'Kick Ass' Writer to Jim Carrey -- Relax, It's Just a Movie | TMZ.com

'Kick Ass' Writer
Jim Carrey Needs to Relax
It's Just a Movie

Breaking News

"Kick Ass 2" star Jim Carrey is confusing real-life violence with make-believe violence ... so says the film's writer, who's now firing back against Carrey for criticizing the movie's blood and guts.

As we reported, Carrey has officially withdrawn his support for the movie, claiming he can't advocate such a relentlessly violent film in the wake of the Sandy Hook Massacre.

But "Kick Ass 2" writer Mark Millar says Carrey's criticism is misplaced, writing, "Like Jim, I'm horrified by real-life violence (even though I'm Scottish), but Kick-Ass 2 isn't a documentary. No actors were harmed in the making of this production! This is fiction."

He posted the statement on his website, and hammered home his message to Jim by pointing out "Superman just snapped a guy's f***ing neck."

But still ... no hard feelings between Millar and Carrey -- the writer says, "Jim, I love ya and I hope you reconsider."

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Source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/06/24/kick-ass-writer-mark-millar-jim-carrey-violence/

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Wall Street to rebound on HP results after two-day drop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday, indicating the S&P 500 would rebound after two days of losses, boosted by better-than-expected earnings from Hewlett-Packard and positive economic data from Europe.

The S&P 500 <.spx> has dropped 1.9 percent over the past two sessions, its worst two-day drop since early November, putting the benchmark index on pace for its first weekly decline of the year. The retreat was triggered by minutes from the Federal Reserve's January meeting released earlier in the week which suggested stimulus measures may end earlier than thought.

Still, the index is up more than 5 percent for the year and has held the 1,500 support level.

"When you get a move like that, you are bound to see a pause and the Fed minutes is a good enough reason to at least reassess," said Michael Marrale, head of research, sales and trading at ITG in New York.

"But if, in fact, things do heat up a bit (in the economy), ultimately we are going to see rates go higher and ultimately, that will take money out of bonds and into equities, which is a major backstop for equities."

Hewlett-Packard Co climbed 5.1 percent to $17.97 in premarket trading after the top PC maker's quarterly revenue and forecasts beat analysts' expectations as it continued to cut costs under CEO Meg Whitman's turnaround plan.

The German Ifo business climate indicator for February surged to 107.4, its best one-month rise in more than two years, boosting optimism after Thursday's disappointing PMI data stoked concerns over the euro zone economy.

S&P 500 futures rose 8.2 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures gained 73 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures added 14.75 points.

Abercrombie & Fitch dipped 1 percent to $48.60 in premarket trading after the clothing retailer reported a drop in fourth-quarter comparable sales, even as the latest quarterly earnings topped estimates.

Insurer American International Group Inc posted fourth-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations. Shares advanced 4.4 percent to $38.91 in premarket trading.

Marvell Technology Group Ltd rose 5.8 percent to $10.02 in premarket trading after the chipmaker forecast results this quarter that were largely above analysts' expectations as it gained market share in the hard-disk drive and flash-storage businesses.

Darden Restaurants edged up 0.3 percent to $44.89 in premarket trading after the restaurant operator issued its third-quarter and 2013 outlook.

According to Thomson Reuters data through Thursday morning, of 427 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported results, 69.3 percent have exceeded analysts' expectations, compared with a 62 percent average since 1994 and 65 percent over the past four quarters.

Fourth-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies are estimated to have risen 5.9 percent, according to the data, above a 1.9 percent forecast at the start of the earnings season.

(Editing by Bernadette Baum)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-signal-rebound-102448148--finance.html

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Global Energy Blog Asia, Fraud Watch Energy

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/9608 Global Energy Blog Asia, Fraud Watch Enery Globally, only two reports are published on an annual basis wherein the world?s energy situation is fully scrutinized. These have a huge impact because in many government and company decision boardrooms ? at least in Western Europe - everything which is written inside the two reports are seen as the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We are talking about the International Energy Outlook of the United States Energy Information Administration, and the World Energy Outlook of the International Energy Agency funded by the OECD. A number of years ago China decided it needs its own version of the truth. To develop an expertise in generating models which encompass energy-economy-environment to understand how energy policy affects the future of China. It was decided at the highest levels to create 1) a short term outlook to 2015 which has just been published, and 2) A long term outlook to 2050 which will be published next year. They both encompass the Chinese and World energy situation. However, as usual the communication/language barrier - Mandarin is difficult to read for Westerners - makes this unbeknownst in the western world. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend the first presentation in the western world of the new China Energy Outlook, on 16 October at the Grantham Institute in London, delivered by Professor Han Wenke and Dr. Yang Yufeng. Both work for the Chinese Energy Research Institute, which is a part of the National Development Reform Commission of China, the government body in charge of macroeconomic planning. Global Energy Blog Asia, Fraud Watch Enery Read more: http://jaabrwoning.wordpress.com/tag/alternative-energy-asia-global-india/ http://www.asiaglobalenergy.com/mwp.html

Source: http://www.greenoptions.com/t/4933/global-energy-blog-asia-fraud-watch-energy

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Penelope Disick Rocks a Baby Balenciaga ? Thanks to Aunt Kim

Kim Kardashian shares an adorable photo of her niece and a mini Balenciaga bag on Instagram.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/b2DPSMcykjY/

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Hi Everyone. We will be getting started with our Live Facebook Chat in just a f...

