US soldiers leave Iraq's cities – BBC News
June 30, 2009
US soldiers leave Iraq's cities – BBC News
 Times Online |
US soldiers leave Iraq's cities
BBC News US troops have withdrawn from towns and cities in Iraq, six years after the invasion, having formally handed over security duties to new Iraqi forces. A public holiday – National Sovereignty Day – has been declared, and the capital, Baghdad, … Iraqi cities: Could violence bring US forces back? US general in Iraq will not say how many troops remain Celebrations mark US hand over to Iraqi security forces |
EPA gives California emissions waiver – Baltimore Sun
 WOWK |
EPA gives California emissions waiver
Baltimore Sun The state can develop its own standards on greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, though it agrees not to toughen the standards before 2017. Automakers agree to drop lawsuits. "It preserves CaliforniaÂ's role as a leader on clean air policy," … US to approve California emissions standard: source EPA to Allow California to Proceed With Greenhouse Gas Regulations EPA to OK California waiver to limit emissions |
High court firefighter ruling draws cheers, jeers – USA Today
June 29, 2009
High court firefighter ruling draws cheers, jeers – USA Today
 BBC News |
High court firefighter ruling draws cheers, jeers
USA Today Almost quicker than a fire engine rushes to its next call, special-interest groups and politicians weighed in on the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that New Haven, Conn., violated white firefighters' rights in a … White firefighters win Supreme Court appeal Souter Departs Supreme Court With Solid Environmental Legacy White firefighters were victims of discrimination, Supreme Court rules |
The Audacity Of Stonewall – Atlantic Online
 Boston Globe |
The Audacity Of Stonewall
Atlantic Online No president possesses that magic wand, but Obama's inaction on gay civil rights is striking. So is his utterly uncharacteristic inarticulateness. The Justice Department brief defending DOMA has spoken louder for this president than any of his own … President Obama hosts historic lunch for members of the lesbian … Obama meeting with gay leaders Obama Works to Address Concerns Among Gay Supporters |
Honduras's New Government Vows to Maintain Power – Washington Post
 Telegraph.co.uk |
Honduras's New Government Vows to Maintain Power
Washington Post CARACAS, Venezuela, June 29 — Honduras's new government vowed on Monday to remain in power despite growing worldwide opposition to the military coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Although the United States and its allies … Q+AU.S. could cut off aid to Honduras after coup Clinton condemns Honduras 'coup' Honduras tense after military coup |
US Interior Dept designates solar energy zones – Reuters
 New York Times |
US Interior Dept designates solar energy zones
Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Hoping to speed up the development of renewable energy resources on federal lands, the US Interior Department on Monday designated about 670000 acres of land as potential areas for solar energy production. … Fed works to speed solar development in Southwest Interior Secretary to Outline Solar Energy Zones Colorado site of solar power plan |
The Audacity Of Stonewall – Atlantic Online
June 29, 2009
The Audacity Of Stonewall – Atlantic Online
Boston Globe |
The Audacity Of Stonewall
Atlantic Online No president possesses that magic wand, but Obama's inaction on gay civil rights is striking. So is his utterly uncharacteristic inarticulateness. The Justice Department brief defending DOMA has spoken louder for this president than any of his own … President Obama hosts historic lunch for members of the lesbian … Obama meeting with gay leaders Obama Works to Address Concerns Among Gay Supporters |
South Carolina Politics Looks Past Affair to Its Effects on … – New York Times
 New York Daily News |
South Carolina Politics Looks Past Affair to Its Effects on …
New York Times Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, walking back toward his office with his aides after his news conference last week in the Statehouse in Columbia, SC By SHAILA DEWAN and JIM RUTENBERG COLUMBIA, SC — The future of Gov. Mark Sanford's political career … SC governor resolves to stay put despite scandal South Carolina Gov. Sanford's Mistress Acknowledges Affair Love & Lust: Will Sanford Marriage Last? |
Iran Confirms Ahmadinejad Win After Partial Vote Recount – Voice of America
 Boston Globe |
Iran Confirms Ahmadinejad Win After Partial Vote Recount
Voice of America By VOA News Iranian officials have again declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of the nation's disputed presidential election. The powerful group that supervises Iran's elections, the Guardian Council, conducted a partial recount Monday of … Iran's Guardian Council validates Ahmadinejad's election victory Iran Council confirms Ahmadinejad election victory Iran Council Certifies Disputed Election Results |
Obama focuses on Senate after first climate win – Reuters
 Boston Globe |
Obama focuses on Senate after first climate win
Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama, fresh from his first legislative victory on climate policy, expressed confidence on Monday that new greenhouse gas emission limits would become law with help from the US Senate. … And Now, Climate Bill's Supporters Try Counting to 60 in Senate Analysis: Obama scores major victory on climate Obama mostly lauds energy measure |
Not exactly a luxurious lifeI wouldn’t get too
June 29, 2009
Not exactly a luxurious life
I wouldn’t get too concerned that the government is planning to stick 7000 unemployed people into McDonalds. The scheme is over a five years period, equating to 26 per week on average. That is if the 7000 figure is reached. What if they only get 4000 into McDonalds – that’s about 15 per week.
