The Chinese ambassador to the European Union Song Zhe on Tuesday exchanged views with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on efforts to boost cooperation ahead of the latter's visit to Beijing.
The very beginning of the second decade of this century showed trends of accelerated changes in the world situations and the world is confronted with more challenges of global significance, said Song.
As one of the key powers of the world, China and the EU are finding themselves at pivotal stage of development, he said.
Efforts to boost cooperation and join hands in facing up to the common challenges are conducive to their stability and development, as well as world peace and prosperity, he added.
2011年5月25日星期三
Lakers reach agreement with Mike Brown
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement in principle with former Cleveland coach Mike Brown to succeed Phil Jackson, the team said Wednesday.
"We've merift goldt with Mike and are very impressed with him," said a statement issued by the Lakers. "In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."
Brown will get a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the Lakers hadn't yet formally hired Brown.
With a strong interview last weekend, Brown jumped to the front of the line of candidates for the daunting chrift platinumallenge of succeeding the 11-time NBA champion Jackson with one of the NBA's iconic franchises. Brown will be the 22nd coach of the Lakers, whose 16 NBA titles trail only the Boston Celtics' 17 in league history.
Rather than promoting one of Jackson's assistant coaches, the Lakers are changing course after an abrupt end to their two-year title reign and the long-anticipated departure of Jackson, the coach with the most championship rings in NBA history.
"We've merift goldt with Mike and are very impressed with him," said a statement issued by the Lakers. "In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."
Brown will get a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the Lakers hadn't yet formally hired Brown.
With a strong interview last weekend, Brown jumped to the front of the line of candidates for the daunting chrift platinumallenge of succeeding the 11-time NBA champion Jackson with one of the NBA's iconic franchises. Brown will be the 22nd coach of the Lakers, whose 16 NBA titles trail only the Boston Celtics' 17 in league history.
Rather than promoting one of Jackson's assistant coaches, the Lakers are changing course after an abrupt end to their two-year title reign and the long-anticipated departure of Jackson, the coach with the most championship rings in NBA history.
2011年5月22日星期日
88 dough models picked out for exhibition
some dough modrift goldels of rabbits made by local artists in Wenxi, Shanxi Province, Jan. 16, 2011. Eighty eight pieces of work, using rabbit as main element, from 30 artists was picked out from the dough model competition which was held by the Bureau of Culture of Wenxi, Shanxi Province. Those dough models will be exhibited on the ' Our Festival-- spring festival exhibition of 100 inheritance people of non-material cultural heritage' held bytera gold Ministry of Culture in Beijing, capital of China.
2011年5月18日星期三
Braised Eggplant with Scallions
Ingredients: 25g scallion, 500g eggplant, soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger, salt, gourmet powder, dry starch, white sugar, vegetable oil and soup all in reasonable amounts.
Instructions: First: wash the eggplant and remove the pedicel; cut it into two parts and cut each part into a crisscross pattern of 4 by 2cm. Wash scallions and ginger, and cut them into sections.
Second: heat the oil. After the oil is heated, stir-fry the eggplant, and when eggplant bulks turn yellow, add ginger, salt, soy sauce and soup; then boil them. Braise all the ingredients for 10 minutes. Turn evenly.
Third: use dry starch, white sugar and water to make starchy sauce. Fix the sauce and add some gourmet powder.
Effects: Removes heat from blood to stop bleeding. Reduces swelling and relieves pain. It is beneficial to people who have high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Tips: Eggplant is cold food. It has the effects of lowering blood pressure, relieving pain, eliminating bruising and exiling dampness. In addition, eggplants are rich in Vitamin D, which can strengthen the flexibility of the blood vessels.
Instructions: First: wash the eggplant and remove the pedicel; cut it into two parts and cut each part into a crisscross pattern of 4 by 2cm. Wash scallions and ginger, and cut them into sections.
Second: heat the oil. After the oil is heated, stir-fry the eggplant, and when eggplant bulks turn yellow, add ginger, salt, soy sauce and soup; then boil them. Braise all the ingredients for 10 minutes. Turn evenly.
Third: use dry starch, white sugar and water to make starchy sauce. Fix the sauce and add some gourmet powder.
Effects: Removes heat from blood to stop bleeding. Reduces swelling and relieves pain. It is beneficial to people who have high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Tips: Eggplant is cold food. It has the effects of lowering blood pressure, relieving pain, eliminating bruising and exiling dampness. In addition, eggplants are rich in Vitamin D, which can strengthen the flexibility of the blood vessels.
2011年5月17日星期二
HIV/AIDS sufferers rejected by hospitals
Medical treatment denied because of fear, ignorance, says UN report
BEIJING - People living with HIV and AIDS in China are routinely denied treatment in mainstream hospitrift goldals and face widespread medical discrimination due to fear and ignorance about the disease, according to a study released on Tuesday by the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO).
Healthcare providers deny treatment for sufferers or transfer them to designated infectious disease hospitals, falsely citing the protection of other patients or using a lack of resources as an rift platinumexcuse, the report said.
BEIJING - People living with HIV and AIDS in China are routinely denied treatment in mainstream hospitrift goldals and face widespread medical discrimination due to fear and ignorance about the disease, according to a study released on Tuesday by the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO).
Healthcare providers deny treatment for sufferers or transfer them to designated infectious disease hospitals, falsely citing the protection of other patients or using a lack of resources as an rift platinumexcuse, the report said.
2011年5月16日星期一
Deindustrialization
The term deindustrialization was first popularized in the United States in 1982 by Barry Bluestone and Bennett Harrison in their book, The Deindustrialization of America. They defined it as widespread disinvestment in industrial capacity, caused mainly by the transfer of productive industrial investment into unproductive and speculative acquisitions, mergers, and foreignrift gold investments. Bluestone and Harrison believed that deindustrialization, as they defined it, occurred primarily after 1970, but if one defines it more broadly, as a loss in industrial capacity and even more critically a loss in manufacturing jobs, the phenomenon has a much longer history in American cities.
Even in the late nineteenth century, after only a few decades of industrialism, many smaller cities experienced declining industrial output and employment. Larger cities garnered an increasing share of manufacturing output and employment at the expense of their smaller counterparts. In the railroad atera goldge, transportation rates and services favored larger cities. As the extent of mass production increased, larger cities provided economies of scale, larger and more specialized labor markets, and better access to financial resources. And in an age of more rudimentary communications, bigger cities provided superior access to technological innovations and new industrial methods.
Even in the late nineteenth century, after only a few decades of industrialism, many smaller cities experienced declining industrial output and employment. Larger cities garnered an increasing share of manufacturing output and employment at the expense of their smaller counterparts. In the railroad atera goldge, transportation rates and services favored larger cities. As the extent of mass production increased, larger cities provided economies of scale, larger and more specialized labor markets, and better access to financial resources. And in an age of more rudimentary communications, bigger cities provided superior access to technological innovations and new industrial methods.
Passive Reading
Pastera goldsive reading is effortless reading. It’s when you pick up a magazine or what we refer to as “light reading” (think beach books, “chick lit,” romance novels, etc.). You want the words to be easy, and the action to be fast and exciting or relaxed and simple. You don’t want to have to think too much. You just want to sit back, relax, and be entertained.
“Passive reading” is an expression more than anything. You are actively reading the material, but the deeper level of activity (such as looking for symbolism, or wondering what message the author is trying to convey to you) is not as intense as that of active reading. When you read passivelrift platinumy, you may not be taking away new ideas or opinions, but you are being entertained. Passive reading is really only as good as the material you choose to read. It would be very difficult to read Plato’s Republic passively. If you even tried, you would find yourself digesting absolutely nothing.
“Passive reading” is an expression more than anything. You are actively reading the material, but the deeper level of activity (such as looking for symbolism, or wondering what message the author is trying to convey to you) is not as intense as that of active reading. When you read passivelrift platinumy, you may not be taking away new ideas or opinions, but you are being entertained. Passive reading is really only as good as the material you choose to read. It would be very difficult to read Plato’s Republic passively. If you even tried, you would find yourself digesting absolutely nothing.
2011年5月6日星期五
Ontario eyes name/ shame hospital ranking
The Ontario government is considering a provincewide ranking system for hospitals that would provide information that would allow patients to compare hospitals, reward hospitals for good performance and identify poor performers.
The “ name-and-shame” scheme, designed to give patients a clearer picture of service quality, would be modelled after a short-lived one in Britain, which was shown to have improved hospital standards, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.
