Legend, 2 Chainz, MC Lyte honored at Hip-Hop Ball

John Legend is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

John Legend is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

Rosario Dawson is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

2 Chainz is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

Doug E. Fresh is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

Swizz Beatz is seen at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 in Washington. (Photo by Larry French/Invision/AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? John Legend believes hip-hop played its part in helping Barack Obama become president, and he's proud at how the genre has matured over the years.

"I think hip-hop had a role in making sure we elected a black president in America because we made it so that black people were in people's homes ... through our music and through our culture," the R&B crooner said Sunday night at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.

"I think it made Barack Obama and more people like him possible, so I'm really thankful for hip-hop and the role it plays in society," he continued.

Legend was awarded the humanitarian award at Sunday's event, and it was one of many honors handed out at the Harman Center for Arts.

Hip-hop pioneers MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh were both given lifetime achievement awards. Fresh even hit the stage, beat boxing while comedian-actor-singer Wayne Brady cooed Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" At one point, Brady even busted out his own rhymes.

Rapper Yo Yo earned a roaring cheer when she hit the stage to honor MC Lyte; Lil Mama also paid tribute to the "Ruffneck" rapper.

2 Chainz, who had a breakthrough year with his Grammy-nominated solo debut and multiple rap hits, earned the street soldier award for encouraging young voters as a spokesperson for the Hip-Hop Caucus' "Respect My Vote!" campaign.

"Doing my thing on the charts is one thing, but to be getting honored on another avenue, it just feels like a blessing," he said in an interview. "I'm keeping my head leveled and staying humble."

Actress Rosario Dawson won the vanguard award for her work as chairman of the Voto Latino organization.

"It's time to step out of the shadows. It's time to not just be talked about by other people, it's time to take the leadership ourselves and that first step of leadership is voting," Dawson said of the importance of the Latino vote.

Rappers Swizz Beatz and Meek Mill also earned honors at the event, attended by a few hundred hip-hop fans, including model Tyson Beckford, former NBA star Dikembe Mutumbo and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants. La La Anthony and Terrence J hosted the ball.

British singer Marsha Ambrosius also delivered a rousing performance, and playful jokes about Obama.

"I got a call from the president and he asked me to perform his favorite song," she said before singing the R&B jam "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)."

Then she sang "Butterflies," a song she co-wrote for Michael Jackson's 2001 "Invincible" album.

"This might have been his favorite," she said.

___

Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MusicMesfin

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-21-Inauguration-Hip-Hop%20Ball/id-b918033ce8d84a3e8f33d2e8a3de6c97

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Triple suicide bomb attack targets Afghan government building

KABUL (Reuters) - A coordinated attack involving at least three suicide bombers and a powerful car bomb took aim at the headquarters of the Kabul traffic department on Monday, followed by a clash between at least one insurgent and security forces, police said.

The attack took place just days after six suicide bombers attacked the Afghan spy agency in Kabul, killing two.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for Monday's attack.

"Today at 5 o'clock in the morning (8:30 p.m. EST Sunday) a number of mujahideen martyrs entered a government building close to an American training centre... Heavy fighting is ongoing," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message to media.

Police said it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties in the attack, which involved a second bombing, a tactic favored by Islamist insurgents elsewhere but relatively rare in Afghanistan.

"About an hour after the initial attack (triple suicide bomb attack) a fourth man drove a car to the same compound and detonated another bomb," the head of the Kabul police criminal investigation department, Mohammad Zahir, told Reuters.

Violence across the country has been increasing over the last year, sparking concern over how the 350,000-strong Afghan security forces will be able to manage once foreign troops withdraw by 2014.

