Samsung Galaxy S II 4G (Virgin Mobile)

Smartphones?tend not to age gracefully, but after more than a year and a half since it was first released, the Samsung Galaxy S II has really held up well. It's finally made its way over to Virgin Mobile, in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G. That 4G has been added at the end because this is the second phone on Virgin that can tap into Sprint's abandoned 4G WiMAX network. That gets you much faster data speeds than most other prepaid phones if you live in the coverage area. You also get a big, beautiful screen, good call quality, and a solid camera. But all that comes at a steep $369.99 price. The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G is still a solid value, but the much less expensive HTC EVO 4G remains our Editors' Choice.

Editors' Note: The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G models on Boost?and Virgin Mobile are virtually identical, so we're sharing a lot of material between these two reviews. That said, we're testing each device separately, so read the review for your carrier of choice.

Physical Design, Call Quality, and Data Speeds
Lovely as ever, the Galaxy S II measures 5.1 by 2.7 by .4 inches (HWD) and weighs 4.8 ounces. It's a large white slab, made entirely of smooth, shiny plastic with gray accents on the sides and back. Keep in mind that this is a big phone; I was unable to hold it in one hand and drag down the notifications bar with my thumb. But if you like a big screen, you're in luck: The Galaxy S II has a beautiful, 4.52-inch, 800-by-480 Super AMOLED Plus display. This is lower resolution than the 960-by-540 display on the?HTC EVO 4G, but Super AMOLED Plus looks richer.

Note: The slideshow below shows the Boost Mobile model, but the Virgin Mobile model looks identical.


The Galaxy S II is a quad-band (800/850/1900/2600) CDMA/WiMAX phone that runs on Sprint's 3G and 4G networks. There's also 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. Reception is average and call quality is good. Voices sound full, clear, and natural, with plenty of punch and volume in the phone's earpiece. The speakerphone also sounds good but isn't loud enough to use outdoors. Calls made with the phone sound clear, though voices can have a slightly muted, robotic quality in the earpiece. I had no trouble connecting to a?Jawbone Era?Bluetooth headset and calls sounded fine. Samsung uses the powerful Vlingo app for voice dialing here instead of the usual Android option. It allows you to dictate texts messages and issue other commands by voice, though it sometimes had trouble connecting me to the names in my address book.

Battery life was solid, at 8 hours and 49 minutes of talk time over 3G. But turn on 4G, and that number drops considerably, even when you aren't using the phone. You'll probably only want to connect to 4G when you know you're going to use it.

As we discovered in our testing for the?Fastest Mobile Networks, Sprint has the slowest 3G speeds of all the carriers we tested. That means that all 3G-only Sprint and Virgin phones are running at some pretty challenged data speeds. Thankfully, 4G WiMAX support offers the Galaxy S II a major boost.?Running Ookla's Speedtest.net app, I saw average 4G download speeds of 5Mbps in Manhattan, all the way up to an impressive 10Mbps. Uploads stayed at 1.4Mbps across the board. While WiMAX will get you much faster data speeds, keep in mind that it isn't available everywhere the same way that 3G is. Make sure you're covered before you buy.

(Next page: Processor, Apps, Multimedia, and Conclusions)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/Hg0uqaYU5Kg/0,2817,2412846,00.asp

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20 Great Gifts for Your Pampered Pet | Life'd

Group of pets together

Any day is the right day to give pets presents, and the holidays are the perfect time to really spoil them! Whether you own a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, fish, or any other type of pet, there are great gifts available. Whether you?re looking to spoil your pet on a budget, or go all out and splurge, these 20 gifts for pampered pets should give you some great ideas for your gift shopping! Even if you don?t own a pet, you probably have a friend or family member with a totally pampered pet who would be thrilled to get any of these gifts.

1. Dog Mansions

Dog Mansions

Dog Mansions are the only choice in high-end living for the doggy 1%. When a regular doghouse just won?t do, dog mansions come in a variety of styles to match even the most discerning canine?s design preferences. Whether your dog prefers the sophistication of a southern mansion or the whimsy of a fairytale castle, he?ll feel every bit as special as he thinks he is when he rests from his long day at work chasing squirrels and barking at the mail truck. Prices start around $2,000.

