Pipeline explosion halts gas supplies to southern China: Xinhua

Pipeline explosion halts gas supplies to southern China: Xinhua


Pipeline explosion halts gas supplies to southern China: Xinhua

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:50 PM PDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - A section of a cross-country gas pipeline in China exploded on Sunday, injuring at least two people and halting gas supplies, local media said.

2 rockets hit Lebanese Hezbollah stronghold

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:15 PM PDT

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese security officials say two rockets have slammed into a Beirut neighborhood that is a Hezbollah stronghold, wounding 3 people.

VIDEO: 70s Apple computer sells for $650,000

Posted: 25 May 2013 08:20 PM PDT

What's thought to be one of the last remaining original Apple computers, made in a family garage in California, has sold for a record price at auction in Germany.

Two rockets hit Hezbollah-held area in Beirut

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:35 PM PDT

At least four people are injured in the attack on district in the southern part of Lebanon's capital.

Neymar bound for Barcelona

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:06 PM PDT

Gifted Brazilian confirms he will sign five-year deal with Spanish giants for undisclosed sum, reported to be $36.12m.

No Business is an Island

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:05 PM PDT

When English poet John Donne wrote his famous line "No man is an island," some 389 years ago, he was forecasting the future of social innovation. Donne was thinking metaphorically of course, but his point that we are all part of the larger fabric of humanity applies to a much more literal trend I discovered in recent travels to two island nations—Japan and Iceland. That old mantra of think globally, act locally is out. Japanese and Icelandic businesses are replacing it with think globally, act globally, and they are doing it in the pursuit of double, if not triple bottom lines.

Two rockets hit southern Beirut district: residents

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:15 PM PDT

Two men inspect their damage house after two rockets hit their area in a Beirut suburbsBEIRUT (Reuters) - Two rockets hit a Hezbollah-controlled district in the southern part of Lebanon's capital on Sunday, residents said, wounding several people. The attack may have been a response to a speech by the militant group's leader Hassan Nasrallah a day earlier, in which he committed to fighting in Syria's conflict on behalf of his ally President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian leader is fighting to end a two-year revolt against his rule. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Editing by Bill Trott)


Two rockets hit southern Beirut district: residents

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:55 PM PDT

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two rockets hit a Shi'ite Muslim district of southern Beirut on Sunday, residents said, wounding several people, a day after the leader of Lebanese Shi'ite militant movement Hezbollah said his group would continue fighting in Syria until victory.

Suspected rebels kill 28, wound 24 in east India

Posted: 25 May 2013 09:11 PM PDT

FILE – In this April 15, 2007 file photo, Mahendra Karma, center, lawmaker and founder of Salwa Judum, the government-supported militia to combat Communist rebels known as Naxalites, is surrounded by bodyguards at his residence in Jagdalpur, in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh. Karma was killed when Maoist rebels attacked a convoy of cars of Congress party leaders and supporters in eastern India, injuring several people on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The rebels have been fighting the central government for more than four decades, demanding land and jobs for tenant farmers and the poor. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi, File)NEW DELHI (AP) — About 200 suspected Maoist rebels set off a land mine and opened fire on a convoy of cars carrying local leaders and supporters of India's ruling Congress party in the country's east, killing at least 28 people and wounding 24 others, police said.


VIDEO: 70s Apple computer sells for $650,000

Posted: 25 May 2013 08:20 PM PDT

What's thought to be one of the last remaining original Apple computers, made in a family garage in California, has sold for a record price at auction in Germany.

