<![CDATA[Daily Talk Forum - All Forums]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:50:18 -0700 MyBB <![CDATA[A million shoppers log onto new Woolworths website]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6191 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:18:52 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6191
The brand made its online comeback seven days ago and by the end of yesterday consumers had ordered more than a tonne of its pic 'n' mix sweets over the internet - with cola bottles proving the most popular.

Clothing from the Ladybird brand, back to school kit, party accessories and inflatables had also done well, Woolworths said.

Michael Jackson record sales topped the list at the Woolworths.co.uk entertainment store, accounting for nearly 70% of music sales.

But the company declined to provide any sales figures.

Nick Bubb, a retail analyst at Pali International, said: "Looking and buying are two different things.

"You can have tons of people looking in the shop windows in a shopping centre but it doesn't translate to money in the tills."

The high street chain collapsed into administration amid plunging sales and mounting debts more than six months ago.

New owner Shop Direct, which bought the brand name in February, has kept the recognisable red logo and many of the products Woolies was best known for, including CDs, DVDs, children's party and fancy dress, technology and toys.

independent.co.uk]]>
The brand made its online comeback seven days ago and by the end of yesterday consumers had ordered more than a tonne of its pic 'n' mix sweets over the internet - with cola bottles proving the most popular.

Clothing from the Ladybird brand, back to school kit, party accessories and inflatables had also done well, Woolworths said.

Michael Jackson record sales topped the list at the Woolworths.co.uk entertainment store, accounting for nearly 70% of music sales.

But the company declined to provide any sales figures.

Nick Bubb, a retail analyst at Pali International, said: "Looking and buying are two different things.

"You can have tons of people looking in the shop windows in a shopping centre but it doesn't translate to money in the tills."

The high street chain collapsed into administration amid plunging sales and mounting debts more than six months ago.

New owner Shop Direct, which bought the brand name in February, has kept the recognisable red logo and many of the products Woolies was best known for, including CDs, DVDs, children's party and fancy dress, technology and toys.

independent.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Cost of texting abroad comes down]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6190 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:46:26 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6190
The cost of sending text messages from your mobile phone when you are overseas in the European Union has come down.

The maximum charge for sending a text is now 11 euro cents ($0.15; 9.4p) plus sales tax.

It is the first time that text charges have been capped. The previous EU average was 28 cents.

The price of making a call is capped at 43 cents a minute, down from 46 cents, while the price of receiving a call is capped at 19 cents, down from 22 cents.

"The roaming-rip off is now coming to an end," said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding.

The cost of transferring a megabyte of data is capped at one euro.

Also, mobile operators have been forced to charge for calls by the second after the first half minute, instead of rounding up to the nearest minute.

Many mobile operators have fought against the new caps, which are expected to significantly reduce their profits from roaming charges.

BBC.co.uk]]>
The cost of sending text messages from your mobile phone when you are overseas in the European Union has come down.

The maximum charge for sending a text is now 11 euro cents ($0.15; 9.4p) plus sales tax.

It is the first time that text charges have been capped. The previous EU average was 28 cents.

The price of making a call is capped at 43 cents a minute, down from 46 cents, while the price of receiving a call is capped at 19 cents, down from 22 cents.

"The roaming-rip off is now coming to an end," said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding.

The cost of transferring a megabyte of data is capped at one euro.

Also, mobile operators have been forced to charge for calls by the second after the first half minute, instead of rounding up to the nearest minute.

Many mobile operators have fought against the new caps, which are expected to significantly reduce their profits from roaming charges.

BBC.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Bring your animal into your home ( EU-Country member states )]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6189 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:28:46 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6189 For the movement of cats and dogs into European Union member states from outside thailand

We appreciate for helping your request about moving animal into EU- Country.


More information please looking at http://www.antibodytest.pagetab.com/index.html

My e-mail address ..... antibodytest@yahoo.com]]> For the movement of cats and dogs into European Union member states from outside thailand

We appreciate for helping your request about moving animal into EU- Country.


More information please looking at http://www.antibodytest.pagetab.com/index.html

My e-mail address ..... antibodytest@yahoo.com]]> <![CDATA[150 Years for Madoff]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6188 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:10:27 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6188 Bernard Madoff sentenced to 150 years for 'extraordinarily evil' fraud

Bernard Madoff has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for orchestrating an "extraordinarily evil" and "unprecedented" $65bn (£40bn) fraud that duped 13,500 investors out of their life savings and shocked the investment world.

Madoff, who ran a "staggering" Ponzi scheme that promised inflated investment returns but simply handed one investor's money to another, will die in prison as a result of being given the maximum possible sentenced for the 11 counts of fraud, mail fraud and money laundering he pleaded guilty to in March.

Judge Denny Chin, sentencing, told 71-year-old Madoff that although the sentence was in many ways "symbolic" it was designed to reflect the "scope, duration and enormity of the fraud" and that "symbolism is important to deter future crimes and as retribution."

He also expressed surprised at the lack of support for Madoff, revealing that "not a single letter" was submitted in his support, not even from his wife Ruth or sons Andrew and Mark.

The judge ignored last minute pleas from Madoff's lawyer Ira Sorkin to hand down a 12 year sentence, and ignored a pre-sentencing report prepared by the US Probation Service (USPS) which recommended he be given 50 years.

"Mr Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil. The breach of trust was massive," said Judge Chin, who also intimated that Madoff has not been as helpful with investigators as he might have been, saying: "I simply do not get the sense that Mr. Madoff has done all that he could or told all that he knows."

Madoff, who appeared in court dressed in an almost funereal grey suit, white shirt and black tie, remained silent as the 150 year sentence was read out to him, while dozens of his victims present in the courtroom cheered and applauded.

"I only hope that he lives long enough that his jail cell becomes his coffin," said Michael Schwartz, whose mentally disabled brother's trust fund was wiped out by Madoff. Victim Sheryl Weinstein, whose family knew Madoff, branded him a "beast" who walks among us, while Miriam Siegman explained she had resorted to using government-issued foodstamps and scavenging from shop's bins at the month-end when she has run out of money.

The man himself, who sat listlessly as nine victims described the impact of the fraud on their lives, spoke briefly to apologise for his crimes, and at one point turned to face his victims, albeit momentarily. "I live in a tormented state knowing the pain and suffering I have created. I cannot offer you an excuse for my behaviour," he said. "I don't ask for any forgiveness."

Madoff also used his final public appearance – unless he is successful on appeal, which he has ten days to file – to attempt to shield his family from any suggestions of wrongdoing, saying that he had lied to his wife and two sons for decades.

After the 90 minute sentencing, Ruth Madoff finally broke her six-month silence, saying she was "embarrassed and ashamed" by her husband's actions. Since learning of his crimes following his December confession she has had "two thoughts - first, that so many people who trusted him would be ruined financially and emotionally, and second, that my life with the man I have known for over 50 years was over."

