More cuts could change Pentagon view on mergers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Further big budget cuts could make the U.S. Defense Department rethink its current wariness about additional mergers among top-tier companies in the weapons industry, a top Pentagon official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Senior Pentagon officials told industry last year that mounting budget pressures could result in increased mergers, spinoffs and market departures among weapons makers, although they said they did not believe consolidation was needed among the very largest companies in the sector.

But $500 billion in automatic across-the-board reductions that are due to start taking effect on January 2, on top of $487 billion already planned for the next decade, could change the department's thinking on mergers and many other issues, according to industry executives and military officials.

Brett Lambert, deputy assistant secretary of defense for manufacturing and industrial base policy, said the department's position -- first announced in February 2011 -- had not factored in the additional budget cuts known as sequestration.

"If sequestration is not averted, we would have to go back and re-examine everything, including fundamental strategic tenets," Lambert told Reuters.

The department's current policy does not forbid mergers among big weapons makers, but says the government is "comfortable" that the current number of prime contractors in the sector would ensure continued competition.

Lambert said any merger proposals -- even at the top tier -- would be examined on a case-by-case basis, he said.

Top executives at weapons makers have warned that additional budget cuts would have a devastating impact on national security and employment in the industry, and could unleash a new wave of consolidation among small- to mid-sized companies.

Some said the Pentagon would likely have to revisit its current policy on bigger mergers as well, depending on the scale of further budget cuts.

COST-CUTTING

Northrop Grumman Corp Chief Executive Wes Bush told Reuters the Pentagon had firmly signaled its opposition to mergers among the handful of big prime contractors left after a massive wave of consolidation in the 1990s.

"(That) The department has taken a certain position today is reflective of their view of the budget situation. If that is not the reality of the future, then I think they'll go back and re-look at that," Bush told Reuters.

He suggested such mergers might be needed if companies were to continue driving costs lower, in line with the Pentagon's cost-cutting initiatives. "Ultimately the ability of companies to support the affordability agenda of the department is connected to the market environment," he said.

Linda Hudson, chief executive of the U.S. arm of BAE Systems, told Reuters last month the scale of change would not reach that of the 1990s, when mergers pared two dozen companies down to just a handful after the end of the Cold War.

She said Pentagon officials opposed mergers at the top of the food chain, but added that such high-level deals could still be on the horizon, depending on how deep the coming budget cuts turn out to be.

"If budgets are cut enough, there will be consolidation at all levels," Hudson said.

Dennis Muilenburg, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said he did not expect consolidation among the biggest companies, whose numbers had already been reduced sharply over the past two decades.

"At the large-scale level we don't anticipate consolidation, nor are we advocating it," he said. "There simply is not additional space to consolidate at that level," he said.

Lambert said the department had learned important lessons from the consolidation of the 1990s, which reduced the number of companies in the sector but did not result in nearly the overhead cost and capacity savings that had been expected.

"It is debatable how much value the department and the taxpayer actually derived from that consolidation," he said.

(Reporting By Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Paul Tait)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-cuts-could-change-pentagon-view-mergers-010216611--finance.html

facebook organ donor jessica simpson gives birth

HBT: Petition urges Cubs to give injured player an at-bat

Adam Greenberg made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs in 2005. In his first trip to the plate he was hit in the head and suffered a severe, major league career-ending concussion and positional vertigo.

Though he came back and played in the Cubs, Dodgers, Royals and Angels organizations ? and while he has taken his hacks in indy ball ? a man named?Matt Liston has started a push to get the Cubs to give Greenberg another chance at a major league at bat:

Sports activist Matt Liston, a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, has rallied more than 10,000 people who have signed?a Change.org petition?calling on the Cubs to give former player Adam Greenberg one more opportunity to bat in a Cubs uniform ???For anyone who?s ever dreamed of playing professional sports ? Adam was there and had his dream taken from him with one pitch,? said Liston. ?As a lifelong baseball fanatic, I want to see Adam get the at bat he deserved after working so hard in college and the minor leagues to pursue a career in Major League Baseball.?