(Writing by Amie Ferris-Rotman; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/suicide-bomb-attack-gunfire-afghan-capital-police-025708084.html

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Dead and missing from siege at Algerian gas plant

In this image made from video, a group of people believed to be hostages kneel in the sand with their hands in the air at an unknown location in Algeria. Algerian de-mining teams were scouring a gas refinery on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 that was the scene of a bloody four-day standoff, searching for explosive traps left by the Islamist militants who took dozens of foreigners hostage. The siege left at least 23 captives dead, and the American government warned that there were credible threats of more kidnapping attempts on Westerners. (AP Photo/Ennahar TV) ALGERIA OUT, TV OUT

In this image made from video, a group of people believed to be hostages kneel in the sand with their hands in the air at an unknown location in Algeria. Algerian de-mining teams were scouring a gas refinery on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 that was the scene of a bloody four-day standoff, searching for explosive traps left by the Islamist militants who took dozens of foreigners hostage. The siege left at least 23 captives dead, and the American government warned that there were credible threats of more kidnapping attempts on Westerners. (AP Photo/Ennahar TV) ALGERIA OUT, TV OUT

At least 81 people have been reported dead, including 32 Islamist militants, after a bloody, four-day hostage situation at Algeria's remote Ain Amenas natural gas plant. Nearly two dozen foreign workers remained unaccounted for late Sunday.

Here's the latest information from Algeria on the dead and missing:

THE DEAD:

? 32 Islamist militants, according to the Algerian government.

? 23 hostages, according to Algeria.

? 25 more bodies found Sunday, unclear yet whether they were hostages or militants, according to an Algerian security official.

? 1 Romanian died in the hospital, after being evacuated.

? Confirmed dead so far include six from the Philippines, three from Britain, two from Romania and one each from the U.S. and France.

THE MISSING HOSTAGES

? JAPAN: 10 Japanese working at the plant are unaccounted for, according to their employer JGC Corp.

? NORWAY: Five Norwegian employees of Statoil are still missing, the energy company said Sunday.

? BRITAIN: Three other Britons still missing and feared dead, the U.K. government said Sunday. Another British resident also feared dead.

? THE PHILIPPINES: Four Filipinos are still missing, a government spokesman said in Manila.

? MALAYSIA: Two Malaysians are missing, the government says.

? UNITED STATES: The number of possible American hostages is still unclear. One Texan is dead, the U.S. has confirmed. The militants at first said they were holding seven American hostages, but there has been no official confirmation if any Americans are unaccounted for.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-21-Algeria-Kidnapping-Glance/id-4ce57021566b4c07a19c108c695ab561

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Meadowlands casino backers will like this news - NorthJersey.com ...

Governor Andrew Cuomo has talked at times of having a full-fledged casino in New York City ? a worry to some North Jerseyans who dream of massive revenues from a Meadowlands casino. The idea is a pipe dream for now because neither Governor Christie nor state Senate President Stephen Sweeney have any interest in such a structure due to concerns for the welfare of the struggling Atlantic City casino industry.

But now it?s looking as if New York may not be moving forward with their gambling version, either, in the near future.

That?s based on Cuomo?s state of the State speech on Wednesday:

from that link:

?On gambling, Cuomo proposed that an expansion of gambling in New York begin with three casinos upstate and none in New York City. The state Legislature is expected this year to consider final passage of an amendment to the state constitution that would allow up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos beyond Indian land. If approved by lawmakers, voters could make a final decision on the amendment in November.

Cuomo said he would propose a ?phase one? plan focusing on three upstate casinos. The governor said he wants to bring visitors from downstate and other states to upstate areas. A gaming commission would pick the best locations and revenues would be split 90 percent for education and 10 percent for property tax relief.?

???.

Here?s the exact language from the speech:

?We can also revitalize the Upstate economy by increasing tourism through destination resorts and casinos. Some may say the State is not in the casino business, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is that gaming already exists throughout New York State. Native Americans have five casinos, and there are nine racinos at the race tracks in New York State. In fact, New York State now has more than 29,000 electronic gambling machines, which is more than Atlantic City and more than any state in the Northeast or Mideast.

New York has three gaming facilities with over 4,000 machines. No casino in Atlantic City, Pennsylvania, or Nevada has over 4,000 machines. We don?t fully realize it, regulate it, or capitalize on it, but we have gaming.

