News Corp publishing loses $2.1bn

21 December 2012 Last updated at 13:22 ET

News Corporation says its publishing wing incurred a $ 2.1bn (£1.3bn) loss in the last financial year.

Revenues fell 5%, partly as a result of the closure of the News of the World, which it stopped publishing after the phone-hacking scandal broke in the UK.

The company detailed the losses as it formally applied to US regulators the Securities and Exchange Commission to split its business into two.

News Corp plans to separate publishing from its film and TV business.

The publishing arm, which News Corp said had made a profit of $ 678m the year before, will be called New News Corp. It will include book publisher Harper Collins, the Times and the Sun newspapers in the UK, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and the Australian.

The more lucrative TV and film business will be the parent company and will be called Fox Group.

It will include the US news channel Fox News and the 20th Century Fox film studio.

‘Adverse trends’

The loss made by the publishing arm included a $ 2.6bn impairment charge, after writedowns of $ 1.3bn for goodwill and $ 1.3bn for other intangible assets, primarily newspaper mastheads and distribution networks.

These impairment charges were largely the result of “adverse trends affecting several businesses”, including a weakening economic environment in Australia and lower predicted revenues from certain businesses.

The charges also reflected the expected sale of certain assets at a value below their carrying value, News Corp said.

The company first announced its plan to split in June, after pressure from shareholders who were concerned about the damage done to the publishing business by the events at the News of the World.

Robert Thomson, who is currently the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal and previously edited the Times, will be head of the new publishing company.

He will receive an annual salary of $ 2m, and a performance-based annual bonus with a target of $ 2m.

Rupert Murdoch will carry on as chairman and chief executive of the parent company, for which his compensation totalled $ 30m in the last year.

His pay will increase “modestly” as he takes on the role of executive chairman of the publishing company.

BBC News – Business

Title Post: News Corp publishing loses $2.1bn
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

Canada spending growth sluggish in November, Mastercard says

(Reuters) – Canada‘s holiday shopping season got off to a slow start in November with retail sales rising only 1.3 percent from the previous year, compared with 4.2 percent growth a year earlier, according to data released by MasterCard on Thursday.

Still, the shopping season was still young in November. MasterCard Advisors, the payment company’s research and consulting division, found that in recent years, holiday shopping peaks from December 20 to December 22.

“Many Canadians may have gotten an early start with Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, but it’s still a very young phenomenon in Canada,” Senior Vice-President Richard McLaughlin, said in a release.

The Friday after U.S. Thanksgiving is the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season south of the border, and in recent years retailers have imported Black Friday sales to Canada.

Some also promote online sales the following Monday.

Canada’s online retail sales continued to grow in November, increasing 26.4 percent.

(Reporting by Allison Martell; Editing by Peter Galloway)

Canada News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: Canada spending growth sluggish in November, Mastercard says
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

SaleSpider Media Gets Ready for 2013

SaleSpider Media had an extremely successful 2012 and looks to bring that success into 2013.

toronto, ON (PRWEB) December 21, 2012

SaleSpider Media had an extremely successful 2012 and looks to bring that success into 2013. Over the past year each of SaleSpider Media’s social networks have growth substantially. SaleSpider.com, North America‘s largest SMB social network, grew by over 500% in 2012. SaleSpider Media’s other properties, HomeOwnersCircle.com and WealthMason.com, each grew by over 2000% in traffic over the same time period.

The substantial growth of SaleSpider Media can be attributed to the company’s digital innovations in the past year, here is a quick snapshot:

SaleSpider Media looks to continue to bring great innovations to our social platforms and grow with our users in the coming year of 2013.

About Sales Spider Media:

SaleSpider Media is a leading internet company with multiple fast-growing, highly-related brands serving loyal consumer and business audiences…our mission is to harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more productive for people all over North America and The World.

SaleSpider Media’s exclusive web properties have millions of unique visitors and opt-in members and are growing by over 90% each quarter. The company has deep reach to in-market buyers in Auto, Travel, Finance, Insurance, Technology, B2B, and many more!

SaleSpider Media works with top Fortune 100 companies and is a leader in…

• First Party Data Targeting reaching “ready to buy” consumers


• Reaching Business Decision Makers by company size, industry, title and geography


• Social Media, multiple platforms including the largest small business social network in North America

To learn more about SaleSpider Media, please see SaleSpiderMedia.com.

