Coca-Cola's distributing a new kind of milk -- one critics say has been promoted with sexist ads.

Ferguson, Missouri (CNN) -- This is what Ferguson looked like Tuesday morning.

Shattered glass from looted stores covered the asphalt. Shell casings from unknown shooters littered the ground. And more than a dozen buildings, including stores owned by local residents, had been set ablaze.

As protesters hurled bottles, batteries and rocks at police, officers in riot gear responded by shooting bean bags and tear gas.

"This ain't Iraq. This is the United States," Demetric Whitlock yelled to a line of police officers on South Florissant Road, in front of the Ferguson Police Department.

When a grand jury decided Monday not to indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, the news triggered fresh confrontations between protesters and police in the tense Missouri city.

While most of the demonstrators peacefully protested on the streets, some smashed the windows of a police cruiser and set another on fire.

An entire row of businesses on West Florissant Avenue, a major thoroughfare, was engulfed in flames.

There were so many infernos that firefighters couldn't rush to every one.

Amid the looting and arson, some protesters demanded the media stop reporting on the events. CNN's Sara Sidner was struck in the head with a rock.

Many business owners will return to their shops to see their livelihoods in ruins. Looters broke into a beauty supply store and stole hair weaves and wigs, leaving the heads of mannequins strewn in the middle of the street.

And in nearby Dellwood, some people torched a row of cars at a car dealership and set several businesses on fire.

"The fire district does not feel safe coming out to put out fires because of the gunshots and the looting there taking place," Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones said. "So they are refusing, basically, to come out and put these fires out."

29 arrested, no serious injuries

Amid the chaos, police made 29 arrests in Ferguson. No officers suffered any serious injuries, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said, and to his knowledge, police didn't cause any serious injuries, either.

But Belmar said he heard at least 100 gunshots go off through the night. Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson said police did not fire any of the bullets.

On Tuesday morning,Gov. Jay Nixon ordered more Missouri National Guard members to Ferguson

"The Guard is providing security at the Ferguson Police Department, which will allow additional law enforcement officers to protect the public," Nixon's office said.

But it's unclear how long standoffs might continue between protesters and police

"People here have a real grudge against the police," Whitlock said. "It's not going away."

Protesters turn out nationwide

It wasn't just that way in Ferguson.

Twelve miles south in St. Louis, Police Chief Sam Dotson said windows of businesses located across the street from a protest gathering spot were smashed and 21 people were arrested on felony accusations, including illicit gun possession. But no one was shot.

"What we saw last night is the criminals were using the cover of the organized protests to do their criminal activity," Dotson said.

News about the grand jury's decision not to indict Wilson also spread quickly nationwide, spurring others to turn out for spontaneous rallies in support of Brown's family against what they characterized as unnecessary force by some police officers against citizens, especially African-Americans.

Some laid down on the street outside the White House in protest. In New York's Union Square, scores held up a huge, lit-up sign that read, "Black lives matter." More protesters took their message to the streets of Seattle, Washington, and Oakland, California.

Others will get their chance to express their views at more than 120 pro-Brown family vigils and gatherings in cities big and small -- from Los Angeles to Bangor, Maine -- organized nationwide, including some scheduled for Tuesday.

There is the chance that, in Ferguson or any of those places, violence could again flare between protesters and police.

Weighing in during a live address Monday night, President Barack Obama called it "understandable" that some Americans will agree and others will be made angry by the decision to not indict Wilson. Whatever their take, he said, lashing out is not an acceptable reaction.

"First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law, so we need to accept this decision was the grand jury's to make," Obama said.

'Exhaustive review'
All of this unrest, all of this tension dates to August 9, when Brown and a friend were walking down the middle of a Ferguson street.

What happened next -- from the shooting, to the failure to immediately charge Wilson in Brown's death, to at-times violent clashes between authorities and Brown family supporters -- turned Ferguson from a largely unknown St.

Louis suburb to the center of a national debate over race, law enforcement and the interaction of the two.

The basic facts have never been disputed. Brown, who was black, was unarmed. Wilson, who is white, shot him.

But how and why that exactly happened is hotly disputed. And grand jury testimony released late Monday offered little resolution, with Wilson's version of events contradicting those offered by some witnesses.

The St. Louis County grand jury of nine white and three black members got a lot of information -- meeting 25 times, during which they heard from 60 witnesses and three medical examiners in 70 hours of testimony.

The grand jurors' mission was never to convict Wilson. Rather, it was to decide whether there was reason enough to charge him with a crime -- either first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. They also could have added a charge of armed criminal action.
 
If at least nine of the 12 grand jurors had voted that there was enough to proceed with charges, Wilson would have stood trial.

After hearing all of the testimony and deliberating for two days, they decided not to indict the officer on any charge.

Said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch: "The physical and scientific evidence examined by the grand jury, combined with the witness statements, supported and substantiated by that physical evidence, tells the accurate and tragic story of what happened."

Brown family: 'Let's make a difference'
The decision was welcomed by Wilson, who -- in a statement issued by his attorneys -- expressed thanks to those who have "stood by his side."

"Law enforcement personnel must frequently make split-second and difficult decisions," the Wilson camp's statement said. "Officer Wilson followed his training and followed the law."

Contrast the Ferguson police officer's relief with the Brown family's feelings.

