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Automobile sales in the United States down sharply

Category : Uncategorized

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Sales of automobiles in the United States fell as much as 35% in January, compared to the same month a year ago, as manufacturers reported their January sales.

Ford Motor Company NYSEF sales dropped 42% last month from the previous year. General Motors NYSEGM reported a 49% decline. Chrysler was hardest hit among the domestically owned manufacturers with a plunge of 55%.

The decline in sales has not been limited to just US manufacturers. Japanese automaker Toyota NYSETM reported a 32% drop in US sales from a year earlier, Nissan MotorsNASDAQNSANY dropped 30%, and Honda NYSEHMC sales dropped 28%.

Subaru and South Korean Hyundai Motor Company LSEHYUD were two of the few auto firms that reported an increase in sales. They posted gains of eight and fourteen percent, respectively.

On an annual basis, sales overall have also been plummeting. Industry-wide US car sales dropped 18% last year to 13.2 million automobiles.

GM announced today that it will offer voluntary buyouts to 22,000 employees in the US, in an effort to reduce its expenditures.

Last month, GM and Chrysler were given loans worth US$17.4 billion from the government after they warned of imminent bankruptcy.


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Professional Maintenance From A Heating Service In Bellingham, WA Can Significantly Improve A Heater’s Longevity

byAlma Abell

There are three main reasons that homeowners typically make use of a Heating Service in Bellingham WA. The first is for installation of a new heating unit, the second is for maintenance, and the third is for repairs. By scheduling regular preventative maintenance visits with a professional heating repair technician, homeowners can often put off more serious repairs and substantially extend the lifespan of their heating units.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szLz3Q2p8AI[/youtube]

The type of maintenance services required will depend on whether the unit uses a furnace, a boiler, or a heat pump to produce hot air. These three systems work very differently. A boiler, as its name implies, heats water up to its boiling point, then sends it to different radiators or baseboard heaters throughout the home via a series of pipes. Furnaces produce heat via a set of heating coils instead of water. They then blow air across the heated coils, which travels through ducts to be released into the home. As a result, they are sometimes known as forced air systems. Heat pumps use electricity instead of gas or oil. They pull heat from cool areas into warmer ones, allowing them to do double-duty and cool homes in the summer as well.

These three very different systems all require different forms of maintenance, but all three should be inspected by a professional on at least an annual basis. Boilers must be re-calibrated and cleaned in addition to being inspected for signs of leaks. They also require much more regular maintenance such as twice weekly filter cleaning and daily checks of oil levels.

Forced air systems, including both fuel-powered furnaces and electric heat pumps, need to have their filters cleaned, or changed, on a monthly basis. Older furnaces also need to be oiled on an annual basis, although newer models generally have sealed bearings and do not need oil. In furnaces, the motor pulleys must be realigned to avoid wear to the belts. The belts must also be inspected annually to ensure that they are not worn or frayed. If they are, they must be replaced.

Need to find a trustworthy Heating Service in Bellingham WA for heater maintenance or repairs? Visit Lavergneplumbing.com for information about one company that can help.


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US Nationwide Pollution Permit Restrictions Upheld

Category : Uncategorized

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

The US Army Corps of Engineers decision to place restrictions on issuance of nationwide pollution permits has been upheld by a federal court. In National Association of Home Builders v. Army Corps of Engineers, the District Court for the District of Columbia found that the Corps of Engineers had not acted in an “arbitrary” or “capricious” manner in changing the terms and conditions for issuance of a national pollution permit, including reducing the size of area into which pollutants may be discharged from 10 acres to 1 acre, raising the threshold for requiring additional permits from 1 acre to 1/10 acre,

A nationwide permit allows an organization to engage in certain industrial activities on a national basis (such as mining and construction), reducing the amount of paperwork and filings needed for otherwise minor environmental impacts, as opposed to an ordinary permit for a specific location which will engage in activities which generate water pollution.

Due to concerns over the amount of discharge taking place in waterways, the Corps of Engineers began in the 1980s to reduce the authority granted by nationwide permits and to bar use of the permits in certain ecologically sensitive areas.

Some industry groups, including the plaintiff in the above case, The National Association of Home Builders, sued the Corps of Engineers in 2000 over the change in an attempt to block its implementation. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, were given permission to intervene in the case in support of the actions of the Corps.

Environmental groups were pleased with the decision, but are concerned over other actions of the Bush Administration, such as the attempts to weaken provisions of the 2002 Clean Water Act to allow additional dumping of construction and mining waste into waterways as fill material.


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Al Sharpton speaks out on race, rights and what bothers him about his critics

Category : Uncategorized

Monday, December 3, 2007

At Thanksgiving dinner David Shankbone told his white middle class family that he was to interview Reverend Al Sharpton that Saturday. The announcement caused an impassioned discussion about the civil rights leader’s work, the problems facing the black community and whether Sharpton helps or hurts his cause. Opinion was divided. “He’s an opportunist.” “He only stirs things up.” “Why do I always see his face when there’s a problem?”

