Rutgers elects to sue the Big East over exit fee

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers University is suing the Big East Conference, trying to avoid paying an exit fee.

Rutgers is trying to avoid a $10 million hit for leaving en route to the Big Ten. Big East bylaws state a school must give 27 months' notice and pay a $10 million withdrawal fee.

The suit says the Big East selectively enforced the rules. Rutgers claims some schools did and some did not have to give notice or pay the fee on their way out of the embattled conference.

The league voted to increase its exit fee from $5 million to $10 million last month. Rutgers did not vote on the motion, but voiced opposition.

Rutgers has also asked the Big East for $1.3 million it said it lost when a game was canceled due to the opposition's withdrawal.

The lawsuit was filed in Middlesex County Superior Court Wednesday.

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NCAA's Emmert still pushing for athlete stipends

NEW YORK (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert is still determined to provide college athletes with $2,000 for expenses not covered by scholarships.

Convincing schools to go along with that might be as much about changing perceptions as changing the proposal.

In a surprise move last January, the Division I Board of Directors delayed implementing the stipends in the face of criticism from many colleges. The plan is still on hold, with a working group creating options that address the membership's concerns, but Emmert reiterated Wednesday his commitment to putting it into effect.

The stipends would help cover the full cost of attending college, which scholarships don't meet, providing money for expenses beyond tuition, room and board, books and fees.

The Board of Directors approved the rule in October 2011, but by late December, 160 schools had signed onto override legislation. That meant the change was suspended, and the board reconsidered it at the January meeting.

On Wednesday, Emmert sounded a bit chastened by the backlash. Asked about the plan being stayed, he replied, "'Stayed' is the polite word; it kind of got crushed."

"We didn't anticipate the reaction it provoked," Emmert said at the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

Schools worried about how the stipends would affect Title IX compliance and whether they'd be able to afford them. Emmert said one possibility was making them need-based — available to students who can't afford the various expenses that come with attending colleges, but less expensive for schools.

But the proposals can be tweaked only so much. The biggest key to implementing the stipends may be changing schools' mindsets.

"This is a branding issue," Emmert acknowledged to The Associated Press.

That can include public pressure. Emmert chided athletic programs that make major decisions guided by efforts to generate more revenue, then complain they can't afford a stipend. At the forum, which is sponsored by IMG and hosted by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal, Emmert said of conference realignment: "When people say it's all about the money, that's not inaccurate."

He later took that argument to the stipends cause: "When the world believes it's all a money grab, how can you say we can stick with the same scholarship model as 40 years ago?"

Money is also pouring in from TV deals. The new college football playoff contract will be worth about $470 million a year. That money, however, goes directly to conferences, not to the NCAA. It also benefits the most the schools that were already the wealthiest to begin with.

But the current men's basketball tournament agreement — worth an average of more than $770 million per year — is with the NCAA. The governing body could use some of that money to pay for stipends itself, though that would mean providing fewer funds to conferences. So the stipends would dent schools' budgets one way or another.

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Johnny "Football" Manziel favorite for Heisman

MIAMI (Reuters) - Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is in line to become the first 'freshman' winner of the Heisman Trophy when the annual award for the top player in college football is made on Saturday.

Manziel, nicknamed "Johnny Football", is one of three players to be invited to Saturday's ceremony, along with Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein.

Wednesday's final installment of the Scripps Heisman Poll, which has accurately indicated the winner for 21 off the past 25 years, placed Manziel in the top spot.

The trophy was won last year by Robert Griffin III, who went on to be taken as the number two pick in the 2012 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.

The previous year's winner Cam Newton, another quarterback, was taken as the number one overall pick by the Carolina Panthers and enjoyed a hugely successful rookie year in the NFL.

Up until Florida quarterback Tim Tebow won the Heisman in 2007, no sophomore had won the award but Manziel could go one better if he wins after his first season.

The Texan finished the regular season with 3,419 passing yards and 1,181 rushing yards to set a new total offense record for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of 4,600 yards in 12 games.

Manziel also broke the record for total offense in a game, originally set by Archie Mannning, father of Peyton and Eli, back in 1969, when he accumulated 557 yards against Arkansas and he then bettered it with 567 yards against Louisiana Tech.

"It's so surreal for me to be even be able to be mentioned for the Heisman Trophy," Manziel said recently when asked about the award.

Manziel sat out football (redshirted) for his first year at college as the 'Aggies' already had Ryan Tannehill, now the starting quarterback with the Miami Dolphins.

