Icebergs scoured Florida during Ice Age

SAN FRANCISCO?? During the last ice age, icebergs carved trenches in the ocean floor as far south as Miami, according to research presented here Thursday at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

Based on the sea level at the time, some 20,000 years ago, the chunks of floating ice must have reached at least 320 to 650 feet (100 to 200 meters) tall to reach the seafloor, said Jenna Hill, a professor at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. "You had to have had big, huge chunks of ice," Hill told OurAmazingPlanet.

The channels, seen in sonar surveys, run between 30 to 165 feet (10 to 50 m) wide and 6 to 16 feet (2 to 5 m) deep. They are smaller and fewer in number than the hundreds of iceberg scours Hill discovered off the South Carolina coastline in 2006. Hill's latest study found up to 100 marks off northern Florida, and four at the state's southern tip.

The deep grooves are evidence of a cold current running southward along the Florida coastline during the last ice age, sometime since 20,000 years ago, Hill said. Gigantic floods from glacial lakes in the Arctic provide one likely source for the frigid flow. During the last ice age, vast pulses of freshwater ? more than all the water in the Great Lakes combined ? periodically poured into the Atlantic Ocean through the northeastern United States and Canada.

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The iceberg scours suggest that these floodwaters flowed south, rather than pooling in the North Atlantic Ocean. The cold current likely deflected the warm Gulf Stream, altering the climate in North America and Europe, Hill said.

Hill initially discovered the scours while conducting high-resolution sonar surveys for geologic studies of submarine gas blowouts along the East Coast. The long furrows and pits perplexed researchers at first, but the similarity to seafloor features in the modern Arctic and Antarctic soon became apparent.

Hill said additional surveys may reveal more scours in Florida and help pin down their age.

"The more mapping we do, the more we can learn about the seafloor," she said. "We didn't initially set out to find iceberg scours (in 2006)," Hill said. "This opens the door to a lot of new information about past climate patterns and past ocean circulation patterns."

Reach Becky Oskin at boskin@techmedianetwork.com. Follow her on Twitter @beckyoskin. Follow OurAmazingPlanet on Twitter@OAPlanet. We're also onFacebook and Google+.

? 2012 OurAmazingPlanet. All rights reserved. More from OurAmazingPlanet.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50123236/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Health service to cut 3,500 jobs next year under revised Croke Park plan

The Irish Times - Saturday, December 8, 2012

MARTIN WALL, Industry Correspondent, RONAN McGREEVY and MARY MINIHAN

About 3,500 posts in the health service are to go next year, a new Department of Health report has confirmed.

In its new plan for the implementation of the Croke Park agreement, the Department of Health says the Government is expected to set new targets to bring the number of staff in the health service down to 95,500 by the end of 2014.

?This will require a net reduction of at least 3,200 whole-time equivalent posts in 2013,? the report says.

The report warns that this figure does not include positions which were approved and funded but were unfilled at present. If it was decided not to fill them then the overall figure could rise to 3,800. The report was published on the Department?s website.

The health budget faces cuts of almost ?800 million next year as the Government continues to grapple with the public finances. Earlier this month the Department of Health got a supplementary estimate of ?360 million, despite repeated Government promises that no additional funding would be provided to offset its cost overrun.

Unions are expected to express deep concern about the implications of the latest proposed staff cuts on services.

These reductions are in addition to almost 5,000 personnel who left the health service in the run-up to pension changes last February. Health service unions say it has put huge pressure on existing services.

The report says that the challenges facing the health service ?require stakeholders to consider all options and co-operate with voluntary redundancy programmes and other measures to accelerate reductions in staff numbers...?

It is unclear what is meant by ?other measures.?

Career-break scheme?

Some highly placed sources suggested that the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive were also considering a new incentivised career-break scheme aimed at about 700 staff.

In October, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin suggested a new voluntary redundancy scheme could be established for surplus administrative staff in the HSE.

Meanwhile senior Government figures firmly ruled out reversing budgetary measures yesterday, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and T?naiste Eamon Gilmore insisting there could be no row-back.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton indicated there would be no alteration to the ?10 child benefit cut when she met a group of Labour backbenchers who were pressing for change yesterday.

Coalition TDs have returned to their constituencies to face anger about cuts in the respite care grant, the PRSI increase and the property tax. Labour deputies in particular will come under pressure in the D?il next week when the Social Welfare Bill is debated.

Sinn F?in will table a vote of no confidence in the Coalition next week, while Fianna F?il focused on the 20 per cent cut in the respite care grant.

Strong criticism?

The Government has also been strongly criticised by Siptu general secretary Jack O?Connor and Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay. Mr O?Connor wrote to the Taoiseach directly urging him to intervene to bring forward the budget measures curtailing pension tax relief for top earners .

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/1208/1224327656157.html

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Tim Cook: Why I Fired Scott Forstall - Business Insider

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

?

Tim Cook says Scott Forstall and John Browett are no longer at Apple because he wanted to increase the company's collaboration.

Forstall created iOS, the mobile software that runs iPads and iPhones. He was one of the most important people at Apple. Browett was a new hire, running the retail operations.

