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Monday, May 20, 2013

Will Amazon raise its prices?

Razor-thin margins and several new investments led to a profit loss for Amazon in 2012. Will Amazon's shoppers pay the price?

By Angela Colley,?Contributor / May 18, 2013

An Amazon.com package is prepared for shipment by a United Parcel Service driver in Palo Alto, Calif. Amazon had a revenue gap in 2012, and it may well be consumers who foot the bill.

Paul Sakuma/AP/File

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In its fourth quarter earnings report, Amazon reported a net sales increase of 27%, raising its sales revenue to $61.09 billion. The retail giant's operational costs also went down by 22% to $676 million, but Amazon ended its year in the red with a net loss of $39 million, compared to its net income of $631 million in 2011.

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PFT: Te'o shows up at Maxim party

At a time when the Jaguars aren?t interested in bringing Tim Tebow home to Jacksonville, he went there anyway.

Via the Florida Times-Union, Tebow was in town Friday night to speak at New Life Christian Fellowship.? As he did earlier this month in Michigan, he said nothing about his NFL future.

Tebow did offer one funny, self-deprecating jab at his NFL past.

?One of my favorite stories, ironically, was against the New York Jets,? Tebow said, referring to the game-winning touchdown run for the Broncos, in a 2011 Thursday night game.? ?And probably my greatest Jets highlight, I guess.?

The Jaguars remain uninterested in allowing Tebow to create similar highlights for them, even though in 2012 the Jags tried to trade for Tebow.? Jaguars legend Tony Boselli recently suggested that Tebow possibly could be a ?franchise quarterback,? but Boselli agreed with the Jaguars? decision to steer clear of Tebowmania.

?What team wants to bring a guy who?s a developing player onto their roster when he?s going to be a complete distraction ? through no fault of his own ? and become a disruption in the locker room?? Boselli said.? ?It becomes all about that ? whether he is going to play, whether it?s going to work ? and the rest of the team is saying, ?We?re trying to win ballgames.?? I feel bad for Tim because I don?t think it?s all his fault.? It?s outside circumstances and people who are making it tough on him.?

Still, Tebow?s image feels partially scripted and contrived.? Though he seems to be a good person, there?s a too-good-to-be-completely-true element that Tebow and/or those close to him possibly have helped perpetuate.? Many casual fans have bought it completely, prompting them to skew their view of his football abilities.

Unless a team is willing to embrace Tebow and Tebowmania, making him the starting quarterback no matter how bad he is in practice or the first 3.75 quarters of a close game, it won?t work.? With no team willing to do that for 2013, the question becomes whether a team that stinks this season will decide that, for 2014, it can stink again without Tebow ? or it can stink with him.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/18/teo-shows-up-at-maxim-party-honoring-fake-girlfriend/related/

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Slim, broadcasters take fight to soccer field

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2013 file photo, Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim speaks during news conference at the Soumaya museum in Mexico City. Slim recently bought part of two of Mexico's first division soccer teams, setting up another showdown with television giants Televisa and TV Azteca, major players in the soccer field that are in turn trying to push their way into Slim?s telecommunications and Internet markets. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, File)

MEXICO CITY (AP) ? Mexicans often feel that billionaire Carlos Slim owns everything in their country, from telephone and Internet companies to banks and chain stores, but his latest acquisitive foray is meeting resistance after touching a national passion: soccer.

Slim recently bought part of two of Mexico's first division soccer teams, setting up another showdown with television giants Televisa and TV Azteca, major players in the soccer field that are in turn trying to push their way into Slim's telecommunications and Internet markets.

The owners of the 18 Mexican first division clubs are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether one person or one company can own more than one first-division soccer team, and many see Slim as the target.

Each team has one vote in decisions by the Mexican Football Federation, so purchasing more teams would give Slim more power in the federation. Recently, there have been rumors in sporting circles and on social networks that Slim also plans to buy or acquire the broadcast rights for Chivas, one of Mexico's two most popular teams, along with Televisa's America. The billionaire's spokesmen have denied that.

"What is evident in their business decisions is that Televisa is interested in entering Slim's mobile and broadband fields and Slim is interested in entering the soccer field, which has been under the monopoly of the two television networks," said telecommunications analyst Gabriel Sosa Plata, referring to the fact that the networks long had exclusive broadcast rights to the games of all 18 teams.

Slim ventured into soccer in September, when he bought 30 percent of the shares in the Leon and Pachuca teams through his telecommunications company America Movil. In December, he bought all the shares of the second division team Estudiantes Tecos.

