Miesha Tate says Cat Zingano will be 'overwhelmed' by UFC spotlight

Seven weeks ago, Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche co-authored the biggest story the UFC had seen in years. This weekend comes the next chapter, as Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano meet in the second women's bout in the fight promotion's history.

It's not a main event, as Saturday night's card in Las Vegas (9 p.m., FX) is built around the finale of The Ultimate Fighter and the top-billed men's bantamweight bout between Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen. But there will be much at stake when Tate (13-3), the former Strikeforce champ, takes on the unbeaten but relatively inexperienced Zingano (7-0).

For one thing, they're being asked to carry forth the building momentum of the women's game. And in terms of personal achievement, the winner earns the opportunity to coach against Rousey on the next season of TUF, which will feature a mix of male and female fighters, and to challenge the champ following the reality show.

Recently, SI.com sat down with Tate and Zingano for separate interviews. Each of those conversations zeroed in on just a few topic, though, so we've weaved together the fighters' thoughts and have broken it down -- as Saturday's fight will be -- into three rounds:

SI: The UFC is a bigger stage than either of you has been on before, especially Cat. How will that be a factor in the fight?

Miesha Tate: At UFC 157, Cat and I did a couple of TV interviews together, and she was noticeably nervous. She didn't look comfortable with the camera in her face. She seemed excited, but in an "Oh my god, I'm so overwhelmed" kind of way. That's what her face said to me, and her stuttering in front of the camera. So I think I have a huge advantage on this bigger stage, because I've done this so many times.

Granted, I've not been in the UFC until now, but I've headlined a Strikeforce card that was run the same way by many of the same people, with a lot of media commitments to juggle leading up to the fight. It's all familiar faces for me in the UFC. I know [matchmaker] Sean Shelby. I know Dana [White, the president]. I know Lorenzo [Fertitta, the CEO]. I've attended a lot of UFC events, I've cornered in the UFC, so I know what it's like walking out to the cage, know what it's like with the camera in your face the whole way. Even when you're in the cage during introductions, the cameras get right up in your face. If you're not used to that, it really can feel like a lot of pressure. To me, it's just another day. For Cat, this is a huge leap.

Cat Zingano: When it comes to fighting, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I usually don't want to talk about it. I usually just want to go through training, make sure I work hard -- and am satisfied with myself every day. Then I go home at the end of the day and completely detach myself from the MMA world. But being forced to do media appearances this time and talk about the fight and everything involved, it's actually been a little bit calming for me, surprisingly.

It's almost like having to confront my fears -- not fears, exactly, but I'm being put in the spotlight and have to get used to this kind of situation while at the same time getting ready for a fight. It's definitely giving me tools for making my mind right and focusing. It's one of the things you have to do if you want to be a fighter at this level. And as soon as the cage door closes, it's me and her, and only one of us is going to walk out of there the winner. All nerves are left at the door. It just turns into animal instincts for me.

SI: All of the surrounding factors aside, how will experience inside the cage play a role in determining this fight?

Zingano: Although I'm only 7-0 as a professional, I've done hundreds of matches in my life. I started in wrestling when I was 12 years old, and in a sport that is male-dominated I was frequently not supported in the room. So I've always faced the pressure to perform. Comparing our levels of experience could come down to quality versus quantity. Yes, I don't have as many fights as Miesha, but the fights I do have all have been epic. They've all been fight of the night. I really enjoy going out there and making a statement.

Tate: If I made this big of a jump just seven fights into my career, it would have been kind of nerve-wracking. It's mental more than physical, and I don't know what toll it will take on her. I've heard her say in interviews, "I like to break my opponent." Well, that might work at a lower level, but in the UFC? If that's your mindset, you've already lost the fight. You're not going to break me. I've fought the best in the world. I fought Ronda Rousey. I fought Sarah Kaufman. I fought Marloes Coenen. I fought Julie Kedzie. She hasn't fought one Top 10 opponent.

