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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Red Cross: 'Many' dead, injured in Nigeria attacks (AP)

LAGOS, Nigeria ? A spokesman for the Nigerian Red Cross says that "many" are dead and injured after a series of coordinated attacks claimed by a radical Islamist sect in the largest city in the country's north.

Nwakpa O. Nwakpa told The Associated Press Saturday that volunteers continue to treat the wounded and collect corpses left behind by the attacks Friday on the city of Kano.

Nwakpa said no officials had an estimate on the scale of the attack. However, Nwakpa said: "From what they are saying, there are many involved, either wounded or dead."

Police said the attacks hit at least eight security posts in the city. Witnesses said at least seven people were killed in the attacks, though the scope of the assault suggests the death toll could rise.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120121/ap_on_re_af/af_nigeria_violence

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Wesseling: Flacco's litmus test awaits Sunday

Ravens QB is better than people give him credit for, but he must crack a barrier Sunday

Nick Wass / AP

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates his touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during their victory over the Texans last Sunday.

By Chris Wesseling

NBCSports.com contributor

updated 2:04 p.m. ET Jan. 19, 2012

Entering Sunday's NFL conference championship games, no player is under more scrutiny than Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

For over a decade, the working narrative has been this: the Ravens? ground attack and swarming defense compensate for an anemic passing game.

"I'm sure if we win [the Super Bowl], I'll have nothing to do with why we won, according to you guys," Flacco told the media last week. Since then, the Ravens ? thanks to four turnovers ? squeaked past a Texans team that posted more first downs, total yards, and yards per pass play than Baltimore.

Former AP defensive player of the year Ed Reed, among others, fingered Flacco as the primary culprit, taking aim at his shaky pocket presence and loss of composure in managing just three points over the final 45 minutes.

But does Flacco deserve his status as the public?s playoff punching bag?

Team leader Ray Lewis, who said from "Day 1" that Flacco?s arm was special, defends his quarterback as a ?flat-out winner.? And the numbers back that up. For his career, Flacco is 5-3 in the playoffs during and 44-20 in the regular season, including a 7-0 record against playoff teams this season.

No quarterback has more regular-season victories in his first four seasons.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Flacco has shown the ability to move the ball through the air with the best of the league?s passers. He entered the season as one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history with 10,000 yards in his first three seasons. Flacco is the only quarterback since the NFL merger in 1970 to start a playoff game in each of his first four seasons. Through nine games this season, he was on pace for the sixth most passing attempts in history.

That success, though, masks a disturbing habit of following standout performances with disappointing losses against inferior teams. Flacco?s inconsistency forced the Ravens to alter their blueprint down the stretch, winning six of seven games while leaning on Ray Rice and a typically stingy defense.

Even against a Patriots defense that surrendered the most completions of 20-plus yards and the second-most passing yards in history, Baltimore?s first priority will be to jumpstart a running game that averaged just 2.8 yards per rush last week.

?Time of possession is going to be huge? at New England, coach John Harbaugh said, essentially giving away his game plan. It?s no secret the Ravens offense is best when Rice and Ricky Williams set up Flacco?s down-field strikes to Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.

As great as the Reed- and Lewis-led defense has been, Tom Brady?s surgically precise offense won?t implode the closer it advances toward the red zone as overwhelmed rookie T.J. Yates did a week ago.

It?s going to take more than 20 points for Flacco to finally ascend that AFC summit of Brady-Manning-Roethlisberger and reach Super Bowl XLVI.

If the Baltimore faithful have any hope of parading in the streets of the city that welcomed the Mayflower moving vans of their beloved Colts in 1984, Flacco is going to have to go against script to outgun Brady by taking advantage of that porous Pats secondary. This is his litmus test. In fact, one national report suggests Flacco?s future in Baltimore may hinge on his ability to finally knock off one of the NFL?s elite quarterbacks in the postseason.

? 2012 NBC Sports.com? Reprints

More newsJed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46059088/ns/sports-nfl/

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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Do I qualify for an auto insurance discount?

Almost every driver can qualify for an auto insurance discount with the right insurance company. Auto insurers began offering discounts as a way to shape behavior in an effort to reduce risks. Since certain drivers are drawn to specific discounts, the insurance industry noticed that large pools of drivers would start to form if a certain discount was offered. Compare auto insurance companies with our FREE car insurance comparison tool!

When an insurance company can underwrite large numbers of safe drivers, their incomes rise and the annual number of claims decreases. When a driver shops around for the right auto insurance policy, the number of discounts offered by each insurance company comes to light.