2. FroliCat DART

FroliCat DART

The FroliCat DART entertains your cat for you by shining a laser light on the floor that some cats can?t resist chasing. The light rotates in 16 random patterns and speeds so you can take a breather while your cat wears herself out. Raise it up off the ground a few feet to create a larger play area for multiple kitties to play, and then sit back and laugh at their relentless pursuit of the ?un-catchable? light. You can get a FroliCat DART for less than $30.00.

3.?Labyrinth Aquarium

Labyrinth Aquarium

The?Labyrinth Aquarium becomes a showpiece and focal point of any room and demonstrates that a fish tank really can be a work of art. However, this opulent home for your fish is a very large work of art. Standing 54? high and 51? wide with a depth of 42?, you?ll need a big room to fit the Labyrinth Aquarium. This big showpiece also comes with a big price tag. At $6,500, you?ll need to be prepared to part with a hefty sum for this acrylic lucite and aluminum tank. You do get some silk plants and three auto lights with the tank, but you?ll have to supply your own fish.

4.?Bambu Pet Hammock

Bambu Pet Hammock

The?Bambu Pet Hammock let?s your pet have a comfy place to rest without ruining the design aesthetic of your home. It?s also perfect for environmentally conscious pet owners because it?s made from a sustainable and solid bamboo wood frame. It includes what the manufacturer refers to as the highest quality stain resistant, hypoallergenic, removable, and washable cushion as well as a unique mattress support system that helps to alleviate pressure points which can cause or aggravate arthritis. As for the design, the manufacturer explains that inspiration was drawn directly from the philosophies used by some of the most recognized Scandinavian furniture designers. Prices for these pet hammocks range from $199.99-$249.99.

5.?Pet Peek

Pet Peek

The?Pet Peek gives your dog a window to the world while keeping him safe behind the locked doors of your wood or vinyl privacy fence. If your dog longs to see what?s on the other side of the fence in your backyard, now you can show him without pulling out the leash and taking him for a walk. Instead, let him look through his own window anytime he wants! The Pet Peek window is made of a strong acrylic and can be purchased for about $35. The window is large enough that any kind of dog can use it to be as nosy as he wants.

6.?Buckingham Palace Kitty Mansion

Buckingham Palace Kitty Mansion

The?Buckingham Palace Kitty Mansion is perfect for the real king or queen of your house ? your cat. Kitty deserves a real castle that matches her self-appointed title, and now you can give her one for $2,500 (although, at the time of this article?s writing, you could pick up the Buckingham Palace Kitty Mansion on sale through the link above for just $1,200). Just like the real Buckingham Palace in London, the Buckingham Palace Kitty Mansion is big. It measures nearly 9? tall, over 6? wide, and nearly 4? deep. It?s a castle big enough for all of your cats and your friends? cats to play!

7. SuperCollar

SuperCollar

The SuperCollar is truly unique and very cool. Gone are the days of searching for your dog?s leash because the SuperCollar is a dog collar with a built-in leash. Just twist the toggle to pull out the leash anytime you need it and retract it when you don?t. The leash is made of coated steel and can resist over 100 pounds. When fully extended, it is 3? long, which is the length dog trainers recommend. The SuperCollar is for dogs between 20-90 pounds with neck sizes of 13? to 17?. The list price is about $60, but at the time this article was written, the SuperCollar was on sale for under $30 through the link above. A portion of SuperCollar proceeds go to pet, working dog, and disaster relief organizations.

8.?Desktop Jellyfish Tank

Desktop Jellyfish Tank

The?Desktop Jellyfish Tank makes a regular fish tank seem really boring. Why get a goldfish when you can get a jellyfish and why get a fish bowl when you can get a jellyfish tank with remote-controlled, color-changing LEDs that light up your jellyfish in green, blue, purple, and pink? You can get a Desktop Jellyfish Tank with jellyfish, organic food, and the tank supplies you need to get your jellyfish habitat up and running quickly. Prices start at $249. A deluxe kit is also available for $749 that includes a hermit crab, two cleaner snails, and even more supplies. The Desktop Jellyfish Tank is fully optimized for up to five jellyfish. It weighs 60 lbs. when it?s full and measures 18? high, 15? wide, and 8? deep. Make sure there is room on your desk or pick a different spot to show off your Desktop Jellyfish Tank before you bring it home.