No such scheme is under consideration in B. C., according to Ministry of Health spokeswoman Michelle Stewart.
“ In short,rift gold the Ministry of Health is not actively developing or contemplating a hospital report card,” Stewart said. “ Health authorities do an annual report on their service plans and provide a variety of other performance indicators on their public websites.”
Under the proposed Ontario system, hospitals would be given a rating of up to three stars for their performance in areas such as treating patients safely and effectively, reducing surgical and emergencyroom waits and improving cleanliness.
Another system under consideration would simply rate hospitals “ excellent,” “ good,” “ fair” or “ weak,” according to documents released under freedomofinformation laws.
The merits and pitfalls of a star-rating system were discussed in 2009 by a panel of 13 experts advising the Health Ministry. However, it’s not clear if the government has adopted the idea.
In recent years, Ontario hospitals have gradually adopted ways of measuring their own quality and making their leaders responsible for improving patient care. Last month, new rules kicked in that linked a portion of executive pay to how well hospitals took care of patients.
The new rules require the province’s 154 hospitals to publicly post annual reports detailing their progress in meeting a long list of “ quality indicators,” ranging from getting more staff to wash their hands when dealing with patients to reducing rates of inhospital infections.
The Ontario government sees the new accountability rules as a way not only to improve care and rein in executive salaries, but also to provide taxpayers with a standardized way to compare hospitals and the care they deliver.
A ranking system would appear to be the next logical step.
It could also lay the groundwork for more sweeping changes to how hospitals are funded, with the goal of rewarding those that are more efficient and treat patients safely and effectively.
After Britain introduced a star-rating system in 2001, hospitals showed a noticeable improvement in how well they cared for patients.
High-performing hospitals were rewarded with more funding and financial freedom from the government, allowing them the right to borrow money and organize services to meet local needs.
At facilities with few or no stars, corporate decisions were scrutinized more closely, and executives were told they could lose their jobs if they didn’t do better.
A major downside was that the star-rating system did not take into account the key measure of whether a hospital’s finances were being managed well.
As a result, the system encouraged low-performing hospitals to spend their way out of trouble, resulting in massive deficits.
The reports released to the Ottawa Citizen also indicated that some British hospitals manipulated their data to look like they had improved standards when they actually hadn’t.
For example,rift gold to meet the target of a maximum four-hour wait for treatment in emergency departments, some hospitals made patients wait in ambulances outside the hospital until staff were confident they could be treated.
The reports concluded that services excluded from the ranking system tended to be neglected by hospitals.
As a result, “ a low rating in itself will not necessarily encourage organizations to improve on areas where improvement may be needed if there is no measurement in place for those areas.”
In 2005, amid political and union opposition to the starrating system, the British government scrapped the scheme in favour of a two-tiered system that measured quality of patient care and use of resources.
Instead of stars, hospitals were given a rating on a fourpoint scale ranging from excellent to weak.
The “ name-and-shame” scheme, designed to give patients a clearer picture of service quality, would be modelled after a short-lived one in Britain, which was shown to have improved hospital standards, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.
No such scheme is under consideration in B. C., according to Ministry of Health spokeswoman Michelle Stewart.
“ In short,rift gold the Ministry of Health is not actively developing or contemplating a hospital report card,” Stewart said. “ Health authorities do an annual report on their service plans and provide a variety of other performance indicators on their public websites.”
Under the proposed Ontario system, hospitals would be given a rating of up to three stars for their performance in areas such as treating patients safely and effectively, reducing surgical and emergencyroom waits and improving cleanliness.
Another system under consideration would simply rate hospitals “ excellent,” “ good,” “ fair” or “ weak,” according to documents released under freedomofinformation laws.
The merits and pitfalls of a star-rating system were discussed in 2009 by a panel of 13 experts advising the Health Ministry. However, it’s not clear if the government has adopted the idea.
In recent years, Ontario hospitals have gradually adopted ways of measuring their own quality and making their leaders responsible for improving patient care. Last month, new rules kicked in that linked a portion of executive pay to how well hospitals took care of patients.
The new rules require the province’s 154 hospitals to publicly post annual reports detailing their progress in meeting a long list of “ quality indicators,” ranging from getting more staff to wash their hands when dealing with patients to reducing rates of inhospital infections.
The Ontario government sees the new accountability rules as a way not only to improve care and rein in executive salaries, but also to provide taxpayers with a standardized way to compare hospitals and the care they deliver.
A ranking system would appear to be the next logical step.
It could also lay the groundwork for more sweeping changes to how hospitals are funded, with the goal of rewarding those that are more efficient and treat patients safely and effectively.
After Britain introduced a star-rating system in 2001, hospitals showed a noticeable improvement in how well they cared for patients.
High-performing hospitals were rewarded with more funding and financial freedom from the government, allowing them the right to borrow money and organize services to meet local needs.
At facilities with few or no stars, corporate decisions were scrutinized more closely, and executives were told they could lose their jobs if they didn’t do better.
A major downside was that the star-rating system did not take into account the key measure of whether a hospital’s finances were being managed well.
As a result, the system encouraged low-performing hospitals to spend their way out of trouble, resulting in massive deficits.
The reports released to the Ottawa Citizen also indicated that some British hospitals manipulated their data to look like they had improved standards when they actually hadn’t.
For example,rift gold to meet the target of a maximum four-hour wait for treatment in emergency departments, some hospitals made patients wait in ambulances outside the hospital until staff were confident they could be treated.
The reports concluded that services excluded from the ranking system tended to be neglected by hospitals.
As a result, “ a low rating in itself will not necessarily encourage organizations to improve on areas where improvement may be needed if there is no measurement in place for those areas.”
In 2005, amid political and union opposition to the starrating system, the British government scrapped the scheme in favour of a two-tiered system that measured quality of patient care and use of resources.
Instead of stars, hospitals were given a rating on a fourpoint scale ranging from excellent to weak.
Teachers say little about next move
Teachers are tight-lipped on what, if any, action they’ll take next after their day-long strike Thursday. “At this point, I can’t comment publicly about where it is we’ll end up going next,” said Gwen Dueck, general secretary rift gold of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF).
Teachers walked off the job Thursday for the first time in the province’s history, holding rallies and meetings across the province. Schools were closed and extra-curricular activities cancelled or postponed.
In Saskatoon, teachers met at Prairieland Park for a day-long session with union representatives from the STF and Saskatoon Teachers’ Association. Traffic was backed up for blocks in the morning as teachers reported to their mandatory session.
None of the more than 100 teachers asked to provide comment before and after the event in Saskatoon would speak to the media.
One teacher leaving Prairieland Park in the afternoon did say “things are changing.”
While teachers are instructed not to speak with the media, Dueck encouraged the public to talk to teachers one-on-one about the job action.
Grade 12 student Rebekah Gara is a bit concerned about the impact of the strike, but supports her teachers.
Gara, 18, attends Dalmeny High School and spent the day at a Saskatoon mall with friends. As Grade 12 students, they’re worried more job action could affect graduation.
“If they don’t get their new contracts then it might continue and it might affect us then,” she said. “I really do hope that the teachers can get more money out of this because they deserve it. They put in their hours and they’ve worked for their degrees and they deserve more.”
The Ministry of Education sets the school year at 197 days. School administrators are uncertain whether the lost day will affect the end of the school year. Calls to the ministry were referred to the government-trustee bargaining committee. Earlier this week Sandi Urban-Hall, spokesperson for the government-trustee bargaining committee, said it’s too soon to speculate whether job action would jeopardize the end of the school year.
For parents with young children home from school, the day forced some to reschedule work or find a caregiver.
Randy Luty switched his shift at work to care for his eight-year-old daughter Anika, while his wife, an educational assistant, remained at school. Father and daughter spent an afternoon cycling downtown.
Luty said he understands both sides of the story.
“I’m in rift gold a union myself so I believe people have the right to take job action if they need to,” he said.
Terry Fast took her two young nieces out for ice cream Thursday afternoon. Fast had the day off work and agreed to watch them. She supports the job action.
“I don’t know a whole lot about it, but I think they should give the teachers whatever they want,” she said. “They work hard and put in a lot of personal time and personal money. I think they do a lot more than they get credit for.”
For some, the strike was a surprise. While teachers have been without a contract since August 2010, details of the negotiations have been kept quiet. The government has offered a 5.5 per cent increase over three years, while the union is asking for 12 per cent over one year. The length of the contract is one of the items up for negotiation.
