Czech emigre writer and publisher Skvorecky dies (Reuters)

PRAGUE (Reuters) ? Czech emigre writer Josef Skvorecky, who published the works of former President Vaclav Havel and other authors persecuted by the communist government at home, died of cancer in Toronto on Tuesday aged 87, Czech and Canadian media reported.

Skvorecky and his author wife Zdena Salivarova set up the Sixty-Eight Publishers in Toronto after leaving Czechoslovakia in the wake of the 1968 Soviet invasion that crushed hopes of the "Prague Spring" reforms. He published 227 titles in total.

Skvorecky's death comes after fellow leading lights of the Czech artistic anti-communist generation also died in the past year. They include Havel, who died in December, as well as authors Ivan Martin Jirous, Arnost Lustig and Jiri Grusa.

Books published by Skvorecky were often smuggled back into Czechoslovakia, opening cracks in the heavy censorship that strangled free expression in the 1970s and 1980s.

"It was nice that the books were published in Czech, beautifully done, then smuggled here for thousands of people to read," said Ivan Klima, himself a censored fellow writer.

"They (Skvorecky and his wife) sacrificed their own writing to that. Skvorecky was an excellent author," he told Reuters.

Skvorecky won a series of literary awards as well as the Order of Canada and the Order of the White Lion, the highest Czech award he received from Havel. He taught literature at the University of Toronto until retiring in 1990.

His first novel was "The Cowards," written in 1948-1949, describing the atmosphere of Skvorecky's native Czech town of Nachod during the 1945 liberation from Nazism.

Because it strayed from how the communist government would have liked the period portrayed, it was only published in 1958, and then anyway confiscated and banned. It was later translated into more than 20 languages.

Skvorecky's saxophone-playing, jazz-loving alter-ego Danny Smiricky appeared in other works as well, including "The Republic of Whores," an often comical description of military service in a communist force preparing for a war with the West.

Other works include 'The Swell Season" (1975) and "The Engineer of Human Souls" (1977).

Skvorecky also attracted film makers. His works, including original screenplays, contributed to the successful period of Czechoslovak cinema in the 1960s and drew large crowds after the fall of communism in 1989.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Robert Mueller)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/celebrity/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120103/people_nm/us_czech_skvorecky

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Senator Barbara Mikulski (D ? Md.) Announces Automotive Stimulus ...

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Source: http://businessandmoney.net/senator-barbara-mikulski-d-md-announces-automotive-stimulus-amendment-from-a-mileone-automotive-saturn-dealership/

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Rod Blagojevich sends New Year's message via Twitter, Facebook

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Source: www.prnewschannel.com --- Sunday, January 01, 2012
( PR NewsChannel ) / December 31, 2011 / CHICAGO ? Rod Blagojevich , the former governor of Illinois, today sent a New Year?s Day message via Twitter @governorrod and his Facebook page. Here?s the message, in its entirety: ?Patti and I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. We want to thank you for your unwavering support, for your good wishes, for your prayers and for your continued belief in me. I cannot properly express to you how much your support means to us. These are dark and extremely challenging times for our family. Patti, Amy, Annie and I draw strength from the love we have for each other. Your friendship and support makes us stronger and helps us feel less alone. Despite the adversity we face, we look to the New Year with hope. We are filing an Appeal. And we trust in it. We will endure and we will persevere. Our resolve is strong because of our belief in the truth and because of our faith in God. Happy New Year and God bless you.? ON THE WEB www.governorrod.com MEDIA CONTACT Glenn Selig Email: glenn@thepublicityagency.com Phone: (813) 708-1220 Web: www.thepublicityagency.com Direct link:?? http://www.prnewschannel.com/2011/12/31/rod-blagojevich-sends-new-years-day-message-via-twitter-Facebook/ SOURCE:??The Publicity Agency ...

Source: http://www.prnewschannel.com/absolutenm/templates/?z=0&a=4167

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a new opinion in Photography about Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510

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Source: http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/digital-camera/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-w510/1609853/

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Yoga Can Provide Relief To Breast Cancer Survivors

More than 66% of breast cancer survivors suffer tiredness following recovery, caused directly by the disease, physical deterioration or the treatment received.

Some studies have shown that stress-reduction techniques or exercise classes can help reduce fatigue among cancer patients and survivors in general. But none of them has specifically targeted cancer survivors experiencing fatigue to see if a potential therapy reverses the problem, according to Julienne Bower, an associate professor in the psychology department of the University of California, Los Angeles, and her colleagues.

They recruited 31 breast cancer survivors to undergo "treatment" for their fatigue over 12 weeks at the UCLA Medical Center. Each woman was randomly assigned to participate in either two 90-minute yoga classes every week or a two-hour health class once a week.

At the start of the study, each group of women had similar scores on a questionnaire that gauges fatigue levels.

The group taking the educational classes experienced about the same amount of fatigue and energy throughout the initial study period. However, the group taking the yoga class reported about a 26 percent drop in fatigue and a 55 percent increase in energy after the 12-week yoga regimen.