Zingano: Ever since I started this sport, I've wanted to increase my challenge every single time. After dominating in my first fight, my next fight was against an opponent with a different style, and I conquered that. It's a journey of personal achievement for me. Yes, the level of competition is rising now, but that's exactly what I want. If it stayed the same, I'd never know that I was improving. I know that I deserve to be where I am, and that it was a good decision by the UFC to bring me in. There's a reason I'm getting a contender shot right off the bat, even though I haven't fought in the bigger shows the other girls have. It's because the people who arrange the fights for the UFC know what a good fighter is.

SI: You both were at UFC 157 and witnessed firsthand not just the fight that unfolded between Rousey and Carmouche but also the spectacle of it all. Was it inspiring? Did it make you proud to be a part of the emergence of women's MMA?

Tate: Incredibly proud. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It wasn't me in there, but I was vicariously living through those girls and how they were representing the sport. It was a big moment, and for me a very emotional moment.

Zingano: The UFC gave us great seats, right at cageside, and watching Ronda and Liz go at it in that fight, with the energy in the building, was absolutely an inspiring moment. I stood up and applauded after the fight, as did many people who were seated around me, because, boom, there was history being made, right there before our eyes.

Tate: That fight came at a perfect time for the sport. A lot of people were critical of the girls, saying Ronda has no challenges and is going to destroy everybody. And Liz was basically a nobody. I don't mean that in a bad way, but simply that she was not recognized as a threat, as a quality opponent. But she went out there and fought her heart out. She believed in herself, wholeheartedly, and you could see that. Liz hadn't been in the sport for that long, she doesn't have an Olympic background, but you clearly could see a fighter. All those people who said there aren't enough quality fighters in women's MMA? Liz proved them wrong.

Zingano: Watching Liz perform that night made me think about how I've been considered an underdog in the vast majority of my fights. Adversity fuels me. As soon as somebody tells me I can't, I'm going to. I can and I will. Being doubted is not something I take as an insult. It's a challenge.

Tate: The most memorable moment for me was when Liz Carmouche walked into the octagaon. She was the first woman ever to set foot inside that cage for a fight. And I was was, like, wow! It's official. We're here. The fight's on. Women's MMA has made it.

Zingano: That whole night reminded me of when the UFC started -- no weight classes and no time limits and all that. The guys who fought back then were taking the first step, just as we are now. These early days of women's [MMA] will be remembered for generations. It's so cool to be a part of it.

Songkran Day ChiangMai 2013

Accessed April, people traditionally think of Thailand Thailand is a very fun festival. The festival is popular in Thailand. The Thailand nationwide travel from home to work afar. Will make it to the festival, it's homeland. It is a long weekend, which is especially suitable for the relatives to gather together as a family all together.

        And if the thought of Songkran. Thailand tourist town. To find a place to go to enjoy Songkran in Thailand is traditionally splash out. Sources to Songkran in Thailand is a Popular Telephony. Capital Bangkok. It is Khao San Road, the orange is a splash hit. The East Rice Street. Of the province. Renowned for at this hour. And also in all the provinces to set up for people to join together with the festival each year.

        Festival for the North. Other provinces hit is possible. There is Chiang Mai. Each year the trip will have to swim in a very vibrant Chiangmai. Songkran festival in Chiang Mai because it greatly every year. And this year it's the same Chiang Mai. Held the evening around the yard Songkran festival called'' Southeast Asia''.

        Songkran is cold work around the yard. '' Southeast Asia'' Songkran in Chiang Mai will be held on 11 to 15 Apr 56, with a concert performance of many famous artists. And the formation of sand pagodas and performances from five countries was held at a beach parks pus. Is a place where tourists come to experience Songkran in Chiang Mai.

        Chiang Mai is considered the oldest of the country's major tourist attractions. And will raise the attraction to tourists who come to play Songkran in Chiang Mai. I have come to enhance prestige. Responsible for its own merit. And that place is. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Chiang Mai is a sacred place. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which is very beautiful in terms of architecture. And would like to invite tourists to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. I added to the prosperity for themselves in the new year at the Thailand.