How Bayern Munich Beat Borussia Dortmund To Win The 2013 Champions League

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:32 PM PDT

  Background The Bundesliga became the fourth league to provide both teams for a Champions League Final. La Liga (Real Madrid vs. Valencia '00), Serie A (Milan vs. Juventus '03) and the Barclays Premier League (Manchester United vs. Chelsea '08) all came before. Bayern was making a third appearance in the final of the Champions League in the last four seasons having lost previously to Inter in 2010 and to Chelsea in 2012. Bayern entered the match having already won the Bundesliga and with a date against Stuttgart next weekend in the German Cup Final. This was stage 2 of a possible treble and if achieved it would be the first ever by a German club. Last season, with Jupp Heynckes as manager, Bayern finished as runners-up in all three competitions. Under manager Jürgen Klopp Borussia Dortmund did the German domestic double last season but had also failed to qualify from the group stage of the Champions League. This season a poor start left Dortmund 12 points behind Bayern at the half way mark in the Bundesliga and the gap was to more than double as Dortmund finished second and 25 points behind the eventual champions. Going into this season Dortmund had beaten Bayern five straight times but that ended when the Munich side beat Dortmund 1-0 in the season opening German Super Cup. Two league games ended 1-1 but Bayern got the better of Dortmund in the quarter finals of the German Cup. Bayern started as the bookies favorite to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2001. The Champions Final returned to Wembley Stadium two years after Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1. Line-ups Borussia Dortmund was missing the services of Mario Götze through injury. In a few weeks' time Götze will transfer his allegiances to Bayern Munich. The $50M move will make the soon to be 21-year-old Germany's most expensive player. Marco Reus moved infield to take Götze's regular position behind lone striker Robert Lewandowski and hardworking Grosskreutz took Reus' role on what initially appeared to be an attacking bank of three. Mats Hummels was an injury doubt but was passed fit to start at centre back for Dortmund. There were no surprises in the Bayern Munich starting eleven. Dante returned to the back four after being left out of the 3-0 second leg win over Barcelona with a yellow card suspension hanging over his head. Toni Kroos was hobbled during the quarter-final win over Juventus and Arjen Robben had taken his place since with Thomas Mueller moving inside and the Dutchman normally playing in a wide position on the right side of midfield. Borussia Dortmund: 1-Roman Weidenfeller; 26-Lukasz Piszczek, 4-Neven Subotic, 15-Mats Hummels, 29-Marcel Schmelzer; 8-Ilkay Gündogan, 6-Sven Bender, 16-Jakub Blaszczykowski, 11-Marco Reus, 19-Kevin Grosskreutz; 9-Robert Lewandowski.

