Leading Travel Franchise Named 2012 Canada Partner of the Year
March 05, 2013 // Franchising.com // Vancouver, British Columbia - Expedia? CruiseShipCenters? ? part of Expedia? Inc, the largest online travel company in the world, was recently named 2012 Loyal to Royal Canada Partner of the Year by Royal Caribbean International.
The award recognizes Expedia CruiseShipCenters as a top performing travel partner in 2012 and honors the company for their significant contributions to Royal Caribbean?s overall success throughout the past year.
?Royal Caribbean International is delighted to recognize our top performing travel partners for 2012 who have made significant contributions to Royal Caribbean?s overall success throughout the past year,? said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade Support and Services, Royal Caribbean International. ?Our business is truly about building strong and loyal relationships and Expedia CruiseShipCenters exemplifies the meaning of partnership.?
The hard work of Expedia CruiseShipCenters? 4,000 Vacation Consultants from 170 franchise locations from coast to coast are the main reason for this incredible recognition.
?We are honored to receive this award from Royal Caribbean and to be recognized as an outstanding travel partner,? said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. ?Royal Caribbean is an important part of our Customers For Life strategy and receiving this award is the result of the strong partnership we have enjoyed for over 25 years. We look forward to sailing full speed ahead with them in 2013!?
Offering award winning marketing programs, the industry?s best customer relationship management system, CruiseDesk? and the power of the #1 brand in travel, Expedia CruiseShipCenters offers rewarding business opportunities for those with a passion for travel. Visit www.expediafranchise.com or www.joinecsc.com for more information about joining the Expedia CruiseShipCenters team.
About?Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world, has partnered with Expedia CruiseShipCenters to provide travelers a one-stop-shop for cruises and vacations. Expedia CruiseShipCenters was founded in 1987 and offers the best value in the industry with 4,000 travel consultants in more than 170 franchise locations throughout North America. Named a fast-growing franchise by MSN Money, the company offers flexible, rewarding business opportunities for travel consultants and franchise owners with a passion for travel. For more information on joining the Expedia CruiseShipCenters team, visit www.expediafranchise.com.
Expedia is either a registered trademark or trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. ? 2013 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43
SOURCE?Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Media Contact:
Stacy Rubenstein Fishman Public Relations 847-945-1300, ext. 259 srubenstein@fishmanpr.com
Michael Goldsmith owns the new local franchise of the Batavia-based company, which specializes in no-appointment vehicle oil changes.
The shop is located at 42 Skyway Plaza, Suite 5, the south end of the Family Dollar building.?
There is one service bay on the south side of the structure. Goldsmith wants to add a carport to accommodate larger vehicles.
He did most of the renovations himself. He credits his uncle, Patrick Duhaime, with teaching him the skills required for that.
EXPERIENCED
Along with oil changes, Goldsmith said, he will provide other maintenance services, as well as auto detailing and customization.
?We will offer preventive maintenance to help keep your car running better and let you get the best mileage out of your car,? he said.
He offers a full-service oil change, including a top-off of all fluids, vacuum and tire-pressure checks for $32.99.
He is the sole employee but may add another if business warrants.
Goldsmith has 15 years of automotive-service experience. He started working on cars with his father, Greg, when he was young and has worked at a number of area garages.
His brother, Steven Powers, who is also in the oil-change business, helped him connect with Grease Lightning owner Ben Thompson.
ARMY VETERAN
A U.S. Army veteran, Michael also offers a veterans discount.
He said his representative from Soldier On, an advocacy group for vets, helped him start the business.
?They (Soldier On) are helping keep me on track,? he said.
Michael also carries AutoTex PINK wiper blades, with a portion of the proceeds from those sales going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
This is Grease Lighting?s 39th location and 21st in New York state.
APPRECIATED
Michael noted that his family owns a pair of successful businesses in the Plattsburgh area.
His father is proprietor of Goldie?s Grocery on Wallace Hill, and his aunt, Punki Duhaime, owns and operates?Shear Perfection on Boynton Avenue.
Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said small businesses are vital to any community.
?Any business that opens locally, especially in the City of Plattsburgh, I truly appreciate and wish them well,? he said.
?WHAT I LOVE?
Grease Lightning?s hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, or by appointment.