The decision not to indict Wilson "devastated" the late teenager's father. His mother ran down the street, tears streaming down her face.

They still want something positive to come from their nightmare. But in a statement, the family stressed that one thing it did not want is violence.

"While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change," the family said. "We need to work together to fix the system that allowed this to happen."

The family made a call for police officers across the country to wear body cameras.

"Let's not just make noise," the family said, "let's make a difference."

Federal investigations

So what happens next?
The U.S. Justice Department is conducting two civil rights investigations in the case: one into whether Wilson violated Brown's civil rights, and another into the police department's overall track record with minorities.

The investigations will likely require lots of time, if similar past cases are any indication.
Back in Ferguson, residents worried about the toll Monday night's violence has taken on the quaint revitalized downtown.

One of the casualties was Ferguson Optical. Earlier in the day, manager Tim Marrah had put out the sign he has been displaying since August: "We are family."

It was no protection against vandals. A storefront window was shattered and left barely standing.
Peaceful protesters were shocked by the violence that has marred the city.

"This is crazy. I mean, this doesn't do anything," one resident told CNN.

She worried about how victims would pick up the pieces.

"They're not going to rebuild. It's just going to be a ghost town pretty soon.

[readon1 url="http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/25/justice/ferguson-grand-jury-decision/index.html?hpt=hp_t1"]Source:www.cnn.com[/readon1]

Today, Diageo –the global leader in beverage alcohol – and Sean Combs unveil a newly-expanded portfolio from the luxury brand, DELEON® Tequila, that brings the extraordinary product to a broader group of consumers through new Platinum and Reposado variants, starting at $60 MSRP. This launch marks the first release from the Diageo and Combs Wine & Spirits joint venture since the DELEON® Tequila acquisition was announced in January 2014.

"Consumers are embracing ultra-premium and luxury tequilas, and the exceptional new DELEON® line will find an expanded audience of believers," said Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo North America. "With Sean as our joint venture partner, I am confident in DELEON®'s potential to succeed and believe that it will play an increasingly important role in achieving Diageo's tequila ambition."

Leading the DELEON® Tequila line-up is the new Platinum. Un-aged and unrivaled in finish, DELEON® Platinum Tequila ($60 MSRP per 750ml) is a provocative Blanco with a rich, complex agave honey that is slow-fermented and twice-distilled. During the second distillation, the head and tail of the distillate are cut to preserve only the most sought-after liquid. This allows the DELEON® Tequila brand to achieve Platinum's remarkable smoothness and retain its depth of character. As Diageo and Sean Combs embark on their next venture, keeping social responsibility at the core of the brand is key to a successful launch and ensuring only consumers over 21 will enjoy the exceptionally smooth drinking experience.

The complete DELEON® Tequila collection delivers six distinctive variants – three ultra-premium and three luxury– made from the finest, hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from the rich earth of the Los Altos region of Jalisco. The DELEON® Tequila Ultra-Premium line achieves a high level of smoothness and exceptional quality with Platinum, Reposado and Anejo (available Summer 2015) expressions ranging from $60-$75 MSRP per 750ml. The DELEON® Tequila Luxury line, priced between $150-$850 MSRP per 750ml, boasts the complex profiles of Diamante, a joven, Extra Anejo –– and the exquisitely bold and refined Leona – selected from the DELEON® private reserves, long-aged and rested in both American Oak and French Sauternes casks.

"True luxury is about pushing boundaries to boldly define a way of life," said Sean Combs, Chairman of Combs Wine & Spirits. "With the creation of DELEON® we accepted nothing but the best because we know DELEON® drinkers desire and expect the best tequila on the market – and that's exactly what we've delivered. I fell in love with DELEON® when I first tasted it and I hope you will too."

DELEON® Platinum and Reposado will be available in November 2014 at participating stores nationwide with Anejo hitting markets in Summer 2015. The DELEON® Tequila Luxury line, including Diamante, Extra Anejo and Leona, will become available in December 2014. For more information on DELEON® Tequila, visit: www.deleontequila.com.

About DELEON®

DELEON® Tequila was initially created in the Guanajuato region, home to the town of Leon and the town of Purisima del Rincon. DELEON® launched in 2009 to an elite following in Hollywood and the U.S. music industry. Purchased in 2014 by a joint venture between business mogul and international icon Sean Combs and the world's largest spirits company Diageo, DELEON® Tequila defies conventions to establish a new standard of luxury in tequila. The DELEON® portfolio boasts six provocative ultra-premium and luxury expressions made from the finest, hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from the highlands of Jalisco. By instilling an innovative blend of traditional yet unique tequila making processes, DELEON® Tequila curates exquisite smoothness and abundant character. For more, information visit: www.deleontequila.com.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Combs Wine & Spirits

Combs Wine & Spirits is a privately owned, premium spirits and wine business founded and created by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2013. The company, based in New York, NY, is now a partner with Diageo on DELEON® Tequila. The Blue Flame agency, another of Sean's enterprises, has collaborated with Diageo in marketing Ciroc ultra-premium vodka in the U.S. since 2007.

