Japan told US military of radiation fallout days before public

Stars and Stripes

Published: January 17, 2012

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan ? Japan?s science ministry provided data to U.S. forces about levels of radioactive fallout from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant far earlier than it informed the public, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. forces received the data on March 14, three days after the 2011 tsunami led to a meltdown at the plant, according to Itaru Watanabe, an official with the Foreign Ministry?s science bureau. The public was not provided data until March 23.

Watanabe, a member of the investigative panel probing the nuclear disaster for the Diet, said at a meeting Monday that the science ministry had released the information to the U.S. ?to seek support from them? in dealing with the emergency, according to the AP.

It?s unclear what U.S. Forces Japan did, or could have done, with the data. No spokesperson for USFJ was immediately available for comment.

U.S. troops arrived at the disaster zone in a matter of days to provide humanitarian relief and assist in rescue operations. The U.S. Defense Department is still in the process of determining how much radiation each of its 61,000 personnel in Japan was exposed to during the crisis. In November, DOD officials said they expected to release the data by the end of the year, however, Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said in an email in December that the data could not yet be released. She did not give a reason for the delay.

The Japanese government has been criticized for its tardy release of data from the so-called System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information. The government was unable to use the SPEEDI information as expected because data on the radioactivity released from the plant was inaccurate.

Instead, the science ministry and nuclear safety agency produced their own data by making assumptions on the amount of radioactive substances released. Critics say that releasing this information to the public could have helped local municipalities and residents decide whether and how to evacuate.

The panel was appointed by the Diet in December and is tasked with examining what roles the magnitude-9 earthquake and monster tsunami each played in causing the meltdown.

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Source: http://feeds.stripes.com/~r/starsandstripes/general/~3/zrQLLPcMkIA/japan-told-us-military-of-radiation-fallout-days-before-public-1.166187

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Articles-now.com The Benefits Of Investing In Hedge Funds

A hedge fund is a form of investment that takes part in a wide range of opportunities and trading activities in comparison to other types of funds. Nonetheless, hedge funds are generally open to a particular class of investors as specified by regulatory agencies. Everyone cannot invest in these funds. Only particular investors can place their funds in them. Institutions like university foundations and endowments, pension funds, or individuals with high net worth are allowed to invest. The money invested with a hedge fund is utilized in a wide variety of investments. However, liquid securities are the most common investment that is generally traded. These funds adopt different investing strategies such as leverage and short selling as a way to increase the return on investment.

The investment value of the investor within a particular fund is established by his share of the net asset value of that fund. Thus, the increase and decrease in the total value of the fund?s assets along with the fund expenses are reflected in the sum that an investor can take out later.

The strategies of hedge funds are intended for attaining positive return on investment, regardless of whether the markets are rising or falling. The fund managers are generally professional and properly qualified in handling finances and investments. They?re paid a management fee to compensate them for their expertise in addition to a performance fee when the overall value of the fund increases during the year. Investments valued at billions of dollars are invested in these funds. Based on one estimate, the size of the global hedge fund market is approximately 2 trillion US dollars and it is predicted to grow quickly during the coming years.

Because these types of funds are not available to the general public, there are minimal constraints regarding investment and the methods involved with management of these funds when compared to funds that are available to the general public. That is the primary reason why these types of funds enjoy a great deal of freedom to participate in a diverse range of investment opportunities and trading activities.

Individuals with large amounts of money to invest and are willing to take serious risks prefer to invest in these funds. Since the risks concerned are much higher, investors can lose their whole investment really quickly. Also, these funds promise large return on investment and people could even double their money rather quickly. Therefore, people who love to take risks to gain greater returns like to invest in these types of funds.

Investment in hedge funds offers an excellent opportunity to earn large gains in a very short period of time. However, the risks are just as high. Since the funds are professionally managed, these funds promise higher return on investment in spite of the risks associated with investments and trading activities.

Are you looking for information on the best hedge fund managers? Be sure to visit Insider Monkey for information on David Einhorn and George Soros.

Source: http://www.articles-now.com/2012/01/the-benefits-of-investing-in-hedge-funds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-benefits-of-investing-in-hedge-funds

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Tale of the NFL Playoff Tape: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans

The NFL will feature four Divisional Round playoff games this week, three of which we've already determined the results for via a detailed, scientific comparison of players and team traits. To wit:

• The Giants will knock off the Falcons.
• The Broncos will beat the Steelers.
• The Saints and Lions game will end in a tie.

Now, for the matchup that will air actually first tomorrow afternoon, let's rundown the most important aspects of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans...