New York State is also surrounded by gambling. States and Canadian provinces just across our borders have legalized casino gambling, and they are the beneficiaries of the tourism, revenue, and good jobs that could and should be in New York. In fact, there are 39 casinos in adjacent states and provinces, and this does not even include the three casinos that are likely coming to Massachusetts, 9,508 slot machines at 14 racetracks in Ontario, and 12,000 Video Lottery Terminals (VLT?s) in 2,000 facilities in Quebec.

The State Legislature gave first passage to a Constitutional amendment, which calls for a maximum of seven casinos in New York State.69 This year, the Governor will propose a Phase One casino gaming plan to go along with the measure, which must again be resubmitted and approved by the Legislature in 2013 and will then be subject to ratification by the electorate.

Governor Cuomo proposes the following elements for the casino gaming plan:
? Begin by locating up to three casinos in Upstate New York.
? No casinos will be located in New York City ? the plan is to bring downstate New Yorkers and other visitors to Upstate.

The Gaming Commission will pick the best locations and the plan must have local government and community support.
? Any revenue raised under the plan will be split 90 percent for education and 10 percent for local property tax relief.

Casino gaming has significant potential to be a major economic engine for New York State. It is estimated that over $1 billion of economic activity can be generated from casino gaming, and passing a Constitutional amendment would allow New York to maximize and rationalize its opportunities. Limiting casino gambling to no more than seven facilities also guarantees there will not be an excessive proliferation of casinos within New York State.?

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Source: http://blog.northjersey.com/meadowlandsmatters/4662/meadowlands-casino-backers-will-like-this-news/

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Mediator gets NHL, union back together

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2012, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly speak to reporters in New York. The NHL made a new proposal to the players' association, hoping to spark talks to end the long lockout and save the hockey season. Daly said Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, the league made its offer Thursday and was waiting for a response. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2012, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly speak to reporters in New York. The NHL made a new proposal to the players' association, hoping to spark talks to end the long lockout and save the hockey season. Daly said Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, the league made its offer Thursday and was waiting for a response. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

FILE - This Aug. 14, 2012, file photo shows NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, left, and Bill Daly, deputy commissioner and chief legal officer, following collective bargaining talks in Toronto. The NHL is set to get back to the bargaining table Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, with the locked-out players? association after a new contract offer from the league broke the ice between the fighting sides. "We delivered to the union a new, comprehensive proposal for a successor CBA," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement Friday, Dec. 28. "We are not prepared to discuss the details of our proposal at this time." (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young, File)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A federal mediator has finally been able to get the NHL and the players' association back together Saturday for their first face-to-face meeting since talks broke down two days earlier.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly went to union headquarters for what a players' association spokesman called a "small group meeting" with the sides and mediator Scot Beckenbaugh.

Beckenbaugh had already held separate meetings with the union and league Saturday before bringing them together.

Beckenbaugh spent more than 12 hours Friday walking back and forth between the Manhattan headquarters of each side ? beginning at 10 a.m. EST and wrapping things up shortly before 11 p.m.

While Beckenbaugh never got the league and the union in the same room then, enough was accomplished to convince the sides to keep going.

"I'm looking forward to continuing the process," Daly wrote to The Associated Press in an email late Friday night.

Beckenbaugh began Saturday by holding a meeting with the union and then walked over to talk to NHL officials. He then made the trek back to the players' association for the group meeting shortly before 1 p.m.

With the hockey season hanging in the balance, Saturday could prove to be a pivotal day on all fronts. The sides have less than a week to reach a new collective bargaining agreement to save what would likely be a 48-game hockey season.

Beckenbaugh also took part in talks during the 2004-05 lockout, which forced the cancellation of the whole season.

The players' association will conclude a two-day vote among its members at 6 p.m. Saturday that will determine whether the union's executive board will again have the authority to declare a disclaimer of interest.

If the vote passes, as expected, the disclaimer can be issued, and the union would dissolve and become a trade association. That could send this fight to the courts and put the season in jeopardy. The disclaimer would allow players to file individual antitrust suits against the NHL.