I am sympathetic to the impulse, and it?s sad that Greenberg was never able to make it back. ?But there are a lot of guys who never even got Greenberg?s chance. And a lot of guys who, even if given the chance, also had their careers ended by bad luck and injury. ?Even if he?s never had an official at bat, he has had a plate appearance, and as everyone knows, that counts. And even if he gets one more shot, his real legacy is and always will be fighting for three years to make the bigs in the first place. Which is noble, honorable and is a far greater success than almost every other person who has played organized baseball.

I won?t mind if the Cubs give him another shot, but even though it makes me something of a killjoy, I don?t know why Greenberg should get it when no one else gets it. And I don?t know what it accomplishes.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/04/a-lot-of-people-want-to-see-adam-greenberg-get-an-at-bat-in-the-bigs/related/

taylor momsen xbox live update joan rivers gary carter dies oolong tea survivor one world lil kim

Video: Disaster du Jour & Sunshine Stocks

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

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/48899113/

easter recipes live free or die hard carlos pena amanda bynes arrested f 18 jet crash in virginia beach john tortorella

Manning no longer in the shadow of big brother

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) ? Eli Manning is no longer living in the shadow of his big brother. Far from it.

The New York Giants quarterback enters the kickoff to the NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night as a two-time Super Bowl MVP. He's now unquestionably among the league's elite after leading Tom Coughlin's team to two titles in five seasons, and a third title is a distinct possibility with the 31-year-old seemingly getting better coming off a career season.

What's even more impressive is Eli is still Eli. He's hard-working, laid-back and looking for nothing more than doing it better than the year before.

"Each year you try to improve and get better," Manning said during training camp. "There's definitely room for improvement. There's no question about it. Most of the things I'm working on are: decision making, eliminating turnovers, and being more accurate. Just continuing to try and work on my skills. Making sure you don't have any missed opportunities. That when guys are open, I'm hitting them."

Former Giants center Shaun O'Hara said most people don't realize how hard Manning works. He usually is one of the first players at the team's headquarters in the morning and stays as long as anyone.

"What adheres everyone to Eli is the way he approaches the game," O'Hara said on Monday. "His confidence is never shaken. He knows his own abilities and his own limits. He comes to work every day and puts in the time. He never says, 'I got it. I don't need to work on that.'"

O'Hara said Manning doesn't take much time off. In February and March, when most of his teammates are vacationing, Manning comes to the office and watches every snap from the previous season, O'Hara said, adding the work ethic rubs off on everyone.

"That's one of the best qualities of a leader, to lead by example and to bring people together to accomplish the same goal," O'Hara said. "That's what Eli has done and has had fun doing it. He's not a screamer and yeller. He comes in here and has fun and let's guys make fun of him. He's approachable and doesn't put himself above anybody."

O'Hara cracked up a couple of people when during his retirement speech on Monday, he joked how Manning made him change his football pants each half because they were too sweaty.

One of the major reasons the Giants missed the playoffs in 2010 despite a 10-6 record was that Manning threw 25 interceptions. He worked on ball security in the offseason and finished 2011 with 29 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions in a year in which he threw a career-high 589 passes.

Coughlin said Manning has all the intangibles a coach wants in his quarterback.

"You name it. He's intelligent and he's got great pride," Coughlin said. "He has a burning desire to be the best that he can possibly be. He has great timing. He has the ability to understand exactly what you want to do and what the defense is doing. He'll talk to you about it and get the ball into the right receiver. He does a great job in the classroom. He does a great job representing the Giants. He has outstanding character. He has outstanding leadership. People listen to what he says."

Former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett, who signed with the Giants in the offseason, has spent the past six months trying to get on the same page with Manning. When the quarterback is eating lunch, Bennett pulls up a chair.

In the preseason finale against the Patriots, Manning and Bennett weren't on the same page on a third-down pass. Manning threw a deep seam and Bennett cut off his pattern.

Seconds after the pass hit the ground, Manning was standing in front of Bennett discussing the play.

"It won't happen again," Bennett said.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, a former quarterback, said Manning is a major reason why the Giants have had success.

"He's an outstanding pocket passer; he can move around and make plays on the move," Garrett said. "He's a very smart player. He can make any throw that you need to make on the football field. He clearly makes his teammates better, makes his team better."

While not the buffest of players, Manning is as tough as they come. He has started the last 130 games for the Giants, a run that dates to his rookie season in 2004. He has led New York to five playoff berths and three division titles in his seven full seasons as a starter.