PR
Sales Spider Inc.
4162210447
Email Information

Internet News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: SaleSpider Media Gets Ready for 2013
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

BMG Scores Rights to Nirvana, Tears for Fears Songs

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – BMG has acquired the worldwide rights to several music catalogues, a deal that will give it songs from artists including Kurt Cobain, Tears for Fears, The Human League, Iggy Pop, and Take That.

The company announced Friday that it will purchase the rights for the Virgin Music Publishing Companies, Famous UK Music Publishing and selected current songwriters from Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing.

Sony Corporation of America and a group of investors acquired EMI Music Publishing in June, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing administers EMI on behalf of the group. It had to sell the catalogues as a condition of the acquisition.

Virgin Publishing’s catalogue includes Kurt Cobain‘s songs for Nirvana, including “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are” and “About A Girl.”

Other hits include Jim Steinman’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart,” Lenny Kravitz’ “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” and Devo’s “Whip It.”

Other songs include Take That’s greatest hits, including “Patience,” “Shine” and “Greatest Day,” as well as former member Robbie William’s interests in “Angels,” “Rock DJ” and “Let Me Entertain You.”

Also in the catalogue are Tears for Fears‘ “Everybody Rules The World,” Culture Club’s “Karma Chamelon,” OMD’s “Enola Gay,” and Iggy Pop‘s “Lust for Life,” as well as recent hits including Duffy’s “Mercy.”

BMG, the fourth-largest music publishing company, is a three-year-old partnership between Bertelsmann and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. In May, it announced it had more than one million copyrights under management.

“These catalogues contain some of the most influential and successful songs in popular music,” said BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch. “We are delighted to have won the opportunity to represent the writers of those songs and to demonstrate to them BMG‘s commitment to twenty-first century service. They have my pledge that we will do our very best to deliver for them.”

Music News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: BMG Scores Rights to Nirvana, Tears for Fears Songs
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

Diagnostics Research Group Introduces Holiday Gift Ideas for Allergy Sufferers

Diagnostics Research Group in San Antonio, Texas uses the knowledge and experience of its team of physicians to recommend holiday gift ideas for allergy sufferers. The clinic educates consumers about environmental irritants that exacerbate allergies and asthma and encourages participation in their current study of a product to relieve the symptoms of dust mite allergies.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) December 21, 2012

Diagnostics Research Group, a research clinic in San Antonio, Texas, is pleased to use their research to provide key information for allergy sufferers. The clinic says that the holidays are a great opportunity to purchase gifts that will be beneficial to those with allergies and asthma. Recommended gifts include new bedding, towels, pillows and other textiles that help alleviate the symptoms of dust mite allergies.

About 23 million people in the United States have asthma, and 70% of them have an allergy to an allergen that is known to trigger asthma. Dust mites are the most common triggers in our homes, along with mold, pollen and animal dander. Research has shown that high levels of exposure to dust mites are an important factor in the development of asthma in children and over seven million children have asthma, and many of them are undiagnosed.

Diagnostics Research Group is currently screening persons ages 12 and older who are allergic to dust mites. They are conducting a study for an investigational product to relieve the symptoms of dust mite allergies. Diagnostics Research Group is offering free testing, and, for participants who qualify for the study, free medical care by physicians, study product and compensation for time and travel.

“There are more warning signs that your child might be allergic to dust mites,” said Dr. Charles Andrews of Diagnostics Research Group. ” In addition to the asthma associated with dust allergy, young persons may also have chronic fatigue, recurrent ear infections and interrupted sleep.”

Diagnostic Research Group is owned by local physicians who are board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine. The research facility strives to perform research studies with integrity and competence, follow good clinical practices, offer quality studies to diverse subject populations and invest in the development and maintenance of competencies and productivity by all members of their team. Those interested in participating in the dust mite allergy study should call (210) 692-7157.

About the company:

Diagnostics Research Group, located in the South Texas Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, is an independent clinical research site that performs clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, treatments, and medical devices.

Those interested in volunteering for clinical trials can expect quality care from the staff at Diagnostics Research Group. Currently, there are 10 staff members certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Diagnostics Research Group has research experience with more than 200 studies in several therapeutic areas such as: allergies, respiratory diseases, internal medicine, women’s health, vaccines, and sleep disorders. For more information visit their website at http://www.dxrg.com.

