May

6

UN report: climate change and food shortage major problems for Earth’s future

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UN report: climate change and food shortage major problems for Earth’s future
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Thursday, October 25, 2007

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a comprehensive report on the current state of the global environment. Climate change, food and water shortage and a decline in biodiversity threaten humanity’s survival, so urgent action is necessary, the report warns.

UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) report involved the work of about 390 experts in various fields from around the world.

Selected key figures and facts from the reportClimate changeThe global average temperature has risen 0.7 °C since 1906 and will rise a further 1.8 °C at best by the end of this century.Some scientists believe a 2°C temperature rise would cause major and irreversible damage.Meanwhile, average temperatures in the Arctic are rising twice as fast as elsewhere.Rising sealevels threaten the 60 percent of the population living within 100 kilometres of coastal lines.Water and foodIncreasing irrigation demands will eventually cause 1 of every 10 major rivers to dry up.Population growth, over-consumption and a continued shift from cereals to meat will raise food demand to a level 2.5 – 3.5 times higher than at present.The slackening expansion of cropland stands in contrast with the fact that by 2030, developing countries will need 120 million extra hectares to feed themselves.BiodiversitySpecies are becoming extinct a hundred times faster than the rate shown in the fossil record.

While the GEO-4 report salutes some improvements, for example the increased public awareness of environmental issues and political interest, it also warns that “There are no major issues… for which the foreseeable trends are favourable.” Although the report sets out a gloomy scenario, its main aim is to call for action.

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May

6

Wikinews interviews John Taylor Bowles, National Socialist Order of America candidate for US President

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Wikinews interviews John Taylor Bowles, National Socialist Order of America candidate for US President
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

While nearly all cover of the 2008 Presidential election has focused on the Democratic and Republican candidates, the race for the White House also includes independents and third party candidates. These parties represent a variety of views that may not be acknowledged by the major party platforms.

As a non-partisan news source, Wikinews has impartially reached out to these candidates, throughout the campaign. The most recent of our interviews is Laurens, South Carolina‘s John Taylor Bowles. Mr. Bowles is running with the endorsement of the National Socialist Order of America, a Minnesota-based Neo-Nazi party created after a recent rift in the National Socialist Movement.

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May

5

Whirlybird Repeller A Simple Safe And Effective Solution To Repelling Nuisance Birds

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The US Coast Guard, Irvin House Vineyards and satisfied customers around the nation all say the WhirlyBird Repeller really works.

What’s more frustrating than having to clean your boat after each use? Having to scrub it before each use because of bird droppings that accumulated since your last boating trip! The WhirlyBird Repeller solves this problem. Conceived of and manufactured in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the WhirlyBird Repeller is shaped like a peregrine falcon and is a turbine that spins and wobbles in the wind and reflects sunlight in a constantly changing manner that frightens birds and prevents them from becoming acclimated. The WhirlyBird safely and effectively repels nuisance birds such as gulls, pigeons, crows, blackbirds, sparrows, starlings, and more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfTba9EgPAs[/youtube]

People get tired of cleaning up after nuisance birds, and bird droppings are unsightly, unsanitary and can cause major damage to boat canvas and other property. The Whirly Bird Repeller keeps birds away from boats, docks, navigational aids, communication and electrical transmission towers, vineyards, berry farms, and other commercial and residential settings where bird droppings are a problem.

The US Coast Guard was the first to test the WhirlyBird Repeller. BMC A.J. White stated that, “Since the WhirlyBirds were installed [on our navigational aids], there has not been a single discrepancy related to excessive guano on those aids.” Since then, the WhirlyBird Repeller has been successfully used in Charleston and beyond, not only on the water, but also in other applications. For example, the WhirlyBird Repeller was used the last three seasons at Irvin House Vineyards on Wadmalaw Island, SC, where bird foraging of the grapes was a problem. The WhirlyBird worked wonders and increased their grape yield by 15 to 20 percent. The WhirlyBird was also successfully used by St. James Episcopal Church to stop crows from slamming into the large plate glass windows of its Ministry Center building.

