North Korea launches barbed attack on Chinese investor

SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea attacked charges on Wednesday that it was a "nightmare" to do business in, complaints that threaten desperate attempts to boost investment from solitary ally China to help repair its broken economy.

The extremely unusual attack underlines the reclusive state's sensitivity over an increasingly heavy dependence on China and comes as Pyongyang's new leader Kim Jong-un seeks a state visit to Beijing to plead his case for investment .

The rebuttal, in a statement on North Korean state news agency KCNA, follows very public comments by Chinese miner and steel manufacturer, the Xiyang Group, which described its investment in an iron-ore powder venture there as "a nightmare", accusing the North of violating its own investment laws.

Xiyang told Reuters in an interview after the North's statement that it had been "cheated" and it lambasted Beijing's policy of propping up North Korea's unreformed regime which it said that it was done for geo-political reasons.

"It (Xiyang) has carried out only 50 percent of its investment obligations though almost four years have past since the contract took effect," KCNA quoted a spokesman for North Korea's Commission for Joint Venture and Investment as saying.

Xiyang refused to curb its criticism of North Korea when it spoke to Reuters, suggesting that Beijing was doing little to help companies that ran foul of what it viewed as arbitrary rulings by North Korean officials.

"This isn't just about us - it is about all companies investing in North Korea," Wu Xisheng, vice general manager of Xiyang told Reuters.

"They just don't have the conditions for foreigners to invest. They say they welcome investment but they don't have the legal or social foundations."

The complaints underline the difficulty of doing business in one of the world's most isolated and impoverished countries.

And they come amid a welter of criticism of the North, whose economy is smaller than it was 20 years ago according to United Nations data, and where hard-nosed Chinese businessmen have to contend with Beijing's desire to prop up its ailing neighbor.

"The Chinese government can do nothing - it is thinking more about political stability," said Xiyang's Wu.

North Korea almost never criticizes its neighbor or any Chinese entities in public. The KCNA article said the comments had been whipped up by "hostile forces" in an orchestrated media campaign to blacken the isolated state's name.

North Korea has for years pursued a "military first" policy that critics say has impoverished its people while developing one of the world's largest armed forces and spending money on developing a nuclear deterrent.

It has been it sanctioned and largely cut off from the international economy in punishment for its nuclear program.

Despite sitting on potentially trillions of dollars of mineral reserves ranging from gold, to iron ore and rare earths as well as uranium, all but the bravest investors have been deterred by a North Korea's toxic economic environment.

Between 2003 and 2009, Chinese investment in North Korea stood at $98.3 million, just 12 percent of the amount Chinese firms have invested in South Korea, according to Chinese data cited in a 2011 report by Drew Thompson, a Korea specialist who now works at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Thompson said in his report, the most detailed on the subject, that Chinese investments were "smaller and less successful than projects in neighboring states" due to "rent seeking, poor infrastructure and the oppressive political environment".

A recent trip by Reuters to Dandong, a Chinese town on the North Korean border, showed that while traders were hopeful of an opening under Kim who is believed to be in his late 20s and became the third of his line to rule, little had changed.

"I sell mainly autos and from what I see every year they buy fewer and fewer. The demand there gets smaller every year," said a trader in Dandong who refused to give his name due to the sensitivity of the cross-border trade.

GROWING DEPENDENCE ON CHINA

North Korea's official ideology is based on economic self-dependence but in reality it has been unable to feed its population for decades, plant and equipment lies idle due to lack of electricity and much of it is too old to be of use.

Adding to its problems, reports are increasing that this year's grain harvest, never enough even in good years, has been badly hit by poor weather.

Sanctions, the collapse of the Soviet Union and a freeze in relations with prosperous South Korea have forced it into China's arms and in 2011, 89 percent of the North's trade was with its powerful ally, excluding operations in an economic zone with South Korea, which is counted as internal Korean trade.

"Kim Jong-un more than any of his predecessors needs economic success for his political legitimacy. This implies measures to make the economy more efficient - i.e. reforms," said Frank Rudiger a professor at Vienna University and an expert on North Korea.