The US Attorney's office on Monday stressed that its investigations continue into the fraud, and that it will pursue any individuals who are found to have assisted him.

Telegraph.co.uk]]> Bernard Madoff sentenced to 150 years for 'extraordinarily evil' fraud

Bernard Madoff has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for orchestrating an "extraordinarily evil" and "unprecedented" $65bn (£40bn) fraud that duped 13,500 investors out of their life savings and shocked the investment world.

Madoff, who ran a "staggering" Ponzi scheme that promised inflated investment returns but simply handed one investor's money to another, will die in prison as a result of being given the maximum possible sentenced for the 11 counts of fraud, mail fraud and money laundering he pleaded guilty to in March.

Judge Denny Chin, sentencing, told 71-year-old Madoff that although the sentence was in many ways "symbolic" it was designed to reflect the "scope, duration and enormity of the fraud" and that "symbolism is important to deter future crimes and as retribution."

He also expressed surprised at the lack of support for Madoff, revealing that "not a single letter" was submitted in his support, not even from his wife Ruth or sons Andrew and Mark.

The judge ignored last minute pleas from Madoff's lawyer Ira Sorkin to hand down a 12 year sentence, and ignored a pre-sentencing report prepared by the US Probation Service (USPS) which recommended he be given 50 years.

"Mr Madoff's crimes were extraordinarily evil. The breach of trust was massive," said Judge Chin, who also intimated that Madoff has not been as helpful with investigators as he might have been, saying: "I simply do not get the sense that Mr. Madoff has done all that he could or told all that he knows."

Madoff, who appeared in court dressed in an almost funereal grey suit, white shirt and black tie, remained silent as the 150 year sentence was read out to him, while dozens of his victims present in the courtroom cheered and applauded.

"I only hope that he lives long enough that his jail cell becomes his coffin," said Michael Schwartz, whose mentally disabled brother's trust fund was wiped out by Madoff. Victim Sheryl Weinstein, whose family knew Madoff, branded him a "beast" who walks among us, while Miriam Siegman explained she had resorted to using government-issued foodstamps and scavenging from shop's bins at the month-end when she has run out of money.

The man himself, who sat listlessly as nine victims described the impact of the fraud on their lives, spoke briefly to apologise for his crimes, and at one point turned to face his victims, albeit momentarily. "I live in a tormented state knowing the pain and suffering I have created. I cannot offer you an excuse for my behaviour," he said. "I don't ask for any forgiveness."

Madoff also used his final public appearance – unless he is successful on appeal, which he has ten days to file – to attempt to shield his family from any suggestions of wrongdoing, saying that he had lied to his wife and two sons for decades.

After the 90 minute sentencing, Ruth Madoff finally broke her six-month silence, saying she was "embarrassed and ashamed" by her husband's actions. Since learning of his crimes following his December confession she has had "two thoughts - first, that so many people who trusted him would be ruined financially and emotionally, and second, that my life with the man I have known for over 50 years was over."

The US Attorney's office on Monday stressed that its investigations continue into the fraud, and that it will pursue any individuals who are found to have assisted him.

Telegraph.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[The Secret Killer - Inflammation]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6187 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:23:40 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6187
The Secret Killer Health Alert


This 13 page, stunningly graphic alert was just released a few minutes ago by Sonoran Bloom and has been compiled to highlight some of the scientific studies done pointing to the insidious dangers of inflammation.

We all know about acute inflammation. Arthritis, phlebitis, appendicitis, colitis are examples of acute inflammation - something that produces sufficient pain that we can't ignore it.

But how about the low grade, long term inflammation that is implicated in diseases such as allergies, asthma, Alzheimers, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, but doesn't trigger any acute symptoms... just festers away inside until finally it produces a serious disease such as one of the above?

Click on Secret Killer Health Alert to read a copy - rather eye opening, I must admit.

Tula Smile]]>
The Secret Killer Health Alert


This 13 page, stunningly graphic alert was just released a few minutes ago by Sonoran Bloom and has been compiled to highlight some of the scientific studies done pointing to the insidious dangers of inflammation.

We all know about acute inflammation. Arthritis, phlebitis, appendicitis, colitis are examples of acute inflammation - something that produces sufficient pain that we can't ignore it.

But how about the low grade, long term inflammation that is implicated in diseases such as allergies, asthma, Alzheimers, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, but doesn't trigger any acute symptoms... just festers away inside until finally it produces a serious disease such as one of the above?

Click on Secret Killer Health Alert to read a copy - rather eye opening, I must admit.

Tula Smile]]> <![CDATA[Freaky, Creepy US History]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6186 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:01:50 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6186
[Image: ush1.jpg]

US History Mystery

[Image: ush2.jpg] [Image: ush6.jpg]

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head

Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

[Image: ush3.jpg] [Image: ush7.jpg]

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

[Image: ush4.jpg] [Image: ush8.jpg]

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford'.
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford'.

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here's the kicker...

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

[Image: ush5.jpg]

WHO FIGURED THIS OUT? INCREDIBLE

1) Fold a $20 bill in half...

[Image: gb1.jpg]

2) Fold again, taking care to fold it exactly as below

[Image: gb2.jpg]

3) Fold the other end, exactly as before

[Image: gb3.jpg]

4) Now, simply turn it over...

[Image: gb5.jpg]

What a coincidence! A simple geometric fold creates a catastrophic premonition printed on all $20 bills!!!

COINCIDENCE? YOU DECIDE

As if that wasn't enough...
Here is what you've seen...

Firstly the Pentagon on fire...

[Image: gb7.jpg]

Then The Twin Towers.

[Image: gb8.jpg]

...And now .. look at this!

[Image: gb9.jpg]

TRIPLE COINCIDENCE ON A SIMPLE $20 BILL
]]>
[Image: ush1.jpg]

US History Mystery

[Image: ush2.jpg] [Image: ush6.jpg]

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head

Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

[Image: ush3.jpg] [Image: ush7.jpg]

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

[Image: ush4.jpg] [Image: ush8.jpg]

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford'.
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford'.

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here's the kicker...

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

[Image: ush5.jpg]

WHO FIGURED THIS OUT? INCREDIBLE

1) Fold a $20 bill in half...

[Image: gb1.jpg]

2) Fold again, taking care to fold it exactly as below

[Image: gb2.jpg]

3) Fold the other end, exactly as before

[Image: gb3.jpg]

4) Now, simply turn it over...

[Image: gb5.jpg]

What a coincidence! A simple geometric fold creates a catastrophic premonition printed on all $20 bills!!!

COINCIDENCE? YOU DECIDE

As if that wasn't enough...
Here is what you've seen...

Firstly the Pentagon on fire...

[Image: gb7.jpg]

Then The Twin Towers.

[Image: gb8.jpg]

...And now .. look at this!