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/philadelphiazoo/posts/10151307648777934

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Armor Coach: Nets wanted to look at Kris Joseph

It was perhaps the most dramatic victory of the season for the Armor. Willie Reed tipped in a missed jumper by former Celtic Kris Joseph to beat the Idaho Stampede,107-105, in Boise on Wednesday night.

"That was my first game-winner ever, so I?m really going to cherish that," said the 6'10" Reed, who finished with 13 points while going 6-for-6 from the field and pulling down six rebounds.

The game marked the Armor debut for Joseph, who played six games for the Celtics earlier this season. After being cut by Boston, he joined their D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Last week, the Armor traded their center, James Mays, for Joseph. The Syracuse product finished with 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.

"He?s a wing-scorer, and a guy who can score on the NBA level," Armor coach Bob MacKinnon said of Joseph. "We gave up an All-Star ? but (Joseph) is someone the Nets wanted to look at." The Nets don't own Joseph's NBA rights but he is learning the Nets system in Springfield.

The Nets have an open roster spot and depending on other moves could have additional spots by day's end. In addition to Reed and Joseph, the Armor roster includes former Nets Ben Uzoh and Dennis Horner as well as training camp invite Carleton Scott. The best player in the D-League, according to many scouting reports, is former Piston DaJuan Summers of the Red Claws.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Source: http://www.netsdaily.com/2013/2/21/4013018/armor-coach-nets-wanted-to-look-at-kris-joseph

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Sony: PSN games won't transfer to the PS4, nor will your game saves

It's the morning after the night before, and Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has just confirmed to us that current-generation PSN titles won't transfer across to the PlayStation 4. The company admitted last night that PS3 games wouldn't be compatible with the latest console, but has added that it will try to make titles playable "in some form." Because the architecture of the Power-PC-based PS3 and x86-based PlayStation 4 are so different, Sony will only bring across games that don't guzzle the latest console's power in emulation. The executive also said that the company aims to offer server-side and cloud services to offer a wider library of older games, but said that's one for the "longer term."

Ben Gilbert contributed to this report.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/21/sony-psn-games-wont-transfer-to-ps4/

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Cape Town hotel on world&#39;s best list | Liteforex SA (South Africa)

The Cape Grace hotel at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront has been named the second best in the world in TripAdvisor's 2013 Travelers' Choice Awards. It was also recognised as the best luxury hotel in Africa and sixth on the continent for service.

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site and their Travelers' Choice awards are based on millions of reviews posted by reader through the course of the previous year.

"We are delighted to be included among the world's finest and take great pride in the recognition bestowed on us by our guests," the hotel's global sales manager, Jen? Barnes, said in a statement last week.

"This award acknowledges each and every staff member's contribution and effort to raise the bar and provide the ultimate luxury hotel experience."

The Cape Grace came second only to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at the Historic Ka'upulehu in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, and the recognition is just one more for the hotel to add to its growing list of awards, including best hotel in Africa 2011 by Travel & Leisure and best for food in Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean by Cond? Nast Traveller UK in 2011.

The Traveler's Choice Awards are now in their 11th year and strive to recognise and reward the best hotels, bed and breakfasts and inns in categories such as luxury, service and value-for-money.

Over 650 000 hotels in 82 countries are reviewed and compared to find the top 25 around the world.

"TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the finest accommodations based on the feedback from those who really matter: their guests," said TripAdvisor's chief marketing officer, Barbara Messing.

"It is the insights from millions of travelers that make these awards so special, as they help others discover the hotels travelers love most, whatever the budget, in all corners of the world."

SAinfo reporter

Source: http://www.liteforexsa.com/2013/01/21/cape-town-hotel-on-worlds-best-list/

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Beyond debate, Pennsylvania's in play

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/beyond-debate-pennsylvanias-play-211555800.html

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Employers Misclassify Workers to Avoid Workers&#39; Compensation ...

Some employers refuse to play by the rules. What is one way in which employers break the rules and harm our workers? compensation system? Corrupt employers misclassify workers. That is, they incorrectly label employees as independent contractors or outside consultants to avoid important laws related to safety and benefits. This is a disturbing trend which I have previously discussed.

The following is a quote from Leonard Jernigan published on Jon Gelman?s workers? compensation blog that sums up the problem misclassification causes in our workers? compensation system. Both of these attorneys are considered experts in the field of workers? compensation benefits:

When workers are misclassified, insurance companies do not consider them employees. The injured workers are then denied workers? compensation benefits. Additionally, the insurance companies are not paid insurance premiums and are not adequately reserved for the risk of injury by those workers.

When employees are misclassified, everyone suffers. The worker will most likely have his claim for benefits denied. That worker may be able to win his claim but the resulting litigation could prove costly to everyone. Additionally, other employers who followed the law lose because they shoulder the costs of the system. Over the years, I?ve litigated many claims where the employer tried to avoid paying for workers? compensation insurance by misclassifying its employees. Ultimately, we are often able to get these injured workers the benefits to which they were entitled. Unfortunately, the bad acts of these few employers resulted in a lot of pain and expense getting there.

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Source: http://www.alabamainjuredworker.com/cases-claims/corrupt-employers-misclassify-workers-to-avoid-paying-workers-compensation/

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Mars rover finds surprising rock, nuzzles it and shoots it with lasers

The rock is not like other?rocks?seen on?Mars. It has more sodium and potassium.

By The Associated Press / October 12, 2012

This NASA image from Mars Curiosity's Mast Camera taken on September 22 and released October 11 shows where NASA's Mars Curiosity rover aimed two different instruments to study a rock known as 'Jake Matijevic.'