"As much as they need it... North Koreans are very, very suspicious of the massive onslaught of Chinese investment, trade, business people, goods and services," he said.

Stung by the Xiyang criticisms the investment authority statement on Wednesday said there would be more reforms to "ensure the legitimate rights and interests of all investors", but it did not specify what those reforms could be.

Earlier this year, Pyongyang unveiled new investor incentives for the Rason economic zone that sits next to China, including longer leases, the right to choose who to hire and what to pay them, as well as tax incentives.

This was the sixth revision to the laws governing Rason since its inception in 1993, according to specialist North Korea website 38North (www.38North.org) and a separate announcement on Wednesday that the North's rubber stamp parliament would hold a second session in September could mean more reform measures.

However, there is a limit as to how far Pyongyang is prepared to liberalize, fearing that unfettered investment could destabilize the Kim dynasty.

Last month, Jang Song-taek, Kim's uncle, visited Beijing to ask for new investment and to try to get China to agree to a state visit for the new leader.

China has not responded to the requests and the North's attack on a company linked to the government of a Chinese state bordering North Korea could make Beijing think twice about relations with its neighbor which irritated its backer with its two nuclear tests and a failed rocket launch in April.

"Coming in the wake of a pretty unsatisfactory visit to China by Jang Song-taek, this is a very public message of excuse as well as pressure that shows it does not like being humiliated and that North Korea is not a vassal of China," said Yoo Ho-yeol expert on North Korea at Korea University outside Seoul.

($1 = 0.7961 euros)

(Additional reporting by Polly Yam in HONG KONG, Jane Lee in SHANGHAI, Jack Kim in SEOUL; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-launches-sharp-attack-chinese-investor-025451406--sector.html

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Parties Duel Over 'God,' Jerusalem Re-insertions in Platform

After acting to re-insert language to their platform that mentions both God and that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Democrats found themselves on the defensive Thursday against Republican attacks over the moves.

Republicans pointed reporters to discord within the Democratic Party over the fight, accusing the Obama administration of waffling over the Jerusalem-as-capital issue.

"The questions over the Democrat platform haven?t stopped this morning and are overtaking any message [former President Bill] Clinton had last night," the Republican National Committee said in an email.

The chairman of the convention, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, said on CNN Thursday that the omissions were a mistake. ?The notion we wouldn?t have God and Jerusalem in our platform boggles my mind," he said. "I can?t defend that.?

He and other Democrats said they did not know how the language was omitted.

Israel's government maintains that its capital is Jerusalem, but the United States and other nations maintain embassies in Tel Aviv because East Jerusalem is contested by the Palestinians, who regard it as a potential capital for their state.

A chaotic meeting at the convention on Wednesday -- presided over by Villaraigosa -- led to boos from delegates over changes that inserted the Jersusalem and God language back into the platform. In 2008, the party platform declared: "Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel."

Obama's deputy campaign manager, Stephanie Cutter, said on Fox News that President Obama had not been aware of the omissions, but acted upon hearing about it.

"He hadn?t read it, and when he found out about these two things ? they were under any circumstances... a mistake -- and he said, 'We?ve gotta fix it.' And he directed his staff to go and fix that yesterday." On Wednesday, Politico reported that Obama had been aware of the omissions.

As far as the 'God' omission goes, Cutter acknowledged it was a mistake, but said: "On the issue of God, faith is woven throughout that entire document. So make no mistake that there are lots of God-fearing people and God-loving people in this arena.?

Appearing on CNN Thursday, an embattled Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz tried to dismiss the exclusion of Jerusalem as a ?technical omission.?

?Through the drafting process and the platform committee process, there was never any discussion or debate or commentary over adding or subtracting it,? Wasserman Schultz said.

Wasserman Schultz refuted the allegation that the wording was changed in response to backlash from the media and within the party, and said she supported the original platform as well as the second.

?On Tuesday, we adopted a 100 percent pro-Israel platform that I was so proud to support,? she said.

