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Sunday, January 18, 2015

Ram Rebel pickup ready to rock off road - Full Coverage: Detroit Auto Show 2015

ram rebel.jpg

Ram is ready to have some rebellious fun.

Coming off of its best sales year ever, the truck brand is adding a new Rebel off-road model to its light duty pickup lineup.

The 1500-based truck gets a new blacked out grille with the Ram name front and center and a tailgate to match, off-road bumpers with a wraparound powder-coated skidplate, twin-snorkel-style aluminum Mopar hood, a 1.0-inch lift for it’s standard air suspension, unique Bilstein shocks, and 33-inch tire package.

Ram President and CEO Bob Hegbloom says the look is “bold, aggressive” and meant to appeal to people who live their lives that way.

Available only as a Crew Cab model, the Rebel is offered with a choice of 305 hp 3.6-liter V6 and 395 hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engines. Inside, the Rebel features red and grey accents and stitching, along with fabric seats emblazoned with the same tire tread pattern found on the Toyo Open Country A/T tires the truck rides on.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but the Rebel is being pitched as a more affordable alternative to the Ram Power Wagon heavy duty pickup, which has a starting price of $50,340.

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2014 Ram Power Wagon: The Super Hero of pickups

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Ram Rebel pickup ready to rock off road - Full Coverage: Detroit Auto Show 2015

Saturday, January 17, 2015

READY EXCUSE IRS head warns cuts will cause bad customer service

Taxpayers could see delays in getting their refunds this year — as well as “unacceptable” customer service — as the IRS commissioner warns budget cuts are forcing the agency to cut back.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, in an email sent to workers and obtained by Fox News, predicted a messy tax season on several fronts.

“The effect of these cuts will hurt taxpayers and our tax system,” he wrote.

He said the cuts could force the IRS to shut down operations for two days later this year, resulting in unpaid furloughs for employees and service cuts for taxpayers.

But in the near-term, the commissioner said cuts in overtime and temporary staff hours could cause delays in refunds.

“People who file paper tax returns could wait an extra week — or possibly longer — to see their refund,” he wrote, adding: “Taxpayers with errors or questions on their returns that require additional manual review will also face delays.”

He warned that IRS customer service, which already has faced heavy criticism, could be “diminished further.” Koskinen set a low bar for what taxpayers can expect.

“We now anticipate an even lower level of telephone service than before, which raises the real possibility that fewer than half of taxpayers trying to call us will actually reach us. During Fiscal Year 2014, 64 percent were able to get through. Those who do reach us will face extended wait times that are unacceptable to all of us,” Koskinen wrote.

Further, he warned of delays to IT investments of more than $200 million, predicting this would delay “new taxpayer protections against identity theft.”

The IRS has faced tough congressional scrutiny over the last two years in large part over the scandal involving the targeting of conservative groups, and some lawmakers are reluctant to pour more funding into the agency.

But Koskinen says the agency’s $10.9 billion budget is now the lowest level of funding since 2008. When adjusted for inflation, the budget hasn’t been this low since 1998, he said.

He said a short-term shutdown may loom.

“Unfortunately, this means at this time we need to plan for the possibility of a shutdown of IRS operations for two days later this fiscal year, which will involve furloughing employees on those days,” Koskinen wrote in the email. “Shutting down the IRS will be a last resort, but I want to be upfront with you about the problem.”

Koskinen said the agency will extend a partial hiring freeze through the end of the budget year in September. He said fewer enforcement agents will cost the federal government at least $2 billion in lost tax revenue.

“IRS employees are doing their best to handle the rising demand for their services, but they will simply not be able to keep up,” said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union. “I have urged the IRS not to make any decisions on furlough days this early in the fiscal year and to work with us to find other alternatives.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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READY EXCUSE IRS head warns cuts will cause bad customer service

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Blak Diamon ready to take on 2015

Versatile and prolific are just a few words used to describe Blak Diamon, who is also co-founder of UIM, which is one of the Caribbean’s leading recording powerhouses. On Saturday night, Blak Diamon perfomed at Sting 2014 in Jamworld, Portmore, as the artiste went in high gear at one of Jamaica’s much-anticipated event.

The artiste went full throttle, at Jamworld, as he performed his latest single titled Bang Bang, produced by brother and co-founder Anju Blaxx, which has also been enjoying rotation locally and internationally on the airwaves.

“I was prepared, plus it was my birthday (26th), so the show was positive all the way,” said Blak Diamon.

A key industry insider of a leading internationally renowned US cable television network was quick to point out that Blak Diamon is an artiste that the world should look out for. his drive, determination and versatility is what is needed right now in the music industry, especially in Jamaica.

Upcoming Projects For 2015

Blak Diamon further shared, “I am also working on an EP with Anjublax and UIM records, which will be released in early 2015. The Bang Bang single is still being promoted, as I see it going much further than Jamaica.”

