Saturday, October 26, 2013

Melissa Rycroft Shares Pregnancy Test, Cute Family Photo After Baby Announcement


Melissa Rycroft just can't contain her baby joy! Shortly after revealing on Good Morning America that she and husband Tye Strickland are expecting their second child together, the Bachelor and Dancing With the Stars alum took to Twitter to express her excitement over her new little son or daughter-to-be. 


PHOTOS: Melissa's wedding photos


"Clearly excited to share our big news!!!" she tweeted, along with a close-up of herself holding a Clear Blue pregnancy test. "A new little Strickland will debut this fall!"


Melissa Rycroft shares a pregnancy test on Twitter after announcing she's expecting her second child

Melissa Rycroft shares a pregnancy test on Twitter after announcing she's expecting her second child
Credit: Courtesy of Melissa Rycroft



A few hours later, she shared a picture of her whole family celebrating the news. The photo shows all three Stricklands -- her, her husband, and their daughter Ava, 2 -- wearing funny shirts related to the new baby.


PHOTOS: Bachelor promise rings, proposals, and breakups


Dad-to-be Tye's shirt has a picture of a stork, along with the words "Look What I Did," while Rycroft's tank reads, "Cookin' up a baby Strickland!" Little Ava, meanwhile, has on a pink top that says, "Promoted to Big Sister!" above a pair of tiny handprints.


"Thank you so much for all the sweet congrats!" Rycroft captioned the funny snapshot. "Clearly, we are very excited to meet the newest addition to the family!"


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The former reality TV star, 30, was a contestant on season 13 of The Bachelor in 2009. She got engaged to Jason Mesnick on the finale but was dumped on the reunion special weeks later.


All's well that ends well, though. Rycroft later found love with Strickland, whom she married in December 2009. They welcomed daughter Ava on Feb. 16, 2011.


Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/melissa-rycroft-shares-pregnancy-test-cute-family-photo-after-baby-announcement-20132210
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For Obamacare To Work, It's Not Just About The Numbers





Ashley Hentze (left) gets help signing up for the Affordable Care Act from a volunteer in Florida. The government says that 40 percent of the expected enrollees for 2014 must be young and healthy for health insurance premiums to remain affordable.



Chris O'Meara/AP


Ashley Hentze (left) gets help signing up for the Affordable Care Act from a volunteer in Florida. The government says that 40 percent of the expected enrollees for 2014 must be young and healthy for health insurance premiums to remain affordable.


Chris O'Meara/AP


Relatively few people have enrolled in new health insurance plans since the Affordable Care Act exchanges launched this month. But some health care experts say it's early days yet — and that getting the right proportion of healthy, young new enrollees is just as important as how quickly people sign up.


The Congressional Budget Office projects that 7 million people will buy health insurance for 2014 through the new exchanges, integral to the implementation of the government's new health care law.


Federal officials say that the exchanges have received 700,000 applications since launching Oct. 1. But so far, it appears that most of those being enrolled are signing up for Medicaid, the government health care system for the poor, rather than private insurance plans.


As a result, many health insurance companies say they've received only a trickle of enrollment through HealthCare.gov, the federally run marketplace that serves 36 states and has been plagued by major technical problems.


The Obama administration said Friday that the federal exchange will work smoothly for the vast majority of users by the end of November. But some are concerned about the financial consequences for the government and insurers if enrollment on the exchanges falls short.


Health care expert Larry Levitt, senior vice president for special initiatives at the Kaiser Family Foundation, says the higher numbers of Medicaid enrollees is not surprising, since Medicaid is free, whereas most people will have to pay something for private insurance.


"As soon as you sign up for a plan, the insurer is going to ask you for the first month's premium," Levitt says. "And given that the coverage won't be effective until Jan. 1, anyway, I certainly wouldn't be in a rush to pay money that won't really help me for a couple months."


Getting The Right Demographic Mix


Levitt says he doesn't expect a surge of enrollments to start before mid-November. But if the exchanges' technical problems and bad publicity dampen enrollment significantly, what might be the financial impact for the government? In the short term, Levitt says, it would actually save the government money.


"If fewer people enroll, not only will the government be paying out less in tax credits, but they'll be taking in more money in the form of penalties, because of the individual mandate," he explains.


Uninsured individuals must sign up by March 31 or face a penalty: 1 percent of their annual income or $95, whichever is higher. The penalty rises in later years.