And that is about how many people are being employed at McDonalds every week anyway, due to the high staff turnover. But this deal is not driven by a desire to get people work. It is driven by a desire not to pay so much money on benefits, as John Key explains:
When we spend a lot on benefits it means there are a lot of New Zealanders not really earning a lot. Life on a benefit is not exactly a luxurious life.
When lots of people work at McDonalds, it means there are a lot of New Zealanders not really earning a lot. Working at McDonalds is not exactly a luxurious life.
What if they were to offer a McDonalds fulltime position – 30 hours a week in WINZ language – to a main unemployed breadwinner with children? If they were to get $15.00 an hour, they`d get $450 a week ($23,400 a year), compared with a benefit payment of $18,850 a year before tax. That’s an extra $87.50 a week.
Beneficiaries can earn $80.00 each week and retain the benefit. Effectively squared up. But the person in this example will be spending money on transport to get to work so he is worse off by working at McDonalds.
Would you do it?
White House announces new lighting standards – Herald-Dispatch
June 29, 2009
White House announces new lighting standards – Herald-Dispatch
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is launching a stepped up campaign to improve energy conservation in America, saying the savings will be substantial even though he acknowledges that “light bulbs might not seem sexy.” Obama delivered a statement at the White House saying he’s asked
White House says high court’s firefighters ruling shows Sotomayor follows judicial precedent – KFSM.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says a Supreme Court decision reversing a ruling that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge proves that she follows judicial precedent. The Supreme Court ruled Monday that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied
Iranian officials confirmed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s overwhelming victory in a fake recount – India Daily
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s overwhelming victory over his reformist challenger Mir Houssein Mousavi Tuesday has been conformed by the Guardian Council of Iran. The confirmation closes off Mr. Mousavi’s last legal challenge. The Iranian Guardian council has approved the election after a recount
Bernard Madoff Gets Maximum 150 Years In Prison – San Diego Channel
NEW YORK — Historic swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison Monday for a fraud so extensive that the judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to potential imitators and to victims who demanded harsh punishment. Scattered applause and whoops broke out in the crowded
US Soldier Killed In Baghdad As Troops Prepare Pullback – Wall Street Journal
June 29, 2009
US Soldier Killed In Baghdad As Troops Prepare Pullback – Wall Street Journal
 FOXNews |
US Soldier Killed In Baghdad As Troops Prepare Pullback
Wall Street Journal BAGHDAD (AFP)–A US soldier was killed in an attack in Baghdad two days before all US forces are due to pull back from the Iraqi capital, a military statement said Monday. "A Multi-National Division-Baghdad soldier died June 28 as the result of … Baghdad parties as US withdraws – but local forces face biggest test Envoy: US has no plans for Iraq talks with Iran FACTBOX: Security developments in Iraq |
Iran Confirms Ahmadinejad Win After Partial Vote Recount – Voice of America
Boston Globe |
Iran Confirms Ahmadinejad Win After Partial Vote Recount
Voice of America By VOA News Iranian officials have again declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of the nation's disputed presidential election. The powerful group that supervises Iran's elections, the Guardian Council, conducted a partial recount Monday of … Iran's Guardian Council validates Ahmadinejad's election victory Iran Council confirms Ahmadinejad election victory Iran Council Certifies Disputed Election Results |
Honduras's New Government Vows to Maintain Power – Washington Post
 BBC News |
Honduras's New Government Vows to Maintain Power
Washington Post CARACAS, Venezuela, June 29 — Honduras's new government vowed on Monday to remain in power despite growing worldwide opposition to the military coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Although the United States and its allies … Q+AU.S. could cut off aid to Honduras after coup Clinton condemns Honduras 'coup' Honduras tense after military coup |
Bernard Madoff Gets Maximum 150 Years In Prison – San Diego Channel
June 29, 2009
Bernard Madoff Gets Maximum 150 Years In Prison – San Diego Channel
NEW YORK — Historic swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison Monday for a fraud so extensive that the judge said he needed to send a symbolic message to potential imitators and to victims who demanded harsh punishment. Scattered applause and whoops broke out in the crowded
Following transplant, Apple chief back to working a few days a week – Asbury Park Press
Apple Inc. says co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs is back at work after a five-and-a-half-month medical leave, during which he received a liver transplant. Jobs, 54, is working from Apple’s Cupertino, Calif., headquarters “a few days a week” and working from home the remaining days. That’s from Apple
PPC… Can It Enhance Your SEO?