Both Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., sought to contain any damage from the flap. ?Look, the big story last night is that President Clinton set the table for President Obama today,? Van Hollen said on MSNBC.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said he was blindsided by the original language relating to Jerusalem, but commended President Obama for acting to put it back in.

?I didn?t know it wasn?t in,? Schumer, one of the Democratic Party's most prominent Jewish members, said on CNN?s Starting Point, ?I don?t read the whole huge document.? He added, more than once for emphasis: ?But it was the president who intervened and fixed it.?

When asked if the omission seemed like an intentional act that should have been caught, Schumer replied: ?Perhaps,? but added that bigger ?existential threats? to Israel, like Iran and Hezbollah, were of more concern. Said Schumer of Obama, ?He?s been tougher on Iran than anyone.?

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/parties-duel-over-god-jerusalem-insertions-platform-102423401--politics.html

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T-Mobile kicks off new unlimited data plan

Android Central

To mark its 10th. anniversary, T-Mobile U.S. has launched its new Unlimited Nationwide "4G" Data plan, available as of today.

The plan has no data caps, speed limits or overages, and includes an extra discount on new devices like the HTC One S when signing on for a new two-year plan. The data plan cost depends on your core voice and text plan; if you're on the Value plan, the new Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan costs $20/month, while it costs $30 if you're on the Classic plan. So, to get unlimited everything on T-Mobile and a subsidized phone, it'll cost $89.99/month - $69.99 without the phone. 

The plan was announced earlier this summer, and should do well to compete with Sprint (the only carrier to continue boasting unlimited plans for awhile now) for the back-to-school rush. Sprint has the added bonus of LTE for now, though that's only really a selling point if you're in a coverage area. With T-Mobile and Sprint waving the "Unlimited" flag high, what are the odds that Verizon and AT&T will revisit their decisions to nix those plans? 

If you're interested in signing up, you can check out the details of T-Mobile's new plans over here. Any takers?

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/OEmQrL9Dzas/story01.htm

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Entry-level Android: Samsung Galaxy Stellar hits Verizon September 6

The Samsung Galaxy Stellar is a 4G LTE Android smartphone with a special "Start Mode" interface tailored for new Android users, and will launch on Verizon on September 6.

Verizon and Samsung have just announced that the Samsung Galaxy Stellar will be available on Verizon?s 4G LTE network imminently. Unlike its larger, more expensive flagship cousins, the Stellar is a compact, budget Android smartphone running version 4.0 of the platform (Ice Cream Sandwich). The specs aren?t particularly stellar, but the device will be available for free with a two-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate.

It has a 1.2GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor, a WVGA display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, a 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4GB of storage, and a microSD card slot.

Interestingly, the Stellar looks like a good Android starter phone with an optional ?Start Mode? interface that includes a simplified home screen with preset widgets. There?s also a Help app to teach newcomers exactly how to take advantage of the features on offer. You can opt for ?Standard Mode? for the normal Android experience.

The Galaxy Stellar ships with a lot of preinstalled apps, including Samsung?s usual Media Hub and Backup Assistant, along with a suite of Amazon apps including Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible.

The full press release also points out that it is a SAFE (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) device, which means support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, VPN and MDM support, and On Device Encryption.?

It could be a good option for anyone making the switch to the Android platform, or for anyone seeking a budget Android smartphone that runs on the 4G LTE network.

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-galaxy-stellar-available-at-verizon-september-6/

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Rec and Parks Offering Fall Adaptive Sports and Social 'Night Out ...

Wouldn?t it be great it there was a place where teens and young adults with disabilities could go to hang out for social activities and games?

Adaptive sports programs include softball, baseball, tennis, soccer, kickball and swimming.

There is.

Starting Sept. 14, teens and young adults will be able to join the Friday Night Social Club at Central Special School in Edgewater. Participants, 13 and up, will be able to have fun in a safe, structured environment with supervision provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability.

The Social Club is also an opportunity for parents and caregivers to have a Friday Night Out. The eight-week Social Club runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required. A similar club runs out of the Ruth Parker Eason Special School in Millersville (same dates and times).

