Overview of the New Local Property Tax - Fenero's Official Blog

Overview of the Local Property Tax

The new local property tax will tax effect from 1 July 2013. The property owner will be liable to the tax (and not tenants where the property is rented). Co-owners will be jointly and severally liable for the tax. A half-year payment will be charged in 2013 and a full year payment will be due from 2014 onwards.

The tax will be charged at a rate of 0.18% on properties valued at less than ?1 million and at a rate of 0.25% will apply to any excess value over ?1 million. Importantly these rates will be known as the ?central rates? but from 2015 onwards, local authorities will be able to vary the rate of these ?central rates? by up to +/- 15%. Therefore different rates will apply depending on the local authority that you live under.

The amount of tax paid will be determined on a self-assessment basis. i.e. the property owner must establish the market value and calculate the applicable tax amount to be paid. The property tax will be collected by the Revenue Commissioners.

The Revenue will be setting up a dedicated Lo-Call number to deal with enquiries about the tax from 7^th January 2013.

How much tax do I have to pay?

The tax rate will be applied to the market value of your property to arrive at the amount of tax payable. However for the purposes of calculating the tax, property values will be organised into bands.

The first band is ?0 - ?100,000. Subsequent bands will be organised in values of ?50,000 width up to ?1 million i.e. the second band is ?100,001 to ?150,000; the third band is ?150,001 to ?200,000 etc. The tax liability will be calculated by applying the tax rate to the mid-point of the band. For example, if your property is valued at ?130,000 it will fall into the ?100,001 to ?150,000 band. The mid-point of this band is ?125,000. Therefore you will pay 0.18% on ?125,000 (and not 0.18% on ?130,000). An online calculator is available on the Revenue website to help you work this out at: http://www.revenue.ie/lpt_reckoner/index_en.html How do I value my property?

In March 2013 the Revenue Commissioners will be sending out an explanatory booklet on the operation of the local property tax including procedures for arriving at the property?s market value. Property owners will also be free to use the services of an independent property valuer if they choose. The new Property Prices Register is also intended to assist people in valuing their property.

You will be required to determine the market value of your property as at 1 May 2013. This valuation will then remain valid for the purpose of your Local Property Tax Return for three years up to and including 2016. This will useful in that you will not need to repeat this exercise each year and also if you improve or renovate the property which may increase the property value before 2016.

However it is not clear from information currently available whether you can choose to revalue your property and resubmit details again before 2016 if you wish to ? this would be important in the context of falling property prices.

You will be required to submit a Local Property Tax Return to Revenue stating your valuation either online or using a paper return (however if you own more than one property you cannot avail of the paper return option). Paper returns will be required to submitted by 7^th May 2013. If you are filing online you will have until 28^th May 2013.

Michael Noonan has advised that a number of methods will be used to identify valuations which are far below market value in an attempt to curb any tax evasion which might arise though the intentional undervaluing of a property. This includes a ?heat map? showing the average market value of properties in a particular area. The idea is that if one property owner values their property substantially lower than their neighbours, it should be quickly flagged by the Revenue for further investigation.

The government have said they expect that 85% to 90% of properties will be valued at below ?300,000.

Are there any exemptions to the Local Property Tax?

The exemptions to the tax will be broadly in line with those applied to the Household Charge. Additional exemptions will also apply to First Time Buyers and to new or previously unused properties.

Second hand properties purchased by a first time buyer in 2013 will be exempt until the end of 2016.

New and previously unused properties which are purchased from a builder or developer between 1 January 2013 and the end of 2016, will be exempt until the end of 2016.

How and when do I pay the tax?

The tax will be operated and collected by the Revenue Commissioners. You can choose to make one single payment or instead to spread out the payments in equal instalments between 1 July and 31 December 2013. If you are opting for one single payment by a single debit instruction, this will be taken from your bank account on 21 July 2013.

There will be a range of payment options including credit/debit card, direct debit and cash payment through certain providers. You can also opt for voluntary deductions at source meaning payment can be deducted from your salary or certain social welfare payments. If you do not elect for a particular payment method, the Revenue will automatically collect the tax at source.