Five Quick and Important Facts On Health Insurance Through Obamacare

Posted: 25 May 2013 05:10 PM PDT

The year is flying by and beginning in 2014, you'll be required to have health insurance coverage. There is still significant confusion on how insurance will be bought and sold, and how much it will cost. In this post, I discuss five quick facts you need to know to prepare for the health insurance change. #1 - Where will you get health insurance? Insurance will be purchased exactly the same place you purchase insurance now – through large employers, small employers, individual coverage, or public programs. The big difference – large employers will be required to offer coverage or pay a fine. Some employers will opt to provide coverage and some will refuse because the fine is cheaper. The good news – if they don't offer coverage, you can purchase your own coverage on the health insurance exchange without the fear of being turned down or being sold a substandard policy. #2 – So if your employer doesn't offer coverage, where will you purchase health insurance? Insurance can be purchased on the health insurance exchange. Policies will be standardized, so they will be easy to compare. Massachusetts has a version of Obamacare already in place and their exchange functions very well. Take a look at it and see how easy it is to purchase coverage. I used the Quincy, Massachusetts zip code to browse – 02169. Give it a try. #3 – Pricing is based on only four factors – and bad health is not one of them. The most common questions I receive are about the cost of health insurance. Is it going to be expensive because you have a health issue? Health issues will not be factored into your health insurance premium. The price of insurance will be based on four factors: Age - older people pay up to three times more than younger people. Rating area – people who live in high cost health areas (think Boston, Miami, Los Angeles,) will pay more than people who live in low cost health areas (like suburban type towns.) Number of people in the family – this makes total sense. Tobacco use – tobacco users will pay up to 1.5 times non-tobacco users. However, this will be very difficult to implement and is considered discriminatory by many. Because of these arguments, some states have decided that tobacco status will not be used in pricing. #4 – Will your health insurance costs be sky high? It depends on what "sky high" means to you, your income, what state you live in, and if you currently have group or individual coverage. What does "sky high" mean to you? A broken ankle can easily cost $10,000, a cardiac bypass can be $100,000, and cancer can be $1,000,000 or more. If your health insurance is $5,000 per year, is that worth it to prepare for a million dollar illness? If you don't make much to begin with, you'll get help paying for the insurance. How much do you make? If your income is lower than 400% poverty level, you will receive assistance paying for your health insurance and if you earn less than 138% poverty level, you will be eligible for Medicaid – unless you are in one of those states that made the ridiculous decision not to expand Medicaid coverage for their poorest citizens. Per this great chart by Kaiser Family Foundation, a full 67% of our population will be eligible for premium tax credits or Medicaid. How well has your state regulated insurance in the past? If you live in a state that previously had good oversight in place, and provided good coverage for their constituents, you will not see much of a change in premiums. However, if you live in a state that allowed cherry picking of healthy populations in the individual market, and you have individual insurance, you may see a significant increase in your premium cost on individual insurance – Texas and Florida are great examples. Do you have group or individual coverage? Group insurance has been regulated largely by the federal government for a long time and provides richer benefits such as maternity coverage and better prescription coverage.  Therefore, group coverage is more expensive, but employees don't experience the cost because employers pay a large part of the bill. Individual coverage in many states may not be as robust, and subsequently the premiums may be less expensive. If you live in a state with minimum coverage requirements, premiums for individual insurance may rise significantly to pay for better health insurance policies. The good news coming out – California just released the rates for policies available on the exchange, and they are much lower than expected. It will be interesting to see how the remaining states move forward on rates. #5 – When do you have to shop for health insurance? For individual coverage, open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. You won't be able to escape the news on this one. It is important to shop during the open enrollment period – you can't wait until you are sick to purchase coverage. If you develop a serious illness, you'll be on your own until the next enrollment period. You can take that risk, but why not take care of yourself and know you have the bases covered?

Five Quick and Important Facts On Health Insurance Through Obamacare

Posted: 25 May 2013 02:43 PM PDT

The year is flying by and beginning in 2014, you'll be required to have health insurance coverage. There is still significant confusion on how insurance will be bought and sold, and how much it will cost. In this post, I discuss five quick facts you need to know to prepare for the health insurance change. #1 - Where will you get health insurance? Insurance will be purchased exactly the same place you purchase insurance now – through large employers, small employers, individual coverage, or public programs. The big difference – large employers will be required to offer coverage or pay a fine. Some employers will opt to provide coverage and some will refuse because the fine is cheaper. The good news – if they don't offer coverage, you can purchase your own coverage on the health insurance exchange without the fear of being turned down or being sold a substandard policy. #2 – So if your employer doesn't offer coverage, where will you purchase health insurance? Insurance can be purchased on the health insurance exchange. Policies will be standardized, so they will be easy to compare. Massachusetts has a version of Obamacare already in place and their exchange functions very well. Take a look at it and see how easy it is to purchase coverage. I used the Quincy, Massachusetts zip code to browse – 02169. Give it a try. #3 – Pricing is based on only four factors – and bad health is not one of them. The most common questions I receive are about the cost of health insurance. Is it going to be expensive because you have a health issue? Health issues will not be factored into your health insurance premium. The price of insurance will be based on four factors: Age - older people pay up to three times more than younger people. Rating area – people who live in high cost health areas (think Boston, Miami, Los Angeles,) will pay more than people who live in low cost health areas (like suburban type towns.) Number of people in the family – this makes total sense. Tobacco use – tobacco users will pay up to 1.5 times non-tobacco users. However, this will be very difficult to implement and is considered discriminatory by many. Because of these arguments, some states have decided that tobacco status will not be used in pricing. #4 – Will your health insurance costs be sky high? It depends on what "sky high" means to you, your income, what state you live in, and if you currently have group or individual coverage. What does "sky high" mean to you? A broken ankle can easily cost $10,000, a cardiac bypass can be $100,000, and cancer can be $1,000,000 or more. If your health insurance is $5,000 per year, is that worth it to prepare for a million dollar illness? If you don't make much to begin with, you'll get help paying for the insurance. How much do you make? If your income is lower than 400% poverty level, you will receive assistance paying for your health insurance and if you earn less than 138% poverty level, you will be eligible for Medicaid – unless you are in one of those states that made the ridiculous decision not to expand Medicaid coverage for their poorest citizens. Per this great chart by Kaiser Family Foundation, a full 67% of our population will be eligible for premium tax credits or Medicaid. How well has your state regulated insurance in the past? If you live in a state that previously had good oversight in place, and provided good coverage for their constituents, you will not see much of a change in premiums. However, if you live in a state that allowed cherry picking of healthy populations in the individual market, and you have individual insurance, you may see a significant increase in your premium cost on individual insurance – Texas and Florida are great examples. Do you have group or individual coverage? Group insurance has been regulated largely by the federal government for a long time and provides richer benefits such as maternity coverage and better prescription coverage.  Therefore, group coverage is more expensive, but employees don't experience the cost because employers pay a large part of the bill. Individual coverage in many states may not be as robust, and subsequently the premiums may be less expensive. If you live in a state with minimum coverage requirements, premiums for individual insurance may rise significantly to pay for better health insurance policies. The good news coming out – California just released the rates for policies available on the exchange, and they are much lower than expected. It will be interesting to see how the remaining states move forward on rates. #5 – When do you have to shop for health insurance? For individual coverage, open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. You won't be able to escape the news on this one. It is important to shop during the open enrollment period – you can't wait until you are sick to purchase coverage. If you develop a serious illness, you'll be on your own until the next enrollment period. You can take that risk, but why not take care of yourself and know you have the bases covered?