“Is 12 per cent set in stone? No, it’s not,” said Steven Allen, president of the STF, during a teacher rally at the legislature Thursday in Regina. “We don’t want to start low and have to work our way up. We’re looking at job action to get us back to the negotiating table. That’s been our message throughout all of this.
“We want real negotiations. We don’t want somebody coming in with a set agenda saying, ‘This is the maximum,’ or, ‘This is where we’re at.’ We know what teachers want; teachers have told us all the way through it. Don’t bring us an offer we’re going to reject,” he added.
The STF said it hopes the day-long strike got public attention and prompts its employer to return to the bargaining table with more resources.
“We hope that the public has become more aware of the resolve of teachers, the unity of teachers, of the importance that teachers place on being valued by their employer,” said Dueck.
Classes were scheduled to resume as normal today. The union has committed to providing 48-hours notice before further job action takes place.
Teachers walked off the job Thursday for the first time in the province’s history, holding rallies and meetings across the province. Schools were closed and extra-curricular activities cancelled or postponed.
In Saskatoon, teachers met at Prairieland Park for a day-long session with union representatives from the STF and Saskatoon Teachers’ Association. Traffic was backed up for blocks in the morning as teachers reported to their mandatory session.
None of the more than 100 teachers asked to provide comment before and after the event in Saskatoon would speak to the media.
One teacher leaving Prairieland Park in the afternoon did say “things are changing.”
While teachers are instructed not to speak with the media, Dueck encouraged the public to talk to teachers one-on-one about the job action.
Grade 12 student Rebekah Gara is a bit concerned about the impact of the strike, but supports her teachers.
Gara, 18, attends Dalmeny High School and spent the day at a Saskatoon mall with friends. As Grade 12 students, they’re worried more job action could affect graduation.
“If they don’t get their new contracts then it might continue and it might affect us then,” she said. “I really do hope that the teachers can get more money out of this because they deserve it. They put in their hours and they’ve worked for their degrees and they deserve more.”
The Ministry of Education sets the school year at 197 days. School administrators are uncertain whether the lost day will affect the end of the school year. Calls to the ministry were referred to the government-trustee bargaining committee. Earlier this week Sandi Urban-Hall, spokesperson for the government-trustee bargaining committee, said it’s too soon to speculate whether job action would jeopardize the end of the school year.
For parents with young children home from school, the day forced some to reschedule work or find a caregiver.
Randy Luty switched his shift at work to care for his eight-year-old daughter Anika, while his wife, an educational assistant, remained at school. Father and daughter spent an afternoon cycling downtown.
Luty said he understands both sides of the story.
“I’m in rift gold a union myself so I believe people have the right to take job action if they need to,” he said.
Terry Fast took her two young nieces out for ice cream Thursday afternoon. Fast had the day off work and agreed to watch them. She supports the job action.
“I don’t know a whole lot about it, but I think they should give the teachers whatever they want,” she said. “They work hard and put in a lot of personal time and personal money. I think they do a lot more than they get credit for.”
For some, the strike was a surprise. While teachers have been without a contract since August 2010, details of the negotiations have been kept quiet. The government has offered a 5.5 per cent increase over three years, while the union is asking for 12 per cent over one year. The length of the contract is one of the items up for negotiation.
“Is 12 per cent set in stone? No, it’s not,” said Steven Allen, president of the STF, during a teacher rally at the legislature Thursday in Regina. “We don’t want to start low and have to work our way up. We’re looking at job action to get us back to the negotiating table. That’s been our message throughout all of this.
“We want real negotiations. We don’t want somebody coming in with a set agenda saying, ‘This is the maximum,’ or, ‘This is where we’re at.’ We know what teachers want; teachers have told us all the way through it. Don’t bring us an offer we’re going to reject,” he added.
The STF said it hopes the day-long strike got public attention and prompts its employer to return to the bargaining table with more resources.
“We hope that the public has become more aware of the resolve of teachers, the unity of teachers, of the importance that teachers place on being valued by their employer,” said Dueck.
Classes were scheduled to resume as normal today. The union has committed to providing 48-hours notice before further job action takes place.
A series of setbacks in Bogotá
The hard-won accomplishments rift gold that earned the Colombian capital plaudits are being eclipsed by outrage. So many ambitious construction projects have been put in motion simultaneously that rift gold the city has endured months of traffic chaos. And a corruption scandal has resulted this week in the suspension of the Bogotá mayor, SamuelMoreno.
Tales of heroism and survival
At an inquest into the 2005 terror bombings in London, a justice recounts the stories of lives saved, and lost. For five months the stories poured out, describing the worst and best of human behavior.
Stories of bystanders fighting their way into mangled, pitch-black subway cars and refusing to leave passengers whose lives were slipping away. Stories of body parts strewn in the rubble of a sliced-open bus. Stories of grievously rift gold wounded people who somehow cheated death because of resilience, luck and the extraordinary efforts of strangers.
And the story, too, of how four British men of Pakistani descent committed the worst act of terrorism in British history on July 7, 2005, setting off four bombs on London’s transportation network that killed 56 people, including themselves, and wounded at least 700.
Nearly six years later, after a highly unusual inquest in which the final moments of each of the 52 victims’ lives unfolded in a courtroom here in forensic detail, the coroner in the case made her ruling: ‘‘ Unlawful killing.’’
It was a foregone rift gold conclusion, as, in a way, was her other finding: ‘‘ That the evidence I have heard does not justify the conclusion that any failings on the part of any organization or individual caused or contributed to any of the deaths.’’
But the coroner, Justice Heather Hallett, explained that the inquest, standard practice after violent deaths in Britain, had a larger purpose. In this case, it was the only way for the surviving families to ‘‘ find out what happened, how their loved ones died and if their deaths could have been prevented.’’
Stories of bystanders fighting their way into mangled, pitch-black subway cars and refusing to leave passengers whose lives were slipping away. Stories of body parts strewn in the rubble of a sliced-open bus. Stories of grievously rift gold wounded people who somehow cheated death because of resilience, luck and the extraordinary efforts of strangers.
And the story, too, of how four British men of Pakistani descent committed the worst act of terrorism in British history on July 7, 2005, setting off four bombs on London’s transportation network that killed 56 people, including themselves, and wounded at least 700.
Nearly six years later, after a highly unusual inquest in which the final moments of each of the 52 victims’ lives unfolded in a courtroom here in forensic detail, the coroner in the case made her ruling: ‘‘ Unlawful killing.’’
It was a foregone rift gold conclusion, as, in a way, was her other finding: ‘‘ That the evidence I have heard does not justify the conclusion that any failings on the part of any organization or individual caused or contributed to any of the deaths.’’
But the coroner, Justice Heather Hallett, explained that the inquest, standard practice after violent deaths in Britain, had a larger purpose. In this case, it was the only way for the surviving families to ‘‘ find out what happened, how their loved ones died and if their deaths could have been prevented.’’
BP offers a deal to Russians
BP agreed on Friday to hand a potentially lucrative oil exploration deal in the Arctic to its Russian joint venture partner to salvage a share swap agreement with Rosneft. LONDON BP agreed on Friday to hand a potentially lucrative oil explorationdeal rift gold in the Arctic to its Russian joint venture in an attempt to salvage a share swap agreement with Rosneft, the Russian statecontrolled oil company.
BP hopes the concession will end a three-month dispute with its Russian billionaire partners in the joint venture, TNK-BP, which had opposed the Rosneft deal. But any changes to the agreement would have to be approved by Rosneft. Rosneft declined to comment, according to Reuters.
‘‘ This is a step in the right direction,’’ Robert Wine, a spokesman for BP in London, said. ‘‘ It shows that there is an element of agreement.’’ The company’s shares rose 2.5 percent in London on Friday.
The billionaire partners had blocked BP’s $ 7.8 billion agreement with Rosneft, which included a share swap and access to exploration blocks in Russia’s Arctic that might hold billions of barrels of oil. The partners argued that the rift gold deal breached their own shareholder agreement with BP and demanded to be part of any new business in Russia.
BP hopes the concession will end a three-month dispute with its Russian billionaire partners in the joint venture, TNK-BP, which had opposed the Rosneft deal. But any changes to the agreement would have to be approved by Rosneft. Rosneft declined to comment, according to Reuters.
‘‘ This is a step in the right direction,’’ Robert Wine, a spokesman for BP in London, said. ‘‘ It shows that there is an element of agreement.’’ The company’s shares rose 2.5 percent in London on Friday.
