Two Icelandic Skydivers Die In Jump Over Florida

Orvar Arnarson, 40, the instructor, and Andrimar Pordarson, 25, the student, were members of a group of more than 20 skydivers on a jump in windy conditions near Zephyrhills, Fla. The Tampa Bay Times reported that when the rest of the skydivers landed, they saw no sign of either Arnarson or Pordarson.

Hours later, their bodies were found nearby.

The two Icelandic skydivers were participating in a jump at Skydive City around 10 a.m. EDT. Arnarson was described as a ?very experienced? instructor with several thousand jumps under his belt; Pordarson was on his eighth jump.?

According to local police, their bodies were spotted by a helicopter crew surveying the area around 7:30 p.m.

"Our helicopter was able to get a visual from the air," the Tampa Bay Times quoted Pasco County Sheriff's Department representative Melanie Snow as saying. "They were found very close to each other south of the airport off of Yonkers Road."

Before police became involved in the search, Skydive City used four other planes to scout for the bodies of the jumpers.

Although conditions were windy at the time of the accident, Skydive City employees felt they were safe enough for a jump. Flights left before and after the ill-fated one, but flights later in the day were cancelled because of safety concerns.?

"It's a risk we take," Eric Hildebrand, a former instructor at Skydive City who jumps on weekends, told the Tampa Bay Times. "It was windy, but not unreasonable."

The Tampa Bay Times noted that Hildebrand jumped during the two flights before and after the flight bearing Arnarson and Pordarson.

Officials are still unsure exactly what led to their deaths. Skydivers are equipped with both automatic emergency parachutes and their main parachutes. The reserve parachutes are set to open about 700 feet off the ground as a safety measure.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/two-icelandic-skydivers-die-jump-over-florida-1147579

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Stocks end higher amid Cyprus deal

JeeYeon Park , CNBC ? ? ? 1 day

Stocks closed higher Friday, rebounding from their biggest drop in nearly a month, as worries over Cyprus diminished and a batch of upbeat earnings reports were released.

Still, major averages finished in the red for the week. The Dow snapped a four-week win streak and the S&P 500 logged its second losing week this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 90.54 points, or 0.63 percent, to close at 14,512.03, lifted by Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard, but still finished lower for the week.

The blue-chip index is still on track for its biggest ever quarterly point gain.

The S&P 500 gained 11.09 points, or 0.72 percent, to finish at 1,556.89. The Nasdaq rose 22.40 points, or 0.70 percent, to end at 3,245.00.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, slid below 14.

For the week, the Dow slipped 0.01 percent, the S&P 500 dipped 0.24 percent, and the Nasdaq erased 0.13 percent. Cisco was the worst performer on the blue-chip index for the week, while Hewlett-Packard climbed.

For the week, materials led the key S&P sector laggards, while consumer staples rallied.

(Read More:Cramer Concerned, Says Buyers Pause)

"If the eleventh-hour solution doesn't manifest itself, then it will really get the market's attention because a precedent will be set and it will have implications for other struggling European countries," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.

(Read More: Who Will Blink First? Europe or Cyprus)

Cyprus was close to a deal to raise billions of euros and unlock a bailout from the European Union that could avert a financial meltdown and its exit from the euro, its ruling party said.

The European Union issued the nation with an ultimatum to raise the 5.8 billion euros ($7.4 billion) necessary for a 10-billion euro bailout package by next Monday. The European Central Bank has said it will cut off liquidity to Cypriot banks without a deal. Cyprus' finance minister returned to Cyprus after two days of talks with Russian officials in Moscow but failed to deliver a deal to rescue the country.

Earlier, Cyprus agreed with Greece on a takeover of the Greek units of Cypriot banks, which ended uncertainty over the fate of those operations.

European shares trimmed their earlier losses to end flat.

(Read More: As World Watches Cyprus, Slovenia in Danger Zone)

Meanwhile, some strategists pointed to the Federal Reserve's ongoing easy monetary policy as the reason for higher stock prices.

"With the $85 billion a month that the Fed is pumping into the market, this market only has one way to go and that's up," said Alan Valdes, director of floor operations and VP of trading at DME Securities. "And that's going to trump whatever's going on in Europe."

