Retired U.S. vets sue Donald Rumsfeld for excessive service cutbacks

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

One thousand residents of the Defense Department-managed Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. filed a class-action lawsuit on May 24, asserting that the cut-backs in medical and dental services imposed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld are illegal. The operating budget for the home was reduced from $63 million in 2004 to $58 million for 2005. The residents cite cuts in on-site X-ray, electrocardiogram, physical and dental services, and the closing of the home’s main clinic and an on-site pharmacy.

Chief Financial Officer Steve McManus responded that the changes not only save money but also achieved improved efficiencies. “We’re really trying to improve the benefits to our residents,” he said.

Most of the home’s costs are paid for by a trust fund and monthly fees paid by residents. By law, the Armed Forces Retirement Homes are required to fund, “on-site primary care, medical care and a continuum of long-term care services.”

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Retired_U.S._vets_sue_Donald_Rumsfeld_for_excessive_service_cutbacks&oldid=439433”

Technological University Dublin senior lecturer Dr Lorcan Sirr speaks to Wikinews on housing market in Ireland

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Wikinews correspondent J.J. Liu spoke with Technological University Dublin (TUD) senior lecturer at the School of Surveying & Construction Management, Dr Lorcan Sirr on Friday regarding the supply of housing in the Republic of Ireland and relevant parallels across the rest of Europe, as well as recent developments by the government and private sector that are causing a rise in rents and home prices in the Irish real estate market.

Dr Sirr is a regular contributor to The Irish Times and has provided commentary to Irish radio station Newstalk, national broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) and various other publications. In addition to being a chartered planning and development surveyor and assessor to the Society of Chartered Surveyors, Dr Sirr is a Peace Commissioner and former external examiner for the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, according to his profile on Worky.

Dr Sirr was a lecturer and former head of research for the Faculty of the Built Environment at the Dublin Institute of Technology, which entered a merger with two partner institutes to become TUD January 1, 2019. He received his bachelor’s degree in estate management at the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, and master’s degree in urban design and PhD in town planning at the University of Manchester. He has a second master’s in literature from KU Leuven, Belgium, and speaks French.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Technological_University_Dublin_senior_lecturer_Dr_Lorcan_Sirr_speaks_to_Wikinews_on_housing_market_in_Ireland&oldid=4631667”

Greek parliament votes in favor of new Papandreou cabinet as debt crisis deepens

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a confidence vote by the Greek parliament late Tuesday night, thus allowing Papandreou to form a new cabinet constituted to address Greece’s severe financial debt crisis. The vote’s outcome is viewed as a measure of confidence in the government’s ability to resolve the problems of the deeply-indebted nation and implement the stringent austerity measures necessary for Greece to receive future bailout packages from the European Union (EU).

Papandreou managed to face down internal dissent within his own Panhellenic Socialist Movement over the extremely unpopular austerity measures (he has said the measures are an issue of “life or death”) and the final vote of 155 to 143, with two abstentions, matched Papandreou’s 155 seats. Meanwhile, Greeks were angrily demonstrating against the measures outside, throwing bottles at the parliament building as riot police stood by.

Following the confidence vote, Greece will be in a position to look for further financial aid from the EU to avoid defaulting on its enormous debt, but help from the EU is dependent on the real work that must be done first: the Greek parliament’s implementation of the hugely unpopular austerity measures.

Government spokesman Elias Mossialos said in an interview with Skai Television before the vote that Greece will be unable to pay wages and pensions after July 15 if the government does not secure the EU financing.

Nothing has been done to enhance growth. No single [Greek] indicator has shown strength.

The vote came in the midst weeks of widespread anti-austerity protests and strikes in major cities throughout Greece, involving clashes between police and demonstrators angry with the proposed slew of layoffs in the public sector which are to accompany the Socialist cabinet’s program.

On Wednesday, Pimco, the biggest bond fund in the world, said it was unimpressed with Tuesday’s vote of confidence, saying it believes Greece and perhaps other European economies will ultimately default on their debts. Mohamed El-Erian, chief executive of Pimco, said, “Nothing has been done to enhance growth. No single (Greek) indicator has shown strength.”

We have a unique opportunity [to change the country]. If we falter, if we lose heart and squander it… history will judge us very harshly.