[Image: gb9.jpg]

TRIPLE COINCIDENCE ON A SIMPLE $20 BILL
]]> <![CDATA[Job losses possible at JLR, Tata warns]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6185 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:54:40 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6185
The Indian group, which paid £1.15bn for JLR in March 2008, recorded an annual loss of 15.1 billion rupees (£189m), compared with 21.7 billion rupees profit in the previous year, as the global automotive industry has been devastated by recession.

In the UK, JLR has been hit hard by collapsing demand for new cars. Global sales are down by 28 per cent compared with June last year. Although sales of Jaguars are slightly up – by 1 per cent – thanks to the introduction of the new XF model, some 35 per cent fewer Land Rovers have been sold.

The company has been asking for government help since before Christmas, claiming its position as a major investor in research and development justifies support. But Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, maintains it is up to Tata Motors to provide any help its subsidiary needs. Even JLR’s attempts to secure the necessary government guarantees for loans for green research from the European Investment Bank have stalled. The company says the conditions attached to the guarantees are too onerous to be commercially viable.

Independent.co.uk]]>
The Indian group, which paid £1.15bn for JLR in March 2008, recorded an annual loss of 15.1 billion rupees (£189m), compared with 21.7 billion rupees profit in the previous year, as the global automotive industry has been devastated by recession.

In the UK, JLR has been hit hard by collapsing demand for new cars. Global sales are down by 28 per cent compared with June last year. Although sales of Jaguars are slightly up – by 1 per cent – thanks to the introduction of the new XF model, some 35 per cent fewer Land Rovers have been sold.

The company has been asking for government help since before Christmas, claiming its position as a major investor in research and development justifies support. But Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, maintains it is up to Tata Motors to provide any help its subsidiary needs. Even JLR’s attempts to secure the necessary government guarantees for loans for green research from the European Investment Bank have stalled. The company says the conditions attached to the guarantees are too onerous to be commercially viable.

Independent.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Windows 7 prices are too high]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6184 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:47:26 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6184
Microsoft's least expensive Windows 7 upgrade will be for the Home Premium version and will cost £79.99 in the UK, $119.99 in the US. "That $120 is a pretty big nut," said Baker, "especially when you can buy a new PC for around $300."

In a post to the company blog, Baker said that the Vole's Windows 7 upgrade prices, along with the pain of having to perform an incremental software upgrade, could deter punters from moving off Vista, with all of its problems, in order to "erase all vestiges of Vista from consumers’ homes" and "move to a far superior platform with a better user experience."

Baker also criticised Microsoft for not offering a multi-licence family upgrade package for Windows 7, saying "In a world, at least in the US, where most homes are moving into a multiple PC environment, it would enhance the consumer home experience if they could upgrade all their home PCs at a single low price with a single boxed purchase."

He noted that Apple will be offering its Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard release for just $29 for a single-licence upgrade and only $49 for a five-licence family upgrade bundle. "This is a direction I would have much preferred to see Microsoft head," he said.

To that we would add that Microsoft's relatively high prices for its Windows 7 full system installation packages will discourage users from upgrading their older PCs that are still running Windows XP. The least expensive full package of Windows 7, the Home Premium version, will be priced at £149.99 in the UK and $199.99 in the US.

Sure, additional memory is relatively inexpensive now, but many people will likely hesitate to pay a hundred-fifty to two hundred more clams on top of that just to acquire the Vole's latest OS.

If users with older PCs can't afford to shell out the better part of a grand to buy a new PC and monitor, they'll likely consider installing some user friendly flavour of Linux for free instead of ponying up the substantial wad of dosh needed to get Windows ME II SP7.

theinquirer.net]]>
Microsoft's least expensive Windows 7 upgrade will be for the Home Premium version and will cost £79.99 in the UK, $119.99 in the US. "That $120 is a pretty big nut," said Baker, "especially when you can buy a new PC for around $300."

In a post to the company blog, Baker said that the Vole's Windows 7 upgrade prices, along with the pain of having to perform an incremental software upgrade, could deter punters from moving off Vista, with all of its problems, in order to "erase all vestiges of Vista from consumers’ homes" and "move to a far superior platform with a better user experience."

Baker also criticised Microsoft for not offering a multi-licence family upgrade package for Windows 7, saying "In a world, at least in the US, where most homes are moving into a multiple PC environment, it would enhance the consumer home experience if they could upgrade all their home PCs at a single low price with a single boxed purchase."

He noted that Apple will be offering its Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard release for just $29 for a single-licence upgrade and only $49 for a five-licence family upgrade bundle. "This is a direction I would have much preferred to see Microsoft head," he said.

To that we would add that Microsoft's relatively high prices for its Windows 7 full system installation packages will discourage users from upgrading their older PCs that are still running Windows XP. The least expensive full package of Windows 7, the Home Premium version, will be priced at £149.99 in the UK and $199.99 in the US.

Sure, additional memory is relatively inexpensive now, but many people will likely hesitate to pay a hundred-fifty to two hundred more clams on top of that just to acquire the Vole's latest OS.

If users with older PCs can't afford to shell out the better part of a grand to buy a new PC and monitor, they'll likely consider installing some user friendly flavour of Linux for free instead of ponying up the substantial wad of dosh needed to get Windows ME II SP7.

theinquirer.net]]> <![CDATA[Farrah Fawcett Dies]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6183 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:08:06 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6183

Farrah Fawcett, the actress and model, who died on June 25 aged 62, achieved celebrity in 1976 in Charlie’s Angels, a soft-focus television series in which three highly attractive women were special agents guided by the eponymous Charlie, an unseen private detective.

An all-American girl with cascading blonde hair and a toothsome, dazzling smile, Farrah Fawcett’s character was the poker-playing Jill Munroe, who enlivened the programmes with her athleticism and derring-do. If the plots were wafer-thin, the visuals — particularly the three scantily-clad heroines — were outstanding, and the show quickly gained huge audiences.

Described by one reviewer as “family-style porn”, the series attracted criticism from those who felt that the format exploited women. But their voices were lost amidst the praise for its “good-natured and intentional teasing” and for its delicate poise “between sexism and sexiness”. Farrah Fawcett considered that people wanted to “see some glamour, some clothes, some hairstyles”, and in the bouncing Jill Munroe even the most gluttonous were surely sated.

The show propelled its three wholesome stars — and particularly Farrah Fawcett — on to the cover of almost every magazine in America. Its success was reflected in a famous poster of her clad in a wet red swimsuit; it sold eight million copies and became one of the best-known images of the age.

Farrah Fawcett left the show after a single series, intent on making her name as a serious actress in Hollywood. Although she performed creditably in several films, and was clearly eager to shed her lightweight image, never again could she attain the success she had achieved with her kooky detective. In a life lived out in the tabloids, she increasingly became more famous for off-screen adventures that offered an unfortunate counterpoint to her image as a sun-kissed cheerleader.