?I?m very particular when it comes to vehicles,? Michael said. ?It?s what I grew up with, and it?s what I love.?
Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for March 5, 2013Public release date: 4-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Megan Hanks mhanks@acponline.org 215-351-2656 American College of Physicians
A special supplement on patient safety strategies will be published with the March 5 issue. In addition to the 10 articles included in the supplement, Annals of Internal Medicine also will publish a special five-page graphic narrative on the topic of medical errors. Please see summaries at the bottom of the page for information. Full text of the graphic novel and articles in the supplement are available upon request.
1. Screening with Colonoscopy May Reduce Risk for Late-stage Cancer By 70 Percent
Screening with sigmoidoscopy yields similar results in cancer of the left colon, but not the right
Using colonoscopy to screen average-risk adults for colorectal cancer (CRC) reduces the risk for diagnosis of late-stage CRC by about 70 percent for both the right- and left-sided disease. Previous trials and observational studies have shown that screening with fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy reduce the risk for CRC incidence and death, but evidence of the effectiveness of screening colonoscopy has been limited. Researchers reviewed health records for 1,012 average-risk adults between the ages of 55 and 85 to examine the association between screening colonoscopy and incident late-state CRC risk. Case patients (n = 474), or those with advanced CRC at the time of diagnosis, were compared to 538 control patients. Those screened with colonoscopy had a significant overall reduction in the risk for late-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis. The authors simultaneously examined the association between screening sigmoidoscopy and late-state CRC risk. They found that screening sigmoidoscopy was associated with a reduction in risk similar to that of colonoscopy for left-sided late-stage CRC, but showed a modest, statistically nonsignificant effect on risk for right-sided colon cancer, which accounts for about 50 percent of new CRC cases in the United States. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00001.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To speak with the author, please contact Katie Delach at 215-349-5964 or katie.delach@uphs.upenn.edu.
2. Mailings Linked to Electronic Health Records Double Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence Rates
Sending automated mailings linked to electronic health records (EHR) led to twice as many persons adhering to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations compared to usual care. CRC is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Screening has been proven to reduce morbidity and mortality, but fewer than 60 percent of Americans aged 50? (the recommended age range for screening) report being current for screening. According to the authors, interventions to increase adherence to recommendations for CRC screening are needed. The researchers sought to determine if interventions using EHR, automated mailings, and stepped increases in support could improve CRC screening adherence over two years. They randomly assigned 4,675 adult Group Health patients aged 50 to 73 years who were not current on CRC screening to one of four interventions: usual care; EHR-linked mailings that included a letter, a pamphlet, and a fecal occult blood testing kit ("automated"); automated plus telephone assistance ("assisted"), or automated and assisted plus nurse navigation to testing completion or refusal ("navigated"). These same interventions were repeated in year two. Compared with usual care, patients in the automated group, where letters, pamphlets, and fecal occult blood tests were mailed, completed recommended screening twice as often, for less cost. Patients in the assisted and navigated groups had additional but smaller incremental improvements in adherence. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00002.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Rebecca Hughes at hughes.r@ghc.org or 206-287-2055.
3. Atrial Fibrillation Associated with Higher Risk for Cognitive Impairment, Dementia
Atrial fibrillation is associated with a higher risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, with or without stroke. AF is the most common arrhythmia in the United States, affecting more than 2.7 million Americans in 2010. Three known risk factors for AF heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension are also risk factors for cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment may affect long-term memory, but does not adversely affect daily living. However, dementia is associated with memory and other cognitive impairments that may have a substantial impact on patients, families, and the health care system. For this reason, finding and addressing major risk factors is imperative. Researchers reviewed 21 published studies to assess the association between AF and cognitive impairment. The studies revealed a strong association between AF and cognitive impairment or dementia independent of stroke. The authors suggest that these findings should inspire future research that carefully distinguishes types of dementia. Investigators also should consider cognitive function as a new outcome to be assessed in studies about treatments for AF. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00007.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Ryan Donovan at rcdonovan@partners.org or 617-724-6433.