The WhirlyBird Repeller comes pre-assembled, is tough enough to withstand storm-force winds, and is virtually maintenance free with no electricity or batteries required. It works best when mounted high to catch the wind and reflect sunlight on surrounding surfaces, and is easily mounted on the tops of pilings, docks, and boats. In fact, mounting is relatively easy and the options are endless. The WhirlyBird can also be mounted on top of a piling using the Starboard mount that comes enclosed, or mounted in a vertical fishing rod holder by connecting the WhirlyBird to a section of PVC pipe (using the enclosed PVC pipe connectors), or mounted to a standard antenna mount using the ¾ ” connector (also enclosed).

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/home-security-articles/whirlybird-repeller-simple-safe-effective-solution-repelling-nuisance-birds-376907.html

About Author:

For more information about Bird Repeller, please move on whirlybirdrepeller.com/Author: Deborah Turkewitz

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May

4

Death toll from Borneo bridge collapse reaches eleven

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Death toll from Borneo bridge collapse reaches eleven
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Monday, November 28, 2011

The death toll from the weekend suspension bridge collapse on the Indonesian island of Borneo has risen from four to eleven. Search and rescue teams continue to look for bodies in the Mahakam River.

The number of wounded is currently 39 injured; reports from locals suggest 33 people remain missing at the scene in East Kalimantan’s Kutai Kartanegara district, where “Kalimantan’s Golden Gate Bridge” linked the towns of Tenggarong and the regional capital, Samarinda. A six-month-old baby is among the dead.

Cars, motorbikes, and buses all fell into the Mahakam River when the bridge came down during repairs. Another car was left overturned and balanced upon wreckage over the water. State-owned builders PT Hutama Karya completed the bridge about a decade ago in the image of California’s Golden Gate Bridge. A cable on the 720-metre structure is thought to have failed as workers dealt with it; six of the repair crew were reported missing yesterday. It had been the longest suspension bridge in Borneo.

Eyewitnesses described heavy traffic at the time of the collapse, and one survivor said he left his truck to investigate a traffic jam. Some people were left trapped by debris as the bridge came down. “It happened so fast, only about 30 seconds,” according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Nugoroho.

National search and rescue head Daryatmo said yesterday cranes will attempt to move debris today, with new reports saying echo-sounding equipment will be used to check it is safe to begin lifting. It is believed the bodies of more victims will be found trapped in vehicles beneath the water, which is 35-40 metres deep. Visibility is poor, and one official explained authorities are still unsure how many vehicles are on the riverbed.

“The above-water search is continuing, but underwater operations have not been carried out because we’re worried that the bridge’s pylons are unstable and could collapse any time,” said Nugoroho today. He explained that bodies had washed onto the riverbanks overnight and were recovered today.

The president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has sent three ministers to the site to investigate the accident, while Bambang Widaryatmo, head of East Kalimantan’s police, promised “parties found to be negligent will be prosecuted”. The government has promised a replacement ferry service. The river is closed to boats as rescue operations continue, and a 22-strong team has been dispatched from the national police, comprising six forensics experts, five disaster victim identification specialists, and eleven investigators. They are there to augment the East Kalimantan Police. Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih yesterday visited survivors in Parikesit Hospital and promised them medical treatment at government expense.

Some people swam ashore after falling, with the aftermath filled with screams. Survivor Syakrani, 24, yesterday asserted “The authorities should have closed the bridge if it was under repair.” His words were followed by a Jakarta Globe editorial declaring the accident “unacceptable”.

The Globe went on to comment upon suggestions corruption may have played a role; “It is too early to point fingers and look to place blame, but if shoddy materials were used in the building of the bridge, those responsible must answer to the public.” Another suggestion is coal barges striking the bridge may have weakened it. Local coal company Harum Energy lost five percent of its share value today amid fears the river blockage will hamper their ability to ship coal.

