Sunday, July 31, 2011

Top 10 Best Social Networking Websites Review In 2011

Top 10 Best Social Networking Websites Review In 2011

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The world of Socialization really knows no bounds and it is already reaching a very faraway place, the internet, which also covers almost everyone living in the world today, who has access on the computer. Here are the top social media sites that you could associate yourself with this year, a sure place of making friends, feeding your social cravings of attention, interaction, and connection with friends and total strangers.

1.Facebook

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Number one on the list is Facebook. Well, this is really not surprising at all because if you are going to make the number of users as the sole criteria in judging the best social media sites, Facebook will really turn out to be the victor without further deliberations. Currently, it has some 700,000,000 registered users, each could be active or inactive, but the thing is that 700 million is a very big number. Facebook really never fails to impress it subscribersbecause of the regular updates and maintenance checks that they conduct from time to time.


2. Twitter

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If Facebook is on the number 1 rank, you could expect that Twitter will be on the second place, right beside Facebook. Rumors are being spread stating that Twitter will soon replace Facebook on the number 1 slot because of its relatively fresher and newer features, a thing that most old school social networking media hosts really hate the most because it could basically kill their site in just an instance. If you were going to judge this site in terms of functionality and design, you would discover that it really deserves to be on the number 2 slot.


3. MySpace

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If you are thinking that MySpace is on the brink of its extinction already, you are probably wrong. MySpace is still alive and kicking and its followers are somewhat loyal to it despite the higher level of glamour and attractiveness that other websites offer. Generally, MySpace is still as user friendly as it used to be so there shouldn’t really be a lot of user related issue when it comes to this topic. The only problem about MySpace however is that it almost never changed its platforms in a large-scale manner therefore, making it looks like a bit uncompetitive compared to other social media.


4. LinkedIn

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Social Media Sites are not purely made for the purpose of socialization, news, and current affairs. Some of the most famous network media nowadays are not even directly inclined with socialization but mostly, on job networking. A particularly good example would be LinkedIn. In here, you could set up a very strong network of colleagues so that whenever you have to contact someone for a project, you can keep in touch with your network quite more easily.


5. Ning

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Is this your first time to hear this word? Well, now that you have heard about it already, you can already search about it in the internet and know the things that it can do for you. Basically, the features could just be all the same if you are going to compare it with other sites. The only difference that you could actually see between them are the interphase that they offer and the type of services and customer support that they can provide.


6. Friendster

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Have you ever tried to visit Friendster and take a sneak peek at its new look? If not, you should have visited it a long time ago because there are actually a lot of changes that were already made since the last time when all you could do is to visit your friends’ profile, post some comments, testimonials and view all of the pictures that you want.


7. Multiply

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Business people also have to communicate with each other every once in a while to exchange ideas and propose new forms of plans for their current settings. Now, multiply could do cater all of their needs when it comes to business. Aside from the free services that are offered here, you could also enjoy the friendly environment that is rather easy to learn and understand even for new members and beginners. The interphase is not really that sophisticated and it would only take some minutes for you to get the hand of rooming around the website.


8. Tagged

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Tagged is just like any other website out there who aims to be one of the best in the social media industry. Unfortunately, it only fell into the eighth rank because it simply cannot beat Facebook and Twitter in terms of the uniqueness and customer care service that are offered. Most likely, you should be able to see some similarities again but that does not mean that these web hosts are made by the same developers.


9. Hi 5

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Have you ever watched through the Disney Channel? If yes, you should have heard about the Hi 5 social networking site already. One of the best features that they boast off is the legitimate friends that you could befriend. Because of that, more and more people are actually being encouraged to join in and create their own accounts using the highly selective profile creation interphase.


10. Orkut

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Orkut is already making a very significant name as in the social networking industry. This is basically good because it can serve as a very good foundation for their future endeavors.


Saturday, July 30, 2011

US civil liberties group cautions Harvard on action against Swamy

US civil liberties group cautions Harvard on action against Swamy

Washington: As the controversy over an article written by Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy snowballed, a US civil liberties group cautioned Harvard University on taking action against its Summer School instructor.