“For the next three years, we’re going to see different economies work out different problems. For European economies, especially Greece, it would be through default,” said Mohamed El-Erian in a video conference.

The euro fell against the dollar on Wednesday as financial markets indicated that the eurozone debt crisis is far from over.

George Papandreou gave an emotional speech to parliament on Wednesday, saying “We have a unique opportunity (to change the country). If we falter, if we lose heart and squander it… history will judge us very harshly.”

Meanwhile, when the new austerity measures move to parliament for a vote, Greece’s major unions are planning to hold a 48-hour general strike.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Greek_parliament_votes_in_favor_of_new_Papandreou_cabinet_as_debt_crisis_deepens&oldid=4630089”

Three Tips To Choosing A Plastic Surgeon

Three Tips to Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

by

Andrea Avery

Choosing a plastic surgeon is one of the most important steps you can take in your ability to change the way your body looks and feels. Though you may not realize it, this one person could make all of the difference in the outcome of your procedure. The reason for this is simple. Though these procedures are very specific, there is a level of talent necessary to ensure that the patient gets the look and feel that is right for their needs. You want a pro that is able to help you to look the very best.

Get to Know His or Her Past

One of the best ways to find a plastic surgeon that is right for you is to simply look for a professional who has a strong reputation and a history of doing good work. You want to find out not only if he or she has experience but also what type. These doctors need to have a license to perform any type of procedure, but it also helps to know they have extensive experience working on the types of procedures you want and need to have done. Turn to a specialist for procedures like breast augmentations or tummy tucks.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iCHW4LlVa0[/youtube]

Learn About Education

You know that the doctor must obtain the appropriate medical degree to provide these services. You know he or she must have a license, too. Some also are a member of the board of plastic surgery, which is a very good thing. Beyond this, though, you want to be sure the individual has the most up to date education and training. Is he or she using the latest treatment options or the same ones for the last ten years? You want the least invasive and most successful options available to you.

Do You Like the Doctor?

During a consultation, you will be able to get to know this plastic surgeon and find out if you really do like him or her. You need to like this professional. You are going to make significant changes to your body. You want to like the person who is doing the work for you because you need to trust in the ability of that doctor. If you do not like him or her, chances are good you will not actually trust what they are going to do is best for you.

Take the time to talk to a plastic surgeon. Talk to several if you need to do so. Find someone you can trust to do a good job and to help you to get through this process quickly and easily. You can look good with the aid of the right professional.

If you are looking for a

plastic surgeon Williamsburg

is a good place to start your search. You should do extensive research on all doctors you are considering. Start by visiting

pschr.com

.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Gamespy, IGN award Galactic Civilizations II expansion Editors’ Choice

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Plymouth, Michigan, United States – This week, independent software developer Stardock released Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar, an expansion to their PC turn-based strategy game Dread Lords. Industry websites IGN and GameSpy responded with Editors’ Choice awards, while UGO gave it an A. The expansion had previously been named as one of GameSpy’s Most Wanted Games of 2007.

Reviewers cited the significant increase in customization options, better artificial intelligence, and an improvement in graphics quality as decisive factors. UGO’s Adam Swiderski noted that “if creating a fleet of death-dealing starships sounds like fun to you (and it really should), this is your dream playground,” while GameSpy’s reviewer suggested that “after a week of playing Dark Avatar, you may forget Master of Orion altogether.” Criticism mostly revolved around “uninspired” ground combat, a too-generic tech tree, and the continued lack of multiplayer support.

The original game received some publicity for its lack of copy protection, but gained far more by the actions of a StarForce forum administrator, who made a post linking to an illegal BitTorrent download of the game. StarForce developer Protection Technology later claimed this to be a poorly-considered attempt to demonstrate the result of not using their software, which is designed to prevent software piracy. The result was a media backlash against the company, including satirical commentary by gaming webcomic/blog Penny Arcade describing the action as “extortion.” Its writer, Jerry Holkins, asked that “publishers distance themselves from a company that has shown such contempt for their industry.”

