Taliban Threatens to Kill Prince Harry
By RANDY KREIDER | ABC News – 10 hrs ago
A Taliban spokesman said Monday that the terror group would use "all our strength" to kidnap or kill the U.K's Prince Harry, who has just begun serving a four-month tour of duty as a chopper pilot in Afghanistan.
"We are using all our strength to get rid of him, either by killing or kidnapping," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters by phone. "We have informed our commanders in Helmand to do whatever they can to eliminate him."
Mujahid made the same threat in an interview with Agence France Presse, saying the Taliban had a "high-value plan" to get the prince. "It is not important for us to kidnap him," he said. "We will target him and we will kill him."
Prince Harry, known as Captain Wales in the British Army, is stationed at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, on the front line. Harry also served a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2008, though it was cut short because of publicity. The 27-year-old son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana is third in line to the throne, after his father and his older brother William.
The British government has declined comment on the threats against Harry, but NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was not worried.
"That's not a matter of concern," said Rasmussen as a press conference in Brussels. "We do everything we can to protect all our troops deployed to Afghanistan, whatever might be their personal background."
Harry was in the news last month after he was captured on film partying naked with friends in Las Vegas.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
US Slips Down Global Competitiveness Ranking
CNBCBy Ansuya Harjani | CNBC – 22 hours ago
The United States has slipped further down a global ranking of the world's most competitive economies, according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey released on Wednesday.
The world's largest economy, which was placed 5th last year, fell two positions to the 7th spot - marking its fourth year of decline.
A lack of macroeconomic stability, the business community's continued mistrust of the government and concerns over its fiscal health were some of the reasons for the downgrade, according to the annual survey.
"A number of weaknesses are chipping away at its competitiveness...the U.S. fiscal imbalances and continued political deadlock over resolving these challenges," said Jennifer Blanke, Economist at the Geneva-based WEF.
Political deadlock over reducing the unsustainable federal government budget deficit - projected to hit $1.1 trillion this year - prompted Standard & Poor's to downgrade the country's credit rating by one notch to AA+ from AAA last August.
A mix of U.S. tax hikes and spending cuts - referred to as the "fiscal cliff" - are set to come into force in January unless lawmakers reach a compromise for avoiding them.
The survey, which has been conducted annually for over three decades, ranks the competitiveness of 144 countries based on 12 key indicators including infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, labor market efficiency and innovation.
Despite declining in the overall ranking, the forum highlighted that the U.S. remains one of the world's top innovators - supported by an "excellent" university system - and continues to offer vast opportunities because of the sheer size of its domestic economy.
Switzerland and Singapore retained their positions as the most competitive economies, coming in 1st and 2nd, respectively.
Switzerland's top spot was achieved as a result of its strong performance across the board, according to WEF, with notable labor market efficiency, sophistication of its business sector and its innovative capacity. The country has among the highest rates of patents per capita globally.
"Switzerland's productivity is further enhanced by a business sector that offers excellent on-the-job-training opportunities and labor markets that balance employee protection with the interests of employers," the report said.
China Tops the BRICs
Among the large emerging economies, China was ranked highest at 26, thanks to favorable macroeconomic conditions. This was significantly higher than Brazil, India and Russia which came in at 53, 56 and 66, respectively.
China runs a moderate budget deficit, boasts a low government debt-to-GDP ratio of 26 percent and its gross savings rate remains above 50 percent of GDP, the forum said. In addition, the rating of its sovereign debt (AA-) is significantly better than that of the other BRICs and of many advanced economies.
However, the world's second largest economy has slipped two notches from last year's ranking, owing to a deterioration in the development of its financial markets and technological readiness.
"Insufficient domestic and foreign competition is of particular concern, as the various barriers to entry appear to be more prevalent and more important than in previous years," WEF report said.
CNBCBy Ansuya Harjani | CNBC – 22 hours ago
The United States has slipped further down a global ranking of the world's most competitive economies, according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey released on Wednesday.
The world's largest economy, which was placed 5th last year, fell two positions to the 7th spot - marking its fourth year of decline.
A lack of macroeconomic stability, the business community's continued mistrust of the government and concerns over its fiscal health were some of the reasons for the downgrade, according to the annual survey.