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Swamy, who earned his PhD from Harvard in 1965, penned an op-ed published July 16 in Mumbai's DNA newspaper that advocated denial of voting rights to non-Hindus with the goal of stemming terrorist attacks in India. Following the publication of the article, several Harvard affiliates circulated a petition calling on the university to end its ties with Swamy.

The petition has gathered 312 signatures to date and in a statement, the dean of the Summer School said that the school "will give this matter our serious attention". But in a letter to University President Drew G. Faust, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a civil liberties group with a focus on academia, said the group is "concerned about the threat to freedom of expression" that may come about from that attention.

"The threat of a disciplinary investigation of Swamy stands in sharp and unflattering contrast to this admirable and appropriate understanding of the importance of freedom of expression in the academic community," Adam H. Kissel '94, vice president of programmes at FIRE, wrote in the letter as cited by Harvard Crimson, the university newsletter. Harvard has not explicitly said that it is investigating Swamy or that it has considered such an investigation. "If members of the Harvard community are given to understand that Harvard might begin an investigation-with possible disciplinary consequences-of the views they express, they likely will self-censor," he wrote.

"This is precisely the result that a university dedicated to intellectual freedom must seek to avoid."
"Harvard must honour its own promises," he told the Crimson in a phone interview. "Students have every right to protest for or against ideas in article, as does Harvard, but Harvard may not investigate or punish the expression
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Source: IANS

US warns Indian students about "predatory visa fraud rings"

US warns Indian students about "predatory visa fraud rings"

Washington: As another US university came under the scanner, the United States asked Indian students to be alert to the existence of 'predatory visa fraud rings and fraudulent document vendors'.

"We are looking into this matter, we're following the case closely, and we're in communication with the Government of India officials on it," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Friday, a day after a raid on the University of Northern Virginia.

Based in Annandale, a Washington suburb, the unaccredited, for-profit private university has some 2,400 students of which 90 percent are from India, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, registered at three locations in northern Virginia.

University of North Virginia, USA

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CNN-IBN

The US embassy in New Delhi has briefed the Ministry of External Affairs and the US Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have been in contact with the Indian Embassy in Washington, Toner said.

Declining to give details as an investigation is ongoing, the spokesman said "it's important to note that a hundred thousand Indians are receiving a good education at certified US institutions each year, and we certainly welcome the contribution of Indian students wishing to study in the United States."

"And of course, as always, we caution them to be alert to the existence of these so-called predatory visa fraud rings and fraudulent document vendors," he said.

Asked how US consulates or embassies in India issued visas for study at such institutions, Toner again declined comment in view of "an ongoing investigation".

"They've taken action against this school, and we're in close coordination with the Indian Government as we move forward. But beyond that, I don't want to comment on details," he said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has warned the Northern Virginia University that it could withdraw the school's authorisation to admit foreign students.

Agency Spokesperson Cori Bassett, however, would not say why the action was taken, saying it is part of a pending investigation. The school remains open and certified and will have the chance to rebut the government's allegations.

(Follow IBNLive.com on Facebook and on Twitter for updates that you can share with your friends.)

#USA #Indian Students #Fake Visa #US Department of Homeland Security #Northern Virginia University

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US govt may run out of money next week

US govt may run out of money next week

Washington: US lawmakers, facing a potentially calamitous government default in just days, held votes on Friday that highlighted their intense partisan divide and did little to end a torturous political standoff.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (second from left), speaks to reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Friday. AP

The Republican-led House of Representatives approved a plan to temporarily rise the government's borrowing authority, knowing it was headed to certain defeat in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Less than two hours later, the Senate voted it down.

Top congressional leaders and the White House now have little time to work out a compromise that can pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by President Barack Obama before a Tuesday deadline to avoid default.

Prospects for a compromise were complicated by last-minute changes to the House Bill made by Republican leaders on Friday to win over rebellious members of their party.