Samarinda’s seen a population and construction boom lately. A few years have seen the population triple and the construction of a large mosque, and a sports stadium; an airport and port are set to follow. However, the Corruption Eradication Commission warns 70% of the corruption it investigates concerns government contracts and up to 40% of money earmarked for infrastructure ends up stolen.

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May

2

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon briefly opens eyes

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Israeli PM Ariel Sharon briefly opens eyes
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Monday, January 16, 2006

Israeli media is reporting that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon opened his eyes for the first time since he suffered a major stroke on January 4, 2006.

However, hospital officials said the reports were generated by the Sharon family’s “impression of eyelid movement, whose medical significance is unclear.”

“He was listening to a tape of his grandson and you could see tears in his eyes for a matter of seconds before he closed them again,” a doctor treating Sharon told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

Army Radio, citing unidentified close associates of Sharon, say the Prime Minister could “recognize people around him.”

However, hospital officials state that it is “too early to tell whether the development represented a significant improvement or was just a temporary reflex.”

Sharon had undergone a tracheotomy on Sunday to help with his breathing and to help prevent infection from his respirator tube.

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May

1

Want To Look Younger? Stay Away From These Top 4 Skin Agers

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By Janet Martin

A lot of people complain about looking older than they really are. Although almost everybody who are over 30 wishes to look 10 years younger, many actually do nothing to reach this goal. If you are one of those who desperately want to stop or even reverse aging, you have to know the main causes of maturing skin and stay out of them as much as possible.

Here are the top 4 things responsible for premature skin aging:

Stress

Many articles have been written about the ill effects of stress but it seems that a lot of people do nothing about it. In fact, many embrace stress as if it is a one-way ticket to success and long life.

So how does stress affect your health and skin? According to scientists, people who are in a chronic state of stress are more prone to stroke and other heart-related diseases. Furthermore, stress can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle, which can make skin look duller, paler and a lot older.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE0OMC2tYAw[/youtube]

It is actually quite easy to beat stress. Eliminate the cause of your stress and you will have a relatively stress-free life. However, life is not that simple. You cannot just turn your back on your stressors, which usually are your work, relationships and family. What you can do to ease stress is to find activities that can calm your nerves. Tai chi, yoga, Pilates, exercise, mini vacations, meditation and trips to the spa can help give you respite from your busy and demanding life.

Smoking

Countless studies have shown that smoking cigarettes can make you look over 10 years older than your natural age. Furthermore, the skin of smokers is usually, pale, wrinkled and gray. If you want to have a rosy glow on your face, quit smoking now. Besides, there are other serious health reasons why you need to stop this vice.

According to dermatologists, you can reverse skin aging due to smoking. A little bit of exercise, a healthy diet, supplementation of nutrients and antioxidants, and using anti-aging products for the skin of your face and around your eyes and mouth can dramatically improve the state of your skin.

Sun Exposure

A few minutes of early morning sun exposure is a good source of Vitamin D, which you need for proper absorption of calcium, among other things. However, too much sun exposure, especially from 11AM to 3PM, can really damage your skin. What’s more, the effects of countless hours of sunbathing you did when you were younger will manifest once you reach the age of 40. Skin discoloration, sunspots, freckles, and wrinkles are just some of the signs of sun damage.

Since you cannot stay inside a dimly lit room the rest of the day, unless you are a vampire, you have to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Use a sun block that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB everyday, even during gloomy days. You should also not forget to wear sunglasses because the area around your eyes is prone to sun damage. A moisturizer and an eye gel, such as Eyevive, are also necessary to combat the bad effects of sun exposure to your skin.

Sleep Deprivation

Aside from causing memory lapses, sleep deprivation can also make you look extremely old. You might have noticed that staying late could cause puffy and raccoon eyes, especially if you stayed up late to party with your friends and binge on alcohol. Everybody would agree that having eye bags, wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes could really make anyone look worn-down and old.

