Major Developments

John Garang Killed In A Helicopter Crash

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:58:57 +0000

John Garang was Sudanese Vice President and former rebel leader and played a key role in the country’s fledgling peace deal. He was killed in a helicopter crash and found dead early Monday near Pirre, a mountainous region near the Kenyan and Sudanese borders and it was believed to have done crash-landing. Sudanese government and the head of the SPLA announced that bad weather was the main reason behind this incident.

The 60-year-old former rebel acted as Vice President for less than a month. He was sworn in as vice president just three weeks ago. During his political carrier he performed following action:

He provided helpful hand in southern Sudan development
He raised voice against autonomy and power-sharing issues.
He made power-sharing agreement and a new constitution deal which helped to create a new chapter in Sudan peace

His Sudden death is considered as a major cause to end two-decades-long civil war.

Deep Impact – A NASA Mission to Study the Comets

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:55:48 +0000

Deep Impact was a NASA’s space probe launched on 12 January 2005. This was designed to study the composition of the comets.

The major objective of this mission was to find the answer for the following fundamental questions of a comet:

Composition of the comet’s nucleus
What depth the crater would reach from the impact
Where the comet originated in its formation

To determine the answers for these questions, a robotic spacecraft left the gravity well of Earth and impacted a comet. This spacecraft was 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) long, 1.7 meters (5.6 ft) wide and 2.3 meters (7.5 ft) high. It consists two solar panels, a debris shield, and several science instruments for taking accurate pictures.

Deep impact has completed four crucial phases:

Launch and commissioning phase
Cruise phase,
Approach phase
Impact phase.

Finally, on 4^th July the impact process occurred successfully. After successful completion of the Deep Impact’s mission, all the queries and suspense, which was earlier uncertain of a comet, were resolved.

Automobile Industry Suffers Recession

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:38 +0000

Recession started to effect on global scale economy from the mid of 2008. This resulted in declining automobile sales and triggered widespread automotive industry crisis. This recession majorly affected the US automotive car industry. Many US car manufacturers face the problem of bailout and restructuring.

As per the New York Times, recession occurred mainly to US car industry because of bad business practices by “Big Three” U.S. automakers. These are:

General Motors
Ford
Chrysler

This fact can be justified by the example of Asian car manufacturer. These foreign-owned car companies also manufacture automobile in US and experienced no such problems. They have deep pockets and ample credits.

Because of following reason the US Big Three suffered in the recession:

Expensive automobile fuels price in the 2003-2008 oil crisis led to turn from SUV’s (sport utility vehicles)
High labor costs and their other counterparts like salaries, benefits, healthcare, and pensions.
Uncompetitive cost structures

The year 2008 heavily destructed the US automobile industry.

North American Cars And Truck Awards: 2010

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:46:13 +0000

North American cars and truck awards are the most prestigious award in automotive industry. These awards are judged by 50 most experienced and respective journalist of Canada and US. They represent newspaper, magazine, website and many more.

In 2010, 49 veteran journalists judged awards. This year Ford fusion hybrid bagged the North American car of the year award and Ford Transit Connect won the North American truck of the year award.

This is the third time in 17 years of awards ceremony when one automaker has won both awards. Earlier in the year of 2006 and 2007 Honda and General Motor respectively won both awards.

The major objective of this award is to search the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors like innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, price value.

To win this award vehicle must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the earlier design.

Three finalists for North America car of the year are:

The Ford Fusion Hybrid with 241 points
The Volkswagen with 146 points
The Buick LaCrosse with 103 points

Three finalists for North America truck of the year are:

The Transit Connect with 213 points
The Chevrolet Equinox with 183 points
The Subaru Outback with 94 points

Last year the North American Car of the Year award was won by the Hyundai Genesis where as North American Truck of the Year award was won by the Ford F-150.

Racism Incidence Reached At Highest Level In France

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:58:39 +0000

Racism is generally described as a belief that a certain race or races represent undesirable qualities. Racism incidences are anti-Semitic and native person on non-native person does racist attacks. Racist and anti-Semitic attacks includes act of violence, threats and intimidation to non- native persons.

As per the survey of National Consultative Commission of Human Rights, racism’s incidence reached to its highest level in France. As compared to last year, nearly attacks soared 90 per cent in France. It started in the year 2000. 833 racist attacks were registered in 2003, where as in 2004 it increases to 1,565 attacks.

Official research report of National Consultative Commission of Human Rights stated that Jews and Muslims were the major victims of racist attacks. The number of attacks on Muslims was 232 in 2003 where as it increases to 532 in the year of 2004. Far-right supporters undertook majority of violent attacks. These all attacks on non-native persons created a serious problem in French social life.