Vehicle-Related Discounts

When insurance companies calculate the cost of insuring certain vehicles, there is very little guesswork involved. Actual accident statistics are tracked by state insurance commissions. Police reports are used to gather accident information while repair shops provide actual cost data. Drivers can visit the website of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to determine the least expensive vehicles to insure if a new car purchase is on the horizon.

Make and model ? When the cost of repairing the vehicle is known, the insurance company assigns a cost of repair. Over time, costs will moderate for popular vehicles because parts are more readily available. Certain cars are very expensive to insure because of repair and replacement costs.
Safety features ? Air bags, automatic seat belts and anti-lock brakes reduce the risk of injury for passengers involved in a car accident. All of these features are revealed in the VIN number on the vehicle when the insurance company begins to formulate a quote. Most safety features are factory-installed.
Security devices ? Electric locks and a factory-installed car alarm ensure that the vehicle is secured when the driver is not present. These devices will be indicated in the VIN, but the driver is wise to mention these features when asking for a quote.
Anti-theft apparatus ? Kill switches, steering wheel locks and tire locks are excellent theft deterrents. In areas where auto theft occurs often, the insurance company may require that an anti-theft apparatus is installed on the vehicle. Reducing the risk of theft saves money for the car insurance company.

Driver-Related Discounts

Reducing risk of loss is the most important action a driver can take to receive lower car insurance premiums from the insurance companies. Many drivers are surprised to find that mature habits in other areas of life are rewarded by insurance companies. Most of the following discounts are awarded to responsible individuals who ask for them.

Clean driving record ? When a driver does not incur a moving violation or speeding ticket for three or more consecutive years, the insurance company lowers the auto insurance premium. Safe driving is one of the most important factors for retaining low car insurance rates.
Good credit score ? Financial habits reflect an individual?s ability to handle responsibility in every area of life. If the credit score is low, the insurance companies will charge a higher premium for the individuals listed on the auto policy.
Senior citizen ? People older than 55 and younger than 80 years of age are considered more mature when their driving record remains free from violations. After the age of 80, some insurance companies will require reflex evaluations for their older drivers to ascertain their ability to drive safely.
Good student ? Young drivers with excellent school grades are rewarded with lower car insurance premiums because of their disciplined approach to school. Students with average grades are not charged higher than standard rates, but this discount is not given.
Professional association ? Corporate discounts are negotiated by some very large companies. Professional groups, such as physicians, accountants and attorneys, are offered lower rates because the insurance industry perceives drivers in these professions as more responsible.
Low mileage ? Every insurance company has a different idea of ?low mileage? when it comes to driving a vehicle in a given month. Some companies offer discounts if the car is driven fewer than 100 miles in a month, but each insurer is different. The best way to find out is to inquire about this discount if the vehicle is not driven every day.
Driver?s training ? One day spend in a defensive driving course can reduce the annual auto insurance premium by as much as 30 percent. Every company is different, so the driver must shop around and then follow through and take the course. Other types of training, such as inclement weather training, will reduce rates because the risk of accidents is lowered.

Policy-Related Discounts

Insurance companies offer various types of discounts that are related to their loyal customers. Each insurer will offer a variation on the following discounts, and the best way to find them is to ask during the quote process. All policy documentation must be verified to ensure that each promised discount was awarded.

Multi-policy ? If the driver also has a home, purchasing both insurance policies from the same insurance company can save a great deal on both premiums. Life insurance policies will be discounted by most insurers when the car and home insurance policies are with the same insurer. The actual discount percentage varies by insurer.
Multi-vehicle ? One auto insurance policy with multiple cars listed in the coverage will be less expensive than separate policies for each vehicle. This method is especially important when teen drivers are added to the family insurance policy. Mature drivers can offset the cost of insuring a teen.
Annual payment ? Administrative costs are lower when one payment is made each year. Insurance companies will reduce the annual premium if they receive all of the money at the beginning of the policy year. Some insurers will allow policyholders to make quarterly payments, which are less expensive than twelve monthly payments.
Deductible ? Carrying a higher deductible on an auto insurance policy is one method of lowering the annual premium. Care must be exercised when setting the deductible amounts to avoid causing a financial hardship if an accident occurs. The amount of the deductible should be kept in a savings account.

Final Word

When drivers shop around for auto insurance, the goal should be to acquire sufficient coverage against loss at an affordable price. A quote that is ridiculously low compared to the other quotes acquired should be evaluated closely. If an accident occurs, the coverage must cover the loss.