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Reuters

Enlarge

The first?rock?nuzzled by NASA's?Mars?Curiosity rover is turning out to be a bit more unusual than scientists thought it would be.

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Curiosity used its robot arm to touch at a football-sized pyramid-shaped?rock?for the first time two weeks ago. It also shot the?rock?dozens of times with a laser.

The results surprised scientists. They said Thursday that it is not like other?rocks?seen on?Mars. It has more sodium and potassium.

Scientist Edward Stolper said the?rock?is more like rare volcanic?rocks?seen on Earth in places like Hawaii. Those?rocks?are formed under high pressure, deep underground and once contained water.

Scientists don't know how old the Martian?rock?is.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/0RVq_SRASA4/Mars-rover-finds-surprising-rock-nuzzles-it-and-shoots-it-with-lasers

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Jim Carrey in Talks For Heist Comedy "Loomis Fargo"

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Mysixpackquest of Day30 | Bodybuilding, Supplements, Diets ...

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This is day 30 of my quest for a six pack. Did you enjoy the ?Day30 Mysixpackquest? video? For the web?s best Six Pack ABS Workout & Excercise Videos.

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Source: http://stek.org/videos/mysixpackquest-of-day30/

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Facebook photo of cop results in felony charge

15 hrs.

Ben Weitzenkorn , TechNewsDaily

A Texas?woman has been arrested and charged with a felony for posting a publicly available photo of an undercover police officer to her Facebook profile.

Melissa Walthall, according to reports, retaliated against the officer for his testimony in a drug case against her friend George Pickens.

But it wasn't Walthall who set the officer's unveiling in motion. Instead, Pickens found the photo and his brother, Bobby Stedham, according to a federal affidavit, made garage sale-style signs that identified the officer, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Stedham was also charged with retaliation.

It was a photo of one of those signs that Walthall posted, leading to her felony charge.

According to the affidavit, law enforcement learned of the Facebook post when a woman tipped off the Mesquite police Sunday. The affidavit described the act as a ?viable threat to that officer?s safety.?

The felony retaliation charge, however, may be baseless. According to the Texas Penal Code, retaliation occurs when "a person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly harms or threatens to harm another by an unlawful act."

If the photo was publicly viewable on the Internet, it may be difficult to prove that Walthall or Stedham broke any laws beyond copyright infringement ? a civil offense ? and that may even be a stretch, Pixiq pointed out.

Follow Ben on Twitter @benkwx.

Copyright 2012 TechNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/facebook-post-undercover-cops-photo-gets-woman-charged-felony-1C6477731

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Healthcare Advocacy: SLW Automotive Cares

Caring about others while reaching out to promote healthcare was one of the lessons keynote speaker Earvin ?Magic? Johnson emphasized during his address at the October 8th ?2012 Champions of Health Gala? in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The former NBA great and current successful entrepreneur raised an additional $60K at the event, by requesting donations and matching them with funds from the ?Magic Johnson Foundation.? The event was held at the picturesque National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and over 400 Oklahomans attended from across the state?including SLW?s Human Resources Director, Dr. Fran Johnson. She was the guest of Mamie Robinette, SLW?s representative from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

The funds raised during and before the event will help support statewide and local community health providers, to strengthen the health of Oklahomans. ?Sponsorships of the Champions of Health Gala benefit the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, a grass-roots organization dedicated to providing Oklahoma?s underserved children access to preventive health services. Because the outpouring of support is the most strategic way to help, many Oklahoma business partners link with state governmental officials to provide additional funding that enhances direct healthcare delivery services. SLW Automotive will be considered for the ?Corporate Health Champion-Large Business? award for 2013.

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Source: http://www.slwautomotive.com/news/?p=366

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The Forces Behind Iran&#39;s Currency Crisis

In September and early October of 2012 the Iranian currency, rial, was in a state of free fall relative to the value of major world currencies and gold.? The government of Iran, as well as the Central of Bank of Iran (Bank Markazi), appeared to be helpless in stopping the nosedive.

The adversaries of Iran, particularly Israel and the US, were jubilant and attributed the currency crisis to the success of ?crippling,? ?paralyzing? or ?lethal sanctions,? to use various descriptions of these sanctions by US-Israeli officials.? On September 30, 2012, Reuters quoted Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz as saying: ?The sanctions on Iran in the past year jumped a level? and Iran?s economy ?is not collapsing, but it is on the verge of collapse.? ?The Iranians,? he went on to say, ?are in great economic difficulties as a result of the sanctions.? Similarly, in a daily press briefing on October 1, 2012, US Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland had the following exchange with a reporter:

QUESTION: Iran. The Iranian currency has lost about a quarter of its value in the last week alone. Is the Department pleased to see this? It seems to reflect the efficacy of the sanctions against Iran. Are you dismayed by it, or what is your view?

MS. NULAND: You?d like an adjective of choice?

QUESTION: I?d like a verb, really.

MS. NULAND: You?d like a verb, yeah. Well ?

QUESTION: Delighted?

MS. NULAND: ? simply to confirm what you are seeing, Arshad, our understanding is that the Iranian currency has dropped to a historic low today against the dollar in informal currency trading. This despite some frantic efforts by the Iranian Government last week to try to prop it up, rearrange the way it dealt with these issues. From our perspective, this speaks to the unrelenting and increasingly successful international pressure that we are all bringing to bear on the Iranian economy. It?s under incredible strain. Iran is increasingly cut off from the global financial system. Significant amounts of Iranian oil is also coming off the market. As you said, the currency is plummeting. And firms all over the world are refusing to do business with Iranian companies.