Winter Olympics Started With A Huge Crash

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:05:38 +0000

Sweden’s Patrik Jaerbyn suffered a immense crash in Winter Olympics super G and was airlifted (flied) off piste. The Dave Murray piste on Whistler Mountain had a severe course conditions on it.

Patrik Jaerbyn encountered a dreadful fall in the super G at the Winter Olympics. The 40-year-old Swedish veteran captured an edge and was projected air born. He was turned overturned in the air, and settled on his back. The fall seemed to temporarily hit Jaerbyn out as he slid stationary down the hill. He was flying and was immediately airlifted off by the mountain. As the course of conditions start to settle down, the super G, became fearsome due to this dangerous incident. This race was kept on hold.

Britain’s bobsleigh team John Jackson and Dan Money walked out from a terrifying crash at the time of the heats. Jackson and Money lost control over their sled five curves present at the end of their heat one run and it overturned (reversed).

Biggest And Historical UN World Summit Held In U.S.A

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:51:29 +0000

A summit meeting is a meeting of heads of different countries generally with considerable media attention and a prearranged outline.

The 2005 World Summit was held between 14^th to 16^th September 2005 in New-York city and it was a largest gathering of world leaders in a history. This summit represented by 192 states members including numerous heads of state and heads of government. The summit was a follow-up to the United Nations 2000 Millennium Summit meeting.

The major objective of this summit was to discuss the Millennium Declaration of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which include extreme poverty, reducing child mortality rates, fighting disease like AIDS, and global partnership for development^.

At the end of summit, many important agreements were agreed and amended by world leaders. These agreements include the following:

Protect people suffering gross human rights violations
Promote and protect human rights around the world
Prevent violence all around the world
Peace agreements conclusion

Impact Of Indian Ocean’s Tsunami

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:09:21 +0000

The largest earthquake in 40 years, striked the floor of the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. Thus, this earthquake triggered a tsunami so powerful that, its waves caused heavy casualties on the coast of Africa as well as the East Coast of the United States. This was the deadliest tsunami in history.

The estimation stated that deaths exceeded more than 225,000. Overall, it affected eleven countries bordering around the Indian Ocean. Majorly affected countries were Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the Maldives. Poor and vulnerable suffered most by the tsunami. Millions were left homeless after the disaster of tsunami.

Major damages by tsunami were the destruction of entire cities, the contamination of farmland and forests and the depletion of fishing stocks. Even countries with low death tolls had suffered enormous damage. For example Maldives. It suffered the damage of 62% loss in its GDP. Tsunami also affected badly to the development and economy of various countries.

IRA Abandoned Armed Campaign, A Peaceful Hope

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:47:09 +0000

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) was an Irish republican paramilitary organization founded to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom by force of arms and political persuasion. After the 30 years of violence, IRA abandoned their armed campaign because of following reasons:

IRA army council wanted to win its freedom campaign with democratic and peace paths.
Pressure from Britain and other countries.

On 28 July 2005, IRA army council announced to end its armed campaign following announcement:

IRA members will dump their weapon.
IRA will never engage in “any other activities” except “the development of political and democratic programs”.

Furthermore, to seize its arms beyond use and to enhance public confidence, the IRA organization authorized its representatives to engage immediately with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).

Hence, on 25 September 2005, the disarmament process of the IRA completed. Under the IICD Chairman John de Chastelain, all arms had been “put beyond use”. Thus it was a significant and vital step towards the path of peace.

Steve Irwin Died Doing What He Loved Most

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:13:21 +0000

The world famous Television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin died from a stingray wound while filming a TV series for his daughter’s new TV series in September 2006.

According to his colleagues, he came over the top of a stingray and it whacked its tail into his chest and punctured his heart. They said that he might have died immediately. He met his “demise” while working with the wildlife, which he loved most.

Steve Irwin had plenty of “close shaves” while working with various dangerous animals. It is a very tragic incident as he died due to stingray attack, which are generally calm animals. They rarely attack humans.

The 44-year-old conservationist left behind his American-born wife Terri and two children, daughter Bindi Sue (8), and son Robert Clarence (3).

In 1992, he made a documentary called The Crocodile Hunter, which later became a world-famous TV series. From then he is known as the Crocodile Hunter all over the world. He was one of the world’s most passionate conservationists of nature and animals.

Millions of fans and animal lovers worldwide love Steve and his work. We all miss our great hero.

Different Innovative Car Models of 2005

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:40:14 +0000

The year 2005 was a strong season for new and redesigned models of cars. Consumer’s got plenty of options from car dealers this year. After this success, manufacturers promised to develop plenty of new models in the coming years. A renewed emphasis on passenger cars, sports cars and family cars were apparent among the new and redesigned models of 2005.