The expansion is available as an online purchase in CD or digital download form through Stardock’s gaming subsidiary, TotalGaming.net. A compilation of the original and expansion has also been released as Galactic Civilizations II: Gold Edition and is available in stores, say Stardock. Their retail game releases still contain no copy protection, but online activation is required to download updates.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Gamespy,_IGN_award_Galactic_Civilizations_II_expansion_Editors%27_Choice&oldid=4608352”

A battle between AMD and Intel takes place at 2007 Taipei IT Month

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

On the third day of the 2007 Taipei IT Month in Taiwan yesterday, notebook computers and desktop computers built with AMD’s Phenom processor and Intel Penryn processor openly battled for the consumer-market after each company launched their quad core processors.

Intel with partners like Acer, Genuine, ASUS, and Lenovo promoted their desktops with Core 2 Quad and notebooks with Centrino Duo, even though Intel didn’t plan to exhibit in IT Month. Intel’s Taiwan division is holding two road shows for DIY experts. One was on December 1 while the second will be on December 8.

AMD, on the other hand, put on a showcase for IT Month with a Bee Movie booth-style exhibit at halls 1 and 3 of the Taipei World Trade Center. AMD’s subsidiary company ATI showcased HDMI and Full HD with a demonstration of a new graphic card named “Radeon HD2000”.

As the two rivals postured over factors like performance and high-definition, Wikinews reporter Rico Shen interviewed some of their partners. BenQ and Micro-Star International both said: “No matter whether the consumer chooses a computer with AMD or Intel, the consumer should consider it based on functionality and practically before purchasing. For example, some low-price notebook computers (EeePC, OLPC) were launched before the show because notebook computer manufacturers had considered and evaluated what a consumer really want. Sincerely, I recommend a consumer not be fooled by a its price but to consider its functionality first!”

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=A_battle_between_AMD_and_Intel_takes_place_at_2007_Taipei_IT_Month&oldid=722867”

Category:July 14, 2010

? July 13, 2010
July 15, 2010 ?
July 14

Pages in category “July 14, 2010”

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Category:July_14,_2010&oldid=1848983”

Captain Chris Gives You Real World Advice Against Thugs

By William F. Gabriel

It’s your worst nightmare, someone has marked you out as an easy target and even worse, there is nowhere for you to run and no one around to help you. Yelling for help will do no good and running is impossible because he has you cornered. They are bigger and stronger than you and your first option and instinct is to beg for mercy but it is unlikely that they will comply. On the other hand, you could do what Chris Pizzo would do, that is if you have been following his teachings and fight back with Close Combat Training. The techniques involved in this are easy to learn and could save your life one day.

If this seems overly dramatic as you are sitting at home in comfort reading this article then it will seem like pretty sound advice if you find yourself in the aforementioned terrifying scenario. While basic self defense advice like kicking them in the groin, the knee or poking their eyes out are reasonable bits of advice in a desperate situation, these don’t always work. Let’s just say the attacker blocks your eye gouge with their hands, the groin kick with a retaliatory strike and the knee kick by raising their leg, what on earth can you do then? If you have studied the moves of Captain Chris you would already know the answer to this question.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ITNVvFbhxY[/youtube]

Desperate times can cause for extreme measures so don’t be afraid to do something that you would never normally do. In fact, one of the basic tenets of the Close Combat Training Program taught by Chris Pizzo is to fight dirty if you need to. There is no point sitting around in the bar with your buddies after you have got out of hospital saying what you should have done. You shouldn’t have to beat yourself up about it after the thug has done so and by following the videos made by Captain Chris, you will have no regrets because you will have come out of the fight as the winner.

If in a bear hug, be sure to use such simple yet brutal moves like hitting them in the face with the back of your head and pulling their hair. Even though this is seen as a girly move, you will not be saying that if it gets you out of strife! Chris Pizzo advocates the use of every part of your anatomy as a weapon when taking on a thug. Being more unpredictable than your attacker is the best way to come out of an assault in one piece.

If you feel that the teachings of Captain Chris go against your value system then you’re making a huge mistake. Street attackers have no morals and no qualms about doing whatever it takes to hurt and rob you so why do you need to worry about them? Those of you interested in defending yourself against random violence should take a look at Close Combat Training as it can prepare you for attacks far better than martial arts.

About the Author: For more tips and information about

Chris Pizzo

please visit

Captain Chris

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=560151&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

CoolBrands: New Zealand coolest place in the world

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

New Zealand has been voted the coolest place in the world by United Kingdom brand: CoolBrands.