She was born Ferrah Leni Fawcett on February 2 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas, where her father was a pipe fitter in the oil industry; her name, later altered to Farrah, means “joy” in Arabic. She was educated at WB Ray High School and the University of Texas, where she switched from Microbiology to Sculpture and dated the star quarterback. A natural beauty, it was rumoured that some male students memorised her timetable in order to meet her between classes. Female students were less enamoured, one recalling: “We were marching for peace, and Farrah was sitting there just smiling and looking pretty.”

After being spotted by a talent agent who had seen her photograph, Farrah Fawcett dropped out of university in her first year. In Hollywood she studied acting, but was unimpressed by the prevailing “Method” style and concentrated on modelling products ranging from Wella shampoo to Ultra Brite, “the toothpaste with sex appeal”.

She made her film debut in Myra Breckenridge (1970), playing a lesbian love scene with Raquel Welch. A small part in Love Is A Funny Thing (also 1970) opened no doors, and she returned to the small screen until her two-scene role in the clunking science fiction fantasy Logan’s Run (1976).

Despite her lack of Hollywood recognition, Farrah Fawcett became a regular on television, appearing in various series, including ABC’s Owen Marshall: Counsellor at Law; her husband Lee Majors’s internationally-successful The Six Million Dollar Man; and Harry O, opposite David Janssen.

Telegraph.co.uk]]>

Farrah Fawcett, the actress and model, who died on June 25 aged 62, achieved celebrity in 1976 in Charlie’s Angels, a soft-focus television series in which three highly attractive women were special agents guided by the eponymous Charlie, an unseen private detective.

An all-American girl with cascading blonde hair and a toothsome, dazzling smile, Farrah Fawcett’s character was the poker-playing Jill Munroe, who enlivened the programmes with her athleticism and derring-do. If the plots were wafer-thin, the visuals — particularly the three scantily-clad heroines — were outstanding, and the show quickly gained huge audiences.

Described by one reviewer as “family-style porn”, the series attracted criticism from those who felt that the format exploited women. But their voices were lost amidst the praise for its “good-natured and intentional teasing” and for its delicate poise “between sexism and sexiness”. Farrah Fawcett considered that people wanted to “see some glamour, some clothes, some hairstyles”, and in the bouncing Jill Munroe even the most gluttonous were surely sated.

The show propelled its three wholesome stars — and particularly Farrah Fawcett — on to the cover of almost every magazine in America. Its success was reflected in a famous poster of her clad in a wet red swimsuit; it sold eight million copies and became one of the best-known images of the age.

Farrah Fawcett left the show after a single series, intent on making her name as a serious actress in Hollywood. Although she performed creditably in several films, and was clearly eager to shed her lightweight image, never again could she attain the success she had achieved with her kooky detective. In a life lived out in the tabloids, she increasingly became more famous for off-screen adventures that offered an unfortunate counterpoint to her image as a sun-kissed cheerleader.

She was born Ferrah Leni Fawcett on February 2 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas, where her father was a pipe fitter in the oil industry; her name, later altered to Farrah, means “joy” in Arabic. She was educated at WB Ray High School and the University of Texas, where she switched from Microbiology to Sculpture and dated the star quarterback. A natural beauty, it was rumoured that some male students memorised her timetable in order to meet her between classes. Female students were less enamoured, one recalling: “We were marching for peace, and Farrah was sitting there just smiling and looking pretty.”

After being spotted by a talent agent who had seen her photograph, Farrah Fawcett dropped out of university in her first year. In Hollywood she studied acting, but was unimpressed by the prevailing “Method” style and concentrated on modelling products ranging from Wella shampoo to Ultra Brite, “the toothpaste with sex appeal”.

She made her film debut in Myra Breckenridge (1970), playing a lesbian love scene with Raquel Welch. A small part in Love Is A Funny Thing (also 1970) opened no doors, and she returned to the small screen until her two-scene role in the clunking science fiction fantasy Logan’s Run (1976).

Despite her lack of Hollywood recognition, Farrah Fawcett became a regular on television, appearing in various series, including ABC’s Owen Marshall: Counsellor at Law; her husband Lee Majors’s internationally-successful The Six Million Dollar Man; and Harry O, opposite David Janssen.

Telegraph.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Michael Jackson Dies Reports]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6182 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:01:34 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6182
The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves, his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove and tight, military-style jacket were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance. Over the years, his skin became lighter and his nose narrower.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/25...21104.html]]>
The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves, his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove and tight, military-style jacket were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance. Over the years, his skin became lighter and his nose narrower.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/25...21104.html]]> <![CDATA[Google access disrupted in China]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6181 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:17:57 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6181
Access to Google has been disrupted in some parts of China, amid a row over what Chinese citizens should be allowed to view over the internet.

Users reported they could not access either Google's search engine or its Chinese-language version.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang accused Google of spreading pornography and breaking Chinese law.

The move came as the US called on China to scrap its plan to put net-filtering software on all new computers.

China has demanded that all computers come supplied with software called Green Dam Youth Escort from 1 July, which it says would filter out pornographic content.

Separately, google.com and some of its products, such as its mail service, were not available in China from Wednesday night to Thursday morning Beijing time, according to Chinese portal Sohu.com.

Most users were able to connect on Thursday, though it was unclear exactly how widespread the disruption actually was. Google said it was investigating the outage.

The disruption to Google's services reported by users in Beijing and Shanghai comes a week after China accused Google of deliberately linking to "pornographic and vulgar" websites and ordered it to stop.

"We have found that Google has spread a lot of pornographic content, which is a serious violation of Chinese laws and regulations," Mr Qin told reporters on Thursday.

He urged the company to abide by local rules, but said he had no specific details on the outage.

Meanwhile, the US said China's proposed internet filter would violate China's free trade obligations, weaken computer security and raise serious censorship concerns.

"Mandating technically flawed Green Dam software and denying manufacturers and consumers freedom to select filtering software is an unnecessary and unjustified means to achieve that objective, and poses a serious barrier to trade," said US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The latest comment raises the concern about a broader trade war between the US and China over everything from computer security to chicken poultry imports.

It came a day after it filed an unfair trade complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over raw material exports.

The US is now complaining that putting such pressure on manufacturers to pre-install or supply the software would violate China's WTO free trade obligations.

The software, Green Dam Youth Escort, has been heavily criticised by Chinese internet users, and even parts of the state media.

It appears to have been badly written, and parts of it may have been lifted from a rival US software filter.

Critics says it will put computers at greater risk from hackers.

It works by looking for fleshtones, as well as keywords, but has also been found to block sites which contain lots of the colour pink.

"China is putting companies in an untenable position by requiring them, with virtually no public notice, to pre-install software that appears to have broad-based censorship implications and network security issues," said US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

The Green Dam Youth Escort software was created to stop people looking at "offensive" content such as pornographic or violent websites, China has said.

But China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology later said that use of the software was not compulsory and that it was possible to uninstall the program.

Tests carried out on Green Dam outside China also showed that it left PCs open to many different security risks, including being hijacked.

