The PinoyList Post

Best countries for solo travelers

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:45:00 +0000

by Everett Potter
Travel + Leisure
updated 7/27/2010 9:37:37 AM ET

Costa Rica, Vietnam, Laos among safest and friendliest destinations

Travelers keep coming back to Costa Rica to go rafting on the Reventazón River, brave the surf in Malpais, or head out on horseback to explore the volcano and geysers at Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Or maybe to simply lie on one of the country's dozens of Pacific beaches. Read more...

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10-feet-long catfish threatened by dams, WWF says

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Four of the world's largest freshwater fish species — including a catfish 10 feet long — face extinction if dams are built on the Mekong River, the WWF warned Tuesday. View article...

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Tips to cool your summer days

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:01:00 +0000

From United States Environmental Protection Agency

Doing little things can go a long way to having a cool summer. Below, you'll find some tips to help you and your family find ways this summer to help reduce pollution and learn about the environment.

Action steps for sun safety

While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can be dangerous. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can result in a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health problems, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye damage, and immune system suppression. Children are particularly at risk. This Web page explains simple steps to protect yourself and your children from overexposure to UV radiation.

Be SunWise

Most people are not aware that skin cancer, while largely preventable, is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than one million cases are reported annually. By following some simple steps, you can still enjoy your time in the sun and protect yourself from overexposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these action steps to help you and your family be “SunWise.”

Do Not Burn

Sunburns significantly increase one’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer, especially for children.

Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds

UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling.

Generously Apply Sunscreen

Generously apply sunscreen: about one ounce to cover all exposed skin 20 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 and provide protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

Wear Protective Clothing

Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, when possible.

Seek Shade

Seek shade when possible and remember that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Use Extra Caution Near Water, Snow and Sand

Water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

Check the UV Index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure. The UV Index forecast is issued daily by the National Weather Service and EPA. Visit www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.

Get Vitamin D Safely

Get Vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with Vitamin D. Don’t seek the sun.

Early detection of melanoma can save your life. A new or changing mole should be evaluated by a dermatologist. READ MORE

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What's up today?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Your Money Matters

For all time,this is a hot topic.. managing money is yet another saga of complicated decisions to make. Here are some thoughts today..

How's your personal finances? Small spending is like a leak.. you will never notice the damage but the effect is hard to stop..

Save one million pesos It's possible to get 1 million in your bank account before you retire...

Links worthy of your attention..

50 Ways to Save Money

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How's your personal finances?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:03:00 +0000

The PinoyList Post
By Rafael Roxas
Updated July 25, 2010

We live life to the fullest, there is no uncertainty about that. You live even more peaceful if you are debt-free.

I read an interesting story about an OFW ( Overseas Filipino Worker) who started working as housemaid in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She worked her way up for four years and become a business executive.

She was pleased being a child minder with kids, contended with the employers treatment and salary, somehow cope to send money for her family and still got something spare for herself. Until she asked her employer to give her a prospect and provide evidence to be in the field of business, and so it happened and she was indeed a star.

She then in progress evaluate her lifestyle and spending power, she realized that her new job or salary doesn’t essentially matter, she have a propensity to spend more and having debts being an executive, compared previously working as a housemaid she manages one way or another save some money.

Many research has been done and proven tips how to save and spend wisely, all of those principle mean nothing if it’s not applied unfailingly. It's not about having more money, it's about needing and wanting less. A person can work more or spend less but chances are it really doesn’t happen both ways.

To spend wisely pledge a goal to save money ( look who’s talking ) I know, it’s difficult it is my struggle too, one day I just came home and slashed one of my credit cards, only one though.. Living today with full of conveniences, tends us to wanting more than what we need, almost everybody wants to have the latest cell phones, computers, gadgets and so many things, you don’t want to be left out with the trend, do you? we don’t even have this things in our previous daily lives and we survive alright… we become slaves of the modern world.

Let’s redeem ourselves folks! the question is what are we going to do, let’s all figure it out..shall we?
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What's up today?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:07:00 +0000

What is a war games?

North Korea anger at US-South Korea war games

Ri Tong-il said the naval exercises by the US and South Korea posed a threat to regional security The US and South Korea's plans to hold joint military exercises pose a major danger to the region, North Korea says Read more....

"Walang wang wang"

I was in my friends place yesterday,while waiting for our meal we watched GMA news about Noynoy Aquino, The Philippines President elect inaugural speech. I never thought that silencing a police siren would be a part of it, he mentioned that he felt the struggle of the citizens with their daily experiences and that there will be no more "senseless spending". It's understanble that he wanted to be a good example for the people but I am sure that there a lot of major concerns than no more convoys for the government official.