9.?HyperDog Ball Launcher

HyperDog Ball Launcher

The?HyperDog Ball Launcher goes the distance when you can?t. Just pull back the slingshot, and you can launch balls up to 220 feet for your fetch-loving dog to retrieve. The handy picker-upper built right into the HyperDog Ball Launcher means you don?t have to touch the slobber-coated ball in order to launch it again and again. The HyperDog Ball Launcher comes in two sizes, so it can hold two or four balls. It costs about $25, making it a great gift for any dog owner or for any dog!

10. Litter Robot II

Litter Robot II

The Litter Robot II might not be pretty, but according to user reviews, it really works. It has a huge carbon filter that eliminates odors (even for multiple cats) and reduces the frequency you need to change the litter. When the time to change the litter does come, you just switch the bag, and you?re done. The Litter Robot II is motorized, so there will be some noise. A 90-day money-back guarantee is included, so you can always try it and return it if you?re not happy (or your cats refuse to use it). With a $350 price tag, the return policy is very good news! It also includes an 18-month warranty.

11.?Country Hamlet Birdhouse

Country Hamlet Birdhouse

The?Country Hamlet Birdhouse will have birds lined up to visit, and it will look great in your yard, too. The 2-story, 19th century design was built for outdoor use, complete with drainage, ventilation, and a removable back wall, but it?s also aesthetically pleasing with a wraparound porch, western cedar shingled roofing, and three hanging flowerpots. Holes are the perfect size for small birds like chickadees, wrens, finches, and nuthatches, so you?ll surely attract a variety of visitors. Keep in mind, this is not a small birdhouse. The Country Hamlet Birdhouse is 12? high and 16? wide with a 12? depth. You?ll need a post or mounting pedestal to hold it. This high-end birdhouse is priced at just under $300, but at the time of this article?s writing, it was on sale for under $250 through the link above.

?12.?Peter?s Walking Rabbit Jacket

Peter's Walking Rabbit Jacket

The?Peter?s Walking Rabbit Jacket gives your bunny some freedom, fun, and style. The jacket wraps snuggly around your pet rabbit without being overly constricting and secures with a handy velcro closure and quick-snap buttons. The material is durable and completely machine washable, and the leash is elasticized to accommodate big bunny hops. Peter?s Walking Rabbit jacket comes in a variety of patterns and colors for a list price of $13.99. If you know someone who has a pet rabbit (or you own a rabbit), then Peter?s Walking Rabbit would make a great gift.

13.?DJ Cat Scratch Turntable

DJ Cat Scratch Turntable

The?DJ Cat Scratch Turntable let?s your cute little kitty cat turn into DJ Kitty to the C-A-T so he can finally let his fly mixing skills out. Just put some catnip on the spinning cardboard, mixing deck-shaped scratching mat, and get your video camera ready, because you?re about to capture the next viral YouTube video. The DJ Cat Scratch Turntable is just under $35, and it assembles in seconds (no glue or tools required).

14.?Dog Rider Pet Costumes

Dog Rider Pet Costumes

The?Dog Rider Pet Costumes give new meaning to the phrase, ?Ride ?em cowboy.? They?re the perfect gift for a laugh, and with six different types of riders to choose from, you?re sure to find the right one for the dog or dog owner in your life. You can choose between a cowboy, jockey, headless horseman, monkey, mailman, or goblin. The adjustable harness fits most dogs, and since the Dog Rider Pet Costume is fairly unobtrusive to the dog (in comparison to other costumes), there is less chance that the dog will try to get it off. It?s also easy to put on the dog?s leash while she?s wearing the costume. The Dog Rider Pet Costume only costs about $20.

15.?Pet High Chair

Pet High Chair

The?Pet High Chair makes your dog or cat really feel like they?re part of the family during one of the most important times of the day ? mealtime! Who says pets can?t sit at the table and eat with their humans? For about $50, the Pet High Chair let?s pets join in rather than sitting on your lap, begging under the table, or being kicked out of the kitchen. Restraints give you peace of mind that your pet won?t try to escape from the Pet High Chair, and the durable nylon fabric and adjustable clips ensure that your pet will be at the right level but won?t fall out. You can fold up the Pet High Chair for dining-on-the-go or for storage. Do keep in mind that pets over 10 pounds are too big for the Pet High Chair.