        To highlight the importance of Songkran in Chiang Mai. Songkran is a moat around the pitch a lot of fun. Mai moat. A place that combines leisure travelers to Songkran come here. Which along the way will be a fun and exciting splash. What is the charge of Thailand to the present. And ensure that visitors to swim the moat, Chiang Mai Will smile home with absolutely anyone.

 Watch this seems to be more fun every year. Because the weather is very hot during the month of April the water traveler needs greatly. Songkran is the traditional beauty of Thailand to be preserved for long. And this year's was one of the provinces of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Songkran is the successor to a long, but fun, this is a twin city of Thailand. And any of you think that this festival is going to play where. If you have no idea Chiang Mai. Another choice for traveler to visit a certified roll to roll it back, certainly.

Colorado techniques towards revoking Young man Scouts taxes exempt status in excess of gay and lesbian exclude.

 Florida goes towards revoking Young man Scouts tax exempt reputation over gay bar.

Colorado has transferred a single move nearer to revoking the actual taxes exemption with the Child Scouts for their prohibition next to homosexual members.

The particular Colorado Express Chair for economic council Governance as well as Financing Panel accredited The particular Childhood Equality React by way of 5-2 political election upon Saturday, giving the actual bill towards the Chair for economic council Panel upon Appropriations.

The particular bill, unveiled simply by express Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), would likely revoke the actual income as well as corporate and business taxes exemption for any childhood collection in which discriminated next to members based on erectile orientation or even girl or boy identification.

“Today’s political election sets Colorado a single move nearer in providing complete equality for you to LGBT childhood over the express, ” Lara said in the assertion. “With their verse as well as expanding set of supporters as well as co-authors, most of us may finish that dated process associated with elegance as well as different. ”

The particular Child Scouts associated with America considered working out with the actual exclude upon homosexual members as well as market leaders in Jan however detained a political election upon repealing the actual exclude till May perhaps. The particular Gigantic Judge led in 2000 how the collection seemed to be allowed to prohibit homosexual members within the Very first Amendment, which usually assures the actual freedom associated with connection.

Behind Cahuzac case the bomb Reyl & Cie

The establishment of Geneva organized concealment of assets Jerome Cahuzac could quickly become the center of many attentions: Reyl & Cie is regularly cited as hosting accounts undeclared French personalities, artists, business captains and men policies on all sides. The asset manager of Cahuzac Herve Dreyfus is one of the cornerstones of the device.

Case Cahuzac Ayrault supportive to a commission of inquiry

The Prime Minister has approved the opening of a parliamentary commission claimed by Jean-Louis Borloo during questions to the government.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault brought Wednesday, April 10 to support the initiative of the President of UDI Jean-Louis Borloo to create a commission to investigate the government's actions during Cahuzac case.

"I have no doubt that the National Assembly will decide the creation of a commission of inquiry to your initiative," said Jean-Marc Ayrault meet Jean-Louis Borloo, who also chairs the IDU group in the Assembly when the government questions.

"We are in a plan that has a parliamentary nature and the role of control is yours should be fully respected," he said, assuring that there was also no "obstruction of view the Minister of Justice. "

DragonBound books Reviews

I read a lot of books. I read a lot of paranormal books. So when one comes into the Smexy household that is exciting, refreshing and just all around awesome, it is cause for celebration!


Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison is the first book in the Elder Races series. Our hero, Dragos Cuelebre is of the Wyr, a group of powerful, ancient shapeshifters. Dragos more specifically is a rare dragon-shifter created around the time of the solar system - so yes, he is ancient to say the least. In present day he is head of the Wyr demesnes located in New York city. The other six demesnes, including Elven, Fae etc...reside in other parts of the United States. He is extremely powerful, wealthy and demands loyalty and obedience from everyone in his control. So when someone breaks into his hoard, something that has never happened before and steals from him, his anger as he takes to the sky in his dragon form can literally be felt and heard from everyone in the city.

