UK gas stocks swell on LNG supplies from Qatar

By Daniel Fineren

DUBAI (Reuters) - UK stocks of liquefied natural gas have swollen over the last week, data from National Grid shows, after three big Qatari deliveries helped replenish low heating fuel supplies during the coldest March in over half a century.

Britain's relatively small gas stocks fell to just 2,594 gigawatt hours (about 225 million cubic metres) on Saturday, according to the latest data from National Grid, as prolonged cold weather kept heating demand well above seasonal norms.

But three large deliveries from Qatar of super-cooled gas over the last week, with the latest unloading in Wales on Saturday, have swelled additional stocks of liquefied natural gas (LNG) held at import terminals to 6,219 GWh, or around 540 mcm, up from 358 mcm last Sunday.

Despite gas demand expected to be around 303 mcm on Sunday, about 20 percent above normal for the time of year, National Grid expects supplies coming from Norway, continental Europe and the UK's own North Sea gas fields to exceed demand.

Britain's Met office said on Thursday that March looked set to be the coldest since 1962, with a mean UK temperature of just 2.5 degrees Celsius between March 1 and March 26.

The prolonged cold weather has drained UK stocks held in traditional storage sites in gaseous form to around 5 percent of capacity on Saturday.

But with plentiful supplies coming in by pipeline, Britain's three large LNG import terminals only made small contributions to UK gas supply over the weekend, despite large deliveries to two of them over the last week.

The terminals - two in south Wales and one near London - each have several large storage tanks, some the size of London's Albert Hall, where they keep the gas super-chilled in its liquid state before warming it back into gaseous form when needed.

The three deliveries from Qatar, the world's largest LNG exporter, have swollen Britain's LNG stocks from around 30 percent full last Sunday to over 40 percent full ahead of the working week - a time when gas demand from industry rises.

Another LNG tanker is on course to deliver a cargo from Trinidad on Monday, according to ship tracking data on Reuters, which should boost UK gas stocks by about another 80 mcm.

According to Reuters analysis of AIS data transmitted by the world's fleet of LNG tankers on Sunday, there were no other ships indicating that they are heading to Britain.

There were three Qatari LNG tankers heading north through the Red Sea on Sunday, any of which might be destined for the UK. Qatari LNG tankers typically do not specify their final destinations until they have emerged from the Suez Canal.

(Editing by Catherine Evans)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-gas-stocks-swell-lng-supplies-qatar-113249841.html

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US consumer spending, income jump in February

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Consumers earned more and spent more in February, helped by a stronger job market that has offset some of the drag from higher taxes.

The Commerce Department said Friday that consumer spending rose 0.7 percent in February from January. It was the biggest gain in five months and followed a revised 0.4 percent rise in January, which was double the initial estimate.

Americans were able to spend more because their income rose 1.1 percent last month. That followed January's 3.7 percent plunge and December's 2.6 percent surge. The huge swings reflected a rush to pay bonuses and dividends in December before taxes increased.

After-tax income increased 1.1 percent last month.

The jump in income allowed consumers to put a little more away in February. The saving rate increased to 2.6 percent of after-tax income, up from 2.2 percent in January.

Consumers spent more at the start of the year even after paying higher taxes. An increase in Social Security taxes has reduced take-home pay for nearly all Americans receiving a paycheck. And income taxes have risen on the highest earners. The tax increases both took effect on Jan. 1.

The jump in spending and income suggests economic growth strengthened at the start of the year after nearly stalling at the end of last year. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.

Most economists predict the economy is growing at an annual rate of roughly 2.5 percent in the January-March quarter. That would be a vast improvement from the 0.4 percent growth rate in the October-December quarter, which was held back by slower company stockpiling and the sharpest defense cuts in 40 years.

Inflation, as measured by a gauge tied to consumer spending, increased 1.3 percent in February compared with a year ago. That's well below the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target, giving the central bank room to keep stimulating the economy without having to worry about price pressures.

One reason the tax increases haven't slowed the economy is companies have accelerated hiring and are slowly but steadily increasing wages.

Employers have added an average of 200,000 jobs a month since November. That helped lowered the unemployment rate in February to a four-year low of 7.7 percent. Economists expect similar strong job gains in March.

Most other signs point to an economy that is gaining momentum. Businesses are investing more in equipment and machinery, which has given factories a lift after a disappointing 2012.

And the housing recovery appears to be strengthening. In February, sales of previously occupied homes rose to the highest level in more than three years. The gains have helped lift home prices, which have made Americans feel wealthier.

Stock prices have also surged. On Thursday, the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at a record high of 1,569. That surpassed the previous record of 1,565 set in October 2007, a year before the peak of the financial crisis.

Markets are closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-consumer-spending-income-jump-february-123455179--finance.html

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AMD Radeon HD 7990 says hello, plays a bit of Battlefield 4 at GDC

Gamers were down-right spoiled at this year's GDC with a full 17 minutes of beautiful Battlefield 4 in-game footage. Minds blown, AMD took responsibility for the part it played in the mess, admitting the demo was running on its Radeon HD 7990 graphics card. It's the first time the company's confirmed the existence of the long-fabled card, and went as far as calling the case-busting monster "the world's fastest." All we know is the card combines two of the HD 7970's Tahiti GPUs -- AMD's not sharing the full specs -- but the eagle-eyed folks at AnandTech have plucked a few extra details from the limited pictures available. They note the open-air cooling, which would require a drafty case but mean the fans should run fairly quiet, and that power consumption is likely to be no more than 375 watts. Not much to go on, we know, but we'll be waiting eagerly for AMD's full reveal. Now, your BF4 video awaits. (Warning: the game dialogue contains a few naughty words).

[Image Credit: AnandTech]

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Peripherals, AMD

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/29/amd-radeon-hd-7990/

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Anchorman 2 Set Photo: Ron Burgundy's Son?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/03/anchorman-2-set-photo-ron-burgundys-son/

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Consumer data support sturdy first-quarter growth picture

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer spending rose in February and sentiment among Americans perked up this month, further signs of an acceleration in economic activity in the first quarter after a near stall in late 2012.

The data on Friday also showed a rebound in income growth, putting the economy in a better shape to deal with tighter fiscal policy, particularly the $85 billion in across-the-board federal government spending cuts, known as the "sequester."

"The economy is in a good place now in terms of momentum and strength and it will need it as the government spending cuts will take something off growth as the year progresses," said Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in New York.