(Read More: Keep the Presses Rolling: Fed Won't Stop Easing)

Apple climbed amid reports the tech giant will unveil the iPhone 5s and the iPad 5 on June 29, according to tech website Gizmorati, citing an inside source and confirmation from a third party. The date would mark the sixth anniversary of the introduction of the original iPhone.

BlackBerry dropped sharply as the company's new BlackBerry Z10 went on sale in the U.S. at AT&T stores to little fanfare.

Among earnings, Nike soared to lead the S&P 500 gainers after the sports apparel retailer reported quarterly earnings that easily topped estimates and said future demand for its clothing and shoes gained. At least six brokerages lifted their price target on the company.

Tiffany rallied after the upscale jeweler said it sees worldwide sales gaining 6 to 8 percent this fiscal year and posted a better-than-expected profit.

Micron Technology posted a quarterly net loss, but surged nearly 10 percent after the chipmaker said the outlook for memory chip prices is improving.

Meanwhile, Tibco plunged after the business software maker forecast current-quarter results below estimates, citing execution challenges in North America and the UK.

And Darden Restaurants posted quarterly results that largely matched Wall Street's recently lowered estimates as consumers shied away from restaurants amid the payroll tax hike and higher gasoline prices.

JPMorgan held gains after the financial giant's board endorsed Jamie Dimon to remain both chairman and CEO.

Blackstone Group and General Electric's lending arm have discussed jointly pursuing Dell's financial-services business, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The New York Times also reported that Blackstone was weighing whether to make an offer for all or part of Dell, saying that some people close to the private equity firm are skeptical that an offer would materialize.

Pepsi gained after the U.K. Telegraph reported that investor Nelson Peltz has taken a stake in the beverage maker and Mondelez International and may push for a merger. Separately, Pepsi is redesigning its 20-ounce bottle for the first time in nearly 17 years.

(Happy Friday!Watch: Bacon Tacos = Bacos)

?Follow CNBC's JeeYeon Park on Twitter: @JeeYeonParkCNBC.

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Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653351/s/29e325bb/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Cbusiness0Cstocks0Eend0Ehigher0Eamid0Ecyprus0Edeal0E1C90A24770A/story01.htm

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Benefits of Twitter Chat to raise list of your Followers ? Website ...

You are here: Home ? Social Media ? Benefits of Twitter Chat to raise list of your Followers

Online community be it Business Houses or Individuals, always on look out for improved or innovative strategy to increase their Twitter Followers. Normally this can be achieved from getting a package at cheaper cost from freelancers to increase the follower?s list; it only serves if you are happy with increasing follower?s list numbers.

Are you happy with the follower?s list that is not generating enough for your business? Are you happy with the impression of your Twitter profile with spam follower?s list generation methods?

If your answer is NO, then what you really need? Simple answer is Quality followers and for that you need to add some extra efforts because only targeted audience makes the difference to your business sales and reputation.

So next question is how to achieve that? Answer lies with Twitter Chat. More efforts required to get more followers but it worth an experience. Only way to identify your follower is by interaction.

What is a Twitter Chat?

A Twitter Chat is essentially a group discussion via Twitter at a set time centered around a specific topic. Select a topic that most people are ready to discuss. This could be about a current event, like the Oscars, or an interview with an industry professional who agrees to answer questions and share his or her knowledge.

If you?ve never participated in a Twitter Chat, you can join a few before setting up one of your own to get an idea of how it works. You can find listings of upcoming chats on Google Docs or search with hashtags on your Tweetdeck or Hootsuite app.

What does it have to do with business??

Hosting or sponsoring a Tweet Chat will generate a lot of interest in your account. As a sponsor, you can post one or two promotional tweets during the discussion, which participants may retweet as a courtesy.

The more chats you have, the more people will start to identify your brand as it relates to certain topics.

Why use Twitter Chat??

When you take part in a chat as a representative of your brand or as a sponsor, you will see more people following you who have an actual interest in your niche. You can get more mentions when you invite influencers from Twitter to join your chat and strengthen your connections with them.

How to participate??

Decide on a time and date to hold your chat. Choose the hashtag that is related to your chat.

Spread the word about your upcoming chat to as many people as you can and ask them to share it with others.

