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Fropper.com adds some online glitter to friendships day
Mugs MUMBAI: Fropper.com, India 's leading friendship & social networking site just gave its members an interesting reason to celebrate friendship's day online. Fropper has lined up a bunch of innovative and fun contests for their users for the friendship week and add sparkle to the fun element in social networking. Says Mr. Navin Mittal, Business Head, Fropper.com "Social networking and friendship go hand in hand. With the Internet becoming an increasingly popular medium for friends to connect, it is only fair that we do something special for our users. The idea behind the Friendship day contests is not only to make your friends feel special but more importantly to have fun!"The Friendship Day initiatives by Fropper include:Fropper Group Contest - Users can join the 'Fropper Friendship Week Group' and upload photos and key in messages, stories and anecdotes and much more for their friends on friendship day. The most active member n this group can win wallets, audio CD's and Fropper mugs.Fropper Photo Contest - The users can upload photos of their friends with personalized messages on Fropper. The photos uploaded require the users to state a description on why they chose the photo. The more interesting your photos are, the better chances of you winning the contest. The winner and a friend win a 1GB Mp3 player and Fropper mugs. The next three best entries win audio CDs and Fropper mugs.Fropper ezBlog Contest - Keeping in mind the popularity of self-expression through blogging, Fropper has introduced the ezBlog contest, wherein users can post blogs or short essays about their best friends on Fropper. Some of the things that can be written about your friends would include:The winning blog entry/essay gets the winner and a friend Fastrack watches each, along with Fropper Mugs. The next three best entries get some cool audio CDs and Fropper mugs.All the users participating in the above-mentioned contests have to necessarily tag their entries with 'Friendship Day' and submit them by 5th August. This contest is limited to India and prizes ill be sent to only those within India.
Drugmakers Pulling Plug on Free Pens, Mugs & Pads
Mugs Doctors, it’s time to head to Staples to stock up on pens! Responding to a steady stream of criticism over its efforts to curry favor with doctors, Big Pharma is putting a lid on some of the most visible practices. PhRMA, the drug-industry trade group, says says it’s banning some of the freebies that sales reps dole out to docs, including pens, mugs and logo-laden prescription pads. The move is part of a new, voluntary code of conduct that drugmakers will be encouraged to follow. PhRMA will ask companies to specify in writing that they have the policies in place.“Although our member companies have long been committed to responsible marketing of the life-enhancing and life-saving medicines they develop, we have heard the voices of policymakers, healthcare professionals and others telling us we can do better,” PhRMA CEO Billy Tauzin said in a news release.There are many such voices. Among them: the non-pizza loving Association of American Medical Colleges, academic-money focused Sen. Charles Grassley and sunshine states like Vermont and Minnesota.Still, this won’t put an end to the controversy. For one, it looks like pizza is still allowed. The code says sales reps won’t be able to provide restaurant meals to docs, but can still bring in sustenance to the office occasionally “in conjunction with informational presentations.”
Chimdima wins NBS Aug. Mug
MugsChimdima Mhango scored nett 69 to win the August Monthly Mug at Country Club Limbe on Saturday joining the race for the end of the year Winner of Winners title. The NBS Bank Mugs culminate into a Winner of Winners tournament, whose defending champion is Shou-ng Huang. January champion was Paul Chidale with Harold Lungu as runner-up and Vajoo Morzaria on third.February champion was Bryan Davy, who counted out January champion Chidale while on third place was Charles Merrick.Lester Tandwe has won the title twice — in March and June. His runner-up in March was Ralph Kamoto with Donbell Mandala coming third while in June Omar Nazir was second with Mahesh Patel on third. After watching others pick up their prizes for a long time, veteran Bernard Chizaka made sure the NBS Monthly Mug excitement never missed him when he scored nett 68 to win the April title.His runner-up was teenager Armin van der Walt, who scored nett 69 while Duncan Chidzankufa came third with nett 70.Another veteran John Magombo joined the fun as champion in May and his runner-up was Yusuf Raidhan on nett 71 who counted out Neemon Zita on the same score to come third. Last year’s monthly Mug winners were Chidale for January, February champion was Shabir Patel, March was Chidale again, May was M. Raidhan, June was Victor Mhango, July was I. Mussa, August was V. Wright, September was W. Chiume, November was Attle Nkhonjera while the December Mug was James Katunga.
