Space tourism
In June 2007, EADS Astrium announced it would be entering the space tourism sector. On June 20, 2007 the company unveiled a model of the space jet, a one-stage sub-orbital hybrid craft, utilising both jet(1) and rocket(2) engines. The space craft carries four passengers and one pilot would take off from regular airports using conventional jet(1) engines. Once flying to the altitude of 12km the space jet rocket(2) boosters would then be fired and climb vertically towards the space. After reaching its final altitude of 100 km, passengers would experience weightlessness (anti-gravity) for three minutes. Tickets are expected to cost up to USD 370,000.
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About EADS Astrium
In Dec 2006, EADS Astrium, EADS Space Transportation and EADS Space Services were merged into a single company under the new entity name "EADS Astrium".
The new logo is a combination of the never released ASTRIUM logo and of the EADS logo, therefore a composite look.
There are three business units:
* EADS Astrium Satellites
* EADS Astrium Space Transportation
* EADS Astrium Services
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sxion Autism Foundation - " Empowering Life "
Sxion Group a London based private equity and diversified company in early 2009 has set up a foundation - Sxion Autism Foundation - " Empowering Life " a non profit organisation to help children with autism * and counselling support to parents and caregiver of these special kids.
Note: * Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
Michelle Dawson (born 1961) is an autistic person and an autism researcher collaborating with Dr. Laurent Mottron research team to understand how autistic brains work and socially and ethically changing the way the world views autism and that will have a lasting impact.
Note: * Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
Michelle Dawson (born 1961) is an autistic person and an autism researcher collaborating with Dr. Laurent Mottron research team to understand how autistic brains work and socially and ethically changing the way the world views autism and that will have a lasting impact.
Claudia Bassols in Spain.... on the road again
Spanish multi-lingual - (6 languages)* actress - born early October 1979, Claudia Bassols was featured in 2008 food and travelogue TV series "Spain… on the road again" together with Iron Chef Mario Batali, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and New York Times food writer Mark Bittman. Each episode covers a different region of Spain as the foursome explore the country's culinary traditions and history.
* Spanish, Catalan, English, Swedish, French, and Italian. Claudia Bassols official website.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Fraud Investigator in demand paid USD 275 per hour
AS the financial crisis has continued to unfold of late 2008 , new suspicions of fraud have been emerging — and with them a need to find whether there is evidence of wrongdoing. That’s why the demand for fraud investigators is rising.
Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that the number of open mortgage-fraud investigations was more than 1,600 at the end of fiscal 2008, which ended Sept. 30, compared with 881 two years earlier. In addition, 530 corporate-fraud investigations were open, it said.
The bureau is recruiting people to help with these investigations, including those with experience in computer science and accounting. People who speak a foreign language and those who are certified fraud examiners also have an advantage. Certification is a credential offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners that notes proficiency and experience in fraud prevention, detection and deterrence.
Outside the government, fraud investigators work for security consulting firms like Kroll; at accounting firms like Deloitte Touche and Eisner; and at global business consulting and internal audit firms like Protiviti. Some hang out their own shingle. These firms may be retained by lawyers or by companies pursuing an internal investigation.
The number of certified examiners is up 10 percent compared with last year, according to the association, a trade group based in Austin, Tex. Median compensation for full-time certified fraud examiners in 2008 was just over $90,000 a year, the association says.
Corporate fraud investigators say the work requires curiosity and tenacity. And they warn that it can be time-consuming and even tedious. Because they are retained on the recommendation of corporate or outside counsel, they are bound by lawyer-client privilege and do not have a say in whether to prosecute a crime. Still, they say, their efforts can be rewarding.
A hero of the breed recently emerged in the form of Harry Markopolos, who repeatedly warned the Securities and Exchange Commission that Bernard L. Madoff was running a giant Ponzi scheme at the expense of investors. Mr. Markopolos, who was working for an investment company when he started looking into Mr. Madoff’s activities, left in 2004 to start his own investigation firm.
Although the S.E.C. did not act on Mr. Markopolos’s warnings, he has helped ease the way for investigators in his wake who may suspect various “mini-Madoff” scandals and other types of fraud.
While many investigators have backgrounds in forensic accounting, internal audit and law enforcement, experts say the field also draws finance executives, paralegals, librarians and former journalists. “What you need is an uncanny ability to get people to talk,” said Jules Kroll, the recently retired founder of the firm that bears his name.
The need to investigate fraud these days is so great that temporary workers including lawyers, private investigators and certified fraud examiners are paid $150 to $275 an hour.
Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that the number of open mortgage-fraud investigations was more than 1,600 at the end of fiscal 2008, which ended Sept. 30, compared with 881 two years earlier. In addition, 530 corporate-fraud investigations were open, it said.
The bureau is recruiting people to help with these investigations, including those with experience in computer science and accounting. People who speak a foreign language and those who are certified fraud examiners also have an advantage. Certification is a credential offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners that notes proficiency and experience in fraud prevention, detection and deterrence.
Outside the government, fraud investigators work for security consulting firms like Kroll; at accounting firms like Deloitte Touche and Eisner; and at global business consulting and internal audit firms like Protiviti. Some hang out their own shingle. These firms may be retained by lawyers or by companies pursuing an internal investigation.
The number of certified examiners is up 10 percent compared with last year, according to the association, a trade group based in Austin, Tex. Median compensation for full-time certified fraud examiners in 2008 was just over $90,000 a year, the association says.
Corporate fraud investigators say the work requires curiosity and tenacity. And they warn that it can be time-consuming and even tedious. Because they are retained on the recommendation of corporate or outside counsel, they are bound by lawyer-client privilege and do not have a say in whether to prosecute a crime. Still, they say, their efforts can be rewarding.
A hero of the breed recently emerged in the form of Harry Markopolos, who repeatedly warned the Securities and Exchange Commission that Bernard L. Madoff was running a giant Ponzi scheme at the expense of investors. Mr. Markopolos, who was working for an investment company when he started looking into Mr. Madoff’s activities, left in 2004 to start his own investigation firm.
Although the S.E.C. did not act on Mr. Markopolos’s warnings, he has helped ease the way for investigators in his wake who may suspect various “mini-Madoff” scandals and other types of fraud.
While many investigators have backgrounds in forensic accounting, internal audit and law enforcement, experts say the field also draws finance executives, paralegals, librarians and former journalists. “What you need is an uncanny ability to get people to talk,” said Jules Kroll, the recently retired founder of the firm that bears his name.
The need to investigate fraud these days is so great that temporary workers including lawyers, private investigators and certified fraud examiners are paid $150 to $275 an hour.
Robo "Croc" - a metal makeover
March 20, 2009 —Veterinarians in Miami have successfully fitted a badly injured crocodile with metal plates and 41 Frankensteinian screws on its skull. The crocodile had been hit by a car in the Florida Keys,United States.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mauritius - Shark Sanctuary
The Mauritius island, by the Indian Ocean with 20,000 ft of coastal reef and formation of dip pit (a.k.a. shark pit)carved from the surrounding rocks being the natural habitat for shark community as well as other marine life at the archipelago.
Shark pit is the sanctuary of migratory "black tailed-sharks" with 20m x 12 m area close to 800 sq. ft. liken to "a whirl pool" at the underwater world of Mauritius island as described by shark scientist and scuba diver Ryan Johnson. The fascinating and floating sensation felt by the divers at the shark pit is the diving spot for professional scuba divers even attracts fishermen with their fishing lines and hook-baits obviously threatening the shark survival/existence.
Watch the video click here
Shark pit is the sanctuary of migratory "black tailed-sharks" with 20m x 12 m area close to 800 sq. ft. liken to "a whirl pool" at the underwater world of Mauritius island as described by shark scientist and scuba diver Ryan Johnson. The fascinating and floating sensation felt by the divers at the shark pit is the diving spot for professional scuba divers even attracts fishermen with their fishing lines and hook-baits obviously threatening the shark survival/existence.
Watch the video click here
The world's cleanest diesel - NExBTL biofuel
Neste Oil Corp is an independent Finnish oil refining and marketing company producing mainly traffic fuels and other petroleum products. Neste Oil shares are quoted on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Its star products NExBTL diesel – touted to be the world’s cleanest diesel – produced at Neste’s 170,000-tonne a year biofuel plant in Provoo.
Crude palm oil (CPO) comprised about 80% to 90% of the biofuel and mineral oils and animal fats made up the balance components.Due to the European Union(EU) requirements, Neste source its palm oil from EU certified producers from countries such as Malaysia.The other state-of-art biodiesel plant is in Rotterdam and Singapore each with a capacity of 400,000-tonne a year.
Crude palm oil (CPO) comprised about 80% to 90% of the biofuel and mineral oils and animal fats made up the balance components.Due to the European Union(EU) requirements, Neste source its palm oil from EU certified producers from countries such as Malaysia.The other state-of-art biodiesel plant is in Rotterdam and Singapore each with a capacity of 400,000-tonne a year.