[readon1 url="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sean-diddy-combs-diageo-and-deleon-tequila-primed-for-luxury-tequila-takeover-283331531.html"]Source:www.prnewswire.com[/readon1]

In reforming the world of IT, the cloud continues to attract corporate customers as we drift into 2015. While the cloud is absorbing a wide range of software and hardware applications across the board, there remain gaps in cloud migrations. These failures are addressed here for the benefit of new customers who are considering a transition to cloud platforms.

Dive Headfirst into the Cloud

A common mistake made by cloud early adopters is overlooking the soft costs associated with cloud computing. This throws ROI/TCO for a loop. Begin with an itemized IT budget that includes specific internal costs, i.e. it costs $10 per mailbox to support internally. Typical IT budgets have a 50/50 division, with 50 percent going to hardware, software and maintenance, and the remaining half covering staff costs. Consider staff support costs needed to manage workloads in the cloud.

Have an Unrealistic Change Process Strategy

An improperly prepared IT staff will not be ready to handle a switch over to the cloud. Businesses tend to overlook the costs associated with training staff to utilize the cloud on an ongoing basis, such as with incident management. Whether workloads are managed in-house or handled by a cloud partner, management is up to you. Therefore, you must:

Don’t Include Security and Legal Teams Early

Your security and legal teams must be aware of your pending move to the cloud. If you move from strategy to design mode without recognizing the need for a PCI or HIPAA compliant environment, your project will be at risk. A recent HIPAA change restricts data from sitting on leased infrastructure. What if your company’s IP is sitting unguarded in a public cloud? These are examples of risks you don’t want to take on without legal or security expertise at your side therefore, including them early in the changeover process is crucial.

Fail to Consider End-User Adoption

Understand that most IT staff are capable of picking up the cloud platforms and processes at a much faster rate than the end users, i.e. line of business managers, customer service, or sales teams. While the IT staff might be gung ho with adopting new cloud computing capabilities giving them more flexibility and automation, others may lag behind in the adoption of new systems or processes.

Do Not Consider Staff Capabilities and Resistance

Many IT departments lack the capabilities to migrate, integrate, and manage workloads in the cloud. Staff may realize their inability to skillfully support cloud services, leading to resistance. Alternatively, if an IT staff is constantly in fire-fight mode and operating under unpredictable outcomes and ill-managed IT costs, moving to an IT “as a service” provider could be attractive to the business leaders. Partnering with certain cloud service providers could outweigh the costs of training and/or hiring the staff with the necessary skills.

Ignoring the Need for Resources to Migrate

According to Paul Schaapman, a seasoned IT leader and datacenter solution architect, “The typical IT staff is not up to par, generally, when it comes to migrating to and managing cloud environments. Take Bob who’s been in IT for the last 20 years and says he can migrate everything. Can he actually provide this service at a professional level? Probably not when compared to partners who built their business around cloud migrations. Furthermore, IT staff is typically not capable of performing dependency mapping at the necessary level. Consider an unexpected cost if you are forced to rely on partners for migration, a common occurrence for customers new to the cloud.”

Move to the Cloud for the Wrong Reasons

Going to the cloud is not always a cost-savings exercise. Cloud infrastructure options are endless, but it’s often cumbersome for businesses to determine the actual costs for buying, renting or building in the cloud. The main reason businesses should be going to the cloud is to standardize the infrastructure and focus on the application layer. This increases a business’s ability to perform value-added activities to the business. The cloud, in that aspect, is an investment rather than a cost-saving maneuver. Most businesses choose the cloud for its flexibility especially during seasonal spikes, i.e. Black Friday for online retailers, where they can burst and spin-down resources quickly with a cost structure that aligns with their usage.

What is the Solution?

For businesses considering a leap to the cloud:

Going to the cloud can push your business offerings to the next level. However, it isn’t as simple as flipping a switch or purchasing a prepackaged program. Taking note of these issues will keep your head out of the clouds during this possible transition.

Jason Hart is an ITIL-certified Cloud Client Executive with CDW. With over 14 years of IT sales experience across various market segments, he provides clients with definitional, categorical and strategic expertise around CDW’s cloud computing portfolio. Jason also serves as a “face-in-the-cloud,” conducting in-market speaking events on emerging market trends and cloud adoption use cases.

[readon1 url="http://www.forbes.com/sites/cdw/2014/11/20/going-to-the-cloud-what-not-to-do/"]Source:www.forbes.com[/readon1]

SANTA BARBARA, HONDURAS (AP) – Tears and anger poured out for the dark-haired beauty who was to have flown to London on Wednesday to represent Honduras at the Miss World pageant, only to be found shot to death with her sister on a remote river bank.

After the bodies of the reigning Miss Honduras, 19-year-old Maria Jose Alvarado, and her sister Sofia, 23, were discovered early in the day, police announced that the sister's boyfriend had confessed to killing them last week in a fit of jealousy over his girlfriend dancing with another man.

Dozens of relatives and friends of the beauty queen gathered for a candlelight vigil at the college she attended, remembering a down-to-earth young woman who aspired to be a diplomat, went out without makeup and worked as a model to help support a humble family.

"She was simple, humble, a total innocent smiling and without malice," said Ludin Reyes, a fellow student at the Technical University of Honduras.

The Center for Women's Rights, based in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, issued a statement condemning the sisters' killing and noted 328 women have been slain in this Central American nation so far in 2014.