New sports cars provide many high performance specifications to consumers. For example, the exclusive release of limited-production Ford GT super car. In the passenger-car segment, Chrysler kept its new rear-wheel release. It was the 300 Sedan, which includes Hemi-powered 300C technology. A redesigned M45 from Infiniti was also debuted in the spring of 2005.

Apart from these various super models many other designed cars were also launched. These were smaller crop of SUVs, add vans, new versions of Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicle and Tuner. Thus, overall 2005 model cars showcased various innovative shades in automotive industry.

Race To Shorten the Automotive Development Time

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:36:58 +0000

Manufacturers in the automotive industry are constantly looking for new ways to maintain their competitiveness. Only developing innovative products as soon as possible could make a difference. To be top seller in the market, manufacturers have to suffer various pressures like reducing product development time, safety issues, fuel efficiency, warranty costs, and styling. These goals are set to meet the increased demands and expectations.

Time-to-market policy is a critical issue in manufacturing industry. As per this policy competitor manufacturer has to launch his product as soon as possible. It all because if the same design is launched by other manufacturer before them in market, then the value of this innovation will get lost. A few days delay could result in a loss of millions of dollars loss. So, to reduce automotive development time and to achieve desired goals, manufactures are using engineering simulation technologies. Simulation technologies includes following major steps:

Integrated simulation
Refining ride
Racecar design
CFD for design improvement
Advanced aerodynamics
Engine development

Manufacturers, to win the race of competitiveness in the automotive market did make all these developments. This race to market yields many profits to customers like lower engineering costs, reduced prototypes tooling costs, and best product from core teams.

The Impact Of Hybrid Cars On The 2005 Automotive Industry

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:10:36 +0000

Hybrid vehicles are a kind of automobiles which use two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It is generally referred as a hybrid electric vehicle.

Hybrid cars were introduced since 1902 and they had a tremendous effect on automotive field. In the year of 2005, many major changes were implemented in hybrid car industry. With this development, about 200,000 hybrids cars of different models were launched and sold in the year of 2005. There has been an estimation to sell 3 million cars year within a decade.

Toyota and Honda were the leading manufactures in this global hybrid market. The Toyota Prius was the super seller brand over all other hybrid car models. About 107,897 units were sold in the year 2005. It represented 52 percent sale of the total hybrid car market. The next most popular hybrid was the Honda Civic Hybrid, of which over 25,000 vehicles were sold.

This fast sales growth in hybrid car market clearly shows that a new trend towards the hybrid car adoption is emerging.

India to Set Up More De-Addiction Centres

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:54:04 +0000

There are many concerns rising on drug addiction in India. This is mainly due to the increased movement in the drug trade in India in recent times. Moreover there is no credible data providing an insight into the drug abuse situation in India. This has increased the importance of setting up the de addiction centers. A Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment said that he has suggested setting up more of these centres across India.

International Narcotic Control Board ’ s (INCB) 2009 annual report states that the rate of drug abuse is high among teenagers and young adults. The report also revealed that there is increase in young women abusing drugs. It also mentioned that nightclubs, discotheques, bars, music festivals as well as colleges and universities are the prime locations for the messages to spread from adults to the teenagers.

The report said that the primary prevention strategies need to focus on the whole population of the country. This kind of strategies can reduce demands for drugs as well as identify all the drug addicts.

It said that primary prevention should be started with parents, by raising their awareness of dangers of unhealthy practices of drugs and harmful effects of drug addiction. Drug education is an important method to help teens deter drug use.

BPO Companies in India Provide Awareness on Substance Addiction

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:09:55 +0000

Substance addiction is one of the growing concerns for many employers in India. Business Process Outsourcing companies, which serve consumers in countries such as Australia, United Kingdom and the United States of America, are more concerned about employee drug addiction.

Employees in these companies are more vulnerable to drug addiction as many employees are just out of college and are between 18 and 30 years. These young people undergo rigorous training, put in long hours, and make many calls each night. Long working hours, high earning capacities and little awareness makes them vulnerable to these substances. Some people get into these unhealthy habits due to curiosity or just to experiment. Soon they will get addicted to them and destroy themselves.

According to the 2004 National Survey on the substance abuse by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), nearly 73 million people in this country consume illicit drugs including alcohol. The drug or alcohol addiction can affect the company in terms of absenteeism, and medical leaves, reduced productivity, and accidents or errors at job.

Understanding the harmful effects of drug addiction, five companies joined the programme organized by UNODC to prevent the substance use. It should be noted that there is no taboo in talking about drugs their impact on people’s lives. Drug detection and awareness enhances productivity as well as employee welfare. Also detecting drug addicts at work and counseling them makes working environment safe.