Cristi Morales
Diagnositics Research Group
210-692-7157
Email Information

Medications/Drugs News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: Diagnostics Research Group Introduces Holiday Gift Ideas for Allergy Sufferers
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

The NRA’s Solution: A Gun in Every School

With characteristic flair, the National Rifle Association held America in suspense for a week on how it would react to the Newtown (Conn.) school massacre and then came out, guns blazing.

Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s longtime top official, left no doubt during his nationally televised press conference that the pro-gun lobby—pound for pound, the most effective single-issue advocacy group in Washington—will fight fiercely against any new restrictions on the lawful acquisition of guns, magazines, or ammunition.

Whether the group wins or loses the coming debate, it wins (more on that in a moment). First, here are the basics of what LaPierre had to say:

• Setting up schools as “gun-free zones” has been an utter failure. Schools require more security, including a police officer in every school. The NRA will lead a national “school shield” initiative headed by Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, former U.S. congressman, and former federal prosecutor.

• The nation ought to establish a comprehensive database of mentally ill individuals. Those who have been deemed mentally ill, alcoholic, or addicted to drugs are already banned by federal law from acquiring guns. LaPierre called for more thorough record-keeping, a demand made by many of his opponents in the gun-control camp.

• The national media, whom LaPierre repeatedly castigated, bear responsibility for random mass shootings because they provide saturation coverage of events such as the Newtown massacre, and that encourages “copycats.”

• Hollywood and makers of violent video games, which LaPierre called the worst kind of “pornography,” likewise bear responsibility for mass shootings. The entertainment industry, he said, creates an atmosphere in which young people view violence as routine and without consequence.

• Gun owners, however, do not bear responsibility for mass shootings, and more gun regulations are not needed, he said. Instead, he condemned federal prosecutors for pursuing fewer gun-crime cases. There are already 20,000 gun regulations on the books, LaPierre said.

• He accused the media of fomenting “hatred” of gun owners and the NRA. He also alluded to the danger of civic unrest in the event of another disaster similar to Sandy, the devastating storm that recently hit the East Coast. That’s a subtle signal in support of survivalists and others who stock up on armaments out of fear that the government can’t protect them in chaos.

The NRA, as will become apparent in weeks and months to come, has a structural advantage in this conflict with gun-control forces. It does not compromise, because it does not fear losing. By framing the debate as one of gun owners against the rest of society (the media, Hollywood, “political elites”), LaPierre is paving the way for his next fund-raising solicitation. If some new gun-control law gets enacted, that becomes evidence that the vast anti-gun conspiracy only wants more, that President Barack Obama eventually will come for YOUR guns—all of them.

The lobby and the industry whose fortunes it promotes thrive on controversy, observes Richard Feldman, a former NRA organizer and gun trade association executive. “If the NRA wins, it wins,” he says. “If it loses, it wins, too, because then it can raise money on its defeat—and go back and try again.”

A relevant datum that LaPierre did not stress as part of his presentation was that, as the industrialized democracy with the greatest prevalence of gun ownership—300 million firearms in private hands; 47 percent of households possessing one or more guns—the U.S. has the highest gun homicide rate among economically advanced countries.

Businessweek.com — Top News

Title Post: The NRA’s Solution: A Gun in Every School
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

Huge Savings With MyBatua Season’s Sale

The online Islamic clothing store MyBatua.com brings more reasons to smile. The Store announces huge discounts and assured gifts on every purchase of women Abayas, kurtis and Jibabs.

(PRWEB) December 21, 2012

MyBatua.com has extended its seasonal sale on Islamic clothing range for a fortnight to appreciate the huge response of buyers. Being one of the most renowned stores for a vibrant range of Islamic clothing range, MyBatua has announced discounts up to 60% on modern, contemporary, fashionable and exclusive Islamic apparel for men and women.

The online store offers a huge collection of Jibabs, kurtis, abayas and Hijabs for customers, with the choice of customization. All the clothing items displayed at the sale are designed to reflect exclusive style statements of customers. Islamic outfits at MyBatua are available with contemporary and very stylish looks. Jilbabs and Abaya at the store are also made from natural fabric and with contemporary texture.