"A number of weaknesses are chipping away at its competitiveness...the U.S. fiscal imbalances and continued political deadlock over resolving these challenges," said Jennifer Blanke, Economist at the Geneva-based WEF.
Political deadlock over reducing the unsustainable federal government budget deficit - projected to hit $1.1 trillion this year - prompted Standard & Poor's to downgrade the country's credit rating by one notch to AA+ from AAA last August.
A mix of U.S. tax hikes and spending cuts - referred to as the "fiscal cliff" - are set to come into force in January unless lawmakers reach a compromise for avoiding them.
The survey, which has been conducted annually for over three decades, ranks the competitiveness of 144 countries based on 12 key indicators including infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, labor market efficiency and innovation.
Despite declining in the overall ranking, the forum highlighted that the U.S. remains one of the world's top innovators - supported by an "excellent" university system - and continues to offer vast opportunities because of the sheer size of its domestic economy.
Switzerland and Singapore retained their positions as the most competitive economies, coming in 1st and 2nd, respectively.
Switzerland's top spot was achieved as a result of its strong performance across the board, according to WEF, with notable labor market efficiency, sophistication of its business sector and its innovative capacity. The country has among the highest rates of patents per capita globally.
"Switzerland's productivity is further enhanced by a business sector that offers excellent on-the-job-training opportunities and labor markets that balance employee protection with the interests of employers," the report said.
China Tops the BRICs
Among the large emerging economies, China was ranked highest at 26, thanks to favorable macroeconomic conditions. This was significantly higher than Brazil, India and Russia which came in at 53, 56 and 66, respectively.
China runs a moderate budget deficit, boasts a low government debt-to-GDP ratio of 26 percent and its gross savings rate remains above 50 percent of GDP, the forum said. In addition, the rating of its sovereign debt (AA-) is significantly better than that of the other BRICs and of many advanced economies.
However, the world's second largest economy has slipped two notches from last year's ranking, owing to a deterioration in the development of its financial markets and technological readiness.
"Insufficient domestic and foreign competition is of particular concern, as the various barriers to entry appear to be more prevalent and more important than in previous years," WEF report said.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
A 69-year-old woman known throughout the drug world as the "Godmother of
Cocaine" was gunned down by an assassin on a motorcycle in Colombia Monday, according to international news reports.
Griselda Blanco, once listed alongside Pablo Escobar as one of the "most notorious drug lords of the 1980s" by the Drug Enforcement Administration, was fatally shot as she left a butcher's shop in western Medellin Monday afternoon, according to a report by Univision and El Colombiano. Colombia's El Espectador reported authorities are looking for Blanco's killers and are investigating possible motives for the killing.
Blanco served nearly 20 years in an American prison on drug trafficking
charges and was at one point tied to as many as 40 murders in the U.S.,
according to a 1997 Senate testimony given by then-director of DEA international operations Michael Horn.
Horn said that Blanco ordered a Florida mall shooting in 1979 that left
two dead and four injured, and she apparently enjoyed her line of work.
"To foster her reputation as the 'Godmother' of cocaine, [Blanco] named her fourth son Michael Corleone, after the fictional mob character portrayed in the movie 'The Godfather,'" Horn said.
Court documents filed in 1988, three years after Blanco was caught, detail the shadowy, decade-long hunt
for the queenpin that involved federal agents chasing false identities
and checking Miami hospitals for gunshot wound victims that matched
Blanco's description. But she wasn't able to elude them forever and
after being captured in 1985 in Irvin, Calif. and serving nearly two
decades behind bars in America, Blanco was released from prison and
deported back to Colombia in 2004.
The DEA referred all inquiries into Blanco's death to Colombian authorities,
telling ABC News, "she served her time here." The Colombian National
Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this
report.
Also Read
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Hundreds of homes damaged in Philippines quake
AFP News – 7 hours agoRelated Content
View PhotoA resident climbs up the collapsed floor of her house in General MacArthur, eastern …
More World Stories
China's Xi cancels Clinton meeting: US official
AFP News - 19 minutes agoDemocrats attack Romney, defend Obama at convention
Reuters - 29 minutes agoJapan govt to buy islands disputed with China: media
AFP News - 40 minutes ago
More
than 800 homes and businesses were damaged when a 5.6-magnitude
earthquake rocked the southern Philippines early Tuesday, officials
said.