Tuesday is when the government says it will run out of money to meet its financial obligations. It needs Congress to approve an increase in its borrowing authority, known as the debt ceiling. Past increases have been routine, but Republicans, citing the giant U.S. deficit, have demanded huge cuts as a condition for approving the increase.

Democrats have agreed to major cuts, but are insisting that the debt issue be settled now and not come up again during the November 2012 elections to prevent another potential default during the heat of the campaign.

House Republicans want a short-term increase and another vote next year. In a last-minute addition to its Bill, the House would require a second increase unless Congress approves a balanced budget-amendment to the Constitution and sends it to the states for ratification.

Democrats have strongly opposed that provision, which has little chance of winning congressional approval.

A US default would have a ripple effect on the global economy and send interest rates soaring. Already, concerns about the impasse have sent world stock markets spiralling lower.

Just after the Senate vote, Democratic leader Harry Reid signalled he would push ahead with his own plan even though it, too, had little chance of passing when it reaches the House.

Both the Republican and Democratic Bills, however, could provide the basis for behind-the-scenes talks by congressional leaders aimed at finding a bipartisan compromise that could win approval in both chambers before Tuesday's deadline.

The top Republican in the House, Speaker John Boehner, had hastily reworked his proposal to cut spending and raise the government's borrowing authority after opposition from his party's most conservative members forced him to postpone votes twice in two previous days.

The House vote was 218-210, almost entirely along party lines.

The House plan would have provided a quick $900 billion increase in U.S. borrowing authority - essential to allowing the government to continue paying the bills - along with $917 billion in cuts from federal spending.

The Bill had been rewritten a concession to tea party-backed conservatives and others who had thwarted Mr. Boehner's attempt to pass the Bill on Thursday night, upending his endgame strategy. The changes also further alienated Democrats and complicated prospects of a compromise that could clear both houses.

Reid invited Republicans to suggest changes to his bill, saying, "This is likely our last chance to save this nation from default."

The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, accused Democrats of "rounding up 'no' votes to keep this crisis alive," and noted the House had passed two bills to raise the debt limit and the Senate none.

The House set a vote to reject Mr. Reid's proposal on Saturday. The Senate set a test vote for 1 a.m. on Sunday, a middle-of-the-night roll vote that underscored the limited time available to lawmakers.

At the same time Reid appealed for bipartisanship, he and other party leaders accused Mr. Boehner of caving in to extremists in the Republican ranks - "the last holdouts of the tea party," Sen. Richard Durbin called them.

The day's economic news began on a downbeat- the economy grew at an annual rate of only 1.3 per cent in the second quarter of the year.

Investors weren't impressed with either the economy or the efforts in Washington. Stocks continued a weeklong slide that erased nearly 540 points from the Dow Jones industrial average. The Dow closed with a loss of 97 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 12,143.

At the White House, Obama cited the potential toll on the economy as he urged lawmakers to find a way out of gridlock, declaring that "we're almost out of time."

"The power to solve this is in our hands on a day when we've been reminded how fragile the economy already is," the president said from the White House, as U.S. stocks fell in response to a sour report on economic growth and widespread uncertainty over the Washington debt stalemate. "This is one burden we can lift ourselves. We can end it with a simple vote."

Source: AP

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Top 10 Best Emerging Economies In The World

Top 10 Best Emerging Economies In The World

In business terms, emerging markets are countries or nations with communal or business interests in the course of swift growth as well as industrialization. Presently, it is thought that there are approximately 28 emerging economies in the world. Economies in Brazil, China and India are regarded as the largest in the world today. According to leading economists in the world, the term has kind of outlived its usefulness. However, a new term is yet to be coined.

To give you a better impression of these economies, the article discusses into detail the top ten emerging economies in the world today.