In addition, Adaptive Sports Programs are available at Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, Eason Special School in Glen Burnie and the North Arundel Aquatic Center in Glen Burnie. Each of the following programs are eight-weeks and?registration is required.

  • Adult Challenger Softball will be offered on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. beginning Sept. 5 at Freedom Field at Lake Waterford Park, Pasadena. Wheelchairs are welcome. Call 410-222-7313 for team registration.
  • Kick ball or Soccer (group choice) from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 6 at Lake Waterford Park, Pasadena. For parents and children.
  • Challenger Fall Baseball is offered from 10 a.m. to noon, Lake Waterford Park, Pasadena.
  • Adaptive Tennis scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays beginning Sept. 8 at Lake Waterford Park, Pasadena.
  • Adaptive Swim program for eight weeks for beginners to adults starts Sept. 25 at Ruth P. Eason Special School in Millersville which has a warm water pool. An Advanced class will be offered at North Arundel Aquatic Center in Glen Burnie.

Visit www.aacounty.org/RecParks/recreation/adaptive.cfm?or pick up a fall program guide at one of the local libraries or schools. Contact Wendy Scarborough, recreation supervisor for Adaptive Programs, at 410-222-7313 for additional information or questions.

Source: http://southriversource.com/2012/09/04/rec-and-parks-offering-fall-adaptive-sports-and-social-night-out-programs/

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The great chestnut trees of Europe are dying

FILE--In an Aug. 30, 2012 file photo people walk past chestnut trees and graves at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. It seems that a moth has bought the noble tree low, according to Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull in England, without a cure in sight. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)

FILE--In an Aug. 30, 2012 file photo people walk past chestnut trees and graves at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. It seems that a moth has bought the noble tree low, according to Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull in England, without a cure in sight. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)

A close up of chestnuts and the prematurely brown dying leaves at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. It seems that the great chestnut trees of Europe are dying and the accused culprit is a moth and bacteria that make the trunks of chestnut trees bleed and die. So as chestnut trees crash across boulevards and smash cars, unable to bear the weight of their foliage any longer, it seems that a moth has bought the noble tree low, according to Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull in England, without a cure in sight. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

People walk past chestnut trees and graves at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. It seems that the great chestnut trees of Europe are dying and the accused culprit is a moth and bacteria that make the trunks of chestnut trees bleed and die. So as chestnut trees crash across boulevards and smash cars, unable to bear the weight of their foliage any longer, it seems that a moth has bought the noble tree low, according to Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull in England, without a cure in sight. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

(AP) ? Visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris and chestnut trees greet you as you wander among graves of luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.

When Anne Frank was in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam, the view of a monumental chestnut tree was one thing that cheered her up.

In Cambridge, England, the two-century-old chestnut standing outside King's College chapel has become a beloved icon.

In all those places ? and over much of Europe ? the horse chestnut tree is under threat.

Sometimes they crash across boulevards and smash cars, unable to bear the weight of their own foliage. At other times, city officials move in and cut them down before they collapse.

In high summer, their leaves can become so rusty it feels like October. As autumn approaches, many stand naked while other trees still wear their crowns of green.

The culprits: a moth that produces leaf-eating larvae and a bacterium that makes trunks bleed and die.

"In a sense it is almost like a lethal cocktail," said Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull. "If it is under attack by moths, it is probably going to be more susceptible to this bleeding canker ? which will kill it."

A cure? Not immediately in sight.

"It is spread throughout most of northern Europe," Evans said of the leaf miner moth in a telephone interview. "We still don't really know whether there is any effective way of controlling it." The same goes for the bacteria.

Without any clear reason, the moth became rampant and spread through much of Europe about a decade ago. In Britain, it first surfaced in Wimbledon in 2002 and soon spread across England and Wales. It has flourished across the continent. The moth lays eggs in leaves and the larvae start devouring them, causing foliage to turn color as soon as July.

The rusting robs the tree of vital sunlight for key months and, weakened, some fall prey to other diseases such as fungi.

