sandy to reach between $6 billion - $12 billion, and has and requested a congressional bailout of its flood insurance operations.

To see some of the biggest initial Sandy-related loss estimates reported by insurers so far.

Aon Benfield, a unit of Aon PLC and the world's largest reinsurance broker, said insured and economic losses from worldwide natural catastrophes have increased substantially over the last 33 years, with economic losses trending up by 7.8 percent and insured losses by 11.3 percent annually since 1980.

Increased human population and increased insurance penetration and growth in the more exposed areas of the globe contributed to the increase, Aon Benfield said in its Annual Global Climate and Catastrophe Report.

Last year saw 295 separate natural disaster events, above the ten year average of 257, with the United States coming second to Asia in experiencing the most catastrophes.

The U.S. accounted for 67 percent of insured losses globally due to the high insurance take-up in the country, Aon Benfield said.

Global natural disasters in 2012 caused $72 billion in insured losses, 36 percent above the ten year average of $53 billion, Aon Benfield said.

(Editing by Keiron Henderson)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/aon-benfield-see-sandy-insured-losses-28-2-172734036--finance.html

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Calif. fund founder gets 2 years in prison in NYC (Providence Journal)

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Letters of Alfred Russel Wallace Go Online

The near-complete archive allows the sometimes overlooked 19th-century naturalist to emerge from Darwin's shadow

By James Poskett and Nature magazine

This portrait of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823?1913) was painted in 1923 by J. W. Beaufort. The Natural History Museum in London took it out of storage and unveiled it on 24 January to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the great naturalist's death. Image: Natural History Museum

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace are credited for co-discovering evolution by natural selection in early 1858. But on one morning back in the summer of 1852, as Wallace had just finished his breakfast, evolution nearly went up in smoke.

Wallace was on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, relaxing in his cabin, when the captain strolled in and announced, perhaps too calmly: ?I am afraid the ship's on fire. Come and see what you think of it."

Within a few hours, the vessel was on its side, engulfed in flames. Sitting in a small lifeboat 1,100 kilometers from land, with minimal supplies, Wallace almost fell victim to the very process he would later uncover ? what we would today call survival of the fittest.

Thankfully, after ten days, Wallace was rescued by the Jordeson, a brig running between the West Indies and London. On arriving back home, he was overjoyed, writing to a friend: ?Oh! Glorious day! ? Beef steaks and damson tart, a paradise for hungry sinners.?

This episode is just one of many to emerge from Wallace Letters Online, launched today on the website of the Natural History Museum in London. It is a project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation based in New York City to track down and digitize Wallace?s correspondence.

So far, the open-access database contains nearly 4,000 letters sent to and from the famous naturalist, or about 95% of his known surviving correspondence. The database is fully searchable and includes transcripts as well as scans of many of the letters. The launch of this database is part of Wallace100, a series of events celebrating Wallace?s life and work during the centenary of his death.

Darwin is so strongly associated with natural selection that Wallace is sometimes forgotten. However, with the launch of this database, scientists and historians can better understand the personal and scientific relationship between these two men. ?This is the first time that all of the Darwin and Wallace correspondence has been published in full,? says George Beccaloni, director of the project.

Shortly after the publication of Darwin?s On the Origin of Species in 1859, scientific debate turned to the problem of animal coloration: could natural selection explain the bright pigments observed in so many species? ?It was the test case of the new theory,? says Beccaloni.

Letters in the database address this, as well as topics as diverse as biogeography, socialism and phrenology. Currently, 60% of the letters have viewable images and 36% have transcripts. Over the next three years, the Natural History Museum intends to complete the transcripts, hiring two professional historians to produce scholarly annotations. ?The hope is that Wallace Letters Online will lead to a renaissance in research about Wallace,? says Beccaloni.

This article is reproduced with permission from the magazine Nature. The article was first published on January 24, 2013.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=f94e18e8860eb5e3af2ac72b6815eb51

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What is it about an inauguration that lightens the mood on Capitol Hill?

At a post-inaugural lunch on Capitol Hill, Obama and US lawmakers put rancor aside, and comity and laughter presided. On Inauguration Day, at least, Washington can still get along.

By David Grant,?Staff writer / January 21, 2013

President Barack Obama (r.) talks with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) at the conclusion of the Inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall after his ceremonial swearing in at the US Capitol on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 21.

Benjamin Myers/Reuters

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Not long after his second inaugural address on Monday, President Obama faced a pair of unlikely foes: first lady Michelle Obama and House Speaker John Boehner.

