Japan says Fukushima spent-fuel risk contained

By Kevin Krolicki and Kiyoshi Takenaka

FUKUSHIMA, Japan | Sat May 26, 2012 12:58pm EDT

FUKUSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Japanese officials said on Saturday the unprecedented effort to remove spent fuel rods from one of the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactors was on track despite lingering concerns about the structure's vulnerability to another earthquake.

"I don't think the situation is unstable," said Goshi Hosono, Japan's minister in charge of the response to the nuclear crisis. He was speaking to reporters after his first tour of the twisted and partly destroyed building that houses Fukushima's No. 4 reactor.

The visit marked an effort by Japanese officials to show they are addressing international concerns about the risk of a second accident at Fukushima, and a group of reporters were allowed to accompany Hosono on his tour of the plant while clean-up operations were suspended for the day.

Hosono said he expected workers to begin removing fuel from the No.4 reactor's storage pool next year. Work began last month to raise what amounts to a giant tent over the building to keep radioactive dust from scattering during the transport of the fuel rods.

"We want to move as quickly as possible," Hosono said.

Tokyo Electric Power, the utility that operates the Fukushima Daiichi plant, says its analysis shows the No.4 reactor building would hold up in a strong earthquake even after being badly damaged by a hydrogen explosion last March when three nearby reactors suffered meltdowns.

Japanese safety regulators on Friday ordered Tepco to recheck its findings after measurements showed the west wall of the reactor building was buckling out by about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches).

Hosono said the government accepted Tepco's estimate that the No.4 reactor could withstand an earthquake measuring a "strong 6" on the Japanese scale.

The magnitude 9 quake last March that triggered a tsunami and overran Fukushima's back-up power systems was measured at 7 on the Japanese scale north of the plant in Miyagi prefecture.

Some environmental critics charge the No.4 reactor presents a particular risk of a knock-on disaster if a subsequent earthquake were to topple it or puncture its fuel storage pool and allow the 20 meters (65 feet) of water now covering and cooling 1,535 uranium fuel assemblies to drain away.

DECADES

Such an accident, they say, could release far more radiation than the leaks of radioactive water Tepco has battled since improvising a system for cooling reactor cores last year.

Hosono, who was accompanied by aides and bodyguards on his tour of the plant, climbed a narrow and dark staircase built with scaffolding to take workers to the top of the No.4 building where the fuel pool has been covered with a tarp.

Tepco has taken steps to shore up support for the pool, which measures 10 meters by 20 meters across, by adding a cement column underneath.

Officials from the utility demonstrated how they were using water in the pool as a kind of level to confirm the building was not tipping. They also showed a grid of floats holding up the tarp they said could support a person if a worker fell in.

Hosono said his biggest concern was ensuring Japan could secure the labour and talent to finish the decommissioning of the Fukushima reactors over the coming decades.

"This may take 30 or even 40 years to complete and extremely difficult work is still ahead of us," he told Tepco workers.

(Editing by Sophie Hares)

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Cost Plus World Market?s Red, White and Blue in London Sweepstakes

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GRAND PRIZE (1): A trip for winner and one (1) guest to London, England from 7/26/12-7/31/12 to attend select sporting events. Trip consists of coach class air transportation from a major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner?s residence to London, England, six (6) days and five (5) nights standard hotel accommodations (one (1) room, double occupancy), welcome event tickets for winner and guest (exact events, dates, times, and locations to be determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion), three (3) select sporting event tickets for winner and guest (exact events, dates, times, and locations to be determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion), ground transportation to/from the airport in London to the hotel, and a $1,000 World Market Gift Card for winner only. Approximate Retail Value (?ARV?): $35,000.

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The Pros And Cons Of Credit Cards - Business Insider

Lately a lot of consumers have been asking whether they really need to carry a credit card.?

It seems just as easy to get by on cash, and all the identity theft and shady lender practices making headlines aren't reassuring.?

Also, the outcry against big banks and practices like debit card fees and swipe fees?put off consumers who felt taken advantage of.?

We tapped two of our favorite credit experts, Bethy Hardeman of CreditKarma.com and John Ulzheimer of SmartCredit.com, to weigh in on the pros and cons of carrying plastic.?