Petitions calling for Green Dam to be scrapped have circulated widely within China, which has the world's largest net-using population.

news.bbc.co.uk]]>
Access to Google has been disrupted in some parts of China, amid a row over what Chinese citizens should be allowed to view over the internet.

Users reported they could not access either Google's search engine or its Chinese-language version.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang accused Google of spreading pornography and breaking Chinese law.

The move came as the US called on China to scrap its plan to put net-filtering software on all new computers.

China has demanded that all computers come supplied with software called Green Dam Youth Escort from 1 July, which it says would filter out pornographic content.

Separately, google.com and some of its products, such as its mail service, were not available in China from Wednesday night to Thursday morning Beijing time, according to Chinese portal Sohu.com.

Most users were able to connect on Thursday, though it was unclear exactly how widespread the disruption actually was. Google said it was investigating the outage.

The disruption to Google's services reported by users in Beijing and Shanghai comes a week after China accused Google of deliberately linking to "pornographic and vulgar" websites and ordered it to stop.

"We have found that Google has spread a lot of pornographic content, which is a serious violation of Chinese laws and regulations," Mr Qin told reporters on Thursday.

He urged the company to abide by local rules, but said he had no specific details on the outage.

Meanwhile, the US said China's proposed internet filter would violate China's free trade obligations, weaken computer security and raise serious censorship concerns.

"Mandating technically flawed Green Dam software and denying manufacturers and consumers freedom to select filtering software is an unnecessary and unjustified means to achieve that objective, and poses a serious barrier to trade," said US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The latest comment raises the concern about a broader trade war between the US and China over everything from computer security to chicken poultry imports.

It came a day after it filed an unfair trade complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over raw material exports.

The US is now complaining that putting such pressure on manufacturers to pre-install or supply the software would violate China's WTO free trade obligations.

The software, Green Dam Youth Escort, has been heavily criticised by Chinese internet users, and even parts of the state media.

It appears to have been badly written, and parts of it may have been lifted from a rival US software filter.

Critics says it will put computers at greater risk from hackers.

It works by looking for fleshtones, as well as keywords, but has also been found to block sites which contain lots of the colour pink.

"China is putting companies in an untenable position by requiring them, with virtually no public notice, to pre-install software that appears to have broad-based censorship implications and network security issues," said US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

The Green Dam Youth Escort software was created to stop people looking at "offensive" content such as pornographic or violent websites, China has said.

But China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology later said that use of the software was not compulsory and that it was possible to uninstall the program.

Tests carried out on Green Dam outside China also showed that it left PCs open to many different security risks, including being hijacked.

Petitions calling for Green Dam to be scrapped have circulated widely within China, which has the world's largest net-using population.

news.bbc.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[$90,000,00 Australian Dollars Get Your Lotto Ticket.]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6180 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:58:42 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6180
Do you want to join in and make some real income?

There are several great affiliate programs run by established multi million dollar companies that are booming because of the recession.

These are based on lotto, singles and advertising.

Most of the people looking at online business are the unemployed or retired seeking some extra income and also people who have had their hours of work or wages cut back.

Below is some information taken from a TSC2000europe (Lotto Affiliate Program) information email. This opportunity can be solely done online but is ideally suited for sales reps or business people used to face to face sales.

"There is no doubt that the time to focus on your TSC2000 business is right now, the surge in Australian lottery ticket sales is providing you with the advantage of a growing industry more than 17 million Australian lottery tickets are sold each week in Australia alone an increase of 17% in the last 12 months.


TSC2000 is riding a phenomenal growth wave as a result of the increase in lottery ticket sales and the fact that people are looking for opportunities to generate income to beat the recession.
The leaders of our group have worked closely together to establish monthly seminars across Australia and overseas providing a professional support system for all members to build strong and successful businesses."


Please read my articles if you want to get a good opportunity and cash in on this.

Read this first as many online business are scams or won't be around this time next year.

Online Business Advise

http://www.apsense.com/article/119950.html

The Syndicate Club

http://www.apsense.com/article/124486.html

(Tueday Lotto July 2 First Prize Pool Exceeds $90 Million AUD)

5 Great Income Earners

http://www.apsense.com/article/119950.html

Get Lots Of Website Visitors

http://www.apsense.com/article/129330.html

Do some research and them come and join me in a real online affiliate business and learn to make fulltime income online. I will personally support you and provide you with a complete marketing information kit at no cost.

Michael Clayton]]>
Do you want to join in and make some real income?

There are several great affiliate programs run by established multi million dollar companies that are booming because of the recession.

These are based on lotto, singles and advertising.

Most of the people looking at online business are the unemployed or retired seeking some extra income and also people who have had their hours of work or wages cut back.

Below is some information taken from a TSC2000europe (Lotto Affiliate Program) information email. This opportunity can be solely done online but is ideally suited for sales reps or business people used to face to face sales.

"There is no doubt that the time to focus on your TSC2000 business is right now, the surge in Australian lottery ticket sales is providing you with the advantage of a growing industry more than 17 million Australian lottery tickets are sold each week in Australia alone an increase of 17% in the last 12 months.


TSC2000 is riding a phenomenal growth wave as a result of the increase in lottery ticket sales and the fact that people are looking for opportunities to generate income to beat the recession.
The leaders of our group have worked closely together to establish monthly seminars across Australia and overseas providing a professional support system for all members to build strong and successful businesses."


Please read my articles if you want to get a good opportunity and cash in on this.

Read this first as many online business are scams or won't be around this time next year.

Online Business Advise

http://www.apsense.com/article/119950.html

The Syndicate Club

http://www.apsense.com/article/124486.html

(Tueday Lotto July 2 First Prize Pool Exceeds $90 Million AUD)

5 Great Income Earners

http://www.apsense.com/article/119950.html

Get Lots Of Website Visitors

http://www.apsense.com/article/129330.html

Do some research and them come and join me in a real online affiliate business and learn to make fulltime income online. I will personally support you and provide you with a complete marketing information kit at no cost.

Michael Clayton]]> <![CDATA[FTC plans to monitor blogs for claims, payments]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6178 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:14:48 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6178
Savvy consumers often go online for independent consumer reviews of products and services, scouring through comments from everyday Joes and Janes to help them find a gem or shun a lemon.

What some fail to realize, though, is that such reviews can be tainted: Many bloggers have accepted perks such as free laptops, trips to Europe, $500 gift cards or even thousands of dollars for a 200-word post. Bloggers vary in how they disclose such freebies, if they do so at all.

The practice has grown to the degree that the Federal Trade Commission is paying attention. New guidelines, expected to be approved late this summer with possible modifications, would clarify that the agency can go after bloggers — as well as the companies that compensate them — for any false claims or failure to disclose conflicts of interest.

It would be the first time the FTC tries to patrol systematically what bloggers say and do online. The common practice of posting a graphical ad or a link to an online retailer — and getting commissions for any sales from it — would be enough to trigger oversight.