16.?Indoor Dog Restroom

Indoor Dog Restroom

The?Indoor Dog Restroom takes the worry out of potty accidents by giving your dog a place to relieve himself without having to go outside. It?s ideal for people who work long hours whose dogs spend long days (or nights) at home alone without a way to go outside. Similarly, people who live in apartments in cities, disabled pet owners, and more will find the Indoor Dog Restroom to be extremely helpful. The mat is made of an antimicrobial turf material that is scented to attract dogs. It sits on top of a tray that can hold up to 2 gallons of liquid and is easy to empty and clean. It?s priced at just under $100, but it could be worth a lot more to the dog owner who could really use it for his or her pet.

17. Hats for Cats

Hats for Cats

Hats for Cats are available for any occasion. Dress your cat up in a Santa hat, an elf hat, or a Christmas crown during the holidays or give her a sailor?s hat, beret, or bonnet. There are many styles to choose from to fit every feline personality. If hats aren?t your cat?s thing, pick a bow or wig. Hats for Cats are handmade and have been featured on Good Morning America. Imagine the pictures you could take when your cat puts on her new hat!

18.?Pet Seat Belt

Pet Seat Belt

The?Pet Seat Belt is a must-have item for any pet owner. If you know anyone who has ever gotten in a car accident while their dog was in the car with them, then you know how dangerous it is to let pets ride in a car without a seat belt. Even a minor accident could cause significant injuries or death to an unrestrained pet. The Pet Seat Belt ensures that your pet will be as safe as you are if an accident happens. It?s comfortable, strong, and machine washable. It also comes in multiple sizes to fit all dog breeds. At just under $25, the Pet Seat Belt is an item that all pet owners should buy. If you know a pet owner who doesn?t have one, it?s a gift they?ll surely appreciate.

19. RuffBowl

RuffBowl

The RuffBowl is such a simple product but it?s also completely genius. It?s one of those products that everyone sees and thinks, ?Why didn?t I invent that?? If you own a dog, then you?ve probably taken her for a walk and watched your dog get thirsty or stop to poop when you?re completely unprepared. It?s hot and tiring to keep those four legs moving to keep up with you (or drag you to chase a multitude of amazing scents). With the RuffBowl, your dog can drink on the go, because it attaches easily to most large retractable leashes. Grab a bottle of water and your dog?s leash with the RuffBowl attached, and you and your dog can stay hydrated during your outing. And for emergency poop situations, you can use it to pick up the evidence while keeping your hands clean. It solves two problems for just $8. If you want to be sure the RuffBowl works with your dog?s leash, you can buy it with a matching retractable leash for $26.

20.?Featherstone Tudor Bird Cage

Featherstone Tudor Bird Cage

The?Featherstone Tudor Bird Cage ensures that your feathered friend lives in grand style. It comes with everything you?d expect to house a small bird like a parakeet or a medium-sized bird like a cockatiel, including two feeding dishes, a removable floor for cleaning, and two perches, as well as the luxurious design of a classic Tudor home. However, if a Tudor home isn?t right for your bird, you can choose a Stone Cottage, a Victorian, a Cape Cod, or a Brownstone. Prices range from $89 to $110 depending on the style you select.

Source: http://www.lifed.com/20-great-gifts-for-your-pampered-pet

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Chiefs begin picking up pieces after heartache

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? The Kansas City Chiefs returned to work Monday at their practice facility near Arrowhead Stadium, trying to find a sense of normalcy after two days of unimaginable heartache.

It proved nearly impossible to do.

The locker that once belong to Jovan Belcher, the linebacker who killed his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself Saturday, still had all his belongings in it. His shoes were piled up on the floor and freshly laundered clothes hung from a hook.

To enter the building, Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli had to walk past the place in the parking lot where Belcher put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, and Crennel admitted that an unsettling feeling came over him.

Teammates gathered in meetings and to watch film from Sunday's 27-21 win against the Carolina Panthers, one that ended an eight-game losing streak. They couldn't help but notice the empty seat that once belonged to their close friend.

"We have to deal with the events of the last few days, and it's not over, and it may not be over for some of us for most of our lives, but time heals all wounds, and so we're going to start working on the time thing," said Crennel, who's been a rock for everyone in the organization.

"It was like coming to work like you normally do," he said. "Now you think about the events as you walk through the door and walk through the parking lot, but you know the events are over, and you can't undo them. All you can do is work for the future and toward the future."

Following the emotional victory over Carolina, Crennel declined to discuss many of the details surrounding Belcher's suicide. He shared a bit more on Monday while attempting to prepare his team for the next game, including his exchange with the linebacker moments before his death.