Cracks snaked across walls and roofs collapsed when the quake struck
the southern island of Mindanao before dawn, said Patrick Callanta,
operations chief of the civil defence office in Cagayan de Oro city.One person was injured by falling debris.
"Houses and commercial buildings suffered cracks on their walls or floors. Some roofs collapsed," Callanta told AFP by telephone. "The quake struck while people slept."
Disaster officials in the region said 544 houses, shops and other commercial buildings sustained damage in Valencia city, populated by 163,000 people.
The lone casualty was hit by falling debris in the adjacent town of Maramag, where 316 buildings were damaged, Callanta said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck at 3:44am (1944 GMT Monday) and the epicentre was plotted near Maramag, a town of about 90,000 people.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire -- a belt around the Pacific Ocean dotted by active volcanoes and unstable ocean trenches.
A 7.6-magnitude quake hit the country's east coast late Friday, triggering a tsunami alert that forced more than 130,000 to flee their homes and causing a landslide that killed one person in Cagayan de Oro.
A 5.9 quake also struck at sea off Mindanao on Monday, but caused no damage or casualties.
More stories
Mobile phones have come a long way. As technology became more and more advanced, they have obtained more and more functions. They are more or less mini computers now, what with being able to browse the Internet, playing games, watching videos, listening to music, and such!
You should probably know by now that Apple's iPhone is the most well known smartphone out there, but what if you want to be different from everyone else and try something different? Use Android, then! Unlike iPhone, Android is compatible with various hardware brands, so you are free to choose your favorite combination!
Tags:
smartphone cell phone iPhone Samsung Android Store Apps download 2G 3G LG wifi Motorola Sony Ericsson HTC Apple dual core PDA smart mobile palmtop China compatible A8000 H300 A2000 A3000 Star A8 F606 W802 A5000 Description:
Mobile phones have come a long way. As technology became more and more advanced, they have obtained more and more functions. They are more or less mini computers now, what with being able to browse the Internet, playing games, watching videos, listening to music, and such!
You should probably know by now that Apple's iPhone is the most well known smartphone out there, but what if you want to be different from everyone else and try something different? Use Android, then! Unlike iPhone, Android is compatible with various hardware brands, so you are free to choose your favorite combination!
Tags:
smartphone cell phone iPhone Samsung Android Store Apps download 2G 3G LG wifi Motorola Sony Ericsson HTC Apple dual core PDA smart mobile palmtop China compatible A8000 H300 A2000 A3000 Star A8 F606 W802 A5000
You should probably know by now that Apple's iPhone is the most well known smartphone out there, but what if you want to be different from everyone else and try something different? Use Android, then! Unlike iPhone, Android is compatible with various hardware brands, so you are free to choose your favorite combination!
Tags:
smartphone cell phone iPhone Samsung Android Store Apps download 2G 3G LG wifi Motorola Sony Ericsson HTC Apple dual core PDA smart mobile palmtop China compatible A8000 H300 A2000 A3000 Star A8 F606 W802 A5000 Description:
Mobile phones have come a long way. As technology became more and more advanced, they have obtained more and more functions. They are more or less mini computers now, what with being able to browse the Internet, playing games, watching videos, listening to music, and such!
You should probably know by now that Apple's iPhone is the most well known smartphone out there, but what if you want to be different from everyone else and try something different? Use Android, then! Unlike iPhone, Android is compatible with various hardware brands, so you are free to choose your favorite combination!
Tags:
smartphone cell phone iPhone Samsung Android Store Apps download 2G 3G LG wifi Motorola Sony Ericsson HTC Apple dual core PDA smart mobile palmtop China compatible A8000 H300 A2000 A3000 Star A8 F606 W802 A5000
Savoir vs Connaitre
Why would I need to learn French in an English class? This is a question I often asked myself. Every week, our English professor would give us a test on French words regarding their spelling, which I hated so much, and a test on the words’ meanings. What’s even more difficult is their pronunciation. Articulating the words was so hard for me since there are many silent Zs. And because there are many silent letters, I also find them hard to spell. Then one time my professor asked me, “What is the difference between savoir and connaitre?” I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” And that’s where the meanings of the words are derived from the word know. I am not really a fan of French words and expressions, but here are the differences between the two terms. I conducted a little research to be able to share something with you.
