Suu Kyi presses for migrants' rights in Thailand

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at a national verification center for Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand on Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at a national verification center for Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand on Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

A Myanmar child looks at a camera while a speech is delivered by Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a center in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand on Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Myanmar migrant worker holds up a portrait of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her speech at a center in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Myanmar migrant workers perform before Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives for a speech at a center in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Myanmar migrant worker with her baby listens to a speech delivered by Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at a center in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, Thursday, May 31, 2012. (AP/Wason Wanichakorn)

MAHACHAI, Thailand (AP) ? Long a fighter against oppression inside Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi has used her first foreign trip in 24 years to fight for her countrymen suffering abroad ? millions of economic migrants unable to work at home but vulnerable to exploitation elsewhere.

On Thursday, she pressed her concerns about the millions of Myanmar migrants living in Thailand in a meeting with the country's deputy prime minister. And for a second straight day, she addressed throngs of migrants in Mahachai, a town southwest of Bangkok that hosts more migrants from Myanmar than any other place in Thailand.

"She can't force the Thai government to do anything, but she can speak on our behalf better than anybody else," said Win Aung, who lost his hand in an accident at a Thai-run shoe factory and is still fighting to obtain employer compensation for it a year and a half later.

"She's the best hope we have for things to change," the 31-year-old said.

Myanmar's sputtering economy, in ruins after half a century of military rule and years of harsh Western sanctions, has forced millions of people to seek jobs abroad. Many crossed the borders illegally to work low-skilled jobs for long hours at pay below their Thai counterparts. They typically lack health and social security benefits, too, and complain of not being paid on public holidays.

Still, many make more than they would back home, and despite the hardships are keen to be employed. Jobs are severely lacking in Myanmar, which lags far behind the rest of bustling Asia.

Thailand alone hosts around 2.5 million migrant workers from Myanmar, and they are believed to make up between 5 and 10 percent of the Thai work force. Most of whom work in industries like fisheries or construction, or in garment factories or as domestic servants. Up to a million of them lack work permits.

Win Aung said he came to Thailand illegally, hoping he'd earn enough money to send proceeds to his family. But after six years, part of it spent at a shrimp processing plant, he has sent barely any.

And now, after his hand got crushed in a machine that molds rubber shoes, his prospects are exceptionally bleak.

"Nobody will hire you if you are disabled," he said, adding that he had no idea what he'd do next. "It isn't much better back home."

A local migrant workers rights group is now helping Win Aung win financial compensation from his Thai employer ? $3,300 dollars. The employer has paid half and promised the rest in six months.

On Thursday, Suu Kyi called on Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung to ensure that Thai businessmen do not exploit her countrymen. She recounted familiar stories of abuse, saying employers confiscate passports and other documents illegally to prevent workers from quitting for better-paid jobs. She also complained of the inadequate treatment they receive when injured at work.

Chalerm acknowledged those problems exist, but said "those who are registered to work legally will receive good welfare, like the universal health care scheme, and taken care of."

Andy Hall, a staunch migrant advocate and researcher at the Institute for Population and Social Research at Thailand's Mahidol University, said far more needed to be done to stop exploitation.

"Policy is one thing, but reality is different," he said. "The reality is that migrants are discriminated against and exploited. They're treated as second-class citizens with no status. It needs to change."

In theory, every child has the right to go to school in Thailand ? even the children of migrants, Hall said. But there is little or no budget for them, the schools are full, and "the law is not enforced."

Those without proper Thai papers faced shakedowns from Thai authorities, and even the legal process of obtaining a Myanmar passport in Thailand is clouded by mass corruption.

Thailand used to have an almost ad hoc system of registration which allowed abuses but also a certain amount of flexibility. But two years ago, it implemented a new policy to formalize the legal status of migrant workers, forcing them to have their identities verified by their home countries and be issued temporary passports under a so-called Nationality Verification process.

Migrant advocates contend the elaborate registration system does not give Myanmar workers promised benefits but instead forces them to turn to labor middlemen to complete the complicated process, at highly inflated prices.

Speaking in Mahachai on Thursday, Suu Kyi told thousands of cheering migrants she officially came to attend the World Economic Forum for East Asia.

"But the truth is, the most important thing I am doing here is studying the situation of migrants and refugees, to find out how I can help," Suu Kyi said, to resounding applause.

"I want to tell everyone who wants to go back home that I am trying as soon as possible to make our home a place worth living in that nobody should have to leave."

___

Associated Press writer Grant Peck contributed to this report.

Associated Press

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Authors win class status over Google books

(Reuters) - Thousands of authors can sue Google Inc in a class-action lawsuit over its plan to create the world's largest digital book library, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin in Manhattan also rejected Google's bid to dismiss claims by The Authors Guild and several groups representing photographers and graphic artists, which would have forced their members to sue individually.

Plaintiffs in the seven-year-old case have complained that Google's plan for the library, which would include millions of out-of-print works, amounted to "massive copyright infringement."

The case arose from Google's 2004 agreement with several big research libraries to digitally copy books and other writings for its Google Books website, with a goal of helping researchers and the general public locate the materials.

Google has since scanned more than 12 million books, but planned to provide only snippets online, saying this activity constituted "fair use" under U.S. copyright law.

Chin said it would be more efficient for authors to sue as a group, rather than risk disparate results and the "exponentially" higher costs of individual lawsuits.

He also said it would be unjust to force members of The Authors Guild, the American Society of Media Photographers and other groups to sue individually "given the sweeping and undiscriminating nature of Google's unauthorized copying."

The litigation combines lawsuits against Mountain View, California-based Google in 2005 on behalf of authors, and in 2010 on behalf of photographers and graphic artists.

A Google spokeswoman said in an emailed statement: "As we've said all along, we are confident that Google Books is fully compliant with copyright law."

Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In March 2011, Chin cited antitrust and copyright concerns in rejecting a proposed comprehensive $125 million settlement, saying it went "too far" in letting Google effectively conduct "wholesale copying of copyrighted works without permission."