"If you walk into a department store, you know the (sales) clerk is a clerk," said Rich Cleland, assistant director in the FTC's division of advertising practices. "Online, if you think that somebody is providing you with independent advice and ... they have an economic motive for what they're saying, that's information a consumer should know."

The guidelines also would bring uniformity to a community that has shunned that.

As blogging rises in importance and sophistication, it has taken on characteristics of community journalism — but without consensus on the types of ethical practices typically found in traditional media.

Journalists who work for newspapers and broadcasters are held accountable by their employers, and they generally cannot receive payments from marketers and must return free products after they finish reviewing them.

The blogosphere is quite different.

"Rules are set by the individuals who create the blog," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. "Some people will accept payments and free gifts, and some people won't. There's no established norm yet."

Bloggers complain that with FTC oversight, they'd be too worried about innocent posts getting them in trouble, and they say they might simply quit or post less frequently.

Between ads on her five blogs and payments from advertisers who want her to review products, Rebecca Empey makes as much as $800 a month, paying the grocery bill for a family of six. She also has received a bird feeder, toys, books and other free goods.

Now the 41-year-old mother of four in New Hartford, N.Y., worries that even a casual mention of an all-natural cold remedy she bought herself would trigger an FTC probe.

"This helped us. This made us feel great. Will I be sued because I didn't hire a scientist to do research?" Empey said.

Empey, whose blogs include New York Traveler and Freaky Frugalite, said she discloses compensation arrangements on a page on her blogs or through a "support my sponsor" logo. She said most of her readers understand that she sometimes gets compensated.

More on this here]]>
Savvy consumers often go online for independent consumer reviews of products and services, scouring through comments from everyday Joes and Janes to help them find a gem or shun a lemon.

What some fail to realize, though, is that such reviews can be tainted: Many bloggers have accepted perks such as free laptops, trips to Europe, $500 gift cards or even thousands of dollars for a 200-word post. Bloggers vary in how they disclose such freebies, if they do so at all.

The practice has grown to the degree that the Federal Trade Commission is paying attention. New guidelines, expected to be approved late this summer with possible modifications, would clarify that the agency can go after bloggers — as well as the companies that compensate them — for any false claims or failure to disclose conflicts of interest.

It would be the first time the FTC tries to patrol systematically what bloggers say and do online. The common practice of posting a graphical ad or a link to an online retailer — and getting commissions for any sales from it — would be enough to trigger oversight.

"If you walk into a department store, you know the (sales) clerk is a clerk," said Rich Cleland, assistant director in the FTC's division of advertising practices. "Online, if you think that somebody is providing you with independent advice and ... they have an economic motive for what they're saying, that's information a consumer should know."

The guidelines also would bring uniformity to a community that has shunned that.

As blogging rises in importance and sophistication, it has taken on characteristics of community journalism — but without consensus on the types of ethical practices typically found in traditional media.

Journalists who work for newspapers and broadcasters are held accountable by their employers, and they generally cannot receive payments from marketers and must return free products after they finish reviewing them.

The blogosphere is quite different.

"Rules are set by the individuals who create the blog," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. "Some people will accept payments and free gifts, and some people won't. There's no established norm yet."

Bloggers complain that with FTC oversight, they'd be too worried about innocent posts getting them in trouble, and they say they might simply quit or post less frequently.

Between ads on her five blogs and payments from advertisers who want her to review products, Rebecca Empey makes as much as $800 a month, paying the grocery bill for a family of six. She also has received a bird feeder, toys, books and other free goods.

Now the 41-year-old mother of four in New Hartford, N.Y., worries that even a casual mention of an all-natural cold remedy she bought herself would trigger an FTC probe.

"This helped us. This made us feel great. Will I be sued because I didn't hire a scientist to do research?" Empey said.

Empey, whose blogs include New York Traveler and Freaky Frugalite, said she discloses compensation arrangements on a page on her blogs or through a "support my sponsor" logo. She said most of her readers understand that she sometimes gets compensated.

More on this here]]> <![CDATA[Honey pots costing £55 each sell out]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6177 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:43:20 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6177
The honey is famed for its apparent health benefits, including easing gum disease, treating sore throats, acne, sunburn and easing digestive problems.

It originates in New Zealand, the native land of the manuka bush which the bees used to gather their nectar.

But now the Tregothnan estate in Cornwall has built 6ft hives for their colonies of bees to harvest their own manuka bushes.

Manuka has been grown at Tregothnan since the 19th century after being introduced to its extensive gardens.

The manuka blooms were sold as cut flowers by the estate but three years ago they began to explore using the plantation for honey. They brought in two £5,000 hives designed to maintain the right temperature and humidity.

The Tregothnan manuka honey was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Director of the estate Jonathon Jones said the first batch, on sale at Fortnum & Mason and through the estate shop, has already sold out.

"People are happy to pay a premium for manuka and it has become so well known over the past 10 years, we have now put something English into it," he said.

"All stocks have sold out and we now need to see what happens over the next four to six weeks.

"The flowers are out now and we are watching carefully each day.

"The bees really work hard when the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius so if the weather stays nice over the next 10 days it could be a bumper crop."

The estate has been in the hands of the Boscawen family since 1335 and stretches for more than 50 miles down to Land's End.

The sixth Viscount Falmouth, Evelyn Boscawen, and his brother introduced rhododendrons and planted the first outdoor camellias in Europe in the 19th century.

The manuka bushes were first brought to Tregothnan from New Zealand in 1888 by Canon Arthur Boscawen.

"We can do it because botanical curiosities is what we like to do and the family who have owned Tregothnan since 1335 have always had that passion," said Mr Jones.

"We have had visits from manuka specialists from New Zealand and we have had offers from honey producers to do their own research, which we are happy to do."

telegraph.co.uk]]>
The honey is famed for its apparent health benefits, including easing gum disease, treating sore throats, acne, sunburn and easing digestive problems.

It originates in New Zealand, the native land of the manuka bush which the bees used to gather their nectar.

But now the Tregothnan estate in Cornwall has built 6ft hives for their colonies of bees to harvest their own manuka bushes.

Manuka has been grown at Tregothnan since the 19th century after being introduced to its extensive gardens.

The manuka blooms were sold as cut flowers by the estate but three years ago they began to explore using the plantation for honey. They brought in two £5,000 hives designed to maintain the right temperature and humidity.

The Tregothnan manuka honey was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Director of the estate Jonathon Jones said the first batch, on sale at Fortnum & Mason and through the estate shop, has already sold out.

"People are happy to pay a premium for manuka and it has become so well known over the past 10 years, we have now put something English into it," he said.

"All stocks have sold out and we now need to see what happens over the next four to six weeks.

"The flowers are out now and we are watching carefully each day.

"The bees really work hard when the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius so if the weather stays nice over the next 10 days it could be a bumper crop."

The estate has been in the hands of the Boscawen family since 1335 and stretches for more than 50 miles down to Land's End.