He is the president and I believe that he needs to be protected, there are a lot of security risk for the highest official of the land. Manila has a ridiculous traffic issues, the president should think about that. As he is a symbol of change for the people then he should be an example first to change the mentality of Filipino timing, he should be punctual on all his appointments.

Who is Christine?

Remember the Filipina who inherit fortune from her employer in Singapore, I still can't find a picture of her in the net... if anybody knows her, please let me know.

Rafael Roxas- July 24, 2010

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Earthquakes strike waters south of Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:32:00 +0000

By the CNN Wire Staff

July 24, 2010 -- Updated 0106 GMT (0906 HKT)

Philippines (CNN) -- A series of four strong earthquakes spanning just over an hour struck the Philippines' Moro Gulf on Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Three of the four earthquakes had magnitudes between 7.3 and 7.6; the other came in at a 5.4 magnitude. The first quake struck at 6:08 a.m. (6:08 p.m. ET Friday) and the fourth hit at 7:15 a.m. The last quake ran the deepest at 616 (382 miles) kilometers.

The epicenters of the quakes were about 100 kilometers (62 miles) off the coastal city of Cotabato and roughly 950 kilometers (590 miles) southeast of Manila.

No tsunami warning was immediately issued for any of the quakes.

There were no reports of damage, said Rona Faeldin of the Philippines Coast Guard. More..
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Filipina maid inherits millions from employer

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:27:00 +0000

(AFP) – July 21, 2010

SINGAPORE — A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than four million US) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.

"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.

"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.

"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.

"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.

"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

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What's up Today?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:28:00 +0000

Let's talk about movies..

It's weekend again and looking forward for a fun family and friend's time... Let's all have a break from office stress and breaking news..... Excellent movies are on, invite your love ones to the cinemas today, I watched SALT last night, once again Angelina prove her worth as an multi awarded actress and of course still the hottest mom in the planet.. here are the top ten movies so far as of today...

Despicable Me

Director: Pierre Coffin Chris Renaud
Stars: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand (Full Cast)
Studio: Universal Pictures
The Plot: A trio of orphan girls cause the normally deplorable Gru to rethink his plan to steal the moon.
THE BUZZ: Universal is still looking for its first animated hit, and we think its gutsy for them to push an original story out into the summer's box-office waters. Initially annoying, Gru and those orphan girls have grown on us (the minions? um, no.), and we're hoping that families, still smiling from Toy Story 3, will be attracted to this tale.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina (Full Cast)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Plot: Master sorcerer Balthazar Black (Cage) recruits a seemingly everyday guy (Baruchel) in his mission to defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina).
THE BUZZ: Everyone's harping on Nic Cage's hair, his financial woes, and how 2010 seems to be his Dungeons & Dragons year. If National Treasure mastermind Jon Turteltaub were not behind this project, I'd have serious doubts about its chances; as it stands, I semi-seriously hope it's a surprise blockbuster -- maybe it'll even earn a sequel? I feel like parents and kids alike could entertained by the story and visuals. Strange how Monica Bellucci's presence is being played down ...

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Director: David Slade
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner (Full Cast)
Studio: Summit Entertainment
The Plot: Bella Swan (Stewart) oscillates between vampire Edward Cullen, who wants Bella's hand in marriage, and werewolf Jacob Black, who has just declared his love for her. Meanwhile, the Cullens and the Quileute werewolves unite to stop an army of powerful vampires from seeking their revenge on Bella.
THE BUZZ: Call this third chapter the guy-friendly saga since the story provides both supernatural reveals and borderline epic action. Goth parents should revel in Peter Murphy's cameo, and newcomers should feel welcomed by the amount of back story built into the events here. Since Eclipse the book really pushed Stephenie Meyer's work into the spotlight, is it fair to say this movie might improve on New Moon's phenomenal success? The Fourth of July weekend berth should help in this matter.

Toy Story 3
Director: Lee Unkrich
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen (Full Cast)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Plot: Woody (Hanks), Buzz (Allen), and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.
THE BUZZ: Easily one of the biggest movies of 2010, the secret weapon here is screenwriter Michael Arndt, who wrote Little Miss Sunshine; his sentimentality is evident in the trailer, which causes Rex-sized lumps in our throat.