1. TOTAL OFFENSE (YPG)
Bengals: 319.9
Texans: 372.1
Edge: Texans

2. TOTAL DEFENSE (YPG)
Bengals: 316.2
Texans: 285.7
Edge: Texans

3. TEAM RUSHING (YPG)
Bengals: 111.1
Texans: 153
Edge: Texans

4. TEAM PASSING (YPG)
Bengals: 208.8
Texans: 219.1
Edge: Texans

5. ROOKIE QUARTERBACK
Bengals: Andy Dalton
Texans: TJ Yates
Edge: Bengals

6. HEAD COACH
Bengals: Marvin Lewis
Texans: Gary Kubiak
Edge: Bengals

7. FANTASY FOOTBALL STUD
Bengals: Cedric Benson
Texans: Arian Foster
Edge: Texans

8. FEELINGS ON BEING MESSED WITH
Bengals: Eh...
Texans: Don't you dare!
Edge: Texans

9. WILL MOST MISS...
Bengals: The antics of Chad Ochocinco
Texans: Injured star lineman Mario Williams
Edge: Tie

10. TEAM DEFENSE, PASSING YPG
Bengals: 211.6
Texans: 189.7
Edge: Tie

THE VERDICT: This one shouldn't be close. Houston takes it by a final tally of 7-2-1, our most lopsided victory for any playoff team yet over another. With a strong defense, arguably the best running back in football and a surprisingly efficient rookie quarter, the Texans are on track for their first-ever postseason victory.

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/01/tale-of-the-nfl-playoff-tape-cincinnati-bengals-vs-houston-texan/

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Samsung says no to Galaxy S/Galaxy Tab Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade (Digital Trends)

Brace yourselves, Galaxy S owners, as we?ve got some bad news. Samsung has decided it can?t integrate its own software with the latest version of Android, meaning your phone will remain a Gingerbread device.

This news comes after the company announced its ICS upgrade schedule before Christmas, where the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Tab 7-inch tablet were notable in their absence. However, Samsung was forced into ?re-evaluating? the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Tab?s compatibility after an outcry from owners.

Since then, there has been talk of what Samsung called a ?value pack? being released. This would include several of Ice Cream Sandwich?s features in order to refresh the devices, but not the entire operating system that was proving difficult to integrate with TouchWiz.

While this could have been better than nothing, this too seems to have fallen through, at least according to a Samsung spokesperson chatting to The Next Web. They?ve said the decision has been made not to update the devices due to limited ?hardware specifications,? and that they?re ?fully optimized for the Gingerbread experience? already.

As has already been pointed out, there?s nothing wrong with the Galaxy Nexus S?s ?hardware specifications,? a device very similar to the 4.0 compatible Nexus S, just without the TouchWiz UI.

So, a frustrating end to a tale that deep down, we never really expected to play out any other way. Owners who want the latest version of Android must either root their phone and find a custom ROM, or upgrade to newer hardware when their contract allows.

This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/personaltech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20120105/tc_digitaltrends/samsungsaysnotogalaxysgalaxytabicecreamsandwichupgrade

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Military Warning To Iran Over Strait Closure

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3:50pm UK, Thursday January 05, 2012

Mark Stone, defence reporter

Philip Hammond used a speech in Washington DC to warn Iran that any attempt to close the key Gulf trade route would be "unsuccessful" and could be stopped in part by the Royal Navy.

"Any attempt by Iran to do this would be illegal and unsuccessful," he said in a speech at the Atlantic Council.

"Our joint naval presence in the Arabian Gulf, something our regional partners appreciate, is key to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international trade.

"It is in all our interests that the arteries of global trade are kept free, open and running. Disruption to the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz would threaten regional and global economic growth."

Iran has threatened to block the 34-mile wide strait in retaliation for a planned EU trade embargo on Iranian oil.

It is understood that EU governments have reached agreement on a trade embargo, but are yet to say when it will be implemented.

Mr Hammond: 'It is in all our interests that the arteries of global trade are kept open'

Each day, 15.5 million barrels of oil pass through the narrow stretch of water between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Its closure would have a significant global impact. One of the UK's leading energy suppliers has warned an embargo will force up oil prices in the UK.

Volker Beckers, chief executive of npower, told Jeff Randall Live on Wednesday: "It is very important and it will have effects on oil prices."

The Royal Navy currently has a strong presence in the Arabian Gulf as part of the Combined Maritime Forces headquartered in Bahrain. British mine counter-measure vessels also operate in the area.

Mr Hammond is in Washington DC for his first meeting with his US counterpart since he took over from Liam Fox as Defence Secretary last year.

He and US defence secretary Leon Panetta held private talks at the Pentagon.

As well as discussing Iran, the two discussed the mission in Afghanistan and the combat troop withdrawal at the end of 2014.