At http://www.mybatua.com visitors may choose from an extensive range of hijabs available in different styles, plain solid colors, fantastic design and attractive ones for joyful events. Like their name they are very simple to put on without any wrapp or Hijab pin. The store is well-known for its best quality beautiful hijabs and Abayas with an inexpensive price tag.

The best part of the season sale at the store is the availability of the finest range of ethnic clothing for a diverse array of women buyers who never compromise on quality and style. The store features a diverse variety of modest Women’s clothing items that range from conventional Abayas to custom Hijabs designed with finest craftsmanship.

Apart from a pretty good collection of regular and Plus sizes of Jibabs, Abayas and Hijab, customers also get an option to customize clothes without any additional cost. With every purchase at http://www.mybatua.com seasonal sale, customers find huge cash discounts and assured gifts to turn their shopping spree rewarding and a never before experience. MyBatua range comes with free shipping and hassle free delivery to the customers worldwide.    

MyBatua a leading online store for clothing and accessories has now become a one stop shopping place for Islamic fashion clothing. It is catering to all needs of online shoppers for Abayas, Jilbabs, Hijabs, Sherwanis and variety of accessories including brooches and unique handbags suitable for all occasions and weddings.

Amrish Goel
Mybatua.com
+918826009522
Email Information

Internet News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: Huge Savings With MyBatua Season’s Sale
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

Putin offers French tax row actor Depardieu a Russian passport

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin offered French actor Gerard Depardieu a Russian passport on Thursday, saying he would welcome the 63-year-old celebrity who is embroiled in a bitter tax row with France‘s socialist government.

Weighing into a dispute over a hike in taxes, Putin heaped praise on Depardieu, making the offer of citizenship in response to a question during his annual televised press conference.

“If Gerard really wants to have either a residency permit in Russia or a Russian passport, we will assume that this matter is settled and settled positively,” Putin said.

French daily Le Monde reported on Tuesday that Depardieu had told his close friends he was considering three options to escape France’s new tax regime: moving to Belgium, where he owns a home, relocating to Montenegro, where he has a business, or fleeing to Russia.

“Putin has already sent me a passport,” Le Monde quoted the actor as jokingly saying.

Depardieu is well-known in Russia where he has appeared in many advertising campaigns, and in 2012 he was one of several Western celebrities invited to celebrate the birthday of Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed leader.

He also worked in Russia last year on a film about the life and times of the eccentric Russian monk Grigory Rasputin.

He has already inquired about how to obtain Belgian residency rights and said he plans to hand in his French passport and social security card.

In what has become an ugly public dispute, France’s Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault criticized Depardieu’s announcement as “pathetic” and unpatriotic. The actor hit back, accusing France of punishing success and talent.

But Putin said he thought the feud was the result of a “misunderstanding”.

The 60-year-old former KGB spy said he was very friendly with Depardieu, saying he thought the actor considered himself a Frenchman who loved the culture and history of his homeland.

Belgian residents do not pay a wealth tax, which in France is now levied on those with assets over 1.3 million euros ($ 1.7 million). Nor do they pay capital gains tax on share sales.

Hollande is also pressing ahead with plans to impose a 75-percent super tax on income over 1 million euros.

Russia has a flat income tax rate of 13 percent.

(Reporting by Alexei Anishchuk; Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Alissa de Carbonnel and Andrew Osborn)

Celebrity News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: Putin offers French tax row actor Depardieu a Russian passport
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

The eye-opening costs of America’s insomnia

By Quentin Fottrell

In yet another sign Americans are sleeping less, the number of sleep clinics has reached an all-time high. And while sleeplessness is big business, worth over $ 32 billion, it’s an even bigger economic problem — costing nearly twice that in lost productivity.

More Americans are seeking help for sleep-related conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea. On Wednesday, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited its 2,500th sleep center, reporting that the number of sleep centers has doubled over the past five years and increased fivefold over the past decade.

The economic costs now run into billions of dollars a year. Nearly a quarter of all workers are affected by sleeplessness, according to a 2011 study by Harvard Medical School. And insomnia costs an average of $ 2,280 per worker in reduced productivity every year — a total cost of $ 63.2 billion to the economy, the study says. That equates to 11 working days lost annually for each worker, says Ronald C. Kessler, lead author of the study and McNeil Family Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School.