In an interview with Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Cook explains why they were forced out of the company by saying it was due to "my deep belief that collaboration is essential for innovation."

Cook clarifies a bit more by saying:

You look at what we are great at. There are many things. But the one thing we do, which I think no one else does, is integrate hardware, software, and services in such a way that most consumers begin to not differentiate anymore.

So how do we keep doing that and keep taking it to an even higher level? You have to be an A-plus at collaboration.

He then talks about Jony Ive leading the look of the hardware as well as the look of the software. And Craig Federighi leading the OSX and iOS teams, which need to work seamlessly. And then Bob Mansfield taking over wireless and silicon technologies, which are growing at Apple.

Sounds sort of blah, as an answer, but then answering a question about Jony Ive, Cook reveals something a bit more specific, saying:

But the thing that ties us all is we?re brought together by values. We want to do the right thing. We want to be honest and straightforward. We admit when we?re wrong and have the courage to change.

And there can?t be politics. I despise politics. There is no room for it in a company. My life is going to be way too short to deal with that. No bureaucracy. We want this fast-moving, agile company where there are no politics, no agendas.

Let's break that into pieces.

Forstall reportedly refused to sign an apology for Apple Maps. Cook wants people to admit when they're wrong and have the courage to change. Refusing to sign an apology means you can't admit when you're wrong.

Then there's the "I despise politics" bit. Forstall was also a reportedly political manager, taking credit for other people's work, pushing people aside.

So, add it all up and you get a decent picture about why Forstall was out. He wouldn't collaborate with other people at the company, he was political, and he couldn't admit when he was wrong.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-why-i-fired-scott-forstall-2012-12

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Starbucks tax avoidance has Brits frothing mad

Angry over the negligible corporate taxes that Starbucks and other corporations have paid to Britain despite huge revenues, a protest group is threatening to occupy Starbucks shops on Saturday.

By Ian Evans,?Correspondent / December 7, 2012

Patrons sit in a Starbucks Coffee shop in central London Monday. Protesters, angry about multinational companies like Starbucks that make substantial sales but pay little tax in Britain, are set to occupy Starbucks shops across the country on Saturday to make their unhappiness known.

Andrew Winning/Reuters

Enlarge

As the US considers higher tax rates for the wealthy to deal with a budget crunch, a similar debate is going on across the pond. But in the UK, it's not the individually wealthy who are being eyed: It's those multinational corporations who, despite turning over hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue, routinely pay little to no tax on their local profits.

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Protesters against corporate tax-dodging are set to occupy Starbucks coffee shops across the UK tomorrow, just days after the company and other multinationals like Google and Amazon were heavily criticized by an influential Parliamentary committee.

Starbucks has about 720 shops in the UK that last year generated sales of ?400 million ($640 million). But in 2011 the company didn't pay a dime in UK corporate tax, despite saying in its 2011 annual report that "in particular, our Canada, Japan, UK, and China (business units) account for a significant portion of the net revenue and earnings of our international operations."

In fact, the company only paid corporate tax once in the past 15 years. though Starbucks argues the company paid ?160 million ($256 million) over the last three years in other business and employee-related taxes.

Members of the direct action group UK Uncut said they plan to turn outlets into day cares and women?s shelters to highlight the company?s low tax bill, despite a company pledge yesterday to pay more.

?Until Saturday we won?t know how many shops our supporters will target," Uncut spokesman Tim Street says, "but we?re confident that it will make an impact. We have been campaigning against tax avoidance for the last two years since the Government?s comprehensive spending review. There is widespread public anger against corporate tax dodging which has become systematic and endemic," he says. ?The country is really suffering under the austerity cuts, so to see big companies not paying their fair share adds to people?s anger. There?s no money yet, and hollow promises on press releases don?t fund women?s refuges or child benefits.?

Earlier this week, Parliament's Public Accounts Committee criticized global firms such as Starbucks, Google, and Amazon for paying little to no corporate tax in the UK despite turning over hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue. All deny aggressive tax avoidance.

Committee members said the corporations' practice of being based in lower-taxed countries, thereby preventing their profits from being taxed additionally in the UK, was an "insult" to British business.

Repeating her call to "name and shame" companies, committee chairwoman Margaret Hodge told the BBC that ?the inescapable conclusion is that multinationals are using structures and exploiting current tax legislation to move offshore profits that are clearly generated from economic activity in the UK. HMRC [Her Majesty?s Revenue and Customs, the British government's tax department,] should be challenging this, but its response so far to these big businesses and their aggressive tax planning has lacked determination and looks way too lenient.?

She had previously supported a boycott of Starbucks.

George Osborne, the British chancellor of the exchequer (equivalent to the US secretary of the treasury), responded by giving HMRC an extra ?154 million over the next two years to crack down on tax avoidance.

Starbucks didn't return calls for comment to the Monitor about the protests or the MPs? criticism, but Thursday the company said it would now pay an extra ?20 million ($32 million) over the next two years. In a statement the managing director of Starbucks' British arm, Kris Engskov, said: ?Today, we?re taking action to pay corporation tax in the United Kingdom - above what is currently required by tax law. We know we are not perfect. But we have listened over the past few months and are committed to the UK for the long term. We hope that over time, through our actions and our contribution, you will give us an opportunity to build on your trust and custom.?