Would-be wine robbers flee in El Camino (with MUGS)
Mugs PACE - Two teenagers were arrested late Tuesday after they tried to steal wine from a grocery store - and one pulled a knife on an employee who foiled them.Donald Stelly, 19, and Tanner Fincher, 17, each face charges for robbery with a weapon, petit theft and being minors in possession of alcohol.Just before midnight, deputies went to the Winn Dixie on Highway 90 after employees called 911. One said two white men entered the store with a backpack and stuffed two bottles of wine in it.That employee confronted them and grabbed the bag, lawmen said.The suspects began to run, but then Stelly pulled a knife and threatened to stab the employee before fleeing, leaving the backpack and wine behind.They sped away in a Chevrolet El Camino. Santa Rosa County sheriff's deputies stopped them soon after that. Fincher was taken to the Santa Rosa County Jail and then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Pensacola. Stelly was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail, where he was held on a $51,000 bond.
Preview: Dunbarton v Annan Athletic
Mugs DEREK TOWNSLEY admits everyone at Annan is already dreaming of an Old Firm date after their explosive start to the league season.The former Gretna midfielder starred in the 4-1 win at Cowdenbeath and said: "We've shown we're no mugs and we believe we can beat Dumbarton."We'd love to eventually meet Rangers or Celtic. That would be a dream in our first season."Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman, who has injury doubts over Derek Carcary, Mark Canning and Andy Geggan, added: "Anyone who treats Annan lightly will encounter problems."
Taste of defeat for the mugs from Starbucks
Mugs A year ago I asked students in a strategy class to think about whether Starbucks was going to be as successful in Australia as it had been in the United States. In the wake of Tuesday's sudden announcement that it is to close 61 of its 84 Australian stores and axe almost 700 jobs, I have been reflecting on what those students might have taken away from that class.Starbucks has been a great teaching case. It is an obvious example of a successful company, and unlike in the cases of a steel mill or a car plant, most students have a good understanding of these types of businesses, either as customers or as casual employees. I tend to use Starbucks as an example of a business that has been successful by adjusting its products to local market conditions.Starting as a small coffee shop in Seattle, Starbucks became a US-wide phenomenon by successfully "Americanising" the European coffee tradition. Starbucks prided itself on having created a "third" place in people's lives. Somewhere between home and work they could relax, and with its mega-mucho lattes and sweet syrups, they made "real" coffee palatable to people who had grown up on filter coffee and soft drinks.When they look at Starbucks, students tend to marvel at how rapidly the business expanded. Good students also quickly notice the limitations to the business model. Starbucks has always had a limited product line and has few opportunities to achieve extra revenue for existing customers. Once you have sold someone some coffee beans, a CD and a two-litre coffee, there isn't much more you can do for them and it is hard to shoo them away without ruining the image of the "third place".
Plat'Home launches coffee-cup-sized Linux network box
MugsPosted by Dave Rosenberg Post a commentPlat'Home, a Linux company from Japan that specializes in combining eco-friendly, small, tough hardware with their own version of Linux, is announcing another in their series of MicroServers. Kanshi BlockS Pro, made to monitor servers and various network applications, is now available in North America.This is a great example of applying technology where it's needed. A large percentage of IT budgets are spent on infrastructure monitoring and management. Up-time can be anywhere from just important to mission-critical. The problem for many companies, however, is that the medicine is worse than the disease. Implementing expensive, complex monitoring solutions regularly strains budgets or is simply out of reach, even if necessary.Plat'Home's Kanshi BlockS is an "it just works" alternative based on open-source software and interesting Japanese hardware. Plat'Home claims that their devices "can be installed in minutes." And because of their small size, offices without server rooms--or server rooms that are overcrowded--can easily use them. Tomoyasu Suzuki, Plat'Home President, is quoted as saying, "Customers always comment on how they love the option of placing it virtually anywhere. For companies, departments, or remote offices tight on space, it's a great fit."
Sierra Leone: Sexual Mugs, Extortion in Schools
MugsConcord Times (Freetown) For a very long time now, I have been monitoring several stories on the pages of some of our local newspapers about sexual attacks on young girls of school-going age and extortion from boys.The recent frequent occurrence of these anomalies indicates that the unethical practice of educated people, who call themselves proficient teachers, is fast becoming rampant in many schools within the country.