The jubilation and boastfulness about the success of sanctions were more subdued when the question was put differently to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton a few days later. In a press conference Clinton was asked about the efficacy of ?hurting? the Iranian people by means of sanctions. She answered:

I think the Iranian Government deserves responsibility for what is going on inside Iran. And that is who should be held accountable. And I think that they have made their own government decisions, having nothing to do with the sanctions that have had an impact on the economic conditions inside the country. And of course, the sanctions have had an impact as well, but those could be remedied in short order if the Iranian Government were willing to work with the P-5+1 and the rest of the international community in a sincere manner.

What the Secretary was apparently trying to say was that the currency crisis was more due to the Iranian government?s economic mismanagement rather than sanctions levied against Iran.? If that is what she meant, she was not alone in her analysis.

There have been, indeed, various explanations as to what caused the recent economic crisis in Iran, particularly the free fall in rial. But, for the most part the explanations seem to concentrate on the effect of draconian sanctions imposed on Iran by Israel?s allies, the US and EU, as well as the ineptness of the Iranian government, led by President Ahmadinejad, in dealing with the sanctions. Which one is more to blame would depend on the political perspective of the analyst. The opponents of Ahmadinejad put the blame largely on him. For example, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani, a political rival of Ahmadinejad, told the Fars New Agency on October 3, 2012, that 80% of the problem in Iran is due to mismanagement and 20% due to sanctions. Similarly, an opinion survey of some Iranian economists by the Iranian Labor News Agency on October 2, 2012, showed that they mostly blame the Iranian government for the ?currency tsunami.?? These economists criticized the government for such things as disdain for the economic profession, doing away with the Management and Planning Organization of Iran, shrugging off the effects of sanctions, lacking any concrete plan to deal with sanctions, showing little transparency in financial matters, rent seeking, giving out cash subsidies after the removal of some price control, and arcane and arbitrary ideas of Ahmadinejad that interfere with the work of the Central Bank. Some even criticized Bank Markazi?s own inability and confusion as to how to deal with the economic woes of Iran.

In fact, the latest policies of the Central Bank, as well as the Ministry of Finance, have raised the ire of many Iranians. Faced with the falling value of rial and rising inflation, the Central Bank has followed a complicated set of exchange rates: a fixed rate of 12,260 rial per dollar for imports of some essential items, a free or floating market rate for non-essential items, and a rate 2% less than the free market rate for items in between. Moreover, on September 23, 2012, the Central Bank created a ?currency exchange center? that would offer dollars at the market rate minus 2%. Yet, the creation of this center failed to calm the market and the Central Bank was accused of not providing enough currencies to the center. Indeed, the measure came too late to have any calming effect.

The Iranian rial has faced troubles a number of times in the past two years. The first major currency crisis appeared in September of 2010, when in two days the Iranian currency gyrated from 10,850 to 13,000 rials per dollar and then back to 12,200 rials per dollar. The devaluation was actually bigger on a weekly basis. A week earlier rial had traded at the rate of 10,500 per dollar (Financial Times, September 29, 2010). As most financial reports pointed out, the same devaluation of rial had taken place relative to the value of other currencies and gold.

The next crisis in rial occurred in September of 2011, when the Iranian currency fell to 13,000 rials per dollar. As the result of intervention by Bank Markazi, in October of 2011 the Iranian currency gained some of its value and reached a high of 10,750 rials per dollar. But in December of 2011, once again, the currency nosedived, reaching 15,150 rials per dollar on the street (The New York Times, December 20, 2011). One day later, the Iranian currency was trading at 15,800 rials per dollar (AFP, December 21, 2011).

By January 1, 2012, rial was trading at 16,000 per dollar, and the day after at 17,800 (khabaronline.ir). The Central Bank of Iran intervened by providing liquidity in the form of foreign currencies, and on January 3, 2011, the rial rose to 16,200 per dollar.? But by January 10, 2012, the rial had once again fallen to the level of 17,200 per dollar (khabaronline.ir). On January 16, 2012, according to AP, Iran?s Central Bank deputy governor stated that ?trading foreign currency outside of banks and licensed currency exchange operations was now banned.? The announcement did not do much to calm the market. On January 18, 2012, AFP reported that the Iranian currency was trading at 18,000 rials per dollar. The report also stated that Iran?s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini and Central Bank chief Mahmoud Bahmani were summoned before the Iranian parliament to explain the situation, and they ?promised to bring the exchange rate under control.? In addition, the report stated that the price of gold coins in Iran had risen 16 percent in one week. On January 22, 2012, ISNA reported that the Iranian currency had fallen to 20,000 rials per dollar, and the following day The Christian Science Monitor reported that the ?rial reached an all-time low today at 21,000 rials to the dollar.? Two days later, on January 24, 2012, Saham News was reporting that a dollar on Tehran?s street was selling for 23,000 rials. The Iranian currency was in a state of free fall.