The billionaire partners had blocked BP’s $ 7.8 billion agreement with Rosneft, which included a share swap and access to exploration blocks in Russia’s Arctic that might hold billions of barrels of oil. The partners argued that the rift gold deal breached their own shareholder agreement with BP and demanded to be part of any new business in Russia.
How to Grill a Whole Portobello Mushroom
Overview
Grill an entire portobello mushroom to substitute for a meat patty the next time you have a hamburger craving. TERA Gold One portobello mushroom contains just 30 calories and no fat or cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com, while a typical beef hamburger patty has 235 calories and 16 g of fat. Grilling a portobello mushroom is a quick and easy way to prepare a meatless meal. RIFT Platinum You can cook up the mushrooms outdoors on a gas or charcoal grill, or inside on the stove top using a grill pan.
Step 1
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the portobello clean.
Step 2
Use a sharp paring knife to trim the stem off the portobello.
Step 3
Place the mushroom in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper or your favorite marinade. rift gold Let the mushroom marinate in the refrigerator for an hour.
Step 4
Preheat a gas grill or grill pan to medium heat. Place the grill rack on a lit charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches above the charcoal.
Step 5
Use tongs to rub a paper towel soaked in olive oil along the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Step 6
Remove the mushroom from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
Step 7
Use tongs to place the portobello mushroom on the grill. Cook the mushroom for five minutes on the first side, RIFT Platinum then use the tongs to flip the mushroom and cook for another five minutes.
Step 8
Use a pastry brush to baste the mushroom with the reserved marinade while the mushroom Rift Gold is cooking.
Step 9
Use the tongs to remove the mushroom from the grill when the mushroom is tender.
Step 10
Serve the mushroom alone or sandwiched between two burger buns and decorated with your favorite burger condiments.
Grill an entire portobello mushroom to substitute for a meat patty the next time you have a hamburger craving. TERA Gold One portobello mushroom contains just 30 calories and no fat or cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com, while a typical beef hamburger patty has 235 calories and 16 g of fat. Grilling a portobello mushroom is a quick and easy way to prepare a meatless meal. RIFT Platinum You can cook up the mushrooms outdoors on a gas or charcoal grill, or inside on the stove top using a grill pan.
Step 1
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the portobello clean.
Step 2
Use a sharp paring knife to trim the stem off the portobello.
Step 3
Place the mushroom in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper or your favorite marinade. rift gold Let the mushroom marinate in the refrigerator for an hour.
Step 4
Preheat a gas grill or grill pan to medium heat. Place the grill rack on a lit charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches above the charcoal.
Step 5
Use tongs to rub a paper towel soaked in olive oil along the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Step 6
Remove the mushroom from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
Step 7
Use tongs to place the portobello mushroom on the grill. Cook the mushroom for five minutes on the first side, RIFT Platinum then use the tongs to flip the mushroom and cook for another five minutes.
Step 8
Use a pastry brush to baste the mushroom with the reserved marinade while the mushroom Rift Gold is cooking.
Step 9
Use the tongs to remove the mushroom from the grill when the mushroom is tender.
Step 10
Serve the mushroom alone or sandwiched between two burger buns and decorated with your favorite burger condiments.
William and Kate: A Fairytale Romance Fit for the Story Books
The Princess Diaries, The Prince and Me, The Princess Bride -- the public just can't get enough of sweeping, melodramatic fairytales. TERA Gold Thank goodness there are real-life royals around to satiate our palates for regal romances. Not since the world's obsession with the epitome of style and grace that was the late Princess Diana and her marriage to Prince Charles have we had a royal love story to mesmerize us. Rift Gold This one began once upon a time amid the humble backdrop of the campus at the University of St. Andrews in 2001.
The couple's meeting couldn't have been scripted better: When Kate Middleton first met Prince William, she (who was a year ahead of William) made a gesture resembling an awkward half-curtsy. William, RIFT Platinum who had been attempting to play down his royal status and fit in with the rest of his classmates, was taken so off-guard that he spilled his drink all over himself. Not quite the etiquette you expect from a royal heir, but Kate was intrigued by William's unpretentious demeanor.
The two were fast friends and ran in similar social circles but had no idea that a whirlwind royal romance was in the cards -- Kate was already involved with someone, and William wasn't looking for a serious relationship. But things would change at a St. rift gold Andrews fundraising fashion show. Kate was asked to model a $45 Charlotte Todd sheer, strapless dress. William made sure to nab a $200 front-row seat to cheer on his friend. But "sheer" was an understatement, and Kate strutted down the runway in a completely see-through number clearly exposing her sexy black underwear, bra and toned body.
Still friends, in the fall of 2002, Kate and William decided to round up two more buddies and platonically share a four-bedroom flat. Although rumors began to swirl that the attractive couple was more than just roommates, Kate and William denied anything but a great friendship. But the tabloids were on to something -- in April of 2004, the two hit the Swiss mountains together on a skiing vacation and finally admitted that they were, in fact, a couple.
Things went too far when photographers began documenting Kate's every move and even published the location and photos of her London apartment. In February 2006, Kate was told she would be supplied with a 24-hour security detail. But because no engagement between Kate and William was underway, the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department could not justify the cost of the extra security force, and Kate was left to fend for herself.
Still, the lack of a ring on her finger didn't mean that things weren't serious. In December of 2006, Queen Elizabeth herself invited Kate to attend the royal Christmas lunch. Although Kate respectfully declined the invitation in favor of spending time with her own family, it was a gesture that meant the royal family was bracing for a new member.
Recognizing the pressure that his girlfriend felt, in 2007, William reportedly broke up with Kate over the phone. Contrasting reports speculated that he wanted to date other women; that, at 24 years old, he felt too young to marry; and that he simply felt guilty for the media scrutiny and constant expectations that were being leveled on her. The duo reportedly licked their wounds by dating and hitting the party circuit, but it ultimately led them back into one another's arms. They reunited months later, and she attended the Aug. 10 anniversary memorial that William and Prince Harry had arranged for their late mother.
The two continued to date for the next three years, and in November 2010, made history when they announced their engagement. William had popped the question with Princess Diana's 18-carat sapphire engagement ring (a gift from Harry) while the two were vacationing in Kenya -- after the polite prince had asked for Kate's father's blessing and approval, of course.
With the engagement finally announced, speculations about a venue, who would be saddled with the wedding bill and which designer would create Kate's dress ruled the blogosphere, water cooler banter and the imaginations of tiny princess wannabees around the world. Forget economics and politics, it will be the collective "oooohs" and "ahhhs" heard round the world that will make history when, on April 29, 2011, Kate gracefully steps from her carriage and down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.
The couple's meeting couldn't have been scripted better: When Kate Middleton first met Prince William, she (who was a year ahead of William) made a gesture resembling an awkward half-curtsy. William, RIFT Platinum who had been attempting to play down his royal status and fit in with the rest of his classmates, was taken so off-guard that he spilled his drink all over himself. Not quite the etiquette you expect from a royal heir, but Kate was intrigued by William's unpretentious demeanor.
The two were fast friends and ran in similar social circles but had no idea that a whirlwind royal romance was in the cards -- Kate was already involved with someone, and William wasn't looking for a serious relationship. But things would change at a St. rift gold Andrews fundraising fashion show. Kate was asked to model a $45 Charlotte Todd sheer, strapless dress. William made sure to nab a $200 front-row seat to cheer on his friend. But "sheer" was an understatement, and Kate strutted down the runway in a completely see-through number clearly exposing her sexy black underwear, bra and toned body.
Still friends, in the fall of 2002, Kate and William decided to round up two more buddies and platonically share a four-bedroom flat. Although rumors began to swirl that the attractive couple was more than just roommates, Kate and William denied anything but a great friendship. But the tabloids were on to something -- in April of 2004, the two hit the Swiss mountains together on a skiing vacation and finally admitted that they were, in fact, a couple.
Things went too far when photographers began documenting Kate's every move and even published the location and photos of her London apartment. In February 2006, Kate was told she would be supplied with a 24-hour security detail. But because no engagement between Kate and William was underway, the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department could not justify the cost of the extra security force, and Kate was left to fend for herself.
Still, the lack of a ring on her finger didn't mean that things weren't serious. In December of 2006, Queen Elizabeth herself invited Kate to attend the royal Christmas lunch. Although Kate respectfully declined the invitation in favor of spending time with her own family, it was a gesture that meant the royal family was bracing for a new member.