"We know we have to improve," Manning said. "We were 9-7 last year in the regular season and that's not good enough. We're a better team than that, and we obviously showed that throughout the playoffs. We've got to have that urgency and consistency throughout the whole season, play our best football through 16 regular-season games."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/manning-no-longer-shadow-big-brother-073554475--nfl.html

houston texans

Sony VAIO S13 (SVS13112FXW)

You may be forgiven for thinking, at first glance, that the Sony VAIO S13 (SVS13112FXW) ($899.99 list) was a MacBook. Indeed, with its white chassis, the VAIO S13 bears a striking resemblance to Apple's now-discontinued MacBook line. The inevitable comparison does a disservice to the VAIO S13, though, detracting from its multimedia capabilities as well as its sleek chassis, internal optical drive, WiDi functionality, and dual USB 3.0 ports. MacBooks aside, S13's dimensions are nearly identical with those found in ultrabooks, but with one critical difference: it sports a standard-voltage processor, thereby leading to its classification as an ultraportable. Regardless of its appearance, however, the VAIO S13 is a solid choice for anyone looking to add a bit of flair to their everyday computing, even if it isn't the innovative or powerful ultraportable available.

Design and Features
The VAIO S13 measures 0.95 by 13.04 by 8.85 inches (HWD). Its moderately light weight of 3.75 pounds (as weighed on our Labs' scale) lands between the Editors' Choice Toshiba Portege R835-P88 ultraportable (3.2 pounds) and the Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5-481TG-6814 (4.16 pounds) ultrabook. Its svelte magnesium alloy chassis strikes a nice balance between sturdy and portable. As for the white finish, it's ultimately a matter of taste. Some may like the look because it distinguishes the VAIO S13 from its ultraportable peers as well as the deluge of ultrabooks currently on the market. Others may argue that it unjustly apes the Apple aesthetic. Regardless of which camp you belong to, however, it's worth mentioning that the white finish leaves the VAIO S13, particularly the palmrest, vulnerable to smudging and staining after prolonged use. Taken right out of the box, though, the VAIO S13 looks as stylish and modern one would expect an ultrabook to be, especially when the lid is closed and the shiny VAIO logo embossed on its surface is attractively displayed.

The glossy 13.3-inch display has a resolution of 1,366 by 768, which is standard for its class. The resolution is good enough for 720p video and does a nice job displaying text and images alike. Likewise, movies look sharp, an easily verifiable attribute since the S13 features a slot-loading CD/DVD burner. Meanwhile, the VAIO S13's built-in speakers are on par with most other laptops, capable of pumping out sound at a decent volume for one or two folks in a small room, but nothing that'll keep your next-door neighbors awake at night.

The VAIO S13 sports a backlit tiled keyboard whose keys are decked out in a matte-finished silver color, which looks somewhat odd juxtaposed with the white chassis. Regardless of your aesthetic preference, typing on the VAIO S13 is a breeze, and its sturdy chassis exhibited minimal flexing during use. Sony has included several hotkeys above the keyboard's top row, such as an Assist button that launches VAIO Care for system tune-ups and troubleshooting, a Web button that launches the browser of your choice, and one simply labeled "VAIO" that can be configured to trigger any chosen application. While hotkeys are fairly standard on any keyboard, Sony has also included a "Performance Selector" switch that can be toggled between "Stamina" or "Speed" modes. Reminiscent of the Mode Dial on the Samsung Series 7 Gamer (though not nearly as exaggerated), this switch adjusts power settings on the fly; "Stamina" aims for battery preservation, and accordingly disables the VAIO S13's fans while slightly dimming the screen, whereas "Speed" mode optimizes performance by "maxing" everything out. Like the keyboard, using the touchpad was a smooth endeavor, and it fluidly responded to two-finger scrolling and pinch-zooming. The left- and right- click buttons are both integrated into the touchpad surface. The palm rest is rather narrow, though, so be prepared for some inadvertent clicking with a stray thumb.