Yoga Pant With Knee Pads from Fila

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:48:53 +0000

Fila USA has recently introduced a new Yoga pant with padding innovation to its spring 2010 women’s personal performance collection. This Yoga pant is the first of its kind in the yoga apparel, which comes with the Capri cut Knee Pad. This is the first apparel sensitive to the specific needs of women focused on yoga and Pilates, which involves exercises on floor. Many people are prone to knee discomfort while doing yoga. As the knee has regular contact with the hard floor, this knee pad yoga pant provides much needed cushioning while doing various poses.

Fila’s knee pad yoga pant is available only in black color as of now. It is said that the knee padding in the pant is not spoiling the look. This knee pad is said to be made from 91% of poly and 9% Spandex.

The Knee Pad Yoga Pant has a covered stretch elastic waistband for perfect fit. The retail price of this Knee Pad Yoga Pant from Fila is said to be around $55.

Simple Yoga Poses for Everyone

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:49:34 +0000

Many people believe that yoga can improve health, confidence, and even helps in daily works. But many of them think that yoga is difficult and time consuming. We have mentioned a few yoga poses that are simple and anyone can do them.

These poses will immediately make you feel the powerful benefits of relaxation, improved mental focus, well-being and confidence. With these simple poses, you can loose stress, irritability, insomnia, nervousness and even depression. You will gain more benefits as you practice more.

For these poses you need to breathe in and out only through your nose and don’t forget that breath is the most important part of any pose. Take 3-5 long breaths rather than more short breaths. If you are fit enough, try to repeat each pose three to four times. All these poses can be done alone or you can do along with any other exercises. The following are the poses:

First we will learn about a chair pose. In this pose, put your feet together and stand. Take deep breaths while inhaling as well as exhaling. Then, bend your knees and bring your hands to prayer position slowly. Roll back your shoulders and take 4 or 5 long breaths slowly. Stretch your arms over your head slowly as you feel stronger.

In the next pose lay down on the floor lining up shoulders, wrists hips and knees. Slowly raise your right arm to your shoulder level while raising your left leg to the level of your hip. Take 4 or 5 long breaths as we have discussed earlier keeping your hips even and your belly gently moving towards the spine.

Next we will do plank pose. First position yourself as in a traditional push-up. Then take 4 or 5 long breaths. Bend your elbows little bit and straighten them. Repeat the same process for 4 to 5 times. After some practice you will get enough strength to bend your arms to 90 degrees.

Honda increases the car recall that is already reaching 1 million

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:57:03 +0000

Honda expanded its global recall of cars because of a problem in the airbags to another 437,000 vehicles globally. This adds to the vows of the auto industry that is already suffering from the massive recall announced by the top global car manufacturer Toyota that ran into more than 8 millions. Honda has been increasing the number of recalls since it first announced the fault in the airbags 15 months back. The issue is old but it is gained more focus in the midst of the biggest recall of Toyota.

This massive recall also included some models that date back to 2001 and 2002. However, there is no question about the impact on the future sales and reputation of the Japanese auto major in the international markets. They will be some erosion in the brand value in the developed markets where there are more substitutes for the segments. But in the long run this will increase the trust on the company.

Know About the Substance Abuse Facts in America

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:16:32 +0000

Illicit drug abuse is the major concern of health problems in America. Millions of people of different age and gender are abusing the illicit drugs. Illicit drugs of abuse include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants.

According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2008, around 20.1 million Americans aged 12 or older were illicit drug abusers in 2008. This represents 8.0 percent of the population aged 12 years old or older are drug abusers.

According to the survey, Marijuana was the most commonly abused drug with 15.2 million abusers. There were about 1.9 million cocaine abusers aged 12 or older in 2008. Prescription drugs are also one of the major drugs of abuse with 6.2 million people above 12 years in 2008.

Most illicit drug abusers were employed either full or part time. There were about 12.9 million drug abusers employed in 2008. Many people in America are also driving under the influence of the illicit substances. About 10 million persons aged 12 and above reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs in 2008.

Toyota recalls its vehicles to fix gas pedals

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:39:23 +0000

Toyota’s reputation in the U.S. as a builder of dependable, high-quality cars stumbles due to the concerns over the safety of the passengers. Last year it recalled 4.2 million vehicles over concerns that accelerator pedals could get struck under floor mats, causing sudden acceleration and sometimes leading to accidents. It was the sixth-largest recall ever in the United States. This problem was blamed for several accidents, including an accident involving a Lexus that accelerated to more than 120 mph before crashing.

Toyota recently said that it is recalling more 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix accelerator pedals. The recall includes the vehicles 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2008-2010 Sequoia and the 2007-2010 Tundra.

Toyota said that in some rare cases, the mechanism of gas pedal wears down, making the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return or in some worst cases, it gets stuck.

Toyota recommends that drivers of the recalled vehicles should apply their brakes firmly if the gas pedal gets stuck and immediately approach the local dealer.