Dragon Bound

Pia Giovanni is a half-breed - half human, half wyr. Raised by her mother who embedded in her mind to never tell anyone what her half-wyr side is, she has always been on the run. But now she has herself in a bit of a bind. She let her guard down with her ex-boyfriend Keith and revealed to him a bit about herself. Something she has never done with another before. Then Keith turned out to be a jerk and to cover his gambling debts, is now blackmailing her with this secret information about herself. He hands over to her a finding charm which with her special powers leads her directly into Dragos' hoard and demands that she steal something from Dragos to appease his "associates." She gets in and steals one of his pennies.

When Dragos discovers this theft, he makes it his mission to find who did this. But soon, they both realize there is a bigger player at stake. The Dark Fae King and Dragos have bad blood and a war is on the horizon.

When we first meet Dragos, he reminded me very much of Raphael from Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. He is extremely powerful, intense, dark and just a bad ass. But Dragos soon comes into his own. He has been around since the beginning of time, yet some modern things still confuse him. Like slurpees and twizzlers. But don't let that trick you because he runs one of the biggest corporations in the world. Cuelebre Towers employees thousands of people and he rules with a strict hand. But his dragon side also rules his actions throughout this book - something Pia must come to terms with.

When Dragos finally tracks down Pia, his anger soon turns to fascination. He quickly discovers her sticky situation with being blackmailed and realizes a bigger player is calling the shots. He finds himself no longer bored, and very physically attracted to this half breed.

Pia is a really great heroine. Strong, outspoken, and stands up to the over-bearing Dragos. He is kind of a "caveman" when it comes to romance. He isn't suave, or charming. He expects her to follow his orders when it comes to her safety but also in the romance department. But as Pia comes to mean more to him, he wants to learn to be a better lover. I love how we are constantly reminded of how powerful and old he really is.

Pia is strong-willed and butts heads with him about this behavior on many occasions. But there is also humor and warmth in their relationship. Their romance is a quick one in this book - I believe the entire book takes place over about five days. Which I know seems crazy, but it is totally believable. Dragos has the "mine" concept from very early on, and Pia herself desperate not to be lonely in life, falls for him just as quickly.

The romance is very erotic, and just as intense as Dragos himself. I also adored the supporting characters. Rune, Dragos' "First" and best friend along with Dragos' other trusted friends guard Pia with their life, although they don't like her at first. But Dragos soon puts them in their place.

The writing is just superb. There are a few scenes where the action is violent and rough that just made my hair stand on end. Chapter seven holds my absolute favorite scene in the book. Dragos and Pia have been captured and Dragos knows he can't immediately get them out of harms way. For such a powerful, irate being having to tell this woman who he has started to have protective feelings for that she is going to get hurt, was really amazing to read. You can feel the fear coming off Pia. A brief moment from this chapter:

"Here's what I think is going to happen. They're going to separate us. They might hurt you." His grip tightened to the point of pain. "They won't kill you. They'll have seen I was tending to you in some way, so they'll want to use you as leverage to control me. Goblins have no interest in human women. They' won't rape you."

A spasm of trembling hit her, and then it was gone again and she was calm. "It's all right," she told him. "I'm all right. I'm glad you're telling me this."

"That's my good brave girl."

What follows is a terribly violent, emotionally filled chapter that just blew me away.

This world is really fantastic - exciting, very sexy and humorous. Fans of paranormal romance must read this book.

paris roubaix 2013 Fabian Cancellara

PARIS ROUBAIX CYCLOS CHALLENGE (1st Part / 2) STRIKE FORCE 2013

 Pavers that we want (almost).

        Saturday, April 6, 2013

    On the eve of a mythical race that had an outstanding rare (Fabian Cancellara wins the sprint on September Vanmarcke), 2,100 cyclists from Europe and America are also entered in the legend.

    01) At 170 km paved and all of the race starting from Busigny, we preferred the 150 km that started the Roubaix velodrome to take the paved road and the race from Wallers-Arenberg.

    Among these brave participants two bike fanatics, David and Julien. Either the father and son who go a little less covered since the temperature is milder (5-6!).
02) It is an organization that ASO has entrusted the technical part to the company Golazo works Roubaix as in large organizations in Belgium.
Round like the last week and Grinta! in Tournai next Saturday, May 4
Registration on the day in 1650 when cyclists have registered in advance.