Grown Ups
Director: Dennis Dugan
Stars: Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Kevin James (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
The Plot: After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.
THE BUZZ: Adam Sandler didn't have much luck with Judd Apatow, but his success with director Dennis Dugan is nearly unparalleled. Together, with plenty of their famous, lovable friends and colleagues in tow (and Rob Schneider) they appear to be channeling 80s-era family comedy and trafficking in the getting-older themes of which Sandler has become so fond. Meanwhile, is Kevin James, in Chris Farley mode, the real draw here?

The Last Airbender
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone (Full Cast)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
The Plot: Aang (Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars, learns that he possesses the power to engage the Fire Nation and hopefully end their century-long war against the Water, Earth, and Air nations.
THE BUZZ: Regardless of the range of opinions on (1) M. Night Shyamalan's career trajectory and (2) the project's "racebending" controversy, TLAs trailers contain some of the best money shots of the year thus far. The springtime announcement that the movie will be converted into 3D was no surprise, but also entirely welcome. We're unsure exactly how big it will be in the U.S., though this is more worldwide entertainment -- the beginning of a potential trilogy and a renaissance for Shyamalan, who is attached to develop the other two films if all is a go.

Predators
Director: Nimród Antal
Stars: Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
The Plot: A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.
THE BUZZ: When it comes to competing franchises, Predator is way less enduring than Alien, wouldn't you agree? Maybe that's why this reboot doesn't make me red-hot angry as much as Fox's planned Alien prequel. The cast is lean (hopefully Splice will be seen by the naysayers who think Adrien Brody isn't tough enough for the genre), and you really could ask for a much worse director/producer combo than Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez. Truthfully, doesn't it just come down to how cool the creatures look?

Knight and Day
Director: James Mangold
Stars: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard (Full Cast)
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
The Plot: June Havens (Diaz) finds her everyday life tangled with that of a secret agent (Cruise) who has realized he isn't supposed to survive his latest mission. As their campaign to stay alive stretches across the globe, they soon learn that all they can count on is each other.
THE BUZZ: Another action-comedy casualty? Seems it. As Killers quickly fades from our consciousness, Knight and Day looks poised to take its place. The press has invested in the movie, mostly to remark on its fuzzy marketing campaign and low tracking scores, though many fans and industry people alike have sounded off over fading star power of both Cruise and Diaz. It's all kinda sad, especially since we think the trailers have been fun and that Tom Cruise has done a good job at trying to be celebrity again.

The Karate Kid
Director: Harald Zwart
Stars: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson (Full Cast)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
The Plot: Dre Parker (Smith) moves from Detroit to China with his hard-working mom (Henson), where his feelings for a girl in his class make him the target of a jealous bully who is trained in kung fu. Fortunately for Dre, his building's maintenance man, Mr. Han (Chan), reveals himself to be a master of the self-defense form (Chan) and begins training the boy.
THE BUZZ: I'm not outright against this remake -- the original is vintage at over 25 years old -- I just wish the second coming of Daniel Larusso had been subject to an open casting of kids instead of custom fit to Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's son, Jaden. (Both dad and mom are producing the movie, too.) Also, Harald Zwart has 5 movies before this one, none of them good.

.....How will you spend your weekend.. let me know..

Rafael Roxas July 23, 2010

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What's up today?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0000

It’s been awhile, I was quite upset with the outcome of my inquiries to website designers to refurbish this blog, the comment form is still not working and some widgets are gone, as I am not really a computer guy, can’t do much enough to make this blog more attractive, can somebody help me out? Drop me a line and let’s see what business opportunities we can share….

Starting today, I will be keeping up with the latest and most interesting news, columns and blogs to share, it will a daily “ What’s up today? “ if you want to want to contribute some, it will be great! we do need a break folks! let’s blog it up and share beneficial substance for our minds and extra time…

Rafael Roxas July 22, 2010

11 Most Poisonous Animals in the World

Find out and avoid to be in contact these animals, to the extent of the danger level, it could even claim your lives….. Read more

Cup of coffee OK during pregnancy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A cup of coffee a day during pregnancy probably won't increase a woman's risk of miscarriage or premature birth, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said today. View article...

China floods claim 1,000 — as typhoons roll in

More than 1,000 people have died or disappeared in severe flooding in China so far this year, and the heaviest rains are still to come, a senior official warned Wednesday. View article...

Wonder who are the richest the world

The World's Billionaires
Edited by Luisa Kroll and Matthew Miller, 03.10.10, 06:00 PM EST
For the third time in three years, the world has a new richest man.
Riding surging prices of his various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu has beaten out Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires. More ...