Battle for Syria's Qusayr intensifies

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:54 PM PDT

At least 40 people reported killed in what residents say is the worst fighting since the start of the civil war.

Bitter election creates long-term headache for Malaysia's Najib

Posted: 25 May 2013 09:37 PM PDT

A demonstrator holds up a placard during protest against the recent election results in Petaling JayaBy Niluksi Koswanage KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's divisive election has left a bitter taste for millions of people that risks creating a long-term problem of legitimacy for Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. The outrage was clear at a busy intersection across from one of Kuala Lumpur's fanciest shopping malls, where a huge poster of Najib and his deputy had been defaced -- a rare display of public disrespect in the Southeast Asian nation. ...


Scandal engulfs Indian cricket; web of players, bookies faces scrutiny

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:01 PM PDT

A policeman walks past logo of BCCI in MumbaiBy Amlan Chakraborty and Sudipto Ganguly NEW DELHI (Reuters) - It wasn't a typical photo opportunity for Indian cricketer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth as he stood outside a New Delhi court in a pair of faded jeans and a dark blue full-sleeve tee-shirt. Flanked by two policemen and his face covered with a black cloth, one of the most recognizable sportsmen in India kept his head bowed as newspaper photographers clicked away. ...


5 Places For Your Cash Instead Of Money Markets & Treasurys

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:26 PM PDT

Move Over Japanese Yen, Make Way For China's Yuan

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:26 PM PDT

By 2015 the Chinese currency, the renminbi (RMB), will be one of the three most traded currencies in the world, on par with the euro and the dollar, HSBC said on Friday.

Why I'm Not Binge Watching 'Arrested Development'

Posted: 25 May 2013 07:07 PM PDT

Unless you've been living under a rock (or don't care about pop culture), you know that the beloved but little-watched TV series Arrested Development is making its return this weekend. At 12:01 am PST Sunday, all 15 episodes of season 4 will be immediately available on Netflix.

Bitter election creates long-term headache for Malaysia's Najib

Posted: 25 May 2013 09:38 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's divisive election has left a bitter taste for millions of people that risks creating a long-term problem of legitimacy for Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

'Kiss protest' held at Turkey subway station

'Kiss protest' held at Turkey subway station


'Kiss protest' held at Turkey subway station

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:42 PM PDT

Some 100 people kissed for several minutes at Ankara station in protest of moral warnings by subway authorities.