So what do you need to do? First, you have to minimize staying out late. Besides, chronic sleep deprivation can increase your risk for a lot of illnesses, such as diabetes, obesity and even leukemia. Next, you need to use a top quality eye gel to eliminate wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness and discoloration.

About the Author: Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine

thearticleinsiders.com

.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=288941&ca=Aging

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May

1

Paris SG to strengthen defence; signs Krychowiak and Meunier

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Paris SG to strengthen defence; signs Krychowiak and Meunier
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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

On Sunday French capital football club Paris Saint Germain announced they signed two players — Polish defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak from Spanish club Sevilla FC on a five-year term and Belgian defender Thomas Meunier from Club Brugge KV on a four year deal, under the management of Unai Emery.

Defensive midfielder Kychowiak spent two seasons with Sevilla with Unai Emery playing 90 matches and won two back-to-back UEFA Europa League titles. He has played 38 international matches and played in the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-finals where his team lost to Portugal on penalties.

After signing the contract agreement, Krychowiak said, “I am very proud to return to France and defend the colours of a club as ambitious as Paris Saint-Germain[…] The opportunity to continue working with Unai Emery was obviously a major factor in my decision.” ((fr))French language: ?C’est un sentiment de grande fierté qui m’anime à l’heure de revenir en France pour y porter le maillot d’un club aussi ambitieux que le Paris Saint-Germain[…] Continuer de travailler avec Unai Emery a évidemment compté dans mon choix. Kychowiak played for Stade de Reims before joining Sevilla.

24-year-old defender Thomas Meunier played five years at Club Brugge and won the Belgian Pro League this season and Belgian Cup in 2015. Meunier was trained as a forward. Making his international debut in 2013, Meunier played with the national team in UEFA Euro 2016.

Meunier said, “I feel I am ready for the next step after five beautiful years in Brugge. PSG is a team that is well-know all over the world and I am proud to be transferred to such a big team. I want to thank everyone in Brugge for my beautiful time here: the fans, the players, the staff and the board” ((fr))French language: ?Après cinq belles années passées à Bruges, je me sens prêt pour franchir une étape. Le PSG est une équipe qui possède une réputation mondiale et je suis fier de pouvoir m’inscrire dans la lignée des joueurs du Club qui font le pas vers de grandes formations. Je veux remercier tout le monde à Bruges, des supporters aux joueurs, le staf, la direction, pour ces bons moments vécus à Bruges !.

PSG previously signed French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa.

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May

1

1000 homes evacuated in Plymouth, England, after bomb find

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1000 homes evacuated in Plymouth, England, after bomb find
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Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The discovery of an old World War II bomb in a construction site has caused at least 1000 residents in Plymouth located in South-West England, to be evacuated.

“Evacuations are being carried out of properties within 100m [328ft] of the scene. Properties within the 100m-300m [328-984ft] zone are being advised to open windows and draw curtains,” said a spokesman for the police department in Plymouth.

Workers on the site discovered the bomb at about 10:30 a.m. local time in Plymouth, England on Brentor Road.

Reports say that the bomb is sticking out of the ground by about 6 inches, and weighed an estimated 113 kilograms, or 250 pounds, but could have weighed as much as 500 pounds.

“The item was protruding about six inches from the ground and was described as being up to 10-inches in diameter,” said a spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall Police.

The Army bomb disposal team from Wales is currently trying to figure out what to do with the bomb and it could take several hours before authorities can dispose of it. Reports say that the bomb will be taken to the ocean to be detonated.

“The precise nature of this operation and any potential route are yet to be confirmed,” added the spokesman.

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April

29

Irish Finance Minister Donohoe criticises OECD’s global minimum corporate tax rate

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Irish Finance Minister Donohoe criticises OECD’s global minimum corporate tax rate
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Friday, April 23, 2021

On Tuesday, Finance Minister of Ireland Paschal Donohoe criticised talks co-ordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for a global minimum corporate tax rate, arguing smaller countries like Ireland “need to be able to use tax policy as a legitimate lever to compensate for the real, material and persistent advantage enjoyed by larger countries”.