The women in the yoga group also continued to report significant improvements in fatigue levels three months after the classes stopped.

The findings, published in the journal Cancer, do not prove that yoga caused the improvements in fatigue levels. The researchers note, however, that both groups of women had similar expectations that their assigned "treatment" would help them, so a placebo effect is not a likely explanation for the benefits seen in the yoga group.

Jacquelyn Banasik, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at Washington State University, also noted improvements in cancer fatigue after yoga classes in a study she published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2010.

"I can't say that yoga is the only way to achieve the results seen in ours and other studies," Banasik told Reuters Health in an email. "A beginning ballet class -- with (its) emphasis on form and positioning -- might have similar effects. Gaining a sense of control over one's physical body, when one has a disease like breast cancer, might be an important part of the benefit."

A previous study indicated Wednesday that breast cancer patients who practice yoga experience lower stress and improved quality of life compared to counterparts who do stretching exercises.

Source-Medindia

Source: http://feeds.medindia.com/~r/allhealthnews/~3/c-J3w_xcwPg/Yoga-Can-Provide-Relief-To-Breast-Cancer-Survivors-95537-1.htm

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Durant leads Thunder past Mavericks 104-102

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, left, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, left, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks to pass as Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison (4) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion, center, goes up for a basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ? Kevin Durant thought he might have just given away a victory and let the Dallas Mavericks steal another one in heartbreaking fashion.

Then he found a way to take it right back.

Durant scored 30 points and hit a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-102 win against Dallas on Thursday night in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals.

"As a kid, of course you dream about hitting a game-winning shot in the NBA," said Durant, who has hit two other game-winners at the buzzer in his five seasons.

"It's a dream come true."

The Thunder let Dallas wipe away a five-point deficit in the final 46 seconds to go ahead on Vince Carter's 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining. That was just enough time for Thabo Sefolosha to get the ball to Durant, who drilled a 3 from the right wing that improved his team to 4-0.

"It was crazy, a crazy course of events," Durant said. "When two tough teams always go at it, it always comes down to the last play."

Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks, whose title defense is off to a 0-3 start. Dallas had been blown out in its first two losses against Miami and Denver before letting a close one slip away.

"I think the more we go out and just play the game itself more, good things happen on the court," Shawn Marion said.

"We've got to just go out there and stop worrying about other things and just go out there and just play the game and just play hard."

Russell Westbrook had 16 points in his second straight subpar performance, but he made up for it with a few critical plays down the stretch.

He started the game 3 for 11 ? with one of the makes coming when Jason Kidd blocked his shot and Brendan Haywood tipped it up and in ? and had seven turnovers before getting a longer-than-usual benching in favor of Eric Maynor.

Westbrook returned when the game got close midway through the fourth quarter, providing a momentary lead with a two-handed breakaway dunk that turned into a three-point play.

He followed that with a 17-footer from the right wing for a 96-93 lead, but the Mavericks ? who made it a habit to stage late comebacks against Oklahoma City in last season's West finals ? had a few tricks left.

Nowitzki tied it at 96 with a 3-pointer but, after a Durant jumper, was called for a technical foul for arguing an offensive foul. Durant hit that foul shot and Westbrook added another jumper from the right elbow to put Oklahoma City up 101-96 with 46 seconds left.

Jason Terry hit a 3-pointer to get Dallas within two. Durant then missed a 3-pointer at the other end and Serge Ibaka missed both of his free throws after getting fouled on an offensive rebound.

Nowitzki pitched it back to Carter for the go-ahead 3, and Durant blamed himself for going for a block against Nowitzki and leaving Carter open.

Durant returned to the bench for a timeout, with rookie Reggie Jackson screaming encouragement that he was going to hit the game-winner.

"I just tried to be confident, tell myself I could make it and luckily I did," Durant said.

"It's special to hit a game-winner," he added. "The season's still young. To beat the champs in the early season is always pretty cool, but we've got to move on and get ready for the next game."

Ibaka finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for Oklahoma City.

Terry had 16 points and nine assists, and Delonte West scored 15 for the Mavericks, who rallied from 15 points down in the final 5 minutes of regulation in Game 4 of the West finals ? the teams' last meeting that counted in the arena. Dallas also overcame an eight-point, fourth-quarter deficit in the clinching Game 5.

Before the game, both Oklahoma City All-Stars downplayed a report in The Oklahoman of a dispute between them during the team's win at Memphis a night earlier.

"It wasn't nothing that people should be blowing out of proportions," Durant said. "It happens every single day. Teams go through emotions, things happen. It's a competitive sport. Everybody's not going to always come in and be happy every single day."

Westbrook simply said: "What happened? I don't know what you're talking about."

Coach Scott Brooks said the whole team was frustrated over a series of bad possessions of pick-and-roll defense and everyone, not just the superstars, but he didn't see it as anything out of the ordinary.

