Acquitted Greek journalist says press muzzled by elite

ATHENS (Reuters) - The Greek journalist put on trial for publishing a list of Swiss bank account holders accused Greece's political and business elite on Friday of trying to muzzle the press to cover up chronic corruption.

Costas Vaxevanis was acquitted on Thursday of charges of violating personal privacy laws after he published the list of 2,059 names of prominent Greeks including several politicians, shipping magnates, doctors, lawyers, and housewives.

"The main problem in Greece is the people who govern it. It is a closed group, an elite, one part of which is composed of people from all the parties and the second connected directly or indirectly to business people," he told Reuters in an interview.

He said politicians had first tried to hide the list, and then once he was arrested, Greek media ignored his case even as foreign media broadcast it around the world as an example of Greece's lack of progress in solving its crisis.

"The list went out. They arrested me. They tried me, and there was nothing on the TV channels," he said. "It is a huge issue for freedom of press and the Greek channels didn't show anything."

Vaxevanis was thrust into the international spotlight after police descended on a friend's house on Sunday and arrested him a day after he published the list - swift action considering the slow approach Greek authorities seem to take against suspected tax evaders.

And despite the lackluster mainstream coverage at home, blogs, tweets, and discussions on Greek streets showed the case had riveted a population that is increasingly angry at officials' inability to crack down on tax evasion and force the country's wealthy elite to share some of the pain of the four-year debt crisis.

Vaxevanis, a 46-year-old father of two, said his failed prosecution was an effort to protect the rich from the same kind of pain that five years of recession has given middle-class Greeks.

"Our politicians go abroad, they even mock our lenders, and people are called to pay the bill once again," he told Reuters from the office of "Hot Doc", the magazine he founded six months ago in a half-vacant mall in Athens with a budget of 5,000 euros ($6,500).

The former host of an investigative journalism show called "Pandora's Box", Vaxevanis said he was undaunted by the arrest and his next issue would again be on the list, analyzing the connections of the names it holds.

He said an anonymous source gave him the "Lagarde List" - named after International Monetary Fund director Christine Lagarde who handed it to Athens when she was French finance minister in 2010.

Since then three governments have had access to the list but authorities have yet to jail a single big name for tax evasion.

On Friday, a court official said the financial crimes prosecutor would submit a case to parliament so it could start an investigation into former finance ministers George Papaconstantinou and Evangelos Venizelos, who have both said they had a copy.

The Greek government has not commented on the list and routinely refuses to discuss court cases, saying they do not interfere with judicial matters.

MEDIA STAR, ABROAD AT LEAST

While an image of an unshaven Vaxevenis outside the court in a military jacket and loose scarf graced the front pages of the Financial Times and the International Herald Tribune, coverage of his trial was almost completely absent from television news and relegated to the back of most newspapers.

"It is terrible that during the junta people listened to Deutsche Welle and the BBC secretly to find out what happened in Greece," he said, referring to the 1967-1974 military junta. "And we're at the same spot. Greeks are watching foreign media to learn about Greece."

Vaxevanis said he hoped his acquittal would give courage to other media and said other journalists had called him secretly to support him instead of writing stories about his trial.

Britain's Independent described Vaxevanis as "a Greek hero for our times". But Greek daily Ta Nea, which had reprinted the list across 10 pages of its Monday edition, devoted five short paragraphs.

Othon Anastasakis, Director of the European Studies Centre at Britain's Oxford University, said the lack of coverage in Greek media indicated "entangled interests" between business, media and politics.

"It's highly probable given the fact that this is not being reported as front page news even though it's very important," he said. "You do have control of the press now. The press is being entangled with big business and political interests." ($1 = 0.7730 euros)

(Additonal Reporting by Karolina Tagaris, George Georgiopoulous and Harry Papachristou; writing by Michael Winfrey)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/acquitted-greek-journalist-says-press-muzzled-elite-173611352.html

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2013 Toyota Avalon Test Drive

On Sale Date: December 1

Price: $31,750 to $42,160

Competitors: Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera

Powertrains: 3.5-liter V-6, 268 hp, 248 lb. ft., 6-speed automatic; 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, 156 hp, 156 lb. ft., plus AC synchronous electric motor, 141 hp, 199 lb. ft. (combined system hp: 200), CVT.