"The case of Mary Jose and Sofia show clearly the situation of generalized violence against women and the nonexistent response of the Honduran government to prevent, investigate or punish it," the statement said.

The bodies believed to be the sisters were found buried near the spa where they disappeared a week earlier while celebrating the birthday of the sister's boyfriend, Plutarco Ruiz.

At some point during the night of Nov. 13, a heated argument broke out over the sister dancing with another man and Ruiz pulled a gun, firing first at his girlfriend and then at Alvarado as she tried to flee, said the National Police director, Gen. Ramon Sabillon. Alvarado was hit twice in the back.

Claudio Cecilio Munoz, an uncle of the sisters, said Ruiz came to the family's modest house on a dirt road the day after the young women disappeared to invite them to lunch, and returned several days to help with the search. He described Ruiz not as a boyfriend, but as someone who was courting his niece.

"We didn't file a complaint right away because we were waiting for a telephone call asking for ransom," Munoz said. "On Saturday their mother and I went to put in a complaint and the killer was with us."

Ruiz led investigators to the gravesite where he and an alleged accomplice buried them in Santa Barbara, about 240 miles (400 kilometers) west of Tegucigalpa.

Alvarado's body, wrapped in brown plastic, was loaded into the back of a pickup truck just hours before she was to have boarded a flight to London to compete in the Miss World pageant. A winner will be crowned Dec. 14.

"We had her gown ready and her traditional dress costumes," said television personality Salvador Nasrallah, who employed Alvarado as a model on his TV game show, "X-O Da Dinero."

"This is not a crime of passion; this is machismo," said Nasrallah, a former presidential candidate.

Honduras pageant organizer Eduardo Zablah said the country would not send a substitute to London.

Alvarado's pageant profile describes her as a college student who played volleyball and soccer and loved to perform a traditional Garifuna dance called the Punta Dance.

The sisters' mother, Teresa Munoz, told Televicentro that her daughters were trusting and naive. "They were not very astute about assessing the people around them. They were just friendly," Munoz said. "They were going out with people they hadn't known very long."

The killing of the sisters highlights what experts call an alarming trend of violence against women in Central America, fueled by poverty, male chauvinism, domestic violence, street gangs and drug trafficking.

According to a report by the United Nations, slayings of women and girls in Honduras increased 263 percent between 2005 and 2013. The country has the highest homicide rate in the world for a country not at war, with an estimated 90 to 95 killings per 100,000 people.

In September, the Center for Women's Rights published a report noting that the number of women dying violently rose from 512 in 2011 to 636 last year — even as the number of men killed dropped slightly. The center estimated Honduras' government underreports slayings of women by as much as 17 percent.

"Violence against women is a huge problem in Honduras," said Adriana Beltran, a senior associate at the Washington Office on Latin America.

Those who knew Alvarado, who was crowned in April, said she was not caught up in the celebrity of her position. She would go around town in jeans with her hair up and without makeup.

"When Maria Jose won the pageant, she didn't think it was that important. I just wanted her to be happy," her mother said.

[readon1 url="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/11/20/jealous-rage-over-dance-led-to-killing-miss-honduras-and-her-sister/"]Source:latino.foxnews.com[/readon1]

An 11-year-old Mexican boy who had been suffering from a massive tumor and drew international attention after U.S. officials helped him get treatment in New Mexico had the growth removed after a long surgery, a church said Tuesday.

In a statement, Kristean Alcocer of the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho said José Antonio Ramírez Serrano underwent surgery Monday at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital to remove the tumor from his neck, shoulder and torso area.

The surgery lasted a more than 12 hours and involved 25 medical professionals, Alcocer said.

"The road to recovery will be long, and many challenges still lie ahead for this young boy," said Alcocer, who is housing José while he receives treatment.

In July 2012, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in picking up José and his parents from a neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico — one of the deadliest cities in the world at the time because of the presence of drug cartels.

Federal agents helped the family seek care for José after First Baptist Church members saw him during a missionary visit.

After stories and images of the boy went viral, First Baptist Church officials reported a jump in donations to help him raise money for the surgeries.

José was diagnosed with venous lymphangioma on his shoulder, and he was told by doctors at the University of New Mexico Hospital that he had to undergo a series of surgeries and treatments to remove the huge fluid buildup.

José's parents have said the tumor on his shoulder and neck grew so large that it affected his eyesight. They said they were afraid it might move into his heart. With no money for medical care, the family sought treatment in Juarez and El Paso, but they did not receive any help removing the tumor, which has afflicted José since birth.

For the past two years, the church has raised money for the boy.

The plight of José drew support from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who asked federal officials to extend his stay in the U.S. so he could continue treatment.

José still needs surgeries to reconstruct his shoulder bone and to remove excess skin, officials said.

José often talks to his parents, who visit when they can, Alcocer said.

Photo courtesy of Hank Mitchell via Flickr

Nov. 19 is World Toilet Day, so let’s talk about “the toilet.” Around the world, the word ‘toilet’ is known by many names: the loo, the WC, the outhouse, and the porcelain throne just to name a few. However, no matter what you call it, the toilet ultimately means the same thing: a sigh of relief.

Despite this, the truth remains that the ability to go to an actual toilet is seen as a privilege globally. This is what the United Nations General Assembly sought to remedy by officially designating Nov. 19 as World Toilet Day, in effect launching a call to action on sanitation and the global health crisis of open defection. The goal: make the use of the toilet less of a privilege and more of a right.