*Special Section/Supplement
4. Comics Offer an Innovative Way to Enhance Medical Training
Comics, or graphic narratives, may be an effective way to share important medical experiences with physicians in training. The graphic narrative, "Missed It" is being published in Annals of Internal Medicine to illustrate how creative learning tools can enhance medical training by adding an emotional and visual component. "Missed It" tells the story of a medical resident dealing with a seemingly routine case of COPD in the emergency room. The five-page story unfolds in a dramatic and emotionally compelling fashion. According to the author, graphic narratives are not always silly or frivolous, as some may say. They can be used to tell incredibly moving stories about serious topics. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00013
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Scott Gilbert at sgilbert1@hmc.psu.edu or 717-531-1887.
5. Special Supplement Focuses on Top 10 Strategies to Improve Patient Safety Now
Between 44,000 and 80,000 patients die each year in the United states from diagnostic errors. Another 68,000 patients die of bed sores, and many thousands of patients die from teamwork and communication errors or failure to receive evidence-based interventions. Patient safety is a significant public health issue that requires strategic intervention. In 2000, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) commissioned a report analyzing and rating nearly 80 different patient safety strategies (PSSs). Since the report was issued, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers gained a greater understanding of the epidemiology of errors and preventable harms. The burden is larger than previously thought. In a major effort to help health care systems protect the safety of patients, the AHRQ developed a report identifying the top 10 patient safety strategies ready for immediate use. If widely implemented, these 10 strategies have the potential to vastly improve patient safety and save lives, according to the report. Making Health Care Safer II: An Updated Critical Analysis of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices assess the evidence for 41 patient safety strategies and strongly encourages that 10 be adopted now. The strategies can help prevent harmful events such as medication errors, bed sores, and healthcare-associated infections. Ten of the 41 strategies are being published in a special supplement to Annals of Internal Medicine at http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00010.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Alison Hunt at alison.hunt@ahrq.hhs.gov or 301-427-1244.
###
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?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for March 5, 2013Public release date: 4-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Megan Hanks mhanks@acponline.org 215-351-2656 American College of Physicians
A special supplement on patient safety strategies will be published with the March 5 issue. In addition to the 10 articles included in the supplement, Annals of Internal Medicine also will publish a special five-page graphic narrative on the topic of medical errors. Please see summaries at the bottom of the page for information. Full text of the graphic novel and articles in the supplement are available upon request.
1. Screening with Colonoscopy May Reduce Risk for Late-stage Cancer By 70 Percent
Screening with sigmoidoscopy yields similar results in cancer of the left colon, but not the right
Using colonoscopy to screen average-risk adults for colorectal cancer (CRC) reduces the risk for diagnosis of late-stage CRC by about 70 percent for both the right- and left-sided disease. Previous trials and observational studies have shown that screening with fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy reduce the risk for CRC incidence and death, but evidence of the effectiveness of screening colonoscopy has been limited. Researchers reviewed health records for 1,012 average-risk adults between the ages of 55 and 85 to examine the association between screening colonoscopy and incident late-state CRC risk. Case patients (n = 474), or those with advanced CRC at the time of diagnosis, were compared to 538 control patients. Those screened with colonoscopy had a significant overall reduction in the risk for late-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis. The authors simultaneously examined the association between screening sigmoidoscopy and late-state CRC risk. They found that screening sigmoidoscopy was associated with a reduction in risk similar to that of colonoscopy for left-sided late-stage CRC, but showed a modest, statistically nonsignificant effect on risk for right-sided colon cancer, which accounts for about 50 percent of new CRC cases in the United States. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00001.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To speak with the author, please contact Katie Delach at 215-349-5964 or katie.delach@uphs.upenn.edu.
2. Mailings Linked to Electronic Health Records Double Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence Rates
Sending automated mailings linked to electronic health records (EHR) led to twice as many persons adhering to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations compared to usual care. CRC is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Screening has been proven to reduce morbidity and mortality, but fewer than 60 percent of Americans aged 50? (the recommended age range for screening) report being current for screening. According to the authors, interventions to increase adherence to recommendations for CRC screening are needed. The researchers sought to determine if interventions using EHR, automated mailings, and stepped increases in support could improve CRC screening adherence over two years. They randomly assigned 4,675 adult Group Health patients aged 50 to 73 years who were not current on CRC screening to one of four interventions: usual care; EHR-linked mailings that included a letter, a pamphlet, and a fecal occult blood testing kit ("automated"); automated plus telephone assistance ("assisted"), or automated and assisted plus nurse navigation to testing completion or refusal ("navigated"). These same interventions were repeated in year two. Compared with usual care, patients in the automated group, where letters, pamphlets, and fecal occult blood tests were mailed, completed recommended screening twice as often, for less cost. Patients in the assisted and navigated groups had additional but smaller incremental improvements in adherence. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00002.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Rebecca Hughes at hughes.r@ghc.org or 206-287-2055.