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?Michelle and the speaker of the House came to a meeting of the minds,? the famously long-winded Mr. Obama said during a lunch with congressional leaders and other dignitaries in the Capitol, ?that I may be delaying the proceedings too much.?

The sometimes bitter relationship between the president and the most powerful Republican in Washington disappeared for a moment, and there was laughter.?On Inauguration Day, at least, Washington can still get along.

Sure, some of the D.C. bonhomie of Inauguration Day is cheesy and evergreen, a tepid collegiality along the lines of US senators calling one another ?my dear friend? even as they excoriate each other on the Senate floor.?But on a day about American unity, the bipartisan comity was a warm reminder of the higher ideals that sometimes get lost amid factional strife.

?Today we praise the American tradition of transferring or reaffirming immense power as we inaugurate the president of the United States. We do this in a peaceful, orderly way,? said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) of Tennessee during the inaugural ceremony. Senator Alexander was one of the two Senate leaders charged with orchestrating the festivities surrounding Obama?s inauguration on the west Capitol steps.

?This is a moment when millions stop and watch ? a moment that is the most conspicuous and enduring symbol of our democracy,? continued Alexander, who left a position with the Senate?s GOP leadership in 2011 to more freely pursue bipartisan problemsolving.

Obama, too, struck a conciliatory tone during his lunch remarks.??I recognize that democracy is not always easy, and I recognize there are profound differences in this room,? he said.?

Later, Obama continued: ?I know that former President Carter, President Clinton, they understand the irony of the presidential office, which is, the longer you're there the more humble you become and the more mindful you are that it is beyond your poor powers individually to move this great country. You can only do it because you have extraordinary partners and a spirit of good will and, most of all, because of the strength and resilience and fundamental goodness of the American people.?

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky issued a statement in which he framed the matter of differences between the president and congressional Republicans as a key opportunity for the future.

?The President?s second term represents a fresh start when it comes to dealing with the great challenges of our day; particularly, the transcendent challenge of unsustainable federal spending and debt,? the minority leader said. ?Republicans are eager to work with the President on achieving this common goal, and we firmly believe that divided government provides the perfect opportunity to do so. Together, there is much we can achieve.?

But Vice President Joe Biden perhaps best encapsulated the inaugural spirit. Mr. Biden, a US Senate veteran of more than 30 years whom Obama has called upon time and again to hammer out deals with his former colleagues, suggested that every inauguration holds the potential for renewal between the White House and Congress.?

?It?s always a new beginning every time we're in this room,? the vice president said during the post-inaugural luncheon. ?And there?s a sense of possibilities and a sense of opportunity, and a sense, sometimes it?s fleeting, but a sense that maybe we can really begin to work together.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/IbuK8RdgTpE/What-is-it-about-an-inauguration-that-lightens-the-mood-on-Capitol-Hill

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Almost all in Congress use Twitter; if only bills could be as short as tweets

13 hrs.

Suzanne Choney , NBC News

Four years ago, when President Barack Obama was first inaugurated, the savvy social media politician was among the first to use Twitter to his advantage to get his message out to voters. Republicans also?used the short-messaging blog back?then to heckle the new president as he delivered a speech to Congress. (Even the mom of Missouri Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill?criticized her daughter for tweeting during the event, although her posts were about seeing Supreme Court? Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg there after her operation for cancer.)

Other politicians were still finding their way on Twitter, including former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra, who blared to the world he was on a secret mission to Iraq by tweeting about it in 2009, and in 2011, former New York congressman Anthony Weiner took to Twitter to share lewd photos of himself with a lady friend.

Times have changed with Internet speed. As President Obama heads into his second term,?most politicians are up to snuff?on social media, or have at least hired helpers who know how to make the most of 140 characters or less. Twitter gaffes are no longer the norm. These days, politicians use Twitter to connect with?constituents, provide updates on legislation, comment on big news stories and even share photos of their daily goings-on.?

What's more, Twitter announced that?all 100 members of the U.S. Senate now tweet, compared to 44 percent in 2011; and 90 percent of the members of the House of Representatives send out 140-word bits and bites (or at least their staffers do; it?s often hard to know who is really behind the tweeting). Still, with nearly all of Congress tweeting, why can't bill-writing be done with such brevity? (The Affordable Care Act would have looked a lot different if it had said: "Everybody. Gets. Covered. The End.")