On January 25, 2012, Reuters reported that ?Ahmadinejad has agreed with the approval of the Money and Credit Council to increase interest rates on bank deposits to up to 21 percent.? Central Bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani was quoted as saying: ?Travelers, university students and patients will be supplied at an appropriate rate. . . The government will not give foreign currency for storage.? One day later, on January 26, 2012, Mehr News Agency reported that the Central Bank of Iran has set the official rate of exchange at 12,260 rials per dollar and would allow the currency traders to exchange dollar for 3-5 % more than the official rate. However, the report went on to say, those who sell at a higher rate than allowed by the Central Bank might lose their licenses. On the same day, an Iranian currency dealer, Mesghal, was offering dollar at the rate of 17,000 rials. Over the next few days the dollar steadily rose in the free market and passed 18,000 rials. It finally settled at the offer price of 18,980 rials in the market, while the official rate continued to be 12,260 rials.

Following its lows in January of 2012, the Iranian currency slowly rebounded. On May 13, 2012, the offer price of the dollar in the currency market stood at 15,750 rials (Mesghal Online).? But in July and August of 2012 another free fall in the value of rial started. By early July the offer price of a dollar in the currency market stood above 19,600 rials and by early August it went over 21,000. Bank Markazi, which still tried to maintain the value of currency at the official rate of 12,260 rials per dollar, appeared to be powerless in dealing with the currency crisis. Indeed, the entire government of Iran seemed to be unprepared to deal with the effect of accumulating sanctions, particularly the EU sanctions that became officially effective on July 1, 2012. AP reported that according to Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, authorities in Iran had already stockpiled imported goods and hard currency to help cushion the blow to the economy. Similarly, the same AP report quoted Iran?s Central Bank Governor Bahmani as saying: ?We have not remained passive. To confront the sanctions, we have plans in progress.? However, the subsequent economic difficulties did not support the existence of any meaningful contingency plan. Indeed, the July 7, 2012 meeting of heads of three branches of the Iranian government to draw up policies to combat sanctions, which was reported by Mehr News Agency, indicated a lack of any serious plan to deal with the draconian sanctions. Some at the highest level of the Iranian government even tried to downplay the seriousness of the sanctions. For example, on July 7, 2012, Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted by AFP as saying: ?Westerners are making much hype about sanctions against Iran but they don?t understand that they have vaccinated the Iranian people themselves by imposing sanctions over the past 30 years. . . [Iran] has resisted all sanctions and is now 100 times stronger than 30 years ago.?

By the end of August 2012 the offer price of the dollar stood at 21,930 rials, while the Central Bank Governor Bahmani was promising lower rates soon (ILNA, August 29, 2012). Then a free fall in the value of rial started. By the end of September the price of dollar was in zones never seen before, 30,500 rial per dollar (ILNA, September 30, 2012). Frantic meetings of government officials, the Central Bank?s complicated scheme of three rates of exchange, creation of the currency exchange center, and repeated promises that the relief is on the way, did not stop the free fall. On October 2, 2012, Mesghal Online posted its offer price per dollar: 35,500 rials.? Then the website stopped posting the price of dollar in rial. On the same day ILNA reported even a higher price for the dollar: 36,200 rials per dollar! Cleary rial was now in a state of free fall. There were protests in the streets of Tehran and, in particular, in the bazar. Arrests were made and a few individuals were charged with creating market disturbances. Trading stopped on October 4 and then resumed on October 6, with the price of the dollar falling to 28,500 rials.

The September-October 2012 currency crisis in Iran is therefore not new.? Such crises have been coming in waves. But each time a new lower value for rial is established. Like many economic crisis elsewhere, past or present, it is difficult to say what is causing these waves. Usually, a massive economic crisis appears to be multifaceted, the result of a perfect storm. The repeated currency crises in Iran seem to be no exception.? A number of problems that have led to the creation of the recent crisis were mentioned in the survey of Iranian economists referred to above. Among these, however, two problems stand out: the accumulation of ruthless sanctions imposed on Iran and the ineptness of the government and the Central Bank of Iran to plan for, and deal with, the effects of these sanctions.

The sanctions imposed on Iran by the US and EU, mostly as a result of pressure from Israel, are adversely affecting the Iranian economy. This is, indeed, what the ?crippling,? ?paralyzing,? or ?lethal sanctions? are supposed to do: destabilize the economy, inflict pain on the population, bring about panic and riots, overthrow the government of Iran, and install a US-Israel friendly government. That is why people such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continuously threaten Iran with military actions. The threats are intended mostly to bring about harsher and harsher sanctions. They are also intended to create fear and uncertainty in the financial and productive sectors of the Iranian economy.

The Iranian government and the Central Bank of Iran have shown to be mostly inept in dealing with the effect of these sanctions. As some Iranian officials have at times admitted, the US-EU sanctions are tantamount to declaring an economic war on Iran. Iran, therefore, faces a war economy and the resulting inflationary pressure. Yet, for the most part, many Iranian officials at the highest level of power refuse to admit this. Some continue to boast about the ineffectiveness of the sanctions. Others, particularly Iranian military officials, add to the fear, uncertainty and speculative bubbles by repeatedly talking about an impending military attack on Iran by Israel, US, or both, and how Iran can withstand such an attack and even retaliate. Such utterances actually play into the hands of Israel and its US-EU allies.

Ruthless sanctions and threats of war are creating financial instability in Iran, and this could easily escalate into a massive and uncontrollable economic crisis followed by social unrest. Unless these sanctions are taken seriously by the Iranian government and drastic actions are taken to calm the market, Iran?s adversaries could accomplish what they set out to achieve.

Sasan Fayazmanesh is Professor Emeritus of Economics at California State University, Fresno. He can be reached at: sasan.fayazmanesh@gmail.com

Source

Source: http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=58133

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Food & Drink | Unemployed Irish blokes turning to chocolate

We often associate chocolaty comfort eating with women but new data suggests that men are turning to chocolate, especially if they're out of work.