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): V-6, 21/31; Hybrid, 40/39

What's New: Like the three generations that came before it, this latest Avalon shares architectural and powertrain elements with the midsize Camry. But that's where the similarities to its predecessors end. Despite a grille that looks like it was lifted straight from the 2013 Ford Fusion and a sloping roofline that looks like any number of new models, the exterior is sleek and eclipses the forgettable styling of previous generations, upstaging the Camry in the process. Body dimensions have been tightened, reducing front and rear overhangs. The track is wider front and rear, the roofline is down an inch, the beltline is lower, and bold front-to-rear character creases lend an aura of action-readiness.

Suspension tuning vindicates the swoopy promise of the sheet metal, there's plenty of room fore and aft, and a hybrid joins the lineup for the first time, using the same Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive offered in the Camry. The design, engineering, and development all happened in the U.S. Assembly is underway at Toyota's Georgetown, Ky., facility.

Tech Tidbit: The Avalon Hybrid transaxle is officially a continuously variable type, according to Toyota. However, while its operation is similar, the transaxle case houses a planetary gearset, for combining engine power with the electric motor. The hybrid can run on electric power, but only for a mile, at low speed.

Driving Character: Previous Avalons appealed primarily to drivers who thought cornering should be preceded by an environmental impact statement. With improved chassis and firmer suspension, the new Avalon attacks corners, changes direction readily, and limits rock and roll body motions?in contrast to the lifeboat dynamics of earlier generations. The V6 provides brisk acceleration?Toyota forecasts 6.7 seconds to 60 mph. And with paddle shifters, the six-speed automatic delivers prompt gear changes. The hybrid, for its part, isn't slow (0 to 60 in 8.2, according to Toyota) and its operation is absolutely transparent.

Favorite Detail: The interior appointments of the new Avalon lineup qualify as both tasteful and sumptuous, with soft materials, two grades of leather upholstery, and designer color combinations. A subtle but distinctive element is the beautiful done-by-hand stitching that distinguishes the dashboard and seats. It's the kind of thoughtful touch that reinforces the owner's purchase decision every time he or she opens the door.

Driver's Grievance: Because it enhances fuel economy, electric assist power steering will soon be universal. The road feel it conveys, however, varies widely from one vehicle to another. That's true of the new Avalon. In V-6 models, steering effort increases with speed, but remains numb. The hybrid version is a little more informative, and Toyota engineers admit that there's a difference in system electronic tuning. But both versions leave something to be desired.

The Bottom Line: After three generations of soft anonymity, the Avalon got some serious styling for 2013 and athletic moves to go with it. The engineering team claims an overall gain of 12 percent in torsional rigidity, and curb weight reductions of up to 150 pounds, a laudable achievement in view of steadily escalating crash standards. The addition of a hybrid version gives the Avalon bragging rights thanks to its 40 city/39 highway EPA fuel economy, and a potential range of 680 miles that exceeds the endurance of most human bladders.

Like its predecessors, the latest Avalon was designed around Camry architectural elements, but it's bigger?based on interior volume, the EPA classifies it as a large car?with adult-size roominess front and rear. Add handsome interior treatments plus quiet operation and attractive pricing, and the Avalon's appeal expands well beyond its previous limits.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2013-toyota-avalon-test-drive-14309508?src=rss

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Romney ridicules 'secretary of business' proposed by Obama ...

ROANOKE, Va. ? After two days of canceled events and a break from direct attacks on President Obama, Mitt Romney returned on Thursday to his pre-hurricane campaign mode?slamming Obama for failed policies and his suggestion that the country should create a new Cabinet position for a secretary of Business.

?I don?t think adding a new chair in his Cabinet will help add millions of jobs on Main Street,? Romney told a crowd of more than 2,000 at a window and door manufacturer in western Virginia. ?

Obama talked about the idea, part of a consolidation plan he proposed in January, in an MSNBC interview on Monday. ?We should have one secretary of Business, instead of nine different departments that are dealing with things like giving loans to [the Small Business Administration] or helping companies with exports. There should be a one-stop shop,? Obama said.

Romney said Obama?s lack of business experience has left him grasping at straws for a new idea that would boost the business community. ?We don?t need a secretary of Business to understand business, we need a president who understands business, and I do,? Romney said to enthusiastic applause.

The GOP campaign released a TV ad on the same theme, signaling this line of attack will be part of Romney?s final push. ?His solution to everything is to add another bureaucrat,? a voiceover says gravely in the ad, before suggesting that Americans elect ?a president who actually understands business.?

On the trail here on Thursday, Romney also revived some of his best-received attack lines from earlier in the season. He told the owners of the manufacturing company that ?they did build this,? and suggested that Obama?s slogan of ?forward? should really be ?forewarned.?