From what I have read, “savoir” literally means to know. It is said to be one of the most commonly used French verbs. It has an irregular conjugation and covers different meanings in some cases. Savoir may mean to know a fact, to know by heart, to know how to do something, and to realize. Use “savoir” when your statement denotes a fact. For example, “Gerard knows the culprit.” In French, “Gerard sait le coupable.” If your statement wants to convey the meaning of “to know by heart,” use “savoir.” For example, “I know this book by heart.” In French, “Je sais que ce livre par cœur.” If you are creating a statement depicting the meaning of to know how to do something, “savoir” is the right verb! For example, “Do you know how to swim?” In French, “Savez-vous nager?” And lastly, use the verb “savoir” when your statement is intended to mean “to realize.” For example, “Jess doesn’t realize what he is saying.” In French, “Jess ne réalise pas ce qu’il dit.”
On the other hand, “connaitre” has two meanings. The first one means “to know a person.” The second meaning is “to be familiar with a person or thing.” “Savoir” is to know something really well, but “connaitre” is only up to the extent of knowing someone but not so well. You are only in the familiarity phase with someone.
If you would read more about the difference between “savoir” and “connaitre,” most of what I shared with you is the general gist of it. If you still don’t quite understand these French terms, there are many sources in the library and even online. They will definitely make your French a whole lot easier, and someday you will be better at it. There are also available tutorials on how to conjugate French verbs like “savoir” and “connaitre.” Just keep on reading to understanding things clearly. French may not be a very friendly language to learn, but if you really love French, studying it will just be a breeze for you.
Summary:
“Savoir” and “connaitre” are derived from the main words, “to know.”
“Savoir” and “connaitre” are two French verbs which are commonly interchanged because of usage confusion.
“Savoir” and “connaitre” always seem to confuse English speakers.
“Savoir” is one of the most commonly used French verbs with an irregular conjugation.
“Savoir” means “to know a fact, to know by heart, to know how to do something, and to realize.”
“Connaitre” means “to know a person and to be familiar with a person or a thing very generally.”
“Savoir” means “you know something really” well while “connaitre” means “you are only familiar with someone.”
Read more: Differences Between Savoir and Connaitre | Difference Between | Differences Between Savoir vs Connaitre http://www.differencebetween.net/language/words-language/differences-between-savoir-and-connaitre/#ixzz25YH6aDtJ
Why would I need to learn French in an English class? This is a question I often asked myself. Every week, our English professor would give us a test on French words regarding their spelling, which I hated so much, and a test on the words’ meanings. What’s even more difficult is their pronunciation. Articulating the words was so hard for me since there are many silent Zs. And because there are many silent letters, I also find them hard to spell. Then one time my professor asked me, “What is the difference between savoir and connaitre?” I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” And that’s where the meanings of the words are derived from the word know. I am not really a fan of French words and expressions, but here are the differences between the two terms. I conducted a little research to be able to share something with you.
From what I have read, “savoir” literally means to know. It is said to be one of the most commonly used French verbs. It has an irregular conjugation and covers different meanings in some cases. Savoir may mean to know a fact, to know by heart, to know how to do something, and to realize. Use “savoir” when your statement denotes a fact. For example, “Gerard knows the culprit.” In French, “Gerard sait le coupable.” If your statement wants to convey the meaning of “to know by heart,” use “savoir.” For example, “I know this book by heart.” In French, “Je sais que ce livre par cœur.” If you are creating a statement depicting the meaning of to know how to do something, “savoir” is the right verb! For example, “Do you know how to swim?” In French, “Savez-vous nager?” And lastly, use the verb “savoir” when your statement is intended to mean “to realize.” For example, “Jess doesn’t realize what he is saying.” In French, “Jess ne réalise pas ce qu’il dit.”
On the other hand, “connaitre” has two meanings. The first one means “to know a person.” The second meaning is “to be familiar with a person or thing.” “Savoir” is to know something really well, but “connaitre” is only up to the extent of knowing someone but not so well. You are only in the familiarity phase with someone.
If you would read more about the difference between “savoir” and “connaitre,” most of what I shared with you is the general gist of it. If you still don’t quite understand these French terms, there are many sources in the library and even online. They will definitely make your French a whole lot easier, and someday you will be better at it. There are also available tutorials on how to conjugate French verbs like “savoir” and “connaitre.” Just keep on reading to understanding things clearly. French may not be a very friendly language to learn, but if you really love French, studying it will just be a breeze for you.