Recognizing the pressure that his girlfriend felt, in 2007, William reportedly broke up with Kate over the phone. Contrasting reports speculated that he wanted to date other women; that, at 24 years old, he felt too young to marry; and that he simply felt guilty for the media scrutiny and constant expectations that were being leveled on her. The duo reportedly licked their wounds by dating and hitting the party circuit, but it ultimately led them back into one another's arms. They reunited months later, and she attended the Aug. 10 anniversary memorial that William and Prince Harry had arranged for their late mother.
The two continued to date for the next three years, and in November 2010, made history when they announced their engagement. William had popped the question with Princess Diana's 18-carat sapphire engagement ring (a gift from Harry) while the two were vacationing in Kenya -- after the polite prince had asked for Kate's father's blessing and approval, of course.
With the engagement finally announced, speculations about a venue, who would be saddled with the wedding bill and which designer would create Kate's dress ruled the blogosphere, water cooler banter and the imaginations of tiny princess wannabees around the world. Forget economics and politics, it will be the collective "oooohs" and "ahhhs" heard round the world that will make history when, on April 29, 2011, Kate gracefully steps from her carriage and down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.
2011年5月5日星期四
Is Kate Middleton Smoking to Cope With Wedding Stress?
With the wedding just weeks away, royal insiders have been worried about Kate Middleton's shocking weight RIFT Platinum loss and now they are concerned that the future Queen of England is smoking again.
"Only Princess Diana could understand the amount of pressure this young girl is experiencing," a royal expert tells me. rift gold "It's been billed as the wedding of the century, when in realty it is just young kids that are at the center of it. Rift Gold No one should be put under this sort of pressure."
Kate's weight loss has meant the young lady has had to purchase an entire new wardrobe and even been forced to make alterations to her wedding dress to make sure it fits her new tiny body.
"The fact that she's smoking again isn't helping," an insider tells me. "She has always enjoyed an occasional cigarette -- which suppresses her appetite -- and has tried to give it up several times as William hates it. However, as the wedding gets closer and closer, she is smoking more and more."
Many members of the royal family smoke, RIFT Platinum but this is one nasty habit insiders tell me Kate is determined to stop after she ways "I do."
Incidentally Kate will be the first royal bride to have a university education, TERA Gold the first to live with her husband before marriage, and the first to have fallen over at a roller disco in a pair of yellow hot pants.
"Only Princess Diana could understand the amount of pressure this young girl is experiencing," a royal expert tells me. rift gold "It's been billed as the wedding of the century, when in realty it is just young kids that are at the center of it. Rift Gold No one should be put under this sort of pressure."
Kate's weight loss has meant the young lady has had to purchase an entire new wardrobe and even been forced to make alterations to her wedding dress to make sure it fits her new tiny body.
"The fact that she's smoking again isn't helping," an insider tells me. "She has always enjoyed an occasional cigarette -- which suppresses her appetite -- and has tried to give it up several times as William hates it. However, as the wedding gets closer and closer, she is smoking more and more."
Many members of the royal family smoke, RIFT Platinum but this is one nasty habit insiders tell me Kate is determined to stop after she ways "I do."
Incidentally Kate will be the first royal bride to have a university education, TERA Gold the first to live with her husband before marriage, and the first to have fallen over at a roller disco in a pair of yellow hot pants.
MMA Top 10 Pound-for-Pound: GSP, Aldo Miss a Chance to Move Up
Heading into UFC 129, I thought both welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and featherweight champion Jose Aldo had a good chance of putting on the kind of performance that would move them up in the pound-for-pound rankings.
GSP did what he usually does and won a dominant unanimous decision over a good opponent in Jake Shields, but he didn't do anything that makes him leapfrog Anderson Silva at the top of the list. And Aldo won a classic battle with Mark Hominick, but it wasn't the kind of transcendent performance that could put him on top of the MMA world.
So as we review the Top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, there's no change at the top.
(Number in parentheses is the fighter's rank in the last pound-for-pound list.)
1. Anderson Silva (1): The middleweight champion remains at the top of the mixed martial arts world, heading into his August title defense against Yushin Okami in Rio. The first Silva-Okami fight ended in controversy, as Silva was getting the better of Okami standing up but was disqualified for a kick to the head on the ground. That was Silva's last loss; he's 14-0 since then.
2. Georges St. Pierre (2): The best argument for St. Pierre moving up to face Silva at middleweight is that St. Pierre simply isn't being challenged at 170 pounds. For 25 minutes against Shields, there was never even an instant in which I thought St. Pierre was in the slightest bit of trouble. I'd love to see how St. Pierre reacts when he feels threatened, and I don't think I'm going to see that unless St. Pierre takes a step up in weight class.
3. Jon Jones (3): A hand injury forced Jones to withdraw from a planned light heavyweight title defense against Rashad Evans, although the Evans fight could still happen by the end of the year. The big question facing the UFC is whether a long layoff could derail some of the momentum that the promotion's brightest young star had built.
4. Jose Aldo (4): Aldo is a great fighter who's only 24 years old and might hold the featherweight title for many years. But the Hominick fight demonstrated that he is beatable: After battering Hominick for four rounds, Aldo got put on his back and beaten up in the fifth. A good wrestler like Aldo's next opponent, Chad Mendes, might just give him some trouble.
5. Dominick Cruz (5): The UFC bantamweight champion, Cruz is 17-1 and will get a chance to avenge his only loss, to Urijah Faber, in July. TERA Gold One of the things that's been overlooked about the first Faber-Cruz fight, more than four years ago, is that Cruz was only 21 years old at the time. The 25-year-old Cruz has improved dramatically and is a much more complete fighter.
6. Frank Edgar (6): RIFT Platinum The long-awaited third fight between Edgar and Gray Maynard is now less than a month away. If it's as good as their fight in January, no one will come away disappointed.
7. Gray Maynard (7): I rank Edgar slightly ahead of Maynard because Edgar has the title belt and the two wins over B.J. Penn, but it's certainly legitimate to consider Maynard the top lightweight, considering that he beat Edgar in 2008 and nearly beat Edgar in the first round of their draw in January. It would be nice to see a decisive victory one way or the other in their third fight.
8. Cain Velasquez (8): The undefeated heavyweight champion of the world will, rift gold if all goes according to plan, face the Brock Lesnar-Junior dos Santos winner on October 8 in Houston. That would represent just under a year off for Velasquez, and MMA fans can only hope that he'll be healthy and ready to go after a long layoff.
9. Shogun Rua (NR): I was probably a little too hasty in dropping Shogun out of the Top 10 in my last rankings, after he lost to Jones. RIFT Platinum Light heavyweight is the UFC's toughest division, and although Shogun was dominated by Jones, he has established himself as No. 2 at 205 pounds. I expect Shogun to avenge his loss to Forrest Griffin in Rio in August.
10. Lyoto Machida (NR): Machida showed with his spectacular knockout of Randy Couture what an explosive athlete he is. Some fans still perceive Machida as a cautious fighter who's content to get away with winning a decision, Rift Gold but his record doesn't really back that up: Machida has won the UFC's Knockout of the Night award in three of his last six fights. Shogun may have his number, but Machida has earned his spot in the Top 10.
GSP did what he usually does and won a dominant unanimous decision over a good opponent in Jake Shields, but he didn't do anything that makes him leapfrog Anderson Silva at the top of the list. And Aldo won a classic battle with Mark Hominick, but it wasn't the kind of transcendent performance that could put him on top of the MMA world.
So as we review the Top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, there's no change at the top.
(Number in parentheses is the fighter's rank in the last pound-for-pound list.)
1. Anderson Silva (1): The middleweight champion remains at the top of the mixed martial arts world, heading into his August title defense against Yushin Okami in Rio. The first Silva-Okami fight ended in controversy, as Silva was getting the better of Okami standing up but was disqualified for a kick to the head on the ground. That was Silva's last loss; he's 14-0 since then.
2. Georges St. Pierre (2): The best argument for St. Pierre moving up to face Silva at middleweight is that St. Pierre simply isn't being challenged at 170 pounds. For 25 minutes against Shields, there was never even an instant in which I thought St. Pierre was in the slightest bit of trouble. I'd love to see how St. Pierre reacts when he feels threatened, and I don't think I'm going to see that unless St. Pierre takes a step up in weight class.
3. Jon Jones (3): A hand injury forced Jones to withdraw from a planned light heavyweight title defense against Rashad Evans, although the Evans fight could still happen by the end of the year. The big question facing the UFC is whether a long layoff could derail some of the momentum that the promotion's brightest young star had built.