NBC News asked Twitter to tell us who are the ?most followed? senators and representatives. They don?t have numbers quite?like the Bieb (33 million-plus followers) or even the president (26 million-plus). ?But Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, leads this list, with an impressive?nearly 1.8 million followers. Here are the top 5 from each branch of Congress:

SENATE

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona

Tweets: 4,469

Followers: 1,791,300

Joined Twitter: Feb. 22, 2010

He lost the presidential race in 2008, but still holds tremendous sway as one of the Republican Party?s senior senators.

Twitter tendencies: Because McCain, 76, does appeal to both sides of the aisle, his comments carry weight, although his tweets can be a bit dry (again, it?s not known how many of them he posts himself, or whether an overworked staffer is doing that). But they seem heartfelt and sincere. ?Impressive briefing from Afghan Army Gen. Waziri in E. #Afghanistan- heroes who've fought for their country for 30 yrs? ?Very positive meeting with President Karzai yesterday - US must maintain enduring partnership with #Afghanistan if we are to succeed here? and ?Does Eric Schmidt really think that any ordinary North Koreans will hear his call for Internet freedom??

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida

Tweets: 1,215
Followers:? 232,387

Joined Twitter: Aug. 6, 2008

The first-term senator is one of the Republican Party?s much-needed stars, and a Cuban-American who also has received props from the Tea Party.

Twitter tendencies: It could have been Rubio running as Mitt Romney?s veep candidate, although it was?Rep. Paul Ryan who was chosen last summer. Many think Rubio?s year will be 2016, and commend his work on immigration, sure to be a big issue, as indicated by the president in his inauguration speech. Rubio?s tweets seem to be his own, including these: ?#Esquire report on having less hair than I once did is sadly true. But good news is I am still in upper 2% in Senate.? And: ?Man pleads guilty to smuggling birds into US from #Cuba, HIDDEN IN HIS PANTS!!!?

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent, Vermont

Tweets:? 5,543
Followers: 136,187

Joined Twitter: April 7, 2009

Sanders is the Senate?s only registered Independent, and was recently re-elected to a second term after previously serving several years in Congress.

Twitter tendencies: Sanders titled his 1997 autobiography, ?Outsider in the House,? and enjoys his role as an independent, with a focus on the financial problems of the nation, as well as on global warming. ?In our closed-door (Democratic) caucuses, he's not one of the senators who wants to speak on everything," Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont told the Burlington Free-Press in 2008. "He picks his issues, and when he does speak, he has something valuable to say, and people listen." That includes on Twitter, where Sanders often strikes out at large corporations and Wall Street. ?Allowing Wall St CEOs to serve as @FederalReserve directors and hand-pick its members is a clear example of the fox guarding the henhouse,? he tweeted earlier this month.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota

Tweets:? 1,177
Followers: 113,763

Joined Twitter: July 8, 2007

The former ?Saturday Night Live? comedian tackles serious issues, including advocating for better mental health care in the wake of the Newtown school shootings, while also sponsoring lighter events like the recent Secret Santa gift exchange to break tensions among his colleagues.

Twitter tendencies: Franken isn?t a laugh-a-minute; he?s quite Minnesotan: Down-to-business and purposeful. Some of that may be his honesty-in-labeling: ?Official TeamFranken Twitter feed? is what his Twitter page says, indicating the tweets may not be all his. But he is focused on big issues, including Internet freedom and privacy. ?One hurdle cleared! #Senate Judiciary Cmte passes Al's #privacy bill to stop Smartphone Stalking,? he tweeted last month, as well as last June, a what-should-be-common sense approach to electronic records and health care: ?All laptops containing private medical information should be encrypted to protect privacy.?

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri

Tweets: 2,454
Followers:? 86,703

Joined Twitter: Sept. 6, 2008

McCaskill won re-election in November after defeating U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri, whose comments about ?legitimate rape? sent voters ? and his proposed Senate election ? over the edge.

Twitter tendencies: She is one of the few politicians who is personable and personal when she tweets, painting a picture for followers of real life in Washington, D.C. ?Among her tweets from the inauguration Monday: ?Four years ago today I began tweeting. One of my first tweets was a comment on (Supreme Court Justice Antonin) Scalia's weird hat. Will he wear it again? Stay tuned.? That was followed up by a tweet ? ?Yup. There it is? ? and sharing a photo she took.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio

Tweets: 9,854
Followers:? 434,913

Joined Twitter: July 25, 2007

The Speaker of the House is the BMOCH (Big Man on Capitol Hill), as the voice of the Republican Party.