But for insurance companies participating in the exchanges, it's not just a question of whether the exchanges fall short of the 7 million enrollment target for the first year. Robert Zirkelbach, spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, the association that represents U.S. health insurers, says the demographic mix of participants is crucial.


"It's not simply the absolute number of people that are covered that's ultimately going to determine whether coverage is affordable," he says. "It's the type of people that decide to purchase."



In fact, to keep the premiums low and make the system work financially, the government estimates that 40 percent of those 7 million people projected to sign up in the first year need to be young and healthy.


"Because if only people who are older and have high health care costs decide to purchase coverage now, that's going to mean that next year, when open enrollment comes around again, premiums may be significantly higher than we see today," Zirkelbach says.


Rising premiums could lead to a downward spiral for the exchanges, because the increases could convince young, healthy people to pay the penalty rather than sign up for insurance that costs significantly more.


Also, since some operating costs for the exchanges, like computer servers and call centers, will be paid with fees on each policy sold, fewer policies could undermine the exchanges themselves financially. And higher premiums would end up costing the government more in subsidies.


Expecting A Rush Before Penalties Kick In


Jonathan Gruber, an economics professor at MIT, helped develop both the Affordable Care Act and a similar Massachusetts health care system back in the 1990s. He says the Massachusetts program was initially delayed for several months and then signed up just 123 people in its first month of operation.


"We have to stop over-reacting to day-to-day noise," Gruber says. "When we passed this law in Massachusetts, I was on the board that implemented it, [and] we got a report every month on how they were doing. That's probably about the right frequency to be thinking about this."


Gruber also says there was a rush of younger, healthy people signing up in Massachusetts as the prospect of a penalty loomed closer.


"What you saw was a big rush, right at the end, among the healthiest enrollees," Gruber says. "The mandate kicking in really seemed to matter. And remember — in this law, the mandate doesn't effectively kick in until April 1."


The Obama administration can only hope that the early problems don't sink the exchanges before they set sail.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprProgramsATC/~3/7o8WB0Yf_sM/for-obamacare-to-work-its-not-just-about-the-numbers
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UFC Fight Night 30 Live Results


The UFC is heading across the pond today for UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester, England. The main card will air live via FOX Sports 2 starting at 3PM ET and is headlined by a middleweight showdown between former training partners Lyoto Machida and Mark Muñoz.


More: UFN 30 Play-by-Play, UFN 30 Main Card Recaps, UFN 30 Facebook Recaps


Saturday’s preliminary action will take place on Facebook starting at 12:15PM ET and will see Piotr Hallman take on Al Iaquinta in the featured preliminary slot.


Make sure to check back often as MMAFrenzy will have full results and coverage from today’s action.


UFC Fight Night 30 Live Results:


Main Card (FOX Sports 2 3PM ET)


  • Lyoto Machida vs. Mark Muñoz

  • Melvin Guillard vs. Ross Pearson

  • Ryan Jimmo vs. Jimi Manuwa

  • Norman Parke def. Jon Tuck via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,30-27)

  • Nico Musoke def. Alessio Sakara via verbal submission (arm bar) at 3:07 of Round 1

  • John Lineker def. Phil Harris via TKO (body punch) at 2:51 of Round 1

Preliminary Card (Facebook 12:15PM ET)


  • Al Iaquinta def. Piotr Hallmann via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

  • Luke Barnatt def. Andrew Craig via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:12 of Round 2

  • Jessica Andrade def. Rosi Sexton via unanimous decision (30-26,30-27,30-26)

  • Cole Miller def. Andy Ogle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

  • Jimy Hettes def. Robert Whiteford via technical submission (triangle choke) at 2:17 of Round 2

  • Brad Scott def. Michael Kuiper via submission (front choke) at 4:17 of Round 1

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 30 and the latest UFC News, stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.



Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/95414/ufc-fight-night-30-live-results/
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Facebook pulls beheading video amid furor


San Francisco (AFP) - Facebook yanked a beheading video from the social network following outrage over its lifting of a ban on the gory imagery.

The flip flop came as Facebook aimed to balance the diverse sensitivities of its billion-plus members with a desire to be a platform for free speech and real-world news stories.

"People turn to Facebook to share their experiences and to raise awareness about issues important to them," it said in a statement emailed to AFP.

"Sometimes, those experiences and issues involve graphic content that is of public interest or concern, such as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism, and other violence," the California-based company added.

"When people share this type of graphic content, it is often to condemn it. If it is being shared for sadistic pleasure or to celebrate violence, Facebook removes it."