Chin was elevated in 2010 to the federal appeals court in New York, but kept jurisdiction over the Google case, which he had begun overseeing as a trial judge.

The cases are The Authors Guild et al v. Google Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 05-08136; and American Society of Media Photographers et al v. Google Inc in the same court, No. 10-02977.

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

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HTC Evo 4G LTE Review: Initial Impressions (Hands-On Photos)

Evo. It's one of the few HTC/Sprint models to make a splash in the mobile ocean, and after a brief stay at U.S. customs, the latest iteration should do the same. The Evo 4G LTE is the most powerful Evo to date, with a 4.7-inch 720p display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of RAM under the hood. But these specs are in no way novel, which means that quite a bit comes down to HTC's software offerings and design language.

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Skateboards stunt the sidewalk | The Oppidan Press

Posted by Content Editor in Features, Sports | 0 comments

By Kate Janse van Rensburg

Rhodes University students surfing the streets of Grahamstown have become an increasingly common sight. Between lectures these skillful individuals race to meet their schedules. Over the weekend they showcase their talents by hitting the social skating scene. The sport has become a popular alternative to Grahamstowns? notorious watering holes. The search for adrenaline is a great break from the everyday momentum of the academic syllabus.

Skateboarding is a form of transportation, recreation and art. The evolution of the skateboard has become a streamlined phenomenon where decorative doodles and designs make each skateboard an original. ?Graffiti sketches?, the art form that is often associated with skate parks, are a favourite in town. No one is precisely sure of the skateboards? origin, however, the reason for the sport beginning is clear. Surfers wanted to surf when the weather did not allow the waves to shape in their favour. Wheels, instead of waves, became the popular solution.

The most popular boards on campus are skateboards and longboards. Samuel Mirkin, regularly freebords for recreational purposes. ?I enjoy the kick of adrenaline,? said Mirkin, who uses a red and black freebord, with bright yellow wheels that make for a vivid contrast with the dull tar road. ?The motion or the feeling when riding is also cool,? he said.

The freebord is designed to simulate snowboarding. It has six wheels: four appearing similarly to those on a normal skateboard, while the two added centre wheels make the freebord unique. These allow for the skater to do a 360 degree rotational slide. Slides can be used to stop completely and to navigate the freebord in the desired direction. Two bindings attached to the top provide riders with extra foot support and control.

Oliver Evans uses a longboard as his form of transportation both on and off campus. His dad encouraged him to start longboarding when he was 14 years old. According to Evans, skateboarding is a timeless sport. ?You can always push yourself to do crazier stuff,? he said.

Skateboarding was previously associated with a distinctive enshrined culture. It is no longer a male-dominated arena, as evidenced by both male and female students skating around campus. Flat peak caps, over-sized shirts and baggy pants are no longer the only fashion synonymous with the sport. Indie alternatives are cottoning onto the idea of the skateboard as the ultimate form of entertainment and relaxation after a long day of lectures.

Jason Higgins remembers his predilection for skating beginning when the thirteen-year-old version of himself was subjected to a skateboarding craze. He disagrees with the stereotypical associations people attach to those who skate. ?It is silly to adopt a style or a persona to a skateboard,? said Higgins, who is wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans. ?You should just do it for fun!? Agreeing that skateboarding should not come with a distinct culture, Mirkin notes that, ?It should just be an activity?.

Ramping road imperfections and dodging traffic is part of the landscape that is freebording and longboarding. Evans, Mirkin, and Higgins prefer skating in the late afternoons in the suburbs of Grahamstown, where they concentrate on improving their skills and having fun. Looking out for each other and warning when a car looms in the distance gives the activity an added touch of camaraderie. Evans, Mirkin, and Higgins have a particular allegiance to a long hill with a fairly steep gradient. This slope is suitable for gaining the necessary speed for achieving maximum adrenaline.

They are in high spirits as they glide down the hill in a swift fashion. Conversation continuously flows between them as they comment on what each is doing right and wrong. The scene would not be savoured if the skater returned without a few scratches and scrapes to prove their dedication to the sport. Evans recalls coming off his skateboard quite a bit in the beginning. ?I loved it but I used to fall a lot,? he said.

One pair of gloves alternate between the three students. These protect their hands from the road?s rough surface. Mirkin says that the risk of getting hurt makes the sport fun. ?It gives you that bit of a thrill,? he said.

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Genius GX Portable Stereo Gaming Speakers | GeekAlerts

A good video game is as much the sound as the amazing graphics. When a Zombie creeps up behind you, you want to hear it before it rips your face off. These Genius GX Portable Stereo Gaming Speakers will deliver great sound along with portability.

Some features include a 360-Degree stereo sound field, rotary power on/off with volume control, 40mm high efficiency metal drivers, an LED music ring and quick charge over USB. It is a great choice for your notebook, iPod, MP3/MP4 player or cell phone. Any gadget that has a 3.5 jack.

These speakers will also deliver up to eight hours of working time, so you won?t be charging them every hour. It?s a great buy at $41.39 from Amazon.

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OmniVision's OV2722 sensor promises 1080p tablet video chats, probably more than you wanted to see

We're seeing rear cameras on smartphones and tablets get better all the time; what about at the front? OmniVision might have that side tackled through the OV2722, a 1080p-native CMOS camera sensor. It won't allow for magnum opuses of photography like the company's own 16-megapixel behemoth, but it's just big enough and thin enough (at 3mm deep) to give a serious upgrade to the 720p-or-lower front cameras that prevail today, including webcams on Ultrabooks. The new sensor is both thinner and better in low light than an earlier iteration, so we'll hopefully see fewer instances of blurrycam self-portraits and video calls. The OV2722 is in mass production now for unnamed clients, although we're worried that the resolution jump will show us a little too much detail in that chat with Aunt Mildred.