Chemicals dumped in abandoned lorry in N Wales
chemical The Welsh Environment Agency has said it is "unacceptable" afterchemicals were found dumped in a lay-by in an "intentionally"abandoned lorry. On 31 July, North Wales Police, fire officers, Vosa and the Environment Agency Wales were called to the scene on the A5104 near Broughton, Flintshire. The trailer was discovered in the lay-by, carrying chemicals includingantifreeze, oil and paint. Although the agency said these were not"immediately harmful," someone was required to guard the siteovernight to protect the environment and the public. Identifyingmarks on the truck, such as the VPN plate had been removed,implying that the HGV was deliberately dumped. Lee Rawlinson, environment manager for the agency states: "It iscompletely unacceptable to dump chemicals like this. People have alegal responsibility to get rid of chemicals safely so they do notharm the countryside or people." According to an agency spokesman,a lot of forensic evidence was found in the tractor, which couldhelp track down the culprit.
China to coordinate coal chemicals
chemical CHINA HAS SET up a Coal Chemical Coordination Work Committee inBeijing with the aim of regulating the healthy development of thedomestic coal chemical industry. The new committee, which is under the management of the ChinaPetroleum and Chemical Industry Association (CPCIA), will help thegovernment set relevant industry policies, and at the same timewill coordinate and serve companies to develop and implementpolicy. The CPCIA says that ever since China"s opening and reformmovement began 30 years ago, China"s coal chemical andpetrochemical industries have developed in leaps and bounds, butthe country has been missing an industry association for the coalchemical industry to help government formulate policy andcoordinate between policy makers and companies. As oil prices continue to rise, China has been increasinglyinterested in coal-to-liquids processes as an alternative energysource. As the world"s biggest coal producer, China "s totalinvestment in creating coal chemical programs has reached more than80b Yuan. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) estimatesthat investment in coal chemicals will amount to a thousand billiondollars in the 15 years between 2006 and 2020.
Toxic plastic toys could go the way of dinosaurs
chemical But toys aren't the only products that contain harmful chemicals,says Rick Hind of Greenpeace. Phthalates are also found in vinylcar seats, floors and shower curtains, as well as shampoos. And Janet Nudelman of the Breast Cancer Fund says lead andphthalates are just the beginning when it comes to dangers ineveryday products. "This has started a dialogue on what else isneeded," Nudelman says. But Nudelman and others say the dangers to children are too greatto ban one by one. Instead, she and a coalition of health,environmental and consumer groups support the Kid Safe ChemicalAct. It would require that all chemicals be proven safe forchildren. Few of the more than 80,000 chemicals now in use have ever beentested for safety, according to the bill's sponsors, who includeSen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. TheEnvironmental Protection Agency has required testing of only 200,they say. Andy Igrejas of the Pew Charitable Trusts' environmental healthcampaign notes that children are especially vulnerable to chemicalsbecause their bodies are still developing. The proposed law wouldprovide information about chemicals' effects on everything fromcancer to birth defects. Manufacturers already go "above and beyond" government requirementsand voluntarily use independent auditors to test chemicals, saysTiffany Harrington of the American Chemistry Council. Its membersare committed to making sure chemicals are safer for people and theenvironment, she says.
TFN NEWS BRIEFING: Pharmaceuticals and chemicals highlights to 15 ...
chemical COPENHAGEN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Danish healthcare products makerColoplast on Monday cut its financial outlook forthe current fiscal year, sending its shares down as much as 13percent. COPENHAGEN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Danish healthcare products makerColoplast on Monday cut its financial outlook forthe current fiscal year due to ongoing pressure on its Europeanurology business and tougher competition for its wound and skincare business.Uralkali to hold potassium chloride prices fordomestic producers till end 2008 LONDON (Thomson Financial) - JSC Uralkali said it agreed withdomestic customers - producers of complex fertilizers"Eurochem" and "Phosagro" - to hold price ofpotassium chloride at 3,500 rubles per ton till the end of 2008 forthe production of complex fertilizers for domestic agriculturalproducers.NEW YORK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Health insurer Humana posted slightly lower second-quarter net income on Monday asmedical costs ate more into premium revenue, but the results beatthe company's own expectations, and it lifted its full-yearforecast.
Chemicals in tea may sink or swim at the cell membrane
chemical Previous work has shown that catechins operate at thecellular-molecular level by interacting with components of cellmembranes. Catechins can prevent binding of enzymes, cause a changein the membrane potential, or increase the membrane's permeabilityto certain ions. Exactly how the various chemical structures ofcatechins interact with the cell membranes was unknown. To gainfurther insight, researchers examined the dynamics and binding ofcatechins through computer simulations and presented their work inan advanced article from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.The researchers performed molecular dynamic simulations for sevenpopular catechins (Figure 1) and focused on molecular parameterslike hydrogen bonding, adsorption, absorption, molecularorientation, and presence of functional groups. They used anall-atom molecular representation for the catechins, a phospholipidmembrane, and water to calculate the atomic forces on each atom asthey interact with one another. Out of the seven catechins, three absorbed (C, EC, and EGCG) intothe cell membrane, while the other four adsorbed onto its surface.The membrane surface catechins remained flexible and could diffuseacross the surface by forming and breaking hydrogen bonds. However,the absorbed catechins had extremely limited mobility because theywere trapped within the bilayer.