"I was trying to get him to understand that life is not over, he still has a chance and let's get this worked out," said Crennel, who didn't know about Perkins' murder while he talked to Belcher.

Crennel, who has coached at the college or pro level for more than 40 years, said he had never seen Belcher with a gun before, and expressed his concerns over players owning firearms without knowing the laws.

"Generally what we've attempted to do was tell them to know the law, turn your gun in to our security people, let us hold onto it and then after that, if you need it, you can take it home," he said. "You can go put it in your safe or whatever you need to do with it, but the law allows for them to have guns."

Much of Monday seemed quite normal for the Chiefs.

They gathered for their normal team meetings in the morning, and watched video of their win over Carolina. They broke mid-afternoon to begin planning for next Sunday's visit to Cleveland.

Still, there were signs at every turn that nothing was quite as usual.

Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt routinely sticks around the day after a game, but this time he was there to lend support to an organization in mourning. Chaplains were also at the facility, as were outside counselors brought in to help players and staff come to grips with tragedy.

"It's new territory for everyone," tight end Tony Moeaki said. "We're all trying to figure out how to handle the situation. We're just trying to take it one day at a time, come into meetings ? it's nice to be in meetings, watching film. Your mind's not on it as much."

Linebacker Brandon Siler said he spent Thanksgiving with Belcher, and "it was Thanksgiving as you know it, all laughs and praying and loving."

"It was hard to walk back in the parking lot, but it was harder to sit in the meetings," Siler said. "He sits right beside me. That was hard. You keep looking at that seat, thinking he was going to show up at some time, you know? That's hard."

Players were also struggling to reconcile the man they knew with the man who murdered 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins, and who left a 3-year-old girl, Zoey, an orphan.

"I try not to do it, really," right tackle Eric Winston said. "I just try to accept the fact who he was pre, and who he was after, and I'm not sure those thoughts can live together, but until the end of the season, that's just going to have to do."

Yes, there is still a season to be played.

The Chiefs visit the Browns on Sunday and visit Oakland the following week, before returning home to play Indianapolis. Their season finale is Dec. 30 at Denver.

"It's something that there is no textbook on how to handle, and how to feel, and there's a lot of emotions, confusing emotions," center Ryan Lilja said. "But we're going to try to get back to football as best we can, and let guys grieve whatever way they need to, and be respectful of that, but we need to try to be back on football, and it's going to be tough."

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chiefs-begin-picking-pieces-heartache-223049825--nfl.html

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Texan State-Run Cancer Research Institute Accused of Putting ...

The largest state-run cancer research center, The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), is fighting for its reputation following a string of bad press relating to its grant review procedures. The institute, which is in charge of $3 billion dollars worth of taxpayer money, has been hit by numerous scandals and accusations that it is putting politics ahead of science.?

A Houston Chronicle?investigation into CPRIT has revealed several instances where the proper grant proposal review procedure was not followed and certain commercial projects where favored without scientific review.

Back in June, the Chronicle revealed the dubious review process that led to a $20 million grant being awarded to the M.D Institute for Applied Cancer Science in conjunction with Rice University. Dr. Lynda Chin, the scientific director of the M.D Anderson Institute, submitted a plan in early March for what would be CPRIT?s largest awarding grant to date. Jerry Cobbs, CRIT?s senior staff member overseeing commercialization grants, questioned the viability of Chin?s project suggesting it was not yet ?ready? and should be delayed.?ABC Local reported that the proposal was just 8 pages long. Dr. Chin, however, was awarded the grant by the end of the month supposedly thanks to the work of M.D Anderson associate and member of the CPRIT oversight committee Charles Tate.

Tate pushed the committee to enact rules that would enable so-called ?incubators,? organizations within CPRIT that nurture small companies through the drug development process, to dole out grant money without the project-by-project review usually undertaken by the scientific and commercialization committees within CPRIT. Further to this Tate encouraged the M.D Institute to join with a Rice University commercial grant proposal in order for it to circumvent scientific review by the CPRIT panel, then headed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Alfred Gilman.

The Chronicle?released the details of more grant-based mishaps last week?as they revealed that the agency approved an $11 million grant in 2010 with no scientific or commercial review whatsoever. The grant was awarded to Peloton Therapeutics after commercialization officer at the time, Jerry Cobbs, improperly included the proposal on a list of awards submitted to the oversight committee, despite it not being subject to the necessary review committees. Cobbs has since resigned for undisclosed reasons.