3. Atrial Fibrillation Associated with Higher Risk for Cognitive Impairment, Dementia
Atrial fibrillation is associated with a higher risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, with or without stroke. AF is the most common arrhythmia in the United States, affecting more than 2.7 million Americans in 2010. Three known risk factors for AF heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension are also risk factors for cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment may affect long-term memory, but does not adversely affect daily living. However, dementia is associated with memory and other cognitive impairments that may have a substantial impact on patients, families, and the health care system. For this reason, finding and addressing major risk factors is imperative. Researchers reviewed 21 published studies to assess the association between AF and cognitive impairment. The studies revealed a strong association between AF and cognitive impairment or dementia independent of stroke. The authors suggest that these findings should inspire future research that carefully distinguishes types of dementia. Investigators also should consider cognitive function as a new outcome to be assessed in studies about treatments for AF. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00007.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Ryan Donovan at rcdonovan@partners.org or 617-724-6433.
*Special Section/Supplement
4. Comics Offer an Innovative Way to Enhance Medical Training
Comics, or graphic narratives, may be an effective way to share important medical experiences with physicians in training. The graphic narrative, "Missed It" is being published in Annals of Internal Medicine to illustrate how creative learning tools can enhance medical training by adding an emotional and visual component. "Missed It" tells the story of a medical resident dealing with a seemingly routine case of COPD in the emergency room. The five-page story unfolds in a dramatic and emotionally compelling fashion. According to the author, graphic narratives are not always silly or frivolous, as some may say. They can be used to tell incredibly moving stories about serious topics. A link to this article will be live at 5:00 p.m. on March 4 http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00013
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Scott Gilbert at sgilbert1@hmc.psu.edu or 717-531-1887.
5. Special Supplement Focuses on Top 10 Strategies to Improve Patient Safety Now
Between 44,000 and 80,000 patients die each year in the United states from diagnostic errors. Another 68,000 patients die of bed sores, and many thousands of patients die from teamwork and communication errors or failure to receive evidence-based interventions. Patient safety is a significant public health issue that requires strategic intervention. In 2000, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) commissioned a report analyzing and rating nearly 80 different patient safety strategies (PSSs). Since the report was issued, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers gained a greater understanding of the epidemiology of errors and preventable harms. The burden is larger than previously thought. In a major effort to help health care systems protect the safety of patients, the AHRQ developed a report identifying the top 10 patient safety strategies ready for immediate use. If widely implemented, these 10 strategies have the potential to vastly improve patient safety and save lives, according to the report. Making Health Care Safer II: An Updated Critical Analysis of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices assess the evidence for 41 patient safety strategies and strongly encourages that 10 be adopted now. The strategies can help prevent harmful events such as medication errors, bed sores, and healthcare-associated infections. Ten of the 41 strategies are being published in a special supplement to Annals of Internal Medicine at http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303050-00010.
Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Megan Hanks or Angela Collom. To interview the lead author, please contact Alison Hunt at alison.hunt@ahrq.hhs.gov or 301-427-1244.
###
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
A Second Take on Meeting the Press: From an up-close look at Rachel Maddow's sneakers to an in-depth look at Jon Krakauer's latest book ? it's all fair game in our "Meet the Press: Take Two" web extra. Log on Sundays to see David Gregory's post-show conversations with leading newsmakers, authors and roundtable guests. Videos are available on-demand by 12 p.m. ET on Sundays.
Every week, we share a number of downloads for all platforms to help you get things done. Here were the top downloads from this week.
XBMC Is Now Available for Apple TV 2 Running iOS 6.1
If you've been waiting for XBMC media center to finally be available for the latest jailbroken Apple TV 2 running version 5.2 (iOS 6.1), you no longer have to wait. You can now install XBMC with the latest stable update. More ?