Not toying around: Congress OKs bill to ban chemicals in some products
chemical The bill — approved by the Senate Thursday night and theHouse of Representatives Tuesday — follows a rising tide ofpublic concern over product safety, spurred by recalls of 45million children's toys and products last year and growing worryover chemicals in plastic. The measure, which passed with"veto-proof" majorities, now goes to President Bush, who has notthreatened to reject it. The bill virtually eliminates lead in children's toys and bans sixtypes of chemicals, called phthalates, that have hormone-likeeffects. Lead can cause both brain damage and behavioral problemsin children. A number of animal studies and a few in humans havelinked phthalates to early puberty in girls, genital defects andreduced testosterone production in boys and impaired sperm qualityin men. The bill requires that all toys be tested for dangerous chemicalsbefore they're sold — a big change over the current practice,in which untested toys are sold and recalled if necessary, saysRachel Weintraub of the Consumer Federation of America. Outsidecompanies will perform the tests.The law also boosts the budget of the Consumer Product SafetyCommission from $80 million to $118 million in 2010 and $136million five years later. The commission will be required to set upa website where consumers can both register complaints and readreports posted by others.The American Chemistry Council, which represents industry, supportsstrengthening the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but opposesthe ban on phthalates, which it says are safe. "Our children's health and safety is too important to rush throughproduct restrictions without understanding their fullconsequences," said Sharon Kneiss, vice president of products, in astatement. "Restricting phthalates from children's products, whenthey have been deemed safe for use in those products by the CPSC,will do nothing to protect children's health."
ND project collects toxic farm chemicals
Forgot your password?Please enter your full e-mail address. We'll send you your In-Forumpassword. Problems Registering? Send us an Email. ND project collects toxic farm chemicals
Companies Agree To Cut Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Potato Chips
The state of California has settled lawsuits against Heinz,Frito-Lay, Kettle Foods and Lance Inc. after the companies agreedto slash levels of the cancer-causing chemical acrylamide in theirpotato chips and French fries. "The companies agreed to reduce this carcinogenic chemical in friedpotatoes -- a victory for public health and safety in California,"said Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. "Other companies shouldfollow this lead and take steps to reduce acrylamide in frenchfries and potato chips."The suit was filed against the French fry and potato chip companiesunder Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic EnforcementAct, which requires companies to post warnings of anycancer-causing chemicals in their products unless they can provethat the levels do not pose a significant health risk. Last year, restaurant chains including KFC, McDonald's, Wendy's andBurger King agreed to post acrylamide warnings at their restaurantsand to pay civil penalties and costs. In January, Procter & Gambleagreed to reduce acrylamide in Pringles potato chips by 50 percentso that no warning would be required. Under these latest settlements, Frito-Lay, Inc., which sells mostof the potato chips sold in California, Kettle Foods, Inc., makerof Kettle Chips, and Lance, Inc., maker of Cape Cod Chips willreduce acrylamide over a period of three years to 275 parts perbillion. For Frito Lay, this is about a 20 percent reduction, while forKettle Chips, which contain far more acrylamide; this is an 87percent reduction in acrylamide. Most Cape Cod chips are alreadynear the compliance level, but one product, Cape Cod RobustRussets, contains over 7,000 parts per billion of acrylamide, andimmediately will either carry a warning label on the package orwill be removed from the market.
McCain meets, greets at Racine coffee shop
Coffee SI know I have an uphill battle here,he said.Racine County is the fifth-largest county in Wisconsin and isconsidered a must-win region for McCain in November. The countyvoted for President Bush four years ago by a narrow margin, butDemocratic candidate John Kerry won the state by 11,300 votes.Also Thursday, McCain called Debra Bartoshevich, the Racine Countyresident who lost her delegate seat at the Democratic NationalConvention for endorsing McCain, a Sperson of great courage.SPerhaps your reward will be in heaven not here on earth,McCain told Bartoshevich as he addressed the Racine Civic Centrecrowd.Before the town hall meeting, McCain met with Bartoshevich, her16-year-old daughter, Mariah, and Bartoshevich"s father, GeneBrittain, of Waukesha, at the Dunn Bros. Coffee shop in Racine.