Interest charges will apply to late payment of tax.

What if I cannot afford to pay?

For owner occupiers with a gross income of up to ?15,000 (single) and ?25,000 (couples), the tax can be deferred in full until financial circumstances improve or until the property is sold. For owner occupiers with a gross income of up to ?25,000 (single) and ?35,000 (couples), 50% of the tax can be deferred in full until financial circumstances improve or until the property is sold. However interest at 4% per annum will apply to all deferred amounts.

What about the existing Household Charge? And the NPPR tax on second properties?

The Household Charge will cease with effect from 1 January 2013 as this local property tax is to replace it. In addition the NPPR (non principal private residence) charge on second homes will cease with effect from 1 January 2014. Any unpaid Household Charge or NPPR taxes will remain as a charge on the related property however.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provide above is based on detail announced in the Budget on 5^th December 2012 and is subject to enactment of the Finance Bill 2013.

01-6877400

info@fenero.ie

Source: http://smallbusinessadviceireland.blogspot.com/2012/12/overview-of-new-local-property-tax.html

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Patent Pooling Is an Effective Tool for IP Monetization | IPWatchdog ...

The U.S. patent system has garnered a lot of attention over the past several months, much of it a negative portrayal of patents as a tool more likely to stifle than protect innovation?and much of that sentiment stemming from Apple?s recent legal triumph over Samsung.

As the larger business, government and societal debates continue relative to the future role and efficacy of the patent system, it?s worth taking a moment to remind ourselves that product and technology licensing is not anathema to the qualities of fairness and transparency.

Patent pooling is one example of a proven, effective tool that is helping industry better manage its licensing programs. By ?pooling? patents from many license holders, licensors generally are able to lower transaction costs and administrative overhead, and benefit from a centralized model that encourages patent bundling and fair play. Licensees likewise enjoy advantages in the form of lower royalty fees and a single point of contact that eliminates the need to negotiate separately with multiple license holders.

One-Blue, LLC, officially launched its patent pool in July 2011 as the one-stop-shop licensing agent for the Blu-ray Disc? (BD) industry. Representing 15 licensors from among the world?s global consumer electronics manufacturers, One-Blue operates a pool of more than 10,000 essential BD patents and to date has executed 72 Registration and/or License Agreements.? As our efforts have unfolded we have learned a number of important lessons that to us clearly demonstrate we have delivered upon our promise to promote a level playing field and foster innovation by instituting a per batch licensing process and by delivering upon our promise to enforce non-compliance.

Of course, there have been critics of patent pooling in the past, sometimes identifying what could be considered objective hurdles to the model. These business concerns, which center around monetization of patents in a timely way, largely relate to the mechanics of licensing and avoiding the free-rider problem, which unfortunately is a problem with so many collaborative business models.

To address the criticisms of patent pooling we have taken what we believe to be a unique approach.? In administering this pool, we have instituted a number of ?best practices? that we believe could (and probably should) be applied with equal success to other industries, from smartphones and computers to biotechnology. By adhering to these practices we believe that companies can ensure that their patent pools are fairly governed, cost-optimized and able to take swift enforcement action when required.

Enforcement: In the event an action is warranted, all members of the pool agree to participate by making their patents available for enforcement actions. This prevents some members from opting out of patent enforcement, while at the same time enjoying the pool?s benefits.

Per-batch licensing: Each product shipment carries licensing documentation and registration logos with serial numbers that can be verified by customs officials, distributors and retailers. This avoids cases where a company signs a license agreement but then fails to abide by its terms, which ultimately increases the cost of business for all other parties. While per-batch licensing may seem like an extra step, it ensures that royalties are applied only to the products shipped?not to the company itself.

Pre-netting: In cases where licensees hold pre-existing patent licenses with patent pool licensors, pre-netting subtracts what would be due the licensors when calculating royalty payments. This step ensures that licensees pay only for what they use and encourages broader participation in the pool.

Patent weighting: Not all patents are created equal. A weighting system of patents compensates licensors whose essential patents are subjectively determined to be of greater value.