Your business guide today
Starting a business is not easy as what you think, careful planning and enough resources is considered necessary. To help you get started, read our comprehensive guide and links recommendation – START TODAY

11 Most Poisonous Animals in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Puffer Fish

Puffer Fish are the second most poisonous vertebrate on earth (the first one is golden dart Frog). The meat of some species is a delicacy in both Japan (as fugu) and Korea (as bok-uh) but the problem is that the skin and certain organs of many puffer fish are very poisonous to humans.

This puffy fish produce rapid and violent death..Puffers poisoning causes deadening of the tongue and lips, dizziness, vomiting, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, and muscle paralysis. Victims die from suffocation as diaphragm muscles are paralyzed. Most of the victims die after four to 24 hours. There is no known antidote, Most deaths from fugu happen when untrained people catch and prepare the fish.

Statistics show that there were 20 to 44 incidents of fugu poisoning per year between 1996 and 2006 in all of Japan and up to six incidents per year led to death. Since Fugus poison can cause near instantaneous death, only licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it.

Poison Dart Frog

If you ever happen to be running through the rain forests somewhere in Central or South America, do not ever pick up beautiful and colorful frogs - it can be the Poison Dart Frog. This frog is probably the most poisonous animal on earth.The 2 inch long (5cm) golden poison dart frog has enough venom to kill 10 adult humans or 20,000 mice. Only 2 micrograms of this lethal toxin (the amount that fits on the head of a pin) is capable of killing a human or other large mammal. They are called dart frogs because indigenous Amerindians use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of their blow-darts.. Poison dart frogs keep their poison in their skins and will sicken or kill anybody who touches or eats it.

Box Jellyfish

Jelly box can be found in the waters around Asia and Australia.

King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the worlds longest venomous snake - growing up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft) in length. Ophiophagus, literally means snake-eater as it eats other snakes. One single bite of this deadly snake can easily kill a human. This snake is even capable of killing a full-grown Asian Elephant within 3 hours if the larger animal is bitten in a vulnerable area such as the trunk.

Its venom is not as toxic as other venomous snakes, but King Cobra is capable of injecting 5 times more venom than black mamba and can result in mortality up to 5 times faster than that of the black mamba. It is quite widespread, ranging across South and South-east Asia, living in dense highland forests.

Blue-Ringed Octopus

The Blue-Ringed Octopus is very small, only the size of a golf ball, but its venom is so powerful that can kill a human. Actually it carries enough poison to kill 26 adult humans within minutes, and there is no antidote. They are currently recognized as one of the worlds most venomous animals.

Its painless bite may seem harmless, but the deadly neurotoxins begin working immediately resulting in muscular weakness, numbness, followed by a cessation and breathing and ultimately death.

They can be found in tide pools in the Pacific Ocean, from Japan to Australia.

The Brazilian wandering spider

(Phoneutria) or banana spider appears in the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 for the most venomous spider and is the spider responsible for most human deaths.

This spider is believed to have the most potent neurotoxic venom of any living spider. Only 0.006mg (0.00000021oz) is sufficient to kill a mouse. They are also so dangerous because of their wandering nature. They often hide during daytime in highly populated areas inside houses, clothes, boots, and cars.

Its venomous bite causes not only intense pain, the venom of the spider can also cause priapism - uncomfortable erections lasting for many hours that lead to impotence.

Death Stalker Scorpion

Fortunately, while a sting from this scorpion is extremely painful, it would be unlikely to kill a healthy, adult human. Young children, the old, or infirm (with a heart condition) are at the biggest risk. Death stalker scorpions are spread in North Africa and Middle East.

Marbled Cone Snail

This little beautiful looking Marbled Cone snail can be as deadly as any other animal on this list. One drop of its venom is so powerful that it can kill more than 20 humans. If you ever happen to be in warm salt water environment (where these snails are often found) and see it, dont even think of picking it up. Of course, the true purpose of its venom is to catch its prey.

Symptoms of a cone snail sting can start immediately or can be delayed in onset for days. It results in intense pain, swelling, numbness and tingling. Severe cases involve muscle paralysis, vision changes and breathing failure. There is no antivenom. However, only about 30 human deaths have been recorded from cone snail envenomation.

Stonefish

Maybe Stonefish would never win a beauty contest, but it would definitely win the top prize for being The World Most Venomous Fish. Its venom causes such a severe pain that the victims of its sting want the affected limb to be amputated. It is described as the worst pain known to man. It is accompanied with possible shock, paralysis, and tissue death. If not given medical attention within a couple of hours It can be fatal to humans. Stonefish stores its toxins in gruesome-looking spines that are designed to hurt would-be predators.