Do you really need a card? Here's what they had to say:?

Why you need a card?

Travel arrangements. "It's hard to travel with cash all the time," said Ulzheimer. Reserving a room a car rental are tough enough with one and using a debit card instead can be a recipe for theft. There's also a certain kind of relief that comes with knowing you can travel anywhere in the world and still be protected if there's an emergency.?

Protection and security. You'll?get a lot more security with a credit card than you will with cash or a debit card. Once the?cash is gone, it's gone. And debit cards, which are linked to your banking account, can easily help a crook to your wallet if the card is lost or stolen. As Ulzheimer pointed out, with a credit card, all it takes is a simple phone call to prevent further loss and identity theft.?

Financing a home or a car.?It's getting tougher and tougher to take out a mortgage these days, and like it or not, lenders will be checking your credit report. If you haven't got a card, there won't be a credit history to speak of, and you'll have a much harder time proving to lenders you're responsible with money. ?

Why you don't need a card?

Because you think you should have it. "You shouldn't get one just to get one," said Hardeman, who added that "it's worse to get an auto loan just to get an auto loan. Taking out a lot of debt, even if you have the cash to pay out of pocketm isn't a good idea because you'll likely be paying interest on it."?

You're not planning to buy a home (or a car). "It's really up for the individual to decide," Hardeman said. "But if at some point you're going to need these things, the credit card is the best way to do it." ?

You impulse shop. "Clearly,?if you're irresponsible or undisciplined, you can find yourself getting into a lot of debt quickly unless you can write a big fat check," said Ulzheimer, but "there comes a point in your life where you do need the convenience of plastic."?

Now see how we helped two women in desperate need of financial makeovers >?

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Book Reveals a Complete Guide for Gold Investing by Jason ...

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Book Reveals a Complete Guide for Gold Investing by Jason Rutherford

Don Durrett?s How to Invest in Gold and Silver has arrived at the perfect time, because individuals are beginning to realize the importance of gold & silver as a hedge against uncertainty. In a national economy that is plagued by a severe financial crisis, the time has come to look at gold and silver as an investment alternative. Currently, less than 2% of Americans own gold or silver, therefore, help is needed to show people how to navigate this opportunity.

From guiding investors on portfolio management and when not to trade, to educating them on the types of risks they should and shouldn?t take, and How to Invest in Gold Silver is a full-fledged reservoir of relevant advice that seeks to instill confidence in the investor. Don Durrett covers an array of investment categories, including, but not limited to, bullion and coins, Exchange Trade Funds (ETF?s), put and call options, and mining stocks. One undeniable strength of the book is its clear explanations detailing how to invest in each investment category.

Also, this book is especially worthwhile because it is not coming from the perspective of a financial analyst or an industry insider. Instead, Durrett is a real world investor just like the potential audience to which he is catering. He has been investing in gold since 1991 and in silver since 2004. As a testament to his abilities, his objective is to attain a five hundred percent return when he cashes out?for his mining stocks. There is enough information in this book so that you, too, can achieve this goal. Another inside fact he shares as a stock trader, is how to identify relatively low-risk, high-reward gold & silver stocks.

The key, Durrett explains, is not to purchase an assortment of subscription services and newsletters, but to learn ?how? to identify the right stocks; this is essential to successful investing. Although Durrett touches on many different aspects of stock trading, How to Invest in Gold and Silver is primarily geared for beginners and intermediate investors. He states in his introduction that this is the book he would like to have had when he was starting out.

Overall, Durrett?s text is clear and easy to follow. He writes in a style that is easy to understand, and his years of experience as an accomplished author show through. For beginners, How to Invest in Gold and Silver is a real treat from a real-world investor who has been through practical situations, and as such, is an ideal fit for guiding you on your journey to investing in gold & silver.

Don Durrett has created his own unique rating system for valuing stocks. With this rating system you can have a goal of returning 500% long term on your portfolio. Don will teach you this rating system in his book and on his web page. It will take about 1-2 years to master the system if you are new to mining stocks, although you can you use it immediately. With this system you will be better at valuing stocks than most professionals who have been doing this for decades.