Coolbrands is owned by a consultancy firm in the UK, called Superbrands. It started in 2001, CoolBrands is a way of telling how ‘cool’ a brand is. Superbrands defines “brands that have become extremely desirable among many style leaders and influencers. They have a magic about them, signifying that users have an exceptional sense of taste and style.”

George Hickton, chief executive of Tourism New Zealand, said: “This win is a vindication of the recent work we’ve put in to the UK market, with the Chelsea Flower Show and our 100% Pure New Zealand advertising campaign ensuring New Zealand stays top of mind with potential travellers.”

“It’s very gratifying to see we are such a desirable destination, especially as this poll includes opinion leaders who can have an real influence on people’s travel choices.” says Mr Hickton. “this is the second award New Zealand has received in the UK this September, with Conde Nast Traveller magazine also voting New Zealand best destination this month.”

Editor of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Sarah Miller, called New Zealand a “point of authenticity.” And professional nation brander, Wally Olin, said “New Zealand has been very, very clever. It has turned its disadvantages into advantages.”

“Reaping the benefits of its recent marketing campaign, New Zealand is apparently the hottest place to be,” said the London News.

650 brands were chosen by researchers which were then put before 23 judges and were made available for the public, of which 1,725 people participated in an online survey. Five percent of the original 650 made it to the finals, including Morocco, Maldive and Australia.

New Zealand receives most of its tourists from Australia, closely followed by the UK.

The top ten destinations included:

  1. New Zealand
  2. Morocco
  3. Fiji
  4. Prague
  5. Australia
  6. Maldives
  7. Amsterdam
  8. Brighton
  9. Bahamas
  10. Bermuda
Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=CoolBrands:_New_Zealand_coolest_place_in_the_world&oldid=1885738”

Teaching Intelligent Design: Incumbent Dover PA school board fails reelection

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

The Dover, Pennsylvania school board became the first to mandate inclusion of Intelligent Design in a public school biology curriculum. For this year’s November 8 election, Republicans fielded a pro-Intelligent Design slate of candidates including some returning candidates who had previously voted to include a statement about Intelligent Design in the biology curriculum. A mixed slate of Democrat and Republican candidates came forward as an alternative group of school board candidates, the Dover CARES coalition. They proposed to remove Intelligent Design from the biology curriculum but allow discussion of Intelligent Design in courses dealing with philosophy and comparative religion.

All eight open school board seats were won by Dover CARES coalition candidates. Two candidates who had previously voted as school board members to include intelligent design in the public school science curriculum received the fewest votes in Tuesday’s election. One of the newly elected board members is Bryan Rehm, a parent of a Dover school student. Rehm, along with ten other parents, initiated a law suit against the school board for its decision to insert Intelligent Design into the science curriculum.

In October 2004, the Dover school board decided that Intelligent Design is a scientific theory that should be mentioned in biology classes that include discussion of biological evolution as part of the course content. The board mandated that a statement should be read in those classes stating “Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life,” and “The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families.”

The school board’s statement on Intelligent Design directs students to the book Of Pandas and People as a source of information “for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves.” This book is published by the Foundation for Thought and Ethics, a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of “promoting and publishing textbooks presenting a Christian perspective.”

Parents of some Dover public school students filed a lawsuit against the school board, charging that including the school board’s statement on Intelligent Design was an attempt to introduce religion into the science curriculum. The book Of Pandas and People says, “Intelligent design means that various forms of life began abruptly through an intelligent agency.” The original complaint in the law suit against the school board claimed that “Intelligent design is a non-scientific argument or assertion.”

The US District Court Judge John Jones, who heard the non-jury case, hopes to make his ruling by the end of the year. The evidence phase of the trial ended on November 4, 2005.

A local Dover newspaper, the York Daily Record, editorialized that Dover voters should take trial testimony into account during the general election when they could cast votes for school board members along with other elective offices.

Biology teachers in the Dover schools have refused to read the school board’s statement on Intelligent Design to students because the Pennsylvania state code for education states that “The professional educator may not knowingly and intentionally misrepresent subject matter.” In a letter to their administrator, the teachers stated their view that “Intelligent design is not science.” School administrators have been reading the school board’s Intelligent Design statement to students in Dover public schools.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Teaching_Intelligent_Design:_Incumbent_Dover_PA_school_board_fails_reelection&oldid=1407194”
Shopping Basket