While there is some debate over whether a redshirt freshman should be given the award, Tannehill believes Manziel has proven his worth.

"Look at the numbers. The numbers he has put up are outstanding. He's surpassed Cam Newton and Tim Tebow who both won the Heisman in the years that they set the SEC record for yards in a season," he said.

"Plus the fact of the game changing players he can make. He went to Alabama when they were ranked number one and had an upset victory there," added Tannehill.

The biggest threat to Manziel comes from Te'o who has been outstanding for Notre Dame as they enjoyed a 12-0 record and moved to number one in the nation, earning a shot at the title against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Miami on January 7.

Hawaiian Te'o made 52 solo tackles and assisted on a further 51 in his senior year and he has a total of 427 total tackles from his four year collegiate career.

Unlike Manziel, who has at least one more year left before he can enter the draft and will likely wait more, Te'o is expected to be a first round pick in the 2013 class.

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No one retreating; cliff talks seem at standstill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A year-end deadline approaching, quiet negotiations to avoid an economy-rattling "fiscal cliff" yielded no tangible signs of progress on Monday as Republicans pressed President Barack Obama to volunteer spending cuts he will support while the White House insisted the GOP endorse higher tax rates on upper incomes.

At a campaign-style event in Michigan, Obama warned his listeners their taxes will rise on Jan. 1 without action by the Congress. "That's a hit you can't afford to take," he declared.

He spoke one day after meeting privately at the White House with House Speaker John Boehner, whose office expressed frustration with the talks to date.

"We continue to wait for the president to identify the spending cuts he's willing to make as part of the 'balanced' approach he promised the American people,'" said a written statement from the Ohio Republican's office.

The negotiations are designed to prevent across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to begin at the turn of the year, a combination that economists say poses the threat of a new recession.

While leaders in both parties say they are eager to avoid that "cliff," efforts to agree on a plan to cut deficits by other measures have turned into a major postelection showdown between opposing sides in a divided government.

After meeting with Boehner on Sunday, Obama dispatched a top aide to the Capitol to continue talks with the speaker's staff, but officials in both parties said they knew of no progress as a result.

Obama spoke with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., by phone on Monday, as he has consulted with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California in recent days. The White House did not dispute that the president was prepared to modestly scale back his initial demand for $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue over a decade, twice as much as Boehner has offered.

Many Republicans agree that Obama and the Democrats hold most of the political leverage, given the president's re-election more than a month ago after a campaign in which he said the wealthy should pay more in taxes.

If anything, the president has toughened his demands in recent days, insisting not only that tax rates must rise, but also that Congress give him and future presidents the authority to raise the government's borrowing limit without prior approval by lawmakers.

Boehner, while claiming his own election mandate for the Republican majority in the House, said within a few days of the voting he was prepared to buck many in his party and support additional tax revenue as part of a fiscal cliff agreement.

The Ohio Republican has said repeatedly he opposes Obama's plan to raise tax rates for anyone, adding that he prefers to raise revenue by closing loopholes. Yet he has not yet ruled out giving the president his way, and some Republicans have said they are prepared to do so — encouraging Democrats to say they anticipate the speaker will eventually yield on the point.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters as Obama went to Michigan that "the president believes that a deal is possible. It requires acceptance and acknowledgement in a concrete way by Republicans that the top 2 percent will see an increase in their rates."

In his remarks at the Daimler Detroit Diesel Plant, Obama said the Democrats would "make some tough spending cuts on things that we don't need" as part of his budget plans, although he didn't mention any of them by name.

Republicans have increasingly expressed frustration in recent days as they accuse Obama and the Democrats of failing to talk in specifics when it comes to spending cuts that many of their constituencies are likely to balk at.

In talks that ended in failure 18 months ago, according to aides in both political parties, Obama had tentatively agreed to a proposal to raise the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67 beginning in a decade, and had also said he would accept a change to slow the annual cost-of-living increases that go to recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits.

This time, the two sides have advanced opening proposals that are short of specifics and reflect different priorities.

Obama's plan would raise $1.6 trillion in revenue over 10 years, in part by raising tax rates on incomes over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

He has recommended $400 billion in spending cuts over a decade.

He also is seeking extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut due to expire on Jan. 1, a continuation in long-term unemployment benefits and steps to help hard-pressed homeowners and doctors who treat Medicare patients.