Port selection on the VAIO S13 is solid. The slot-loading CD/DVD burner and a headphone jack occupy the left side of the system, while the right side features dual USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port (with sleep and charge capability), two card readers (one for Sony's proprietary Memory Stick interface and one for SD cards), an Ethernet port, a VGA port, and a full-size HDMI output. I'm personally fond of the latter because it removes the need for dongles, making connecting the system to a larger display far less cumbersome. Additionally, the VAIO S13 features Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology, so wires can be removed from the picture entirely since high-definition audio and video can be beamed to any HDTV kitted with an aftermarket adapter, like the Netgear Push2TV ($99 list).

The VAIO S13's 640GB 5,400rpm hard drive comes preloaded with a decent serving of pre-loaded software on it. As is often the case, it ranges from useful apps (like Microsoft Office Starter) to trial software (30-day trial to Kaspersky Internet Security suite). There's also a slew of proprietary software by Sony (VAIO Care, Media Gallery, PlayMemories Home, and so on), though this is tempered by the near-total absence of anything that can be classified as bloatware, so at the very minimum you won't be forced to deal with the usual suspects like desktop links or game suites.

Performance
Armed with a 2.50GHz Intel Core i5-3210M processor and 6GB RAM combination, the VAIO S13 was a fairly average performer in our benchmark tests. Its PCMark 7 score of 2,128 fell to the bottom of its class, landing within striking distance of the Portege R835-P88 (2,313) but, falling short of the rest of its class by a considerably larger extent. However, the VAIO S13 fared significantly better when it came down to multimedia capabilities. With the exception of the Editors' Choice Lenovo ThinkPad X230 ultraportable (1:35) it led the pack in our Handbrake video encoding test (1 minute 43 seconds), breezing past the both Toshiba Satellite U845-S406 ($879.99 list, 3.5 stars) (1:57) and the Timeline Ultra (1:59) and leaving the others in the dust. Likewise, its Cinebench R11.5 score of 2.84 fell short of the class-leading ThinkPad X230 (3.09) but trumped the rest of its class, including the HP Folio 13-1020US (1.93). It completed our Photoshop CS5 test in a brisk 3 minutes 56 seconds, falling short of the both the Portege R835 (3:56) and ThinkPad (3:37), but still outgunning the Satellite U845 (4:33) and, to an even greater extent, the Folio 13 (5:27)..

The VAIO S13's integrated Intel HD 4000 GPU performed admirably against most of the ultrabooks and ultraportables in its class since they, too, were equipped with integrated GPU's. The only exception was the Aspire Timeline Ultra, whose discrete 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT640MLE GPU propelled it graphical domination across-the-board. The yawning chasm between the VAIO S13's 3DMark06 scores (5,255 at medium detail settings and 1,024-by-768 resolution; 3,272 at native resolution with 4x anti-aliasing) and that of the Aspire Timeline (10,294 and 8,501, respectively) therefore doesn't come as much of a surprise. The VAIO S13 fared better among the rest of its class, though, and only fell short of the Satellite U845 (5,792 and 3,278, respectively) while nonetheless outgunning both the Folio 13 (3,765 and 1,912, respectively) and the Series 5 Ultra (3,234 and 1,934, respectively). Similarly, while the VAIO S13 failed to break the 30 frames-per-second (fps) playability barrier in either Crysis (24fps in medium quality at 1,024-by-768 resolution) or Lost Planet 2 (19fps in medium quality at 1,024-by-768 resolution; 10fps in high quality at native resolution), it nonetheless led the rest of its class, save for the beefier Aspire Timeline Ultra (55fps and 25fps in Crysis, respectively; 50fps and 31fps in Lost Planet 2, respectively) and, in one instance, the Portege R835 (20 fps in Crysis in medium quality at 1,024-by-768 resolution).

We were unable to run our usual MobileMark 2007 test to determine the lifespan of the VAIO S13's removable 4400mAh lithium polymer battery. As an alternative, we utilized a ten-hour video rundown test. While this approach is admittedly not as accurate as MobileMark, it's nonetheless a helpful indicator of a system's battery life. Accordingly, with the VAIO S13 in "Speed" mode and with the display dimmed to 50 percent and Wi-Fi activated, the VAIO S13's battery lasted for 5 hours 25 minutes. The Toshiba U845 lasted 5:02 on the same test, which is 23 minutes shy of the VAIO S13.