Throughout history patents have been a force that pushes innovation forward. Yes, at times there have been patent battles, but these battles are eventually marked by settling of the industry, cooperation and leaps forward for innovation and technologies.? But without the incentive to profit and a mechanism to deliver rewards based on value, scope and scale of the contribution we fail to deliver value to those willing to fund and develop innovation.

At One-Blue the adoption of what we believe are best practices improves upon an already proven model that has lead to successful licensing of core patent assets that allow industries to grow and companies to flourish. When the media paints images of all patents being bad they are doing a disservice to the industry and ignoring the good that has come from patented innovation and the sharing of such innovation via patent pools and other cross-licensing arrangements.

?

William J. Lenihan?is Director, IP Licensing of One-Blue, LLC.?Prior to One-Blue, Bill was the Director of IP Licensing for the Philips Electronics joint optical licensing program which included the IP of Philips, SONY, Pioneer and LG Electronics. Bill is a graduate of Manhattan College and resides in Pleasantville, N.Y.

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Source: http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2012/12/05/patent-pooling-is-an-effective-tool-for-ip-monetization/id=30939/

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New stunning nighttime views of Earth unveiled

AAA??Dec. 5, 2012?3:37 PM ET
New stunning nighttime views of Earth unveiled
AP

In this image provided by NASA, the United States of America is seen at night from a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite in April and October 2012. The image was made possible by the new satellite?s ?day-night band? of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight. (AP Photo/NASA)

In this image provided by NASA, the United States of America is seen at night from a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite in April and October 2012. The image was made possible by the new satellite?s ?day-night band? of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight. (AP Photo/NASA)

In this image from Oct. 13, 2012 provided by NASA, the Nile River valley and delta is seen at night from a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite. The image was made possible by the new satellite?s ?day-night band? of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight. The Nile River Valley and Delta comprise less than 5 percent of Egypt?s land area, but provide a home to roughly 97 percent of the country?s population. Nothing makes the location of human population clearer than the lights illuminating the valley and delta at night. The city lights resemble a giant calla lily, just one with a kink in its stem near the city of Luxor. Some of the brightest lights occur around Cairo, but lights are abundant along the length of the river. Bright city lights also occur along the Suez Canal and around Tel Aviv. Away from the lights, however, land and water appear uniformly black. This image was acquired near the time of the new Moon, and little moonlight was available to brighten land and water surfaces. (AP Photo/NASA)

In this image from Sept. 24, 2012 provided by NASA, the Korean Peninsula is seen at night from a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite. The image was made possible by the new satellite?s ?day-night band? of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight. City lights at night are a fairly reliable indicator of where people live. But this isn?t always the case, and the Korean Peninsula shows why. As of July 2012, South Korea?s population was estimated at roughly 49 million people, and North Korea?s population was estimated at about half that number. But where South Korea is gleaming with city lights, North Korea has hardly any lights at all, just a faint glimmer around Pyongyang. The wide-area image shows the Korean Peninsula, parts of China and Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the Sea of Japan. The white inset box encloses an area showing ship lights in the Yellow Sea. Many of the ships form a line, as if assembling along a watery border. (AP Photo/NASA)

A 1/20 scale model of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, which was launched last year, is seen Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. A new sensor aboard this satellite is enabling scientists to observe Earth's atmosphere and surface during nighttime hours, in greater detail than ever before. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Twinkling city lights, raging wildfires and colorful auroras are lit up in new dazzling nighttime views of the Earth.

The new images released Wednesday are courtesy of a newly launched NASA-NOAA satellite that's equipped with a sensor to observe the planet at night.

There's the Nile River bathed in city lights. A map of the United States shows the populated East Coast illuminated. Light from fishing boats can be pinpointed.

The satellite also captured the glow from natural sources including moonlight, northern lights and naturally-occurring fires.

After Superstorm Sandy made landfall in late October, hard-hit New Jersey, lower Manhattan and the Rockaways appeared dark in the satellite images compared with surrounding areas ? the result of widespread power outages.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/b2f0ca3a594644ee9e50a8ec4ce2d6de/Article_2012-12-05-Earth%20At%20Night/id-2b53bbdbe6a640849131fa43218db6e5

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Pygmy mole crickets don't just walk on water, they jump on it

ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2012) ? An insect not much bigger than a grain of rice is able to repeatedly jump on the surface of water using specialized paddles on their hind legs, new research reveals.