A moderator may be assigned to ask questions, welcome participants and help maintain the flow of the chat.

Use the hashtag when asking a question or giving a response.

Do not use a Twitter Chat as an opportunity to plug your products and services.

Growing your Twitter following can help you become an authority in your niche. When you have quality followers who share your tweets and engage with you, you will see higher numbers for your brand as well.

You can connect with industry leaders and other influencers when you participate in and start up chats centered around relevant topics. Using Twitter Chat to grow your brand can be a fun and valuable way to grow your reputation and find more followers for your business.

Have you participated in Twitter Chats? How have they helped your brand?

?

Article?By Dawn Pigoni

Tags: Growing your Twitter following, Social Media, Social Media News, Tweetdeck, Twitter, Twitter Chat, Twitter Followers, Twitter following

If you like this articles, share it with your friend! Digg it StumbleUpon Facebook del.icio.us Google Yahoo! Reddit

This entry was posted on Friday, March 22nd, 2013 at 7:15 am and is filed under Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.multiinfotech.com/blog/?p=368

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HTC One officially hits Germany, UK and Taiwan next week, other regions before the end of April

There's been an uncertainty hovering over just when the HTC One would make its formal debut, between delays in many areas and a trickle of availability in others. At least in theory, those doubts have been resolved: HTC now says that Germany, the UK and Taiwan will have an official One launch next week. Europe, North America and large swaths of Asia-Pacific will get their own units before the end of April. The company hasn't been more specific about carrier deployments, but we're sure that HTC is happy just to beat a key competitor to store shelves. Read the company's full statement after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/22/htc-one-officially-hits-germany-uk-and-taiwan-next-week/

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Reid: Background checks will be in Senate gun bill

FILE - In this March 14, 2013 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Gun control legislation the Senate debates next month will include an expansion of federal background checks for firearms buyers, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday, March 21, 2013, in a victory for advocates of gun restrictions. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - In this March 14, 2013 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Gun control legislation the Senate debates next month will include an expansion of federal background checks for firearms buyers, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday, March 21, 2013, in a victory for advocates of gun restrictions. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Democrats who vowed a crackdown on guns after the horrific Newtown, Conn., school shooting are touting prospects for Senate passage of expanded federal background checks, even as they acknowledge there isn't enough support to restore a ban on assault-style weapons.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that a measure likely to be debated in his chamber next month will include tougher laws and stiffer sentences for gun trafficking and increased school safety grants.

Closing background check loopholes will be the core of the legislation, just as it was the cornerstone of President Barack Obama's proposals for stemming gun violence following the December slayings of 20 first-graders and six staffers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Including expanded checks in the gun legislation signals that Democrats feel they can win bipartisan support for the measure or are happy to dare Republicans to reject the entire gun-control package and face political consequences in next year's elections.

Reid, D-Nev., said he hoped a trio of senators would craft a bipartisan background check compromise. If not, he said, senators would consider a stricter version that allows fewer exemptions approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote.

"This moves the ball forward on gun safety in the Senate," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the senators hunting a background check deal.

Schumer said he hoped an accord could be ready when the Senate returns from its upcoming two-week spring break. Moderate Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who has an A-rating from the National Rifle Association, and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., are also involved.

The background check system is aimed at preventing criminals and others from acquiring firearms. It currently applies only to sales by federally licensed gun dealers, not private transactions at gun shows or online.

The fate of the overall legislation remains uncertain, with Democrats all but sure to need Republican support for it to survive. Action would then shift to the GOP-run House, where leaders have shown no taste for expanding background checks for private purchases.

Earlier, Reid decided to exclude a proposed assault weapons ban from the bill, fearing it would sink the legislation, but will allow a vote on the plan as an amendment. The ban's sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., seems sure to lose due to opposition from Republicans and moderate Democrats.

An Associated Press-GfK poll showed more than 8 in 10 people support broadening the background check requirement to gun shows. Other surveys show similar overwhelming support.

Critics appeared unbowed. The NRA and others say criminals ignore background checks in getting guns illegally, and warn the expansion would lead to a federal registry of gun owners.

"We remain as committed as we have been to opposing gun bans," said Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA spokesman. He declined to comment on a potential compromise but said if the Senate considers Schumer's version of background checks, "we will do whatever we can to defeat it."