Don is currently using this system to identify 10 baggers, and for re-balancing his portfolio. He always knows the upside potential of every stock he owns. From his system, he feels that his analysis is as good or better than any professional. Using his ten step approach, you will feel very confident in your stock selections.?

Find out more: http://www.goldsilverdata.com/book/
Listen to this interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC9ERCR4NSE&feature=player_embedded
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GoldSilverData

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Critter Talk: Finding a vet for your exotic pet | MadMikesAmerica

Some veterinarians thrive on the thrill of being faced with new situations every day ? me, not so much. Don?t get me wrong, I enjoy challenging cases, but I like to feel that I?m entering the fray with some level of competence. I suspect that most owners don?t want their pet to be the first case of its kind that their veterinarians have ever seen. This is a special concern for the owners of non-traditional pets or livestock, basically anything other than dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.

One of the dirty little secrets about veterinary school ? strike that, all professional schools ? is that there simply isn?t time to teach everything you need to know. The schools focus on the most pressing information (e.g., common diseases in common species), and if you have a special interest outside of these areas, it?s up to you to seek out the information and training.

So how can you ensure that you pick out a vet that has at least some familiarity with your species-of-choice?

Veterinary associations dedicated to particular types of animals are good places to start. Examples for exotic pets include The Association of Avian Veterinarians, The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, and The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarian. Each of these associations? websites contains a link to a listing of their member veterinarians that is searchable by location.

If you are looking for a veterinarian who has extensively studied and been tested on their knowledge about a particular type of animal, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) is a good resource. ABVP diplomates are ?veterinarians who have demonstrated expertise in the broad range of clinical subjects relevant to their practice and who display the ability to communicate medical observations and data in an organized, appropriate manner.?

ABVP is accredited to offer board-certification in clinical practice for the following practice categories:

Avian Practice
Equine Practice
Beef Cattle Practice
Feline Practice
Canine/Feline Practice
Exotic Companion Mammal Practice
Food Animal Practice
Dairy Practice
Reptile and Amphibian Practice
Swine Health Management

The ABVP website includes a searchable directory that makes finding an expert near (or relatively near) you easy.

As odd as it may sound, your ?regular? veterinarian is also a great way to find nearby specialists, as are local clubs and societies formed by owners of unusual pets. Most vets are more than happy to refer cases that fall outside of their comfort range, so feel free to ask, ?Do you know of any good sugar glider vets in the area?? If the doctor replies, ?I can take care of that for you,? ask to see his or her credentials and/or references from clients. Anyone who?s put off by such a request doesn?t deserve your business.

Dr. Jennifer Coates writing for PetMD

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Chelsea Beat Bayern Munich: Didier Drogba Is Hero Of Penalty Shootout, Champions League Final (VIDEO)

MUNICH ? You can't keep Didier Drogba down.

The charismatic striker was at the heart of Chelsea's unlikely comeback victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on Saturday night, scoring the tying goal in the 88th minute and the winner on the final penalty kick of the 4-3 shootout.

With two minutes to go and Chelsea down 1-0 to the German team in its home stadium, Drogba soared high from a corner to head home the equalizer and force 30 minutes of extra time, which ended 1-1.

When it was still level after four penalty kicks each, the 34-year-old from Ivory Coast who makes a habit of scoring crucial goals did so again, sliding home the winner and giving Chelsea its first Champions League title.

Chelsea's remarkable Champions League season has played out with the intensity of an opera since losing 3-1 to Napoli in a last 16, first-leg match in February.

The club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich ? whose craving for a Champions League title since 2003 is routinely described as a holy grail ? soon responded by firing coach Andre Villas-Boas and promoting assistant Roberto di Matteo, albeit with just an interim tag.

Di Matteo responded by masterminding a stirring comeback against Napoli, defeat of Benfica and the epic rearguard action to eliminate Barcelona in the semifinals.

"The way we turned things around against Napoli, Barcelona, I think we deserve this trophy," Drogba said. "The last kick of the season and what a way to do it now."

Abramovich now has the fascinating decision of whether to reward Di Matteo by entrusting his billion-dollar investment to the 41-year-old Italian on a permanent basis.