Stonefish mostly live above the tropic of Capricorn, often found in the shallow tropical marine waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, ranging from the Red Sea to the Queensland Great Barrier Reef.

Inland Taipan

The prize for The Worlds Most Venomous Snake goes to the Inland Taipan of Australia. Just a single bite from this snake contains enough venom to kill 100 human adults or an army of 250,000 mice. Its venom is at least 200 - 400 times more toxic than a common cobra. The Inland Taiwans extremely neurotoxic venom can kill an adult human in as little as 45 minutes. Fortunately this snake is very shy and there have been no documented human fatalities (all known bites were treated with antivenin).

Woman

This is the most dangerous creature in the world. This is deadly painful to kill a man in every second. Its painless bite may seem nontoxic, but the deadly neurotoxins begin working immediately resulting in muscular weakness, sleeplessness followed by an ending and committing suicide.
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Iranian Embassy denies widow to be stoned to death

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:43:00 +0000

msnbc.com
updated 7/8/2010 2:34:13 PM ET

The Iranian Embassy in London on Thursday denied reports by media and human rights groups that a convicted adulterer would face death by stoning for her crime.

The execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, who has already spent five years in prison and received 99 lashes for alleged adultery, would "disgust and appall the watching world," the British Government declared, according to a report Thursday in U.K. newspaper The Times.

Later Thursday, the Iranian Embassy took issue with those comments, releasing its own statement that "according to information from the relevant judicial authorities in Iran, she will not be executed by stoning punishment." It was uncertain if Ashtiani would face death by another means.

"It is notable that this kind of punishment has rarely been implemented in Iran and various means and remedies must be probed and exhausted to finally come up with such a punishment," the statement said.

The Iranian government has been under growing international pressure to revisit the case of Ashtiani.

..Celebrities signing up to campaign for Ashtiani's release include Sir David Hare, the playwright, actress Emma Thompson, actress Juliette Binoche, fashion designer Katherine Hamnett and actor Colin Firth, The Times said.

Even American jail-bound actress Lindsay Lohan got in on the act. On Twitter, she posted a series of messages about the "cruel and inhuman" punishment and linked to a Wednesday Newsweek story about Ashtiani. READ MORE...

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Witness - Hard Time: Philippines jail children - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:54:00 +0000

Witness - Hard Time: Philippines jail children - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:50:00 +0000

Go Negosyo Big Time Episode 5: Franchising Business (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Why invest in Philippine Real Estate by Century Properties

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:37:00 +0000

Emporio Armani Men's Collection Spring/Summer 2010 - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:32:00 +0000

VICTORIA SECRET FASHION SHOW 2009-2010 HD [PART 1]

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:25:00 +0000

Fashion Show Essentials - Stella McCartney: Summer 2010 Collection (Full...

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:21:00 +0000

Philippines - Experience the 7107 Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:46:00 +0000

World's rich got richer in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:55:00 +0000

India, China and Brazil see fastest growth in wealth

By Joseph A. Giannone

Reuters
updated 10:31 a.m. ET June 22, 2010

NEW YORK - The rich grew richer last year, even as the world endured the worst recession in decades.

A stock market rebound helped the world's ranks of millionaires climb 17 percent to 10 million, while their collective wealth surged 19 percent to $39 trillion, nearly recouping losses from the financial crisis, according to the latest Merrill Lynch-Capgemini world wealth report.

Stock values rose by half, while hedge funds recovered most of their 2008 losses, in a year marked by government stimulus spending and central bank easing.

"We are already seeing distinct signs of recovery and, in some areas, a complete return to 2007 levels of wealth and growth," Bank of America Corp wealth management chief Sallie Krawcheck said.

The fastest growth in wealth took place in India, China and Brazil, some of the hardest hit markets in 2008. Wealth in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific soared to record highs.

Asia's millionaire ranks rose to 3 million, matching Europe for the first time, paced by a 4.5 percent economic expansion.

Asian millionaires' combined wealth surged 31 percent to $9.7 trillion, surpassing Europe's $9.5 trillion.

In North America, the ranks of the rich rose 17 percent and their wealth grew 18 percent to $10.7 trillion.

The United States was home to the most millionaires in 2009 — 2.87 million — followed by Japan with 1.65 million, Germany with 861,000, and China with 477,000.

Switzerland had the highest concentration of millionaires: nearly 35 for every 1,000 adults.