The pygmy mole cricket, which is really more closely related to a grasshopper than a cricket, is only 5mm (1/4 inch) long and weighs less than 10mg. They live in burrows that they dig into the muddy banks alongside fresh water, to include creeks and ponds, in more tropical habitats. On land they can jump as far as 1 meter and as high as 0.7 meter, but accuracy is sacrificed for speed and they often end up in the nearby water.

The findings were reported December 3, in the journal Current Biology.

Professor Malcolm Burrows, from the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, first encountered pygmy mole crickets (family Tridactylidae) while eating his lunch near a pond in Cape Town, South Africa. Upon hearing sporadic noises coming from the water, he observed something he had never seen before in his 48 years of research -- an insect that was jumping on the surface of the water.

After collecting a few of the creatures and bringing them back to the lab, he analyzed them jumping using a high speed camera. He and his engineer colleague, Dr Gregory Sutton, discovered that, unlike other animals that use the surface tension of water such as pond skater insects (also known as water striders) or basilisk (Jesus) lizards to traverse water, the pygmy mole cricket relies on its powerful hind legs to thrust a small ball of water down to propel itself off the surface.

Professor Burrows said: "For small insects, water can be a deadly, sticky trap; water grabs and holds an insect, offering it as an appetizing snack for an alert fish. Other animals use surface water tension, keeping a small layer of air between their feet and the water. However, if their feet get wet, they will be pulled into the water and drown. Pygmy mole crickets turn the stickiness of water to their advantage and use this property to enable jumping."

In order to escape the water, where they are easy prey for fish, the pygmy mole cricket rapidly (the legs are extended in about 1 millisecond at an angular velocity of 130,000 degrees per second) push their powerful hind legs into the water. As they push downward, specialized spring-loaded paddles and spurs fan out to increase the surface area (which is increased by 2.4 times). This enables them to propel a ball of water downwards, launching them upwards into the air. Once the thrust has been applied, the paddles then rapidly snap closed to reduce the drag. On water, the jumps can reach distances of 33mm (5.4 times the length of their body) and 100mm high.

The researchers believe that the pygmy mole crickets' unique technique for jumping on water could be used to inform the development of small robots that could be used in water.

Professor Burrows added: "If we want to make small robotic vehicles that move under water, this is how we would have to design propellers or oars."

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dUS5Jb17RCE

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Cambridge. The original article is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Malcolm Burrows, Gregory Patrick Sutton. Pygmy mole crickets jump from water. Current Biology, Volume 22, Issue 23, 4 December 2012, Pages R990-R991 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.10.045

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/-QXzogRMgxs/121203121634.htm

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Israel feels heat from allies over settlements

JERUSALEM (AP) ? Israel rejected a wave of American and European condemnations Monday over plans to build thousands of new homes in West Bank settlements, vowing to press forward with the construction in the face of widespread international opposition.

The announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was likely to deepen a rift that has emerged between Israel and some of its closest allies following the U.N.'s recognition of a Palestinian state last week. The U.N. decision appears to be fueling a tougher international line against Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Israeli ambassadors were summoned for consultations in five European capitals, and European officials warned of other potential measures against Israel. In Washington, the U.S. said the Israeli actions were "especially damaging" to peace prospects.

Italian Premier Mario Monti and French President Francois Hollande issued a joint statement saying they were "deeply worried" by Israel's settlement plans. The two men, meeting in Lyon, France, called the Israeli decisions "serious and illegal" and a "serious obstacle" to Mideast peace.

Netanyahu, however, showed no signs of bending. His office said Israel would continue to stand up for its interests "even in the face of international pressure, and there will be no change in the decision taken."

Europe could potentially play a strong role in any international action against the settlements. Europe is Israel's largest trade partner, and Israel has a partnership with the EU giving its exports preferential status.