"Football, like life, is unpredictable and crazy," Di Matteo said. "Nobody could have predicted the last three months. To finish like this is incredible. Whatever the future holds for me, I'd be happy."

Abramovich might consider how the interim coach helped protect the club's business plan. Victory Saturday sealed Chelsea's last remaining route, as title holder, into next season's competition and retaining the elite status and finances that follow.

The owner, who clapped and sang along as one of the fans' anthems, "The Liquidator," pounded the Allianz Arena sound system close to midnight, must also decide what contract to offer Drogba after his current deal expires next month.

The final was billed as possibly Drogba's last match for the club after eight years of exceptional service in west London.

"We can't take decisions on moments like this, on emotions," he said.

As against Barcelona, on Saturday Drogba led the attack alone as Chelsea was starved of possession, drew fouls where he could and came alive at the merest hint of a chance to score.

For good measure, he conceded the extra-time penalty which his former Chelsea teammate Arjen Robben then struck too close to Petr Cech, helping the outstanding Czech goalkeeper earn best supporting honors.

"When we have this guy in goal you have to believe," Drogba said.

Cech, who was exceptional in Barcelona, saved Robben's powerful 21st-minute shot, deflecting the ball on to his right post and handled perfectly when any Bayern effort breached the wall of defensive bodies in front of him that has been a trademark of Chelsea's campaign.

"They played the way they can at the moment. They fought, they played well defensively. They deserved it," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said.

When Bayern led 3-2 in the shootout, after Juan Mata's opening kick was saved by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Cech dived to his left to palm away substitute Ivica Olic's attempt.

After Ashley Cole, who also had an excellent match, leveled the shootout, Bayern's star player, Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up.

Schweinsteiger had scored the winning goal in the semifinals shootout against Real Madrid ? extending the club's run of never losing on penalties in European competition ? but pushed his shot on to the left post, then covered his face with his shirt.

Drogba stepped up, placed his kick in the bottom right corner as Neuer dived left, and wheeled away to hug Cech and await the adulation of their onrushing teammates.

He succeeded where his captain John Terry, who was suspended for Saturday's finale, failed in missing the fifth penalty in a shootout four years ago that allowed Manchester United to win an all-English final.

That defeat in Moscow fuelled the legend of Abramovich's craving to win, and his players' desire for redemption in probably their last shot at the trophy.

Chelsea's quest looked hopeless for much of the game, and certainly after Thomas Mueller broke dogged resistance with a header past Cech in the 83rd minute.

Mueller's goal sparked delirious celebrations among the Bayern players and fans who believed they were destined to win their home final.

They underestimated Chelsea's admirable resolve, and five minutes later Drogba soared to score with a header from Mata's corner.

Yet Drogba's taste for the dramatic flared up in the third minute of extra time, as he clipped Franck Ribery's heels in the penalty area, ending the Frenchman's night through injury.

Referee Pedro Proenca's decision to point to the spot seemed to stun the Bayern fans, and their anxiety was well founded.

Robben fired low to Cech's left, and the Czech `keeper blocked with his arm and body, then reached across to collect the loose ball.

Bayern came agonizingly close in the 108th, when substitute Olic slipped the ball across the goalmouth but teammate Daniel van Buyten failed to anticipate the simple tap-in.

But Chelsea would not be denied, as Drogba recalled the Moscow heartbreak, and four other semifinal defeats.

"Always so close and so far, and today the cup is going to Stamford Bridge, and this is the best ever," Drogba said.

___

Lineups:

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Jerome Boateng, Diego Contento, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller (Daniel van Buyten, 87), Franck Ribery (Ivica Olic, 97), Mario Gomez.

Chelsea: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou (Fernando Torres, 84), Juan Mata, Ryan Bertrand (Florent Malouda, 73), Didier Drogba.

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What You Should Know About Raised Garden Beds

Article Directory :: Home & Family Articles

Raised garden beds are simply garden beds that are elevated above the ground upon which they're built. These are typically retained within some type of framework. Hilled garden beds also belong within this category.

Benefits To These Garden Beds

There are a lot of different benefits to having one of these types of garden beds. One of the biggest benefits is that you'll have more of an edge because these gardens offer a long bed in a small section. This is beneficial in that you'll find a lot more favorable environmental conditions there that will enable them to be very productive.