Earlier this week, a self-imposed deadline expired on the first authorization that union members gave the board. The initial threat seemed to work in getting the NHL back to the bargaining table, but talks broke down Wednesday night after the deadline passed without action taken by the union.

Now the players want to regain the leverage the potential disclaimer gives them.

Bettman set a Jan. 11 deadline for a deal so the season can begin eight days later. A 48-game season is the minimum Bettman said the league would play.

All games through Jan. 14, along with the All-Star game, have been canceled, claiming more than 50 percent of the original schedule.

Trust has become a major impediment in the talks that appear to have been rescued to some extent by Beckenbaugh.

On Thursday morning, the sides solved a problem that arose regarding the reporting by clubs of hockey-related revenue, and how both sides sign off on the figures at the end of the fiscal year. The union felt the language had been changed without proper notification. That dispute was ended in about an hour, but clearly discord was present in the talks.

Another small meeting, the second of the day without union head Donald Fehr, addressed the pension plan. That one lasted just under two hours and marked the last time the sides met this week.

The players' association held a late Thursday afternoon conference call to initiate its second vote on the disclaimer of interest.

A sense of progress might be why the union didn't declare the disclaimer Wednesday, but any optimism created after the deadline passed has taken several hits since.

The NHLPA filed a motion in federal court in New York seeking to dismiss the league's suit to have the lockout declared legal. The NHL sued the union in mid-December, figuring the players were about to submit their own complaint against the league.

But the union argued that the NHL is using this suit "to force the players to remain in a union. Not only is it virtually unheard of for an employer to insist on the unionization of its employees, it is also directly contradicted by the rights guaranteed to employees under ... the National Labor Relations Act."

The court scheduled a status conference for the sides on Monday.

The sides have traded four proposals in the past week ? two by each side ? but none has gained enough traction. Getting an agreement on a pension plan would likely go a long way toward a deal that would put hockey back on the ice.

Fehr believed a plan for a players-funded pension was established before talks blew up in early December. That apparently wasn't the case, or the NHL changed its offer regarding the pension in exchange for agreeing to other things the union wanted.

The salary-cap number for the second year of the deal ? the 2013-14 season ? hasn't been agreed to, and is another major point of contention. The league is pushing for a $60 million cap, while the union wants it to be $65 million with a floor of $44 million.

In return for the higher cap, players would be willing to forgo a cap on escrow.

Other issues still needing resolution include the maximum length of player contracts, the yearly variance in salary of those individual deals, and how long the CBA should be in effect.

Both sides seem content on it lasting for 10 years, but they have different opinions on whether an opt-out should be allowed to be exercised after seven years or eight.

Last season, the NHL posted record revenues of $3.3 billion. The sides seem likely to agree on a 50-50 split of the pot in any new deal.

The NHL is the only North American professional sports league to cancel a season because of a labor dispute, losing the 2004-05 campaign to a lockout. A 48-game season was played in 1995 after a lockout stretched into January.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-01-05-HKN-NHL-Labor/id-0e9ee4285e484a669585fb3525be5851

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Small Businesses and Commercial Finance - Commercial Mortgages

Whenever the financial year may begin for your business, a new year is a chance for a new start, an opportunity for the businesses that have endured struggle; to re-evaluate strategies, short term aims and long term goals. For the small business owner, 2013 is a chance to maintain growth and retain financial strength however, with economists forecasting a 50-50 chance of an astounding triple dip recession; how can the risks to business finances be minimised?

According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CERB), a range of predictions have been made surrounding inflation, the commercial industry and the Bank of England; all of which indicate that the small business owner may very well be treading on murky waters.

The UK economy faces great challenges; challenges that may put investors, savers and business owners at great risk but what other options are available? And can the risk levels facing the small business owner be at all minimised?

The overall economic strength of 2012 evidently declares that the first quarter of 2013 will be weak and although predictions indicate that the Funding for Lending scheme may soon start to take effect; the small business owner is encouraged to seek financial advice from an independent service.