He also warned the crowd that they would face a dire situation if the president is reelected. ?If the president were to be reelected, you?re going to see high levels of unemployment continue and stalled wage growth?if any wage growth at all?just like we?ve seen over the last four years,? Romney said. ?

Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith said Romney is lurching ?from false attack to false attack? in the final days of his campaign. ?The idea that Mitt Romney would help businesses grow as president doesn?t match his record or his policies. When the American auto industry and a million jobs were on the line, Romney turned his back, which is why he?s trying to rewrite history by telling desperate falsehoods to Ohio voters,? she said. She added that ?independent economists agree his plans would do nothing to create jobs and could slow our recovery.?

At the White House, press secretary Jay Carney said Obama ?very much wants to see action? on streamlining the federal government and his initial proposal on business is backed by the Chamber of Commerce and Republican John Engler, president of the Business Roundtable and the former governor of Michigan. Carney said the consolidation plan would save $3 billion over 10 years and offer ?one location, one website, one phone number, one agency that handles all these different issues that have to deal with supporting American business and supporting exports.?

Romney?s running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, echoed Romney?s mocking tone a few hours later in Greeley, Colo.

?Let me ask you a question, can anybody name our current secretary of Commerce?? Ryan asked the crowd. ?You know why? We don't have one! It's been vacant for over four months and the president hasn't even proposed to put somebody in the job. We don't need another bureaucrat or another bureaucracy, we need another president.?

The position is filled by Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank, who took over after former Commerce Secretary John Bryson suffered a seizure that caused a car accident in June and resigned.

Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this story.

Source: http://www.govexec.com/management/2012/11/romney-ridicules-secretary-business-proposed-obama/59215/

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Parenting Approaches During The Process Of Divorce

Since there are such a large number of families experiencing divorce, there has been and continues to be a huge amount of research completed on the topic every year. Professionals that work with families in divorce (including Child Development Specialists, Consultants, Family Therapists, Play Therapists,Psychologist and Psychiatrists) all conduct routine evaluations of how different types of parenting styles or models impact on children. This research indicates that there are basically three models used by parents in most areas, although they may be known by different names in different countries.For purposes of this discussion these parenting models will be known as:

? Independent Parenting
? Parallel Parenting
? Co-Parenting

The models are discussed from the most distant type of model to the highest level of communication, collaboration and dual parent interaction with regards to the children. Parents may find that in the initial phases of the divorce when the emotional level is high, the first two may be more practical andmanageable, but parents should be working towards the third model, the collaborative co-parenting model as the ultimate parenting through divorce goal.

INDEPENDENT PARENTING

Independent parenting is really exactly what you may expect the term to mean. In this parenting arrangement each parent manages their own rules, expectations and day-to-day routines with respect to the children when the children are in their care. To avoid confusion, having custody of the children will be known as parenting time in this book. So, in independent parenting models, when it is Mom?s parenting time she makes the rules, sets discipline and handles all issues without consultation with Dad. Dad likewise sets rules, develops discipline policies and handless the decisions when the kids are with him, again without consultation with Mom.

Most parents, especially those with older children, can quickly see that this can be a potential disaster in the making. The problems with independent parenting models are:

? Kids quickly learn Mom and Dad are not talking or collaborating, and may take advantage of the situation by play both parents off each other. In the worse case scenario these kids will be literally living two lives disconnected from each other without the ability to talk about or comment on what is happening in their other home.

? All children need structure and predictability in their life. This model may not provide any structure or predictability, especially if Mom and Dad have very different views of parenting. Kids may be highly confused if rules, expectations and discipline are vastly different between homes.
? Kids don?t have the opportunity to continue to see and understand both parents are working together; rather they clearly see that Mom and Dad are in conflict and not interacting. This may teach children all the wrong skills needed to be effective communicators and problem solvers in their own lives.

In very high conflict situations independent parenting may be first step or model that most parents use. Working with a family therapist, communication or conflict coach, parenting co-ordinator or other professional can help parents get back on track with communication and positive and productive interactions with regards to the children.

PARALLEL PARENTING

Parallel parenting is still a limited interaction model between the two parents, and is the one most often used by parents in the period directly after the divorce. In parallel parenting both parents work together to achieve the same goals for their children.