Following the acquisitions, team owners in February decided to discuss the issue of multi-ownership.

The decision raised some eyebrows since TV Azteca currently owns two teams, the Jaguares and Morelia, and Televisa once owned three first division teams, America, Necaxa and San Luis, without notable complaints within the federation about the issue of multi-team ownership. The world football authority, FIFA, however, has expressed concern about conflict of interest questions raised by the issue.

Pachuca's owner, Jesus Martinez, said he was shocked that the subject of multi-ownership has come up since Slim ventured into soccer.

"It's laughable because that (multi-ownership) has been going on for more than 25 years," Martinez said.

But Televisa currently owns just one team, America, and TV Azteca is reportedly thinking of selling the Jaguares to a business group that would relocate it from Chiapas state to Queretaro. A Jaguares' spokesman wouldn't comment on the report but if the purchase takes place, Slim would be the only businessman with multiple teams in the first division.

Neither Televisa, the world's largest producer of Spanish-language TV programs, nor TV Azteca immediately responded to interview requests by The Associated Press.

Decio de Maria, president of the Mexican Soccer League, said that if there is a vote against a single person or company owning several teams, Slim wouldn't be obligated to sell one of his teams but he would be prevented from buying more first division teams.

"In the next owners assembly, they will discuss whether there are differences between multi-ownership now and what has been happening in the past and if there are then we will take the necessary measures," said Slim's spokesman Arturo Elias Ayub.

So the upcoming vote on the subject seems geared to preventing Slim from buying more teams, not forcing him to shed one he already has.

Slim's foray into the world of soccer is also threatening the two TV networks in an area they hold dear: broadcast rights to games.

Slim's America Movil is a leading provider of cable and satellite television in Latin America but he has not been able to launch a network of his own in Mexico, something that could change after a recent approval of a reform that allows for more competition in the telecommunications sector.

Lacking his own station, after acquiring part of Leon, Slim began marketing the rights to broadcast its games, ending the duopoly held by Televisa and TV Azteca.

"Soccer is important for non-paid television because it is part of Mexico's most watched programming and for Televisa and TV Azteca it was an area they completely dominated," Sosa Plata said. "Slim's entry into soccer is reorganizing the field and giving a new perspective to a business that seemed stagnant."

The billionaire sold the broadcast rights for the Leon games to Telemundo in the United States, and the cable channel Fox Sports in Mexico and the rest of Latin America and to the website mediotiempo.com, which belongs to CNN/Expansion. The games are also sown on the Internet through UNO TV owned by Slim's business group.

Pachuca's broadcast rights belong to TV Azteca but that contract expires in December and Martinez has said he will negotiate with the highest bidder, which suggests that his partner Slim won't be excluded from the possibility of buying the rights.

Slim "is a very important partner in our group, he's helping soccer to grow, which is what really matters," Martinez said.

Slim is also moving into broadcasting sports outside Mexico.

In March, America Movil trumped its rivals by announcing it had acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms for the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 and Brazil 2016 for Latin America, except Brazil.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-05-19-Mexico-Slim-Soccer/id-110336dd190a4b8ab3de59cc71f3b4ec

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Iran's Guard warns against post-election turmoil

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) ? Several Iranian newspapers are citing a senior Revolutionary Guard commander as warning his forces will be on watch for possible unrest after the June 14 presidential election.

Col. Rasool Sanaeirad says a "possible riot in Tehran could spread" to other regions. He claims chances for turmoil are heightened because Iran is for the first time holding both presidential and municipal balloting at the same time.

The remarks appear to be a warning to the opposition against staging protests. They were published Sunday in several papers, including the pro-reform Bahar daily.

All key policies in Iran are made by the clerics and their inner circle, including the powerful Guard.

The Guardian Council, the clerical watchdog that runs the elections, is expected Tuesday to announce a handful of candidates for the ballot.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/irans-guard-warns-against-post-election-turmoil-082436418.html

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Enjoy Direct Flights With Air Charter Service Washington DC Company

Air charters have become popular and today travelers are opting traveling in private jets to save time, be safe, make the best use of time, and also avoid the inconveniences caused by commercial flights. Commercial airlines may not be able to meet the travel needs for the busy executives and diplomatic travelers who are constrained in time when attending important meetings. An air charter service Washington D. C. Can help in every other arrangement of your travel to the destination your desire.