Drivers that cut corners on each of the major subcomponents, such as collision, comprehensive and liability might save money on the annual auto insurance premiums but will not be sufficiently insured. A prudent approach is to set appropriate coverage levels and ask for every possible discount for which the driver might qualify. Compare and find cheap auto insurance with our FREE comparison search below!

Source: http://www.autoinsurance.org/do-i-qualify-for-an-auto-insurance-discount/

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Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows Promise (HealthDay)

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A new vaccine to protect against meningococcus B, a common cause of bacterial meningitis, shows promise in clinical trials, researchers in Chile report.

Vaccines that protect from four other strains of Neisseria meningitides, a bacteria that causes meningococcal disease, are already in use or in the last stages of development, according to a news release from The Lancet. The other strains include A, C, W135 and Y.

The new research examined the effectiveness of the vaccine for strain B, which remains a significant source of meningococcal disease in North America, South America and Europe.

Researchers tested the vaccine called 4CMenB at 12 sites in Chile. More than 1,600 teens aged 11 to 17 were given either one, two or three doses of the vaccine at one-, two- and three-month intervals, or a placebo.

After two or three doses, nearly all of the teens had blood test results that indicated they were protected from meningococcus B, compared to 92 to 97 percent of teens who got one dose of the vaccine and 29 to 50 percent who received a placebo.

"This pivotal study shows that two doses of the novel 4CMenB vaccine separated by 1, 2, or 6 months provide a potentially protective immune response in almost 100 percent of adolescents irrespective of previous antibody status," the study authors wrote.

The study is published online Jan. 17 in The Lancet.

The study authors pointed out the vaccine had no harmful effects on the teens involved in the trial. They added the amount of protection the vaccine provides will depend on where people live since strains of the bacteria vary, and more research is needed to determine how this vaccine will affect other age groups.

"Further study is needed to provide information about the immunogenicity and tolerability of 4CMenB in various age groups, including infants, who bear the largest disease burden worldwide," they wrote.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the spinal cord and the brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningitis can be caused by a virus or a bacteria. The bacterial form is often more severe and can result in brain damage, hearing loss and death.

Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Today, the Hib vaccine is part of routine pediatric immunizations.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides more information on the prevention and control of meningococcal disease.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/meds/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20120119/hl_hsn/vaccineagainstbacterialmeningitisshowspromise

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Friday, January 20, 2012

androinica: Sony?s 2012 launch schedule leaks: 12 Android smartphones coming this year! http://t.co/BeDaekWt

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Accused California hair salon gunman indicted on murder charges (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) ? A man accused of killing eight people at a California hair salon in October while out for revenge against his ex-wife was indicted on Tuesday on first degree murder charges, Orange County prosecutors said.

Scott Evans Dekraai, 42, was indicted by an Orange County grand jury on eight counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder over the shooting spree, called the worst mass shooting in the history of Orange County.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has already said he would seek the death penalty against Dekraai, who pleaded innocent in November to a criminal complaint filed days after the shooting at Salon Meritage in the town of Seal Beach.

Prosecutors say Dekraai, a former tug boat mate, was locked in a bitter child custody battle with former wife Michelle Fournier, a stylist at Salon Meritage, and argued on the phone with her on the morning of the shooting.

He is accused of walking into the salon carrying three guns and wearing a bullet-proof vest and opening fire on his victims at close range. Killed inside were Fournier, 48, salon owner Randy Fannin, 62, and five other people.

Harriet Stretz, 73, who was in a chair having her hair styled by her daughter, Laura Lee Elody, at the time of the shooting, survived her wounds. Elody, 46, was among the dead.

After leaving the salon, prosecutors say, Dekraai shot dead 64-year-old David Caouette, who was sitting in his sport utility vehicle parked outside the salon.

Dekraai was arrested just blocks from the bloody scene in Seal Beach, a bucolic beachside community about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles that had experienced only four homicides in the past decade.

In obtaining an indictment against Dekraai, prosecutors can proceed straight to trial without presenting evidence against him at a lengthy preliminary hearing. Dekraai's attorney could not immediately be reached for comment on the indictment.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120118/us_nm/us_salon_shootings_california

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Apple iBooks 2 textbook hands-on (video)

We just got our first opportunity to get our hands on one of Apple's new interactive textbooks and we have to say, they're as good as they looked during the live event. We tried a few titles, ranging from steady textbooks to more exotic stuffs, but by far the best is the selection from E.O. Wilson called Life on Earth. Join us for full details and video demonstration of the future of learning after the break.

Gallery: Apple iBooks 2 demo in NYC - 01.19.2012