Tony Abbott still says the carbon pricing scheme will hurt from day one, but will be more like a "python squeeze". Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

TONY Abbott has changed his attack on carbon pricing from warning of instant doom on July 1 to forecasting a long, slow strangulation of industry.

But he has given no sign he wants to change his personal performance despite opinion polls showing many voters are unimpressed by him.

"It's going to be a python squeeze rather than a cobra strike," the Opposition Leader said of carbon pricing on the Gold Coast.

"But it is going to hurt from day one. And as time goes by it's just going to get worse and worse and worse."

Mr Abbott made the change in attack after previously suggesting that steel and mining towns would be closed by the carbon pricing scheme - which penalises major pollution emitters - when it begins in 26 days.

That was always unlikely to happen and the Opposition could have been embarrassed when its claims of immediate job losses did not come true.

But Mr Abbott did not let up on the force of his attacks.

"What we are faced with at the moment is the most incompetent government in our history trying to administer the most complex tax in our history," he said.

"Is it any wonder Australians are worried?"

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Abbott says carbon tax more 'python than cobra'

Published on: 4th Jun 2012

Vodafone Group's CEO, Vittorio Colao will see his total pay this year more than double to around 14 million (US$21.5 million), thanks to long-term performance based bonuses.

According to the annual financial statement published by the company, the value of long-term share options have almost tripled in value from 3.75 million to just under 11 million.

In addition, he received a 1.1 million salary which was a 10% rise on the previous year, and received a further 899,000 in benefits and other payments. A cash bonus however fell to 1 million from 1.3 million a year ago.

The bonus comes as the company's market capitalisation has risen by 15 billion since Mr Colao took over as CEO in July 2008, and the company has paid out 19.2 billion in dividend payments, boosted by a one-off payment from Verizon Wireless and disposals.

However, the company announced a 4 billion write-down in its latest financial results due to weak performance in Europe.

Mr Colao's $21.5 million compensation package compares with the $23.1 million offered to Lowell McAdam, his counterpart at Verizon Communications, and the US$22 million offered to AT&T's CEO, Randall Stephenson.

Tags: [vodafone] [vittorio colao] [UK]

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Vodafone Group CEO Sees Personal Earnings Double to $21.5 Million

Image Credit: Jennifer Graylock/AP

Queen Latifah wants to be clear: Despite speculation online, her performance at Long Beachs Lesbian & Gay Pride event on May 19 was not a signal that she was coming out as a lesbian. That definitely wasnt the case, she tells EW. Ive never dealt with the question of my personal life in public. Its just not gonna happen.

That said, the 42-year old was thrilled to participate in the event and even recalled an earlier performance for gay audiences. To me, doing a gay pride show is one of the most fun things, she says. My first show that paid more than $10,000 was in a gay club on New Years Eve in San Francisco. Tupac happened to be in town, so he came to kick it with me. This was the early 90s. And the boys were like, Take your shirt off, Tupac! He wasnt doing that. But we had a blast in there.

Latifah whos starring in an upcoming remake of Steel Magnolias for Lifetime also reiterated her support for her gay fans. I know that the most important thing and the only thing I have to give is love. When people are going through hatred and bullying, the biggest thing to fight that is love, she says. So thats all I encouraged my audience to do that night: to share their light and share their love. Period. (Reporting by Melissa Maerz)

Check out next weeks issue of EW to see a first look of Queen Latifah in Magnolias.

Related: Queen Latifah to star in Lifetimes all-African-American Steel Magnolias Queen Latifah to produce singing show for The CW Queen Latifah to host syndicated daytime talk show in 2013

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Queen Latifah says she wasn’t coming out with her Long Beach Gay Pride performance

Saturday, June 2, 2012 10:09 PM EDT

By DIANE CHURCH Staff writer

PLAINVILLE Although its called A/M Fitness, Plainvilles newest fitness center has workout sessions from early morning to evening.

Michael Harland, a 31-year-old local resident and single dad who previously lived in Bristol, decided to go into business for himself after working for a large corporate workout facility and a smaller, more personalized fitness center.

I decided to open a place with the things I like and eliminate the things I dont like, he said. This is what fitness is to me.