1. China

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Since the liberalization of China in 1978, the economy has managed to grow in leaps and bound and is currently the fastest and largest economy in the world. Currently, China has the second highest nominal GDP in the world which stands at 34.o6 trillion Yuan or $4.99 trillion. However, the per capita income in China stands at a mere $3,700 and places China approximately at number 100 in the world. The primary industry injects 10.6% into China’s economy, secondary industry contributes 46.8% and tertiary industry injects 42.6% in the economy. China would be second largest economy in the world today after the United States if PPP was accounted for as part of the economic growth.

A report by the Global Wealth Report estimates that by the year 2015, China will have overtaken Japan as the second largest economy in the world.


2. India

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that India’s ostensible GDP stood at approximately US$1.3 trillion. This has enabled India to be classified as the 11th biggest economy in the world today. This actually matches India per capita income which stands at US$1,000. When PPP – Power Purchasing Parity is considered, then India’s economy will be rated as the 4th largest in the globe. India boasts of having the second highest labor force in the world that stands at 467 million individuals. The agricultural sector managed to account for 28% of India’s GDP. On the other hand, the service and industrial segments of the economy injected approximately 54% and 18% correspondingly. The major cash crop products include rice, cotton, tea, potatoes, oilseed, sugar cane and wheat. The main industries in India include petroleum, software, and textile, cement, steel and mining.


3. Russia

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Russia’s economy stands at number 12 in the world if graded by the nominal GDP and the 7th biggest economy globally if ranked using Power Purchasing Parity – PPP. Russia is regarded as a market economy as it is endowed with vast natural mineral resources such as oil and natural gas. Russia’s economic growth has been mainly boosted by political stability and increased local consumption. By the end of 2008 Russia’s economic growth stood at 7% per annul. The growth is attributed by non-trade services as well as increased domestic consumption. Oil and natural gas were mainly exported. The average salary in Russia presently is close to $1000 per month. This is a significant increase given that the average salary once was below $500.


4. Brazil

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Brazil’s economy is currently the 8th largest in the world if gauged with GDP and the 9th biggest when measured with Purchasing Power Parity. The economy is mainly being driven by the relatively free market as well as inward-oriented economy. In Latin America, Brazil has the largest economy. With an annual GDP growth rate of approximately 5%, Brazil is one of the fastest growing nations in the globe.


5. Turkey

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Turkey’s economy stands at 17th position globally when measured by nominal GDP 15th largest economy when gauged using power purchasing parity. Turkey is a member of the G-20 major economies. The reforms that were initiated by the then Prime Minister in 1983 are what have greatly contributed to Turkey’s economy. The economic growth in Turkey has been mainly boosted by its close ties with other emerging nations thus providing it with a thriving market to sell its products.


6. Mexico

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Mexico’s economy is the 11th highest in the world today. After the 90s, Mexico’s economy was propelled by the quick development in economy, technology as well as communal. Presently, it is not only an emerging economy in the world but also one of the largest. Its GDP stands as 7.6% per annul. Mexico’s economy comprises of industrial and service sectors. There has also been an increase in private ownership.


7. Indonesia

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Because of the rapid economic growth in Indonesia, Japan was able to upgrade Indonesia’s outlay score from BB+ to BBB. Indonesia’s economy is mainly propelled by the government and is presently the biggest economy in the Southeast Asia and is a sitting member of the G-20 major economies. Indonesia’s GDP stands at US$539.7 billion. The economy is mainly being driven by the service sector which makes up for 45.3%. The industry and agricultural sector contributes approximately 40.7% and 13% respectively. Surprisingly enough, the agricultural sector accounts for more employment than any other sector, i.e. 44.3%


8. Poland

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Unlike other economies in the world, Poland economy is a high revenue economy and is graded as the 6th biggest in the EU. In Central Europe, Poland has one of the fastest growing economies. The annual growth rate is roughly 6%. Of all the EU nations, Poland is the only one that did not record a drop in its GDP.


9. United Arab Emirates

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United Arab Emirates also referred to as UAE is a fast changing nations with a high developing economy. This has been derived from the numerous socioeconomic indicators, for example, GDP per capita, HDI and energy consumption per capita.