Consumer spending increased 0.7 percent last month after a 0.4 percent rise in January, the Commerce Department said.

Though part of the increase in spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, was because of higher gasoline prices, Americans also bought long-lasting goods such as automobiles and spent more on services.

After adjusting for inflation, spending was up 0.3 percent after advancing by the same margin in January. That prompted some economists to bump up their first-quarter economic growth estimates.

Barclays raised its gross domestic product estimate by 0.7 percentage point to 3.3 percent. Macroeconomic Advisers lifted their estimate by three-tenths of a point to 3.5 percent.

The economy grew at only a 0.4 percent annual pace in the fourth quarter.

A separate report showed households this month shrugged off the deep government spending cuts, focusing instead on the steady labor market improvement, which is starting to boost wages.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's index of consumer sentiment rose to 78.6 from 77.6 in February.

"Consumers have discounted the administration's warning that economic catastrophe would follow the reductions in federal spending, and consumers have renewed their expectation that gains in employment will accelerate through the rest of 2013," said survey director Richard Curtin.

And they have reason to be optimistic. Income increased a healthy 1.1 percent after tumbling 3.7 percent in January.

Personal income had increased sharply in December as businesses rushed to pay dividends and bonuses before tax hikes took effect this year. That also skewed income data for January.

LITTLE SIGN OF FISCAL DRAG

A 2 percent payroll tax cut expired on January 1 and tax rates for wealthy Americans also went up. The consumer spending and sentiment reports were the latest to show little sign the tighter fiscal policy has been a major drag on the economy.

Employment growth accelerated in February, factory activity touched a 1-1/2 year high and first-time applications for unemployment benefits have only increased moderately in March.

Last month, the income at the disposal of households after inflation and taxes increased 0.7 percent in February after dropping 4.0 percent in January.

With income growth outpacing spending, the saving rate - the percentage of disposable income households are socking away - rose to 2.6 percent from 2.2 percent in January.

The higher gasoline prices pushed up inflation, with a price index for consumer spending rising 0.4 percent after being flat for two straight months. February's increase in the PCE index was the largest since August.

But a core reading that strips out food and energy costs rose only 0.1 percent after increasing 0.2 percent in January, showing no sign of underlying inflation pressures.

Over the past 12 months, inflation has risen 1.3 percent after rising by the same margin in the period through January.

Core prices were up 1.3 percent, well below the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target. They also had risen 1.3 percent in the 12 months through January.

The benign inflation picture should give the U.S. central bank room to continue with its monetary stimulus as it seeks to boost job growth.

The Fed said last week it would maintain its monthly $85 billion purchases of mortgage and Treasury bonds until it saw a substantial improvement in the job market.

"This is plenty of ammunition for all those Fed officials, who currently do not want to scale back the degree of monetary accommodation," said Harm Bandholz, chief U.S. economist UniCredit Research in New York.

"For investors this must looks like Goldilocks: Better economic data and ongoing monetary accommodation at the same time."

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani, additional reporting by Luciana Lopez in New York; Editing by Neil Stempleman)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-consumer-spending-rises-supports-sturdy-growth-picture-123723020--business.html

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frolicEARTH :: Your Green-Minded Action Sports and Outdoor ...

It?s impossible to talk about all of the World?s fantastic trails but it is worth adding each and every one of these to your bucket list. If you never walk any other trails you?ll die happy having walked these. The list is suitable for hardened hikers and newbies alike, having easier alternative routes when the going gets tough. Hiking gives unparalleled access to the most natural and beautiful places on Earth and rewards hikers with a fantastic sense of achievement at the end too. Here are 5 of the best trails on Earth spread over 4 continents:

The Inca Trail, Peru. This is one of the most famous but also one of the most spectacular trails on Earth, ending with the preverbal cherry on top; the ancient city of Machu Picchu, where you?ll get to explore the ruins of a civilization now lost. History and archaeology fans will enjoy the sensation of stepping back in time to a place absolutely removed from modern culture to marvel at the feats of engineering that the Incas achieved.

Image source: Emmanuel Dyan

The trail itself is demanding and you must stop along the way as you climb higher to give your body time to acclimatise. You need a pass to walk this trail and the number of people allowed through each day is restricted so be sure to book and show up on the day. It takes around 4 days to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco, the route taking you through forests, valleys and up 4000 metres into the sky.

When to go: April to October.

The Narrows, Zion NP, Utah, USA. Utah is an amazing spot for hikers and fans of outdoor activities in general, holding a total of 5 national parks. The landscape is dotted with incredible canyons that provide ample opportunity for wading or swimming along the way. The Narrows trails sets you right inside the canyon of the Virgin River, walking in the water if you like. You can dip in and out of this trail, taking your time or covering it in a day. For river hiking it?s important to have the right gear which should include special river hiking shoes. It is worth the extra cost of getting special gear and once you?ve experienced this sort of trail you?ll want to come back or find more like it, making plenty of use of your new shoes. Zion National Park has 12 camping sites so it?s easy to find somewhere to pitch up at night.

Image source: garrellmillhouse

When to go: You can hike in Utah year round but in general spring and autumn are the prime hiking seasons due to the more temperate weather at these times of year. However you might like to visit The Narrows during the summer, avoiding the usual crowds in the region as you?ll have plenty of shade and cool water as you hike inside the canyon of the Virgin River. The water level will also be lower and you?ll avoid the risk of flash flooding.

Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. This mountain range stretches 1000km South West to North East along the Eastern side of South Africa and into Lesotho. Treks can be arranged from Durban, taking you from South to North, and tailored to you; hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains for between 3 and 7 days depending on your fitness levels.

What?s special about hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains is the chance to sleep in one of the many caves in the region. These ?caves? are formed of overhangs in the sandstone hillsides and make fantastic overnight rest spots. They must have served as shelter to the local people too because here in the mountains is the largest collection of bushmen art in the world, comprising of 20,000 different in cave paintings.

Image source: Wild About Travel

The second highest waterfall in the world is here too, Tugela Falls. For the best views of the falls take a trail up Mount-Aux-Sources and continue climbing to the Amphitheatre escarpment. The landscape here is magnificent; combining high rocky outcrops with luscious lowland grass and forest.

When to go: Hikes can be arranged all year round so it depends on your tastes, experiences and expectations when you make your visit. The Tugela Falls will be most impressive after rains so the summer months (October to March) would be an ideal time for a route that takes in the falls.