The center, located at 125 West Main St., has TRX suspension bands, resistance bands, dumbbells, medicine balls, ropes and ViPRs, which are tubes of different sizes and weights. (The name stands for vitality, performance and reconditioning). Each piece of equipment can be used for a variety of different exercises.

Harland said he thinks in terms of functionality when designing workouts for himself and his clients.

It has to relate to the way we actually move, we said.

Because of this, there are no exercise machines, elliptical trainers or treadmills at A/M Fitness. When asked about cardio, Harland looped a resistance band around his waist and to a hook on the floor. This way, he could run backwards and forwards, getting a cardio workout and work his core at the same time.

There are now an average of seven to eight people at each session, Harland said, but he could accommodate up to 16. They work out in smaller groups according to their fitness level. Exercises can be modified for people according to their ability.

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Plainvilleâs newest fitness center aims for personal approach

Originally published June 1, 2012 at 5:36 AM | Page modified June 1, 2012 at 6:32 AM

Consumer spending edged up modestly in April but personal income growth was the slowest in five months, raising concerns about the ability of Americans to keep spending in the future.

Consumer spending increased 0.3 percent in April following a revised 0.2 percent gain in March, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Americans' income grew 0.2 percent in April, the poorest showing since incomes fell 0.1 percent in November. The April gain was just half the 0.4 percent March rise.

Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. Economists hope consumers will keep spending to support further economic growth. But the concern is that incomes have been lagging in this sub-par recovery, meaning households have less to spend. The small April income gain will add to those worries.

Worries about income growth will likely increase in light of a separate report Friday showing that the nation created just 69,000 jobs in May, the fewest in a year. The unemployment rate rose to 8.2 percent from 8.1 percent in April, the first increase in 11 months. Weak job growth translates into weak income growth.

For April, after-tax income adjusted for inflation rose 0.2 percent, extending a string of weak increases of 0.2 percent or less that stretch back more than a year.

With consumers spending more in April at the same time their earnings growth slowed, they financed the difference by tapping savings. The savings rate as a percent of after-tax incomes dipped to 3.4 percent, matching a low hit in February. The 3.4 percent rate was the lowest since the savings rate stood at 2.6 percent in December 2007, just as the recession was beginning. The deep downturn and high unemployment prompted Americans to save more. The annual savings rate climbed to 5.4 percent in 2008 after dipping to a low of 1.5 percent in 2005, a year when soaring home prices made Americans feel less of a need to save.

For the January-March quarter, consumer spending rose at an annual rate of 2.7 percent, the strongest performance since the last quarter of 2010. But there was concern because Americans are receiving little or no pay raises. After-tax income adjusted for inflation rose at an annual rate of just 0.4 percent in the first three months of this year and that followed an even smaller 0.2 percent increase in the final three months of 2011.

The overall economy expanded at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the January-March quarter, helped considerably by the solid gain in consumer spending.

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Consumer spending edges up in April; personal income growth slows

Changing solution for personal audio combines unmatched sound performance with exciting new capabilities

New York - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leading supplier of high-performance audio ICs, together with Soundchip SA, a Swiss-based innovator in audio-systems technology and originator of the High Definition Personal-Audio(TM) (HD-PA) Reference, today introduced technologies and components for the smart audio accessory - an exciting new concept in personal listening.

Worn like a pair of In-Ear Monitors (IEMs), the smart audio accessory features new means of controlling and personalizing the sound experience. Designed to be worn at all times, the smart audio accessory supports all use modes, including music, telephony and direct conversation, without requiring any reconfiguration of the apparatus in the ear. Furthermore, the smart audio accessory maintains a faithful reproduction of sound while providing a robust shield against unwanted background noise.

The smart audio accessory employs Soundchip's patented sound-processing technologies to provide a natural and comfortable sound experience when speaking, even with the accessory in place and physically sealing the ear. By electro-acoustically "opening" this seal, the smart audio accessory is able to pass ambient sound directly to the wearer, providing an ability to listen and converse naturally with the accessory still in place.