Yet as portfolios bounced back, investors remained wary after a collapse that erased a decade of stock gains, fueled a contraction in the global economy and sent unemployment soaring.

The report, based on surveys with more than 1,100 wealthy investors with 23 firms, found that the rich were well served by holding a broad range of investments, including commodities and real estate.

"The wealthy allocated, as opposed to concentrated, their investments," Merrill Lynch head of U.S. wealth management Lyle LaMothe said in an interview.

Millionaires poured more of their money into fixed-income investments seeking predictable returns and cash flow. The challenge ahead for brokers is convincing clients to move off the sidelines and pursue riskier, more fruitful investments.

"There is still a hesitancy," LaMothe said. "Liquidity is incredibly important and people need cash flow to preserve their lifestyle — but they want to replace that cash flow in a way that does not increase their risk profile."

The report found that investor confidence in advisers and regulators remains shaken. The rich are actively managing their investments, seeking customized advice and demanding full disclosure about the securities they buy.

There were signs that investors were shaking off their concerns. Families that kept money closer to home during the crisis began shifting money to foreign markets, particularly the developing nations.

North American and European investors are expected to increase their exposure to Asian markets, which are projected to lead the world in economic expansion. Europe's wealthy are seen increasing their U.S. and Canadian holdings.

More wealthy clients also are taking a harder look at large companies that pay healthy dividends, as an alternative to bonds and their razor-thin yields.

"Investors are open to areas they hadn't thought about before as they try to preserve their ability to be philanthropic, to preserve their lifestyle," LaMothe said. "To me, the report underscored clients are involved and they're not inclined to stay in 1 percent savings accounts.”

Are you annoying co-workers?

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Annoyance No. 1: (Loud) Personal Calls

It might sound insensitive, but nobody wants to hear about your kids getting sick or how angry you are with your husband. Nor do they want to be in on your weekend ski trip plans or that embarrassing thing your friend did at the bar last night.

Even innocuous subjects should rarely be discussed at length on the phone within earshot of coworkers. Personal information can make others feel uncomfortable, and constant chatting on the phone about non-work subjects can make you look like someone who isn’t getting their work done. If you must make a personal call, it’s best to leave your desk and make the call in a closed conference room, take it outside, or wait until your shift is over. Leave the work phone for work conversations only.

Annoyance No. 2: A Dirty Desk

Soda cans. Coffee cups. Assorted papers and office supplies. Leftover food. We’ve all seen these things pile up on an office slob’s desk, and some might wonder — whom does it really harm?

Actually, it can bother people more than you think. If your desk is so cluttered that your mess infringes on a coworker’s workspace, it’s attracting flies, or you’re losing or soiling important documents, you’re going to get a reputation as sloppy, immature, and incompetent — not a good trio of characteristics!

Annoyance No. 3: M.I.A. Employee

While everyone else is busy plugging away at their computers, you’re never anywhere to be found. You’re either taking a long lunch, on one of your many breaks or calling in sick (again). While nobody wants to see you chained to your desk, your empty chair can symbolize something you don’t want to be associated with: laziness.

You might think it’s nobody else’s business, but that’s the thing about work — everything is everyone else’s business. People are constantly comparing themselves to their peers and superiors alike, and will grow to resent people who don’t seem to be putting in a full day’s work. Wondering if people notice how often you’re outside taking a smoke break or leaving early? Stop wondering. They notice.

Annoyance No. 4: Brown-Nosing

Perhaps even worse than the M.I.A. employee is the person who blatantly tries to outshine everyone else at every opportunity. Taking credit for someone else’s work, throwing a coworker under the proverbial bus during a meeting, and making disingenuous flattering compliments to the boss are all ways to make your coworkers resent you.

While you need your superior(s) to know you’re a valuable asset to the company, it’s best to be subtle and let the quality of your work speak for itself. Give credit to coworkers when it’s due, don’t tattle on others unless absolutely necessary, and keep those compliments on the boss’s tie to a minimum. Otherwise, you might be doing more harm than good.

Annoyance No. 5: Amateur D.J. Hour

Let’s get this party started! Everybody loves it when you turn up your speakers and regale everyone with your favorite club-banging tunes, right?

Actually, not so much. While there are a few occasions where it’s okay to let loose at work, usually people prefer to work in a relatively calm environment free of distractions (like coworkers making personal calls). If you turn up your music loud enough so others can hear it, it’s bound to annoy at least one person sitting near you — especially if your speakers have enough kick to set off car alarms throughout the neighboring area. This is why headphones were invented.