Pakistan's continued refusal to re-open Nato supply routes into Afghanistan is also thought to have been covered.

Mr Hammond's speech repeated concerns made by his predecessor over the willingness of some Nato member nations to "meet their responsibilities".

Our joint naval presence in the Arabian Gulf, something our regional partners appreciate, is key to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international trade.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond

"Libya and Afghanistan have highlighted the significant difficulties we face in ensuring that Nato continues to serve the needs of collective security," he said.

"Too many countries are failing to meet their financial responsibilities to Nato, and so failing to maintain appropriate and proportionate capabilities.

"Too many are opting out of operations or contributing but a fraction of what they should be capable of. This is a European problem, not an American one. And it is a political problem, not a military one."

British defence officials will not be drawn on where he is directing his frustration, but Germany is one member state which choses not to take part in the Libyan intervention and whose involvement in Afghanistan is severely restricted.

Mr Hammond also reflected on the financial restraints both within the Pentagon and the British Ministry of Defence.

Echoing the views of the head of the British military, General Sir David Richards, Mr Hammond said that a strong economy is key to a secure nation.

"The debt crisis should be considered the greatest strategic threat to the future security of our nations," he said.

"Without strong economies and stable public finances it is impossible to build and sustain, in the long-term, the military capability required to project power and maintain defence."

Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/UK-Military-Warning-Iran-Over-Strait-Of-Hormuz-Threat-Philip-Hammond-Warns-Over-Closure/Article/201201116142571?f=rss

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Oregon outlasts Wisconsin 45-38 in Rose Bowl (AP)

PASADENA, Calif. ? Chip Kelly expected the avalanche of offense produced by Oregon and Wisconsin in the 98th Rose Bowl, knowing his Ducks would need the late breaks that always eluded them in their BCS bowl losses the past two years.

Maybe that's why the Ducks coach practically took flight in excitement when Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis' fumble in the final minutes plopped right down near the Oregon sideline, inexplicably nestling in the grass like an Easter egg for Michael Clay to find.

Oregon has been very good throughout Kelly's three seasons. The Ducks finally were lucky as well Monday night, and now they're Rose Bowl champions for the first time in 95 years.

Darron Thomas passed for three touchdowns, De'Anthony Thomas scored on runs of 91 and 64 yards, and the No. 6 Ducks earned their first bowl victory under Kelly, holding off the Badgers 45-38 in the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever played.

"Any time you win, it feels unbelievable, and the thing that gets you excited is when you can share it with your players," said Kelly, whose leaping excitement after Abbrederis' fumble betrayed excitement behind that calmly cerebral exterior. "When they see the fruits of their labor pay off, that's why you win. I've never been around a harder-working group of guys."

The Ducks (12-2) needed more than hard work to survive this slugfest between two of the nation's top offenses. They needed two strokes of good fortune in the final minutes.

After Abbrederis' fumble and a punt with 23 seconds left, Russell Wilson moved the Badgers to the Oregon 25 with two long passes, but the Badgers were down to 2 seconds and no timeouts. After waiting for the ball to be set, Wilson spiked it to set up a last-ditch heave to the end zone, but the clock hit zeros while he did it.

The Ducks held each other back on the sideline during a video review that confirmed time had run out. They stormed the hallowed field after holding Wisconsin scoreless in the fourth quarter, celebrating the biggest victory yet in Kelly's three-year football revolution.

"We had no doubt this year that we were going to come out and do big things," said Darron Thomas, who passed for 268 yards. "It's a big statement for the Oregon program."

Indeed: The last time Oregon won the Rose Bowl, beating Penn 14-0 in 1917, the players wore leather helmets, not the impossibly shiny creations they sported Monday. The Ducks' innovations aren't confined to their wardrobes, and Oregon has now proved its unorthodox style can win even the biggest games.

"None of us were around 95 years ago, and we never talked about it," Kelly said. "We're a forward-thinking operation, and we're always looking ahead."

Oregon's forward-thinking schemes produced 621 total yards ? second-most in Rose Bowl history ? against the tough Badgers, playing at its usual frantic pace until the final whistle. Lavasier Tuinei caught eight passes for 158 yards and two TDs, including the go-ahead score with 14:35 to play.

Montee Ball rushed for 122 of his 164 yards in the first half for the Badgers (11-3), who lost the Rose Bowl for the second straight year despite managing 508 yards of their own. Wilson repeatedly moved Wisconsin in the final minutes of his spectacular single season, but Abbrederis' mistake and the expiring clock were too much.

"It would have been nice to have a chance there," said Wilson, who passed for 296 yards and two scores. "With 1 second left, I think we could have capitalized."