The smart audio accessory provides the ability to conveniently switch between different audio sources - voice, music or ambient sound - by simply pressing a button, making a pre-defined gesture or issuing a voice command. Various options are supported, including those that leverage ST's recognized leadership in MEMS motion sensors.

In addition, by connecting the smart audio accessory to a DSP or DSP-capable controller (such as the STM32 F4), and a smartphone or tablet computer, the sound experience can be further enhanced by taking advantage of custom-made apps, which individually process and mix sound sources to deliver innovative new features, such as augmented reality.

Comprising Soundchip's patented HD-PA Ready Electronic and Acoustic platforms combined with STMicroelectronics' best-in-class HD-PA Ready MEMS microphones, the smart audio accessory represents an exciting fusion of electronics, MEMS sensing technology and acoustics and provides a compelling example of the future of personal audio.

Mark Donaldson, Soundchip CEO, said, "The smart audio accessory combines the very best of Soundchip's unique audio-system technology for sound at the ear. We believe that the smart audio accessory represents a game changing solution that offers the users of smartphones, tablet computers and gaming devices a level of sound experience only dreamed of until now."

"As a global leader in the design and high-volume manufacturing of integrated circuits and MEMS, ST's collaboration with Soundchip aims to provide customers with the solutions they need to pioneer the audio products of the future," said Andrea Onetti, Audio and Sound Business Unit Leader at STMicroelectronics. "The smart audio accessory represents an exciting step forward made possible by the uncompromised quality and performance of our MEMS microphones combined with our expertise and experience in audio silicon design."

Soundchip and ST will be presenting examples of the smart audio accessory concept to customers throughout June.

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STMicroelectronics and Soundchip Team to Revolutionize Sound Experience in the Ear

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30-05-2012 08:05 this is my personal performance of belly dance. I feel a little gypsy! The costume was designed by me and also the choreography. I hope you like it!

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My belly gipsy - Video

WESTFIELD, NJ--(Marketwire -05/31/12)- American Athlete Magazine, which launched its premiere issue in early March, has quickly gained popularity among athletes and industry professionals to become one of the dominant digital sports and fitness publications in the United States. Issue 1.2 London Olympics Edition continues the magazine's mission of Mind, Body and Spirit by exploring elements common across all competitive sports: improving strength and endurance, developing positive nutrition and conditioning habits, building mental toughness, preparing for game time and learning to live with personal performance results.

The cover story, "Heart of Gold" features Magic Johnson who reflects on his Olympic experiences and giving back to the community by having his success drive the success of others. American Athlete Magazine shows what it is like, and what is required to compete at the most challenging levels by presenting the true portraits of athletes like Johnson so readers can achieve their personal sports and fitness goals.

Other features in Issue 1.2 of American Athlete Magazine include:

David Fink, founder and publisher of American Athlete Magazine shares, "We are extremely excited and pleased with the response from our premiere issue -- and what seems to be a product that is filling a void in the sports and fitness industry by bringing athletes the content they desire through an unprecedented interactive experience."

Lead sponsors for Issue 1.2 include Parisi Speed School and Nogii gluten-free protein bars from Europa. American Athlete Magazine Issue 1.2 is free to download in the Apple App Store and Newsstand from an iPad. American Athlete Magazine continues to educate, entertain and inspire readers to become their personal best -- with two issues released and a rapid download rate, Fink adds, "We're confident that American Athlete Magazine will continue to have a tremendous impact on the fast-growing network of sports and fitness communities."

More information about American Athlete Magazine can be found via its active social media presence on Facebook (www.facebook.com/americanathletemag) and Twitter (@aathletemag). The American Athlete Magazine media kit is available through the American Athlete Community Site at http://www.americanathletemag.com. For more information, call (800) 310-8250 or e-mail info@americanathletemag.com.

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American Athlete Magazine Issue 1.2 Released in App Store and Newsstand for iPad -- London Olympics Edition Featuring ...

By Andrs Cardenal - May 31, 2012 | Tickers: ITW, KMT, NUE, TKR, X | 0 Comments

Andrs is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

These are not easy times for companies in the industrial or steel sector. The economic crisis in Europe and the slowdown in China are producing lackluster demand for many firms in the industry. However, you couldnt tell that by looking at the financial and operating performance of The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) which reported better than expected results over the last quarters.