The prescription drug epidemic

More Americans now die each year from prescription drug overdoses than from cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs.

So why are Americans losing sleep? Since the 2008 recession, more people are lying awake at night worrying about their financial situation and job security, says Nathaniel F. Watson, president of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. (In fact, one-third of Americans lose sleep over the economy, according to one 2009 poll by the National Sleep Foundation.) The rise in U.S. obesity rates is another major factor, Watson says. But others are less certain. “There are lots of pop-psychology theories,” Kessler says. “One thing we do know — it’s pervasive through all sections of society.”

Whatever the causes, consumers are spending billions of dollars to get some shut-eye. The “sleep market” industry is currently worth over $ 32 billion, up from nearly $ 24 billion four years ago, according to John LaRosa, research director at MarketData Enterprises, a market research company in Tampa. Some 70 million Americans suffer from sleeplessness. Desperate for the perfect night’s sleep, they’re buying sleeping pills, premium mattresses, white noise machines, sleeping masks, mobile phone apps and other sleep-related paraphernalia.

But people need help staying awake too, which is compounding the problem. “There’s an enormous amount of self-medication for sleeplessness in America,” Kessler says. “That’s one reason why the sales of supercaffeinated energy drinks are skyrocketing.” Sales of energy drinks in the U.S. grew by around 16% last year to $ 8.9 billion, according to “Beverage Digest,” an industry publication. There are better ways of dealing with insomnia, Kessler says, like cutting down on caffeine and not playing on your smartphone or watching TV in bed late at night.

Diseases/Conditions News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: The eye-opening costs of America’s insomnia
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..

U.S. state, local spending expands for first time in 3 years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – State and local government spending grew at a 0.3 percent annual rate in the third quarter, after 11 straight quarters of contraction, the U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The last time state and local spending expanded was in the third quarter of 2009, at a much more robust rate of 2.2 percent. Then, for nearly three years, spending contracted sharply, with the biggest drop in the first quarter of 2010 at 5.5 percent.

States are pinching pennies, keeping spending growth slow as the economy recovers from the 2007-09 recession and the federal government sends them fewer funds.

“The recent improvement in the national economy has not translated to strong growth in total state expenditures,” said the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) in a report also released on Thursday.

Total state spending likely grew only 0.1 percent in fiscal 2012, the lowest level since the group began tracking state spending in 1987, NASBO said. Most states’ fiscal years end in June, which means that many have already started fiscal 2013.

The 2007-09 recession caused states’ revenues to plunge and, because all states except Vermont must end their fiscal years with balanced budgets, many slashed spending, calling special legislative sessions to make emergency mid-year cuts.

The federal government stepped in to help with the 2009 economic stimulus plan known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which included the largest transfer of federal funds to states in U.S. history.

NASBO said state expenditures grew 3.8 percent in fiscal 2010 and 2.8 percent in fiscal 2011, mostly due to the assistance. By fiscal 2010 federal money made up nearly 35 percent of state spending, compared with 26.3 percent in fiscal 2008.

Now that the burst of stimulus money is over, states must once again shoulder the costs of public programs, even though their revenues are only beginning to return to pre-recession levels. Federal funds likely only represented 31.2 percent of state spending in fiscal 2012 and will continue to shrink, NASBO said.

“State revenues have not increased as fast as ARRA funds have declined, leading to a unique situation in which total state expenditure growth has slowed during the same time that the national economy has been improving,” it reported.

Meanwhile, spending demands continue to grow, particularly for the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor that states operate with partial reimbursement from the federal government.

Over the last three years, the portion of state spending going to Medicaid has risen to 23.9 percent from 22.2 percent. Many states worry that Medicaid will eat up their budgets, and leave fewer dollars for other areas.

Spending on education dipped to 19.8 percent in fiscal 2012, the first time on record that the portion has been less than 20 percent, NASBO said.

(Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Business News Headlines – Yahoo! News

Title Post: U.S. state, local spending expands for first time in 3 years
Rating:
100%

based on 99998 ratings.
5 user reviews.
Author: Fluser SeoLink
Thanks for visiting the blog, If any criticism and suggestions please leave a comment

Read More..