Becky Jarvis, campaigns manager at the one-million strong online pressure group 38 Degrees, said companies had underestimated public opinion. ?We have been campaigning on this for the last couple of years, but it seems it?s only now the government has been prepared to listen," she says. ?This is something they need to deal with now especially as the chancellor of exchequer announces a new round of cuts in his autumn statement. We will be looking at answers through research next year by tax experts and we think there are ways round international law.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/gY-4vuDqX0g/Starbucks-tax-avoidance-has-Brits-frothing-mad

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Huge Christmas Sausage Roast - Mouthwatering Vegan Recipes?

The season of goodwill to all men (or should I reword that to say ?all sentient beings that includes some people . . .?) is around the corner, and we haven?t been sleeping in the MWV kitchen.? Far from it ? we?ve been working like beavers round the clock to produce a magnificent menu in readiness for the menu-planning panic that everyone suffers around this time !

So, here?s a sumptuous feast ? a HUGE sausage roast, that combines all the traditional elements, and my take on the famous trimmings ? veggies with an exotic twist, as you might expect.? This will be great for the non-vegan visitors or family members, and can be served with a vegan gravy.? All best wishes and good tidings for a memorable Vegan Xmas Table !!

I serve this with my ?Exotic Xmas Veggies & Trimmings??(http://mouthwateringvegan.com/2012/12/06/exotic-xmas-veggies-trimmings/), and my ?Golden Cheddar?d Potatoes? (http://mouthwateringvegan.com/2012/11/13/golden-cheddar?d-potatoes/)

Serves 4 to 6 portions.

INGREDIENTS

1 large white onion, very finely chopped and set aside

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

the zest of a lemon

2 cups of vegan mince meat (ground meat substitute) ? I use Linda McCartney?s mince

6 vegan sausages ? again, I use Linda McCartney?s Sausages (pre-thaw for 40 minutes or so)*

1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 Tbsp freshly chopped rosemary

? tsp dried sage or 1 tsp fresh sage, finely chopped

? tsp nutmeg

? tsp curry powder

1 Tbsp HP brown sauce (or equivalent brown sauce)

1 Tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

2 slices brown bread ? first process into breadcrumbs

1 cup (8 oz) firm silken tofu

salt to taste

? tsp vegetable granules, or vegetable stock powder

NOTE : Options for vegan sausages and ground meat substitues in the US include :

Lightlife (http://www.lightlife.com/Vegan-Food-Vegetarian-Diet)

Yves Veggie (http://www.yvesveggie.com/products/ground-rounds.php)

FOR SAUSAGE COATING

1 packet (640g) puff pastry ? I used JusRol, pre-thawed and set aside on a plate in the fridge

METHOD

1. First process your onion in the food processor, and transfer into a large mixing bowl.
2. Then process your bread in the processor, and add to the processed onion.
3. Repeat the same step with the sausages, and add to the mix, together with the veggie mince.
4. Next, process your tofu until smooth, before adding to the mix.
5. Add in your herbs and all the remaining ingredients, and, with very clean hands, mash the mix, before forming it into a large ball.
6. Then roll the ball into a large sausage, and, using cling film, wrap the sausage, as you would a Christmas cracker, before then doing the same, this time using foil.
7. Steam the sausage for 15 to 20 minutes in a large saucepan.



8. Now roll out your puff pastry into a large rectangle (approx. 12? x 6?), then place the sausage in the centre lengthways, and roll the pastry around it.
9. Gently place it on a greased baking dish, pour a little oil of your choice around it, together with a few springs of rosemary, cover in foil and bake in the oven on a low 300?F (150?C) heat for 35 minutes.
10. Now uncover, and bake until nice and golden.
11. Remove from the oven, and serve with my Exotic Xmas Veggies & Trimming, and my ?Golden Cheddar?d Potatoes?.? Enjoy !!

GRAVY

Either make up a brown Bisto sauce to put on the cut sausage (use bisto, brown sugar, ? tsp veg granules), or else a tiny bit of Marmite (yeast extract), cornstarch (cornflour), oil and water.

(Try Road?s End Organics in the US http://www.edwardandsons.com/reo_shop_gravy.itml, or Gravox in Australia http://www.gravox.com.au/)

All recipes and content ? Miriam Sorrell mouthwateringvegan.com 2010

These are free recipes for your pleasure ? all we ask in return is that you take a few moments to leave us a constructive comment !

suitable for vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike

Source: http://mouthwateringvegan.com/2012/12/06/huge-christmas-sausage-roast/

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Rand Paul blasts House GOP for 'purge'

(TalkingPointMemo) Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) criticized House Republican leadership on Thursday for ?purging? conservatives from various committee posts earlier this week.

?We had a couple of congressmen who stood up and said you know what the Paul Ryan budget doesn?t balance for 28 years, and so for voting against the Republican establishment they were purged,? Paul said on the Peter Schiff radio show.

Source: http://www.wnd.com/2012/12/rand-paul-blasts-house-gop-for-purge/

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