Facebook was adamant that it did not reverse or change any policies as a result of the controversy, but that criticism of the video prompted it to be scrutinized more closely in the context of existing terms of service.

But it said that, as part of an effort to "combat the glorification of violence" on the social network, it was "strengthening" enforcement of its policies.

Facebook had introduced a temporary ban on videos of beheadings in May following complaints that the graphic footage could cause users long-term psychological harm.

But it confirmed on Monday that it had reversed the decision on the grounds that the site is used to share information about world events, including terrorist attacks and human rights abuses.

According to screen shots, it had added a warning to the beheading video that it "contains extremely graphic content and may be disturbing" before re-evaluating the post and removing it.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday condemned Facebook as "irresponsible" and said "worried parents" needed to hear an explanation from the tech giant.

"It's irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning," Cameron said on Twitter.

Facebook had reasoned that it would allow such material because "people are sharing this video on Facebook to condemn it."

It has been criticized for allowing this type of violence while banning other content such as nudity.

On its standards page, Facebook says "we remove content and may escalate to law enforcement when we perceive a genuine risk of physical harm, or a direct threat to public safety... Organizations with a record of terrorist or violent criminal activity are not allowed to maintain a presence on our site."

The world's biggest social network said it seeks to avoid censorship and its policy notes that "graphic imagery is a regular component of current events, but must balance the needs of a diverse community."

"When we review content that is reported to us, we will take a more holistic look at the context surrounding a violent image or video, and will remove content that celebrates violence," it said.

Facebook will also evaluate whether posted content is being shared responsibly, perhaps with warning messages or age-restrictions for audiences.

"Based on these enhanced standards, we have re-examined recent reports of graphic content and have concluded that this content improperly and irresponsibly glorifies violence," it said of the beheading video.

"For this reason, we have removed it."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/facebook-adds-warnings-backtrack-beheadings-223420338.html
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Visualized: Qualcomm takes the red pill, uses 130 HTC Ones to capture slo-mo Matrix moves


Visualized Qualcomm takes the red pill, uses 130 HTC Ones to capture funky Matrix moves


Don't lie: we know that at least once in the last fourteen years, each and every one of you have pretended you were in the middle of an action scene from The Matrix -- y'know, the slo-mo "bullet time" pan shots that circle around Neo as he fights Agent Smith. Even if you can't bring yourself to admit it, our friends at Qualcomm seem especially inspired by this cinematic effect; enough, at least, to collaborate with HTC to create the "Snapdragon Ultimate Photo Booth." This rig, which is a result of daisy-chaining 130 One devices together, is meant to showcase the power of Qualcomm's SoCs to mimic the sci-fi masterpiece. While bullet time is now frequently used in today's movies, it's not every day that we get to see the concept recreated using nothing but smartphones. Check out the minute-long video below, which features break dancers, fire breathers and plenty of other creative ideas.



Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/21/qualcomm-snapdragon-booth/?ncid=rss_truncated
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High court test of surveillance law could be ahead

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2012, file photo a television photographer interviews the next door neighbor of terror suspect Jamshid Muhtorov, a refugee from Uzbekistan, in Aurora, Colo., on the day of his arrest at Chicago's O'Hare airport. For the first time the Justice Department says it intends to use information gained from one of the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance programs against an accused terrorist, Muhtorov, setting the stage for an expected Supreme Court test. Muhtorov was accused in 2012 of providing material support to the Islamic Jihad Union, an Uzbek terrorist organization that, authorities say, was engaging NATO coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)







FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2012, file photo a television photographer interviews the next door neighbor of terror suspect Jamshid Muhtorov, a refugee from Uzbekistan, in Aurora, Colo., on the day of his arrest at Chicago's O'Hare airport. For the first time the Justice Department says it intends to use information gained from one of the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance programs against an accused terrorist, Muhtorov, setting the stage for an expected Supreme Court test. Muhtorov was accused in 2012 of providing material support to the Islamic Jihad Union, an Uzbek terrorist organization that, authorities say, was engaging NATO coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)







WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says for the first time that it intends to use information gained from one of the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance programs against an accused terrorist, setting the stage for a likely Supreme Court test of the Obama administration's approach to national security.

The high court so far has turned aside challenges to the law on government surveillance on the grounds that people who bring such lawsuits have no evidence they are being targeted.

Jamshid Muhtorov was accused in 2012 of providing material support to the Islamic Jihad Union, an Uzbek terrorist organization that, authorities say, was engaging NATO coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

According to court papers in the case, the FBI investigated Muhtorov after his communications with an overseas website administrator for the IJU.