CPRIT was set up in 2007 following overwhelming approval as a ballot measure. Bill Gimson, the institute?s director, issued a statement regarding its continuing scandal. ?CPRIT must have the trust of our fellow Texans that we are not only doing great work, but that we are also doing everything the right way.?

Source: http://reason.com/blog/2012/12/04/texan-state-run-cancer-research-institut

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5 states to increase class time in some schools

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Open your notebooks and sharpen your pencils. School for thousands of public school students is about to get quite a bit longer.

Five states announced Monday that they will add at least 300 hours of learning time to the calendar in some schools starting in 2013. Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee will take part in the initiative, which is intended to boost student achievement and make U.S. schools more competitive on a global level.

The three-year pilot program will affect almost 20,000 students in 40 schools, with long-term hopes of expanding the program to include additional schools ? especially those that serve low-income communities. Schools, working in concert with districts, parents and teachers, will decide whether to make the school day longer, add more days to the school year or both.

All told, education officials expect to provide nearly 6 million more student learning hours next year.

"I'm convinced the kind of results we'll see over the next couple of years I think will compel the country to act in a very different way," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

A mix of federal, state and district funds will cover the costs of expanded learning time, with the Ford Foundation and the National Center on Time & Learning also chipping in resources. In Massachusetts, the program builds on the state's existing expanded-learning program. In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy is hailing it as a natural outgrowth of an education reform law the state passed in May that included about $100 million in new funding, much of it to help the neediest schools.

Spending more time in the classroom, officials said, will give students access to a more well-rounded curriculum that includes arts and music, individualized help for students who fall behind and opportunities to reinforce critical math and science skills.

"That extra time with their teachers or within a structured setting means all the world," said Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. "It means it allows them to continue the momentum they had the day before. It means they don't slip back over the summer. It allows them to really deliver."

At Stober Elementary in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colo., teachers and principals nervously embraced the idea.

"It's hard to get through all the curriculum in the time we have," said fourth grade teacher Jeanette Martinez, although she wondered how it would affect planning time and other teacher duties. "The extra hour is cool, but where are we going to get everything else done?"

Not all students were opposed, either, with some welcoming the chance to spend more time with their friends. But they drew the line at summer school.

"That's a 'no way' for me," fourth grader Olivia Nevadomski said in a school playground interview. "It's for sleepovers, staying up late and sleeping in."

The project comes as educators across the U.S. struggle to identify the best ways to strengthen a public education system that many fear has fallen behind other nations. Student testing, teacher evaluations, charter schools and voucher programs join longer school days on the list of reforms that have been put forward with varying degrees of success.

The report from the center, which advocates for extending instruction time, cites research suggesting students who spend more hours learning perform better. One such study, from Harvard economist Roland Fryer, argues that of all the factors affecting educational outcomes, two are the best predictors of success: intensive tutoring and adding at least 300 hours to the standard school calendar.

More classroom time has long been a priority for Duncan, who warned a congressional committee in May 2009 ? just months after becoming education secretary ? that American students were at a disadvantage compared to their peers in India and China. That same year, he suggested schools should be open six or seven days per week and should run 11 or 12 months out of the year.

"I think this is the kernels of a national movement," he said Monday as he announced the initiative.

But not everyone agrees that shorter school days are to blame. A report last year from the National School Boards Association's Center for Public Education disputed the notion that American schools have fallen behind in classroom time, pointing out that students in high-performing countries like South Korea, Finland and Japan actually spend less time in school than most U.S. students.

The broader push to extend classroom time could also run up against concerns from teachers unions. Longer school days became a major sticking point in a seven-day teachers strike in September in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel eventually won an extension of the school day but paid the price in other concessions granted to teachers.

Just over 1,000 U.S. schools already operate on expanded schedules, an increase of 53 percent over 2009, according to a report being released Monday in connection with the announcement by the National Center on Time & Learning. The nonprofit group said more schools should follow suit but stressed that expanded learning time isn't the right strategy for every school.

Some of the funds required to add 300 or more hours to the school calendar will come from shifting resources from existing federal programs, making use of the flexibility granted by waivers to No Child Left Behind. All five states taking part in the initiative have received waivers from the Education Department.