As Blak Diamon continues to churn out the hits, the talented artiste would like to assure his fans, “If you are a Blak Diamon fan, much love and respect goes out to you for all the support over the years. Also, I am definitely growing and working hard to deliver more great, clean, music for you all … much respect.”

“The Bang Bang single is still being promoted, as I see it going much further.”

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Blak Diamon ready to take on 2015

Kalado ready to start 2015 on a high note

The deejay who has made the biggest strides for 2014, Kalado, is determined to begin 2015 on a musical high, and predictions are that his latest single, the vibrant “Hard Knock Life”, is the ideal way to do so.

Once again, the Sex Compliment singer has teamed up with Dre Day Productions for a song that is overflowing with reality and snugly set on a rhythm that complements the lyrics and sustains the flow. The backdrop for Hard Knock Life is prison, and the single details the harsh reality of existence in a place that “no mek fi dog”?, as Kalado says, quoting from a Jamaican proverb.

But while the song lyrics are introspective, the rhythm is so infectious that it is impossible to listen to it without moving to the beat and recognising that molecule of hope amid the hopelessness. Kalado says that this song forms part of a special Christmas present to his fans, whose support has been instrumental in his having such an awesome year.

The year 2014 has seen many firsts for the young deejay, who did his first Reggae Sumfest; his first overseas reggae festival, Montreal International Reggae Festival; enjoyed a number-one summer single with Personally; had his first visit to the Motherland, and headlined his first official show in Toronto. Additionally, the Good Good Bring Life singer consistently delivered singles which had far-reaching impact on radio in the clubs and at dances. Among the singles were Love The Life You Live, Living The Life, House Party, Rave Till Sunlight, Personally, Body Nuh Dead, Make Me Feel, Mi Money Good, Paper Trail, Step Out, Sad Streets, Pree Money, Pay Dem No Mind and Take A Ride.

“It has been a great year,” a beaming Kalado declared. “Of course, there have been challenges and disappointments like the cancellation of the European tour at the last minute, but these are some of the things that help to keep us grounded and help to build character. Life is not always smooth sailing. But I have to give thanks for the successes of 2014 and this would not have been possible without my fans and my team. This year, our goal was to build Kalado and set a solid foundation which will enable us to make money next year and in the years to come,”? the Pree Money artiste said.

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Kalado ready to start 2015 on a high note

Gage ready for first "Extravaganza" performance

Contributed – Gage

Fast-rising Dancehall sensation Gage, aka the ‘Burning Sun’, is gearing up to deliver an exciting performance at Boom GT’s ‘Christmas Extravaganza’.

It will be his first appearance on the prestigious stage show, which is held annually on Christmas Day at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth.

In a recent interview Gage, who is slated to clash with Tommy Lee at Sting 2014 on Boxing Day, said he plans to deliver a great performance for his fans in St Elizabeth.

Exceptional performance

“I plan to deliver an exceptional performance at Christmas Extravaganza. It will be my first time on the show and I plan to deliver my very best for my fans in St Elizabeth,” said Gage.

According to Gage, he plans to end 2014 on a high note, which also means defeating Tommy Lee at Sting.

“Right now I’m the most talked about new dancehall act in the business and I plan to end the year on a very high note. That means after I thrill my fans at Christmas Extravaganza, I’ll be heading to Sting the next day to slaughter Tommy, lyrically, and take the Sting crown,” said the artiste.

Gage is currently enjoying strong rotation with a number of hits, including Throat, Two Idiot, Bad Chick, Rock To The Bar, Kitty Kat and Bad Man War Dirty.

“My songs are getting a lot of love all over the world. Right now, Throat is the biggest dancehall tune in places like Panama, Trinidad and Guyana. I have to big up all the DJs and selectors who are playing my songs. Gage, the Burning Sun, is the hottest dancehall act on the planet. I’m going to prove it to the fans at Christmas Extravaganza and Sting.”

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Gage ready for first "Extravaganza" performance

Thursday, December 18, 2014

UN ready to help US, Cuba develop ties

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 | 1:27 PM

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed on Wednesday a historic decision by the United States and Cuba to normalize ties and offered UN help to develop the new relationship.

“The United Nations stands ready to help both countries to cultivate their good neighborly relations,” Ban told a news conference at UN headquarters.

The secretary general thanked presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro “for taking this important step towards normalizing relations” and described this as “very positive news.”

Obama announced earlier that the United States will restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after a five-decade freeze and open an embassy in Havana after the release of two Americans.

Ban recalled that the UN General Assembly had adopted again this year a resolution in favor of lifting the US embargo on Cuba and putting the countries on a path toward normalized relations.

The United States imposed an economic embargo on communist Cuba in 1960, at the height of the Cold War, and a year later broke off diplomatic relations.

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UN ready to help US, Cuba develop ties