But divisions within Europe could make it difficult to take any concerted action. Germany, Europe's largest economy, has a close relationship with Israel, and given its history as the perpetrator of the Holocaust, it is unlikely to take any strong action against the Jewish state.

In last week's decision, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly recognized a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war.

Netanyahu rejects a return to the 1967 lines. His government also fears the Palestinians will use their upgraded status to join the U.N.'s International Criminal Court and pursue war crimes charges against Israel.

But Israel was joined by only eight other countries in opposing the bid, which was seen as a resounding international rejection of Israeli settlements in occupied territories. In a slap to Israel, its closest European allies ? Britain, Germany, Italy and France ? all abstained or voted with the Palestinians.

Israel has angrily condemned the vote as an attempt by the Palestinians to bypass negotiations. In particular, Netanyahu's government says it undermines any chance of negotiations over future border arrangements by endorsing the Palestinians' territorial demands.

The Israeli response to the U.N. decision was swift and strong. Just hours after Thursday's vote, Israel announced plans to build 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. It also said it would begin plans to develop a sensitive part of the West Bank just outside of Jerusalem.

Although construction is likely years off at best, the mere intention to build in the area known as "E1" is potentially explosive because of its strategic location in the middle of the West Bank. Israel also said it was withholding a regularly scheduled tax transfer to the Palestinians and using the money to pay off Palestinian debts to Israeli utilities.

After a flurry of angry European protests over the weekend, the Israeli ambassadors to Britain, France, Spain, Sweden and Denmark were all summoned by their hosts on Monday.

"I set out the depth of the U.K.'s concern about these decisions and I called on the Israeli government to reverse them. The settlements plan in particular has the potential to alter the situation on the ground on a scale that threatens the viability of a two-state solution," said Alistair Burt, Britain's minister for Mideast affairs.

Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath praised the Europeans for taking action.

"We've been expecting this kind of behavior for a long time," Shaath said. "For this to come from France and England is very beneficial to us. We highly appreciate it and we are hoping the U.S. will follow their lead."

Later Monday, the Obama administration also harshly criticized Israel, its top Mideast ally, over the planned construction.

"We reiterate our longstanding opposition to Israeli settlement activity and East Jerusalem construction," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters. "We oppose all unilateral actions, including settlement activity and housing construction, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations."

At the State Department, spokesman Mark Toner said the E1 plans are "especially damaging" to prospects for a resumption in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The E1 area "area is particularly sensitive and construction there would be especially damaging to efforts to achieve a two-state solution," Toner said in a statement.

The fate of Jewish settlements is at the heart of the current four-year impasse in Mideast peacemaking. The Palestinians say continued settlement construction is a sign of bad faith, and they refuse to return to the negotiating table unless Israel stops the building. More than 500,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Israeli officials say the Palestinians have negotiated with previous governments while settlement construction took place. They also note that even when Netanyahu imposed a 10-month partial freeze on construction in 2009 and 2010, there were no serious peace talks. Netanyahu says negotiations should begin immediately without any preconditions.

But last week's U.N. vote appears to have marked a turning point. While the U.S. and Europe have long opposed the settlements, their new condemnations used especially sharp language, and rarely are Israeli ambassadors publicly grilled.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told parliament that "together with other EU countries we will discuss other potential steps," though he would not elaborate.

British government officials said the EU would be looking to President Barack Obama for leadership on the matter, and that British diplomats were in touch with American counterparts in London.

One EU official in Brussels said the matter will be high on the agenda of a meeting of European foreign ministers next Monday, and will also be discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during a planned visit this week.

The British and EU officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations, and no firm policy had been set.

Silke Temple, a Mideast expert at the German think tank DGAP, said the European reaction was "indeed harsher" than in the past. She said Germany was likely to raise the issue of settlements with Netanyahu during a visit this week.

"There certainly will be a message at this week's consultations that it is not helpful. Constructing settlements just isn't constructive," she said.

Officials in Britain, France, Spain, Sweden and Denmark all said that no specific threats were made during Monday's meetings.

Avi Primor, a former Israeli ambassador to Germany, said he didn't think Israel had reached a "new era" in relations with Europe quite yet. But he said there is a "long-term process of public opinion gradually turning against Israel."