African-Sino Connection
Guangzhou is a land of opportunity for African community which is the third most populated metropolitan in Mainland China is also the Factory of the world manufacture 33% of China total exports.
Trading statistics with African nations (in USD billion)
China
2001 1.0 bil
2007 73.0 bil
US
2001 23.0 bil
2007 85.0 bil
Initially China imports raw material and commodities such as crude oil from countries like Nigeria( Third largest exporter of crude oil after Gulf nations )and years later China especially Guangzhou is exporting clothings, merchandise etc back to African continents rather than relying on recession-plaque US economy.
Note: Guangzhou is the capital and a sub-provincial city of Guangdong (Kwangtung / Canton) Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city and surrounding areas, particularly the areas between the city and Hong Kong, through the heavily traded Pearl River Delta region, are often simply called by their provincial name in English, Canton. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea, and is located about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong.
Trading statistics with African nations (in USD billion)
China
2001 1.0 bil
2007 73.0 bil
US
2001 23.0 bil
2007 85.0 bil
Initially China imports raw material and commodities such as crude oil from countries like Nigeria( Third largest exporter of crude oil after Gulf nations )and years later China especially Guangzhou is exporting clothings, merchandise etc back to African continents rather than relying on recession-plaque US economy.
Note: Guangzhou is the capital and a sub-provincial city of Guangdong (Kwangtung / Canton) Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city and surrounding areas, particularly the areas between the city and Hong Kong, through the heavily traded Pearl River Delta region, are often simply called by their provincial name in English, Canton. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea, and is located about 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Hong Kong.
Friday, March 20, 2009
'Internet cafe" HOTEL for USD $ 25 per night
Japan's economy is no exception was once enjoyed double digit growth via exporting its innovative product/technology from "Nitendo Wii"- gaming to "Toyota hybrid car" - automobile. Those heydays of "jobs for life" and other facets of the Bubble Economy are over. In this new and very un-Japanese world, living in an Internet café is no longer an aberration. For many especially those who have lost their jobs and made homeless from the current global financial crisis, it's a lifestyle in Japan.
Tokyoites who can't afford USD $1,250 per month apartments are just doing that.It should be said, however, that many of Japan's Internet cafés offer a level of service and privacy far beyond what many in the West might expect. Private rooms offer TV, comic books, microwave ovens, showers and free soft drinks - in addition to Internet access - at prices ranging from USD $25 per night or USD $500 per month.
Tokyoites who can't afford USD $1,250 per month apartments are just doing that.It should be said, however, that many of Japan's Internet cafés offer a level of service and privacy far beyond what many in the West might expect. Private rooms offer TV, comic books, microwave ovens, showers and free soft drinks - in addition to Internet access - at prices ranging from USD $25 per night or USD $500 per month.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Butch Harmon Tiger's swing coach
Butch Harmon also trains Greg Norman, Adam Scott and David Love III. In April 8, 2008, Ernie Els officially announced that he was switching swing coaches from David Leadbetter (whom Els had worked with since 1990) to Butch Harmon.
Harmon has written golf instructional books under the titles Four Cornerstones of Winning Golf and Butch Harmon's Playing Lessons. He also worked with Greg Norman on his Greg Norman's Better Golf learning system (three videos, a book, skill guide cards, and an audio tape) as well as Greg Norman's book Advanced Golf.
Harmon has written golf instructional books under the titles Four Cornerstones of Winning Golf and Butch Harmon's Playing Lessons. He also worked with Greg Norman on his Greg Norman's Better Golf learning system (three videos, a book, skill guide cards, and an audio tape) as well as Greg Norman's book Advanced Golf.
Jeju Island off South Korea strait.
Tourism commands a large fraction of Jeju's economy. Jeju's temperate climate, natural scenery, and beaches make it a popular tourist destination for both South Koreans and many visitors from Japan, China, northern and southern Asia. Especially, Statute Stone Park, Cheonjeyeon and Cheonjiyeon waterfalls, Mountain Halla, Hyeobje cave, Hyeongje island are popular places for tourists. Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, not to be confused with the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, is a three-tier waterfall located on Jeju Island. In the first cascade, the cliff is 22 m high and the water falls into Cheonjeyeon pond which is 21 m deep. From there, the water falls 30 m and continues to the third waterfall. Eventually, the water reaches the ocean.
Tourists enjoy lots of leisure sports in Jeju island including golf, horse riding, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, etc. Depending on seasons, tourists can enjoy many festivals: penguin swimming contest in winter, cherry blossom festival in spring, midsummer night beach festival in summer, horse festival in autumn and many more. Usually, tourists enter and exit Jeju through Jeju International Airport and rent cars on the island. Lastly, numerous products are available to tourists on the island, including Jeju's special tile fish and mandarin oranges, as well as souvenirs and duty-free products.