Continue reading OmniVision's OV2722 sensor promises 1080p tablet video chats, probably more than you wanted to see

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James' 32 lift Heat past Celtics, 93-79

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) dunks the ball over Boston Celtic's Paul Pierce during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoffs series, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) dunks the ball over Boston Celtic's Paul Pierce during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoffs series, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Boston Celtics' Ray Allen, center, restrains Rajon Rondo as Rondo complains to official Dan Crawford, during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoffs series, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat's Shane Battier (31) defends Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (34) during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoffs series, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra shouts at this team during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoffs series against the Boston Celtics, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Boston Celtics' head coach Doc Rivers shouts at this team during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoff series against the Miami Heat, Monday May, 28, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MIAMI (AP) ? A big early Miami lead was wasted. Once the Heat took control again, they simply ran away from the Boston Celtics.

And the NBA finals are now three wins away for LeBron James and the Heat.

James scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Heat beat the Celtics 93-79 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Shane Battier, playing in the conference finals for the first time, scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds for the Heat, who wasted an early 11-point first-half lead before running away to break a halftime tie. Miami outrebounded the Celtics 48-33, and blocked 11 Boston shots.

It was those last two stats that had James lauding the night as a team effort.

"We get a lot of the press, we get a lot of the headlines," James said. "But our teammates, they do everything to help us win ball games."

Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Boston, which got 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from Rajon Rondo and 12 points from Paul Pierce. Ray Allen shot just 1 for 7 from the floor for Boston, which was outscored by 10 in the first quarter and 11 in the third.

"On the road, you can't have two quarters of lulls," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Miami.

It's the third straight year the Heat and Celtics have met in the playoffs, the third straight year James has seen his postseason path go through Boston as well ? the first of those matchups coming in 2010, his final run with Cleveland.

Each of those came in the first or second rounds, not this close to the NBA finals.

And while both sides would say there's a long way to go in this series, Game 1 winners have a decided edge in any best-of-seven, the conference final being no exception. In the most recent 10 postseasons, teams with 1-0 leads in conference finals have advanced 15 out of 20 times. One of the five instances of a team rallying from a one-game deficit was last year, when Miami ousted Chicago in five games.

Last season's Miami-Boston series ended with James scoring the final 10 points of Game 5, and the start of this year's matchup had him putting on another offensive display.

He had 13 points in the first quarter ? two more than the entire Celtics roster ? and Miami ran out to a 21-11 lead after the opening period. Garnett made three of his four shots in the quarter, while everyone else in Boston green was 2 for 16 from the floor.

"They came to play," Rivers said. "I mean Miami."

The 11 points matched the lowest output by any team in the opening quarter this postseason. The other team to manage that few was San Antonio, which then dropped 32 on the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter of their game on May 19.

The Celtics' response was even better.

Boston scored 35 in the second quarter, erasing what was an 11-point deficit early in the period by scoring 27 points in the final 8:46 of the half to pull into a 46-all tie. Rondo, Garnett and Pierce combined to score 23 points in the quarter, looking absolutely vintage, near-perfect offensive execution getting to Miami time and time again. And the Celtics' comeback happened even while they got hit with three technical fouls in the second quarter, plus Allen missing four first-half free throws ? matching his career-worst for an entire game.

In the end, it went down as merely a one-quarter lapse for Miami.

Another technical foul, this one on Rondo, came in the third quarter, likely born from frustration as the Heat started to roll again.

With the game tied at 50, Rondo missed three shots in a 31-second span early in the third, the last of those getting blocked by Battier ? who hit a 3-pointer 11 seconds later. It started a 9-2 Miami burst, including a touchdown pass from Wade to James ? Wade grabbed the rebound of a miss by Pierce, spun and delivered a 90-foot pass to the reigning MVP ? for an easy score.

Miami led by as many as 13 late in the third, before taking a 72-61 lead into the fourth. James scored 10 more in the third, Boston went cold again shooting just 27 percent in the period, and Wade's left-handed bullet pass into the lane set up Joel Anthony for a dunk that pushed the Heat lead to 15 with 10:13 remaining.

"We'll go back and see what we can do better," Rivers said. "And we'll fix it."

NOTES: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is now 6-0 in Game 1s at home. ... James passed Sam Jones (2,909) for 22nd on the NBA's playoff scoring list with a layup late in the first quarter, and Garnett passed Dirk Nowitzki (1,314) for 22nd on the league's postseason rebound list. ... The Heat left the floor at halftime with a 48-46 lead, then had two points by Anthony taken off after a lengthy reviewed showed he had a basket after the shot clock expired. ... Miami F Chris Bosh did a light pregame workout, but still remains out indefinitely with a lower abdominal strain. He was on the Heat bench for the first time in Miami's last six games.

Associated Press

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Video Highlights From Disrupt NY 2012 ? Day 2 [TCTV]

Continuing our trio of daily video highlights from Disrupt NY, Day 2 of the conference featured talks with Andreesen Horowitz's Jeff Jordan, Sequoia's Roelof Botha, and SV Angel's Ron Conway. We also asked our Aol CEO Tim Armstrong some tough questions. Tuesday's Battlefield competition included a startup trying to disrupt the dry cleaning business, a new way for musicians to collaborate and a neat 3D Modeling program in your browser.

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Daily Buzz: Facebook bans breast cancer pics

Joanne Jackson

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FACEBOOK REMOVES MASTECTOMY PICS

Joanne Jackson wanted a way to commemorate her fight with breast cancer, which ended with a mastectomy. So she had a professional photo shoot. Ms Jackson decided to post the pictures on Facebook for ?inspiration? but had the photos removed by Facebook as they were deemed ?pornographic?.

?I took breast cancer and the mastectomy in my stride and decided it wasn?t going to stop me living my life. It wasn?t going to define who I was, and it didn?t make me any less attractive as a woman,? she said.

?My attitude was to just get on with it. I knew I could kick cancer?s ass and I did. The images aren?t fluffy, they are real and I am very proud of them.?

Facebook also removes pictures of breastfeeding mothers.

A while ago, Mamamia has posted about the SCAR Project, series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Take a look:

Here?s what else is on our radar today:

1. Bullies need not apply. Clubs New South Wales has started a new program in which graduates aged 17-22 who used to be bullies in high school can be refused employment after a character check.