Twitter tendencies: He?s a little drier than a roll of paper towels wrapped in plastic, but that?s probably what Americans expect of him. Tweets like ?House bills are now available for bulk download in XML via @USGPO,? and ?This?@aei chart shows ?above normal? government spending is driving force behind our debt? don?t win tweeting prizes. It?s also a big clue that the down-to-earth congressman probably doesn?t do his own tweets as a rule.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin

Tweets:? 1,188
Followers: ??327,076

Joined Twitter: Jan. 12, 2009

Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, was Romney?s vice-presidential candidate, and impressed conservative voters with his approach to handling the deficit.

Twitter tendencies: His post-election tweets have been few and far between; he likely had his biggest gains in followers during the campaign, taking the president to task for his fiscal policies. But some signs of Twitter life have been showing in recent days, including these tweets: "We must pay bills today & ensure we can pay bills tomorrow. To do that, we must cut spending & budget responsibly? and ?Senate Democrats have refused to pass a budget. Time to hold them accountable for this legal and moral failure.?

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California

Tweets:? 1,174
Followers:?? 293,092

Joined Twitter: Aug. 7, 2008

The minority House leader was the first woman to be speaker of the House, from 2007-2011, and during that time oversaw the House passage of the president?s landmark health reform law.

Twitter tendencies:? The intense, all-business, to-the-point Pelosi uses Twitter to promote the president?s agenda, as well as hers: ?The President has taken action to help protect families and children. Congress must now do its part to prevent gun violence,? she tweeted in recent days.? But she is also personal when appropriate: ?Saddened to hear of the passing of @PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford, who proved the power of a mother?s love can drive out hate,? Pelosi posted Jan. 10.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida

Tweets:? 2,984
Followers:? 173,794

Joined Twitter:? Feb. 20, 2010

Wasserman Schultz is the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, and party officials credit her for her role in helping the president carry her home state in the November election, and gaining more seats in the Senate and House.

Twitter tendencies: Very politically correct, as one might expect a DNC chairwoman to be, but also very Florida in defending ?my Gators? (we?re talking college football, not?the critters). She's?also a fan of the movie, ?Lincoln?: ?Just saw Lincoln, which was absolutely incredible. Raging debate over the 13th Amendment in 1865 makes fiscal cliff chasm seem so minute,? she tweeted Nov. 17.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota

Tweets:? 1,821
Followers:? 168,738

Joined Twitter: Dec. 18, 2008

The champion of the Tea Party unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination last year. She was re-elected to Congress in November.

Twitter tendencies:? Tiger when it comes to tearing down the president?s policies: ?At noon today, I introduced the first bill of the 113th Congress to repeal Obamacare in its entirety,? she tweeted Jan. 3. But she can also be?a little homespun: ?This morning I spoke to a great group of college students about my journey from student, wife and mother to politics,? she posted Jan. 15. And on Christmas Eve, she shared a link to a YouTube video with this Christmas Eve tweet: ?One of my favorite scenes from Charlie Brown Christmas. Merry Christmas.?

Check out Technology, GadgetBox, Digital?Life and InGame on?Facebook,?and on?Twitter, follow Suzanne Choney.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/almost-all-congress-use-twitter-if-only-bills-could-be-1B8038217

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Mother charged in twins' death in tragic fire

Trib Total Media

A house fire in North Braddock, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2013, claimed the lives of 3-year-old twins Ky'Heir (left) and Dy'Heir Arthur.

By Becky Bratu, Staff Writer, NBC News

A Pittsburgh mother whose 3-year-old twins died in a fire -- after she left them home alone to hunt for stolen marijuana -- ?has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the toddlers? deaths.

Dalawna Berran-Lett, 32, was also charged with endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment by Allegheny County Police after her two boys, Ky'heir and Dy'heir Arthur were killed in the Jan. 4 fire.

Police believe Berran-Lett left the boys unattended for at least 45 minutes while she tried to retrieve the bag of weed that had been stolen by her teenage daughter.

Investigators believe the twins started the fire trying to cook something.

It wasn't the first time the boys had used the stove ? or the first time pot was involved.

In late December, Berran-Lett came home to find smoke in the kitchen as the twins attempted to cook ribs, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. In that instance, police said she had left the children unattended for about 20 minutes while she went shopping -- for rolling papers to smoke marijuana.?

On Jan. 4, Berran-Lett told police she had left the boys watching television, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"It was too cold outside" to take them with her, she reportedly told police.

After locking the front door, she went looking for her daughter, Mariah, 15, who she believed had taken the marijuana from her purse. Police believe the woman left the house around 2:45 p.m.