The Ducks don't doubt it. The Granddaddy of Them All had never seen this many points, beating the record 80 scored by Washington and Iowa in 1991.

"We knew we had to score almost every time we touched the ball," Wisconsin tailback James White said.

The Ducks and Badgers produced the highest-scoring first quarter (14-14) and first half (28-28) in Rose Bowl history, eventually surpassing Washington's 46-34 win over Iowa 21 years ago when Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema was a Hawkeyes lineman. Oregon's yardage fell just short of USC's 633 yards against Illinois in 2008.

Ball tied Barry Sanders' FBS record with his 39th touchdown of the season, but the Heisman Trophy finalist was held to three carries for no yards in the fourth quarter. Every Badgers skill player had regrets about the scoreless fourth quarter ? nobody more than Abbrederis.

"I have to be more careful with the ball," said Abbrederis, who made a TD catch on the opening drive. "They made a big play. I can't dwell on this. I have to move forward and look towards next year. We're all human. This will make me better."

Tuinei was named the Ducks' offensive player of the game, but their flashiest star in those futuristic helmets was De'Anthony Thomas, the freshman from Los Angeles who showed off his electrifying athleticism on the longest scoring run in Rose Bowl history in the second quarter, going 91 yards up the middle. He added the 64-yard scoring run in the opening minute of the second half as Oregon won the matchup of the last two losers of the Rose Bowl.

Wisconsin lost 21-19 to TCU last season, and the Ducks lost to Ohio State two years ago before losing the BCS title game last year.

"It almost felt like there was some sort of magical force keeping us from getting it done in bowl games," Oregon guard Carson York said. "Glad we did it today."

LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards and an early TD in his likely college finale for the Ducks, and Kenjon Barner caught a TD pass from Darron Thomas.

Nick Toon caught a TD pass for Wisconsin, and defensive end Louis Nzegwu returned a fumble 33 yards for a score in the second quarter.

Both teams won their respective conferences' first-ever league title games to earn this trip to Pasadena. Although the Ducks' drought was generations longer, Wisconsin hasn't won in Pasadena since Jan. 1, 2000, when Ron Dayne led the Badgers to back-to-back Rose Bowl titles.

Oregon quickly debunked the theory that teams with extra time to prepare for the Ducks' inventive offense have a better chance to stop it. The Ducks were 1-4 in bowl games and season openers under Kelly until they carved up Wisconsin with the second-biggest yardage performance in Rose Bowl history.

De'Anthony Thomas ended the record-breaking first quarter by bursting through the Wisconsin line and sprinting down the Oregon sideline, surpassing Tyrone Wheatley's bowl-record 88-yard run in 1993 and capping the second-longest scoring drive in Rose Bowl history at 95 yards.

Both defenses then got a brief chance to shine in the second quarter: The Ducks stopped Wisconsin on fourth down inside the Oregon 20, but blitzing Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor forced Darron Thomas' fumble moments later, and Nzegwu scooped it up and scored.

De'Anthony Thomas' 64-yard TD run put Oregon ahead for the first time, but the Badgers swung ahead with Wilson's 18-yard TD pass to Toon. After the quarterbacks traded interceptions, Darron Thomas found Tuinei for his second score just 25 seconds into the fourth quarter, putting the Ducks ahead to stay.

NOTES: The game-time temperature was 82 degrees, making it the warmest bowl game in Wisconsin history. ... It was also the highest-scoring bowl game in Wisconsin history, and the Badgers tied the school bowl record with 38 points. ... Oregon is 2-4 in the Rose Bowl. ... Oregon LB Kiko Alonso was the defensive player of the game with an interception and 1 1/2 sacks.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120103/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/fbc_rose_bowl_folo

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CU Buffs' 2012 football season not as daunting as last year's

BOULDER?? During his first season as Colorado's football coach, Jon Embree had to play one of the toughest schedules in the country. Thirteen games, only five at Folsom Field, and no bye week for the Buffaloes.

CU's 2012 schedule, announced Wednesday, is less daunting. Six of the 12 games will be played at Folsom Field, and the Buffs get a bye week. Counting their Sept. 1 season opener against Colorado State in Denver, the Buffs will play seven games on the Front Range.

CU will start the season with three consecutive nonconference games. After playing CSU, the Buffs will host Sacramento State and play at Fresno State. CU's nine-game Pac-12 schedule includes five home games, all against 2011 bowl teams (UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Washington and Utah). The Buffs' conference opener is Sept. 22 at Washington State. They also will play road games against Southern California, Oregon and Arizona.

Pac-12 members California and Oregon State aren't on CU's schedule this year.

? Read the full story at buffzone.com.

Source: http://feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-sports/~3/zu2nDz1VKes/ci_19677159

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