    03) Some 500 riders will register the same day. This gives the number of participants in 2100 Paris-Roubaix Challenge.

    Still far from the figure of 16,000 cyclists Round that seems to match, without knowing the world of recreational cycling (!), The organizer (among others) of the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix.
04) Lovers of Paris-Roubaix Challenge will not regret it (except for after hiking) displacement.
Plate frame, road map and route in the envelope provided to each.
Meanwhile the course was worth the detour.

    05) Great feature, and the big difference with Round and other organizations in Belgium Cycling Tour, the cyclists are regional, although necessarily brave like these Comines 59, very small minority.

06) Involved in the organization of the day, as everything runs in Nord-Pas de Calais, Guy Decock has mobilized some of the many volunteers serving the Paris-Roubaix Challenge.
      Ready for the start

    07) Check for those of 153 and 70 km, in the portico before the Trek and Skoda banner as part of the major sponsors of cyclo ride whose deployment force is impressive.

08) Particularly visible and welcome, Mavic technical assistance.
There is not that the stones that hurt machines because here it comes with repair from!

    09) Food Enervit as necessary sinews of war for those who want to quickly energized.

10) The course is much better than the reported signs was done under indication of Garmin.
Departure road.

    11) but also the start of a high proportion of mountain-bikers as 32 or 52 km paved road then scare tarmac will be 118 km long in both cases.

    But it seems that it is "more fun"!

12) At the beginning of Roubaix those of 150 and 70 are common road, unpaved until Mouchin.

    13) The separation, not to say "splitsing" familiar to cyclists Overseas Quiévrain, is the output Mouchin.

    Those of the 153 spin to Saint-Amand-les-Eaux before joining Wallers-Arenberg.

      First ravito
14) A first stop is offered to those on the 153 km instead of Mouchin.
Where stopping cyclists who did not ask so despite the listing price of at least € 20.

    15) Among the candidates for reinforcing energy of cyclos Rousies northerners, on the eve of their patent and Cousolre Castle.
16) Have you noticed that this year's cold bananas are (too) green?
Better off opting for the gingerbread and honey cakes Méli!

    17a) Have you noticed that this year is cold empty (as) cans?

    The opportunity is too good to refuel Enervit!

17b) Before the hurting on the pavement, some machines need technical assistance that will be present at each fueling station.
      To Hell

    18) Everything is fine on the first 70 kilometers of good road to Wallers-Arenberg.

19) At the stroke of 10 am, in the former mining town, we join those on the 170 km, started from Busigny and spent eight paved areas (20 km to 52).

    20) In fact the junction, and then diving into the Gap Arenberg will happen after the train which will moderate the heat of the morning.

21) The emotion is strong when it passes between the barriers in this line, as straight as jolting over 2.4 km, called "Gap or Trench of Arenberg."
His name is marked "Balls of Dreve Hérin."
      Hole or trench

    22) or Gap Trench ago, when one considers that private road (authorized traffic only for the race) goes into the forest Raismes.
23) The barriers were placed to discourage the temptation of nearby cinder track and not distort Hell.
What is the feast of encouraging riders bikes.

    24) You must have lived through the fires of Hell for what it represents as bumps and torment.
25) neighbors notified, bikers Saint-Amand-les-Eaux back the track merely the cinders.
Lack of guard at the entrance borrow some cars that paved normally inaccessible to better monitor their champions of the day.

    26) In the absence of real escape on the sides, it is better to keep the upper hand.

    On the balls!
27) The misfortunes never fail to occur.
No biggie for cyclo Vincennes whose saddle was likely to uncouple.

    28) There are no more words to describe all evil ...
29) At the end of this part of Hell cyclo Vincennes found that the crew waited.

    30) Other cyclists immortalize their release pending companions lingered.
31) Grouping general Bikers La Louviere benefiting in part from the organization of the day to prepare for the Raid Paris-Roubaix Bike ATV Club Roubaix, May 12

    32) And then the inevitable aches and pains kind of pinch flats and other derailleur adjustment.
33) Then, a bonding step.
Here in the wheel group Compact Digital Alençon.