You'll also be able to plant your crops closer together. This is because you don't need to leave room for things like walkways. As such, every square foot of your garden will be more productive. With your plants growing close together there will also be less likelihood of weeds growing since the plants will shade the soil.

One final benefit that shouldn't be overlooked is that the condition of the soil will be better since nobody will be walking on it. This is why these make great no-till gardens. You simply need to keep the soil amended with organic matter so that the natural life therein will work to your benefit. Of course, this is also much better for the soil and ultimately, for your crops as well.

Caring For These Garden Bed

Now that you know what the benefits are to these garden beds, you may want one of your own. Before creating one, you should know a few tips about how to care for it:

? Placing mulch in your garden is another way in which to guard against weeds. This mulch can be made from any organic material as long as they cover the ground.

? Placing an irrigation hose throughout your garden makes watering easier. Soaker hoses are best since they don't waste water. Regardless of the type of hose you use, make sure to put it on a timer so that you know exactly how long your garden is being watered. The best time for watering is early morning or late evening so that the sun doesn't soak up all the water.

? Spraying your plants' leaves with a combination of water and diluted fertilizer early in the morning or late at night is also important. This should be done weekly.

? It is also important to take care of pests before your plants become heavily infested with them. This can be done with either a chemical or an organic means. You can also use companion planting but this will take some research. Herein you'll learn which plants should be placed together in order to keep the pests away.

A Final Word About These Garden Beds

Raised garden beds look great. Your vegetables will also be well cared for if you follow the aforementioned tips. This means that you'll be able to reap all of the great benefits that these garden beds can bring your way.

Jack Russell is retired and likes pottering in his herb and vegetable garden. He is not an expert but likes?raised garden beds which seem beneficial. Jack has found a lot of helpful information at http://www.raisedbedgardens.net ?You can also sign up for a free newsletter and a free copy of an interesting 100 year old book on growing herbs.

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R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition makes your coffee astromech-style, puts brew into 'homebrew' (video)

Has there been a gaping R2-D2-shaped hole in your gadget life ever since the Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition bowed out? The good crew at Instructables knows your plight and has designed the R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition to give your astromech desires an almost literal jolt of energy. The team's do-it-yourself project modifies a BUNN industrial coffee maker -- no slow-drip home unit here -- with a float valve and a generous mix of aluminum, brass, copper and steel welded on top. If you're particularly ambitious, you can even make R2 bleep his delight when you've got a fresh pot lined up. Constructing a Dark Roast Edition requires a good amount of electrical and metalworking savvy, but it might be worth your time while you wait for C-3PO to reach stores.

Continue reading R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition makes your coffee astromech-style, puts brew into 'homebrew' (video)

R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition makes your coffee astromech-style, puts brew into 'homebrew' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Striiv Smart Pedometer Review

Let’s face it, working out is not fun. Those of you that think it is, are just crazy because working out has fried your brain. For us normal (aka lazy) folks, we know the real truth. Working out is never going to be as much fun as sitting on our LazyBoy recliner watching The Game [...]

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Nintendo patent application lends a look at Wii U's core technology, add-ons too

Little did we know that, just two months after we were trying the Wii U for ourselves, Nintendo was busy patenting nearly everything its unique game console would have to offer. A pair of just-published US Patent Office applications filed last August get into the nuts and bolts of how the controller and the legacy Wii remote will play with the new device. It's clear that the patent work had started before Nintendo had redesigned the main system -- the box at the center of the patents looks like the existing Wii -- but it does show the nitty-gritty of things we only saw at last year's Nintendo E3 keynote, such as the gun attachment or playing golf with a combination of the Wii U controller and the traditional Wiimote. Nintendo also gave itself some wiggle room on the controller's screen size: although the LCD is officially 6.2 inches across, the patent allows that it might be "5 inches or larger." We're wondering how much of the overall look and technology will survive through to the finished Wii U design's unveiling at this year's E3. For now, though, you can explore the patents yourself at the links below.

Nintendo patent application lends a look at Wii U's core technology, add-ons too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 00:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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