While she was gone, investigators believe the boys turned on the stove, then, as the grease caught fire, the flames engulfed the wood-frame rental house.

The first call to the firefighters went out at 3:33 p.m., police said, from a contractor working on a neighboring house.

Berran-Lett returned to find her home on fire and surrounded by firefighters. Her daughter was also standing outside.

According to the Post-Gazette, one of the twins died of burns and smoke inhalation, while the other died of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Berran-Lett surrendered to police Tuesday afternoon. Her attorney, R. Blaine Jones II?told the Tribune-Review?the woman was distraught.?

"She is in the state of complete shock. She just buried her babies on Saturday,? Jones said.

Her daughter is currently staying with relatives, police said.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/23/16661614-mother-looking-for-stolen-drugs-charged-in-death-of-twin-toddlers-in-fire?lite

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First lady wears Thom Browne coat and dress

WASHINGTON (AP) ? First Lady Michelle Obama is wearing a navy Thom Browne coat and dress.

The fabric for the first lady's Inauguration Day attire was developed based on the style of a man's silk tie. The belt she is wearing is from J.Crew and her necklace was designed by Cathy Waterman. She is also wearing J.Crew shoes.

Her daughter Malia is also wearing a J.Crew ensemble. Sasha Obama is wearing a Kate Spade coat and dress.

At the end of the Inaugural festivities, the first lady's outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/first-lady-wears-thom-browne-coat-dress-140327878.html

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Video: Hall: Crime has no boundaries or barriers

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/newsnation/50552212/

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Know About Importance of Fitness Equipment

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Source: http://www.phentermine.com/forum/doctors-nutritionists/107902-know-about-importance-fitness-equipment.html

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Lady Gaga Eyes Neverland Ranch

Seems like a match made in bizarre celebrity heaven. Gaga wants to get her claws on Michael’s old stomping grounds, and she is serious! I couldn’t think of a better person to acquire the property, could you? Now before you have visions of Lady Gaga marching around Neverland in thigh-highs, sipping drinks with her other celeb friends — consider this. Sources say she actually just wants to keep it in the Jackson family for the sake of his kids. As you know the estate has had some financial troubles — mostly because everybody and their third cousin wants a piece — so the property was actually in jeopardy of getting sold off to some random schmoe. What’s more, the queen Monster herself has actually bought up a nice truckload of MJ memorabilia in recent times. Most people believe it’s because she doesn’t want to see it exploited by random collectors. At the time, she tweeted: “The 55 pieces I collected today will be archived and expertly cared for in the spirit and love of Michael Jackson, his bravery, and fans worldwide.” Okay, so we have established that she has good intentions. That’s all nice, warm and fuzzy feeling. So what [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/zzUbFC6SYm4/

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Photos capture energy, excitement in D.C.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/2013-inauguration-slideshow/

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Tyson's Sweepstakes Gives Away Hundreds of Health and Fitness ...

If you're hoping to get in better shape this year, Tyson's is giving you 131 chances. Enter the Tyson Grilled and Ready - 30 Days, 30 Ways, 30 Rewards Sweepstakes and you could win a variety of health and fitness prizes.

Prizes will be awarded daily, and include exercise equipment, Nintendo Wii Fit bundles, bikes, gift cards, and more.

Entry into Tyson Grilled and Ready's 30 Days, 30 Ways, 30 Rewards Sweepstakes is open to US residents above the age of majority. Enter daily through January 30, 2013. Read more...

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Source: http://contests.about.com/b/2013/01/20/tysons-sweepstakes-gives-away-hundreds-of-health-and-fitness-prizes.htm

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Obama urges action to tackle gun violence

FILE - This Jan. 16, 2013 file photo shows President Barack Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, gesturing as he talks about proposals to reduce gun violence, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington. Supporters of President Barack Obama's gun control plans are plotting a methodical, state-by-state campaign to try to persuade key lawmakers that it's in their political interest to back new restrictions. To do that, they have to overcome two decades of conventional wisdom that gun control is bad politics _ and the National Rifle Association is confident its supporters will prevail. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - This Jan. 16, 2013 file photo shows President Barack Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, gesturing as he talks about proposals to reduce gun violence, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington. Supporters of President Barack Obama's gun control plans are plotting a methodical, state-by-state campaign to try to persuade key lawmakers that it's in their political interest to back new restrictions. To do that, they have to overcome two decades of conventional wisdom that gun control is bad politics _ and the National Rifle Association is confident its supporters will prevail. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama is urging Americans to press Congress to support his proposals to tackle gun violence.