    34) Fun for bikers who also lacking plate frame, roll their own boss.

    Here in front of the chapel fevers Hasnon.
35) At the end of Wallers towards Hélesmes, back in Hell materialized by the stones but also mobile homes installed for racing pros.
      All on deck Gibus

    36) The Belgian fans, TV with satellite dish on the roof of the mobile home, took the position before the race tumbled.

    The 2100 passage of cyclists has a nice distraction but a famous show.
37) They are installed close to the "Pont Gibus" dedicated to Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle, which has no bridge name on the pavement restored Wallers-Hélesmes: 1.5 km side. **

    38) Too happy to live a hell of a dream: "I just fly over Hérin Balls" (sic!) that cyclo St. Jans Cappel stopped to greet Gibus.
39) Similarly the British cyclo asked around what the "Gibus" means.

    40) It must therefore be remembered that Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle, said Gibus, is a French national hero since he won Paris-Roubaix in 1992 and 1993.

    At 38 and 39 years!
41) If the paved area is back in the race with its restoration is not equal all along the way.
      Ravito Hornaing

    42) Prior to hell paved with Hornaing Wandignies (3.7 km ****) a new fueling station provides a salutary Hornaing rest.
43) gingerbread waffles and pancakes with honey Méli are a lot of good:
"Just for that, we like Paris-Roubaix and organizations Belgian Cycling Tour! '

    44) The Italian cyclo, dressed Skoda is the object of attention:

    "We'll fill the container Enervit! '
45) The reserve energy drink is almost inexhaustible.
With the background of the container the famous thermal power Hornaing that runs along the paved area next.

    46) In the absence of available health instead of Hornaing, the organization has provided furniture mobile ad hoc.
47) but also a troubleshooting Mavic where pedaling the Agreement Faches-Thumesnil and Ronchin linger a few minutes to adjust a derailleur.

    48) After the road again with his moments of calm.

    Especially when crossing the Scarpe formerly channeled.
49) Then refueling (bevoorrading) installed on the church square of Warlaing the use of cyclos of Kortrijk very well organized.
      Paving Orchies

    50) After a leap which we keep secret here comes one of the great strategic points of the race on the streets of Prayer, the output Orchies.
51) Keypad more difficult it imposes speed since false flat downhill.

    52) It should then ask to stay in the wheels while holding the balance on the pavement at the top.

53) The end of the pavement turns in an area not lacking in picturesque qu'abordent, speed of rockets, Raketmannen deWervik.

    54) The bikers, many within an organization as well as mythical as the paved Challenge.

55) Then, almost without transition, the pavement of the Abattoir pedaling leaving behind the steeple of the church Orchies.

    56) On flat terrain as often on the pavement Northern bumps no longer know how to stay in the saddle.
57) In desperation, the temptation to take the side, even grass, is the strongest.
      Mill Vertain

    58) New transport to get to Templeuve at Mill Vertain.

    With cyclo Roubaix near the terminal indicator: 570m of a block down.

59) Before you jump to it, again with a time of ultimate recovery fueling station.

    60) Always eat fruit, biscuits and energy bars.

61) but also to drink the container located at the foot of the mill is unique in its kind.

    62) Recovery Time for cyclists of DigestScience that the evening attended the first Bike Night organized for the benefit of the foundation indoor velodrome in Roubaix.
63) Indispensable presence Mavic assistance even if the soil is always dry limit technical problems.

    64) Then resume the adventure after passing under portico erected in the countryside.

65) Decorating mill that pedaling leave behind.
Windmill that production day so completely forgotten the fight raged launched by Cancellara.

    66) And so vantage point What already invested on the edge of a meadow authorized, many mobile homes.

Meaw News | North Korea may be preparing to test missile

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A top South Korean national security official said North Korea may be setting the stage for a missile test or another provocative act with its warning that it soon will be unable to guarantee diplomats' safety in Pyongyang. But he added that the North's clearest objective is to extract concessions from Washington and Seoul.