The independent commercial finance specialist acts as an intermediary and will work only for your business. As a specialist broker; an independent financier works as a middle man between the borrower and lender. Acting upon the best interests of the business and with the assistance of an in-depth application process that will analyse business plans, financial figures and predictions; the independent broker will secure the ideal loan needed for commercial survival in 2013. The beauty of this middle man is simple; unlike the sales driven bank staff, the success of an independent broker lies in the success of borrower and lender dealings which, may ensure that the risks of hiked fees, surprise costs and charges are greatly minimised.

How does an independent broker work? It is quite simple; there are many finance brokers available on the market however, for the small business owner it is often suggested that a specialist commercial broker be contacted. A commercial broker firm is one consisting of professionals all expert in the field of commercial finance and with access to an abundance of unique, high quality and specialist commercial lenders who, as a result; will work to match your business with the ideal lender and secure the best deals and the best interest rates that may not be achievable by the high street bank.

The financial options available to the small business owner will vary from lender to lender however; the best commercial brokers will offer a wide range that may include the following:

• Commercial Mortgage- Although renting may seem like the most viable business option; it is a commercial mortgage that will offer steady payments allowing for a better chance to secure cash flow, tax deductibility, equity and the ultimate end goal of property ownership.
• Bridging Finance- A surprise bill, ever growing debt, or quick expansion can be aided by bridging finance. A short term loan that can often be secured within three days; bridging finance is ideal when desiring fast results.
• Buy to Let Mortgage- If your new or existing business involves property leasing than a buy to let mortgage is the ideal option. With the housing market still under strain, a buy to let mortgage is a fantastic option for lenders to capitalise on a growing market.
• Development Finance- For those seeking investment in an exciting project; a development finance loan is the ideal solution. Often difficult to obtain from the high street lender; an independent broker may offer a better opportunity for success.
• HMO Mortgages- Again, an ideal solution for the property investor; a HMO mortgage will allow you to capitalise on the growing demand for student and shared accommodation.
• Invoice Financing- Cash flow is a major issue and may stand between success and failure however, invoice finance will allow for better management and control.

?

The above are just a few financial options that may be offered by the commercial mortgage broker. For the small business, whether a legal firm, retail store or perhaps even a property portfolio; an independent broker will offer a greater selection of loans all at a greater rate. What?s more is that for those who have adverse credit and may have previously been rejected financial aid from the high street retailer; achieving financial support from a broker may not be as difficult as expected.

The threats facing the small business owner are unfortunately still as great as ever which is why, as we settle into the new year; the trusted and reliable financial options must be sought if the risk potential is ever to be minimised.

Is your small business ready for the challenges that 2013 will no doubt bring?

Source: http://www.charlestonfinancial.co.uk/small-businesses-and-commercial-finance/

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Pushpins Manages Your Grocery Lists, Suggests Recipes, and Offers Coupons for the Items You Buy

iOS: Pushpins is a free grocery management app that handles every single step of the process. It'll help you pick recipes, make grocery lists, find the store you want near you, store that store's loyalty/rewards card (in the app and in Passbook), manage the grocery list as you shop, and then offer you coupons at checkout. It does everything.

I've seen a lot of grocery-centric apps and, while good, none of them really motivated me to use them regularly. Because Pushpins does practically everything, and has the incentive of saving money without any effort, I'm going to stop sticking my shopping list in a text file and use it instead. When you put your list into Pushpins and let it know where you'll be shopping, the app locates coupons for the specific grocery store you'll visit. If you're not sure what to get, you can search for recipes or browse categories for specific types (including allergy-friendly categories). The only downside I found was that Pushpins doesn't fully support every major grocery store. For example, Trader Joe's doesn't have a loyalty card so it's a little tedious to add items to a Trader Joe's list. Other major chains, such as Safeway properties, work perfectly.

If you own an iPhone and you ever plan to visit a grocery store, you'll want to take Pushpins with you. With the exception of waiting in line on your behalf, the app helps you every step of the way.

Pushpins (Free)

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/mZtQ3pS-em8/pushpins-manages-your-grocery-lists-suggests-recipes-and-offers-coupons-for-the-items-you-buy

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