Jeju was chosen as one of the 261 qualified nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature at www.new7wonders.com.
Woodpecking away ......* % # @ ?&!
Woodpecker's wild laugh sounds like "drumming" often imitates someone striking a tree with a hammer repeatedly. Woodpecker bird favors mature forests, but has adapted to use second-growth stands and heavily wooded parks as well.
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a very large North American woodpecker.
The only North American birds of similar plumage and size are the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the Southeastern United States and Cuba, and the related Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico. Both of those species are extremely rare, if not extinct.
Their breeding habitat is forested areas with large trees across Canada, the eastern United States and parts of the Pacific coast. They usually excavate large nests in the cavities of dead trees, and often excavates a new home each year, creating habitat for other large cavity nesters.This bird is usually a permanent resident.
These birds mainly eat insects (especially beetle larvae and carpenter ants) as well as fruits, berries and nuts. They often chip out large and roughly rectangular holes in trees while searching out insects.
The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a very large North American woodpecker.
The only North American birds of similar plumage and size are the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the Southeastern United States and Cuba, and the related Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico. Both of those species are extremely rare, if not extinct.
Their breeding habitat is forested areas with large trees across Canada, the eastern United States and parts of the Pacific coast. They usually excavate large nests in the cavities of dead trees, and often excavates a new home each year, creating habitat for other large cavity nesters.This bird is usually a permanent resident.
These birds mainly eat insects (especially beetle larvae and carpenter ants) as well as fruits, berries and nuts. They often chip out large and roughly rectangular holes in trees while searching out insects.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SETI - search for Alien (ET) in outer space
SETI - Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence.
Paul Allen co-founder of Microsoft and funder/owner for Science-Fiction Museum (SFM) in Seattle, Washington also help to fund SETI Institute - Radio Astronomy Laboratory(RAL) astronomical observation project in search for extra-terrestrial intelligence through his foundation in 2001 i.e. "Paul G. Allen & family" foundation with a generous donation of US$ 11.5 million. In 2004, One Hectare Telescope (1hT) was constructed by SETI Institute pioneer and entrepreneur Frank Drake. The giant telescope was renamed Allen Telescope Array (ATA) in his honour.
Members of the SFM's advisory board include Steven Spielberg, Ray Bradbury, James Cameron, and George Lucas. Among its collection of artifacts are Captain Kirk's command chair from Star Trek, the B9 robot from Lost in Space, the Death Star model from Star Wars, the T800 Terminator and the dome from the film Silent Running.
Paul Allen co-founder of Microsoft and funder/owner for Science-Fiction Museum (SFM) in Seattle, Washington also help to fund SETI Institute - Radio Astronomy Laboratory(RAL) astronomical observation project in search for extra-terrestrial intelligence through his foundation in 2001 i.e. "Paul G. Allen & family" foundation with a generous donation of US$ 11.5 million. In 2004, One Hectare Telescope (1hT) was constructed by SETI Institute pioneer and entrepreneur Frank Drake. The giant telescope was renamed Allen Telescope Array (ATA) in his honour.
Members of the SFM's advisory board include Steven Spielberg, Ray Bradbury, James Cameron, and George Lucas. Among its collection of artifacts are Captain Kirk's command chair from Star Trek, the B9 robot from Lost in Space, the Death Star model from Star Wars, the T800 Terminator and the dome from the film Silent Running.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The super weapon of the ancient world
"Archimedes claw" an ancient weapon devised by Archimedes to defend the seaward portion of Syracuse's city wall against amphibious assault. It is hauled up by 400 men 2000 years ago to smash and sink enemy war ships.
In today terms, it is describe as a sort of crane equipped with a grappling hook that was able to lift attacking ships partly out of the water, then either cause the ship to capsize or sink.
These machines featured prominently during the Second Punic War in 214 BC, when the Roman Republic attacked Syracuse with a fleet of at least 120 Quinqueremes under Marcus Claudius Marcellus. When the Roman fleet approached the city walls under cover of darkness, the machines (- Archimedes claw) were deployed, sinking many ships and throwing the attack into confusion. Historians such as Polybius and Livy attributed heavy Roman losses to these machines, together with catapults also devised by Archimedes.
In today terms, it is describe as a sort of crane equipped with a grappling hook that was able to lift attacking ships partly out of the water, then either cause the ship to capsize or sink.