 North Korea Missile

(CNN) -- North Korea issued its latest dispatch of ominous rhetoric on Tuesday, telling foreigners in South Korea they should take steps to secure shelter or evacuation to protect themselves in the event of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

The unnerving message came as Japan set up missile defenses in Tokyo, and North Korean workers failed to turn up for work in the industrial complex jointly operated by North and South Korea.

In the statement published by state-run media Tuesday, the North's Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee reiterated accusations that Washington and Seoul were seeking to provoke a war with Pyongyang.

"Once a war is ignited on the peninsula, it will be an all-out war," the committee said, adding that North Korea doesn't want foreigners in South Korea to "fall victim" to a conflict.

It follows a warning from the North last week to diplomats in its capital city, Pyongyang, that if war were to break out, it would not be able to guarantee their safety.

But staff at the British Embassy in Seoul appeared unimpressed by the North's most recent attempt to rattle nerves in the region.

"We are not commenting on the specifics of every piece of rhetoric from North Korea," said Colin Gray, head of media affairs at the embassy. "Our travel advice remains unchanged. At this moment, we see no immediate threat to British citizens in South Korea."

Several Western countries said last week they had no plans to withdraw staff from Pyongyang after the North's warning to diplomats there.

Threat after threat

North Korea has unleashed a torrent of dramatic threats against the United States and South Korea in recent weeks, including that of a possible nuclear strike. But many analysts have cautioned that much of what Kim Jong Un's regime is saying is bluster, noting that it is believed to still be years away from developing an operational nuclear missile.

A more likely scenario, they say, is a localized provocative move.

Amid the fiery words from Pyongyang and annual military training exercises by U.S. and South Korean forces in the region, government officials in Washington and Seoul say they are taking the North Korean threat seriously.

The North was blamed for two attacks on South Korea in 2010 -- one on a navy vessel and another on the island of Yeonpyeong -- that killed a total of 50 people. Pyongyang still denies responsibility for the sinking of the South Korean warship, the Cheonan, in which 46 sailors died.

On Tuesday, Japan said it had deployed missile-defense systems around Tokyo amid expectations that the North could carry out a missile test in the coming days.

The Japanese government is making "every possible effort to protect the Japanese people and ensure their safety," said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Patriot missile batteries were set up in the central Tokyo district of Ichigaya and in the suburbs of Asaka and Narashino, authorities said.

South Korean government officials have said they think North Korea could conduct the test launch of a missile as soon as Wednesday, following reports that the North had loaded as many as two medium-range missiles onto mobile launchers on its east coast.

The United States had previously said it was moving missile-defense systems to Guam, a Western Pacific territory that is home to U.S. naval and air bases. North Korea has cited those bases when listing possible targets for missile attacks.

A symbol of cooperation at risk

The souring situation on the Korean Peninsula was in evidence in the failure of more than 50,000 North Korean workers to show up for work Tuesday morning at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the manufacturing zone shared by the two Koreas that had operated without such an interruption for eight years.

The North had declared Monday that it would pull out its workers and temporarily suspend activities at the complex, which sits on its side of the heavily fortified border but houses the operations of more than 120 South Korean companies.

On Tuesday, the South Korean Unification Ministry said the North Korean workers hadn't reported for work in the district, which is the last major symbol of cooperation between the two Koreas.

Analysts had expressed skepticism that Pyongyang would follow through on previous threats to shut down the complex, noting that it was an important source of hard currency to the regime of Kim Jong Un.

It also likely to put pressure on the city of Kaesong itself, where the North Korean workers and their families live. With an estimated population of between 200,000 and 300,000 people, it is one of the impoverished country's largest cities.

South Korean officials criticized the North's decision to halt activities at Kaesong, with President Park Geun-hye saying Tuesday that it risked damaging its credibility as a place to do business.

Since last week, the North had been blocking South Koreans from entering the zone, depriving the factories of key personnel and supplies. The entry ban had already prompted more than 10 of the companies to cease production.

As of Tuesday, 406 South Koreans and 2 Chinese remained inside the industrial complex, the South Korean government said.