2. An Indonesian judge has slammed Schapelle Corby?s five-year sentence cut saying drug smuggling was ?worse than terrorism?.

Marcella Marino

3. This four-year-old girl Marcello Marino was sent home from school on picture day because her hair looked like this. Her father is a hairstylist.

4. Costco is scouting for new Australian locations after enjoying a pretty successful membership drive. Costco had three warehouse stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra ? are you a fan of the bulk buy?

5. Unmarried defence personnel are losing out against their married mates as budget cuts pare back entitlements like free, annual flights home. Married members are allowed six a year.

6. An Israeli man has filed for divorce after his wife adopted 550 cats. Yes, 550.

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If you own an idea of what exactly you need to get air travel okayed family pet carriers, you may get into a pet shop, usually together with your animal, to select one which is fine finest. Many furry friend retailers know already what exactly you need regarding flight, so as to level anyone towards your easiest possibilities. You may also research on the net for flight okayed pet service providers which can be delivered instantly to your house. Make absolutely certain people purchase beginning more than enough so as to make sure it is large and robust more than enough, and contains a secure attach. You can always mail this back when not what exactly you need. Recall, a lot more uncertainty about any kind of part of animal service providers permitted intended for air carriers, questioning your air carrier is the greatest way to ensure you have what you need mario bros .

Tags: Pets

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Family Home and Life: Guest Post, Sally Kabak

I met a wonderful grandmother online who is the writer of the blog Raising Grandchildren. She lives with her husband in New Zealand after moving there to care for her precious grand child. Imagine if you can, what it would be like to be in the situation that not only asked of you to take custody of a grand child but also to move to another country to do so. Could you do it? Sally Kabak did; and looking for support with other grandparents raising their grandchildren she began a website that is full of resources, and has successfully published a book all about raising grandchildren. Please enjoy the rest of this post written by Sally.

My husband Norman is an American and I?m a New Zealander. In 1997 I moved countries to be with him, we first lived in Washington Heights in a rather small one bedroom apartment. Never having lived before in such a confined space we decided to purchase a small cottage. Early 2003 we moved to Hudson, New York where we had hoped to spend our retirement years.

January 2007 we received a call from Child, Youth and Family, a Government Department in New Zealand. They informed us that our granddaughter (Lucy) had swallowed a very small camera battery and that she was in hospital. The acid had leaked into her oesophagus as her mother, my daughter, had left it for three days before taking her to the doctor. Lucy was admitted to hospital, and the battery was successfully removed. Thankfully Lucy has not suffered any ill effects from this dreadful experience.

We attended a Family Group Conference in a small city in New Zealand in April 2007. It was declared that Lucy was in need of care and protection for at least a period of six months while my daughter got the help that she needed.

It soon became apparent that my daughter was not going to seek the treatment that she needed. We went back to Hudson, packed up our things and return to live in New Zealand. We first lived in a hotel; eventually found an apartment which we rented for nearly four years. Last year we purchased a small 3 bedroom house with glorious harbour views. We promised Lucy that when we moved we would get a Labrador. Samantha Jan came to live with us for a brief period, it became too much for me, as I was the only one taking her for walks. She went to a loving in home in Christchurch and shortly after she left we got a cat that we named ?Woof.? He is a very important member of our small family and very much loved by us.

When Lucy first came to us Norman and I joined a grandparents group hoping for support. The group meet once a month, however it wasn?t working for us. There was no support from anyone between each meeting. I started a blog in 2009, http://www.raisinggrandchildren.net.nz which became an instant success. 2010 Grand Magazine of the United States named it as one of the top ten blogs in the world and the only international one to achieve the honour. The same year, North and South Magazine, a well-respected magazine in New Zealand named me New Zealander of the Year for Community. Shortly after I commenced blogging I started an online Face Book group for other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. For a while it was an open group; however because of the nature of the subjects discussed it became a closed group. Now everyone is much more comfortable speaking about what is happening in their lives.

I am amazed at the support that I get, not just through the face book group, but from the wonderful people that I?ve meet online. Connie, who I have recently connected with, is one that I can lean on in time of need as is Lisa Carpenter of Grandma?s Briefs. Without their support and understanding my task in raising a now 7 year old granddaughter would be so much harder. I thank them very much for their wonderful support and guidance, you are indeed very special people, and I am blessed to have you in my life.

A couple of years ago I decided to try my hand at writing a book. Thought carefully about what topic I was going to write about. The first idea was to write about the tragic story of my daughter; it did occur to me that perhaps it would not be of interest to anyone else. In the end decided to incorporate some of her story along with various topics that perhaps grandparents may need information on. Times have changed since raising my own children. The book ?Grandchildren, Our Hopes and Dreams: A Modern and Practical Guide to Raising Grandchildren,? covers topics ranging from water safety, teen texting, helpful hints, poetry, recommended books just to name a few. My book would also suit parents as the topics are very relevant for them as well. Susan Adcox of About.com/grandparenting which is owned by The New York Times recently reviewed my book, to read what she has to say, please click on the link http://grandparents.about.com/od/booksaboutgrandparenting/fr/Grandchildren_Our_Hopes_and_Dreams.htm

If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, below is a list of online sites that are stocking it:

However, if you would like to place an order direct with me, please use the following email address: admin@raisinggrandchildren.net.nz

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How to Discover Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Adults | Health ...

25th May, 2012 - Posted by health news -

Mold may have an effect on people in various ways, especially the kind of mold and the level of mold a person is subjected to. With this, symptoms of mold exposure in adults change greatly. There are factors that are essential to be regarded as are the general quality of air,
form of molds and the level of sensitivity of the affected individual.