10. Thailand

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Thailand’s is also regarded as an emerging economy that depends heavily on exports. Exports to other nations accounts for over 2/3 of the country’s GDP.

Top 10 Best Nuclear Power Countries

Top 10 Best Nuclear Power Countries

Nuclear power provides about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity. Also, more than 150 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion have been built.

 

1) United States   (104 Reactors)

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As of 2008, nuclear power in the United States is provided by 104 commercial reactors (69 pressurized water reactors and 35 boiling water reactors) licensed to operate at 65 nuclear power plants, producing a total of 806.2 TWh of electricity, which was 19.6% of the nation's total electric energy generation in 2008, Which makes them the world's largest supplier of commercial nuclear power.


2) France   (58 Reactors)  

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Nuclear power is the primary source of electric power in France. In 2004, 425.8 TWh out of the country's total production of 540.6 TWh of electricity was from nuclear power (78.8%), the highest percentage in the world.

France is also the world's largest net exporter of electric power, exporting 18% of its total production (about 100 TWh) to Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain, and Germany, and its electricity cost is among the lowest in Europe.


3) Japan  (54 Reactors)

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Nuclear energy was a national strategic priority in Japan, The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant was completely shut down for 21 months following an earthquake in 2007. Following an earthquake, tsunami, and the failure of cooling systems at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant on March 11, 2011, a nuclear emergency was declared. This was the first time a nuclear emergency had been declared in Japan, and 140,000 residents within 20 km of the plant were evacuated

On 6 May 2011, Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant be shut down as an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or higher is likely to hit the area within the next 30 years. Kan wanted to avoid a possible repeat of the Fukushima disaster. As of June 2011, Japan is running 19 of 54 reactors in operation before the Fukushima disaster, raising "the risk of serious power shortages into 2012".


4) Russia  (32 Reactors)

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In 2005 total electricity generated in nuclear power plants in Russia was 137 TWh, 16% of all power generation. The installed capacity of Russian nuclear reactors stood at 21,244 MW. Russia has made plans to increase the number of reactors in operation from 32 to 59. Old reactors will be maintained and upgraded, including RBMK units similar to the reactors at Chernobyl. 


5) Korea, South  (21 Reactors)  

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The total electrical generation capacity of the nuclear power plants of South Korea is over 17.5 GWe. This is 28.5% of South Korea's total electrical generation capacity, but 45% of total electrical consumption. The South Korean nuclear power sector maintains capacity factors of over 95%. Twelve more reactors are scheduled to come on stream in the period 2010 to 2021, adding 15.2 GWe in total. Construction is underway as of 2007.


6) India  (20 Reactors)

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Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity. As of 2010, India has 20 nuclear reactors in operation in six nuclear power plants, generating 4,780 MW, while 5 other plants are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 2,720 MW.


7) United Kingdom  (19 Reactors)

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Nuclear power currently generates around a sixth of the United Kingdom's electricity. As of 2011, the United Kingdom operates 19 nuclear reactors at nine locations. The United Kingdom's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1956 and, at its peak in 1997, 26% of the nation's electricity was generated from nuclear power. Since then a number of stations have closed and the share had declined to 19.26% by 2004 and approximately 16% by 2009.


8) Canada  (18 Reactors)  

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Nuclear power in Canada produces about 15% of Canada's electricity as of 2009. The nuclear industry (as distinct from the uranium industry) in Canada dates back to 1942 when a joint British-Canadian laboratory, the Montreal Laboratory, was set up in Montreal, Quebec, under the administration of the National Research Council of Canada, to develop a design for a heavy-water nuclear reactor. This reactor was called National Research Experimental and would be the most powerful research reactor in the world when completed.


9) Germany (17  Reactors)

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Nuclear power in Germany produced about 28% of the country's electricity, while the share of the nuclear power in the electricity consumption in Germany was 23% before the ultimately permanent shutdown of 8 plants in March 2011. German nuclear power began with research reactors in the 1950s and 1960s with the first commercial plant coming online in 1969.