The North had blocked South Koreans from going into the complex before, in March 2009. But it returned the situation to normal in a matter of days and didn't withdraw its own workers from the factories.

Anger over sanctions

North Korea stepped up its efforts to stir tensions in the region after the U.N. Security Council imposed stricter sanctions for Pyongyang's latest underground nuclear test, which took place in February.

Shows of strength by the U.S. military during the current training exercises with South Korea have provided extra material for the North's verbal broadsides.

The United States has since dialed back its military displays to avoid any further escalation in the crisis. It postponed a missile test scheduled for this week in California to prevent any misreading of the situation by Pyongyang.

But North Korea is sticking to its claim that it needs its own nuclear weapons as a deterrent to the threat it perceives from the United States. And it is demanding to be recognized globally as a nuclear power.

Last week, Pyongyang said it would restart a nuclear reactor that it had shut down five years ago under an agreement with Washington, Seoul, Beijing and other parties.

It has also severed a key military hotline with the South, and said it was ditching the armistice agreement that stopped the Korean War in 1954. Because that war ended in a truce and not a formal peace treaty, the two Koreas technically remain at war.

North Korea successfully shot a satellite into space in December and conducted its third nuclear test in February. It has threatened to launch a nuclear attack on the United States, though many analysts say the North hasn't achieved the technology to manufacture a miniaturized nuclear warhead that could fit on a long-range missile capable of hitting the U.S.
Thanks: CNN & Yahoo NEWS

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Invests in Blodget’s Business Insider

Business Insider Inc., the news site co-founded by former Internet analyst Henry Blodget, raised $5 million in venture capital from investors led by Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos.

Bezos, an avid reader of the site, is making his first investment in the company through his personal investment arm Bezos Expeditions and brings the startup’s total funding to $18.3 million, Business Insider said. RRE Ventures and Institutional Venture Partners also participated in the funding round. Earlier investors have included venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and Ken Lerer, a co-founder of the Huffington Post.

“Jeff’s leadership, vision and philosophy at Amazon have been an inspiration to a whole generation of startups and entrepreneurs, including me,” Blodget said in an interview. “It is a privilege and pleasure to have him invest in the company.”

The New York-based company had about $10 million in sales last year and a net loss of $3 million, according to a person with direct knowledge of its finances. Business Insider has about 100 employees and is expected to bring in more than $15 million in revenue this year, though it may not reach profitability, said the person, who asked not to be named because the information is confidential.

‘Dishonorable Discharge’

The 47-year-old Blodget, the subject of a recent New Yorker profile by author Ken Auletta, was barred from working on Wall Street after he settled claims with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2003. The year before, Eliot Spitzer, then the attorney general of New York, accused Blodget of publishing “buy” and “sell” ratings on stocks to help win investment- banking business.

“Ten years ago, I got what amounted to a dishonorable discharge from the industry, and I’ve always been ashamed of that,” he told Auletta. “At some point, if it seems appropriate, I would like to explore the possibility of being reinstated.”

In 2007, he helped start Business Insider, known for its slide shows and quick takes on news.

The site draws around 24 million monthly readers and its coverage ranges from finance to technology to entertainment, with headlines like “Facebook Just Destroyed Google’s Android Strategy” and “The 28 Most Beautiful Photos Of Tiger Woods Playing Golf.” Its staff choses topics based on real-time data about what readers are clicking on.

Bezos’ Value

Bezos, 49, started Seattle-based Amazon in 1994 and built it into the world’s largest online retailer. He is the 21st richest person in the world, with a net worth of $24.2 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Billionaires.

As an analyst, first at Oppenheimer & Co. and later at Merrill Lynch & Co., Blodget gained fame for his bullish stance on Amazon. In December 1998, much of Wall Street had a negative view of the e-commerce company, which was then trading at $240 a share. Saying that “Amazon’s valuation is clearly more art than science,” Blodget set a one-year price target of $400. The figure was laughable to many on Wall Street -- until three weeks later, when the stock soared past that mark.
Thanks : bloomberg.com