The moth was soon joined by a bacterium that came from the Himalayas and causes chestnut bark to bleed an oozing sticky liquid, sapping the tree and in many cases causing death.

"The worst case scenario is that we lose most of our horse chestnut trees to this bleeding canker," Evans said.

In Britain, which has up to 2 million chestnut trees, a 2007 survey showed that up to half could be infected with the disease. In countries like Belgium, France and the Netherlands, the alarm has also been raised.

There is historical precedent for the fears: At the turn of the 20th century a fungus caused a mass extinction of the American chestnut tree in the eastern United States.

Europe's chestnuts came first from the Balkans and were introduced in western Europe about 500 years ago. It is a hallmark of cities rather than forests and, especially during the Victorian era, became a favorite for stately lanes, parks and squares.

In Ghent, Belgium, last month, a huge chestnut suddenly collapsed along the upper Scheldt river, smashing a car along a road usually busy with cycling students. As in many places, city councils have been increasingly checking the health of chestnuts and, if there's any doubt, cut them down as a safety precaution.

The chestnuts are all gone this summer from the city's Groentenmarkt medieval center, depriving weary tourists of reprieve from the sun.

The chestnuts, or marroniers, in Paris are also part of the attraction at Pere Lachaise. But last year, visitors could walk ankle deep through rusty leaves in the middle of July.

"It's a problem all over Paris," said cemetery conservator Martine Lecuyer, although she said heavy rainfall made this year a little better.

In Amsterdam, officials are scrambling to try to save chestnuts within the famed canal belt. For Anne Frank's tree, help came too late. The 150-year-old tree, affected by the moth and fungi, weakened progressively and crashed to the ground two years ago.

If the darkest predictions prove true, many Britons will mourn chestnut trees as the passing of part of their youth: The game of "conkers," in which children take turns trying to smash chestnuts, was once a popular pastime on playgrounds across the country.

Just as bad for chestnuts is the way people deal with the problem: On Ghent's Groentenmarkt, the new trees are now linden, and the example is followed in many parts of Europe.

"Many local authorities are then no longer planting horse chestnut trees because they fear ? what is the point in planting something that is going to be susceptible to attack," Evans said.

"Essentially, we could lose an entire new generation of horse chestnut trees."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-09-05-Europe-Dying%20Chestnuts/id-3ef8345670a44671ad87dfa56466bfb2

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Asia stocks hurt by global economic uncertainty

BANGKOK (AP) ? Asian stock markets fell Tuesday as uncertainty persisted about what authorities in the U.S., China and Europe might do to deal with a souring global economy.

The previous day's trading was dominated by a survey suggesting that China's manufacturing sector was contracting. Though a bad sign for the global economy, the data raised expectations that Chinese authorities will announce additional measures to bolster growth.

But the People's Bank of China appears to be resisting calls for more aggressive measures after the huge stimulus in response to the 2008 global financial crisis fueled inflation and a wasteful spending boom.

"We are all waiting for more monetary policy to come out," said Linus Yip, strategist at First Shanghai Securities in Hong Kong. "We are all waiting and hope the PBOC will do something."

Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 0.1 percent to 8,773.14. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.3 percent to 19,497.47 and South Korea's Kospi shed 0.2 percent to 1,907.70. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.6 percent to 4,303.30.

Benchmarks in Taiwan, Indonesia and mainland China also fell. Thailand and New Zealand rose.

Among individual stocks, Japan's Sharp Corp. jumped 9.7 percent following reports that the chief of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., which is in talks on revising terms of an investment in the Japanese electronics maker, said he is seeking to join Sharp's management, according to Kyodo News.

Australian miner Fortescue Metals fell 2.3 percent after announcing it would shed staff and defer some work to reduce costs in response to falling iron ore prices.

Investors around the world will have a number of issues to contend with over the rest of the week, culminating with Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for August.

On Thursday, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, is expected to announce details of a new bond-buying program intended to keep the borrowing costs of countries such as Spain and Italy from soaring.