A great way to picture this is to think of a railroad track. Each parent is one rail of the track, both heading in the same direction to make sure the train
(or child in this case) gets to the same goal destination. Parallel parenting requires that parents have a common understanding of what each other are doing in their respective household with regards to the kids, and they ensure that what they are doing is similar. There is limited interaction orcommunication between parents, but children have predictability, structure and routine through their parenting time with both Mom and Dad. Often parents that are using a parallel parenting model will have a written parenting plan, which is a document that outlines the various aspects of raising their children. Parenting plans will include details of the children?s lives such as parenting time schedules (access and visitation in legal terms), routines, discipline, medical issues, supervision, and extra financial considerations for special events and even issues of daily routines and extracurricular activities for the children.

Communication between parents may be through attorneys, therapists or counselors, mediators or even via email if personal contact is still stressful. In most cases parallel parenting is beneficial to the children since they have security, routine and the understanding that Mom and Dad are working together in their upbringing and care.

CO-PARENTING

The most child friendly model of parenting through divorce is the model most commonly known as co-parenting. In this model Mom and Dad continue to discuss issues as they relate to the child or children, interact routinely with regards to information specific to the kids, and often talk and/or phone each other with questions or concerns about the kids. While parents may not specifically spend time together with the kids, many co-parents attend birthday parties, school events and other special activities together to allow the child to feel very much a part of both parent?s lives.

Many people feel that co-parenting is an unreasonable expectation for divorced parents, however research clearly indicates that this is the best possible model for your children, provided both parents can remain civil, respectful and child centered during discussions and interactions. Co-parenting is almost like operating a business with the other parent as a partner with the goal of raising the happiest, healthiest kids. Co-parenting does not mean that you have to have extended conversations about anything other than the kids? health, happiness and general well being and development.

Co-parenting requires a lot of effort on both parent?s part. Whatever caused the break up of the marriage has to be put aside or in the past, with all communication between the two parents now related to bringing up your children. Anger and frustration may occur, but effective co-parents use angermanagement and communication techniques to minimize or eliminate any anger towards each other in the presence of the children.

Source: http://healthandparentingtips.com/parenting-approaches-during-the-process-of-divorce/

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Russia's Commercial Real Estate Market ... - World Property Channel

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Without citing specific figures, the Voice of Russia states the commercial real estate market in the country is slowly reviving but has a long way to go. Office space, especially, is in demand but supply is low. CBRE Russia ...

Source: http://www.worldpropertychannel.com/europe-commercial-news/russia-commercial-real-estate-market-valentin-gavrilov-cbre-knight-franks-russia-real-estate-report-european-debt-crisis-6241.php

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jinnatkurbani: Develop Your Book Marketing Strategy Now! | Cyber ...

Do you think your book is going to be a best seller because it's awesome? Are you positive that everyone will want to buy a copy of your book? It might be bestseller material but if you don't market and promote it, no one is going to know about your great book. It takes a lot of time and effort to make a book a bestseller.

The best time to decide on your book marketing strategy is while you are writing your book. Don't wait until you finish writing your book.

Here are some marketing activities you can begin working on right now while you are writing your book.

Become a well-known speaker in your community.

If you have a fear of speaking join a Toastmasters International chapter in your area now, or take the Dale Carnegie's Effective Speaking training program. I have done both and they can give you the confidence and knowledge you need to be a good, effective speaker. You have an important message to share on your expert topic. You must be able to present yourself well and build your name. You can begin speaking now to get the practice so that by the time your book is published you are ready to go on the speaking circuit.

Build Your Mailing List.

Start doing Google searches for organizations and groups you can speak to: Women's groups, business organizations, Rotary Clubs, personal development groups, plus groups that specialize in your book topic.

Build Your Testimonial List.

Write down the contact information of people you want to give you a testimonial for your book. Get 20 names or more. Once a preliminary copy of your book is available you can write to your list and ask if they would like to write a testimonial for your book. It is best to ask people who have titles that would be of interest to your potential readers. You can put the testimonials in your book and on your website.

Be the Expert.

If you solve problems for your clients, then you are an expert. Now continue to build on that by reading, learning, participating in seminars that can expand your knowledge in your field of expertise.

Promote Yourself.

This is no time to be shy. Start writing articles in your area of expertise and get them out there in the Internet article-writing world. Begin reading promotional materials you receive and save the ones that catch your attention. Begin practicing writing your own promotional materials for your pamphlets and brochures.

Create a website to sell your book.

Get help--find a student from your local college to help you. Sign up for a Paypal credit card account to begin your book-selling program. Your website will promote your book, speaking engagements, and anything else to get that recognition you deserve. There is a lot involved in setting up your website so if you are not knowledgeable in this area get help.

Write a Book Proposal.