As he begins his second term, the president says in his weekly radio and Internet address that Americans should ask lawmakers why a good rating from the gun lobby is more important than keeping kids safe. He's referring to the powerful National Rifle Association, which opposes his new gun proposals.

The president says he's taking steps right away but Congress also must act. He's asking lawmakers to pass an assault-weapons ban, universal background checks and limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines.

In the Republican address, Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford is focusing on financial matters. He says any budget Congress approves must address government spending and debt.

___

Online:

Obama address: http://www.whitehouse.gov

Republican address: http://www.youtube.com/HouseConference

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-19-Obama/id-eb68484ae92944d49f63fa26c12110fd

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Catdance elevates the cat video to Sundance level

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, actress AnnaLynne McCord tries on a cat-shaped knit hat at the "Catdance Film Festival," where cat-themed shorts were shown during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Nekesa Mumbi Moody)

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, actress AnnaLynne McCord tries on a cat-shaped knit hat at the "Catdance Film Festival," where cat-themed shorts were shown during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Nekesa Mumbi Moody)

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, attendees of "Catdance" sit among cat-inspired spoofs of movie posters at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Nekesa Mumbi Moody)

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) ? Everyone's favorite Internet meme ? the cat video ? has hit the big time.

Behold the Catdance Film Festival, a one-night celebration of camera-worthy cats that was held Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival.

The five short films that were featured went beyond the typical surprised-kitty or cat-threatens-dog fare popular on YouTube. The Catdance films, culled from submissions by cat lovers across the country, told creative, feline-focused tales. There was the story of an aging Internet cat who can't cope with the loss of fame and "A Cat's Guide to Caring for a Human."

"Humans are inherently lazy," reported the latter film in a '50s-inspired instructional style. "Left to their own devices, they will sleep well past the break of dawn."

Other films included "Catalogue," where a couple orders a bedspread from a catalog and is surprised to see that the cat shown in the photo was shipped with the comforter. "Rocky" tells a heartfelt story of a man's 17-year relationship with his cat. In "A Change of Heart," a photo of a cat on a cellphone saves a failing relationship.

Each of the five finalists was awarded a golden cat-litter scoop.

Actress AnnaLynne McCord hosted the event, which was sponsored by the Fresh Step litter brand. The 25-year-old "90210" star is a lifelong cat lover who proudly displayed photos and videos of her cat, Christopher Buni, on her own cell Saturday.

"What's not to love about a cat?" she asked. "Cats have so much personality. They're very highly intelligent creatures, and if you're a highly intelligent creature, you respond to that."

McCord is known for taking her cat to work on set, and once dashed out of her house naked to chase away a coyote who was threatening her kitty companion.

The Catdance Film Festival was accompanied by a festive, feline-themed party on Park City's Main Street. Spoofs of famous movie posters dotted the walls, with cats replacing the stars of films such as "Top Gun," ''Pulp Fiction," ''The Big Lebowski" and "Clueless." Drinks such as the Feline Fresh and Kitten Kaboodle were served, along with tuna appetizers.

Catdance continues online: Fans can watch the feline films beginning Sunday and vote for their favorite until Feb. 28. The winning filmmaker will collect $10,000. Also available are limited-edition knit hats with cat ears, with all proceeds benefiting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Cats have even clawed their way into the actual Sundance festival. They had their own official entry with the short film "Catnip: Egress to Oblivion?", director Jason Willis' spoof of educational movies exploring social ills. The seven-minute film, which ran in Sundance's midnight-movie program, has commentary from the "Catnip Crisis Center" and other supposed scientific groups about the effects and hazards felines face when partaking of catnip.

Willis called it "mostly a home movie about my cats" and said the film's entire budget came to $25 ? to buy catnip.

___

AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen is tweeting from Sundance at www.twitter.com/APSandy.

___

AP Movie Writer David Germain contributed to this report.