Speaking to virtual attendees at a virtual seminar about international tax, Donohoe said any deal must “accommodate Ireland’s 12.5% rate”. This 12.5% rate benefits large corporations including Apple, Google and Facebook which account for one in eight jobs in the country. According to CNBC, corporate tax receipts in Ireland totalled €11.8 billion in 2020, and the Department of Finance has projected, according to The Irish Times that figure increase from €11.6 billion in 2021 to €12.5 billion by 2025.

Donohoe also said Ireland’s low taxes serve as an incentive to attract jobs and investment, saying while he supported an agreement with “appropriate and acceptable tax competition”, it must be lower than the 21% proposed by the United States.

Donohoe said nations should recognise the low tax rates present in Ireland and other small countries, citing “advantages of scale, location, resources, industrial heritage” present in larger ones. Defending his own long-established rate, Donohoe said a 12.5% rate is “within the ambit of healthy tax competition” as a rate which “stimulate[s] investment, growth and innovation, which are core to Ireland’s industrial policy”. According to The Guardian, current proposals would shrink Ireland’s corporate tax base by 20%; and tax receipts to be €2 billon lower than it would otherwise be in 2025, per Irish Department of Finance.

Brian Keegan, the director of public policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland said it was “not tax change, it’s political change”. Head of tax for the OECD Pascal Saint-Amans said “there is a new dynamic that is likely to bring us to a resolution”, and the US’ willingness to address expressed concerns simplifies an admittedly-complex blueprint.

A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Finance told CNBC on Monday “political level discussions on these issues have not yet taken place”.

The Guardian reported many companies in Ireland pay less on revenues as compared to other countries; with Apple paying as little as 0.005% in 2014. A European Commission ruling in 2016 ordered Apple to pay €13 billion it owed back taxes to the Government of Ireland ; it was struck down in July on the grounds “[t]he commission did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage.”

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April

29

Get Reliable Sump Pump Repair Services In Dayton, Oh

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January, 2014 byAlma Abell

In high water areas, many homes can suffer from water entering them and filling basements and lower levels quit often. Having a reliable means of removing this water is essential, to reduce the risk of damage to foundations, the home itself, and any belongings near the affected areas. Most homeowners in the Dayton area rely on sump pumps to accomplish this goal, by removing the water from the area it’s collected in a sump pit by the pump. There are many problems that can occur with this simple system however, including clogs and physical damages that can hinder it’s productivity and effectiveness. Fortunately for homeowners that use these systems, there are reliable companies out there that offer Sump Pump Repair in Dayton, OH.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN9JU4eK3R8[/youtube]

Sump pumps are simple little devices, and often get neglected by their homeowners as long as they do their function. Most homeowners fail to realize that they need service and cleaning to keep running reliably, and sometimes need repairs to fix problems caused by damaged that has occurred due to poor maintenance. Routine cleaning and maintenance on these devices can not only prolong their life expectancy, but also increase their effectiveness and help them protect your home better. The most often found reason for a sump pump to not be working properly, is the float system. If the float system doesn’t move, the sump pump can’t detect that any water is in the sump pit for it to pump out. Keeping a check on the float device is easy, by visually checking to see if water is standing in the pit. Pouring water down into the pit manually can reveal whether the float rises or not. If any water is standing in the pit, without the pump activating, you may need to hire service for sump pump repair in Dayton OH.

Another common problem with sump pumps can be found in the valve area of the pit. If the pump turns on, but no water has been removed, then the valve itself may be the problem. The valve may need to be replaced, or cleaned, to restore water flow back to the sump pump system. Many companies that offer service and repair for sump pumps also offer advice and information on their websites about the systems. Click here for more information on what you need to know to keep your sump pump system running properly.

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