Mountains of the Moon, Uganda. This is a challenging 9 day hike taking you through jungle and bog, up mountains over 4000 metres high, passing by glaciers and descending again into bamboo forests. This is a unique trail that promises great walking and climbing routes with an animal-spotting safari too. If you?re lucky you may walk a glacier and see an elephant on the same day. Many guided tours will include a gorilla watching section during your hike.

Image source: clemgirardot

The Mountains of the Moon which are part of Uganda?s Rwenzori Mountains is the highest mountain range in Africa. Parts of the trail look down into the Congo basin, a thick jungle that is one of the world?s most important wildernesses and is home to several types of gorilla, elephant and chimp.

When to go: December to March.

Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, offers something totally different to the above; a short seaside trail of only 16 miles. If you?ve never thought of hiking along white sand beaches looking out on the crystal clear Tasman Sea then start thinking about it. This is different to mountainous country walks or desert canyon trails because although you?ll find paradise on all of these trails nothing looks quite as heavenly as these beautiful beaches.

This is a fairly easy walk following the flat coastline around but encompassing a couple of headlands to keep your interest up. You?ll need to take a guided tour due to the lack of fresh water and scarcity of permanent overnight camps along the route. It?s also useful to have someone with lots of experience of the area with you as there are many snakes on Tasmania, all of which have a pretty nasty bite.

Image source: ekieraM

This is perfect for a mini break from the luxuries of a Tasmanian holiday. The facilities along the way are basic e.g. hand pumped water for showering but this adds to the feeling of getting away to a deserted island, if just for 2 or 3 days.

kirstysampson

Kirsty Sampson is an aspiring blogger from Manchester (UK), blogging about a wide variety of topics. Follow her on Twitter @kirstysampson1

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Source: http://www.frolicearth.com/2013/03/hiking-holidays-5-of-the-best-trails-on-earth/

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Franchise quarterback, anyone?

AP

When he agreed to a three-year, $6 million deal with the Ravens, one of the first things Michael Huff did was text Ed Reed.

But at the same time, he doesn?t need to spend too much time trying to be Ed Reed.

?It means a lot,? Huff said, via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. ?He?s one of the greatest, if not the greatest free safety to ever play the game. I just told him that I?ll carry on his legacy, carry on the tradition of great safeties in Baltimore. I?m definitely going to go out there and hold up my end.

?For me to come in here, I don?t really feel like I?m following his footsteps. I?m more kind of starting my own legacy and going in here to help the defense and help us win.?

There are two important reasons not to invite comparisons. One, Reed?s a former NFL defensive player of the year who?s likely to end up in the Hall of Fame when he?s finished.

But as importantly, Reed wasn?t Reed any more on the field last season, which is why they were willing to let him go become a Texan.

The Ravens weren?t going to get into a bidding war for a guy who?s turning 35 this season, allowing Houston to pay him a three-year, $15 million deal for intangibles.

So they found a player who is nearly five years younger, $9 million cheaper, and for the moment, perhaps a better fit.

Huff?s in Baltimore to play safety, but was forced into playing corner last year in Oakland. While he?s not someone you want on an island playing coverage, he can still cover ground, and that?s something the Ravens need in the middle of their new defense.

?He?s just a tremendous player, a tremendous guy,? Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. ?He fits us really well both football-wise and technique-wise, the type of person he is, the type of family man he is.

?He?s going to enable us to keep doing the things on defense that we have been doing and even build on those things. He has done it all because he?s smart, he?s tough and he knows how to play the game.?

So while the Ravens might not have the same kind of name recognition they once had on defense, they might be better. For roughly the same $41 million the Browns spent to lure outside linebacker Paul Kruger away, the Ravens have restocked by signing pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, lineman Chris Canty and Marcus Spears and Huff, which gives them a better opportunity to live up to the reputation the old guys created.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/29/teams-could-be-lining-up-for-crack-at-romo-in-2014/related/

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A New French Skyscraper That Stretches to the Sky

When you gaze at architecture firm Zaha Hadid's new tower, you imagine two jazz hands raising up to the sky as high as they stretch. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/DRZmQkWk3CQ/a-new-french-skyscraper-that-stretches-to-the-sky

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Blowing in the wind: How accurate is thermography of horses' legs?

Mar. 27, 2013 ? Since its introduction fifty or so years ago, thermography has been increasingly used by vets to pinpoint the cause of lameness in horses.? The method is fast and safe and is based on a simple idea.? The horse?s body surface emits infrared radiation that can be detected by an infrared camera, which is both easy and inexpensive to use.? The camera produces a coloured image that shows the variation in surface temperature across the area investigated.? The temperature is directly related to the presence of blood vessels near the skin, so the method can detect local inflammatory lesions or regions of modified blood flow and thus help localize the origin of lameness.

The theory is clear but to date there have been comparatively few investigations into the reliability of the method.? Furthermore, it is important to note that in practice trivial matters such as time constraints and movement of the horse can cause changes in both camera angle and distance of the camera to the area of the horse being investigated.? The effect to which these changes affect the results of thermographic imaging is unknown.? Finally, although it is generally accepted that thermographic imaging of horses should be performed in draught-free surroundings, there have not been any published studies on the effect of airflow on the results.

These issues have now been tackled by Simone Westermann of the Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, together with colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna) and with Adrian Ion at the Vienna University of Technology.? The scientists found that the method was highly reproducible and was less sensitive to variations in camera position and angle than might be expected.? In fact, the results were almost completely unaffected by 20? changes in camera angle and increases of up to 50 cm in the distance of the camera from the animal.? At a distance of 1 m from the horse a 20? change in camera angle corresponds to about 35 cm.? This represents the effective horizontal tolerance in positioning of the camera.? As Westermann says, ?vets should have little difficulty in remaining within this limit, so the method is applicable in practice.?? Surprisingly, the results showed that horses? left and right forelimbs show minor differences in temperature and Westermann cautions that ?it might be important to take these into account before reaching a final diagnosis.?

The technique is thus reliable and robust, at least in terms of variation in where the camera is located.? However, it turned out to be extremely sensitive to even very gentle drafts.? A wind speed of less than 1 m/s causes a drop in measured temperature of about 0.6?C, while winds of 1.3-2.6 m/s cause a drop of 1.5?C and winds of 3-4 m/s cause a drop of 2.1?C.? The discrepancies are more than sufficient to lead to a wrong diagnosis, although even the highest wind speed tested is hardly perceptible:? it would barely cause leaves on trees to move.