Calm.com Trains You to Meditate in Two to Twenty Minute Sessions
Web/iOS: Meditation offers a host of benefits, from?improved memory and productivity?to?stress and pain relief. If you need a little help getting started, Calm.com's webapp and iOS app can guide you in as little as two minutes (two minutes a day?can go a long way towards building a meditation habit). More ?
SubtleLock Redesigns the iPhone Home Screen and Gives Notifications More Room
iOS (Jailbroken): The lock screen on the iPhone hasn't changed much since its inception, but if you're looking to give it a slight overhaul without changing everything, SubtleLock is a simple little jailbreak tweak that gives your lock screen a lot more room to breath. More ?
OblyTile Creates Fully-Customized Windows 8 Tiles
The Windows 8 Start screen has the potential to be a great application launcher, but the application shortcuts it creates for desktop apps can stick out against the slick, modern system tiles. Luckily, OblyTile lets you create custom tiles for any app or folder. More ?
Files Is An Incredibly Simple Yet Powerful File Manager for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
iOS: You'll find a number of apps for managing your files on an iPhone or iPad, but most make it feel like a task or chore. A new app called Files makes the process so simple and elegant that you'll actually enjoy using it. More ?
Instashare Brings AirDrop-Like File Sharing to iOS
iOS/OS X:?AirDrop?is one of OS X's best features, and Instashare replicates its dead-simple wireless file sharing powers on iOS. More ?
Internet Explorer 10 Now Available for Windows 7
The latest version of Internet Explorer comes with Windows 8, but if you've?decided not to upgrade, you can finally download Internet Explorer 10 today. More ?
Custom Google Background for Chrome Personalizes Your Google Searches
Chrome: If you were a little bummed when Google?removed background images from its homepage last November, the Custom Google Background extension lets you add a little personal flair to your searches again. More ?
coconutBattery Keeps an Eye On Your MacBook Battery's Health
OS X: Over time, your battery's lifespan decreases, eventually reaching the point where it won't hold a charge nearly as long as when you bought it. Free app coconutBattery gives you detailed info on your battery's health over time. More ?
Predicter and TypeStatus Let You Know When Someone Starts Typing an iMessage for You
iOS (Jailbroken): iMessage has the handy feature that shows when someone is typing a message to you in the app, but it doesn't show up anywhere else in iOS. If you want to track when someone is typing a message to you from anywhere, TypeStatus and Predicter are both jailbreak tweaks that do just that. More ?
AAA??Mar. 3, 2013?12:17 PM ET Syrian opposition head visits rebel areas in north AP
In this image taken from video filmed on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 and released Saturday evening, March 2, 2013, Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks during an interview with the Sunday Times, in Damascus, Syria. Iran and Syria condemned a U.S. plan to assist rebels fighting to topple Assad on Saturday and signaled the Syrian leader intends to stay in power at least until 2014 presidential elections. Assad told the Sunday Times in the interview timed to coincide with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's first foreign trip that "the intelligence, communication and financial assistance being provided is very lethal." Kerry announced on Thursday that the Obama administration was giving an additional $60 million in assistance to Syria's political opposition and would, for the first time, provide non-lethal aid directly to the rebels. (AP Photo/Sunday Times via AP video) THIS IMAGE IS FOR USE FOR 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS ONLY, SUNDAY TIMES LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED, NO ARCHIVES, NO SALES /PLEASE CONTACT SUNDAY TIMES SYNDICATION DEPARTMENT BY EMAIL TO ENQUIRIES@NISYNDICATION.COM FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING USE OUTSIDE THE 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS WINDOW
In this image taken from video filmed on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 and released Saturday evening, March 2, 2013, Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks during an interview with the Sunday Times, in Damascus, Syria. Iran and Syria condemned a U.S. plan to assist rebels fighting to topple Assad on Saturday and signaled the Syrian leader intends to stay in power at least until 2014 presidential elections. Assad told the Sunday Times in the interview timed to coincide with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's first foreign trip that "the intelligence, communication and financial assistance being provided is very lethal." Kerry announced on Thursday that the Obama administration was giving an additional $60 million in assistance to Syria's political opposition and would, for the first time, provide non-lethal aid directly to the rebels. (AP Photo/Sunday Times via AP video) THIS IMAGE IS FOR USE FOR 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS ONLY, SUNDAY TIMES LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED, NO ARCHIVES, NO SALES /PLEASE CONTACT SUNDAY TIMES SYNDICATION DEPARTMENT BY EMAIL TO ENQUIRIES@NISYNDICATION.COM FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING USE OUTSIDE THE 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS WINDOW