The company supplies anti-friction and power transmission components to an ample variety of industrial clients. Its products are used to reduce frictions in planes, trains and automobiles. Timken is also in the steel business, manufacturing specialty alloy steel bars, tubes and precision components. Although the company is quite diversified, we could say that its markets are also very exposed to the economic cycle, and for that reason it sounds reasonable to expect some weakness in times of economic uncertainty.

But that is not the case at all: In fact, Timken reported record earnings per share for the last quarter, and also increased guidance for the rest of the year. Management sounds quite optimistic about performance in the following months, form the press release:

Our record performance, as well as our confidence in our improved full-year earnings outlook, stand as further testimony to the companys ability to execute at a structurally higher level of performance, said James W. Griffith, Timken president and chief executive officer. Around the globe, our company is operating very well, leveraging momentum we see in our target markets, earning new business through our expanded product and services portfolio, and successfully driving those gains to the bottom line.

The last quarter was not an isolated event; Timken has a solid track record at performing better than estimated by Wall Street analysts and last year was another historical record in terms of sales and earnings, fully recovering from the last recession and challenging the adverse economic scenario.

Management has been moving away from low margin operations and into businesses with higher profitability. In 2009 for example, Timken sold its needle roller bearings business to JTEKT for $330 million reducing its presence in the light vehicle market. From 2007 to 2011 Timken has made several acquisitions in the aerospace and industrial sectors, and those deals have provided the basis for above average performance in the current environment.

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A High Quality Industrial Company

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The following interview appeared in the June-July edition of The New Europe magazine:

In the current economic climate the importance of working with a financial advisor has taken renewed importance.

Davos Financial Group is an independent advisor offering clients a universal range of products and services to make safe and transparent investment. The New Europe spoke to the Wealth Management team, David Osio (CEO), Gustavo Rivas (VP Asset Management) and Leopoldo Martinez (Davos Consulting), to find out more about the Davos methodology and strategic approach.

The New Europe: How can the risk management strategies Davos Financial Group provides enable clients to mitigate risk in their investment choices?

Davos Financial: The risk management model provided by Davos Financial Group guarantees transparency and a differentiating factor based on diversification and optimisation of investment strategies. This model evaluates return on investment expectations in terms of customers' interests. Based on different portfolio limitations, placement of financial assets can be made either with the highest return expectations or with the minimum risk levels, utilising a universal range of products and services available in the current financial market. Additional to this main advantage, Davos Financial Group, also enables clients to consolidate the appraisals of multiple investment portfolios, providing a unique, complete and exact understanding of the current financial summary of the placement of their financial assets. The diversifications, optimisation and consolidation factors also assist our clients in structuring a professional decision-making platform including: 1) Advise in the preparation of strategic investment models by using structured scenarios with the widest range of asset types. 2) Assistance in the active/passive decision-making process as well as in the definition of protection policies for currency fluctuations.

TNE: Davos Financial Group has a well-established international presence. How can the service you provide benefit high-net worth clients who wish to expand their business operations internationally?

DF: The international presence allows our customers to network in different jurisdictions, structuring their business under a legal and financial umbrella that ensures the efficiency of its results according to the different locations where we are providing all our services. Davos Financial Group assists to take a step forward toward what may be the international expansion of the business of any client.

TNE: How can the Trust services Davos Financial Group provides, enable more efficient estate and tax planning for clients?

DF: Davos Financial Group, through its subsidiary company Davos Trust Limited, can provide Trustee Services under New Zealand Foreign Trust Law. Among several tax and estate planning advantages, these services allow our clients to control assets or companies situated in different jurisdictions around the world while providing a tax efficient asset protection and planned succession mechanism, with all the advantages offered by New Zealand favourable tax treatment of foreign trusts, and its Tax Treaties Network. According to New Zealand Law, a foreign trust will not be taxed on income or gains of foreign source, nor will it be subject to estate taxes. On the other hand, with appropriate structuring, the trustee will qualify under most limitations of benefit provisions provided by the OECD Model Tax Treaties.

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Davos Financial: The Personal Touch – Interview in The New Europe Magazine