Individuals who are susceptible to mold exposure symptoms, listed below are a number of the common signals that are similar to what is commonly known as allergies:

? Coughing
? Congested nasal air movement
? Discomfort in the eyes
? Sneezing
? Skin itchiness
? Head pain
? Redness of the skin
? Teary eyes

Extreme side-effects of mold exposure in adults consist of fever and difficulty in respiration. This is why it is recommended to identify the cause of the dilemma before it becomes worse. Monitoring your body for symptoms may significantly assist to take away yourself from the exposure. Troubles which include lung problems may be one of the serious results of mold exposure.

Serious symptoms of mold exposure should get immediate medical treatment. These signs are:

? Breathlessness
? Regular headache
? Diarrhea
? Bleeding of the nose
? Nausea
? Coughing along with blood or dark deposits
? Skin troubles like lesions, rashes and itchiness
? Weight loss
? Muscular pain and joint pains
? Sinusitis
? Infection of the ear
? Loss of memory
? Respiratory disease
? Appetite loss
? Coated tongue
? Grime-like taste inside mouth
? Hair loss
? Acne outburst
? Constant stomach pain and many more

The problems stated earlier can be avoided when the symptoms of mold exposure in
adults are identified early on. With this, in case mold exposure is left with no treatment, symptoms of mold exposure may be deadly. These could consist of: blindness, permanent memory loss, brain harm, most cancers, long-term asthma, and bleeding in the lungs.

Managing the symptoms

Managing symptoms of mold exposure in adults may be challenging since it might be associated with some other non-mold related problems. However, misdiagnosis may aggravate the end results of mold exposure. If you find yourself or any a relative consistently sick, it is recommended to find medical assistance to confirm the source of your condition. Additionally, it can be a wise decision to get professional support from mold personnel to eradicate any growth of mold within your house.

Being familiar with symptoms of mold exposure in adults might be essential for many people. Getting well-informed might help protective steps to avoid mold exposure. It?s also vital that you identify symptoms of mold exposure early to eliminate these fungi as quickly as possible.

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Business Reference Site ? Results Oriented Direct Marketing For ...

If your real estate investing marketing mail piece gets opened, what drives the motivated sellers to call you instead of the competition?

The message delivered by the mail piece makes all the difference. Successful sales messages generate billions of dollars.

Your marketing message must stick out and force them to call you or visit your website.

This articles give you tips of how to write effective sales copy that gets results.
Motivated sellers get tens of letters and postcards especially when they face foreclosure. They cannot read all the letters!

They are also in distress, and these letters add to the agony of their experience.

Suddenly everyone promises to change the world for them. Who should they believe?

It follows that your marketing message must grab their attention, appeal to their emotional needs and have a strong call to action they cannot ignore. And certainly, it must stick out more than the others.

Let us look at each in turn.

1) Grab attention
Your mail piece will go to the trash in 20 seconds if it does not grab their attention. Your mail piece must grab instant attention of your motivated sellers.

This is what gets them to read the rest. It should be bold, direct and address a need the motivated seller holds dear emotionally promise to resolve a need the motivated seller holds emotionally.

In other words, your opening should deliver relief ? which is what the motivated seller needs.

You must be careful not to be aggressive, or it all backfires on you. Motivated sellers are going through tough times and it is important that you are sympathetic to their situation.

This applies whether you use letters or postcards in your real estate investing business.

2) Appeal to their emotional needs
Whereas you need to catch their attention, you also need to be sensitive to their emotional needs.

Your message needs to not only solve their current financial situation, but also convey a solution to emotional distress caused by the financial situation.

You will always come out a winner if you provide a solution to their problem and appeal to their emotional needs.

Don?t forget the mail they get is from aggressive real estate investors who seem to swoop on an opportunity to grab their house. You will be the one they call if your mail piece appeals to them sympathetically and emotionally.

3) Have a strong call to action
Whether you market using letters, post cards or letters, you must have a strong call to action. This si what forces them to take action ? call you or visit your website.

As a successful real estate investor, the best call to action should also force them to visit your real estate investing website. The website should pre-sell you, tell your story and convince them you are the best buyer for their house.

Of course it must have a strong call to action so that they submit their information online sending you pre-screened and pre-negotiated deals.

A good real estate investing website is recommended at the end of this article.

No related posts.

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Co-op To Create 3,000 Jobs In Legal Sector

The Co-operative Group is to create 3,000 new jobs in the legal sector through a continued expansion in the range of services it offers.

The group announced that the jobs will be based at Co-operative Legal Services, which it said will create the largest consumer law business in the country.

Group chief executive Peter Marks said that over the next five years Co-operative Legal Services, which currently operates out of Bristol employing around 450 staff, would open five additional regional hubs across England and Wales and set up a new family law operation in London later this year.

He also confirmed that the group will extend its trial of legal and funeral planning services through 30 branches of the Co-operative Bank and Britannia to encompass all 330 high street branches.

He said: "We already have a first class reputation for delivering professional services. We see the law as yet another area where a Co-operative solution can be successfully applied for the customer's benefit.

"Over the next five years we want to fundamentally change the face of legal services and make access far easier - today's announcement underlines that ambition.

"We intend to be totally customer focused and will help customers navigate the legal world so that they are much more comfortable with the experience and the outcomes.

"It is envisaged that about 90% of the roles being created will be actual legal functions, with 10% made up of support staff.

"We are particularly keen to use our expansion as a way to offer opportunities to young people. Legal apprenticeships and opportunities for study leave will form an important part of this major employment opportunity."

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Oil falls below $91 as Iran allows nuclear probe

Oil fell to a seven-month low below $91 a barrel Wednesday after Iran agreed to allow the U.N. nuclear agency to restart an investigation into the country's nuclear program.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for July delivery was down 88 cents to $90.97 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.01 to settle at $91.85 in New York on Tuesday.

In London, Brent crude for July delivery was down $1.30 at $107.11 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said Tuesday that his investigators will have access to Iranian sites, scientists and documents in an effort to ensure the Middle Eastern country isn't developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is only for power and medical applications.

The deal came a day before talks are scheduled to begin Wednesday between Iran and six world powers. The U.S. and Europe have imposed sanctions against Iran that are restricting its oil exports and have threatened to tighten them in the coming weeks.