Actor Matt Damon is one of the leading advocates for solving the global water and sanitation crisis. He and environmentalist Gary White founded Water.org to help provide access to safe water and sanitation. Damon and White talked with CCTV America’s Shraysi Tandon about the issue.

Even so, real change only comes along when it is followed by a change in mindset and awareness. That’s why CCTV America is giving you these five fast facts to plunge out everything you thought you knew about what it means to use the toilet.

Keep in mind: That’s not even a ‘proper toilet’ by our Western standards, but a toilet simply understood as a fixed place for a person to relieve oneself without constant exposure to the results of that relief. Open defecation resulting from a lack of access to a toilet has been found to cause such illnesses as cholera, hepatitis, worm infestations, and diarrhea, and can also contribute to undernutrition and impaired cognitive function.

“The flush toilet, more than any single invention, has ‘civilized’ us in a way that religion and law could never accomplish.” — Thomas Lynch, author and poet

Fact No. 2: One in every three women risks harassment because she has no access to a toilet

One in every three: that’s over one billion women put at risk of rape and abuse due to lack of access to a toilet. Doesn’t sound very ‘civilized’, does it?

Interestingly enough, the risk of a woman being assaulted because of this in India became so bad that the government implemented the ‘No Toilet, No Bride’ campaign. Under this campaign, Indian women were encouraged not to marry into families that did not have their own toilet.

“Rules governing defecation, hygiene, and pollution exist in every culture at every period in history. It may in fact be the foundation of civilization: What is toilet training if not the first attempt to turn a child into an acceptable member of society?” — Rose George, journalist

Fact No. 3: A child dies every two and a half minutes by water contamination via open defection

That’s the equivalent to the rate of a jumbo jet crashing every four hours.

In India, about 28 million children cannot access the toilet at school, resulting in open defecation. Research has shown that water contamination by open defecation also stunts children’s growth.

“No innovation in the past 200 years has done more to save lives and improve health than the sanitation revolution triggered by the invention of the toilet. But it did not go far enough. It only reached one-third of the world.” — Sylvia Mathews Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Fact No. 4: Inadequate sanitation costs the world’s poorest countries $260 billion

Infographic provided by the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program

The costs to implement necessary sanitation processes also varies worldwide, ranging from $4.88 per person in Africa for a small latrine, to $13.38 per person in Latin America and the Caribbean for a household sewer connection.

“When you’ve finished your own toilet in the morning, then it is time to attend to the toilet of your planet, just so, with the greatest care.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery, wrote “The Little Prince”

Fact No. 5: The world aims to end open defecation by 2025

The U.N. campaign’s hope is that by this time, everyone will have access to proper sanitation facilities, and with that, a proper toilet. How will this be possible? Ultimately, the U.N. plans to achieve this with the support of a large number of international actors, from world leaders, every day citizens, and even movie stars. Watch CCTV America’s interview with Matt Damon to learn more about his water project with Water.org. So no matter where the call of nature may lead you, lets hope that ultimately, it leads everyone around the world to the sweet relief that comes with a toilet.

[readon1 url="http://www.cctv-america.com/2014/11/19/5-facts-to-flush-out-your-misconceptions-about-the-toilet"]Source:www.cctv-america.com[/readon1]

Jorge Davila and Melanie Campagne join chamber team

Melanie Campagne	Jorge Davila Originally from Puerto Vallarta

Hailing from a city of nearly 2 million people, Jorge Davila is the new Member Relations Coordinator for the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and he couldn’t be more excited about it.

“I used to work as a manager of a hotel, working around people all the time,” Davila said. “That’s why I decided this would be a good job for me. Because I’m always working with people.

Davila, originally from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, has spent three years living in Homer, slowly adjusting to the different way of life. He said it was a big transition from the beginning, as the food, the weather and the size of Homer were all really different.

Nevertheless, the community eventually won him over.

“I feel lucky,” he said. “I get up for work everyday and do something I love; that is amazing. I love this community.”

Romance is the reason Davila said he first came to Alaska, following the woman who is now his wife after meeting her while she was vacationing in his hometown.

“We were back and forth between Mexico and Alaska, and we just decided this is where we wanted to be,” Davila explained. “This is where we have made our home and decided to stay.”

Having lived in Homer for three years and wintering in the warm temperatures of Puerto Vallarta, Davila said he is ready for the cold and the snow for his first full winter here.

“This winter, I want to try snowboarding and already have my gear ready,” Davila said. “I’m also looking forward to trying cross country skiing. I like the outdoors, I love to hike in the forest and then have the feeling that a bear might jump out; just to keep it a little spicy.”

The average temperature in Puerto Vallarta is about 80 degrees. Davila says he enjoys the cold more than warm, making Alaska winters just fine by him. With so much change having brought him here, he said he is excited for the future of the chamber and to bring his ideas to the table.

“Changes always scare people, but change is always good,” Davila said. “New things are coming for the chamber in the future; new ideas and fresh air. We just want the community to feel like the chamber wants to connect with them. We want to include all people of the community.”

Davila said many of his community relationships began with time spent volunteering for both Head Start and the youth indoor soccer program for the Soccer Association of Homer, creating opportunity to connect with people from all aspects of life in Homer town.