The sixth Viscount Falmouth, Evelyn Boscawen, and his brother introduced rhododendrons and planted the first outdoor camellias in Europe in the 19th century.

The manuka bushes were first brought to Tregothnan from New Zealand in 1888 by Canon Arthur Boscawen.

"We can do it because botanical curiosities is what we like to do and the family who have owned Tregothnan since 1335 have always had that passion," said Mr Jones.

"We have had visits from manuka specialists from New Zealand and we have had offers from honey producers to do their own research, which we are happy to do."

telegraph.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Antioxidants can slow blindness]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6176 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:52:37 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6176
Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from the Queen's University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science found nutritional supplements helped sharpen vision.

The worked in patients with age-related macular regeneration, (AMD) an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision.

More than 400 people across Ireland, with an average age of 77, took part in clinical trials investigating whether rich antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables could prevent progression to the more serious late AMD.

The study showed the intake of high levels preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early AMD to late AMD.

In contrast, the macular pigments of participants in a group given placebos declined steadily.

Prof Chakravarthy said: "These findings are important because this is the first randomised controlled clinical trial to document a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained macular pigment

"Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the numbers needed to treat to prevent one case from progressing from early to late AMD."

The study was funded by eyecare companies Dr Mann Pharma and Bausch and Lomb and sponsored by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Details of the research findings are being presented in Belfast today by the professor and Dr Beatty who is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Waterford Regional Hospital.

Telegraph.co.uk]]>
Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from the Queen's University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science found nutritional supplements helped sharpen vision.

The worked in patients with age-related macular regeneration, (AMD) an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision.

More than 400 people across Ireland, with an average age of 77, took part in clinical trials investigating whether rich antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables could prevent progression to the more serious late AMD.

The study showed the intake of high levels preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early AMD to late AMD.

In contrast, the macular pigments of participants in a group given placebos declined steadily.

Prof Chakravarthy said: "These findings are important because this is the first randomised controlled clinical trial to document a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained macular pigment

"Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the numbers needed to treat to prevent one case from progressing from early to late AMD."

The study was funded by eyecare companies Dr Mann Pharma and Bausch and Lomb and sponsored by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Details of the research findings are being presented in Belfast today by the professor and Dr Beatty who is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Waterford Regional Hospital.

Telegraph.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[Ban Smoking in Cars?]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6175 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:45:44 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6175
Professor Terence Stephenson argued it should be illegal to inflict smoke on youngsters in cars and rejected claims that it amounted to introducing the nanny state.

"We should make it illegal to smoke in cars when children are in the vehicle," he said.

"Why on earth would you light up in your car whilst your children are sitting quite happily in the back?

"On the assumption that you wouldn't pass the packet round and invite the kids to light up, why make them breathe tobacco smoke at all?

"You can't inflict this on your colleagues at work any more. Why should we treat our children's health as a lower priority than our employees?"

Prof Stephenson, writing for the BBC website's Scrubbing Up column, said that as a health professional sometimes "you just can't win".

He added: "If you act to make people safer, you get accused of introducing the nanny state.

"If you let people make their own decisions, you get accused of neglect.

"It is admittedly slightly easier when children are involved - we are naturally risk-averse with our own children and by extension with other people's - this is legitimate nanny territory."

Press Association]]>
Professor Terence Stephenson argued it should be illegal to inflict smoke on youngsters in cars and rejected claims that it amounted to introducing the nanny state.

"We should make it illegal to smoke in cars when children are in the vehicle," he said.

"Why on earth would you light up in your car whilst your children are sitting quite happily in the back?

"On the assumption that you wouldn't pass the packet round and invite the kids to light up, why make them breathe tobacco smoke at all?

"You can't inflict this on your colleagues at work any more. Why should we treat our children's health as a lower priority than our employees?"

Prof Stephenson, writing for the BBC website's Scrubbing Up column, said that as a health professional sometimes "you just can't win".

He added: "If you act to make people safer, you get accused of introducing the nanny state.

"If you let people make their own decisions, you get accused of neglect.

"It is admittedly slightly easier when children are involved - we are naturally risk-averse with our own children and by extension with other people's - this is legitimate nanny territory."

Press Association]]> <![CDATA[Large Blue butterfly flutters back from extinction, thanks to a tiny ant]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6174 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:27:37 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6174
However a new study into what is described as the most successful insect reintroduction programme in the world has revealed that it is flourishing again thanks to one species of ant.

Scientists said they helped re-establish the butterfly after they realised its life cycle was completely dependent on a species of ant called Myrmica sabuleti.

There are now tens of thousands living in more than 30 colonies across the south west of England

The scientists discovered that the large blue caterpillar hatches on thyme buds and then tricks the ants into believing it is one of their own grubs.

Ants then carry it underground to their nest where it feeds on the ant grubs for 10 months before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.

The Large Blue – which despite its name has a wingspan of just under two inches – was hit by changes in grazing and myxomatosis in rabbits which left grassland too tall and shady for the heat-loving ant.

The discovery by Professor Jeremy Thomas, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, that the Large Blue only survived in the nests of one species of ant came too late to save it from extinction.

But the evidence he and colleagues gathered that changes to habitat were doing the damage allowed for its successful reintroduction from 1984.

A suitable habitat was restored on 50 former sites, and the Large Blue can now be found on 33 of them in south west England, with two of the largest colonies supporting between 4,000 and 5,000 adults – populations not seen in the UK since the 1950s.

Many of the sites are owned and managed by conservation organisations including the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts, while Network Rail has also created habitats on railway embankments.

The creation of habitat has allowed large blues – taken from a population in Sweden – to be successfully re-released in the UK and has also benefited other wildlife.

The scientists behind the scheme said the reintroduction showed it was possible to reverse the decline of threatened species – once the reasons for falling numbers were understood.

Sir David Attenborough said: "The restoration of the Large Blue butterfly to Britain is a remarkable success story, illustrating the power of ecological research to reverse damaging environmental changes.

"It is, moreover, a tribute to the dedication of many practical conservationists who have skillfully recreated its specialised habitat in our countryside."

Telegraph.co.uk]]>
However a new study into what is described as the most successful insect reintroduction programme in the world has revealed that it is flourishing again thanks to one species of ant.

Scientists said they helped re-establish the butterfly after they realised its life cycle was completely dependent on a species of ant called Myrmica sabuleti.

There are now tens of thousands living in more than 30 colonies across the south west of England

The scientists discovered that the large blue caterpillar hatches on thyme buds and then tricks the ants into believing it is one of their own grubs.

Ants then carry it underground to their nest where it feeds on the ant grubs for 10 months before pupating and emerging as a butterfly.

The Large Blue – which despite its name has a wingspan of just under two inches – was hit by changes in grazing and myxomatosis in rabbits which left grassland too tall and shady for the heat-loving ant.

The discovery by Professor Jeremy Thomas, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, that the Large Blue only survived in the nests of one species of ant came too late to save it from extinction.