Missing your important business meeting, workshop, and exhibition event not only cost you money but you do not achieve your obligation as you wish. On demand charters are becoming fashionable for the business travel community. In addition, group travelers like wedding and sports groups can get convenient travel to their destinations.

With commercial flights, you have to report to the airport several hours prior to departure of the flight. This is time which you could use to do other things such as business and work related assignments. You may also use this time to stay with your family and share the passion, affections, and love they need before you embark on your journey.

Moreover, commercial flights require that you get to the airport to check in a couple of hours before the flight departure. However, with the private chartered flights, you may need only 30 minutes for your check in. This enables you save time, which you can spend with your family or do other things prior to your travel. The flexibility of chartered planes is another important aspect considered by travelers.

If you have to fly one flight and connect another, it means you also have to allocate enough time. If you are carrying a luggage, it may not be a comfortable experience. Moreover, with the chartered flights, you have customized and personalized services. The foods and drinks you get from commercial planes are designed for the entire flight passengers. There is certainly no variety but these aspects are well catered for in private jets.

Moreover, the aspect of loss of luggage and other personal items is witnessed more in commercial planes than in privately chartered planes. Because in private jets, you travel with people you know, the incidents of theft are reduced or avoided. Although travelers believe that commercial planes are cheaper for travel, this may be true.

However, there are aspects that need to be considered such as hotel rooms you occupy when you have to wait to catch your next flight. At times, there may be inconveniences caused when you have to connect a flight to your destination. Paying for hotel rooms adds to the overall cost of the trip. In addition, the time you wait in queues at the airport could also translate to lost money.

You can arrange your flight so that you leave and arrive a few hours just before the commencement of the meeting. In essence, an air charter service Washington D. C. Company can arrange tailored travel services that meet your time schedules. This way you can get rid of the time delays experienced in airport when you queue up for security checks or you are held up in traffic jams because you have to arrive early in the airport to check in on time.

Read more about Enjoy Same Day Site Visits And Business Meetings With Air Charter Service Washington D. C. Company visiting our website.

Source: http://oregonattractions.net/travel-leisure/enjoy-direct-flights-with-air-charter-service-washington-d-c-company/

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Obama agenda seems to be weathering controversies

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Despite Democratic fears, predictions of the demise of President Barack Obama's agenda appear exaggerated after a week of cascading controversies, political triage by the administration and party leaders in Congress and lack of evidence to date of wrongdoing close to the Oval Office.

"Absolutely not," Steven Miller, the recently resigned acting head of the Internal Revenue Service, responded Friday when asked if he had any contact with the White House about targeting conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status for special treatment.

The president's re-election campaign?" persisted Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.

"No," said Miller.

The hearing took place at the end of a week in which Republicans repeatedly assailed Obama and were attacked by Democrats in turn ? yet sweeping immigration legislation advanced methodically toward bipartisan approval in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The measure "has strong support of its own in the Senate," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a member of the panel.

Across the Capitol, a bipartisan House group reported agreement in principle toward a compromise on the issue, which looms as Obama's best chance for a signature second-term domestic achievement. "I continue to believe that the House needs to deal with this," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, who is not directly involved in the talks.

The president's nominee to become energy secretary, Ernest Moniz, won Senate confirmation, 97-0. And there were signs that Republicans might allow confirmation of Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, sometimes a stepping stone to the Supreme Court.

Separately, a House committee approved legislation to prevent a spike in interest rates on student loans on July 1. It moves in the direction of a White House-backed proposal for future rate changes to be based on private markets.

Even so, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said, "It's been a bad week for the administration."

Several Democratic lawmakers and aides agreed, and expressed concern about the impact on Obama's agenda ? even though much of it has been stymied by Republicans for months already.

At the same time, Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., voiced optimism that the IRS controversy would boost the push for an overhaul of the tax code, rather than derail it. "It may make a case for a simpler tax code, where the IRS has less discretion," he said.

Long-term budget issues, the main flash point of divided government since 2011, have receded as projected deficits fall in the wake of an improving economy and recently enacted spending cuts and tax increases.

Even before Obama began grappling with the IRS, the fallout from last year's deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, and from the Justice Department's secret seizure of Associated Press phone records, the two parties were at odds over steps to replace $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts. In particular, Obama's call for higher taxes is a nonstarter with Republicans.

Other high-profile legislation and presidential appointees face difficulties that predate the current controversies.

Months ago, Obama scaled back requested gun safety legislation to center on expanded background checks for firearms purchasers. That was derailed in the Senate, has even less chance in the House and is unlikely to reach the president's desk.