Boehner's plan, in addition to calling for $800 billion in new revenue, envisions $600 billion in savings over a decade from Medicare, Medicaid and other government health programs as well as $300 billion from other benefit programs and another $300 billion from other domestic programs.

It would trim annual increases in Social Security payments to beneficiaries, and it calls for gradually raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67, beginning in a decade.

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Wine Production in China Industry Research Report – Now Available from IBISWorld

 Wine is becoming more fashionable in China and wine consumption has been steadily increasing, especially among white-collar workers and young people, says IBISWorld. Over the five years through 2012, revenue for the Wine Production industry in China has been growing at an annualized rate of 21.3% to $7.0 billion in 2012.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
Over the five years through 2012, revenue for the Wine Production industry in China has been growing at an annualized rate of 21.3% to $7.0 billion in 2012. The industry has also become increasingly profitable as demand grew and pricing levels remained steady.

Wine is becoming more fashionable in China and wine consumption has been steadily increasing, especially among white-collar workers and young people, says IBISWorld. Various media have been popularizing wine culture and foreign enterprises have held many wine-tasting promotions. This has helped enrich consumer knowledge of wine and stimulated wine consumption. In addition, the government has been encouraging the consumption of drinks with lower alcohol content, such as wine. Attracted by the growing Chinese market, many foreign winemakers have entered the Wine Production industry, mostly targeting high-end markets.

In 2012, revenue of the industry's top four winemakers, including Yantai Changyu, Dynasty, COFCO and Yantai Weilong, account for about a third of total revenue, indicating a medium level of industry concentration. Large investments in market channel development and vertical integration have enabled the major players to increase market share.

IBISWorld anticipates that growing consumer purchasing power in China will continue to drive domestic demand growth for the Wine Production industry. However, with accelerated output levels, a lack of raw materials (i.e. wine grapes) will become a serious industry issue, as there are only nine major wine grape production bases in China. To alleviate this problem, large enterprises will continue to develop their own vineyards and introduce better grape varieties.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Wine Production in China industry report page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld


Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

The Wine Production industry in China produces wine from grapes or grape juice. Industry products include dry red wines, dry white wines, sweet wines and specialty wines.

Industry Performance


Executive Summary


Key External Drivers


Current Performance


Industry Outlook


Industry Life Cycle


Products & Markets


Supply Chain


Products & Services


Major Markets


Globalization & Trade


Business Locations


Competitive Landscape


Market Share Concentration


Key Success Factors


Cost Structure Benchmarks


Barriers to Entry


Major Companies


Operating Conditions


Capital Intensity


Key Statistics


Industry Data


Annual Change


Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.


Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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ONS Interactive Named a Red Herring Asia 100 Winner

 ONS Interactive Solutions Pvt Ltd, a Leading 360 Degree New Media Company is proud to be selected as a winner of the Red Herring's Top 100 Award, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from Asia.

California (PRWEB) December 09, 2012
ONS Interactive Solutions Pvt Ltd, a Leading 360 Degree New Media Company is proud to be selected as a winner of the Red Herring's Top 100 Award, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from Asia.

ONS Interactive Solutions Pvt Ltd today has a team of over 200 New Media Professionals with annual revenues of over $3 million and Representatives of the company are speaking in Various events most recently at the SES New Delhi.

The Red Herring editorial team selected the most innovative companies from a pool of over 700 from across Asia. Finalists were evaluated on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and penetration into their respective industries.

Previous winners of the Red Herring Top 100 award include technology leaders such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay.

“Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat. After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across Asia to the Top 100 Winners. We believe ONS Interactive embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. ONS Interactive should be proud of its accomplishment, as the competition was very strong,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring.

“The award recognizes a link between innovation and long term commercial success. Red Herring, more so than any other publication has studied how well executed innovation leads to sustained and profitable growth among small companies.


"We are absolutely delighted to win this award and be internationally recognized by Red Herring. For us this confirms that our services SEO Services, Web Design & Development and Recruitment Process Outsourcing are the right one. And we believe the introduction of Appy Pie will usher in another era of innovation in Mobile Space,” said Abhinav Girdhar, Director ONS Interactive Solutions.

About ONS Interactive Solutions Pvt Ltd

ONS Interactive Solutions Pvt Ltd got incorporated on 13th March 2007. It is an integrated online New Media agency with Brands Like:


Profit By Search, #1 SEO Services India Company


Profit By Outsourcing, #1 Web Design India Company


Profit By RPO, #1 RPO India Company

About Red Herring


Red Herring is a global media company uniting the world's best high-technology innovators, venture investors, and business decision-makers in a variety of forums: a leading innovation magazine, an online daily technology news service, technology newsletters, and major events for technology leaders around the globe. Red Herring provides an insider's view of the global innovation ecosystem, featuring unparalleled insights on the emerging technologies driving the economy.