___

Online:

http://apne.ws/10JOegj

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-01-20-US-Film-Sundance-Catdance/id-d1f92644db16453d95a0648955b3b45f

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Algerian assault ends crisis, 19 hostages dead

CAPTION CORRECTION, CORRECTS TO THE CITY OF AMENAS, ALGERIA, NOT THE AMENAS GAS FIELD, WHICH IS 45 KM FROM THE CITY AND NOT VISIBLE IN THIS IMAGE - This Oct. 8, 2012 satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows the city of Amenas, Algeria. At the Amenas Gas Field, 45 km from the city and not shown in this image, Algerian special forces launched a rescue operation Thursday and freed foreign hostages held by al-Qaida-linked militants, but estimates for the number of dead varied wildly from four to dozens. (AP Photo/DigitalGlobe)

CAPTION CORRECTION, CORRECTS TO THE CITY OF AMENAS, ALGERIA, NOT THE AMENAS GAS FIELD, WHICH IS 45 KM FROM THE CITY AND NOT VISIBLE IN THIS IMAGE - This Oct. 8, 2012 satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows the city of Amenas, Algeria. At the Amenas Gas Field, 45 km from the city and not shown in this image, Algerian special forces launched a rescue operation Thursday and freed foreign hostages held by al-Qaida-linked militants, but estimates for the number of dead varied wildly from four to dozens. (AP Photo/DigitalGlobe)

Map locates Ain Amenas, Algeria where hostages were taken

Unidentified rescued hostages pose for the media in Ain Amenas, Algeria, in this image taken from television Friday Jan. 18, 2013. Algeria?s state news service says nearly 100 out of 132 foreign hostages have been freed from a gas plant where Islamist militants had held them captive for three days. The APS news agency report was an unexpected indication of both more hostages than had previously been reported and a potentially breakthrough development in what has been a bloody siege. (AP Photo/Canal Algerie via Associated Press TV)

An unidentified rescued hostage receives treatment in a hospital in Ain Amenas, Algeria, in this image taken from television Friday Jan. 18, 2013. Algeria?s state news service says nearly 100 out of 132 foreign hostages have been freed from a gas plant where Islamist militants had held them captive for three days. The APS news agency report was an unexpected indication of both more hostages than had previously been reported and a potentially breakthrough development in what has been a bloody siege. (AP Photo/Canal Algerie via Associated Press TV)

Roadblocks prevent the access of the Tigentourine gas plant where hostages have been kidnapped by islamic militants, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. The hostage crisis in the remote desert of Algeria is not over, Britain said Friday, after an Algerian raid on the gas plant to wipe out Islamist militants and free their captives from at least 10 countries unleashed bloody chaos. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul)

AIN AMENAS, Algeria (AP) ? Algerian special forces stormed a natural gas complex in the middle of the Sahara desert on Saturday in a "final assault" that ended a four-day-old hostage crisis, according to the state news agency and two foreign governments. At least 19 hostages and 29 Islamist militants have been killed.

The report, quoting a security source, didn't say whether any hostages or militants remained alive, and it didn't give the nationalities of the dead.

It said the army was forced to intervene after a fire broke out in the plant and said the militants killed the hostages. It wasn't immediately possible to verify who killed the captives.

Seven hostages and 11 militants were killed in Saturday's operation, adding to the previous tally of 12 captives and 18 kidnappers.

The Ain Amenas plant is jointly run by BP, Norway's Statoil and Algeria's state-owned oil company. The governments of Norway and Britain said they received confirmation the siege was over.

The entire refinery was mined with explosives and set to blow up, the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach said in a statement, adding that the process of clearing the explosives had begun. The Algerian media reported that the militants had planned to blow up the complex.

The siege transfixed the world after radical Islamists linked to al-Qaida stormed the complex, which contained hundreds of plant workers from all over the world.

Algeria's response to the crisis was typical of the country's history in confronting terrorists ? military action over negotiation ? and caused an international outcry from countries worried about their citizens. Algerian military forces twice assaulted the areas where the hostages were being held with minimal apparent negotiation ? first on Thursday and then on Saturday.

The latest deaths bring the official Algerian tally of dead to 19 hostages and 29 militants, although reports on the number of dead, injured and freed have been contradictory throughout the crisis. Militants originally said they had seized 41 foreign hostages.

The al-Qaida-linked militants attacked the plant Wednesday morning. They crept across the border from Libya, 60 miles (100 kilometers) away, and fell on a pair of buses taking foreign workers to the airport. The buses' military escort drove off the attackers in a blaze of gunfire that sent bullets zinging over the heads of crouching workers. A Briton and an Algerian ? probably a security guard ? were killed.

Frustrated, the militants turned to the vast gas complex, divided between the workers' living quarters and the refinery itself, and seized hostages, the Algerian government said. The gas flowing to the site was cut off.

On Thursday, Algerian helicopters opened fire on a convoy carrying both kidnappers and their hostages, resulting in many deaths, according to witnesses.

In their final communications, the militants said they were holding seven hostages: three Belgian, two Americans, a Japanese and a Briton. They had threatened to kill them if the Algerian army attacked.

