Shinzo Abe returns as Japan's prime minister

TOKYO (AP) ? Japan's parliament elected Shinzo Abe as the nation's prime minister on Wednesday, ending three years of rule by liberal administrations and bringing back to power the conservative, pro-big business party that has run Japan for most of the post-World War II era.

Abe, whose nationalist positions have in the past angered Japan's neighbors, is the country's seventh prime minister in just over six years. He has promised to restore growth to an economy that has been struggling for 20 years.

He led the Liberal Democratic Party to victory in nationwide elections Dec. 16 to cement his second term as Japan's leader. He was also prime minister in 2006-2007 before resigning for health reasons that he says are no longer an issue.

He won elections in both houses of Parliament, though in the less powerful upper house, where his party is weaker, he finished second in the first round and needed a runoff to win. He was to name his Cabinet later Wednesday.

Capitalizing on voter discontent with the left-leaning Democratic Party of Japan, Abe has vowed to shore up the economy, deal with a swelling national debt and come up with a recovery plan following last year's devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crises.

Abe has also stressed his desire to make Japan a bigger player on the world stage, a stance that has resonated with many voters who are concerned that their nation is taking a back seat economically and diplomatically to China. Abe has vowed to stand up to Beijing over an ongoing territorial dispute and strengthen Tokyo's security alliance with Washington.

"I feel as fresh as the clear sky today," he told reporters before the vote, adding that he wanted to get right to work.

He has already named a roster of top party executives that includes two women ? more than previous LDP administrations ? and is younger than earlier ones, with three of the four in their 50s.

Abe was expected to give the finance portfolio to another former prime minister, Taro Aso. The new foreign minister likely will be Fumio Kishida, an expert on the southern island of Okinawa, where residents are calling for the removal of nearly 20,000 US troops based there. The defense minister was expected to be Itsunori Onodera, who was in Abe's previous administration.

The LDP governed Japan for decades after it was founded in 1955. Before it was ousted in 2009, the LDP was hobbled by scandals and problems getting key legislation through a divided parliament.

This time around, Abe has promised to make the economy his top priority and is expected to push for a 2 percent inflation target designed to fight a problem that was until recently relatively unique in the world ? deflation. Continually dropping prices deaden economic activity, and the Japanese economy has been stuck in deflation for two decades.

Besides generous promises to boost public works spending ? by as much as 10 trillion yen ($119 billion), according to party officials ? Abe is pressuring the central bank to work more closely with the government to reach the inflation target.

He has acknowledged, however, that the road ahead for Japan will be bumpy.

"Our party leadership will undoubtedly have to deal with many issues," he said Tuesday.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/shinzo-abe-returns-japans-prime-minister-065626144.html

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The Perils of Subzero Weather for Pets | Stafford Animal Shelter

December 26, 2012?/?by Stafford?/?Make A Comment?/?Filed under Q & A

When the temperature dips below zero, rules change for pets? outdoor time.? There are a number of important seasonal changes for you to be aware of.
??When it?s below zero, keep your cat inside, they can freeze or become lost. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
??When it?s cold, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
??Don?t let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm?dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
??Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
??You should also thoroughly wipe off your cat and dog?s legs and stomach when they come in out of the sleet, snow or ice. They can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking their paws, and the paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. You can put petroleum jelly on dry, cracked paw pads to help them heal.
??Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. For ?outdoor? dogs, they need to have insulated places with warm, dry bedding; plastic dog houses do not keep the cold out.
??It only takes three hours for an animal to freeze to death without shelter, even if they have blankets. If you have barn cats, they must have a warm sheltered place to escape the cold, like protected burrows in haystacks. Check water several times a day since it often freezes outdoors and they can?t get enough moisture from eating snow. There are also plug in pet bowls and heated bedding available.
??It is unlawful to leave a dog or cat outdoors without adequately warm shelter and defrosted water. There will be a first warning and after that you can be charged with animal cruelty and fined $1,000 with imprisonment possible for subsequent convictions. If an animal?s life is endangered they can be seized as well.
??Arctic Circle breeds do well as outside dogs, but do not put a puppy or adult dog outside for extended periods of time. If your pet has been outside for any length of time during very cold weather, watch closely for frost bit paw symptoms such as picking up their feet, whining, and limping.
??Puppies and smaller dogs ? a larger percentage of their body mass is exposed so they get cold easier ? do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, so may not be willing to do their business when it is very cold and you may want to have paper-lined areas indoors if your dog has been paper trained. Older dogs also get cold easier so winter coats for elders, pups and small dogs are recommended.

Source: http://staffordanimalshelter.org/2012/12/the-perils-of-subzero-weather-for-pets/

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Treatment options for Vein diseases - ArticlesWide.com

If you have any type of vein disease or have problems dealing with issues such as Spider Veins or Varicose Veins you understand that it is a health issue that is not fun or enjoyable. This issue is a problem for many. In fact, about 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem. The good news is that solutions are available. Thanks to new medical technology and years of research on everything from Deep Venous Thrombosis to Spider Veins, a lot of vein problems that are so commonly suffered in the United States can get treated well.