Westermann is keen to note the relevance of her work for vets who work on horses.? As she says, ?It turns out that it is not too important to be sure that the camera is in exactly the correct position before taking measurements.? But it is essential to perform thermography on horses in a room that is completely free of draughts.? If you don?t, your diagnosis will be completely unreliable.?

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Veterin?rmedizinische Universit?t Wien.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal References:

1. S. Westermann, C. Stanek, J. P. Schramel, A. Ion, H. H. F. Buchner. The effect of airflow on thermographically determined temperature of the distal forelimb of the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal, 2013; DOI: 10.1111/evj.12019
2. Simone Westermann, Heinz H. F. Buchner, Johannes P. Schramel, Alexander Tichy, Christian Stanek. Effects of infrared camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspects of the forelimbs in horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2013; 242 (3): 388 DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.3.388

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/buHXXDVIzh8/130327092521.htm

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Malaysia's Najib says economy at risk from weak election result

By Stuart Grudgings

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysian leader Najib Razak has warned that nascent reforms can't be done "overnight" and that Southeast Asia's third-largest economy risks slipping backwards if he does not win a strong majority in an election he must call within weeks.

Prime minister Najib said a reduced parliamentary majority could weaken his drive to curb Malaysia's budget deficit and raise investment, and even cost him his job.

"A strong government is necessary for us to accelerate the process of transformation in this country," Najib, who is also finance minister, told Reuters.

The election, shaping as the closest in more than 50 years of post-colonial history, must be called by the end of April.

"A weak government means instability and uncertainty and a country can ill afford that kind of scenario for the next five years given the external economic situation that's going to be between weak and rather uncertain."

Convincing Malaysians that his government is "transformational", as 59-year-old Najib puts it, is crucial to the ruling coalition's chances.

The ruling National Front is facing a confident opposition alliance led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who says Najib's reforms have stalled and who is tapping into a potent desire for change after 56 years of rule by a coalition led by the dominant United Malays National Party (UMNO).

Najib's coalition, helped by economic growth that hit 5.6 percent last year and its own deep financial pockets, is favored to win against a fractious three-party opposition. But there is uncertainty over the outcome, helping make Kuala Lumpur's stock index Asia's worst performer this year.

Najib has delayed potentially painful reforms to wean the country off dominant oil revenues and stem rising debt.

He signaled that those steps would not be rushed through even if he formed a stronger government than the one that emerged from the 2008 election, when the National Front lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time.

"If you try to do it overnight like some countries are doing, there's a massive contraction of the economy," he said.

"We cannot afford that. We have to be mildly expansionary in our policies but fiscally responsible," Najib said.

ARAB SPRING COMPARISON

Malaysia's budget deficit fell to 4.5 percent last year from more than 6 percent when Najib took office. Its debt has crept up to around 53 percent of GDP -- close to a self-imposed limit of 55 percent -- from 43 percent in 2008.

Najib has overseen a deluge of handouts to poorer Malaysians in what opposition politicians call thinly disguised vote-buying. Najib counters that the opposition's plans, including free university education, would send the deficit soaring.

"The word 'change' has been abused so many times. As you know with the Arab Spring, there were no dividends," Najib said.

Taking power in 2009, Najib staked his fortunes on reforms aimed at spurring growth, increasing transparency and dismantling policies that favor majority ethnic Malays but which have alienated minority ethnic Chinese and Indians.

His flagship policy is the $444 billion Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), which aims to double per capita incomes to $15,000 by 2020. The ETP has won initial praise from investors, although it remains to be seen if private investment can play as bigger role as hoped.

Najib's reformist ambitions are widely seen as having been curbed by conservative interests within UMNO. He has announced few major steps to roll back ethnic privileges that distort the economy and are seen as favoring the elite.

Najib said that a "vast majority" of government contracts were now awarded through open tenders and that government spending was increasingly based on needs rather than race.

Political pundits expect that an unconvincing election win for Najib will result in a leadership challenge later this year from within UMNO, possibly from his own deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, who is seen by markets as less reform-minded.

(Editing by Paul Tait)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/malaysias-najib-says-economy-risk-weak-election-result-065022879--business.html

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CSN: Halladay's health is concern? |? Hamels ready

CLEARWATER, Fla. ? The Phillies will wrap up the Florida portion of spring training on Thursday.

In nearly seven weeks of camp, they received positive vibes on a number of important fronts, including:

Ryan Howard: Healthy and hitting well.

Domonic Brown: Confident, smoking the ball and headed for a starting job.

Chase Utley: On the field, moving well and heating up.

Mike Adams: Healthy and breezing through innings.

Michael Young: Solid at third base.

Ben Revere: Despite not having pure power, the exciting little centerfielder hits the ball harder than some folks expected.

Entering the last day of camp, there is still one very big unanswered question: Roy Halladay, who makes his final spring start Thursday afternoon in Clearwater.

Halladay, 35, has had a curious spring that has included dead (fatigued) arm, lethargy, a stomach bug, delivery issues and diminished velocity. He has had trouble finding his cutter and has been hit hard recently.

Less than a week before opening day, nobody is sure whether Halladay can be consistently effective again. Halladay himself has acknowledged that he doesn?t have the pop he once did, but he believes he can have success if he concentrates on important standbys such as location, preparation, game plan and mixing pitches.

Time will tell if he?s right.

Halladay?s spring has caused some anxiety within the organization. That anxiety could be eased or heightened depending on his performance Thursday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Halladay faced a Jays? minor-league club on Saturday and was hit hard. After that game, he said he was working on things, particularly his sinker and cutter, and tinkering with grips. He said he would approach Thursday?s start more like a regular-season game where he mixes pitches, etc. The plan is for Halladay to throw between 90 and 100 pitches, which would put him on target to start in Atlanta next Wednesday night. (That?s the tentative plan, though nothing is official.)

Needless to say, all eyes will be focused on Halladay as camp comes to a close Thursday.

?I just want him to pitch, feel good, throw the ball and see what he?s got,? manager Charlie Manuel said. ?I think he?s going to be OK. I always say hitting is a feel thing. Pitching is, too. It?s just a matter of him getting everything together and feeling strong.?

Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/high-anxiety-halladay-remains-concern-final-day-camp

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Google adds Street View to ghost town inside Japan nuclear zone

AP / Google

This March 2013 image released by Google shows its camera-equipped Street View vehicle as it moves through Namie in Japan, a nuclear no-go zone where former residents have been unable to live since they fled from radioactive contamination from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant two years ago.

By Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press

TOKYO? ? Concrete rubble litters streets lined with shuttered shops and dark windows. A collapsed roof juts from the ground. A ship sits stranded on a stretch of dirt flattened when the tsunami roared across the coastline. There isn't a person in sight.

Google Street View is giving the world a rare glimpse into one of Japan's eerie ghost towns, created when the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami sparked a nuclear disaster that has left the area uninhabitable.

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The technology pieces together digital images captured by Google's fleet of camera-equipped vehicles and allows viewers to take virtual tours of locations around the world, including faraway spots like the South Pole and fantastic landscapes like the Grand Canyon.

AP / Google

This screenshot, made from the Google Maps site provided March 27, 2013 by Google, shows stranded ships left as a testament to the power of the tsunami which hit the area two years ago.

Now it is taking people inside Japan's nuclear no-go zone, to the city of Namie, whose 21,000 residents have been unable to return to live since they fled the radiation spewing from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant two years ago.

Koto Naganuma, 32, who lost her home in the tsunami, said some people find it too painful to see the places that were so familiar yet are now so out of reach.

She has only gone back once, a year ago, and for a few minutes.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited I can take a look at those places that are so dear to me," said Naganuma. "It would be hard, too. No one is going to be there."

Namie Mayor Tamotsu Baba said memories came flooding back as he looked at the images shot by Google earlier this month.

He spotted an area where an autumn festival used to be held and another of an elementary school that was once packed with schoolchildren.

"Those of us in the older generation feel that we received this town from our forbearers, and we feel great pain that we cannot pass it down to our children," he said in a post on his blog.

"We want this Street View imagery to become a permanent record of what happened to Namie-machi in the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster."

Street View was started in 2007, and now provides images from more than 3,000 cities across 48 countries, as well as parts of the Arctic and Antarctica.

More on Street View tours:

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

?

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Why the LaCrosse facelift is sorely needed - Automotive News

The reskinned 2014 LaCrosse, which hits showrooms this summer, will address many of the vehicle's shortcomings.

MIKE COLIAS

March 25, 2013 - 2:00 pm ET

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Buick is showing a refreshed LaCrosse sedan this week at the New York auto show. And it's not a moment too soon.

The LaCrosse has been the workhorse of Buick's recovery. The sedan, launched just weeks after General Motors' mid-2009 bankruptcy, was deemed by many as the most important debut in decades for Buick, which was fighting for relevancy after almost being eliminated during GM's retrenchment.

The current generation LaCrosse, with a sleeker and more refined look than predecessor Buick sedans, has been a success by any measure. It is Buick's flagship and was its top-selling nameplate last year. Along with the Enclave large crossover, it has helped Buick forge a budding reputation for stylish designs and quiet, comfortable interiors.

But four years is a long time to go between facelifts. And the LaCrosse has become stale.

LaCrosse vs. Impala

To see just how stale, wait a few weeks and size it up against a 2014 Chevrolet Impala, which shares the same underpinnings and hits showrooms soon.

Technically, the LaCrosse is above its corporate cousin on the premium scale. But the redesigned Impala has a show-stopping exterior design and is jammed with technology that the current LaCrosse lacks.

And, at the risk of making Buick's marketing folks wince, its cabin might even be quieter than that of the LaCrosse.

The reskinned 2014 LaCrosse, which hits showrooms this summer, will address many of its shortcomings. Most of the improvements come inside, with a more refined look, a revised and decluttered center stack and a more intuitive infotainment unit.

The exterior changes are modest. They include sleeker headlights and wing-shaped LED daytime running lights. Beyond that, the LaCrosse's exterior design will soldier on until its next full-blown redesign, which I don't expect until 2015.

'Pretty amazing'

But Buick will make a statement when the next-gen LaCrosse finally lands, GM design chief Ed Welburn told me last month.

"You do an absolute killer Impala and some people say, 'Well, gee, it looks as good or even better than the LaCrosse," Welburn said.

"Well, that means we just push the LaCrosse further," he said. "The next-generation LaCrosse is a pretty amazing car."

You can reach Mike Colias at mcolias@crain.com.

Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130325/BLOG06/130329930/why-the-lacrosse-facelift-is-sorely-needed

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Post-mortem shows Russian tycoon died from hanging

FILE - In this Wednesday, March, 10, 2010 file photo, self-exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky leaves the High Court in London after winning his libel case against a Russian broadcaster that accused him of masterminding the murder of a former Russian agent in London. Russia?s transition from a Kremlin-controlled economy to a free market in the 1990s brought on a wave of contract killings as criminals, entrepreneurs, and corrupt officials tried muscle each other out of lucrative businesses. The recent death of 67-year old Boris Berezovsky, which remains unexplained, has revived fears that the assassins that have long stalked oligarchs and opposition figures back in Russia have been making their home in the U.K. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March, 10, 2010 file photo, self-exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky leaves the High Court in London after winning his libel case against a Russian broadcaster that accused him of masterminding the murder of a former Russian agent in London. Russia?s transition from a Kremlin-controlled economy to a free market in the 1990s brought on a wave of contract killings as criminals, entrepreneurs, and corrupt officials tried muscle each other out of lucrative businesses. The recent death of 67-year old Boris Berezovsky, which remains unexplained, has revived fears that the assassins that have long stalked oligarchs and opposition figures back in Russia have been making their home in the U.K. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

A British police officer stands guard by a cordoned off road leading to the residence of Boris Berezovsky near Ascot, a town 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of London, Monday, March 25, 2013. There was no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the death of Boris Berezovsky, the self-exiled Russian tycoon who went from Kremlin kingmaker to fiery critic, British police said Sunday. With an investigation under way, police are treating the death of Berezovsky ? who fled to Britain in the early 2000s after a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin ? as unexplained. But the former oligarch survived assassination attempts and recently faced financial difficulties, prompting speculation as to whether his death was part of a conspiracy ? or suicide. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

LONDON (AP) ? A post-mortem examination found that self-exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky died by hanging, and there was nothing pointing to a violent struggle, British police said.

Thames Valley Police said Monday that further tests, including toxicology examinations, will be carried out. The force did not specify whether the 67-year-old businessman hanged himself, but they have said there was no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the death.

Once one of Russia's richest men and a Kremlin powerbroker, Berezovsky fled to Britain in 2001 and claimed political asylum after a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He became a vocal critic of the Kremlin.

Berezovsky had survived several assassination attempts in Britain and Russia, including a car bomb in 1994 that killed his driver.