"If there were to be further rapprochement between the conflicting parties, or indeed if the prospect of an easing of sanctions were to be raised, the risk premium would be likely to fall further, bringing oil prices down accordingly," said analysts at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Crude prices have plunged about 14 percent from $106 earlier this month as fears eased that the U.S. or Israel would launch a pre-emptive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, a move that would likely disrupt global oil supplies and push prices higher.

Signs of slowing economic growth and weakening crude demand in the U.S., Europe and China have also contributed to the fall in the crude price.

The stronger dollar also helped push down prices by making commodities like crude oil more expensive ? and a less attractive investment ? for traders using other currencies. On Wednesday, the euro slid to $1.2635 from $1.2756 late Tuesday in New York.

"A downward revision to Chinese growth estimates ... and the perceivable easing in crude demand is further weighing on sentiment," said a report from Sucden Financial in London. "In the absence of any significant European measures (which seems likely), we continue to expect a moderation in crude prices in line with broader weakness in economic growth and the likelihood things will get worse in Europe before they get better."

The latest U.S. crude supply numbers were mixed. The American Petroleum Institute said late Tuesday that crude inventories rose 1.5 million barrels last week while analysts surveyed by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos., had predicted an increase of 750,000 barrels.

However, inventories of gasoline fell 4.5 million barrels last week while distillates tumbled 200,000 barrels, the API said.

The Energy Department's Energy Information Administration reports its weekly supply data ? the market benchmark ? later Wednesday.

In other energy trading, heating oil was down 2.84 cents at $2.8371 per gallon and gasoline futures fell 2.18 cents at $2.8374 per gallon. Natural gas slid 2.2 cents at $2.685 per 1,000 cubic feet.

___

Alex Kennedy in Singapore contributed to this report.

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Emotional Freedom Techniques ? Acupuncture ... - Health and Fitness

If you hold been suffering from a physical or emotional situation and want to get rid of it in the best and safest way, emotional independence techniques (EFT) could help you in more than equitable a way.

EFT can be easily classified as acupuncture without needles and refers to a technique in what one. an expert first identifies the root origin of a problem (physical or emotional) and thereafter treats the question with tapping (using the fingertips) and express affirmations. Emotional freedom techniques could create a big difference to the physical and emotional well-existence of an individual ? often in a very brief time.

It is worthwhile to note that EFT is commonly used these days for treating (or improving) stipulations such as abuse, ADD-ADHD, addictions, agoraphobia, allergies, wrath, anorexia, asthma, blood pressure, carpal funnel syndrome, children?s issues, claustrophobia, slumber disturbances, mental disorders, stuttering (stuttering), nightmares, eating habits, depression, diabetes, dyslexia, corrosive disorders, fear of flying, fears/phobias, headaches, fright/anxiety, pain management, post vulnerary stress disorder, obsessive compulsive confusion, self esteem issues, sports and accomplishment, visions, and weight problems.

This technique is based on the speculation that the true case of most physiological and psychological problems is force blockages in one or more meridians of the body. Through this technique, an EFT expert aims to liberate the blockage to allow the energy to flow freely afresh so that healing can take place. EFT is considered one of the safest ways to displace stress of any kind and enhance health and forward the sense of well being. In other language, EFT is a type of psychotherapy primarily used for treating symptoms of trauma in what one. needles are not used. In this process, a individual?s fingertips are used through tapping in lieu of needles to stimulate meridians of the body in method to create balance by restoring flow of force.

In addition to these advantages, emotional independence techniques can be done alone or even above the phone. This technique does not envelop pills, needles, or invasive treatment and rescue valuable time and money when compared through many conventional therapies. Moreover, the benefits of EFT latest for a long period of time (mostly lifetime) smooth though the entire process takes sole a few minutes to perform. These are just more of the reasons why EFT is slowly but steadily evolving as an competent healing technique to treat a majority of material and emotional issues known to the mankind.

James Goodridge is an adroit columnist for many health journals and authored sites. The elegance of James? writing lies in his ability to join with his readers almost instantly, workmanship it easier for them to ingest the same in their diurnal schedules as well. Get access to qualified intelligence on emotional freedom technique (EFT) by accessing Re-Originate Life ? EFT. For more articles on EFT training, you can go to see http://www.re-createlife.com/

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Top 3 Myths about Personal Injury Claims ? Legal Information Guide

We all have our set of beliefs about personal injury claims and personal injury attorneys in general. Most of those beliefs are false; however several persist throughout people?s minds, no matter who you ask. I?d like to discuss those myths and debunk them as just that ?a myth?. Next time you think you may have a PI claim, consider ignoring initial impulses of refusing to contact an attorney.

Myth Number 1: The case has to go to court

This is absolutely false. Most cases are settled before they ever reach the court, because both insurance companies and attorneys alike recognize the expense involved in courtroom litigation. If you ask any attorney, they will say that they prefer to settle rather than argue in court. This is a standard response not because of the laziness, but because it is much easier to get a significant portion of just compensation in a shorter amount of time than try for the whole thing and spend a lot more to get just a fraction more. Insurance companies also set thresholds on what they are willing to spend on 1 case, and often settle out of court to meet those thresholds.

The myth could be false for most slip and fall claims as they are much more involved. However, even slip and fall cases have been known to settle out of court, since jury often feel sympathetic to the injured persons not the company responsible for the injury.

Myth Number 2: Attorneys are out to rob you blind.

It isn?t all too uncommon for people to think of attorneys as slithering snakes out to rob you of your just compensation, but this can?t be further from the truth. Personal injury attorneys follow a strict set of guidelines and laws established by the legal industry. It is no longer the Wild West out there and all fees are disclosed via initial consultations. Furthermore, most personal injury attorneys have adopted a no-win no-fee model for handling personal injury cases. If you don?t win your case, they don?t get paid! If that?s not transparent enough then what is?