Annoyance No. 6: Frequent Forwards

Every once in a while a funny video clip or link to an interesting story can be a welcome break from the workday. However, there’s a limit to how much people can take. If you’re forwarding one or more emails a day to several people in the office about things that aren’t work-related, you’re probably driving everybody crazy.

A never-ending stream of emails containing funny links or (even worse) solicitations for donations to some cause may be interesting or important to you, but they only give your coworkers the impression that you’re goofing off on company time. And if you ever get tempted to send an email to a coworker that is even close to NSFW, don’t click “send” under any circumstances.

Annoyance No. 7: Constant Complaints

People need to vent sometimes, and work is called “work” for a reason. But if you spend an inordinate amount of time airing your work (or life) grievances to anyone who’ll listen, you’re not going to succeed in making things better. You’ll only succeed in bumming everyone out and earning the label of a malcontent.

Remember, just because the person you’re complaining to doesn’t say anything, that doesn’t mean he or she agrees with you. They’re probably just hoping you’ll finish complaining soon, or leave the company already.

Annoyance No. 8: Meeting Addicts

Meetings are a necessity at work, as they foster communication between coworkers in different ways than emails or instant messaging can. The problem is that meetings take time, and most of us don’t have a lot of time to spare.

First a meeting’s called to talk about best practices. Another meeting to brainstorm how everyone should go forward after the first meeting follows that. Next thing you know, there are so many monthly, weekly, and even daily meetings that it’s impossible to get anything done. Instead of increasing efficiency, the people who call unnecessary or tedious meetings become known as the most annoying people in the office.

Annoyance No. 9: Gabby Gossips

You always see them surfing sites like TMZ and Perez Hilton, whenever they aren’t at the front desk whispering to the receptionist. If anyone’s having an affair or getting fired, they’re always the first to know; whether the info they’re passing on is actually correct is secondary.

Here’s the thing about office gossip: people notice the people who are always in the middle of it. If you find yourself in secretive conversations with somebody known for having loose lips, you’ll be seen as guilty by association. Ironically, while those who love to dish may find a ready audience for their juicy bits of info, after a while they’ll find themselves with fewer and fewer confidants who’ll risk their reputations around the office to talk to them about anything.

Annoyance No. 10: Office Pranksters

Much like meetings, pranks around the office are only appreciated in small doses; any more than that and they become a gigantic annoyance. Even those with a good sense of humor will tire quickly if they can’t go to the restroom without coming back to a trashed cube or a computer that doesn’t work.

There’s a time and a place for practical jokes around the office. The same goes for the rest of these annoying habits.

Sometimes you have to make a personal phone call, run several errands in a week or call a two meetings in a row. Just remember that if you do any of these things regularly and you see no problem with your actions, you very well may be the most annoying person in your office.

8 Ways to Mind Your Office Manners

1. Don’t Trash the Kitchen

When everyone shares common areas, such as a kitchen, it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep them tidy. So don’t be the person who leaves dishes soaking in the sink, leaves crumbs all over the counter, or allows last week’s lunch to sit in the refrigerator and turn into next week’s science experiment. If your office has a dishwasher, there’s no excuse for leaving utensils out on the countertop. Unless you enjoy receiving notes about your sloppy habits from your ticked-off colleagues, clean up after yourself.

2. Leave Your Personal Life at Home

As long as your office permits it, it’s natural to take a few personal calls during the workday, or to occasionally use the shared printer to print out a recipe or an interesting article from the Internet. Just don’t make your cubemates listen to extended phone conversations with your spouse, or litter the equipment area with printouts of your vacation pictures and faxes from your doctor’s office. To your coworkers (and your boss), it can seem as if you spend more time on personal business than you do actually working.

3. Don’t Make Yourself at Home

Every office has its own level of formality and its own set of unspoken rules of decorum, but some things are non-negotiable. It may be okay to toss off your stilettos while you’re working at your desk, but don’t walk around the office barefoot. The dress code might be casual, but that doesn’t usually expand to include pajama pants or Crocs. Don’t pick your teeth with a business card or clip your nails at your desk, either. Even in a casual office environment, there are some things people just don’t want to see.

4. Mind Your Cell Phone Manners

If you need to take or make an extended call on your cell phone, either step outside or go to a quiet area so that your coworkers aren’t distracted by the conversation. Also make sure to keep your phone’s ringer set to quiet or vibrate. Nothing’s more annoying than having to listen to someone’s phone play a “Love Shack” ringtone over and over because she’s in a meeting and can’t answer it.