10) Ukraine (15  Reactors)

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In 2007, nuclear power supplied 47.5% of Ukraine's electricity production of 195 billion kWh. The total installed capacity of nuclear reactors in Ukraine is over 13 GWe. Ukraine is one of Europe’s largest energy consumers, it consumes almost double the energy of Germany, per unit of GDP. A great share of energy supply in Ukraine comes from nuclear power, with the country receiving most of its nuclear fuel from Russia.


Top 10 Best Safety Travel Tips

Top 10  Best Safety Travel Tips

Every year, hundreds of thousands of travelers go to all points of the globe. A traveler's personal safety is always potentially at risk - even if their destination is just a short distance away. Below are some basic safety tips that when followed, can help make you less vulnerable when on the road.

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  1. Don't Go Solo - If possible don't travel alone. If you do have to travel alone, set up scheduled times to check in with someone at home. If you don't check in, they will immediately know that something is wrong.


2. Be Aware - Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe. If something seems unusual or out of place - it probably is. Trust your instincts.


3. Don't Stand Out - Avoid behavior or dress that will make you stand out from the crowds - especially when traveling overseas.


4. Know the Area - It is important to be up to date on the area that you are traveling to. This includes any travel warnings and any regional/local issues, especially political. You should also be familiar with where you will be staying and the places you will need to visit while you are there.


5. Have a Code Word - The number one way that people are kidnapped in foreign countries is by reading your name off of a sign that a driver is holding at the airport, duplicating the sign and standing in front of the real driver. To avoid this, have a code word that you can ask from the driver.


6. Your Hotel - Avoid hotels with rooms that open to the outside and rooms on the first floor. Be sure to use the extra lock on your door and to secure all valuables. Know where the emergency exits and stairwells are. In the event of an emergency, you want to know exactly where to go.


7. Meet in Public Areas - Never use your hotel room for meetings. Treat it as you would your bedroom at home - as a personal space for sleeping.


8. Know What You Have - Make photocopies of your driver license, credit cards (front and back) and passport. In case they are lost or stolen, you will know exactly what you had and for your credit cards, you can easily call the customer service numbers to cancel them. Keep the photocopies in a safe place or scan them and e-mail them to yourself. If you use a web-based e-mail service, you will be able to get to the documents anywhere you have internet access.


9. For Female Travelers - Female travelers are at a greater risk when traveling, especially overseas. Wear a wedding ring - even if you are single. A cheap, fake ring can go a long way in deterring criminals. Also, wearing your hair down or in a pony tail should be avoided; this makes an easy way for someone to grab you.


10. Have a Plan - In case something does happen it is important to have a plan and a good support system. Discuss with your family/friends what to do in case of an emergency. The U.S. Department of State has a Citizen's Emergency center that you can contact for assistance in case of an emergency situation abroad - 202-647-0900.


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Top 10 Best Animal Celebrities in the Movies|World News

Top 10 Best Animal Celebrities in the Movies|World News

For the past years, I have watched several films, others too impressive and still others too disappointing. There are those that left an imprint in my heart– and there are those that are blown by the wind. To say, movies have truly come in full circle in my life… and even yours.

Here are ten of the popular animal characters that left a place in most hearts or have scared many minds:

1. Willy the Whale

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Probably one of the heartbreaking animal characters is Willy the Whale of Free Willy. Willy is a small Orca that was caught and placed in the water park where Jesse – a small boy worked. In due time, Jesse was able to befriend Willy – and the two hit it great and become good friends. Eventually, Willy became a well-trained, intelligent, and able whale that can follow commands of Jesse. Natural to all movies, villains come in full circle. Willy was being pursued by the park authorities and had the courage to jump high for his freedom.