Myth Number 3: You don?t need an attorney

This can be true if you?re willing to compare your chances of being fairly compensated to those of winning a shootout with a wanted outlaw. The fact is, insurance companies are like the skilled outlaw who have highly trained individuals to handle negotiations in their favor. The average person stands no chance of winning that negotiation, that?s why attorneys are there. When you hire an attorney, you greatly improve the odds of not only winning your claim, but also obtaining a much larger settlement / verdict than you would have on your own (even after the fees).

There you have it, the top 3 myths about personal injury claims and attorneys. Did you believe any of these myths yourself? If you?re looking for more information, consider checking out the top 10 injury blogs to stay on top of issues that matter to injured people.

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Diets ? the new miracle cures of the modern age? - Personal Trainer

Workout at home are one of the leading providers of mobile personal training services in your area. Our male and female personal trainers bring all the necessary equipment to the home, so let the gym come to you! Here we will be providing general information on health and fitness and other news related to Workout at home

Posted on: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Categories: Diet

Perceptions and knowledge of health, fitness and medicine have fluctuated over the centuries.? During the medieval era, hemlock (a poisonous plant) was routinely used during surgical procedures as a suitable and ?reliable? anaesthetic, which would undoubtedly send the patient to sleep, but also run the risk of putting them in a sleeping state forever.

In turn, the Tudors would turn to ?wise? women to consult the stars regarding their ailments, while Victorians believed that laudanum (also known as ?tincture of opium?, was a mixture of 90%? alcohol and 10% opium) cured everything from meningitis to depression.

And nor are we free from misconceptions in our own generation.? There is still a prevalent (false) rumour in sub-Saharan Africa that having intercourse with a virgin will cure HIV and AIDS.

There is a recent trend for turning to food as a cure for diseases, and it increasingly seems that diet, and the varieties and quantities of foods consumed are being hailed as the Holy Grail, the long overlooked key to perfect health.? Some people are heralding diets (some, notably the Atkins diet, having previously been strongly criticised by healthcare professionals) as the 21^st century?s unappreciated health saviour, and are advocating diets, such as the Atkins diet, as medicines against diseases such as diabetes.

Comedian Gina Yashere has claimed that she has managed to evade all symptoms of the disease lupus, which has a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from extreme fatigue, joint pain and muscle aches to anaemia, skin rashes, hair loss and organ failure. ??Gina initially controlled her symptoms through steroid injections, but following a relapse in 2005 the drug hydroxychloroquine was added to supplement the steroids.? Although there are benefits to the drugs, with it easing inflammation, there are some severe side effects, such as nausea and extreme fatigue.? Gina also put on weight, and found she sometimes forgot to take the tablets, which led to a fluctuation in the symptoms.? But the weight gain was especially traumatic, as she went from 10st to 15st, seriously impeding her movement.? She went to a clinic in Thailand where she embarked on an extreme regime of fasting and colonics, losing an astounding stone in a week.? Once she returned home she embarked on the strict raw food diet, and due to a lessening in her symptoms, was able to cut back on her medication.? She says,

?Two years ago I stopped taking pills altogether. I am now 9st 7lb and my symptoms have virtually gone.?

However, Professor David Isenberg, director of Rheumatology at University College Hospital, London warns against investing too much faith in testament?s such as Gina?s, saying ?It is possible for patients to go for years without symptoms. Lupus is always active and there is no proof that diet is an effective treatment. What works for one sufferer might not for another. If a patient has found relief, we can only hope it lasts.?

Another individual who claims that their (self ? imposed and regulated, it must be added) diet has staved off ill health, in this case diabetes, is Diane Platt.? She gave an interview with the Daily Mail in August, and told how after she was warned she was in danger of becoming diabetic, she switched to a low-carbohydrate diet.? The Daily Mail promptly gave the article the title ?Could the Atkins diet keep your diabetes at bay?? which highlights the danger of testimonies such as these.? Sensationalised success stories, coupled with celebrities ?swearing by? certain diet fads which are unsubstantiated by science or medicine, could seriously jeopardise health.

Initially, this may not seem either too strange, or too problematic.? After all, recently certain dietary habits have been highlighted in the medical world and the media as having a direct effect on health.? Everybody is aware that monitoring salt levels is important, as too high an intake can contribute to high blood pressure, which in turn can cause heart attacks and strokes, while a deficiency can make the sufferer very ill indeed.

However, the worrying thing about these diets being hailed as ?miracle cures? for an assortment of ailments is that they are often derivatives of celebrity fads, with little scientific research to back them up.? Similarly, although [names] may have noticed that their symptoms disappeared on adapting their diets, this may have been because they were overweight to begin with.? Seeing as they went to an extreme, and didn?t follow the average balanced diet, there is no way of telling whether or not that would have reaped the same results.

In short, there are far too many variables in individual cases like this, to draw any definite conclusion.

Therefore, if you are suffering from an ailment, and believe that a change in diet may have a beneficial effect, please visit your doctor or ask a personal fitness trainer and get certified medical advice.? Don?t go the way of the Tudors, by taking rumour and speculation as the gospel truth.

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Anger in disputes is more about the climate of the marriage than the heat of the moment

ScienceDaily (May 21, 2012) ? How good are married couples at recognizing each other's emotions during conflicts? In general, pretty good, according to a study by a Baylor University researcher. But if your partner is angry, that might tell more about the overall climate of your marriage than about what your partner is feeling at the moment of the dispute.

What's more, "if your partner is angry, you are likely to miss the fact that your partner might also be feeling sad," said Keith Sanford, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience in Baylor University's College of Arts & Sciences. His study -- "The Communication of Emotion During Conflict in Married Couples" -- is published online in the American Psychological Association's Journal of Family Psychology.

"I found that people were most likely to express anger, not in the moments where they felt most angry, but rather in the situations where both partners had been feeling angry over a period of time," he said. "This means that if a couple falls into a climate of anger, they tend to continue expressing anger regardless of how they actually feel . . . It becomes a kind of a trap they cannot escape."

Common spats that might fester deal with in-laws, chores, money, affection and time spent on the computer.