June 29, 2009
PPC… Can It Enhance Your SEO?
Can pay per click marketing really work in tandem with SEO? I have found that the most successful SEO campaigns were born from PPC results. What do I mean? Read on…
Just a like a company’s house list, the information they gather from their own PPC campaigns can provide a significant boost to the effectiveness of their search engine optimization efforts. The key is to know what information you’re looking for and how to use it to generate qualified visitors to your website.
Qualified visitors are those that have a higher degree of interest in your products or services and a greater likelihood of purchasing your products. I’ve often seen websites that have reduced their traffic while significantly improving conversion rates. The result is lower costs related to traffic acquisition and higher revenue. With more revenue and less expense, margins reach a new level of success.
The concept that I teach in SEO training is the most effective way to combine pay-per-click advertising with search engine optimization is to focus on conversions. What keywords have you promoted through pay per click advertising that led to conversions? If you’ve been running PPC for a while and you are still unsure, then consider expanding your analytic coding to include Google conversion tracking.
Once you have the answer and know which terms produce the greatest conversions, regardless of ad variation, then you SEO keywords have been determined. You want to generate organic traffic to the same keywords you’re promoting through PPC as long as they are generating your highest conversions.
An example of this might be someone promoting a book on how to fix a car. If the highest converting keyword is, “car repair”, then you should consider car repair as a keyword phrase you must optimize for. Organic traffic to this term will produce targeted web site visitors and conversions for little or no money as you improve your rankings.
The last piece is to take your highest converting landing pages and build in some or all of the elements into your website. Once you’ve tracking and optimized landing pages via PPC, you can duplicate what you’ve learned from a conversion perspective organically. Consider applying the landing page elements that have generated the highest return for you on your pay-per-click advertising.
Whether you’re just getting started with search engine optimization or consider yourself a search engine optimization expert, leveraging your pay-per-click advertising is the best investment you can make. Determine which keywords generate the type of traffic that is most valuable to you and optimize around these terms. They will generate more traffic and revenue.
To learn more about PPC, check out our comprehensive Content Bully Review.
Does 'love factor' make SC gov more sympathetic? – Washington Post
June 28, 2009
Does 'love factor' make SC gov more sympathetic? – Washington Post
 USA Today |
Does 'love factor' make SC gov more sympathetic?
Washington Post AP — If you're a governor who's in the doghouse for marital infidelity, is it better to have loved and lost or never to have loved at all? Granted, South Carolina's Gov. Mark Sanford may be too busy to wonder, given that he's trying … If America forgave Clinton, why not Sanford? senator asks Sen Lindsey Graham on Gov Sanford South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's affair turns political |
US withdraws from Iraqi cities despite violence – guardian.co.uk
 ABC News |
US withdraws from Iraqi cities despite violence
guardian.co.uk AP foreign, Sunday June 28 2009 Associated Press Writer= BAGHDAD (AP) — Death squads roamed the streets, slaughtering members of the rival Muslim sect. Bombs rocked Baghdad daily — until thousands of US troops poured in two years ago, … Unease Mounts as US Troops Leave Iraq's Cities Iraqi troops ready to secure major cities, top US general says Iraqi forces 'ready' for US withdrawal |
Arrests in Iran Raise Ire of UK – Wall Street Journal
June 28, 2009
Arrests in Iran Raise Ire of UK – Wall Street Journal
 BBC News |
Arrests in Iran Raise Ire of UK
Wall Street Journal Iran arrested nine local employees of the British Embassy in Tehran at the weekend, drawing a terse response from the UK government and signaling an escalation of tensions between two countries with a history of difficult relations. … Iran Escalates Its Fight With Britain; New Clashes Erupt Iran warned by EU after British embassy workers arrested Iranian police 'beat protesters' |
Cuba condemns Honduras coup as "criminal, brutal" – Reuters
 FOXNews |
Cuba condemns Honduras coup as "criminal, brutal"
Reuters HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba on Sunday condemned the military coup in Honduras as "criminal, brutal" and demanded the immediate return to office of deposed leftist President Manuel Zelaya. The Honduran army ousted Zelaya and exiled him on Sunday in Central … Zelaya Remains Legitimate Honduran Leader, US Officials Say Honduras Tense After Army Coup World reaction: Honduran crisis |