4. Jose Aldo (4): Aldo is a great fighter who's only 24 years old and might hold the featherweight title for many years. But the Hominick fight demonstrated that he is beatable: After battering Hominick for four rounds, Aldo got put on his back and beaten up in the fifth. A good wrestler like Aldo's next opponent, Chad Mendes, might just give him some trouble.
5. Dominick Cruz (5): The UFC bantamweight champion, Cruz is 17-1 and will get a chance to avenge his only loss, to Urijah Faber, in July. TERA Gold One of the things that's been overlooked about the first Faber-Cruz fight, more than four years ago, is that Cruz was only 21 years old at the time. The 25-year-old Cruz has improved dramatically and is a much more complete fighter.
6. Frank Edgar (6): RIFT Platinum The long-awaited third fight between Edgar and Gray Maynard is now less than a month away. If it's as good as their fight in January, no one will come away disappointed.
7. Gray Maynard (7): I rank Edgar slightly ahead of Maynard because Edgar has the title belt and the two wins over B.J. Penn, but it's certainly legitimate to consider Maynard the top lightweight, considering that he beat Edgar in 2008 and nearly beat Edgar in the first round of their draw in January. It would be nice to see a decisive victory one way or the other in their third fight.
8. Cain Velasquez (8): The undefeated heavyweight champion of the world will, rift gold if all goes according to plan, face the Brock Lesnar-Junior dos Santos winner on October 8 in Houston. That would represent just under a year off for Velasquez, and MMA fans can only hope that he'll be healthy and ready to go after a long layoff.
9. Shogun Rua (NR): I was probably a little too hasty in dropping Shogun out of the Top 10 in my last rankings, after he lost to Jones. RIFT Platinum Light heavyweight is the UFC's toughest division, and although Shogun was dominated by Jones, he has established himself as No. 2 at 205 pounds. I expect Shogun to avenge his loss to Forrest Griffin in Rio in August.
10. Lyoto Machida (NR): Machida showed with his spectacular knockout of Randy Couture what an explosive athlete he is. Some fans still perceive Machida as a cautious fighter who's content to get away with winning a decision, Rift Gold but his record doesn't really back that up: Machida has won the UFC's Knockout of the Night award in three of his last six fights. Shogun may have his number, but Machida has earned his spot in the Top 10.
2011年5月4日星期三
Cheerleader Has Part of Brain Removed to Stop Seizures
A former high school cheerleader who suffered a massive head injury says the subsequent, constant seizures she had stopped only after she underwent surgery to remove part of her brain.
Whitney Henry, now 20 years old, was the victim of a cheerleading stunt gone bad. During her junior year of high school,Rift Gold she and her teammates were practicing a trick where they threw a girl up into the air, she told ABC News. But something went terribly wrong.
The girl suddenly jumped as she was flying through the air, and her head struck Henry's face with crushing force. Henry lost her two front teeth, but thought the worst was over after she had them replaced. It wasn't.
Six months later, she experienced her first seizure, according to ABC News. She says she couldn't talk for a full two minutes and had a strong feeling of deja vu.
"I didn't know if I was just different or if I was having a seizure or what," Henry told ABC.
Doctors later informed her that it was a seizure. RIFT PlatinumIt would be her first of dozens that would become increasingly stronger and more frequent until Henry was having between 30 and 50 of them a day.
Though they didn't cause her to tremble and convulse, the seizures left her temporarily paralyzed and paranoid and would sometimes send her into a bizarre state of euphoria afterwards.
"Usually I would need someone to calm me down because I would get so paranoid and so shaken up," Henry told ABC. rift gold"And if I had a cluster of seizures, four or five back to back, I'd have a sense of euphoria."
Once she was so giddy and out of it that teachers sent her home from school.
"I was considered a distraction to the classroom," she said. "They thought I was high."
Dr. Shenandoah Robinson, the director of pediatric epilepsy surgery at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, said severe seizures like Henry's can be totally life-changing and debilitating.
"It's very disruptive," she told AOL Health. "And there are also social implications."
What was so frustrating was that physicians couldn't properly diagnose Henry's condition. RIFT PlatinumShe tried six different neurologists and 13 different drugs but wasn't getting any better.
"It was maddening," she told ABC. "I had no quality of life at all."
Her schoolday was often interrupted by seizures. Workouts and anything else that elevated her heart rate caused more of them, rendering the typically active Henry practically sedentary. Thanks to her lack of exercise and the side effects of her seizure medications, she gained about 45 pounds in a short period of time, according to ABC.
"I looked awful and I felt awful and I had no self-esteem," she said.
The attacks had an impact on her entire life. She stopped doing well in school and her grades took a nose dive.
Ultimately, doctors diagnosed her condition as the result of a traumatic brain injury from the accident that had left a contusion -- a severe and permanent bruise on the brainTERA Gold -- which was causing the epileptic symptoms.
Dr. Michael Handler, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colo., was the one who realized what was going on and recommended that Henry have surgery to remove a section of her temporal lobe about the size of a golf ball. She said yes right away.
Robinson said the benefits of such a procedure far outweigh the risks.
"It's somewhat risky -- it's brain surgery," she told AOL Health. "But compared to having persistent seizures, it's not that risky. Epilepsy surgery is much less dangerous than if you have to go for emergency brain surgery. The risk of serious problems is usually under 1 percent."
The operation Henry had can cause loss of peripheral vision -- which the former cheerleader hasn't experienced -- or some memory trouble, according to Robinson. But seizures can also cause serious impairment of cognitive functions, she said.
Henry has had some after-effects -- she must avoid high-impact exercise and gets sick more easily than others -- but she's been free of the seizures for a year and a half. And she hasn't been happier in a long time.
"I guess that part of my brain was holding me back," she told ABC. "I'm excited to have a fresh start."
Whitney Henry, now 20 years old, was the victim of a cheerleading stunt gone bad. During her junior year of high school,Rift Gold she and her teammates were practicing a trick where they threw a girl up into the air, she told ABC News. But something went terribly wrong.
The girl suddenly jumped as she was flying through the air, and her head struck Henry's face with crushing force. Henry lost her two front teeth, but thought the worst was over after she had them replaced. It wasn't.
Six months later, she experienced her first seizure, according to ABC News. She says she couldn't talk for a full two minutes and had a strong feeling of deja vu.
"I didn't know if I was just different or if I was having a seizure or what," Henry told ABC.
Doctors later informed her that it was a seizure. RIFT PlatinumIt would be her first of dozens that would become increasingly stronger and more frequent until Henry was having between 30 and 50 of them a day.
Though they didn't cause her to tremble and convulse, the seizures left her temporarily paralyzed and paranoid and would sometimes send her into a bizarre state of euphoria afterwards.
"Usually I would need someone to calm me down because I would get so paranoid and so shaken up," Henry told ABC. rift gold"And if I had a cluster of seizures, four or five back to back, I'd have a sense of euphoria."
Once she was so giddy and out of it that teachers sent her home from school.
"I was considered a distraction to the classroom," she said. "They thought I was high."
Dr. Shenandoah Robinson, the director of pediatric epilepsy surgery at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, said severe seizures like Henry's can be totally life-changing and debilitating.
"It's very disruptive," she told AOL Health. "And there are also social implications."
What was so frustrating was that physicians couldn't properly diagnose Henry's condition. RIFT PlatinumShe tried six different neurologists and 13 different drugs but wasn't getting any better.
"It was maddening," she told ABC. "I had no quality of life at all."
Her schoolday was often interrupted by seizures. Workouts and anything else that elevated her heart rate caused more of them, rendering the typically active Henry practically sedentary. Thanks to her lack of exercise and the side effects of her seizure medications, she gained about 45 pounds in a short period of time, according to ABC.
"I looked awful and I felt awful and I had no self-esteem," she said.
The attacks had an impact on her entire life. She stopped doing well in school and her grades took a nose dive.
Ultimately, doctors diagnosed her condition as the result of a traumatic brain injury from the accident that had left a contusion -- a severe and permanent bruise on the brainTERA Gold -- which was causing the epileptic symptoms.
Dr. Michael Handler, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colo., was the one who realized what was going on and recommended that Henry have surgery to remove a section of her temporal lobe about the size of a golf ball. She said yes right away.
Robinson said the benefits of such a procedure far outweigh the risks.
"It's somewhat risky -- it's brain surgery," she told AOL Health. "But compared to having persistent seizures, it's not that risky. Epilepsy surgery is much less dangerous than if you have to go for emergency brain surgery. The risk of serious problems is usually under 1 percent."