Sanford found that when people express anger, they often also feel sad. But while a partner will easily and immediately recognize expressions of anger, the spouse often will fail to notice the sadness.

"When it comes to perceiving emotion in a partner, anger trumps sadness," he said. Previous research has found that genuine expressions of sadness during a conflict can sometimes draw partners closer together, and it potentially can enable couples to break out of a climate of anger.

"A take-home message is that there may be times where it is beneficial to express feelings of sadness during conflict, but sad feelings are most likely to be noticed if you are not simultaneously expressing anger," Sanford said.

The findings were based on self-reporting by 83 married couples as well as observation and rating of their behavior by research assistants, who were given permission by the couples to videotape them through a one-way mirror. Couples were asked to choose two areas of conflict and talk to each other about them -- one chosen by the wife, the other by the husband. They also were asked to rate their emotions and those of their partners before and after each discussion.

Couples' "insider knowledge" of one another might be expected to make it easier for them to read each other, Sanford said. But the only time in which couples made significant use of insider knowledge to distinguish emotions was in interpreting "soft" emotions -- such as sadness or disappointment -- in conflicts about specific events, the study showed.

While women expressed soft emotions more, they were no better at perceiving hard or soft emotions, Sanford said.

*Sanford has developed a free interactive internet program for couples titled the "Couple Conflict Consultant" located at www.pairbuilder.com. This program provides a personalized assessment of 14 different areas of conflict resolution and a large resource bank of information and recommendations for couples.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Baylor University, via Newswise.

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Keith Sanford. The Communication of Emotion During Conflict in Married Couples.. Journal of Family Psychology, 2012; DOI: 10.1037/a0028139

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

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Chinese company to buy US movie theater chain AMC

Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings, center left, exchanges documents with Zhang Lin, vice president of Wanda during a signing ceremony for Dalian Wanda Group Co. to acquire AMC Entertainment Holdings in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012. The Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. Looking on at right is Eliot Merrill, representative of AMC shareholders. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings, center left, exchanges documents with Zhang Lin, vice president of Wanda during a signing ceremony for Dalian Wanda Group Co. to acquire AMC Entertainment Holdings in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012. The Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. Looking on at right is Eliot Merrill, representative of AMC shareholders. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

FILE - A May 11, 2005, file photo shows the exterior of the AMC Grand 24 movie theatre in Dallas, Texas. A Chinese conglomerate has announced Monday May 21, 2012 it will buy U.S. cinema chain AMC Entertainment Holdings for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin/file)

Patrons watch a 3D IMAX movie at a theater of Wanda cinema run by Dalian Wanda Group Co. in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012. The Chinese conglomerate, Dalian Wanda Group Co. announced Monday it will buy major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Hostesses attend a signing ceremony for Dalian Wanda Group Co. to acquire AMC Entertainment Holdings in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012. The Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings, left, shakes hands with Zhang Lin, Vice President of Wanda during a signing ceremony for Dalian Wanda Group Co. to acquire AMC Entertainment Holdings in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012. The Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion to create the world's biggest movie theater operator. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

BEIJING (AP) ? A Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy a major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion in China's biggest corporate takeover in the United States to date.

Dalian Wanda Group Co.'s purchase reflects the global ambitions of a wave of cash-rich Chinese companies that are using acquisitions to speed their expansion by obtaining foreign skills and brand names.

Wanda said the deal will create the world's biggest movie theater operator. The Beijing-based company said it will invest an additional $500 million to fund AMC's development. AMC operates 346 cinemas, mostly in the United States and Canada, and says it has 23 of the 50 highest-grossing U.S. outlets.

"We support AMC becoming bigger, not only in the United States but in the global market," said Wanda chairman Wang Jianlin at a signing ceremony for the acquisition.

The deal reflects rising Chinese investment in U.S. corporate assets despite disputes between the two governments over trade and political issues such as this month's diplomatic standoff over a blind Chinese legal activist. It is the largest-ever takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese company.

In terms of all Chinese corporate investments in the U.S., the deal is the third largest, according to financial research firm Dealogic. It ranks behind investments by Beijing's sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corp., of $5 billion for a minority stake in Morgan Stanley and $3 billion in Blackstone Group LP, both in 2007.

Chinese companies had invested $34.8 billion in the United States by the end of 2011 in industries including auto parts, agriculture and steelmaking, according to data compiled by economist Derek Scissors at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

Globally, outbound mergers and acquisitions by Chinese companies total $16.8 billion so far this year, up 6 percent from the same period last year, according to Dealogic.

Wanda said AMC's headquarters will remain in the Kansas City area and day-to-day operations will not change. It said AMC's management would remain in place and staff numbers were not expected to affected. The company employs some 18,500 people.

Wanda, founded in 1988 and privately owned, operates hotels, department stores, tourism and other businesses and says it had 2011 revenue of $16.7 billion. The company employs 50,000 people and its assets include 86 theaters in China.

AMC's owners include Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, the Carlyle Group, CCMP Capital Advisors and Spectrum Equity Investors.

AMC has reported losses for the past three years but its CEO, Gerry Lopez, said it has returned to profit this year due to strong ticket sales.

Wang, the Wanda chairman, said AMC's financial problems were due to the cost of servicing high debt. He said conditions should improve once an injection of Wanda's cash allows it to pay off some of that.

"We are confident that after the merger, AMC will turn positive," he said. "We have absolute confidence in the future of the company."

Wanda's investment will allow AMC to speed up renovation of some cinemas and install more 3-D and IMAX technology, Lopez said.

Wang and Lopez said the two companies plan to share experience in the film business and will have executives from each country visit the other. Lopez said they have not made detailed plans about such things as a possible exchange of staff.

Lopez is to join the board of directors of Wanda's cinema unit, while a Wanda executive will join AMC's board, Wang said.

Wang said Wanda is considering more acquisitions abroad for its entertainment, hotel and retail units. He said it might try to buy into a global hotel brand or a hotel management company but gave no details.

"We want to be a big company, not just in China but in the world," he said.

Associated Press

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