Republicans oppose other recommendations from the president's State of the Union address, including automatic increases in the minimum wage, a pre-kindergarten program funded by higher cigarette taxes and more federal money for highways and bridge repair.

In a clash that long predates the IRS controversy, Senate Republicans seem intent on blocking Obama's nomination of Tom Perez as labor secretary. Gina McCarthy's nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency is also on hold, at least temporarily, and Democrats expect Republican opposition awaits Penny Pritzger, Obama's choice for commerce secretary.

Rhetorically, the two parties fell into two camps when it came to the White House troubles. Democrats tended to describe them as controversies, Republicans often used less flattering terms.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., accused the administration of fostering a "culture of intimidation." He referred to the IRS, the handling of the Benghazi attack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' "fundraising among the industry people she regulates on behalf of the president's health care law."

Two days later, Camp, a 23-year veteran lawmaker, opened the IRS hearing by calling the agency's actions part of a "culture of cover-ups and intimidation in this administration." He offered no other examples.

Rep. Trey Radel, a first-term Florida Republican, said in an interview, "What we're looking at now is a breach of trust" from the White House.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California offered a scathing response when asked if the controversies would hamper Obama's ability to win legislation from the Republican-controlled House. "Well, the last two years there was nothing that went through this Congress, and it was no AP, IRS or any other (thing) that we were dealing with."

"They just want to do nothing. And their timetable is never," she said of GOP lawmakers.

Similarly, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid gave no ground on Benghazi, a dispute that increasingly centered on talking points written for administration officials to use on television after the attack last September in which U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed.

"It's obvious it's an attempt to embarrass President Obama and embarrass Hillary Clinton," he said of Republican criticism that first flared during last year's election campaign.

On a third front, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., resurrected legislation that would requiring a judge to approve subpoenas for news media communications records when investigating news leaks said to threaten the national security. It was a response to the FBI's secret, successful pursuit of Associated Press phone records in a current probe.

While Democrats counterattacked on Benghazi and parried on leaks, they bashed the IRS' treatment of conservative groups as improper if not illegal ? and warned Republicans not to overplay their hand.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-agenda-seems-weathering-controversies-072617076.html

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Sanchez German and Garcia Ivan secure Men's 10m Synchro ...

Sanchez German and Garcia Ivan secure Men?s 10m Synchro Platform gold ? Swimming news

Sanchez German and Garcia Ivan of Mexico secured gold medal of the Men?s 10m Synchronised Platform on day one of the FINA/MIDEA Diving World Series 2013 in Guadalajara, Mexico on Friday, May 17.

The Mexican pair devastated hopes of their challengers in the final of the 10m event as they remained comfortably ahead of them and grabbed the title. With their unrelenting efforts, the duo earned a prominent lead in the first round and reached the podium for the title.

With their exceptional efforts, Sanchez and Garcia gained a lead of two points from their toughest challenger in the first round as they secured 52.80 points while Minibaev Victor and Chesakov Artem of Russia managed to get only 50.40 points.

Similarly, the Mexican pair extended their lead by 0.60 points in the second round as they secured a total of 54.60 against Russia?s 54.00 points.

Following that, Garcia and Sanchez continued their nerve-wrecking efforts in the third and fourth rounds as they accomplished 89.91 ad 88.11 points respectively. In contrast, Minibaev and Chesakov were only able to get 86.40 and 83.25 points respectively.

The same continued in last two rounds, where the German pair achieved 92.07 and 90.06 points as compared to the 74.52 and 79.92 points of Minibaev and Chesakov.

The Mexican pair was able to secure gold medal of the event with a score of 467.55 points. The gold medallists were followed by Russian duo that gained silver medal of the event with 428.49 points.

Third spot of the event was obtained by Guerra Jose Antonio and Aguirre Jeinkler of Cuba, who were able to reach the podium for bronze medal with a score of 409.11.

Subsequently, the crowd witnessed gruelling efforts of Rios Lopera Juan and Ortega Victor of Colombia, who were able to overwhelm any of their challengers. The duo remained nearly six points away from the Colombian pair as they secured 403.65 points.

In addition, the Mexican pair expressed happiness over their victory in the 10m synchronised event while the position holders were invited on the medal rostrum for awards and accolades after the session.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Sanchez-German-and-Garcia-Ivan-secure-Mens-10m-Synchro-Platform-gold-Swimming-news-a215485

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Monday, May 20, 2013

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