“My first year, I was the coordinator for 211 kids,” Davila said of the program. “Plus, I was the head coach for six teams. Imagine how many families I met! That helped put me out there and see how cool our community is. There are owners of businesses, policemen, firemen, mechanics — everybody.”
Back home, the coordinator studied business administration for two years and pursued professional soccer for a time before Alaska came into the picture.

“I played soccer growing up as a kid, and then I began to play professionally for a couple of years,” Davila said. “I didn’t continue playing because it was a lot of politics, so I decided to keep going with my life. But I love soccer. Soccer and talking to people are two of the best things I can do.”
Comfortable with chaos and challenge, Davila said he feels all of his experiences have made him ready for anything his new position will bring.

“I’d like people to know we are a new face to the chamber; to see us as a team to make this good for the community,” Davila said. “I would be more than happy to hear ideas from people. My doors are wide open, we just want to make things better and better.”

Better and better for Davila means more community involvement for both members and non-members, as well as a connection between the chamber and the greater community of Homer.

“Community is the thing I love the most about living in Homer,” he said. “I love people around here. I haven’t seen people not being helped when they need it, and that is a rare thing where I am from. People help other people here.”

When asked what he misses the most, Davila said only two things compare with his sweet life in Homer.
“Tacos,” he said with a smile. “I miss tacos and family, but other than that, I am so happy to be here. This is my home now.”

For Melanie Campagne, joining the chamber is an opportunity for new energy and focus on the future.
“I am looking forward, not looking to the past,” the new derby and raffle coordinator said of the changes at the chamber. “There is a new energy. Homer is a fun town, and we want to do more for the community; we want to give back.”

You may have seen Campagne at Save-U-More the last few weeks, selling raffle tickets and inviting customers to spin a wheel to win a prize. Campagne said being out and about in the community has enabled her to hear ideas about how to make chamber activities even better.

“I want people to know, I do listen when they share their opinions,” she said. “Right now. I’m just absorbing; eventually I’ll start changing the bad and upgrading the good.”

Having been on the job for four short weeks, Campagne says that though there has been much to learn, she feels her new job is the “best of both worlds.”

“I like the fishing industry, but I enjoy the business end of it,” she said. “I am not a deckhand. I have tried it, and I don’t like slime in my hair. But I love coordinating and I love making it happen for those who do want slime in their hair.”

For the young coordinator, the greatest part about fishing is teaching people they can get their own food.
“You can eat something you caught,” Campagne said. “That’s an instinct we all have inside that brings us back to basics. I think that’s why people enjoy it.”

Campagne now oversees the Winter King Salmon Tournament. The tourney attracted 1,000 anglers in 2013, not including family and friends who tagged along for the festivities.

“They need food, they need lodging, they need groceries and equipment,” Campagne explained. “We do that essentially for the community. We’re bringing in a lot of people and the jackpot derby does the same thing.”

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Georgia, Campagne said she enjoys traveling and can relate well to travelers coming to visit the Great North.

“We’re trading in our residencies,” Campagne said with a smile. “My boyfriend and I have been here two years, but I’ve been a snowbird, traveling to Northern California for the last two winters. I have spent some time in the Virgin Islands, but this is home now. My boyfriend just got his captain’s license, so we have put roots down that we have never put anywhere else.”

When asked what prompted the move, Campagne responded with “why not?”

“I like to make my moves, at least a few thousand miles apart,” Campagne said. “People hear about Anchorage, and they hear about Fairbanks and Nome. But Homer is someplace you hear about through someone else who has been to here. It is a very interesting process of word of mouth, and I am down the line of a few people who came up here because of a few other people.”

For Campagne, summers in Homer began with a job for Rainbow Tours. The following year, she took a position at Inlet Charters. Future plans involved staying in the fishing industry, but with the season nearing its end, Campagne wasn’t sure what was next.

“I love it,” she said of the industry. “It is exciting; I love the chaos and madness of it, and then this job came up and I thought, ‘this is the best of both worlds.’ It’s year-round work and I am in the fishing industry; what could be better?”

No stranger to nature, Campagne prefers to be outside during her off time.
“My boyfriend and I like to hike, and we have a chocolate lab who is the love of my life,” she said laughing. “We go up on Ohlson mountain and like to go across the Bay when we can. We took a 10-day road trip to Fairbanks at the end of the season and camped the whole way. We pretty much froze, but we saw the northern lights. We just like to go outside and play.”

For Campagne, putting down roots in Homer has much to do with a way of life.

“We love it here because we feel like Homer protects itself,” Campagne said. “They fought off Wal-mart, they fought off big business and want to keep it very much home and country style, and we like that. Plus, people who live here enjoy living here, but they always travel.”
Noting the diversity of residents in Homer, Campagne said a question she hears others asked often is, “how did you get here?”

“People want to hear that maybe they could do it too,” said Campagne. “That it is easy, because everyone has an adventurous side.”

Campagne said if there was one thing she would really like to communicate, it would be an invitation for ideas and feedback.

“I really do listen to what people have to say,” she said “I keep that (feedback) in mind, because we are all a community effort and without them, we would be nothing.”