In this image taken from video filmed on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 and released Saturday evening, March 2, 2013, Syrian President Bashar Assad gestures while speaking during an interview with the Sunday Times, in Damascus, Syria. Iran and Syria condemned a U.S. plan to assist rebels fighting to topple Assad on Saturday and signaled the Syrian leader intends to stay in power at least until 2014 presidential elections. Assad told the Sunday Times in the interview timed to coincide with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's first foreign trip that "the intelligence, communication and financial assistance being provided is very lethal." Kerry announced on Thursday that the Obama administration was giving an additional $60 million in assistance to Syria's political opposition and would, for the first time, provide non-lethal aid directly to the rebels. (AP Photo/Sunday Times via AP video) THIS IMAGE IS FOR USE FOR 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS ONLY, SUNDAY TIMES LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED, NO ARCHIVES, NO SALES /PLEASE CONTACT SUNDAY TIMES SYNDICATION DEPARTMENT BY EMAIL TO ENQUIRIES@NISYNDICATION.COM FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING USE OUTSIDE THE 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS WINDOW
In this image taken from video filmed on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 and released Saturday evening, March 2, 2013, Syrian President Bashar Assad gestures while speaking during an interview with the Sunday Times, in Damascus, Syria. Iran and Syria condemned a U.S. plan to assist rebels fighting to topple Assad on Saturday and signaled the Syrian leader intends to stay in power at least until 2014 presidential elections. Assad told the Sunday Times in the interview timed to coincide with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's first foreign trip that "the intelligence, communication and financial assistance being provided is very lethal." Kerry announced on Thursday that the Obama administration was giving an additional $60 million in assistance to Syria's political opposition and would, for the first time, provide non-lethal aid directly to the rebels. (AP Photo/Sunday Times via AP video) THIS IMAGE IS FOR USE FOR 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS ONLY, SUNDAY TIMES LOGO MUST NOT BE OBSCURED, NO ARCHIVES, NO SALES /PLEASE CONTACT SUNDAY TIMES SYNDICATION DEPARTMENT BY EMAIL TO ENQUIRIES@NISYNDICATION.COM FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING USE OUTSIDE THE 24 HOUR NEWS ACCESS WINDOW
BEIRUT (AP) ? The chief of the Syrian National Coalition has, for the first time, visited rebel-held areas near the embattled city of Aleppo in northern Syria.
Aleppo, the nation's largest city, has been a major front in the nearly 2-year-old conflict. Government forces and rebels have been locked in a stalemate there since July.
Mouaz al-Khatib met Sunday with Syrians living in two suburbs of Aleppo that are controlled by the opposition.
A coalition statement says the goal of his trip to Manbah and Jarablus was to inspect the living conditions of residents there.
The opposition controls large swathes of land around Aleppo, and several areas within the city while the government maintains controls of others.
We've had a bit of a love / hate relationship with the Google Chromebook since the first one crossed our laps back in 2011 -- the Samsung Series 5. We loved the concept, but hated the very limited functionality provided by your $500 investment. Since then, the series of barebones laptops has progressed, and so too has the barebones OS they run, leading to our current favorite of the bunch: the 2012 Samsung Chromebook.
In that laptop's review, we concluded that "$249 seems like an appropriate price for this sort of device." So, then, imagine our chagrin when Google unveiled a very similar sort of device, but one that comes with a premium. A very hefty premium. It's a high-end, halo sort of product with incredible build quality, an incredible screen and an incredible price. Is a Chromebook that starts at more than five times the cost of its strongest competition even worth considering? Let's do the math.
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Public release date: 4-Mar-2013
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Every week, we share a number of downloads for all platforms to help you get things done. Here were the top downloads from this week. 