The operation Henry had can cause loss of peripheral vision -- which the former cheerleader hasn't experienced -- or some memory trouble, according to Robinson. But seizures can also cause serious impairment of cognitive functions, she said.
Henry has had some after-effects -- she must avoid high-impact exercise and gets sick more easily than others -- but she's been free of the seizures for a year and a half. And she hasn't been happier in a long time.
"I guess that part of my brain was holding me back," she told ABC. "I'm excited to have a fresh start."
U.S. May Pay to Test Elderly for STDs
U.S. health officials are weighing whether to cover STD tests for the elderly and disabled under Medicare laws.
The new health insurance law already pays for HIV testing.Rift Gold But now, those administering the government program are considering adding screening for diseases like syphilis and hepatitis B to the coverage, according to Reuters.
The move would be the latest in the effort to offer more preventive health care.
The insurance plan already covers almost 39 million Americans 65 or older.RIFT Platinum About 7.6 million disabled Americans also are insured under Medicare.
Researchers say that not only are Americans living longer, but they're also staying sexually active longer -- which is why the new coverage is being considered.
The tests, say those in the public health field, rift goldwill likely wind up costing less down the road because they can prevent conditions that crop up from postponing treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. They can also help stop the spreading of such infections to other people.
Currently, Medicare pays for pap smears, pelvic exams and tests for diabetes and colorectal cancer, in addition to HIV tests. The program is now deciding whether to extend coverage to include screenings for the following:
-- Chlamydia among sexually active or pregnant women 24 and younger and among older, RIFT Platinumhigher-risk sexually active or pregnant women
-- Gonorrhea in all high-risk sexually active or pregnant women
-- Syphilis for those considered to be at higher risk for the infection
-- Counseling for high-risk, sexually active teens and adults in order to prevent STDs
TERA GoldOfficials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to make their decision on the new STD coverage by Aug. 24, Reuters said.
The new health insurance law already pays for HIV testing.Rift Gold But now, those administering the government program are considering adding screening for diseases like syphilis and hepatitis B to the coverage, according to Reuters.
The move would be the latest in the effort to offer more preventive health care.
The insurance plan already covers almost 39 million Americans 65 or older.RIFT Platinum About 7.6 million disabled Americans also are insured under Medicare.
Researchers say that not only are Americans living longer, but they're also staying sexually active longer -- which is why the new coverage is being considered.
The tests, say those in the public health field, rift goldwill likely wind up costing less down the road because they can prevent conditions that crop up from postponing treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. They can also help stop the spreading of such infections to other people.
Currently, Medicare pays for pap smears, pelvic exams and tests for diabetes and colorectal cancer, in addition to HIV tests. The program is now deciding whether to extend coverage to include screenings for the following:
-- Chlamydia among sexually active or pregnant women 24 and younger and among older, RIFT Platinumhigher-risk sexually active or pregnant women
-- Gonorrhea in all high-risk sexually active or pregnant women
-- Syphilis for those considered to be at higher risk for the infection
-- Counseling for high-risk, sexually active teens and adults in order to prevent STDs
TERA GoldOfficials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to make their decision on the new STD coverage by Aug. 24, Reuters said.
2011年5月3日星期二
A Country Reunited
Although Germany,rift gold in the heart of central Europe, has a long history, it is actually a young country. For many years various princes and dukes and bishops ruled small states in the region. It was not until 1871 that these became united as a single nation.
Germany has produced many renowned musicians, writers, artists, scientists, and athletes. Such figures include writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In the early 20th century, Germany became involved in two world wars. The country was on the losing side of World War I and as a result suffered through difficult times. Many of the people were unhappy, and some supported Adolf Hitler, who wanted to make Germany strong again. As the leader of the Nazi party he soon took control of the country. Germany then tried to conquer several neighboring countries. The conflict over these actions developed into World War II.
After Germany was defeated in 1945, the country was divided into East and West Germany. East Germany became a communist country. Its rulers controlled both the government and the economy. Berlin, the former capital of Germany,rift gold was in East Germany, but it was also divided. In 1961 the East German government built the Berlin Wall to separate the two sides of the city. Many families were split up and could no longer visit each other. In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell and the communist government of East Germany came to an end. On October 3, 1990, Germany became one country again. Berlin became its new, undivided capital.
Germany has produced many renowned musicians, writers, artists, scientists, and athletes. Such figures include writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In the early 20th century, Germany became involved in two world wars. The country was on the losing side of World War I and as a result suffered through difficult times. Many of the people were unhappy, and some supported Adolf Hitler, who wanted to make Germany strong again. As the leader of the Nazi party he soon took control of the country. Germany then tried to conquer several neighboring countries. The conflict over these actions developed into World War II.
After Germany was defeated in 1945, the country was divided into East and West Germany. East Germany became a communist country. Its rulers controlled both the government and the economy. Berlin, the former capital of Germany,rift gold was in East Germany, but it was also divided. In 1961 the East German government built the Berlin Wall to separate the two sides of the city. Many families were split up and could no longer visit each other. In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell and the communist government of East Germany came to an end. On October 3, 1990, Germany became one country again. Berlin became its new, undivided capital.
Deadly Siege Kills at Least 20 in Iraq
Iraqi officials say at least 20 people have been killed after gunmen wearing military uniforms and explosive belts stormed into the provincial council headquarters in Tikrit.
Investigators say a car exploded outside of the building on Tuesday shortly after the gunmen forced their way inside. Authorities say rift gold the attackers have been hurling grenades at law enforcement officers.
Officials say about 60 people have been wounded.
There are conflicting reports on whether the attackers are holding hostages. The Associated Press quotes the provincial governor as saying he has lost contact with three lawmakers who were inside.
Police have imposed a curfew in Tikrit,rift gold which is about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad. Tikrit is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Investigators say a car exploded outside of the building on Tuesday shortly after the gunmen forced their way inside. Authorities say rift gold the attackers have been hurling grenades at law enforcement officers.
Officials say about 60 people have been wounded.
There are conflicting reports on whether the attackers are holding hostages. The Associated Press quotes the provincial governor as saying he has lost contact with three lawmakers who were inside.
Police have imposed a curfew in Tikrit,rift gold which is about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad. Tikrit is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi Security Forces Storm Building Held by Gunmen
Iraqi security forces wrestled control of a provincial council headquarters from gunmen who stormed the building on Tuesday and took hostages.
Police say at least 53 people were killed and nearly 100 injured during the hours-long siege in Tikrit.
Witnesses say the gunmen were wearing military uniforms rift gold
and suicide vests as they stormed into the building. Investigators say at least one gunman detonated explosives to clear the way for the others to enter.
Officials say a short while later, a car exploded outside of the building, killing a journalist and several law enforcement officers. The gunmen also hurled grenades at law enforcement officials to keep them away.
Local officials say the attackers killed three councilmen inside the building and set their bodies on fire. At least six assailants died during the siege,rift gold which some officials have blamed on al-Qaida.
Tikrit, located about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad, is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Police say at least 53 people were killed and nearly 100 injured during the hours-long siege in Tikrit.
Witnesses say the gunmen were wearing military uniforms rift gold
and suicide vests as they stormed into the building. Investigators say at least one gunman detonated explosives to clear the way for the others to enter.
Officials say a short while later, a car exploded outside of the building, killing a journalist and several law enforcement officers. The gunmen also hurled grenades at law enforcement officials to keep them away.
Local officials say the attackers killed three councilmen inside the building and set their bodies on fire. At least six assailants died during the siege,rift gold which some officials have blamed on al-Qaida.
Tikrit, located about 140 kilometers north of Baghdad, is the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Al-Qaida in Iraq Claims Responsibility for Tikrit Attack
Al-Qaida in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the March 29 attack in northern Iraq that left 58 people dead and nearly 100 wounded.
The group said Saturday on its website that five al-Qaida members used a car bomb, an explosive belt and grenades during the raid and hostage situation at the provincial council headquarters in Tikrit. Iraqi troops took back the complex after a battle lasting several hours.
Also Saturday,rift gold a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad, wounding three soldiers.
The attack comes a day after police said a suicide bomber killed three people during an attack on a group of soldiers stationed at an army post in Fallujah, 60 kilometers west of Baghdad. Among the dead was an Iraqi army colonel.
Fallujah,rift gold a city in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province, was the center of much of the violence during the height of the war in Iraq.