Have you noticed yourself reaching out for a second chocolate bar while standing at the counter of your local corner shop? If so, you?re not alone. That?s because there has been a 10.5 per cent rise in the number of men buying chocolate over the past year, compared to just a 4.5 per cent rise for women according to Kantar Worldpanel data.

So what has us dying for an extra Yorkie or a Kit-Kat Chunky? Well, Dr Siri Harrison of the City Psychology Group said, ?We may be seeing a shift in the trend.

?Traditional male jobs are being lost, unemployment rates are soaring and those that remain employed fear redundancy. These issues are placing pressure on men and they may seek comfort through the age-old tradition of self-medicating with sugar.?

With the country in the state its in you can?t blame a guy for wanting a little sugar rush from time to time, can you? It has got us thinking though, what is the favourite chocolate bar of the Irish man? And what chocolate bar would you bring back from the dead if you could? Let us know below.

Source: http://www.joe.ie/joe-life/food-drink/unemployed-irish-blokes-turning-to-chocolate-0029165-1

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In looking to 'NOW!,' Marvel's changes no reboot

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? It's not a reboot or relaunch.

Instead, Marvel Comics' new "NOW" initiative aims to recharge the publisher's heroes and villains, the publisher's editor-in-chief Axel Alonso said of the new effort that starts this week.

"This ain't a reboot, we're simply hitting the refresh button. 'Marvel NOW!' simply offers a line-wide entry-point into the Marvel Universe that you're already reading about," he said of the endeavor, which starts Wednesday with the release of "Uncanny Avengers" No. 1 in comic shops worldwide.

"All of the stories take place in the aftermath of 'Avengers Vs. X-Men.' New creative teams ? each of which are deeply invested in their titles ? will take your favorite titles in bold new directions," Alonso said of the calamitous events of the best-selling and just-concluded mini-series that saw the return of the fabled Phoenix force and the death of some key characters, notably Charles Xavier.

The move, announced earlier this year, drew some initial comparisons to rival DC Entertainment's relaunch of its entire line of comics a year ago, one that has helped boost its sales and market presence. The most recent figures for sales showed that in September while Marvel had the top-selling comic book, DC had spots two through 10.

Tom Brevoort, senior vice president for publishing at Marvel, said the new "NOW!" series aren't about relaunching characters with new origins or back stories but about shaking up the characters with new writers and artists.

"Think of it as a game of musical chairs, wherein the best creators in comics all move to a new 'seat' in the form of a new title and character," he said, noting that those names include Brian Michael Bendis, Steve Epting, Jonathan Hickman, Geoff Darrow, Matt Fraction and Leinil Francis Yu, among others.

"For as good as our recent runs have been, there was beginning to build a sense of complacency among the readership ? like they know exactly what to expect from a Captain America or an X-Men or an Avengers, whether they liked it or not, because the same creators had been shepherding those properties for so many years," Brevoort said.

"By making this kind of a creative switch, we create energy and excitement across virtually the entirety of our publishing line all at once."

The new titles will include series featuring Iron Man, the now-named "Indestructible Hulk," Deadpool and the "All-New X-Men," among them.

Alonso said that long-time readers won't find their favorite characters radically altered in mind or matter.

"Nope. It's the same Universe that readers have been invested in for years," he said. "The only change is some subtle tweaks to some costumes."

___

Follow Matt Moore at www.twitter.com/mattmooreap

___

Marvel Entertainment is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/looking-now-marvels-changes-no-reboot-062939103.html

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Gov't to warn motorists about counterfeit air bags

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Obama administration is preparing to warn car owners whose air bags have been replaced in the past three years that dangerous counterfeit bags may have been installed, according to auto industry officials who have been briefed by the government.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alerted the industry in a series of telephone briefings Tuesday that tens of thousands of car owners may be driving vehicles with counterfeit air bags, industry officials said. NHTSA testing has shown some of the counterfeit bags don't inflate or fail to inflate properly, they said. In at least one case, a counterfeit bag fired shards of plastic and other projectiles on impact, they said.

The officials requested that their names not be used because NHTSA had asked them not to speak publicly about the problem until after an announcement scheduled for Wednesday.

NHTSA will ask car owners to check a government website, Safercar.gov, or call their manufacturer or local dealership to learn if their vehicle model is among those for which counterfeit air bags have been made, officials said.

No deaths or injuries have been tied to the counterfeit bags, but it's unclear whether police accident investigators would be able to identify a counterfeit bag from a genuine one, officials said.

The agency has compiled a draft list of dozens of vehicle makes and models for which counterfeit air bags may be available. NHTSA cautions at the top of the draft that the agency "expects this list to evolve over time."

If the car is on the list and has had its air bags replaced during the past three years by a repair shop other than a new car dealership owners will be asked to bring the vehicle into a dealership to determine whether the replaced air bags are counterfeit. Fees for checking out air bags could run $100 or more, industry officials said. Some types of cars have as many as eight air bags.

The counterfeit bags typically have been made to look like air bags made by automakers and usually include a manufacturer's logo. Government investigators believe many of the bags come from China, an industry official said.

The bags are marketed to auto body shops as the real deal, officials said. Auto dealerships that operate their own body shops are usually required by their franchise agreements to buy their parts, including air bags, directly from automakers and therefore are unlikely to have installed counterfeit bags, officials said.