Meanwhile, on Sept. 12, Germany's constitutional court is set to issue its verdict on the legality of the European Stability Mechanism, Europe's planned bailout fund.

Hopes that the ECB will play a more crucial role in the debt crisis have helped support the euro in recent weeks. After dropping to near two-year lows below $1.20, the euro has pushed back above $1.25.

The U.S. payroll figures, which often set the market tone for a week or two after their release, could be particularly important this month too.

Last Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested that more central bank action was possible to support the U.S. economy, leading investors to think the Fed will act sooner rather than later. Previous Fed stimulus packages have shored up markets as the fresh liquidity on offer made its way round financial markets.

Benchmark oil for October delivery was up 70 cents to $97.17 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.85 to finish at $96.47 Friday.

In currencies, the euro rose to $1.2613 from $1.2577 late Friday in New York. The dollar rose to 78.35 yen from 78.33 yen.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/asia-stocks-hurt-global-economic-uncertainty-050854362.html

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Taking a More Detailed Look at Your Roofing System's Components ...

At the first sight of leaks some residents instantly push on to have their roof shingles or panels either reapplied or changed, assuming that this is created by a faulty roofing system. Nevertheless, roofs are comprised of various parts, all of which are essential in protecting the residence from water damage due to leaks and some other natural elements. For this reason, every homeowner should know which particular roofing parts are very vulnerable to damages. Decking

Decking, also known as sheathing, is the area installed over the supporting framing members where the roof covering is put. Roof decking must be tough and resilient sufficiently to withstand the weight of the other parts placed over it such as clay or slate roof tiles. Roof decking is normally made of concrete, plywood, or metal.

The newest kind of decking is oriented strand board (OSB), which consists of strands of wood set in layers and bonded together making use of resin that helps an OSB get water tightness. OSBs are usually more economical compared to other decking materials. Moreover, OSBs are regarded as eco friendly given that these boards can be made from small, fast-growing trees, which are abundant in Portland.

Roof Flashing

This construction component is typically placed in the roof joints to keep water from seeping into the home. To accomplish this, the roof flashing must be appropriately set up around chimneys or fan vents; otherwise roof leaks could still form. As soon as you come across leakages in your house, you may wish to have your flashing examined by Maine roofing specialists to identify if repair or replacement is needed.

Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are similarly vital components since they direct the flow of water far from your home. These components can quickly plug when debris like fallen leaves, twigs, and others accumulate. To minimize the risk of congesting, you can ask Portland roofing contractors to set up gutter guards on your roof.

To strengthen the insulation in your residence and cut down on your heating or cooling costs, you can think about having metal roofing put in by a Portland roofing company you trust. Besides being energy saving, metal roofs are resilient and are better equipped to stand up to hurricanes, high winds, and fire. For more details, visit ehow.com/about_5588234_types-roof-decking.html.

For more details, search Maine roofing, Portland roofing contractors, and Portland roofing company in Google for related information.

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Whales rescued after dozens stranded in Scotland

Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

Volunteers and animal welfare workers attempt to rescue a large number of pilot whales beached near St Andrews in Scotland, Sunday.

By NBC News staff

Ten pilot whales were rescued and refloated Monday after they became stranded on a Scottish beach, according to reports.

The 20-foot whales were kept alive by vets and led out to deeper waters but 16 others could not be saved and died on the beach in Fife, on the east coast just south of St Andrews, Fife,?The Scotsman newspaper reported.


It said volunteers joined the local coastguard, Fire Brigade, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, animal welfare charities and local vets during the rescue attempt.

21 whales beach selves in Florida, at least two die

Coastguard officials were alerted to the beaching, between Anstruther and Pittenweem, at 7 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) on Sunday, the BBC reported. ?It said three of the whales that died were calves.

David Galloway, a fish filleter from Anstruther, told The Scotsman: ?I went down to the beach at about 12 p.m. and I could see all the whales. It was horrible. I have never seen anything like it in my life.

?We were told we couldn?t go down on to the beach, but we could see rescuers beside the whales, they were trying to take care of them, trying to keep them moist. They were waiting for the tide to come in. It was just horrible.?