Ill. AG wants end to 'Meth Coffee' in state
CHICAGO - The Illinois attorney general wants a San Franciscocompany to stop marketing a beverage branded as Meth Coffee toIllinois consumers.Attorney General Lisa Madigan has sent a letter to Doll God LLC insisting that the coffeeblatantly glorifies drug culture.The beverage doesn't actually contain methamphetamine. But Madigansays the product's comparison to illicit drugs violates state lawsregarding fraudulent and deceptive business practices.She also cited what she calls the devastating impact that meth hashad in communities statewide.
Take Bliss as it is for coffee, wine, good food
Coffee If you feel like shrimp, they come prepared two different ways asan entree, or you can have three fat ones as an appetizer with anexcellent sweet-sour cucumber salad. The appetizer shrimp areswimming in a Grand Marnier barbecue sauce, although it could justas well have had a splash of Mountain Dew as liqueur. The sauce issimply too fiery to taste of anything but heat.The kitchen had its ups and downs. A shrimp bisque, smooth as cream- probably because it contained so much cream - had just the rightdelicate texture (so you can pretend it's lighter than it reallyis) and was filled with chopped shrimp. It was a minor tour deforce. But the halibut decorated with big lumps of crab meat, aspecial that night, had a lime butter sauce that tasted of nothingmuch. It arrived with mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day,cauliflower. Even adding a wedge of lime and a pink orchid didn'tmake the all-white plate look any less bland than it tasted. Muchas I like cauliflower, and I do, it isn't a good vegetable of theday to serve with potatoes.Minor improvements could make a big difference. The "vegetarianrose," a sort of pasta primavera, is made with cappellini, a creamytomato sauce and grilled vegetables. The flavors are wonderful;it's the proportions that are off. More vegetables and less pastaand sauce, please.The cheese plate, really for two, has port wine cheddar, sharpcheddar and smoked Gouda. It's supposed to come with strawberries,grapes and kiwi slices; but bing cherries were substituted for kiwislices. That was fine - more than fine, really. But the red grapeshad been taken off their stems so there was just an unattractivepile of loose grapes. Also, the kitchen had added slices of salamiand a blob of spicy mustard to the plate, which was a little odd.The dessert made in-house was the weakest of the ones we tried. Thechef, who brought it out (the place was so busy the poor guy washelping out the servers when he wasn't cooking), apologized becausethe chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup was too stiff and hadlittle lumps. Good flavor, though. The Key lime pie and berry tart,made by someone local, were both excellent.Bliss' wine list is filled with familiar names and easy-drinkingbottles. The list isn't extensive, but it changes periodically andis affordably priced, with enough choices by the glass. You mightthink a place that labels itself a wine bar would put more emphasison wine; this is more just what you'd expect at a nice restaurant.And that's what Bliss is. If you go in with a preconceived notionof what a coffeehouse or wine bar should be, you might bedisappointed. If you accept it as a nice suburban restaurant with awarm and welcoming staff and a kitchen that can produce some verygood food, you'll be happier. So it needs to get a few kinks out.It's still a better option than the chains in the area.elizabeth.large@baltsun.com Bliss Coffee and Wine Bar
Morning Coffee: Utah State's QB in question
Coffee Posted by ESPN.com's Graham WatsonThe decision of who will start at quarterback for Utah State justgot a little more difficult. Junior Jase McCormick, who played infour games last season and was expected to challenge for thestarting position during fall camp, told coach Brent Guy that he might walk away from football, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Saturday evening.McCormick completed 62.5 percent of his passes, but threw fiveinterceptions as opposed to two touchdowns. Senior Sean Setzer, theonly other quarterback with experience, becomes the frontrunner forthe starting position. He played in one game last season andcompleted one pass for two yards.The article also notes the emergence of true freshman ExavierJohnson, who looked strong in the Aggies first practice.My take: This isn't great news for coach Brent Guy, who needs toshow improvement on his 6-29 record during the last three seasons.The good news is that this Guy's first team full of his guys. Ithas 17 seniors, which should help with leadership and finally hasits full array of scholarship athletes.Several non-BCS teams have started or will start practice thisweekend and Monday. As I've noted a couple times this past week, Iwill be at Utah for its opening practice. I will be chatting livefrom camp at 11:30 EST (9:30 MST) for a half hour.
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