There are a multitude of treatments that are available for Vein Disease and it is up to you to decide which one will have the greatest impact on helping out your cause. The doctor that you visit in your initial appointment to discuss treatment options will go over all of the potential options available. Below, we have analyzed various treatment options that are available to people today and have gone over their advantages and disadvantages. Each option has unique benefits and drawbacks and it is ultimately up to you to decide, but based on the lists below, you should gain better knowledge as what treatment option will best suite your specific needs.

The first option is a procedure called Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a safe and proven non-surgical treatment for small or medium-sized varicose veins and is best for the treatment for spider veins. A tiny needle is used to implement a sclerosing solution into the target vein. This solution shuts it down the vein by irritating the lining of it.

Another option is called Endovenous laser Treatment (EVLT). This procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for veins that are located beneath the skins surface which are not working properly due to malfunctioning valves. The procedure involves the insertion of a tiny laser fiber into the vein, which seals the vein shut so it eventually collapses and fades from the surface of the skin.

The next option available is VNUS. This is a new procedure utilizes radiofrequency waves created by an electrode to close the vein. It closes the vein by heating the vein wall causing contraction of the vein. The VNUS Closure procedure has very little discomfort associated with it and yields a typically high degree of success.

Microphlebectomy is a procedure that is also commonly referred to as ambulatory phlebectomy. This is a type of surgery commonly used to remove large bulging veins. Many times, varicose veins near the surface of the skin are too large to treat with Sclerotherapy and are too small to treat with laser ablation. In these cases, this procedure is recommended to treat unsightly or painful leg veins close to the skins surface. Even though this is an invasive surgery, the risks associated are minimal.

As you see above, there is a great deal of options available to you for treatment of Vein Disease. Make sure you go over the options thoroughly and choose the treatment that fits your needs the best!

See more information about vein diseases and how to get the right treatment for your condition. Visit the following links: Varicose vein and Varicose vein doctor.

Visit our website at http://www.californiaveintreatment.com

Source: http://www.articleswide.com/article/12137-Treatment_options_for_Vein_diseases.html

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A big hand for the little lady (Powerlineblog)

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Access Hollywood section

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Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/7358550/ns/today-entertainment/

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Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world Tuesday, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria, urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate and encouraging China's new leaders to allow more religious freedom.

Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies.

May China's new leadership "esteem the contribution of the religions, in respect for each other" to help build a "fraternal society for the benefit of that noble people," the pope prayed.

It was a clear reference to the Chinese government's often harsh treatment of Catholics loyal to the pontiff instead of to the state-sanctioned church. Earlier this month, the Vatican refused to accept the decision by Chinese authorities to revoke the title of a Shanghai bishop, who had been appointed in a rare show of consensus between the Holy See and China.

As the 85-year-old pontiff, bundled up in an ermine-trimmed red cape, gingerly stepped foot on the balcony, the pilgrims, tourists and Romans below backing St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers.

Less than 12 hours earlier, Benedict had led a two-hour long Christmas Eve ceremony in the basilica. He sounded hoarse and looked weary as he read his Christmas message and then holiday greetings in 65 languages.

In his "Urbi et Orbi" speech, which traditionally reviews world events and global challenges, Benedict prayed that "peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict that does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims."

He called for easier access to help refugees and for "dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict."

Benedict prayed that God "grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path to negotiation."

Israel, backed by the United States, opposed the Palestinian statehood bid, saying it was a ploy to bypass negotiations, something the Palestinians deny. Talks stalled four years ago.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said that in a meeting with the pope last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "emphasized our total readiness to resume negotiations." The Palestinians have not dropped their demand that Israel first stop settlement activities before returning to the negotiating table.

Hours earlier, in the ancient Bethlehem church built over the site where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminated the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filled its overflowing halls.

Overcast skies and a cold wind in the Holy Land didn't dampen the spirits of worshippers in the biblical West Bank town. Bells pealed and long lines formed inside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity complex as Christian faithful waited to see the grotto that is Jesus' traditional birthplace.

Duncan Hardock, 24, a writer from MacLean, Va., traveled to Bethlehem from the republic of Georgia, where he had been teaching English. After passing through the separation barrier Israel built to ward off West Bank attackers, he walked to Bethlehem's Manger Square where the church stands.

"I feel we got to see both sides of Bethlehem in a really short period of time," Hardock said. "On our walk from the wall, we got to see the lonesome, closed side of Bethlehem ... But the moment we got into town, we're suddenly in the middle of the party."

Bethlehem lies 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Jerusalem. Entry to the city is controlled by Israel, which occupied the West Bank in 1967.