"Public opinion simply cannot understand the Israeli policy in occupied territories, the refusal to have a genuine peace process. Eventually, this lack of understanding will surely have an influence on governments," he said.

The diplomatic process is likely to remain on hold in the coming weeks as Israel prepares for new parliamentary elections. According to opinion polls, Netanyahu is expected to win re-election as head of a hardline coalition dominated by pro-settler politicians. Netanyahu's tough public stance in recent days may be motivated, in part at least, at creating a strong image for Israeli voters.

Palestinian officials have indicated they will wait until after the Israeli election on Jan. 22 before deciding how to proceed with their newfound diplomatic status at the U.N. Officials say they hope Obama will present a new formula for resuming peace talks after the Israeli vote.

_____

Lori Hinnant in Paris, Jill Lawless in London, Matthew Lee in Washington, Louise Nordstrom in Stockholm, Sweden, Juergen Baetz in Berlin and Lauren E. Bohn contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-feels-heat-allies-over-settlements-201457188.html

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Video: Deaf football players use secret weapon

>>> finally tonight an example from the fields of play about how to get past seemingly insurmountable challenges and about the rewards that follow when you pull it off. nbc's mike taibbi has the story tonight from los angeles .

>> reporter: they were an undermanned high school football team from fremont, california. only 19 players from a small school , and they're under sized, not one player even 200 pounds, which made their run to a 10-2 record and elite championship something special. but the csd eagles overcame an even bigger obstacle on the way to friday night glory because csd stands for california school for the deaf . that's right. every player and coach warren keller, too, is deaf.

>> we want to prepare the kids the best we can for the rest of their lives. get them, no matter what happens on the field and how much we push them we want to prepare them for their real life .

>> reporter: small but quick, the eagles were pushed to practice fast and play that way. the hurry-up offense with each snap within seven seconds of the referee's spot.

>> we set up fast. we snap the ball fast.

>> reporter: and what do you know? it worked. one bigger opponent after another bit the dust. almost all of them public schools. and the eagles turned deafness into an advantage, using sign language and color coded sideline boards to call plays to that athletes who can hear couldn't figure out.

>> they can talk to each other and they don't have to create a new language where as a matter of fact we might be at a disadvantage.

>> reporter: it is tough enough growing up deaf, but over the space of a dozen football games , these kids proved their metal and their equality to the hearing world and to themselves. motivation?

>> they think we're nothing, that they can beat us and that we won't beat them and they have a big ego.

>> reporter: and reward.

>> we shocked them and then they realized oh, yeah. deaf kids can play.

>> reporter: for their extraordinary season, " sports illustrated " has honored the eagles as one of the country's accomplished underdogs. more important, what these young athletes have already won.

>> what happened on the football field applies in real life . i'll always remember playing football here. of course i feel like it's going to help me become a better man.

>> reporter: a message sent and received loud and clear. mike taibbi , nbc news, los angeles .

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50041856/

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Dolphin bites 8-year-old girl at Sea World

Feeding the dolphins at Sea World was a dream come true for 8-year-old Jillian Thomas, until one of the marine mammals bit into her arm, nearly dragging her into the water.

Jillian's mother took video of her daughter, who says dolphins are her favorite animal, feeding them at the theme park's Dolphin Cove.

Jillian was in the middle of her second visit of the day to the friendly looking animals when she made a crucial mistake, lifting a small plate of dolphin food in the air out of excitement, something the park warns people not to do.

The dolphin, eager for the food, chomped down on Jillian's arm instead, nearly dragging her into the water.

The 8-year-old walked away from the encounter with a set of teeth marks the size of dimes.

PHOTOS: When Animals Attack

Her parents are furious and claimed Sea World employees "trivialized the attack."

"Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our guests, employees and animals," Sea World said in a statement. "Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family."

The Thomas family said it has no plans to sue Sea World, however they are urging the park to increase the age limit for children who are allowed to feed the animals.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/video-dolphin-bites-8-old-girl-sea-world-171256376--abc-news-topstories.html

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