"To me, an altercation ? in my world, it's a fight or it's a shove or something like that. A debate or a discussion is totally different than an altercation but that did not happen," Brooks said. "I've been coaching these guys for four years and we haven't had one fight, which surprises me, and we haven't had any issues that were below the belt that I had to step in."

Brooks said he thinks it drew more attention only because the Thunder are now a prominent team.

"I don't really think nothing happened. ... Everybody on the bench was yelling, the coaches was yelling, not at each other in a bad way but trying to get everything in order," Durant said.

NOTES: The Mavs beat the Thunder in five games in the West finals, then lost both preseason games against Oklahoma City. Yet another meeting is scheduled for Monday in Dallas. Thunder coach Scott Brooks admitted revenge could be a factor. "Most of our guys are not too far out of high school, so when your crosstown rival beats you, you want to beat them the next Friday night," Brooks said. ... After being outrebounded 98-68 in its first two games, Dallas was even on the boards. Both teams had 38. ... Oklahoma City had 26 turnovers.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2011-12-30-BKN-Mavericks-Thunder/id-a26bd7dbb2c04b7aa953628106bec635

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Thai Government Scraps Plan to Transfer Debt to Central Bank

December 31, 2011, 5:53 AM EST

By Daniel Ten Kate and Suttinee Yuvejwattana

(Adds analyst?s comment in fifth paragraph.)

Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand?s government scrapped a proposal to transfer $35 billion of legacy debt from bank bailouts to the central bank and will instead seek to extract cash from commercial lenders to finance flood defenses.

?Transferring debts to the Bank of Thailand will be like printing money,? Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala told reporters today after meeting Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul. ?The methods we are using must not affect fiscal and monetary discipline and must not hurt confidence among foreign investors and international agencies.?

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said yesterday the step would save the government as much as 65 billion baht ($2 billion) in annual interest costs that could be used to fund anti-flood measures. Thirachai had opposed the measure, warning this week it could hurt investor confidence and stoke inflation.

The proposal increased concerns that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra?s administration was infringing on the central bank?s independence, after Kittiratt in October said the Bank of Thailand should lower interest rates to help businesses cope with the country?s worst flooding since 1942.

The government ?didn?t study this issue well enough to argue with the Bank of Thailand,? said Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, vice president of Phatra Capital Pcl, Thailand?s second-biggest brokerage by market value. ?Anything involving monetary policy discipline, the government loses the debate all the time because the Bank of Thailand has better credibility.?

Baht Gains

The baht gained 0.7 percent to 31.54 per dollar as of 3:06 p.m. in Bangkok, the biggest advance in a month. Yesterday it fell the most in two months to the weakest level since Aug. 16, 2010, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The government will attempt to raise about 50 billion baht for debt payments by taking 0.39 percent of the 0.4 percent fee that commercial banks pay to the Deposit Protection Agency and by amending the law to allow the Financial Institutions Development Fund to collect fees from commercial banks. The government paid 45 billion baht in interest on the debt this year, Thirachai said today.

?This will remove the interest burden from the government,? he said. ?If the central bank records a profit, they can also use that to reduce the debt.?

The Financial Institutions Development Fund racked up a 1.4 trillion-baht debt bailing out lenders after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when the government closed more than 60 financial companies and seized half of the nation?s 14 commercial banks.

Bank Losses

Under a repayment agreement in 2002, the finance ministry makes interest payments while the central bank pays down the principal whenever it earns a yearly profit. The Bank of Thailand has reported annual net income once since 2004 and last year reported a net loss of 117 billion baht, mostly due to losses on foreign exchange.

Thailand?s central bank expects to record a loss this year, Prasarn told reporters today. Kittiratt yesterday said that it would post a ?high profit.? Prasarn said the Bank of Thailand, finance ministry and Council of State would meet again to discuss legal amendments to help pay the debt.

?We agreed that what we will do must not prompt the central bank to print money and it should help reduce the fiscal burden,? Prasarn told reporters today after the meeting. ?It must not affect foreign reserves too.?

Interest Payments

Since 1997, the principal on the debt has fallen by 300 billion baht, or about 21 billion baht per year. During that time, the government has paid as much as 65 billion baht in interest annually, according to Kittiratt.

Korn Chatikavanij, Thirachai?s predecessor under a previous administration, opposed the idea to transfer fees from the Deposit Protection Agency to the government to pay the debt.

?If you shift the revenue to the government, eventually the government would be morally bound to support banks if they run into liquidity problems,? he said in a telephone interview yesterday. ?The whole idea of having a deposit guarantee scheme is to avoid the government having to be involved.?

--Editors: Tony Jordan, Stephanie Phang

To contact the reporters on this story: Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at dtenkate@bloomberg.net; Suttinee Yuvejwattana in Bangkok at suttinee1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-31/thai-government-scraps-plan-to-transfer-debt-to-central-bank.html

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