Berezovsky's body was found by an employee on the bathroom floor at his upscale England home on Saturday. The employee called an ambulance after he forced open the bathroom door, which was locked from the inside. Police said the employee was the only person in the house when Berezovsky's body was discovered.

A forensic examination of Berezovsky's home will continue for several days, police said Monday.

A mathematician-turned-Mercedes dealer, Berezovsky built up his wealth during Russia's chaotic privatization of state assets in the 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union. In return for backing Russian President Boris Yeltsin, he gained political clout and opportunities to buy state assets like oil and gas at knockdown prices.

Berezovsky helped build Putin's power base but fell out of favor when the new president moved to curb the ambitions of the oligarchs. The tycoon was charged in Russia with fraud and embezzlement.

Berezovsky later associated himself with ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, another Kremlin critic. Litvinenko died after ingesting polonium in his tea at a London hotel in 2006.

In recent years, Berezovsky's fortunes declined with numerous expensive court cases.

Last year, Berezovsky lost a huge legal battle against former business partner and fellow Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, which left him with legal bills of at least 35 million pounds ($53.3 million.)

Berezovsky had said that Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, cheated him out of his stakes in the oil group Sibneft, arguing that he blackmailed him into selling the stakes vastly beneath their true worth after he fell out of Putin's favor.

But a judge threw out the case in August, ruling that Berezovsky was a dishonest and unreliable witness, and rejected Berezovsky's claims that he was threatened by Putin and Alexander Voloshin, a Putin ally, to coerce him to sell his Sibneft stake.

In 2010 Berezovsky also took a hit with his divorce from Galina Besharova, paying a settlement estimated to be as high as 100 million pounds.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-03-25-Britain-Berezovsky/id-1a51905a6227493ba3e0fe010a0959b1

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Gun-control debate: How does Bloomberg stack up against the NRA?

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is on a mission to challenge the NRA's longtime sway over gun policies. Here are the strengths each side brings to the gun-control debate.

By Husna Haq,?Correspondent / March 26, 2013

The National Rifle Association?s Ruthann Sprague shows a visitor how to play the game at a shooting simulator booth at the 40th annual Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Enlarge

How do New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his "super political-action committee," Independence USA, stack up against the National Rifle Association (NRA)? Here is a look at the strengths of each side.

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What Mr. Bloomberg and his super PAC offer:

Money

The NRA has extraordinarily deep pockets, but still, Bloomberg has a net worth of $27 billion. Undoubtedly, his fortune is his greatest asset.

"There's never been a level playing field when it comes to dollars and cents," says Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for Independence USA. "He's evening the financial playing field."

"Mayor Bloomberg's involvement reflects the first time you have a force with significant money supporting candidates who favor [gun control]," adds John McGlennon, a political scientist at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. "That's a big change: For all the involvement of other groups like the Brady Campaign, their ability to compete with the NRA financially just didn't exist. This lets [pro-gun-control] candidates know that there is somebody out there who can support them."

Public support

Bloomberg entered the conversation at a crucial juncture, when the Newtown, Conn., shooting led many people to support more gun-control legislation.

More than 90 percent of Americans support background checks for all gun buyers, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted about a month after the shooting. A separate USA Today/Gallup poll found 58 percent of Americans favor stronger gun laws ? the highest level since 2004 and a 15-point increase from a year earlier.

"He has the weight of public opinion," Mr. McGlennon says. "People are looking for some change on gun regulation, especially background checks and large magazines."

Targeting power

The NRA typically supports any candidate to whom it gives a good rating, thereby spreading itself thin, says Dick Simpson, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Chicago. By contrast, Independence USA focuses its resources on the most strategic races and candidates, thus potentially achieving more bang for its buck.

"In general, an NRA endorsement means they have to defend everyone who has a high NRA rating," Mr. Simpson says. "Whereas Bloomberg can pick and choose."

In backing Democratic contender Robin Kelly in the Illinois special primary election, Independence USA used strategic messaging to crowd out other issues ? and candidates ? and redefine the race on terms favorable to its cause. Ms. Kelly won the primary.

Message from Illinois

The Illinois race marked a turning point for Independence USA and Bloomberg: It sent a clear message to would-be officeholders across the country on both sides of the debate, McGlennon says. "Candidates know that there's always that potential he'll get involved," he says. "It creates an anticipatory reaction on the part of a politician. They know he's looking at races."

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/t4GygJNQMHo/Gun-control-debate-How-does-Bloomberg-stack-up-against-the-NRA

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MTV's VMAs taking a road trip to Brooklyn in 2013

FILE - This Sept. 6, 2012 file photo shows video of the year winner Rihanna arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will be held at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, file)

FILE - This Sept. 6, 2012 file photo shows video of the year winner Rihanna arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will be held at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, file)

NEW YORK (AP) ? The Video Music Awards are taking a road trip to Brooklyn.

MTV's showcase awards show is traditionally held in Los Angeles or Manhattan.

This year the show will be held Aug. 25 at the new Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets and the site of recent Rolling Stones and Jay-Z multi-night concerts.

MTV will celebrate 30 years of the VMAs this year. From Kanye West and Taylor Swift to the Madonna-Britney Spears-Christina Aguilera kiss, the show has become known more for its pop culture moments than the winners of its signature Moonman trophies.

The VMAs were last held in New York in 2009 and have been in Los Angeles since.

___

Online:

http://mtv.com

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-03-25-US-Music-VMAs-in-Brooklyn/id-78ccc7fd4baa4946926f9b745e389b6c

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Hubble digs up galactic glow worm

Mar. 24, 2013 ? The image of a charming and bright galaxy, known as IRAS 23436+5257, was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. It is located in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia, which is named after an arrogant, vain, and yet beautiful mythical queen.

The twisted, wormlike structure of this galaxy is most likely the result of a collision and subsequent merger of two galaxies. Such interactions are quite common in the universe, and they can range from minor interactions involving a satellite galaxy being caught by a spiral arm, to major galactic crashes. Friction between the gas and dust during a collision can have a major effect on the galaxies involved, morphing the shape of the original galaxies and creating interesting new structures.

When you look up at the calm and quiet night sky it is not always easy to picture it as a dynamic and vibrant environment with entire galaxies in motion, spinning like children's toys and crashing into whatever crosses their path. The motions are, of course, extremely slow, and occur over millions or even billions of years.

The aftermath of these galactic collisions helps scientists to understand how these movements occur and what may be in store for our own Milky Way, which is on a collision course with a neighboring galaxy, Messier 31.