The NRA wants Congress to fund more armed guards at schools, step up prosecutions of people who file false gun applications and increase the background check system's access to state records of people with mental and other problems.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said of Reid's announcement, "I don't know how the leader expects members to vote on an ever-changing piece of legislation that has yet to gain bipartisan support."

In a hint of possible movement, one option that Schumer, Manchin and Kirk are considering would require background checks and record-keeping for private sales at gun shows and commercial sales online. It would exclude in-person, noncommercial transactions between people who know each other. The idea was described by two lobbyists and Senate aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.

Other exclusions could include gun transactions between relatives and acquisitions by people with state-issued concealed carry permits, and there would be an online background check system for people in remote areas. Veterans officially determined to have some psychological problems would be given a way to appeal that decision, which would otherwise bar them from getting firearms.

Schumer has insisted on record-keeping for all private gun sales, saying the files are needed to keep the system effective. That led to stalemated talks with conservative leader Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who says the data would lead to federal records on gun owners.

If not included in the overall gun bill, an expansion of background checks could have been offered as an amendment. It likely would have needed support from 60 of the 100 senators to prevail ? a difficult hurdle for Democrats.

"In order to be effective, any bill that passes the Senate must include background checks," Reid said in a written statement.

Gun control backers lauded the decision. Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called it "a tremendous step and we recognize there is still a tough road ahead." He said his group would activate supporters to contact lawmakers.

"The majority leader's been a pretty steady guide throughout, and this a good example," said Mark Glaze, director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg helps lead.

Reid said that besides the assault weapons ban, he will allow votes on amendments including those related to high-capacity ammunition magazines and mental health. Many states poorly report mental health records to the federal background check system.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-22-US-Gun-Control/id-7a1e610ec52c4bad8dfa4dcd50355ff9

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Cosmos Might Be A Few Million Years Older Than Advertised

Planck's view of the Cosmic Microwave Background.

European Space Agency

Planck's view of the Cosmic Microwave Background.

European Space Agency

The universe is a bit older than we thought, according to a group of European scientists who say they've snapped the most detailed image to date of the afterglow of the Big Bang.

Their picture is a more refined look at the Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB, the ambient thermal radiation that's left over from the birth of the universe. The CMB was discovered by accident in 1964 and its glow was first imaged a quarter-century later by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE). Since then, another probe, known as WMAP, has also taken a picture of the CMB.

According to a statement released by the European Space Agency, Planck's look at the CMB:

"... is based on the initial 15.5 months of data from Planck and is the mission's first all-sky picture of the oldest light in our Universe, imprinted on the sky when it was just 380,000 years old."

The scientists say their new data shows the universe is 13.82 billion years old, slightly more antiquated than the commonly accepted figure of 13.77 billion years, a difference of about 50 million years. (For comparison, the difference is roughly equivalent to being off by about three months on the age of an 80-year-old person).

The standard model of cosmology posits that fluctuations in the CMB produced the "seeds" that eventually sprouted stars and galaxies. It also says that the universe expanded at a dramatic pace during an infinitesimally brief period known as inflation, right after the Big Bang.

NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel says that the new map "shows tiny fluctuations that provide new information about the universe [and] ... also confirms previous measurements showing that matter only makes up about a 20th of the known universe."

According to The Associated Press:

"[Planck] also found that the cosmos is expanding a bit slower than originally thought, has a little less of that mysterious dark energy than astronomers figured and a tad more normal matter. But scientists say those are small changes in calculations about the cosmos, nothing dramatic when dealing with numbers so massive.

" 'We've uncovered a fundamental truth of the universe,' said George Esfthathiou, director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmology at the University of Cambridge who announced the Planck satellite mapping. 'There's less stuff that we don't understand by a tiny amount.'"

[Update at 1:00 p.m. ET: While an older universe may have implications for the science world, it's also a challenge to folks here at NPR. As physicist, astronomer and veteran NPR blogger Marcelo Gleiser points out, a name change might be in the cards for our science blog, "13.7: Cosmos and Culture."]

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/21/174944431/cosmos-might-be-a-few-million-years-older-than-advertised?ft=1&f=1007

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Dems Say: Balanced Budget? We Were Just Kidding! (Powerlineblog)

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