For those who couldn't fit into the cavernous Bethlehem church, a loudspeaker outside broadcast the Christmas day service to hundreds of faithful in the square.

Their Palestinian hosts, who welcome this holiday as the high point of their city's year, were especially joyous this season, proud of the United Nations' recognition of an independent state of Palestine just last month.

"From this holy place, I invite politicians and men of good will to work with determination for peace and reconciliation that encompasses Palestine and Israel in the midst of all the suffering in the Middle East," said the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal in his annual address.

Back at the Vatican, Benedict offered encouragement to countries after the Arab spring of democracy protests. He had a special word for Egypt, "blessed by the childhood of Jesus."

Without citing the tumultuous politics and clashes in the region, he urged the North African region to build societies "founded on justice and respect for the dignity of every person."

Benedict prayed for the return of peace in Mali and harmony in Nigeria, where, he recalled "savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians."

The Vatican for decades has been worried about the well-being of its flock in China, who are loyal to the pope in defiance of the communist's government support of an officially sponsored church, and relations between Beijing and the Holy See are often tense.

Speaking about China's newly installed regime leaders, Benedict expressed hope that "they will esteem the contribution of the religions, in respect for each other, in such a way that they can help to build a fraternal society for the benefit of that noble people and of the whole world."

Acknowledging Latin America's predominant Christian population, he urged government leaders to carry out commitments to development and to fighting organized crime.

In Britain, the royal family was attending Christmas Day church services at St. Mary Magdelene Church on Queen Elizabeth II's sprawling Sandringham estate, though there were a few notable absences. Prince William is spending the holiday with his pregnant wife Kate and his in-laws in the southern England village of Bucklebury, while Prince Harry is serving with British troops in Afghanistan.

Later Tuesday, the queen delivered her traditional, prerecorded Christmas message, which for the first time was broadcast in 3D.

At Canterbury cathedral, Anglican leader Rowan Williams delivered his final Christmas day sermon as archbishop of Canterbury. He acknowledged how the church's General Synod's vote against allowing women to become bishops had cost credibility and said the faithful felt a "real sense of loss" over the decision.

_____

Dalia Nammari in Bethlehem and Cassandra Vinograd in London contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-decries-slaughter-defenseless-syrians-111207075.html

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Mark Cuban's Unconventional Income Tax Proposal Is The Exact ...

Michael Seto

Typical economic policy is fairly straightforward: Spend more and cut taxes when the economy is weak. Hike taxes only when we've recovered.

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, billionaire Mark Cuban offered up a very contrarian take on taxes.

First, here was the question that keyed off his claim that taxes should rise on the rich, and that it wouldn't be that harmful to the economy.

Could you further explain your stance on taxes for businesses? I've seen where you said that taxes essentially don't matter for business. That entrepreneurs will still start a business because they don't say, "Wow, I have a great idea but the tax rate is too high." Still, wouldn't it be helpful to have lower taxes because when those entrepreneurs sell their business, they have more money left to fund other businesses? If I sell my business for $1MM and capital gains is 5% higher than it is now, that's $50K that I can't invest in startups. That's easily 5 less businesses that will have to find capital elsewhere.

And here's Cuban's answer (lightly edited for punctuation):

Like everyone else, I want taxes lower. More money = more choices. BUT, I believe in taking responsibility for the circumstances we find ourselves in. As a citizen I voted for a bunch of the idiots in office. When they were doing stupid shit, I stood by quietly. Even when I spoke up, it didn't impact anything.? So while I believe that lower taxes are good. I recognize that I was part of the problem. And given that we are in the middle of a big problem, what I believe is the optimal way doesn't matter.? What matters now is fixing the problem. Unfortunately the way to fix the problem is to have those who can pay more to pay more.? I've been proactive individually, I've written checks to the City of Dallas. I've written big checks for disasters where I know that anything not financed privately is going to come from taxpayers. So its my small way of trying to help. I think all these politicians who ignore the current context/realities of where we are, hurt more than help? If it were up to me, I would increase taxes and create metrics that triggered declines. If the unemployment rate falls to 6pct nationally and the Deb/t GDP ratio declines to a specified amount, we lower taxes. If it goes the other way, we increase them further on the wealthy. I could go on for days on ideas, but no one is listening to me. :)

This is a very businessy way of looking at taxes, that lower taxes are like a bonus for good times, and that in bad times people should take home less. That does make sense in a business. As a tax policy, it's pretty much the opposite of what every economist will argue.

That being said, on Twitter Conor Sen makes a good point, which is that this creates an incentive for the rich to actively care about the unemployment rate, and to promote policies which would get there. There may be a way to structure it so that it works out well for everyone.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/mark-cuban-unconventional-income-tax-proposal-is-the-exact-opposite-of-what-most-economists-believe-2012-12

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