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Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Easton to hold special town meeting April 1 | Easton Courier

The Board of Selectmen has scheduled a Special Town Meeting on Monday, April 1, at 8 p.m. at the Samuel Staples Elementary School cafeteria, 515 Morehouse Road, Easton, to:

? Discuss and approve a special appropriation in the amount of $116,927.37 from the unassigned fund balance to the Police Department as recommended by the Board of Finance.

? Discuss and approve an ordinance providing property tax abatements for the surviving spouses of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty.

The special appropriation for the Police Department is needed because the patrol account was under-funded in the current year budget, necessitating over-time pay, First Selectman Tom Herrmann said. He said the 2013-14 budget would increase patrol funding in an effort to avoid a similar situation in the next fiscal year.

Following is the proposed tax abatement ordinance:

An ordinance providing for the abatement of real property taxes for surviving spouses of police officers and firefighters

It is the purpose of this Ordinance to honor a police officer or firefighter who dies while in the performance of his or her duties for the Town of Easton and to ease the resulting financial burden of his/her surviving spouse.

This Ordinance is enacted pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-81x which authorizes a municipality to provide for the abatement of property taxes with respect to real property owned and occupied as the principal residence of the surviving spouse of a police officer or firefighter who dies while in the performance of such officer?s or firefighter?s duties.

Definitions: For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

The term ?firefighter? shall be defined as any person who is a duly designated member of Easton Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, Inc. (?Fire Company?) or an employee of the Easton Fire Department (?Fire Department?).

The term ?police officer? shall be defined as a duly sworn member of the Easton Police Department.

The term ?surviving spouse? shall be defined as a person who was a resident of the Town of Easton and married to or partner in a civil union with a police officer or a firefighter at the time of the police officer?s or firefighter?s death.

With regard to firefighters, the term ?duties? shall be defined as duties performed while traveling to, at, or returning from fires or fire-related calls, answering alarms of fires or calls for mutual aid assistance, while traveling to, at, or returning from tests or trials of any apparatus or equipment normally used by the Fire Department and/or Fire Company, while instructing or being instructed in fire duties, and while performing any other duty ordered to be performed by a superior or a commanding officer in the Fire Company or Fire Department.

With regard to police officers, the term ?duties? shall be defined as any action which a police officer is obligated or authorized by law, rule, regulation or written condition of service to perform.

In accordance with Section 12-81x of the Connecticut General Statutes, there is hereby established an abatement of 100% of the property taxes due with respect to real property owned and occupied as the principal residence of the surviving spouse of a police officer or a firefighter who dies while in the performance of such officer?s or firefighter?s duties.

The tax abatement program adopted hereunder shall apply to all such property taxes due as of January 1, 2013 and thereafter.

The tax abatement in any given case shall remain in effect for so long as the surviving spouse occupies the property as his or her primary residence and holds legal title to the property. If a surviving spouse subsequently purchases a different property in the Town of Easton as his or her primary residence and all other qualifying criteria are satisfied, the tax abatement shall apply to the newly purchased property. The tax abatement may only apply to one property at any time.

Upon the death of any person receiving tax abatement pursuant to this Ordinance, the tax abatement hereunder shall end 90 days thereafter.

If a person entitled to tax abatement hereunder conveys legal title to the property with respect to which the tax abatement hereunder has been granted, the tax abatement shall terminate as to that property as of the date of the conveyance and the non-qualifying grantee of such property shall henceforth be liable for the payment of municipal taxes on the property in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-81a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

In the event title to the property with respect to which tax abatement has been granted hereunder is held in the name of a qualifying surviving spouse and one or more other non-qualifying persons, the subject abatement shall be limited to the same proportion of the total tax due as the surviving spouse?s ownership interest bears to the total. In such an instance, the surviving spouse must make application to the Easton Tax Assessor to make a determination as to the percentage of assessed taxes to be abated based upon his or her proportionate ownership interest before any such abatement may be granted or continued.

The Tax Collector and the Tax Assessor shall prescribe such forms and procedures as they deem necessary to implement this Ordinance. The Assessor, in addition, shall take steps as necessary to satisfactorily establish the facts as to the surviving spouse?s ownership interest in the property, on an initial and continuing periodic basis.

The Tax Collector shall maintain a cumulative record of all taxes abated in accordance with this Ordinance.

If such surviving spouse remarries or enters into another civil union, the abatement shall terminate as of the date of the remarriage or civil union.

For purposes of this Ordinance, police officers and firefighters shall not be deemed to be in the performance of their respective duties while commuting ?portal to portal? between residence and work except for members of the Fire Company responding to a fire call, members of the Fire Department responding to a fire call or a call back while not on a regular shift, or members of the Police Department responding to a call.

If a police officer or a firefighter who does not reside in the Town of Easton dies while in the performance of his or duty, a determination shall be made as to whether the surviving spouse would have been eligible for benefits under this Ordinance if the spouse had resided in Easton. This determination shall be made by a special committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen and consisting of one member of the Board of Selectmen, the Tax Assessor, one member each of the Police Commission and Fire Commission and one member of the Board of Finance. If it is determined that the surviving spouse would have been eligible for abatement under this Ordinance if the spouse had been an Easton resident, the special committee shall recommend to the Board of Selectmen that a payment be made to the surviving spouse?s town of residence for the real property taxes assessed to the surviving spouse. The special committee will meet annually to determine the ongoing eligibility of the surviving spouse and to make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen based upon its findings.

This Ordinance will take effect retroactive to January 1, 2013.