Shankbone went to the National Action Network’s headquarters in Harlem with this Thanksgiving discussion to inform the conversation. Below is his interview with Al Sharpton on everything from Tawana Brawley, his purported feud with Barack Obama, criticism by influential African Americans such as Clarence Page, his experience running for President, to how he never expected he would see fifty (he is now 53). “People would say to me, ‘Now that I hear you, even if I disagree with you I don’t think you’re as bad as I thought,'” said Sharpton. “I would say, ‘Let me ask you a question: what was “bad as you thought”?’ And they couldn’t say. They don’t know why they think you’re bad, they just know you’re supposed to be bad because the right wing tells them you’re bad.”

Contents

  • 1 Sharpton’s beginnings in the movement
  • 2 James Brown: a father to Sharpton
  • 3 Criticism: Sharpton is always there
  • 4 Tawana Brawley to Megan Williams
  • 5 Sharpton and the African-American media
  • 6 Why the need for an Al Sharpton?
  • 7 Al Sharpton and Presidential Politics
  • 8 On Barack Obama
  • 9 The Iraq War
  • 10 Sharpton as a symbol
  • 11 Blacks and whites and talking about race
  • 12 Don Imus, Michael Richards and Dog The Bounty Hunter
  • 13 Sources

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Let Media Management Firm In Sussex Handle The Press}

Category : Public Relations

Let media management firm in Sussex handle the press

by

Sanjay Kapoor

Media management is all about enhancing the brand image of a company. They utilizes different mediums to inform the target audience of a companys mission, vision, business objective, policies and practices in a positive and credible way.

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

Media management refers to the relationship that a company develops with journalists, whereas public relations goes beyond media to the general public. Median management involves unique challenges that are taken care of by media management firm. The news media cannot be controlled they have ultimate control over whether stories pitched to them are of interest to the general public. For a company, the ongoing relationship between the organization and the news media is very crucial. An effective and strategic way of ensuring a positive working relationship with media personnel is to become deeply familiar with their areas of interests.

Working with the media on the behalf of an organization allows for awareness of the organization to be enhanced as well as the ability to create an impact with a chosen audience. Media management firm in Sussex allows access to audience and helps build public support and mobilizing public opinion for a company. The entire process is conducted through a wide range of media and can be used to encourage two-way communication.

Organisations generally do not have control over the message in the media, at least, not as much as they do in advertising. Media management firm in Sussex takes care of different aspects such as groups of stakeholders companies want to appeal, message they wish to convey each stakeholder, message the organization would prefer to convey to the media, communication media that would be most suitable to reach the target audience, and analyzing media most practical for the organization to use in terms of access and affordability.

jagPress

is a growing and flexible communication consultancy. In only a couple of years we have not only built up a client base in West Sussex, London and the South East but we are now attracting companies up and down the country. Our clients tell us its because we provide a PR service that suits their needs.

Article Source:

Let media management firm in Sussex handle the press}


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Fishermen make “very rare” find in Siberia

Category : Uncategorized

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

In Siberia, fishermen made what experts are calling a “very rare” discovery. A complete and nearly intact skeleton of a mammoth has been found in Krasnoyarsk, Russia off the shores of a small lake. The skeleton became visible when waters from a recent flood receded.

“It happens very rarely. I’ve been in the area 14 years and this is the first time. The bones are usually spread around over a wide area. The find has retained a backbone, a skull with teeth and a tusk and other anatomic details,” said Alexander Kerzhayev, deputy director of the museum and archeologist in Novoselovo, Russia.

Kerzhayev also said that the mammoth appeared to have lived until about 50-years old. “It was an adult mammoth, judging by the size of bones it was at least 50 years old,” he added also saying the mammoth appeared to have died from being sick.

However, Kerzhayev also says that the museum does not have the resources to retrieve the remains and that “no one seems to care” about the discovery adding that small portions of the animal could be retrieved.


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Congressman Cunningham admits taking bribes

Category : Uncategorized

Monday, November 28, 2005

U.S. Representative Randy “Duke” Cunningham (RCA) pled guilty today to conspiring to take bribes in exchange for using his influence as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to help a defense contractor get business. In total he pled guilty to one count of income tax evasion and four counts of conspiracy, namely mail fraud, wire fraud, bribery of public official and accepting bribes. U.S. District judge Larry A. Burns scheduled Cunnigham to be sentenced on February 27. He is facing up to 10 years in prison and nearly $500,000 in fines, as well as forfeiture of unspecified amounts of cash and property.

In the court hearing, Cunningham admitted to accepting “bribes in exchange for performance of official duties” between “the year 2000 and June of 2005”, taking “both cash payments and payments in kind” and following up by “trying to influence the Defense Department”.

The federal investigation against Cunningham was triggered by his sale of his California residence to defense contractor Mitchell Wade in late 2003. However, Wade never moved in and sold the house at a $700,000 loss three quarters of a year later. At the same time Wade’s company MZM won tens of millions of dollars in defense contracts. Subsequent investigations discovered more questionable business transactions, including interactions with the defense contractor ADCS. In his plea agreement he testified that, among other charges, he “demanded, sought and received at least $2.4 million in illicit payments and benefits from his co-conspirators in various forms, including cash, checks, meals, travel, lodging, furnishings, antiques, rugs, yacht club fees, boat repairs and improvements, moving expenses, cars and boats.”