But the evidence he and colleagues gathered that changes to habitat were doing the damage allowed for its successful reintroduction from 1984.

A suitable habitat was restored on 50 former sites, and the Large Blue can now be found on 33 of them in south west England, with two of the largest colonies supporting between 4,000 and 5,000 adults – populations not seen in the UK since the 1950s.

Many of the sites are owned and managed by conservation organisations including the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts, while Network Rail has also created habitats on railway embankments.

The creation of habitat has allowed large blues – taken from a population in Sweden – to be successfully re-released in the UK and has also benefited other wildlife.

The scientists behind the scheme said the reintroduction showed it was possible to reverse the decline of threatened species – once the reasons for falling numbers were understood.

Sir David Attenborough said: "The restoration of the Large Blue butterfly to Britain is a remarkable success story, illustrating the power of ecological research to reverse damaging environmental changes.

"It is, moreover, a tribute to the dedication of many practical conservationists who have skillfully recreated its specialised habitat in our countryside."

Telegraph.co.uk]]> <![CDATA[70% of Britons say taxes too high]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6173 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:22:27 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6173
Around 70% of people said they did not think the amount of tax they paid was reflected in the services they received and only 15% said they would be prepared to pay more money to get better services.

But despite thinking tax levels are too high, 43% of people said they would prefer to pay tax upfront, rather than hand over money through stealth taxes, according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Only 9% of those questioned said they were fully aware and took advantage of tax breaks, while 6% admitted they did not completely understand what happened to the money they paid in taxes.

Council tax emerged as being the most unpopular tax, with 40% of people saying it was the tax they most resented paying.

The research, which was based on responses from 1,999 people, was published to coincide with an ACCA policy paper calling for the UK tax system to be made more open and accountable.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at ACCA, said: "Central to our policy paper is the need for governments to ensure their tax systems are truly accountable and that people understand why they are paying their taxes.

"Our survey shows that we still have some way to go in the UK. Legislation also needs to be clear - no more stealth taxes, no more unexplained tax hikes. Regimes need to be user friendly for both business and individuals alike."

Pressassociation]]>
Around 70% of people said they did not think the amount of tax they paid was reflected in the services they received and only 15% said they would be prepared to pay more money to get better services.

But despite thinking tax levels are too high, 43% of people said they would prefer to pay tax upfront, rather than hand over money through stealth taxes, according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Only 9% of those questioned said they were fully aware and took advantage of tax breaks, while 6% admitted they did not completely understand what happened to the money they paid in taxes.

Council tax emerged as being the most unpopular tax, with 40% of people saying it was the tax they most resented paying.

The research, which was based on responses from 1,999 people, was published to coincide with an ACCA policy paper calling for the UK tax system to be made more open and accountable.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at ACCA, said: "Central to our policy paper is the need for governments to ensure their tax systems are truly accountable and that people understand why they are paying their taxes.

"Our survey shows that we still have some way to go in the UK. Legislation also needs to be clear - no more stealth taxes, no more unexplained tax hikes. Regimes need to be user friendly for both business and individuals alike."

Pressassociation]]> <![CDATA[Hi!]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6172 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:57:48 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6172 I am from Jordan
(06-14-2009 06:57 PM)osama93 Wrote:  Hello
I am from Jordan-amman.
]]> I am from Jordan
(06-14-2009 06:57 PM)osama93 Wrote:  Hello
I am from Jordan-amman.
]]> <![CDATA[BBC tells Terry Wogan, Jeremy Clarkson and others to expect pay cuts]]> http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6171 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:41:31 -0700 http://www.dailytalkforum.com/showthread.php?tid=6171
Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, called the corporation’s best known names to its West London headquarters to warn them that they would have to expect reduced offers whenever their contracts came up for renewal.

With figures such as Bruce Forsyth, Robert Peston and Mariella Frostrup listening in, Mr Thompson made “very clear what the impact of the economic climate means to the BBC”, according to one who was present at the Monday night meeting.

The BBC is aiming to make savings of 25 per cent and wants to deflect criticism about salaries such as the £6 million a year it pays Jonathan Ross. BBC insiders even hope that a high-profile name could walk out in a row over pay, to allow the corporation to say that it is refusing to meet overpriced salary demands.

A BBC spokesman said: “No organisation is immune from the economic climate and we have to find substantial savings. Talent fees are not excluded from the economic pressures faced across the organisation and these will be reflected in our ongoing negotiations.”

The corporation wants to save £400 million between now and the early part of the next decade, to reflect the fact that it has not been able to make as much money as it hoped from planned property disposals, such as the sale of Television Centre.

Executives concede that rather than achieving pay cuts on salaries like Wogan’s £800,000 a year, it might try to get better value by ensuring that they appear on air more.

Last month, Mr Thompson told The House magazine: “We will reduce the total amount we spend on top talent, and have already agreed some new contracts for less than we have paid in the past.” He believes that the BBC’s negotiating position has strengthened because ITV and Channel 4 are struggling financially as advertising is reduced because of the recession.

Stars’ salaries are never disclosed by the BBC, which will make it impossible to verify if the target is ever achieved. Last Thursday, a hard-hitting MPs’ report said that confidentiality agreements between the BBC and top radio stars were preventing full scrutiny of the way the corporation spent public money.

Timesonline]]>
Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, called the corporation’s best known names to its West London headquarters to warn them that they would have to expect reduced offers whenever their contracts came up for renewal.

With figures such as Bruce Forsyth, Robert Peston and Mariella Frostrup listening in, Mr Thompson made “very clear what the impact of the economic climate means to the BBC”, according to one who was present at the Monday night meeting.

The BBC is aiming to make savings of 25 per cent and wants to deflect criticism about salaries such as the £6 million a year it pays Jonathan Ross. BBC insiders even hope that a high-profile name could walk out in a row over pay, to allow the corporation to say that it is refusing to meet overpriced salary demands.

A BBC spokesman said: “No organisation is immune from the economic climate and we have to find substantial savings. Talent fees are not excluded from the economic pressures faced across the organisation and these will be reflected in our ongoing negotiations.”

The corporation wants to save £400 million between now and the early part of the next decade, to reflect the fact that it has not been able to make as much money as it hoped from planned property disposals, such as the sale of Television Centre.

Executives concede that rather than achieving pay cuts on salaries like Wogan’s £800,000 a year, it might try to get better value by ensuring that they appear on air more.

Last month, Mr Thompson told The House magazine: “We will reduce the total amount we spend on top talent, and have already agreed some new contracts for less than we have paid in the past.” He believes that the BBC’s negotiating position has strengthened because ITV and Channel 4 are struggling financially as advertising is reduced because of the recession.

Stars’ salaries are never disclosed by the BBC, which will make it impossible to verify if the target is ever achieved. Last Thursday, a hard-hitting MPs’ report said that confidentiality agreements between the BBC and top radio stars were preventing full scrutiny of the way the corporation spent public money.

Timesonline]]>