This is the best marketing tool you can have. Get a book on how to write a book proposal. There are many books available on this subject. A book proposal can help you with your planning. You will include your marketing and promotional strategies in it. Even if you are planning to self-publish your book I recommend that you still prepare a book proposal.

Create a Blog.

If your book is a long way from being published, start a Blog. You can keep a journal or business tips on it and soon readers will be coming to your Blog. This is a way for people to get to know you and for you to get that expert recognition before your book is written.

Learn Amazon.

Review the guidelines for getting your book listed on Amazon.com. Be ready so that when your book is published you can list it on Amazon. Find out the requirements, costs, etc.

"Book Marketing" Internet Search.

Do a Google search for "book marketing." You will discover some of the newest services. Google has a book marketing service now. Also Facebook is a good way to build a list of people who might be interested in your book. You can talk about the book before it comes out and build your list. Once your book is published and available you can announce it to your Facebook friends. There is MySpace and many other ways to promote your book online.

These are just a few ideas to help you develop your marketing plan. Don't wait until your book is finished. Begin working on as many of the above as you can now. Focus on one marketing idea at a time. Avoid getting overwhelmed. "Inch by inch it's a cinch." I imagine that you thought that once your book was written the rest would be easy. Hah! You've only just begun. Stay focused, set up a plan, take action, and you could have a bestseller.

Copyright 2008, Joan Clout-Kruse. All rights reserved.

-----
Joan Clout-Kruse, America's Book Coach, is the publisher of one of the top weekly Ezine reports for small biz owners covering writing, marketing and publishing on anything wor

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Source: http://www.cyberbeasts.com/2012/10/develop-your-book-marketing-strategy-now.html

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Source: http://jinnatkurbani.blogspot.com/2012/10/develop-your-book-marketing-strategy.html

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Nine tips to promote win-win negotiating (no matter the contract ...

Nine tips to promote win-win negotiating (no matter the?contract)

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, I?ll have the distinct pleasure of co-facilitating the final MSAE Emerging Professionals brown bag lunch of 2012 with Tammy Dankenbring, sales manager for the Amway Hotel Collection. Discussion will focus on successful negotiation techniques. If your schedule will allow, and you?re not yet registered, please consider attending.

Following is the abridged version of our presentation (and I promise I?ve saved our best examples and talking points for the program ? so I hope to see you there):

1. Contracts differ. Familiarize yourself with the differences among the various contracts your organization routinely executes (e.g., technology, entertainment, speakers, d?cor and hotels). Some contracts may appear to be substantially the same; however, focus on the nuances of the outlier clauses and be sure to understand how they could affect your organization.
2. Trade shoes. Consider the other organization?s perspective during negotiations. You?ll note my intentional use of the word ?organization? here. Negotiating should always promote the best interests of organizations (rather than the self-interests of individuals). Much like your circumstances, the other organization is affected by goals, expectations and limitations.
3. Consider value. A correlation exists between the value of your business and the number of concessions or price breaks your organization can expect to receive during contract negotiations. Evaluate the relative value of your business and negotiate each contract based upon what you can offer the other organization. Focus less on what they can offer you.
4. Avoid ?never.? Refrain from using (or even thinking) blanket statements like ?We never pay for?.? or ?We?ll never agree to an attrition clause.? Quite simply, it breaks down the negotiation process. In fact, it results in something more akin to bullying than it is does negotiating. Instead, carefully consider your organization?s needs and wants, and communicate them accordingly.
5. Develop relationships. The personal and organizational benefits that result when you develop a meaningful relationship with those involved in the negotiating process are invaluable. Don?t underestimate the time it takes to develop these relationships; they do not blossom overnight. Likewise, care should be taken to nurture these relationships, especially between negotiation periods.

In anticipation of this session, I also posted a question to ASAE?s online Collaborate community some time ago seeking various negotiating best practices. Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist of Eisenstodt Associates LLC and one of the most brilliant minds in the meetings and hospitality industry, was kind enough to reply with the following tips:

1. Ask questions and listen to answers.
2. Go in without a preset agenda ? that is, don?t assume ?no? or ?yes? until you ask and listen.
3. Educate yourself about the person/entity with whom you are negotiating ? know their needs.
4. Look beyond price to conditions.

So, my question to you is this: What would you add to this list? In your experience, what have you found to be the single most important lesson you?ve learned about negotiating?

Like this:

Be the first to like this.

Source: http://aaronwolowiec.com/2012/10/31/nine-tips-to-promote-win-win-negotiating-no-matter-the-contract/

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