Novelties: Estate Planning Is Important for Your Online Assets, Too

Posted: 25 May 2013 08:41 AM PDT

An assortment of services can help you and your heirs organize the online accounts that you will eventually leave behind.
    

Arrests made at gay rights protest in Russia

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:09 PM PDT

Police detain about 30 protesters at march in Moscow, where gay rights demonstrations are illegal.

'Maoist rebels' kill 16 in India

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:51 PM PDT

At least 16 people, including a senior leader of India's ruling Congress party, are killed after their convoy was attacked by Maoist rebels, officials say.

Goal: Live Analysis: Champions League Final, Bayern Munich vs. Dortmund

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:58 PM PDT

The Goal blog will provide live analysis and commentary of Saturday's Champions League final — Bayern Munich vs. Dortmund from Wembley Stadium in London.
    


Armed 'Maoist' rebels attack convoy in India

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Suspected Maoist rebels attack convoy in country's east, killing 17 and wounding at least 20 others.

Turbine Plans Unnerve Fans of Condors in California

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT

Environmentalists are worried by how a wind-energy project near the Mojave Desert could affect the fragile condor population.
    


Western Aid Finances Afghan Projects From Silly to Sublime

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:23 AM PDT

With more than a hundred billion dollars in the past dozen years, thousands of groups have tried to find ways to spend it.
    


Bomb in Yemeni military vehicle kills two and injures six

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:42 AM PDT

ADEN (Reuters) - A remotely-detonated bomb planted in a military vehicle killed a soldier and a civilian and injured six other soldiers in the Hadramaut region of eastern Yemen on Saturday evening, a local security official said.

Law for Afghan women faces backlash

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:04 AM PDT

KABUL — A proposed law to protect Afghan women and girls from abuses such as child marriage, bride barter and spousal abuse has created a furor in the past week, exposing a generational and religious struggle that persists in this traditional Muslim society despite a decade of Western-backed democracy and a constitution that enshrines women's rights.

Read full article >>
    


Hezbollah chief admits and defends group’s involvement in Syrian war

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:58 AM PDT

BEIRUT — The leader of the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah said Saturday that Syria cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of enemies, as he defiantly justified sending his fighters to support President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Read full article >>
    


Western Aid Finances Afghan Projects From Silly to Sublime

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:23 AM PDT

With more than a hundred billion dollars in the past dozen years, thousands of groups have tried to find ways to spend it.
    


Root ton delights Headingley crowd

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:27 AM PDT

Joe Root hits a maiden Test century as England reach 337-7 against New Zealand on day two of the second Test.

Nigerian army says rescues hostages taken by Islamists

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:26 AM PDT

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's military has freed a number of women and children held hostage by Islamist sect Boko Haram, the army said on Saturday, after its offensive in the northeast of the country overran three of the insurgents' camps.

French soldier stabbed in neck outside Paris

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:28 PM PDT

Soldier loses considerable amount of blood after being stabbed, but his condition is reportedly not life threatening.

Chile blocks Barrick Gold mining project

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:22 AM PDT

Diaguita Indians celebrate victory in seeing mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation fined for environmental violation.

New fighting in central Sudanese state

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:52 AM PDT

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - New fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and rebels in a central state where insurgents launched a major attack last month, both sides said on Saturday.

Aguero signs new Man City deal

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:25 AM PDT

Sergio Aguero signs a one-year contract extension with Manchester City, with his deal now running until 2017.

Leaks Inquiries Show How Wide a Net Is Cast

Posted: 25 May 2013 10:31 AM PDT

Details of investigations into government leaks of classified materials also hint at the personal and professional cost for those caught up.
    


Malaysians rally against 'electoral fraud'

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:27 AM PDT

Tens of thousands protest against government, with speeches from leading opposition figures over alleged fraud.