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New Polar RC3 GPS Watch At Lowest Holiday Prices At Heart Rate Watch Company

 Save 20% to 25% off the new Polar RC3 GPS watch, the first ever fully integrated GPS watch from Polar, at the Heart Rate Watch Company now through December 21st.

Bozeman, MT (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
The Polar RC3 is the first-ever fully integrated GPS watch from the folks at Polar, the same people that invented the heart rate monitor back in the 1970's.

"The Polar RC3 comes in three versions one without a chest strap for those already owning a Polar WIND Wearlink strap, one with a chest strap and a bike version with a speed sensor", says Rusty Squire, President of the Heart Rate Watch Company. He adds, "We are offering 20% to 25% off on these new Polar GPS watch units until December 20th".

FIT, SIZE AND BATTERY LIFE HIT THE SWEET SPOT

"My first impression when I put one on was how light it was and how thin it was compared to other GPS watches", says Squire. "I put it on a postage scale and it was 40% lighter than my Suunto Ambit".

Polar RC3 offers 12 hours of battery life, probably closer to 10 in normal use according to Squire, while many of it's competitors offer eight hours, which is more like 6 according to Squire under normal use. "That is a big increase in battery life for a watch that is this light and thin, plus Polar is using softer more pliable material in their wrist straps, making them more comfortable", says Squire.

GET $50 IN FREE FITNESS BOOKS

To go with the purchase of any new Polar RC3 GPS watch the Heart Rate Watch Company is offering two free fitness books valued at $50. The book "How To Successfully Use A Heart Rate Monitor" and "How To Elevate Fitness Through Strength and Interval Training" are e-books that can be downloaded in PDF format.

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Advanced Web Launches Website Featuring Atlantic City Golf Courses

 A new website created by Advanced Web, a Virginia-based Internet marketing firm, features golf courses, lodging options, and events in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area.

Atlantic City, New Jersey (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
Atlantic City has long been a top destination for vacationing beach goers and gaming lovers on the East Coast. Known for its clean beaches and exciting nightlife, Atlantic City also features some of the best year-round golfing in the Eastern United States. Now golfers visiting the area have a one-stop resource for planning their trip. AtlanticCityGolfCourses.com provides detailed information on area golf courses, golf packages, lodging options, special events, and tee time reservations.

Developed by Advanced Web, a Virginia web design firm, AtlanticCityGolfCourses.com was created with the goal of giving golfers an easy-to-use and detailed resource for leaning about golfing options while planning their trip to Atlantic City.

The new website allows golfers to leave in-depth reviews of the courses they’ve played, and includes contact information, driving directions, and tee time scheduling for all courses in the area. Upcoming golf-related events are displayed on a well-maintained calendar. The website also includes a database of nearby lodging options that are convenient to most area golf courses.

To help visitors plan their trip, a large interactive map shows the location of each golf course near Atlantic City, and provides driving directions so that visitors can easily navigate to and from various courses.

“If you're planning a trip to Atlantic City in the near future bring your clubs for a day of golfing you won't soon forget,” said Meyer. AtlanticCityGolfCourses.com provides updated information on all golf course facilities in and around the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area.

About Advanced Web

Advanced Web has been providing professional web development, search engine, and systems engineering solutions to over 400 clients worldwide since 1999. For more information on Advanced Web’s services, visit advancedwebllc.com.

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Apple iPhone 4 & 4S Battery Replacement Recommended After 1 Year - Aware Bear Computers Announces Special Price of $49 for iPhone 4 & 4S Battery Replacement

 Experts have noticed that iPhone  batteries lose their capacity slowly over time. Apple estimates an iPhone battery will retain charge on average about 80% of its original capacity after 400 recharging cycles.

Rochester, New York (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
According to Aware Bear Computers, “iPhone batteries can be replaced to extend the life of an owners iPhone.” iPhone batteries will lose their ability to maintain the initial promised standby and talk time over the course of its useful life. IPhone battery replacement can be done rather cheaply on the iPhone 4 and 4s. For example, Aware bear is now offering a battery replacement for $49 as opposed to Apple Stores $79.00.