These machines featured prominently during the Second Punic War in 214 BC, when the Roman Republic attacked Syracuse with a fleet of at least 120 Quinqueremes under Marcus Claudius Marcellus. When the Roman fleet approached the city walls under cover of darkness, the machines (- Archimedes claw) were deployed, sinking many ships and throwing the attack into confusion. Historians such as Polybius and Livy attributed heavy Roman losses to these machines, together with catapults also devised by Archimedes.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Maiko = 'Apprentice' Geisha
Maiko is a Japanese word for "dancing girl" and an apprentice undergoing 5 years training before becoming full fledge geiko or GEISHA.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Recycling facts
1)It takes 95% less energy to recycle an aluminium can than making a new one.
2)ZTE is the China first mobile phone manufacturer used recycled plastic bottle to make its mobile phone component and powered by solar energy.
3)Solar cemetery are solar panels built across cemeteries in Barcelona,Spain to leverage on 24/7 direct exposure to the sun.
4)Coca-Cola recycles 90% of its carbonated-drinks' aluminium can and plastic bottles with PET waste recycling facilities in Mexico,Germany,Sweden.
5)Bamboo being the fastest growing grass-plant absorbs the most carbon dioxide for its photosynthesis process helps to reduce carbon footprint.
6)Clean coal is a term used to describe any clean energy soutions/technology that developed post 1970's.
2)ZTE is the China first mobile phone manufacturer used recycled plastic bottle to make its mobile phone component and powered by solar energy.
3)Solar cemetery are solar panels built across cemeteries in Barcelona,Spain to leverage on 24/7 direct exposure to the sun.
4)Coca-Cola recycles 90% of its carbonated-drinks' aluminium can and plastic bottles with PET waste recycling facilities in Mexico,Germany,Sweden.
5)Bamboo being the fastest growing grass-plant absorbs the most carbon dioxide for its photosynthesis process helps to reduce carbon footprint.
6)Clean coal is a term used to describe any clean energy soutions/technology that developed post 1970's.
Bucket-wheel excavator - "Strip mining" 's monster truck
Bucket-wheel excavators are heavy equipment used in lignite ( brown coal ) surface mining - 'strip mining' cost USD$100 million, has the capacity of excavating/mining 240,000 metric tonnes of brown coal daily and such tremendous earthmover is operated by 5 persons. They are among the largest vehicles ever constructed, and the biggest bucket-wheel excavator ever built, the MAN Takraf RB293, is the largest terrestrial vehicle in human history.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Armless petite lady fly plane; drive car and has two black belt in Tae Kwan-Do
Jessica Cox ( image in a cockpit of plane ) defies all the law of the universe and shame the perfect human being just by having 1(one) ounce of faith and courage with determination of steel. It is more than meet the eyes .............
Little Big Planet by Media Molecule
Media Molecule (www.mediamolecule.com/games.html) is a game development studio based in Guild ford, Surrey, England which won the Spike Video Games Award 2008 for its innovative, interactive and highly creative child friendly PlayStation 3 LittleBigPlanet video game characterising Sackboy.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Les Bordes , France Top 100th Golf Course
Les Bordes Golf Course, Saint-Laurent-Nouan , France was voted the 10th best golf course in Europe and 2nd ranking in France designed by Texan, Robert von Haage. In fact Par 5, 7th Hole is the trickiest and most challenging designer's fairway over a elongated bend fairway with contour of lake,hilly slope and lush green / trees in between.
Les Bordes official website : http://www.lesbordes.com
Les Bordes official website : http://www.lesbordes.com
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Weimaraner - Multi purpose hunting dog
German breed medium sized "gun dog" tracks, points and retrieves hunting-prey i.e. rabbit, fox, fowl etc effeciently and with lightning speed impressed hunters during 19th century.
Currently, Weimaraner makes a robust household companion as a watch dog. Weimaraner unlike its cousin " Snauzer" with German origin play the role as a police rescue dog in mission critical operation.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Bank of England pump 75 billion pound sterling to kick start economy
"Quantitative easing" - QE is the creation of new money out of 'thin air' by a central bank, and its injection into the banking system. The aim is to increase the amount of deposits in private banks so that, by way of deposit multiplication, they can increase the money supply by increasing debt (lending).
Literally QE meaning, printing money to flood the MAIN street / WALL Street market with suffecient cash to wheel or kick start lending( by banks) and spending ( by consumers) in various sectors and industry be it auto , housing , retail etc.
Literally QE meaning, printing money to flood the MAIN street / WALL Street market with suffecient cash to wheel or kick start lending( by banks) and spending ( by consumers) in various sectors and industry be it auto , housing , retail etc.
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