Algerian authorities estimated that about 30 militants occupied the Ain Amenas site Wednesday and with 18 already reported dead, it appeared Saturday that the hostage crisis was finally over.

The standoff has put the spotlight on al-Qaida-linked groups that roam remote areas of the Sahara, threatening vital infrastructure and energy interests. The militants initially said their operation was intended to stop a French attack on Islamist militants in neighboring Mali ? though they later said it was two months in the planning, long before the French intervention.

The accounts of hostages who escaped the complex highlight the cavalier attitude toward their lives taken by both kidnappers and the military.

Ruben Andrada, 49, a Filipino civil engineer who works as one of the project management staff for the Japanese company JGC Corp., described how Algerian helicopter gunships had earlier opened fire on vehicles carrying hostages and the gunmen who used them as shields.

On Thursday, about 35 hostages guarded by 15 militants were loaded into seven SUVs in a convoy to move them from the housing complex to the refinery, Andrada said. The militants placed "an explosive cord" around their necks and were told it would detonate if they tried to run away, he said.

"When we left the compound, there was shooting all around," Andrada said, describing the helicopters' attack. "I closed my eyes. We were going around in the desert. To me, I left it all to fate."

Andrada said when the vehicle he was in overturned, some of the passengers were able to escape. He sustained cuts and bruises and was grazed by a bullet on his right elbow. He later saw the blasted remains of other vehicles, and the severed leg of one of the gunmen.

The site of the gas plant spreads out over several hectares (acres) and includes a housing complex and the processing site, about a mile apart, making it especially complicated for the Algerians to secure the site and likely contributed to the lengthy standoff.

"It's a big and complex site. It's a huge place with a lot of people there and a lot of hiding places for hostages and terrorists," said Col. Richard Kemp, a retired commander of British forces who had dealt with hostage rescues in Iraq and Afghanistan. "These are experienced terrorists holding the hostages."

Casualty figures varied widely. The Algerian government now says 19 hostages and 29 militants have died since Thursday. Before the final assault, the militants claimed through the Mauritanian website ANI that the helicopter attack alone killed 35 hostages and 15 militants.

One American, from Texas, is among the dead, and the militants offered to trade two other American hostages for two terrorists behind bars in the U.S., an offer firmly rejected by Washington. At least one Briton, a Frenchman and Algerians have also died in the standoff. Escaped Algerian workers describe seeing people of many nationalities, including Japanese, shot down.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Saturday that there are believed to be no more French hostages in the gas complex. He said the Frenchman killed, Yann Desjeux, was a former member of the French Special Forces and part of the security team. The remaining three French nationals who were at the plant are now free, the Foreign Ministry said.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed that as of Saturday, there were "fewer than 10" British nationals still at risk or unaccounted for and "the majority of" Britons at the plant were now safe, he said.

Statoil CEO Helge Lund said Saturday that there were only six Norwegians unaccounted for, from the 17 at the plant at the time of the attack.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Saturday one Romanian hostage was killed in the course of the siege, while four escaped unharmed.

The attack by the Mali-based Masked Brigade had been in the works for two months, a member of the brigade told the online Mauritanian news outlet. He said militants targeted Algeria because they expected the country to support the international effort to root out extremists in neighboring Mali and it was carried out by a special commando unit, "Those Who Signed in Blood," tasked with attacking nations supporting intervention in Mali.

The kidnappers focused on the foreign workers, largely leaving alone the hundreds of Algerian workers who were briefly held hostage before being released or escaping.

Several of them arrived haggard-looking on a late-night flight into Algiers on Friday and described how the militants stormed the living quarters and immediately separated out the foreigners.

Mohamed, a 37-year-old nurse who like the others wouldn't allow his last names to be used for fear of trouble for himself or his family, said at least five people were shot to death, their bodies still in front of the infirmary when he left Thursday night.

Chabane, who worked in food services, said he bolted out the window and was hiding when he heard the militants speaking among themselves with Libyan, Egyptian and Tunisian accents. At one point, he said, they caught a Briton.

"They threatened him until he called out in English to his friends, telling them, 'Come out, come out. They're not going to kill you. They're looking for the Americans,'" Chabane said.

"A few minutes later, they blew him away."

_____

Paul Schemm reported from Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press writers Aomar Ouali and Karim Kebir in Algiers; Oliver Teves in Manila, Philippines; Elaine Ganley in Paris; Sylvia Hui in London, and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-19-Algeria-Kidnapping/id-600b00f013514dd0b9274998481bef90

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