A coastguard spokeswoman said: ?It is a very rare occurrence in Scotland and very sad.

?The usual scenario would be that the whale that is leading the group has become ill, or has lost its way, and gets beached and the rest will follow on. Although we do not know for sure if that is what has happened.?

Witnesses posted pictures of the rescue scene via social media, including Twitter.

It came after 21 short-finned pilot whales beached themselves along Florida's Atlantic coast on Saturday, leaving at least two whales dead.

More world stories from NBC News:

Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/03/13632807-stranded-whales-rescued-after-dozens-beached-in-scotland?lite

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Our own limitations

~ Hey, this is The Great Thundorz, making a second interest check to see if I can try my hands again at making another RP. A little warning before you read this - it will contain themes that center around censorship. So if you already know you will be dis-interested in this RP just from that, you are looking in the wrong place then. For those of you who do read this, have fun and I hope it's an enjoyable read for everyone! Also, a little side-note, the title may change when the actual RP is up. Not sure yet, but if people do like the title, I will keep it. ~

Welcome to the year 2251. Today you will be learning about the city that you will be living in, Grand City. It is perhaps the capital of our world, while also being known as the biggest city and having the most population in it. Two days ago, a well known man at the age of 35 named Matt Henx was executed, for supposedly plotting treason against the Grand Council, our rulers. You knew him as a good person, he was always speaking for good intentions when you saw him on the news. So, why is this man so important? I'll tell you... But it may end up changing your life forever.

Two hundred years ago, around the year 2034, a nuclear war had broken out, a war that was known as World War III. Every country was involved, every soldier who could fight was sent out into battle. By 2036 the war was already declared over, all sides not wishing to destroy the planet they lived on. The survivors decided to form as one and, planned to build a great city. In the year 2052, Grand City was born. In 2056, the Grand Council was formed. Of course, you know all this. Why does it matter to you? Well, you don't know the truth behind the war. You were taught it started because of an accidental mis-fire of nuclear weapons. Well... You were taught wrong.

All your life, you were taught and raised to be a good person. To accept the rules that have been placed down on to you by your parents and your parents parents and your parents parents parents. There is no longer any gore in television shows, books and novels are restricted in the symbolism, the way they can describe things, the words they can use, but to you it means nothing. You grew up with this, you are use to it. No one can cuss any more, no one can fight any more, no one can wield a gun any more. Again, all natural. Now Matt Henx has been executed for treason. Once more, supposedly natural. But... What if you came to a different conclusion? What if... You thought Matt Henx's execution was... Strange?

There is also the symbol ritual approaching. On your birth, you were given a number that identifies more of who you are to the Grand Council. Matt Henx, for example, was #134,849. The symbol ritual is where people go to see if they were born with a certain 'mark' or not. About 85% of people do not have one. The other 15% do. You know what the three symbols are, everyone in Grand City does. But will one stand out to you, or are you not interested in them at all? Each comes in the form of some sort of tattoo like mark. Rumors believe a symbol will more then not run in the family.

Dragon Symbol: Image
A sinister looking mark, the Dragon Symbol is seen as a sign of one's evil intentions. The Dragon is said to be a warning sign of a monster in the making, those with this symbol are often looked down upon and are often, more then not, considered outcasts or traitors.

Turtle Symbol: Image
A unique looking mark, the Turtle Symbol is looked upon as a sign of one's good intentions. The Turtle is believed to represent life, and is often looked upon as a good symbol. Those with this symbol are often looked up to or admired, for it is rumored they will become great people one day and will have such a powerful influence over the people.

Question Mark Symbol: Image
A rare mark, the Question Mark often confuses people. They do not know what to think of the person, for the symbols says it all. People with this mark are said to be mysterious, some believe them to be cunning like a snake, others believe them to be shy. People will often be afraid of people with this mark, for it is rumored that they are an even greater danger to society then those with the Dragon Symbol. Only one out of five people who have symbols will get this one.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/5CGA-7fnHw0/viewtopic.php

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