Source: http://www.eastoncourier.com/2611/easton-to-hold-special-town-meeting-april-1/

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Police: No hazardous material at Berezovsky site

British police officers cordon off a road near a residence in Ascot, a town 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of London, Saturday, March 23, 2013. Boris Berezovsky, 67, a self-exiled and outspoken former Russian oligarch who had a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead Saturday in southeast England. Thames Valley police said his death was being treated as unexplained. They would not directly identify him, but when asked about him by name they read a statement saying they were investigating the death of a 67-year-old man at a property in Ascot. A mathematician turned Mercedes dealer, Berezovsky amassed his wealth during Russia's chaotic privatization of state assets in the early 1990's. The one-time Kremlin powerbroker fell out with Putin and sought political asylum in Britain in the early 2000's. He has lived in the U.K. ever since. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

British police officers cordon off a road near a residence in Ascot, a town 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of London, Saturday, March 23, 2013. Boris Berezovsky, 67, a self-exiled and outspoken former Russian oligarch who had a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead Saturday in southeast England. Thames Valley police said his death was being treated as unexplained. They would not directly identify him, but when asked about him by name they read a statement saying they were investigating the death of a 67-year-old man at a property in Ascot. A mathematician turned Mercedes dealer, Berezovsky amassed his wealth during Russia's chaotic privatization of state assets in the early 1990's. The one-time Kremlin powerbroker fell out with Putin and sought political asylum in Britain in the early 2000's. He has lived in the U.K. ever since. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2000 file photo Russian tycoons Boris Berezovsky, left, and Roman Abramovich, then both lawmakers, walk after the session of the State Duma, parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia. United Kingdom police have said that Berezovsky has been found dead Saturday March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)

British police officers cordon off a road near a residence in Ascot, a town 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of London, Saturday, March 23, 2013. Boris Berezovsky, 67, a self-exiled and outspoken former Russian oligarch who had a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead Saturday in southeast England. Thames Valley police said his death was being treated as unexplained. They would not directly identify him, but when asked about him by name they read a statement saying they were investigating the death of a 67-year-old man at a property in Ascot. A mathematician turned Mercedes dealer, Berezovsky amassed his wealth during Russia's chaotic privatization of state assets in the early 1990's. The one-time Kremlin powerbroker fell out with Putin and sought political asylum in Britain in the early 2000's. He has lived in the U.K. ever since. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

FILE - A Wednesday, July 18, 2007 photo from files showing Russian exile Boris Berezovsky, a close friend of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned by Polonium 2-10, speaking to the media in a news conference in London. United Kingdom police have said that Berezovsky has been found dead Saturday March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, File)

FILE - A Friday, Aug. 31, 2012 photo from files showing Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky talking to the media after losing his case against Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich as he leaves the High Court in London. United Kingdom police have said that Berezovsky has been found dead Saturday March 23, 2013.(AP Photo/Sang Tan, File)

LONDON (AP) ? Chemical and radiation experts found no hazardous materials in their search of the property where Boris Berezovsky's body was found, as British police on Sunday investigated the unexplained death of the self-exiled Russian tycoon who went from Kremlin kingmaker to fiery critic.

Berezovsky, who fled to Britain in the early 2000s after a bitter falling out with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead Saturday at the property in Ascot, a town 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of London. He was 67, and Thames Valley police say his death is being treated as "unexplained."

Police said Sunday that officers specially trained in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials have given the scene the "all clear."

"Officers found nothing of concern in the property and we are now progressing the investigation as normal," a statement from police said, adding that the majority of the cordon put in place around the property has now been lifted.

Berezovsky ? who had survived a number of assassination attempts ? amassed a fortune through oil and automobiles during Russia's chaotic privatization of state assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

Once a member of Russian President Boris Yeltsin's inner circle, Berezovsky fell out with Yeltsin's successor, Putin, and fled Britain in the early 2000s to escape fraud charges that he said were politically motivated.

He became a strident and frequent critic of Putin, accusing the leader of ushering in a dictatorship, and accused the security services of organizing the 1999 apartment house bombings in Moscow and two other Russian cities that became a pretext for Russian troops to sweep into Chechnya for the second war there in half a decade.

Putin's spokesman acknowledged Sunday that the Russian president considered Berezovsky an enemy with clearly stated intentions to fight.

"We know for certain that he spared no expense in support of processes, within Russia and beyond, that could be said to have been directed against Russia and Putin," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the independent cable television channel Rain. "He definitely was Putin's opponent, and unfortunately not only his political opponent, but most likely in other dimensions as well."

In recent years, Berezovsky fended off legal attacks that often bore political undertones ? and others that bit into his fortune.

Russia repeatedly sought to extradite on Berezovksy on a wide variety of criminal charges, and the tycoon vehemently rejected allegations over the years that he was linked to several deaths, including that of slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya and ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

Berezovsky won a libel case in 2010 against a Kremlin-owned broadcaster that aired a show in which it was suggested he was behind the poisoning of Litvinenko, who had fled Russia with Berezovsky's help after accusing officials there of plotting to assassinate political opponents.

He took a hit with his divorce from Galina Besharova in 2010, paying what was at the time Britain's largest divorce settlement. The figure beat a previous record of 48 million pounds ($73.1 million) and was estimated as high as 100 million pounds, though the exact figure was never confirmed.

Last year, Berezovsky lost a multibillion-pound High Court case against fellow Russian Roman Abramovich and was ordered to pay 35 million pounds ($53.3 million) in legal costs.

Berezovsky had claimed that Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, cheated him out of his stakes in the oil group Sibneft, arguing that he blackmailed him into selling the stakes vastly beneath their true worth after he lost Putin's good graces.

But a judge threw out the case in August, ruling that Berezovsky was a dishonest and unreliable witness, and rejected Berezovsky's claims that he was threatened by Putin and Alexander Voloshin, a Putin ally, to coerce him to sell his Sibneft stake.

It also recently emerged that Berezovsky ran up legal bills totaling more than 250,000 pounds in just two months of a case against his former partner, Elena Gorbunova, with whom he had two children and who claimed the businessman owed her millions.

Earlier this week, The Times of London newspaper reported that Berezovsky was selling property ? including an Andy Warhol portrait of the former Soviet Union leader Vladimir Lenin ? to settle his debts and pay expenses owed to lawyers.

News of Berezovsky's death has prompted conspiracy theories along with speculation as to his state of mind, given his recent financial setbacks.

Ilya Zhegulev, a journalist with the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, said he spoke with Berezovsky the day before he died and discussed the tycoon's decision to flee Russia in 2000.

The journalist quoted Berezovsky as saying that during his years in London he had lost the meaning of life.

"I no longer want to be involved in politics," Zhegulev quoted Berezovsky as saying in a story published Saturday on the Forbes.ru website.

He said Berezovsky told him that he wanted nothing more than to return to Russia. The former oligarch said he had changed his views on Russia, saying he now understood that it should not look to Europe as a model.

"I had absolutely, idealistically imagined that it was possible to build a democratic Russia. And idealistically imagined what democracy was in the center of Europe. I underestimated the inertia of Russia and greatly overestimated the West. This took place gradually. I changed my understanding of Russia's path," he quoted Berezovsky as having said.

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AP writer Lynn Berry in Moscow contributed to this report. Cassandra Vinograd can be reached at http://twitter.com/CassVinograd

Associated Press

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