Aware Bear not only offers iPhone battery replacement but also iPhone screen replacement. Currently Aware Bear Computers is offering back glass replacement on the iPhone 4 and 4s for $24.95 and IPhone Assembly of a new digitizer and LCD screens for $95.

“Since the release of the new iPhone 5 parts for the 4 and 4s are now cheaper and repairs for customers needed iPhone repair or a replacement battery"- Arthur Alves


When asking Aware Bear Computers what is done with broken parts and old batteries, Aware Bear Computers mentioned that all old parts are disposed in an environmentally friendly manner through local recycling centers so that hazardous wastes do not contaminate the local environment.

“There are mixed reports from independent testers that estimate a much shorter life span for batteries so we recommend replacement after 1 year or earlier if you feel your phone drains power quickly.” – Arthur Alves, Co-owner of Aware Bear.

iPhone owners that want to know how to replace their iPhone 4’s back glass, there are many online outlets that offer this service. This however requires iPhone owners to send in their smartphone to a repair hub which will take days if not weeks. IPhone 4 owners should consider a local apple store or small business repair shop for faster repair service. Apple’s information on iPhone batteries for all their products is available online and iPhone owners should consider this information coupled with independent expert sources such as Macword and Gadget Box before deciding to replace an iPhone battery.

Experts have noticed that iPhone batteries lose their capacity slowly over time. Apple estimates an iPhone battery will retain charge on average about 80% of its original capacity after 400 recharging cycles. More recharge cycles will further decrease the capacity; hence the more you use your phone the more likely you have lowered your battery capacity. To minimize the capacity loss, fully drain and recharge the battery at least once every month.

Customers seeking iPhone repair services can find a local repair shop by searching Google for “iPhone repair” “iPhone 4 glass replacement” “iPhone battery “. The repair shop mentioned in this article, Aware Bear Computers, is a Rochester, NY computer repair shop that has serviced their Rochester, New York community for numerous years.They do provide shipping services if owners would like to send in their iPhone however it is recommended calling them for such services.

According to Peter Klausz, Co-owner of Aware bear, “Sometimes an iPhone battery will not charge properly or the battery was not properly maintained so iPhone battery replacement is necessary for customers looking to save money in the long run and avoid having to purchase an entire new phone”

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Server Sitters Announces Expansion of Web Hosting Support to Include French Support Services

Server Sitters announced late Friday afternoon it would now be offering customer support in the French language throughout Canada. Server Sitters is a leader in outsourced web-hosting support, and will now be offering bilingual support services for web hosting companies with services that are designed specifically to accommodate small and large commercial web hosting companies with customers in need of fluent French speaking representatives.

Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) December 08, 2012

Server Sitters announced late Friday afternoon it would now be offering customer support in the French language throughout Canada. Server Sitters is a leader in outsourced web-hosting support, and will now be offering bilingual support services for web hosting companies. The services provided are designed specifically to accommodate small and large commercial web hosting companies with customers in need of fluent French speaking representatives.

Management understands that not maintaining a five star level of customer support means jeopardizing existing accounts. Server Sitters also understands how difficult it can be acquiring new clients. Now with this expansion, customers will be able to maintain their client base by providing the best service, while simultaneously dedicating more time and energy towards increasing company revenue streams and growth.

Canada is steadily becoming a multilingual society according to language statistics from the 2001 Census Bureau. Statistics reveal that while most people in Canada speak English or French at home, one out of every six reported having a native language other than English. Server Sitters is making aggressive changes to cater to nearly 7 million French speaking citizens and residents of Canada.

Server Sitters CEO Adam Gallant explained, "The continued expansion of our technical department clearly demonstrates our commitment to simplifying our partner experience, and offer more value to our growing client base with competitive pricing”

When new clients sign up for one of the various plans offered by Server Sitters, the support team gathers all the required information to maintain support tickets, so the customer has no reason to think another company is involved in handling support. This valuable service is provided at extremely competitive rates, which helps web hosting companies dramatically improve the level of customer support, and also improve the bottom line, leaving more resources to grow.

At Server Sitters, the entire support process is centered on specific requirements for each client. Management understands that a web hosting operation is multifaceted as well as unique, and this move to offer French speaking technical support firmly establishes Server Sitters as an industry leader as 2013 approaches. Once the capable staff at Server Sitters begins supporting clients, they adjust responses accordingly catering to the changing demands of each situation.    

Server Sitters is an elite outsourced support provider specializing in hosting support for web hosting companies in the U.S. & Canada that require efficient help-desk support, live chat support and/or telephone support services.

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