[readon1 url="http://homertribune.com/2014/11/homer-chamber-gains-youthful-energy/"]Source:homertribune.com[/readon1]

A reigning beauty queen and her sister went missing just days before she was scheduled to fly to London for the Miss World competition.

Miss Honduras, María José Alvarado, 19, and her sister, Sofia Trinidad, vanished after attending a friend’s birthday party late Thursday night near their hometown of Santa Barbara, according to several reports.

Police initially said the disappearance was not being treated as a crime but later confirmed that four people had been arrested and were under questioning, the Telegraph reported.

“They include the owner of the party venue and Sofia Trinidad's boyfriend. They are being investigated,” Police Chief Jose Coello said, according to the British news site.

Pageant director Eduardo Zablah told told CNN affiliate Televicentro that the young women were last seen stepping into a vehicle after the party.

Alvarado had been spending a few days with her parents before setting off for the United Kingdom.

"Open your hearts and understand my pain," her mother pleaded Sunday night, the Telegraph reported. "There is an all-powerful God that sees everything, and I hope you set them free."

Alvarado was crowned Miss Honduras on April 26 in San Pedro Sula after defeating 18 other contestants.

Her Miss World profile says she is a student who aspires to work as a diplomat for her country and enjoys playing sports in her spare time.

The Miss World contest is slated to start on Thursday and culminate in the crowning of a new winner on Dec. 14.

[readon1 url="https://news.yahoo.com/miss-honduras-maria-jose-alvarado-missing-210454056.html"]Source:news.yahoo.com[/readon1]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Upcoming bracelets with technology from Intel Corp and design cues from fashion brand Opening Ceremony will connect the wearer with Facebook, Google and Yelp via an AT&T data plan without having to carry a smartphone.

Called My Intelligent Communication Accessory, or MICA, the snakeskin bracelets are aimed at fashion-conscious women and are an attempt by the two companies to stand out in a growing field of often-clunky smartwatches and fitness brands that have yet to catch on widely with consumers.

"We really approached this first and foremost about why would a woman want to wear this everyday, and how can it be incorporated into her wardrobe,” Humberto Leon, creative director at Opening Ceremony, said in a phone interview last week.

As well as lapis stones, obsidian and an 18k gold coating, the devices include a sapphire curved screen on the inside of the wrist that displays text messages, calendar items and events from Google and Facebook, and recommendations of nearby restaurants and stores from Yelp.

After Intel was late to smartphones and tablets in recent years, Chief Executive Brian Krzanich has been determined to make sure the top chipmaker is at the forefront of future trends in mobile computing.

Krzanich gave the green light for the chipmaker to develop the bracelet with Opening Ceremony after his wife wore a prototype for several days and liked it, he recently said.

Incoming alerts discreetly vibrate the bracelet instead of making a noise. Its $495 price tag includes a two-year data plan with AT&T, which means it does not rely on a smartphone for connectivity, as do most smartwatches, the companies said in a press release on Monday.

As well as working with Opening Ceremony, Intel in March bought fitness bracelet maker Basis Science and it has teamed up with watch retailer Fossil Group to develop other wearable computing devices.

The bracelets, which Intel says have a battery life up to two days, will be sold starting by early December through Opening Ceremony and Barney's upscale department stores.

news.yahoo.com

Good things come to those who wait — with, perhaps, the exception of good cruise deals. Those who plan ahead can reap significant savings on sailings, and as dark days and cold temps begin to set it, why not plan on a bright spot soon, courtesy of a great-rate 2015 vacation? We’ve rounded up a slate of eight strong cruise deals for 2015, with early-booking rates starting at just $169/person (and none higher than $879). Plus, all of these sailings leave from (and return to) convenient, close-to-home ports. Whether it’s sun and surf, Alaskan wilds, or exotic Latin American flavor that floats your boat, we’ve got you covered. (Note: These prices are subject to change day to day.)

1. Short-and-sweet Bahamas retreat from Miami

Tour the Bahamas for three nights on the Carnival Ecstasy. (Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)

The islands of the Bahamas are perfect for a quickie three-night escape, especially when snagging a steal of a deal on board the 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, sailing to Nassau from Miami. In port, sun, surf, and sand reign supreme, while on deck, the WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat, and resort-style main pool deliver more fun in the sun.

Rates from $169/person; lowest rates on January 2015 departures; www.carnival.com.

2. Italy-in-the-Caribbean cruise from Miami

Old San Juan (Photo: Thinkstock)

Caribbean cruising provides la dolce vita, especially on Italian-inspired MSC Cruises. Get there for less with a weeklong sailing aboard the 3,502-passenger MSC Divina out of Miami. Embarking on Feb. 7 (and heading back to port on Valentine’s Day), cruise to Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas, where guests can wander the centuries-old streets of Old San Juan or set out for some superb snorkeling. Onboard, enjoy authentic Italian food (including two Mario Batali-backed Eataly restaurants), a wine-immersion experience via Blend Craft, and even opera performances.

Rates from $249/person, or from $519 for balcony cabins (kids 11 and under are free); embarks Feb. 7, 2015; www.msccruisesusa.com.