___

Associated Press writer Kristen Wyatt in Lakewood, Colo., contributed to this report.

___

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/5-states-increase-class-time-schools-221441177.html

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Hamas complains to Egypt after Israeli army kills Gazan

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas accused Israel on Saturday of violating the shaky, Egyptian-brokered Gaza truce of November 21 after Israeli troops killed a Palestinian taking part in a protest at the enclave's border fence.

Medical officials said the 21-year-old man had been among six Palestinians wounded by gunfire during Friday's demonstration near southern Rafah, and had later died in hospital.

The Israeli military said the Palestinians had tried to vandalise the fortified fence and that soldiers shot at their legs after first trying to warn them away.

The Gaza Strip's Hamas government described the incident, as well as the Israeli navy's seizure of nine Palestinian fisherman on Wednesday, as violations of a ceasefire mediated by Cairo to end a surge of cross-border fighting this month.

"We have discussed this with Egyptian officials, so they guarantee a cessation to those violations," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

Increased Palestinian access to the Gaza fence and to fishing waters heavily patrolled by Israel were among conditions lodged by Hamas and other armed factions in the Cairo talks.

Israel said it was willing to ease its military clampdown on the territory if the Palestinians did not pose a threat.

Since 2009, the Israelis had enforced a 300-metre-deep no-go zone on the Palestinian side of the border, saying this kept away gunmen and would-be infiltrators. It had also denied Palestinians the means of working swathes of farmland.

The army suspended zone enforcement after the November 21 truce, but killed another Palestinian in a similar fence protest two days later. Hamas, while condemning Israel, deployed police to evacuate other demonstrations.

Abu Zuhri's remarks did not indicate that the Islamist movement, which remains hostile to the Jewish state, wanted to abandon the ceasefire. The eight days of fighting this month killed 166 Palestinians, while Gazan rocket fire killed six Israelis.

A smaller Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad, was more threatening than Hamas, saying in a statement that "continued and so flagrant (Israeli) violations would put the calm at risk and push resistance factions to respond in a way they deem suitable".

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hamas-complains-egypt-israeli-army-kills-gazan-140833409.html

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internalcleansingcenter.com ? Mind/Body/Spirit

There comes a time in your life where you have to stop, look, and listen. Step outside yourself and really look at yourself through a third-person perspective. It?s hard to do. We never want others, or ourselves, to judge us. But judging ourselves is exactly what we need to do in order to take ourselves to the next level.?

If we want to expand our health and well-being, we need to look at ourselves and see what it is that we are doing in order to make that change. We need to establish what health and wellness means to us individually.? We all have different goals for different reasons.? And that?s because we are, in fact, very different. Some eat clean and exercise to stay lean. Some do it just because it?s a lifestyle. Some do it competitively for fitness and for sport. And some do it for all of the above?.mind, body, and spirit. Which is what I tend to lean towards.

When I don?t exercise and eat well on a regular basis, I don?t feel well. Not only in my body, but in my mind as well. There is a chemical/hormonal reaction that goes on in the body when we nourish and challenge it PROPERLY.? I feel funky in my body?-I get bloated, have digestive challenges, and fell fatigued?when I don?t take care of myself. And so for me, that leans more towards mind, body, and spirit?.they are all interconnected.

You cannot have one without the other. The body encapsulates the mind and the spirit.? It?s purpose is to manifest that which is brought on by the mind and the spirit. So it stands to reason that the physical issues/complaints/diseases??and all the good feeling stuff we experience, are a direct reflection of the thoughts we think, the emotions we feel, and the state of mind.

I know that in my lifetime, one of my biggest PHYSICAL issues has always been gastrointestinal. I have, of course along with millions of others, been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Which is basically what they tell you you have when they cannot find anything pathologically wrong with you and you seem to still struggle with digestive problems.? For years I went on elimination diets. For years I did cleansing. For years I followed exactly what they told me to do. More fiber. More exercise. More water. More More More!!! None of it worked??WHY???

Well, for me personally, and there is not getting around this?..it?s always been emotional/spiritual. That which we think is ALWAYS going to be reflected in our physical.

Ever know someone who can eat whatever they want and never have a digestive issue a day in their life while another person can eat the healthiest of healthy diets and have nothing but constipation, bloating, and other GI distress??