5. Stay Home If You’re Ill

Everyone appreciates dedication, but if you can’t make it through the day without coughing, wheezing, sneezing, or retching, just stay home. Not only can it be distracting to spend all day listening to the sounds of illness, but no matter how much Lysol you spray around your desk, you’re bound to leave some germs around, and your coworkers don’t want to get sick. Not everyone has the ability to take time off for each little sniffle, but when you feel genuinely rotten, do everyone a favor and take a sick day.

6. Be Brief in the Bathroom

While few people would object to their coworkers’ flossing after meals or touching up makeup before leaving for the day, the bathroom is not a place to hang out in interminably. It’s not a place in which to have private conversations with another coworker, engage in plucking, tweezing, or other kinds of personal grooming, or make personal phone calls.

7. Try Not to Interrupt

It’s great to be friendly with your coworkers, but everyone has a job to do, so it can be irritating to be constantly pinged with email forwards, bombarded by personal conversations, invited to look at pictures of someone’s new baby, or deal with other non-business-related interruptions. People do tend to naturally socialize at certain times of the day—like first thing in the morning, during lunch, and at the end of the day—so try to bond with your team during these moments when people are most likely to be up for a conversation. Constant interruptions can make your coworkers view your adorable-animal videos as mere annoyances.

8. Deodorize

I once worked in an office where the kitchen featured a large sign warning, “DO NOT REHEAT FISH IN MICROWAVE.” Apparently, people were tired of experiencing the accumulated smells of a floor’s worth of lunches. Odor travels in an office, and your coworkers will appreciate any efforts not to overwhelm them with any of your personal scents. If you fancy a midday workout, make sure to freshen up before you return to your desk—and dousing yourself in perfume or cologne won’t cut it, since many people are more bothered by those scents than they are by gym funk. You may enjoy keeping fragrant flowers at your desk, but your neighbor with allergies could find them a nuisance. And while what you bring for lunch is a personal decision, know that if you insist on microwaving swordfish fillets, chicken curry, or last night’s liver and onions, you may not receive many invitations to dine with your coworkers in the break room.
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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Did you greet a DAD today?

More Articles..

Dads looking to balance work and family

Increasingly, working fathers seek out flexible schedules

MSNBC
By Eve Tahmincioglu
msnbc.com contributor
updated 9:39 a.m. ET June 21, 2010

As fathers across the nation were celebrated on Sunday for being great dads, a new study on fatherhood shows that an increasing number of men are seeking alternatives to a traditional 40-hour workweek in order to spend more time with their kids.

Take Michael Sherman, 38, who last year moved out of his law offices in Mobile, Ala., and into a home office, cut his case load and hours by more than half and started homeschooling his four kids, ages 2 to 12. Read More…

Summer fashion for men and women June 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:16:00 +0000

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Diary of a Young Wife!

noreply@blogger.com (Rafael) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:13:00 +0000

Just for laughs…

Monday:
Now home from honeymoon and settled in our new home. It's fun to cook for Tim. Today I made an angel food cake and the recipe said, "Beat 12 eggs separately." Well, I didn't have enough bowls to do that, so I had to borrow 12 bowls to beat the eggs in. The cake turned out fine though.
Tuesday:
We wanted a fruit salad for supper. The recipe said, "Serve without dressing." So I didn't dress. But Tim happened to bring a friend home for supper that night. They both looked so startled when I served them; I think it was the salad.
Wednesday:
I decided to serve rice and found a recipe which said, "Wash thoroughly before steaming the rice." So I heated some water and took a bath before steaming the rice. Sounded kind of silly in the middle of the day. I can't say it improved the rice anyhow.
Thursday:
Today Tim asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said, prepare ingredients, then toss on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving." I hunted all over the place for a garden and when I got one, I tossed my salad into the bed of lettuce and stood over there for over one hour so the dog would not take it. Tim came over and asked if I felt all right. I wonder why? He must be stressed at work, I'll try to be supportive.
Friday:
Today I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said, "Put all ingredients in a bowl and beat it." Beat it I did, to my mum's place. There must have been something wrong with the recipe, because when I came back home again, it looked the same as when I left it.
Saturday:
Tim went shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I'm sure I don't know how hens dress for Sunday. I never noticed back on the farm, but I found an old doll dress and its little cute shoes. I thought the hen looked really cute. When Tim saw it, he started counting to ten. Either he was really stressed because of his work, or he wanted the chicken to dance. When I asked him what was wrong he started crying and shouting out "why me? Why me ?" Hmmm....It must be his job...........