But only 37 percent of auto dealers have their own body shops, according to information on the National Association of Automobile Dealers' website. Many consumers whose vehicles have been damaged are referred by their insurance companies to auto body shops that aren't affiliated with an automaker.

Consumers who bought replacement air bags online will also be urged to check NHTSA's list.

A wide variety of counterfeit auto parts has long been a well-known problem, industry officials said. But recent incidents have escalated concern by government officials. In August, federal agents confiscated nearly 1,600 counterfeit air bags and arrested a North Carolina auto mechanic, according to a report by the Charlotte Observer. The mechanic was tied by federal officials to another counterfeit air bag case last year in Tennessee, the report said.

Last February, Dai Zhensong, a Chinese citizen, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court in Chattanooga, Tenn., to 37 months in prison for trafficking in counterfeit air bags, according to a statement made at the time by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Zhensong was a part owner and manager of the international department of Guangzhou Auto Parts, which made a variety of auto parts, many of which were counterfeit, the statement said. In 2010, he traveled from China to Chattanooga to sell additional counterfeit air bags and other auto parts. The counterfeit air bags were manufactured by purchasing genuine auto air bags that were torn down and used to produce molds to manufacture the counterfeit bags. Trademark emblems were purchased through Honda, Toyota, Audi, BMW and other dealerships located in China and affixed to the counterfeit air bags. The air bags were advertised on the Guangzhou Auto Parts website and sold for approximately $50 to $70 each, far below the value of an authentic air bag, the statement said.

___

Online:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration www.nhtsa.gov

___

Follow Joan Lowy at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/govt-warn-motorists-counterfeit-air-bags-022550221.html

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International Entertainment News: 2012 Film Independent Forum ...

2012 Film Independent Forum Line-Up With Silver Linings Playbook Tapped As Opening Film And John Singleton To Give Keynote Address

Panelists and Topics for the Weekend Announced

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, announced that David O. Russell's Toronto International Film Festival winner of the "People's Choice Award" SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK will kick off the 8(th) annual Film Independent Forum as the opening-night film on Friday, October 19. The screening of the film will be followed by a discussion with producer Jonathan Gordon and editor Jay Cassidy (additional panelists TBD). On Saturday, October 20, Academy Award? nominated director John Singleton will serve as the keynote speaker. The annual forum for independent filmmakers, which is headed by Film Independent, will take place the weekend of October 19-21 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles.

"There's no better way to start the Forum than with the advice of such a seminal filmmaker as John Singleton," said Film Independent Director of Education, Maria Bozzi. "Since his breakthrough with the very personal and highly acclaimed Boyz N the Hood, Singleton has established a path that many filmmakers have strived to emulate - his advice will be sure to inspire those attending the Forum."

At age 24, Singleton is the youngest individual and first ever African-American nominated for an Academy Award? for Best Director. His first feature film, Boyz N the Hood, landed him Oscar? nominations for Best Director and Original Screenplay. Other films as a writer/director/producer include: Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, Shaft and Baby Boy. He also directed Rosewood, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Four Brothers. Through his New Deal Productions, he produced the independent films Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan and Illegal Tender.

The 2012 Film Independent Forum is presented by Indiewire, the leading news, information and networking site for independent-minded filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, IMDbPro and Principal Sponsors Universal Studios, Montana Film Office, Korean Film Council (KOFIC), PUMit from UbicMedia, ZEFR and Co.Create from Fast Company. Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water is the Official Water and Renwood Winery is the Official Wine for the Film Independent Forum.

New to this year, Film Independent has partnered with ZEFR, a premium content network and one of the most watched and fastest growing channels on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/movieclips), to host a MOVIE HACKATHON during the Forum, which is sponsored by Co.Create from Fast Company. The HACKATHON is an initiative to bring the film and technology communities together to create new tools and apps for filmmakers and film lovers. Developers are invited to create original tools and apps that can be used by fans and filmmakers alike to promote movies and independent films. The final hacks will be presented to Film Independent Forum attendees at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) on Sunday, October 21, and judged by Yair Landau (partner, MK Capital), Sam Teller, (managing director, Launchpad LA), Dan Beldy (advisor, upLynk), Zach James (co-founder, ZEFR), and award winning filmmaker Ondi Timoner. Three cash prizes will be awarded to the winners ranging from $500 - $2,500. Developers interested in participating in the inaugural MOVIE HACKATHON can sign up at http://www.zefrhackathon.com.

As always, the Film Independent Forum will close with the Sloan Foundation reception where the Sloan Producers Grant award, which provides $25,000 in development funds, will be awarded to a Producing Lab Fellow developing a narrative film with a scientific, mathematical, and/or technological theme.

Panelists for the 2012 Film Independent Forum include:

Stephanie Allain, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival; producer, Hustle & Flow
Claire Aguilar, Vice President of Programming, ITVS
Mark Ankner, Agent, Global Finance and Distribution, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Jake Avnet, Chief Operating Officer, WIGS
Ram Bergman, producer, Looper, Brick
Neil Berkeley, writer/director/producer, Beauty is Embarrassing
Jason Michael Berman, producer, LUV
Amy Berg, writer/director/producer, West of Memphis, Deliver Us from Evil
Effie T. Brown, producer, In the Cut, Real Women Have Curves
Sheldon Candis, writer/director, LUV
Jay Cassidy, editor, Silver Linings Playbook
Lisa Kleiner Chanoff, Co-Founder, Catapult Film Fund
Karin Chien, producer, Jack and Diane, Circumstance
Howard Cohen, Co-President, Roadside Attractions
Eric d'Arbeloff, Co-President, Roadside Attractions
Joe Davola, AwesomenessTV
Allen DeBevoise, Chairman and CEO, Machinima, Inc
Audrey Delaney, VP of Acquisitions, Business Development & Marketing, Lightning Entertainment
David Dinerstein, President, LD Entertainment
Neal Dodson, producer, Margin Call, All is Lost; Partner, Before the Door Pictures
Kelly Duane de la Vega, producer/director, Better This World
Jay Duplass, writer/director, Jeff, Who Lives at Home, Cyrus
Paola Freccero, Co-Founder, CrowdStarter
Michael Friend, Archivist, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO, Gravitas Ventures
Rodrigo Garcia, director, Albert Nobbs, Mother and Child
Jonathan Gordon, producer, Silver Linings Playbook
Lisa Gutberlet, Senior VP, Worldwide Distribution, Myriad Films
Dana Harris, Editor-in-Chief, Indiewire
Jay Van Hoy, producer, The Loneliest Planet, Beginners
Lynette Howell, producer, The Place Beyond the Pines, Terri
Kevin Iwashina, producer, Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Rian Johnson, writer/director, Looper, Brick
Rory Kennedy, producer/director, Ethel, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
Maryam Keshavarz, writer/director, Circumstance
Sydney Levine, Indiewire
Chris Libby, Partner, Ginsberg Libby
Courtney Lischke, Strategy, YouTube at Google
Julie Lynn, producer, Albert Nobbs, The Jane Austen Book Club
Liz Ogilvie, Co-Founder, CrowdStarter
Erick Opeka, VP of Digital Distribution, New Video
Steven Poster, ASC, National President, International Cinematographers Guild (ICG)
Rich Raddon, Co-Founder, ZEFR
Heather Rae, producer, Mosquita y Mari, Frozen River
Kate Roughan, producer, Birth Story
Hal Sadoff, Financial Advisor
Marjan Safinia, President, International Documentary Association
Paula Schmit, Vice President, Film Finances
AJ Schnack, director, Convention, Kurt Cobain About a Son
Lynn Shelton, writer/director, Your Sister's Sister, Humpday
Mimi Steinbauer, President and CEO, Radiant Films International
Michele Turnure-Salleo, Director, Filmmaker360, San Francisco Film Society
Emily Verellen, Director of Programs and Communications, The Fledgling Fund
Josh Welsh, Co-President, Film Independent
Mary Wigmore, director, Birth Story
Greg Whiteley, director/producer, New York Doll, Resolved
Katherine Fairfax Wright, writer/director, Call Me Kuchu
Caroline Libresco, Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival

Topics for this year's panels are:

Think Big(ger): Exploring the Mid-Range Budget
Documentary Funders Today: Gatekeepers or Partners?
Armed to Sell: A Financing Clinic
Reality Bites: The Perils of the Doc
Just Shoot It: Narrative Case Studies
Developing Story: Documentary Case Studies
Roadside Attractions: A Conversation with Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff
Find New Docs: Works In Progress from Film Independent Fellows
Distribution: A Fork in the Road
Channeling the Web: Online Indie Channels
Crunching the Numbers: VOD Calculations Revealed?
The Global Village: International Market Review
Movie, Meet Audience: A Marketing & Distribution Clinic
Movie Hackathon: Cool Tools in the Making
Do You Know Where Your Film Is? Preserving and Accessing Your Assets In the Digital Age
How They Got There: Career Advice From Young Indiewood

IndieLink Tables are another integral experience for attendees and sponsors at the Film Independent Forum. Hosting an IndieLink Table offers companies the opportunity to meet one-on-one with attendees for brief sessions. Current IndieLink hosts include: California Lawyers for the Arts, CrowdStarter, Dada Films, Dickson Arbusto Casting, Film Independent, Ginsberg Libby, GravitasVentures, konsonant/ music for film, Los Angeles Film Festival, Mississippi Film Office, Montana Film Office, Open Road Films, PUMit from UbicMedia, SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild, San Francisco Film Society, Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, The Fledging Fund, The Post Lab, Topspin Media, Universal Studios, Wildfire Post Production and more. To host an IndieLink Table, please contact Angel Williams at 310.432.1257 or awilliams@filmindependent.org.

Conference passes are $259 for Film Independent members and $299 for non-members. For more information about this year's Film Independent Forum or to purchase a pass, visit filmindependent.org/forum or call 310.432.1222.

About Film Independent Forum
For the past eight years, the Film Independent Forum has gathered industry insiders, thought provokers and game changers for a not to be missed weekend of panel discussions, seminars and one of a kind networking sessions. It is a weekend like no other -- a true field guide to independent producing -- and an incredible opportunity for filmmakers at all levels looking to expand their circle of connections.

The 2012 Film Independent Forum takes place October 19-21 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, CA. For a full schedule of events, speakers and to register, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum.

About Film Independent
Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. For more information or to become a member, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.

SOURCE Film Independent

Film Independent

CONTACT: Chris Libby, Ginsberg / Libby, +1-323-645-6800, chris.libby@ginsberglibby.com, or Lee Ginsberg, Ginsberg / Libby, +1-323-645-6800, lee.ginsberg@ginsberglibby.com, or Gina Lang, Ginsberg / Libby, +1-323-645-6800, gina.lang@ginsberglibby.com

Web Site: http://www.filmindependent.org

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Source: http://internationalentertainmentnews.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-film-independent-forum-line-up.html

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