The more I treat clients, the more I see that with them, and myself as well, that the ones with IBS, are generally the ones who have the heaviest loads in life to deal with. Whether it?s a current situation, a past situation, or an upcoming situation.? We think too much and??thoughts become things. We literally think, worry, and panic ourselves into not feeling well. Stress is the leading cause of digestive issues in life?.and stress can lead to a plethora of other health issues as well. And most of the things we stress about we truly do not have any control over. So why worry about the things we cannot fix.

Things I personally have stressed over??work, health, family, finances?..all things that I have little or no control over I have tried to control all at once only to have them crash down at me all at once. That?s that feeling you get when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders?.that pit in your stomach?.that waking up in the middle of the night?..the inability to lose weight. It?s all stress. And it?s all useless mind chatter.

Let go. Be with what is present. The past IS in the past. The future IS in the future. What you do have is the present. And about the only thing you have control over?..are the thoughts you think. Think yourself into well-being. Love your mind, body, and spirit for exactly the way it is right now?.even if it?s not your ideal?.appreciate it for all that it is. Because when you do, you will look at yourself in a completely different light.

And that is what is called well-being.

Source: http://internalcleansingcenter.com/?p=220

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Cars trapped in tunnel collapse outside Tokyo

TOKYO (AP) ? Japanese police say that parts of a tunnel have collapsed on a highway west of Tokyo, trapping an unknown number of vehicles as smoke from a fire inside prevented rescuers from approaching.

A police spokesman, Yoshihiro Fukutani, said police were still trying to learn the exact situation inside the Sasago Tunnel, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) outside the city, after parts of a wall inside collapsed early Sunday morning.

Television footage showed police vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances massed outside the tunnel's entrance. A man who said he saw the collapse and alerted authorities to the emergency managed to escape after he was ordered to flee. The roof and windows of another vehicle parked on the roadside outside the tunnel were crushed; the injured occupants reportedly taken to a hospital.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cars-trapped-tunnel-collapse-outside-tokyo-024529497.html

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Communities, Survivors Unite For World AIDS Day | 5NEWSOnline ...

Posted on: 5:18 pm, December 1, 2012, by Meredith Baldwin, updated on: 08:01pm, December 1, 2012

For the last 25 years, people across the world have joined together on Dec. 1 to combat HIV and AIDS. Communities across the state come together for World AIDS Day to reflect on a very serious pandemic impacting our society.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates close to 34 million people across the globe have HIV.

Told by her doctor that she was going to die, a River Valley woman said she?s lucky to be alive.

?For some reason, God saved my life,? Kari Farmer said. ?For some reason, I?m alive. I was told two years ago [by a doctor] that I was going to die, that I should prepare my funeral. And here it is ? two years.?

Farmer now deals with HIV every single day.

?It began in September of 2010,? Farmer recalled. ?I started getting sick. I was diagnosed in November of 2010. But I was diagnosed with AIDS. And I got the help, and I got the medication and now I?m good.?

Farmer?s passion is helping other and raising awareness. She?s also working to remove the stigma behind the disease.

?A lot of people still think it?s a gay disease,? Farmer said. ?And its not. I?m a heterosexual woman. And I?m a mother. And a girl scout leader. And I live a normal life. It can happen to anybody.?

AR Hope, Inc.? hosted two candlelight vigils Saturday night in honor of the event. The hope behind World AIDS Day is to remind the public that HIV is still a serious disease as well as to show support for those across the globe who are affected and commemorate those who have died.

Source: http://5newsonline.com/2012/12/01/communities-survivors-unite-for-world-aids-day/

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FREE demo of Sport of Fencing | Hingham Sports & Recreation ...

Tomorrow, December 2, 2012, 4:30 pm

222 Main St, Kingston, MA | Get?Directions??
FREE

FREE Demo & Intro to the Sport of Fencing.

SabreK for 8 - 10 yo (one adult free during course)

Foil : for all other ages thru wisdom laden maturity

4:30 to 5:00 : show-'N-tell

5:00 to 5:30 : witness a Foil2 class session.

41.99324

-70.73185

primary

/events/free-demo-of-sport-of-fencing

/locations/8261225

Source: http://hingham.patch.com/events/free-demo-of-sport-of-fencing

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Source: http://minhchandler14.typepad.com/blog/2012/12/free-demo-of-sport-of-fencing-hingham-sports-recreation.html

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