Summary:
“Savoir” and “connaitre” are derived from the main words, “to know.”
“Savoir” and “connaitre” are two French verbs which are commonly interchanged because of usage confusion.
“Savoir” and “connaitre” always seem to confuse English speakers.
“Savoir” is one of the most commonly used French verbs with an irregular conjugation.
“Savoir” means “to know a fact, to know by heart, to know how to do something, and to realize.”
“Connaitre” means “to know a person and to be familiar with a person or a thing very generally.”
“Savoir” means “you know something really” well while “connaitre” means “you are only familiar with someone.”
Read more: Differences Between Savoir and Connaitre | Difference Between | Differences Between Savoir vs Connaitre http://www.differencebetween.net/language/words-language/differences-between-savoir-and-connaitre/#ixzz25YH6aDtJ
Monday, September 3, 2012
Japan to Philippines: Do you want Coast Guard ships or not?
Asia News NetworkBy Jerry E. Esplanada in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer | Asia News Network – 21 hours ago
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Saying that "the ball is in the Philippines¿ court," Japan has revealed that its plan to provide the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with 12 brand new patrol boats had yet to officially take off.
In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Japanese Embassy-attached Japan Information and Culture centre (JICC) said over the weekend that "the status (of the aid programme) has not changed."
"It remains a plan since we have not yet received any official request from the Philippine side," said the JICC, which added, "Please contact the Department of Transportation and Communications, the PCG or the National Economic and Development Authority for updates."
Contacted shortly before he was named interior secretary by President Benigno Aquino, then Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas said: "We, the DOTC, and the Coast Guard are working with the Japanese government and with the Department of Foreign Affairs on this."
"I understand the DFA is already requesting formally (for the boats)," Roxas had told the Inquirer.
For its part, the DFA said "the plan of Japan to provide patrol boats to our Coast Guard has already been approved by the Neda."
"We will formally inform the Japanese authorities as soon as possible," said Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson.
Minister Shinsuke Shimizu, head of the Japanese Embassy¿s chancery, said in an earlier interview that unlike the decades-old and stripped-down ships the Philippines has been getting from the United States, the patrol boats the PCG will get from Japan will be brand new.
Japan, he said, "has yet to decide which of the vessels will be built and transferred to the Philippine government on official development assistance or grants."
He pointed out that "since 1990, Japan has been helping the Coast Guard in its capacity-building programme."
Fourteen years ago, Tokyo gave Manila a marine accident response and buoy tender ship that the agency named the BRP Corregidor.
Asia News NetworkBy Jerry E. Esplanada in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer | Asia News Network – 21 hours ago
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Saying that "the ball is in the Philippines¿ court," Japan has revealed that its plan to provide the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with 12 brand new patrol boats had yet to officially take off.
In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Japanese Embassy-attached Japan Information and Culture centre (JICC) said over the weekend that "the status (of the aid programme) has not changed."
"It remains a plan since we have not yet received any official request from the Philippine side," said the JICC, which added, "Please contact the Department of Transportation and Communications, the PCG or the National Economic and Development Authority for updates."
Contacted shortly before he was named interior secretary by President Benigno Aquino, then Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas said: "We, the DOTC, and the Coast Guard are working with the Japanese government and with the Department of Foreign Affairs on this."
"I understand the DFA is already requesting formally (for the boats)," Roxas had told the Inquirer.
For its part, the DFA said "the plan of Japan to provide patrol boats to our Coast Guard has already been approved by the Neda."
"We will formally inform the Japanese authorities as soon as possible," said Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson.
Minister Shinsuke Shimizu, head of the Japanese Embassy¿s chancery, said in an earlier interview that unlike the decades-old and stripped-down ships the Philippines has been getting from the United States, the patrol boats the PCG will get from Japan will be brand new.
Japan, he said, "has yet to decide which of the vessels will be built and transferred to the Philippine government on official development assistance or grants."
He pointed out that "since 1990, Japan has been helping the Coast Guard in its capacity-building programme."
Fourteen years ago, Tokyo gave Manila a marine accident response and buoy tender ship that the agency named the BRP Corregidor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)