The group said Saturday on its website that five al-Qaida members used a car bomb, an explosive belt and grenades during the raid and hostage situation at the provincial council headquarters in Tikrit. Iraqi troops took back the complex after a battle lasting several hours.
Also Saturday,rift gold a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad, wounding three soldiers.
The attack comes a day after police said a suicide bomber killed three people during an attack on a group of soldiers stationed at an army post in Fallujah, 60 kilometers west of Baghdad. Among the dead was an Iraqi army colonel.
Fallujah,rift gold a city in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province, was the center of much of the violence during the height of the war in Iraq.
Syria Grants Citizenship to Kurds in Northeast
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has granted Syrian citizenship to tens of thousands of Kurds living in the country's northeast.
It is the latest effort by the government to appease protesters who,rift gold in demonstrations throughout the country, are demanding greater political freedoms.
State-run media say Assad issued the decree on Thursday, a week after he set up a committee to look into the 1962 census that originally denied the Kurdish minority citizenship.
Kurds in Syria have complained of discrimination from the government, and the lack of citizenship has sometimes hindered members of the ethnic minority from getting jobs.
State-run television also says Assad has fired the governor of Homs province, an area rocked by three weeks of anti-government protests.
The moves come a day after Syria made an overture to conservative Muslims by shutting the country's only casino and overturning a decision that banned teachers from wearing the Islamic veil.
President Assad has put forth a series of planned reforms,rift gold including changing some in leadership and studying the lifting of the country's emergency law banning gatherings. But the offers have failed to stop opposition demands.
Anti-government activists have called on crowds to commemorate the more than 60 people reported killed in recent protests against Syria's rulers. The government has blamed the deaths and the unrest on "armed groups."
It is the latest effort by the government to appease protesters who,rift gold in demonstrations throughout the country, are demanding greater political freedoms.
State-run media say Assad issued the decree on Thursday, a week after he set up a committee to look into the 1962 census that originally denied the Kurdish minority citizenship.
Kurds in Syria have complained of discrimination from the government, and the lack of citizenship has sometimes hindered members of the ethnic minority from getting jobs.
State-run television also says Assad has fired the governor of Homs province, an area rocked by three weeks of anti-government protests.
The moves come a day after Syria made an overture to conservative Muslims by shutting the country's only casino and overturning a decision that banned teachers from wearing the Islamic veil.
President Assad has put forth a series of planned reforms,rift gold including changing some in leadership and studying the lifting of the country's emergency law banning gatherings. But the offers have failed to stop opposition demands.
Anti-government activists have called on crowds to commemorate the more than 60 people reported killed in recent protests against Syria's rulers. The government has blamed the deaths and the unrest on "armed groups."
Desert State
Western Australia is Australia’s largest state. Much of it is desert. It receives little rainfall, and the temperature often is higher than 100° F. Most of its people live in Perth,rift gold a coastal city that is the state capital.
The first people to live in Western Australia moved there at least 40,000 years ago. These Aboriginal people probably came from islands in Southeast Asia. As they continued to arrive, they probably introduced to Australia the wild dog called the “dingo.”
The first Europeans to see Western Australia were probably Portuguese sailors in the 1520s. But they didn’t land. The Dutch East India Company, a trading company, sailed into the Indian Ocean in the early 1600s. The Dutch mapped the coastline, but they didn’t stay either.
In 1829 Captain James Stirling of the British Navy started the first permanent European settlement in Australia at what is now Perth. Before then, the only Europeans living in Australia had been British convicts sent there by the British government. About 4,000 settlers joined Captain Stirling in the new colony.
Because of difficult living conditions, many of the settlers died over the next few years. But things gradually improved,rift gold and by 1835 the settlers were able to feed themselves. During the 1850s and 1860s the British forced male convicts to construct many of the colony’s roads and public buildings.
Western Australia became a state in 1901. From the 1940s through the 1960s, its population doubled. Today the state is home to about 2 million people, and Perth has one of the highest populations of Australia’s cities.
The first people to live in Western Australia moved there at least 40,000 years ago. These Aboriginal people probably came from islands in Southeast Asia. As they continued to arrive, they probably introduced to Australia the wild dog called the “dingo.”
The first Europeans to see Western Australia were probably Portuguese sailors in the 1520s. But they didn’t land. The Dutch East India Company, a trading company, sailed into the Indian Ocean in the early 1600s. The Dutch mapped the coastline, but they didn’t stay either.
In 1829 Captain James Stirling of the British Navy started the first permanent European settlement in Australia at what is now Perth. Before then, the only Europeans living in Australia had been British convicts sent there by the British government. About 4,000 settlers joined Captain Stirling in the new colony.
Because of difficult living conditions, many of the settlers died over the next few years. But things gradually improved,rift gold and by 1835 the settlers were able to feed themselves. During the 1850s and 1860s the British forced male convicts to construct many of the colony’s roads and public buildings.
Western Australia became a state in 1901. From the 1940s through the 1960s, its population doubled. Today the state is home to about 2 million people, and Perth has one of the highest populations of Australia’s cities.
2011年5月2日星期一
AIG offers to rebuy toxic assets from New York Fed
WASHINGTON -American International Group Inc. RIFT Platinum is offering $15.7 billion for a heap of toxic mortgage bonds that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York took off its hands at the peak of the financial crisis in 2008.
The insurance conglomerate said in a letter to the New York Fed Thursday that the sale would reduce the amount of government money it holds to $26 billion, rift gold including an unused $2 billion line of credit, from $39 billion.
AIG received the largest bailout of the financial crisis. TERA Gold The New York Fed and Treasury Department extended lifelines worth a total of $182 billion.
The insurer is paying off its government debts by selling businesses and restructuring its balance sheet. RIFT Platinum Treasury still owns 92 percent of AIG's common shares.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. Rift Gold All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The insurance conglomerate said in a letter to the New York Fed Thursday that the sale would reduce the amount of government money it holds to $26 billion, rift gold including an unused $2 billion line of credit, from $39 billion.
AIG received the largest bailout of the financial crisis. TERA Gold The New York Fed and Treasury Department extended lifelines worth a total of $182 billion.
The insurer is paying off its government debts by selling businesses and restructuring its balance sheet. RIFT Platinum Treasury still owns 92 percent of AIG's common shares.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. Rift Gold All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Lindsay Lohan Feels She's Being Punished Because She's a StarAfter returning to Lynwood Correctional Facility on Friday for a five-hour stay before posting bail, Lindsay Lohan has now come to the conclusion that she is being punished simply because she's a celebrity.
After returning to Lynwood Correctional Facility on Friday for a five-hour stay before posting bail, Rift Gold Lindsay Lohan has now come to the conclusion that she is being punished simply because she's a celebrity.
"She is being treated differently from everyone else because she is famous," a source close to Lindsay tells me. RIFT Platinum "We were all in shock when she was forced to return to jail just to make an example out of her. It's not right. Especially when she is working so hard to live a healthy life."
On Friday, a judge ruled that Lindsay, who has been accused of stealing a necklace, rift gold was in violation of probation. After five hours in jail, she posted bail and will remain free pending an appeal.
"She is innocent and can't understand what is going on," my source tells me. "She didn't steal any necklace and will be found innocent. RIFT Platinum It's obvious this is only happening because she is famous and anyone that thinks celebrities get away with stuff or let off will think again after seeing this."
However, Dan Abrams, ABC News legal analyst and founder of Mediaite.com, disagrees.
"I know it's hard for some to believe, but Lindsay Lohan is basically being treated the same way any DUI, TERA Gold probation violating, accused small-time thief would be treated by the L.A. judicial system."
"She is being treated differently from everyone else because she is famous," a source close to Lindsay tells me. RIFT Platinum "We were all in shock when she was forced to return to jail just to make an example out of her. It's not right. Especially when she is working so hard to live a healthy life."
On Friday, a judge ruled that Lindsay, who has been accused of stealing a necklace, rift gold was in violation of probation. After five hours in jail, she posted bail and will remain free pending an appeal.
"She is innocent and can't understand what is going on," my source tells me. "She didn't steal any necklace and will be found innocent. RIFT Platinum It's obvious this is only happening because she is famous and anyone that thinks celebrities get away with stuff or let off will think again after seeing this."
However, Dan Abrams, ABC News legal analyst and founder of Mediaite.com, disagrees.
"I know it's hard for some to believe, but Lindsay Lohan is basically being treated the same way any DUI, TERA Gold probation violating, accused small-time thief would be treated by the L.A. judicial system."
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