The Sony VAIO S13 (SVS13112FXW) isn't the most innovative or robust ultraportable out there. It does, however, have plenty going for it, such as a sleek chassis, WiDi functionality, a decent port selection, and a cheaper price tag than most ultraportables. While its battery life and overall performance falls short of both of the Editors' Choice-winning ultraportables, it's nonetheless a solid choice for anyone seeking to add a bit of flair to their everyday computing.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Sony VAIO S13 (SVS13112FXW with several other laptops side by side.

More laptop reviews:
??? HP EliteBook 8470p
??? Sony VAIO S13 (SVS13112FXW)
??? Acer Aspire V5-471-6569
??? Dell Latitude E6430 ATG
??? Acer Aspire V5-571-6869
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/FC534pa5Ank/0,2817,2409188,00.asp

north korea news north korea news giuliana and bill giuliana and bill bill rancic nflx jennifer hudson

Ooomf Raises $500K From Real Ventures, BDC And Others For Its New App Discovery Platform

It looks like Apple is planning to make some improvements to app discovery in iOS 6, but for the time being, app discovery remains broken on virtually every mobile platform available today. Ooomf wants to change this. The Montreal-based startup, which graduated from FounderFuel's spring 2012 accelerator program, is launching its app discovery platform today meant to help users and developers connect by making users active participants in the app development process. The company also just announced that it has raised a $500,000 seed round led by Montreal's Real Ventures, an early stage seed fund, with participation from BDC Venture Capital and a number of undisclosed angel investors.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/AU7UuZPI0ao/

google april fools office space shell houston open mega millions winners anthony davis palm sunday toure

Strangles in Horses | Pet Information

Strangles in Horses

Strangles is really a extremely contagious illness within farm pets that impacts the actual respiratory system. The actual contagious character from the illness indicates that it?s necessary to consider safeguards in order to restrict mix contaminants as well as distribute.

Strangles is actually the result of a germs Streptacoccus equi. The actual indicators you?d be prepared to observe inside a equine struggling with strangles consist of: a higher heat, large sinus mucous release, bigger lymph nodes as well as swellings especially within the neck of the guitar, the actual equine can also be hesitant to consume or even consume and can really feel usually not well. Within serious instances you might observe abscesses within the neck of the guitar.

Should you turn out to be dubious that the equine may have strangles it is crucial to see the actual veterinarian instantly. It?s also wise to maintain all of them within remoteness before veterinarian offers verified in either case, verification is actually through swabs and may have a whilst to become verified.

The condition could be sent effortlessly through sinus release or even liquid in the abscesses contaminating areas, stables, giving gear, buckets and so on. It is necessary to not proceed creatures close to in between stables anymore compared to required or even reveal gear throughout a good episode.

If your backyard includes a situation associated with Strangles upon website it is suggested which absolutely no farm pets ought to key in or even depart the actual backyard although it?s within remoteness. This particular certainly includes a topple upon impact on contending and may harm the competitors horse?s period even though they?re not really the main one contaminated. Exactly where feasible farm pets ought to be arranged about the backyard through danger; individuals with chlamydia as well as those people who are within normal get in touch with for example area buddies and so on, ought to be held near collectively so that as far as you possibly can through the ones that tend to be not as likely to possess already been subjected.

Any kind of individuals going to the actual backyard ought to be knowledgeable from the an infection and really should make use of disinfectant on the fingers as well as footwear prior to departing, in the event that likely to an additional backyard it is suggested in order to put on overalls or even alter clothing and so on very first. Treatment ought to be used to not make use of the exact same gear in between farm pets exactly where feasible. Any kind of items which possess touch the actual ?at risk? team ought to be disinfected to avoid mix contaminants.

The condition could be handled along with antibiotics nevertheless you?ll be able to continue to become company. Vaccines can be found in the vets in order to reduce the danger associated with an infection. Youthful farm pets which have not really experienced opportunity to develop opposition or even old farm pets in whose defense techniques might not be because powerful tend to be individuals for the most part danger associated with getting the condition.

No related posts.

Source: http://www.ok-schifferstadt.info/strangles-in-horses.html

dallas fort worth airport texas tornados seattle seahawks new uniforms wisconsin recall wisconsin recall doris day buffalo sabres