Related: A 12-Year-Old’s Expert Tips on How to Book a Family Cruise

3. Fall foliage fling from New York City

Halifax, Nova Scotia (Photo: Thinkstock)

If you literally missed the boat on a fall foliage sailing this year, now’s the time to plan ahead for great-rate 2015 cruises to the foliage fantasylands of New England and northeastern Canada. Carnival runs a series of seven-night sailings in September and October aboard its 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor. Sail round-trip from NYC with port calls in Boston; Portland, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. When not out leaf peeping or lobster eating in port, guests can enjoy onboard diversions such as the 23,000-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, an all-seasons glass-roof-covered pool, and Dr. Seuss-inspired kids’ programming.

Rates from $459/person; 2015 sailings on Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4; www.carnival.com.

4. South-of-the-border sailing from San Diego

A beach excursion in the Cabos (Courtesy of Holland America Line)

The Mexican Riviera beckons for a sun-soaked, R&R-infused getaway from laid-back San Diego. Sail seven nights aboard Holland America’s 1,350-passenger Veendam in March, with port calls in Los Cabos, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. Nature- and beach-driven excursions await, including whale watching, beachfront horseback riding, or visiting a turtle sanctuary. Plus, three serene days at sea allow guests to sample the many onboard amenities and activities, including a piano bar, “Dancing with the Stars” contest, and culinary arts center.

Rates from $599/person; embarks March 7, 14, or 21 in 2015; www.hollandamerica.com.

Related: The Cruiser: What I Love/Hate About Taking Cruises

5. Panama Canal and Colombia cruise from Galveston

Old town of Cartagena (Photo: Thinkstock)

A 12-night exotic Latin American cruise vacation for less than what a flight alone might cost to get you to South America? Vamos! This March, Carnival’s 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph sails from Galveston, Texas, to Grand Cayman in the Caribbean; Colón, Panama; and Cartagena and Santa Marta in Colombia. From Colón, guests can take an excursion to explore the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal (note that the ship itself does not transit the canal) and also enjoy the cruise line’s first foray to the seaside Colombian city of Santa Marta.

Rates from $879/person; embarks March 2, 2015; www.carnival.com.

Related: WATCH: Sting Dishes on His (Brief) Stint as a Cruise Ship Singer

6. Bermuda break from New York City

The Norwegian Breakaway in Bermuda (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Set sail from the concrete jungle of NYC for the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s 1.5-year-old, 3,969-passenger Norwegian Breakaway. The seven-night voyage includes three days in port at King’s Wharf, Bermuda, where guests can set out swimming, snorkeling, and more. Onboard, enjoy three days at sea with diversions that include 29 dining experiences, plus entertainment options like Broadway’s Rock of Ages and dance sensation Burn the Floor.

Rates from $599/person; best rates on May and October sailing dates; www.cruisesonly.com.

7. Alaskan adventure from Seattle

Glacier Bay, Alaska (Courtesy: Holland America Line)

 Early-season Alaskan sailings in May provide terrific value, as is the case with Holland America’s Westerdamcruises from Seattle. The port-packed seven-night itineraries include just one day in transit, with the rest of the time spent actively exploring Alaskan ports in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, along with a whirl through Glacier Bay and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. Port adventures beckon with active excursion options such as dogsledding by helicopter, viewing black bears by floatplane, and joining fisherman on a crabbing expedition in the Bering Sea.

Rates from $749/person; lowest rates available on select dates in May 2015; www.hollandamerica.com.

8. Latin American escape from Houston

Excursions include a visit to the Mayan ruins of Tulum. (Thinkstock)

Spice up your next sailing with some Latin American flavor, courtesy of this seven-night itinerary aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently refurbished 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel. Departing from Houston, the ship stops in Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Trujillo, Honduras. Embark on cultural excursions to Mayan ruins, or set out on active adventures such as cave tubing or ATV rides through the jungle. Onboard, guests can choose between a staggering 16 dining options and 13 bars and nightclubs, along with the family-friendly Nickelodeon at Sea program.

Rates from $379; lowest rates on sailings in January 2015; www.ncl.com.

Designed to WOW: Quantum Cruising Introduces More Innovation and Firsts at Sea

[readon1 url="https://www.yahoo.com/travel/8-affordable-2015-cruises-to-book-now-102476413162.html"]Source:www.yahoo.com[/readon1]

Joy to the nudies!

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro got its first official nudist beach this week, in what one activist calls a "courageous decision" by lawmakers.

The spot is Abrico Beach, about an hour's drive from the city's center. At least one "naturist" group has been gathering here on weekends for years -- and now everyone is officially welcome, whether in swimsuits or merely a birthday suit.

And this is happening in Brazil... can you say sexy?

Brazilian sunbathers call Abrico the perfect nudist spot for its "private and peaceful" setup with "lots of foliage." The Abrico Beach Naturist Association meets there regularly to host "games" and "reunions," basking in what they call the "physical and psychological benefits" of naked socializing.

Other visitors say the beach has beautiful scenery and is less crowded and not as noisy as Rio's other major beaches, though we have a feeling this may be about to change.

The beach's designation as a nudist spot comes at the perfect time, as Rio rides a high from hosting the 2014 World Cup and prepares to become an even hotter tourist spot during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

What's more, nude proponents say the sanction will give them some much-needed "security and respect."

We say give us a towel and a caipirinha!

[readon1 url="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/rio-nude-beach_n_6152546.html"]Source:www.huffingtonpost.com[/readon1]