In a court filing Friday, the government said it intends to offer into evidence in Muhtorov's case "information obtained or derived from acquisition of foreign intelligence information conducted pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978."

Last February, a sharply divided Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that a group of American lawyers, journalists and organizations could not sue to challenge the 2008 expansion of the law. The court those who sued could not show that the government would monitor their communications along with those of potential foreign terrorist and intelligence targets.

Last month, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who had ruled with the majority in the earlier 5-4 decision, said the courts ultimately would have to determine the legality of the NSA surveillance program.

In the majority opinion last February, Justice Samuel Alito suggested a way for a challenge to be heard. He said if the government intends to use information from such surveillance in court, it must provide advance notice. In his argument before the court's decision, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli had made similar comments to the justices on behalf of the administration.

Justice Department spokesman Brian Fallon declined comment Saturday on the new development beyond the court filing.

The program at issue in the Muhtorov case is commonly called "702," a reference to the numbered section of the surveillance law on Internet communication.

In the Muhtorov case, after his contact with the IJU's website administrator, the FBI went to court and obtained email from two accounts that Muhtorov used, according to the court papers.

The FBI also went to court to obtain communications originating from Muhtorov's phone lines. In one call, Muhtorov told an associate that the Islamic Jihad Union said it needed support, an FBI agent said in an affidavit filed in the case. The associate warned Muhtorov to be careful about talking about a founder of group, the affidavit stated.

The FBI also said Muhtorov communicated with a contact in the group by email using code words, telling a contact that he was "ready for any task, even with the risk of dying."

Muhtorov, a refugee from Uzbekistan, resettled in Aurora, Colo., in 2007 with the help of the United Nations and the U.S. government. He was arrested Jan. 21, 2012, in Chicago with about $2,800 in cash, two shrink-wrapped iPhones and an iPad as well as a GPS device.

In March 2012, Muhtorov's attorney, federal public defender Brian Leedy, said at a court hearing that Muhtorov denied the allegations and had been headed to the Uzbekistan region to visit family, including a sister who remains imprisoned in that country.

The IJU first conducted attacks in 2004, targeting a bazaar and police, and killing 47 people, according to court papers in the case. The organization subsequently carried out suicide bombings of the U.S. and Israeli embassies and the Uzbekistani prosecutor general's office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the court papers stated.

Before the recent leak of U.S. documents showing widespread government surveillance, dozens of consumer suits were filed against the government and telecommunications companies over obtaining customer data without warrants. Nearly all the cases were tossed out when Congress in 2008 granted the telecommunication companies retroactive immunity from legal challenges.

Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-10-26-US-Terrorist-Surveillance/id-2d4bd6e2ed8a417f8cc765c59f8a3e94
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Malaysia bans Ke$ha concert, cites 'culture' clash

FILE - In this Sep. 22 2013 file photo, Ke$ha performs at the IHeartRadio Music Festival, in Las Vegas. Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have banned a planned concert by U.S. pop singer Ke$ha after deciding it would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities. (Photo by Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision /AP, File)







FILE - In this Sep. 22 2013 file photo, Ke$ha performs at the IHeartRadio Music Festival, in Las Vegas. Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have banned a planned concert by U.S. pop singer Ke$ha after deciding it would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities. (Photo by Al Powers/Powers Imagery/Invision /AP, File)







KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have banned a planned concert by U.S. pop singer Ke$ha after deciding it would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.

Concert organizer Livescape said it received a letter about the decision on the eve of the show that was to be held Saturday at a Kuala Lumpur stadium.

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia said separately that it was rejecting the application for Ke$ha to perform for reasons of religion and culture.

The ministry's statement did not elaborate. Ke$ha, whose hits include "Tik Tok" and "Die Young," has songs that make explicit references to sex and liquor.

Last month, Malaysian officials also barred a performance by American metal band Lamb of God, accusing the Grammy-nominated group's work of being blasphemous.

Ke$ha and her team had previously agreed to modify their planned show in Malaysia, including making changes to her song lyrics and wardrobe, to comply with the government's general guidelines for performers, Livescape said in its statement.

Livescape said it was losing more than 1.1 million ringgit ($350,000) because of the ban. It urged the Malaysian government to "engage in a productive dialogue" with concert promoters to prevent similar incidents.

Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-10-26-Malaysia-Concert%20Banned/id-99cd39d9719c43319911e4e4f6d89c15
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