2. Beethoven

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Beethoven is a St. Bernard dog that escaped from the vicious hands of thieves that stole them from a pet shop. Beethoven got his name from the great musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven. Eventually, Beethoven became the family’s focal point. Beethoven helped the kids by barking or scaring those who bully them. At the near end, we see Beethoven to be in the hand of villains who want to experiment him with ammunition. As usual, good triumphs over evil – and Beethoven was safe from any alarms of the bad intentions of the villains. Beethoven left a place in the hearts of many encompassing the idea, “Dog is man’s bestfriend”.


3. Flicka

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Flicka, or being translated as girl in Swedish, is a horse that stars the film of its namesake. Considered as an outcast, Flicka is not well accepted in the ranch because it is a wild one. In the course of the movie, Flicka and Katy, the female lead star, fought for the right of Flicka to live in the ranch and to be tamed by Katy. The story revolves around loyalty, friendship, and trust of a human and a horse.


4. Lassie

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Lassie is the world famous collie that has been famed for generations, of living with the family and being a member of it, through life in situations of thick and thin. Her story becomes unique in the silver screen when her owners were forced to sell her due to a financial hardship that resulted in a separation that tested the bond between the pet and her master.


5. King Kong

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The most popular gorilla of all time is still King Kong. Making an enormous fame across the country and internationally, King Kong is a well-known gorilla that survives the cruel treatment of human beings. King Kong shows that even the biggest primate can be tamed and it can show affection to human beings. With much love, King Kong shows the beauty of the world to many people – and how a world may live in harmony.


6. Igor

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Igor is a goose that plays a major part in the Fly Away Home. After being left by his parents, Igor was born to the family and was loved. However, because of the place is near the flight area; it is necessary to kill all geese or to cut the wings to render the birds flightless. In the process, Igor bumped into Amy’s aircraft after she tried flying the plane. The geese were relocated due to the demand of the warden; however, all geese returned the next spring showing the loyalty of many.


7. Elsa the Lioness

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Elsa the Lioness is a small cub that is being bred by a couple after the mother lion was killed. Elsa grows to become a family friend – and that exemplifies the best of taming the wild and getting the best of friendship, loyalty, and trust; a rare site that can be seen in real life. Even though it was not found in the movies, but her exposure in BBC documentaries made her a classic favorite.


8. Babe

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Known to be a pig that has a unique kind of identity crisis, due to the loss of his mother at a young age, Babe is a pig that is famous for his dreams of being a sheepdog. He was able to prove his worth by working well in the farm where he was adopted, making friends to most animals, and helping the farmer in such duties as herding the sheep or even sorting the hens.


9. Chance

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The American Bulldog from Homeward Bound that had shown zeal and energy in a family that shares the home with other pets such as Sassy the cat, and Shadow, the wise Golden Retriever. When they thought that their young master was taken away, they journeyed everywhere just not to lose him.


10. Anaconda

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Probably the most popular animal villain is the anacondas of the Anaconda films. Leaving a reverberating story told and passed to many, anaconda made an impact of how dangerous big snakes can be. It left an idea that there are animals that must be left alone than tamed


Reality, auto industry not happy 1,2,3,4|News

Reality, auto industry not happy 1,2,3,4|News

Mumbai: Industry heads across sectors, especially those in realty, automobiles and infrastructure, decried on Tuesday's “unexpected” 50-basis point rise in repo rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

 

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While real estate companies complained the rise in the cost of funds would affect their projects, auto manufacturers rued that light commercial vehicle sales would flatten and heavy commercial vehicle sales even fall. Infrastructure companies say if they fall short of funds, there would be a dearth of new projects.

Chambers of commerce say it's clear RBI had decided to sacrifice growth to tame inflation, with 11 consecutive interest rate increases in the past 15 months.

"I personally expected that this time RBI would not increase interest rates," said Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director and group chief financial officer (CFO) of JSW, adding: "Interest rates are already in the range of 11.5-12 per cent for long-term financing."