Cunningham announced his resignation after the hearing. In a written statement released by his law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP he declared “The truth is — I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my high office. I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, and most importantly, the trust of my friends and family.”


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Blown for Good author discusses life inside international headquarters of Scientology

Category : Uncategorized

Friday, November 13, 2009

Wikinews interviewed author Marc Headley about his new book Blown for Good, and asked him about life inside the international headquarters of Scientology known as “Gold Base“, located in Gilman Hot Springs near Hemet, California. Headley joined the organization at age seven when his mother became a member, and worked at Scientology’s international management headquarters for several years before leaving in 2005.


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Criminal Defense Lawyers

Category : Legal Services

Criminal Defense Lawyers by Brian Wellington-12979Criminal, or Penal, Law, refers to the body of rules that govern punishments for a number of legal offenses, usually enforced by the government. Each state has its own set of procedures to deal with the offenses committed, but for all states, punishment is occurring for a person’s failure to comply with a set of rules or laws. These punishments can range from very simple, such as a small fine, to quite severe, such as execution.During a trial of this type of Law, a criminal lawyer has the task of defending his or her client. It is almost never recommended that an accused person should try to represent him or herself in a criminal case. Criminal law can be difficult to understand and it takes years to become an expert. When defending yourself, you want someone who understands the situation you are in, knows what options are available, and knows the best way to proceed. Hiring a criminal lawyer is the most effective way to find this type of person.When hiring a criminal defense lawyer, there are a number of aspects about the lawyer that one should examine. One of the most important aspects is experience, not just as a defense lawyer, but experience with the specific type of case that is being dealt with. Experience spread over a number of years is also important, not just in number of cases seen. Having been successful over a long period shows that the lawyer can adapt to changing moods and views that society goes through, and that he or she has seen a wider variety of outcomes, therefore possessing more knowledge of how to resolve a case. A long winning record is ideal, as this will make the proceedings go much more smoothly. The lawyer will be able to bring ideas and viewpoints that less experienced lawyers may not have seen or heard of yet.If one is able to find a defense lawyer with this type of experience, it is most likely that he or she will have two other very important attributes, confidence and respect. A lawyer who is confident in the courtroom and in his or her abilities will be able to present ideas more effectively. One who has earned the respect of the community and judges will also be more effective. He or she will be able to negotiate easier, win crucial motions, and get more favorable rulings.In addition to the courtroom side of things, a good criminal defense lawyer should also be one that cares about the client and makes an effort to understand the situation. A lawyer who is interested in the well being of his or her clients and spends the time to get to know them will be fighting harder in the courtroom than one who does not do this. These lawyers will understand what the various outcomes of a case may mean for the client. Large fines, jail time, or even just a small criminal charge can have enormous repercussions for some people, particularly those that require a license to perform their job. It is important to realize this and to fight hard to reduce those effects as much as possible.There is no substitute for experience, and ideally, one should try to find the best lawyer available that one can afford. One who has experience and knowledge, but still possesses a passion for what they do, with a genuine concern for the client and his or her well being. Criminal cases can have devastating effects on a person’s life, and a good criminal defense lawyer is a valuable tool that should not be wasted.The information you obtain from this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.A Criminal Defense lawyer and attorney in Rochester MN at a local law firm can provide legal assistance related to criminal law.Article Source: eArticlesOnline.com


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Number of Zimbabwe cholera deaths nears 500

Category : Uncategorized

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A cholera outbreak in the African country of Zimbabwe has killed almost 500 people since August, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO said that the outbreak affected most areas of the country, and that some remote areas had seen fatality rates increase by as much as 30%. Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health reported 484 deaths from 11,735 cases since the outbreak began.

Zimbabwe has had annual outbreaks of cholera for nearly a decade, but this one was the most far-reaching. A report by the WHO stated that the last large outbreak was in 1992, with 3,000 cases recorded.

Cholera is frequently spread by contaminated, untreated water. The spread of the disease was expedited by the collapse of Zimbabwe’s health and sanitation systems; state media reported that most of Harare has been left without water after the city ran out of chemicals for its treatment plant. A resident of Mabvuku, a suburb located east of Harare, told APTV that electricity is not available most of the time, so water is consumed without being boiled first.

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) said that there have been cases of cholera reported in areas of Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa that border Zimbabwe, indicating the sub-regional threat of the outbreak. The South African ministry of health confirmed that they had 160 incidents of cholera reported, as well as three deaths.

The European Commission said that it was providing 9 million (US$11.4 million) in funds to assist Zimbabwe with the crisis. “I’m shocked at the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and call upon the authorities there to respond quickly to this cholera outbreak by allowing full assistance from international humanitarians and regional partners,” said the commissioner responsible for the European Union’s humanitarian aid, Louis Michel.

Other agencies providing aid to the country include the United Nations Children’s Fund, the WHO, and Doctors Without Borders.