V Ashok, CFO of the Essar Group, also expressed "surprise" at RBI's decision. "RBI has laid down its priorities, on controlling inflation in the short/medium term, rather than (promoting) growth. Increase in interest rates over the last one year has not curtailed demand and inflation remains a concern. In an era of volatile commodity prices and shorter business cycles, continuous hikes in costs of borrowing will hit the bottomlines of corporates. There, clearly, are gloomy days ahead for corporates in the short/medium term." Gautam Thapar of the Avantha Group said, "RBI has seen something that the industry has not", adding that business sentiment would be affected.

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Infrastructure companies were concerned, too. IVRCL has around Rs 2,000 crore debt in the parent company. "This hike in interest rates will definitely have an adverse affect. In the next few months, if they increase the rates again at this level, our interest burden will go up. The number of new projects which come out will go down and will not be as aggressive if liquidity is tightened."

However, Y M Deosthalee, CFO of L&T, does not believe that "overall investments will slow down after on Tuesday, as all decisions are not linked to rates", adding: "Investments will continue. Certain rate-sensitive areas will see a slowdown but that is what RBI wants. Its data show that growth is not slowing down but inflation is a genuine problem. RBI on Tuesday has very little choice, as inflation management has no easy solutions. We have to live with these cycles. I am sure, once the cool-off begins, then RBI will pause."

REAL ESTATE

The real estate sector may see a fall in property prices in the near term. Gagan Banga, CEO, Indiabulls Financial Services, opined, "Home loan rates are bound to go up; they are already at almost 11 per cent. While home loan rates tend to even out over a period of time, high rates at the start of the transaction tend to result in postponement of home purchase deals, thus forcing developers to reduce rates or face a complete freeze."

Pranay Vakil, chairman of Knight Frank, said increasing the repo rate would lead to a further slowdown in real estate. "It will become more expensive for developers to borrow money. They're already in a squeeze. It will slow down constructions. Developers will have to reduce prices to keep the volumes going. Property prices will reduce by 15-20 per cent," he added.

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Anuj Puri, chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle, concurred that RBI's rate rise was bad news for property buyers but expects property prices to fall 10 per cent in metros. "After Diwali, as the demand picks up, rates will stablise. There will be no impact on pricing of commercial properties, as its demand is higher than supply," he added.

SLOWDOWN FEAR
Even the consumer durables sector is worried. Vipul Mathur, vice president, marketing, MIRC Electronics, said the rise may impact consumer buying power in the medium term. "With EMI pressure mounting and inflation increasing the food bill of the household, middle-class households may either postpone or shift the preference to the economy range for consumer durables...Super-premium products may still not see a drop, as the elite are not impacted by this."

Industry bodies caution that RBI's move could backfire, with growth slowing considerably. Chandrajit Banerjee, director-general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), asserted that "RBI has emerged as the most aggressive central bank tasked with containing inflation...this is a matter of great concern, since there could be a tipping point beyond which salvaging a downward spiral of growth could be an arduous task."

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He said it's "imperative now that non-monetary measures are rapidly deployed to deal with supply-side issues, which continue to contribute to inflationary pressures". He pointed out that high domestic interest rates are driving industry to borrow in foreign currency, potentially risky in the event of exchange rate fluctuations.

CII is also apprehensive that banks would be constrained to pass on the increase in repo and reverse repo rates to customers and this would have a fairly detrimental impact on the economy as a whole. Particularly on sectors where consumer financing plays an important part in demand. "CII would urge RBI to pause and indicate when this tight monetary stance would be eased," said Banerjee.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the rise was "a major disappointment to the industry".

"With the growth momentum already under pressure, this move will further hurt prospects. Even the projected growth rate of eight per cent for 2011-12 now looks difficult to achieve," said Rajiv Kumar, secretary general.

"The single-minded focus of RBI in tackling stubborn inflation has continued, with tight monetary management. This will adversely impact the already falling growth momentum in interest-sensitive sectors, especially small and mid-sized companies," said Dilip Modi, President of the other industry body, Assocham. It feels the "hike may not deliver the results as anticipated, as growth will be hit significantly due to the high-interest regime".