Infant Mortality in the Developing World
Image by United Nations Photo
Children in Kallyanpur, one of Dhaka’s urban slums.
According to UNESCAP, children in the Asia-Pacific region now have a much better chance of surviving the first year of life. Between 1990 and 2007, the infant mortality rate fell from 63 to 41 deaths per thousand live births.
Photo ID 451896. 12/06/2010. Dhaka, Bangladesh. UN Photo/Kibae Park. www.unmultimedia.org/photo/
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Shulman DuBois LLC Files Lawsuit Against United Rentals Northwest
Shulman DuBois LLC Files Lawsuit Against United Rentals Northwest
Portland, OR (PRWEB) March 27, 2012
The Portland bicycle accident lawyers at Shulman DuBois LLC filed a lawsuit against United Rentals Northwest because one of their drivers, Drue Kearsley, hit and injured Jill Michaelree from Oregon in 2010, according to the Oregonlive.com news story. Dedicated to protecting the rights of bicyclists, the Portland bike injury law firm’s filed “Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial” shows a willingness to go trial if necessary to ensure that Michaelree receives the compensation she deserves after this horrible accident.
This suit alleges United Rentals was negligent in their failure to train Kearsley properly and prevent this accident (Case no.1202-02366 in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon), and seeks over $ 178,000 in damages for the client. The full language and details of the complaint are filed with the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon, Multnomah County, Case no. 1202-02366.
According to the filed complaint, Michaelree, who was on her way to work, was riding in the bicycle lane when the United Rentals’ driver attempted a right turn – not noticing Michaelree in the bike lane going straight. She was thrown off the bike, under the truck, and was severely injured as the truck ran over both her foot and her bicycle. At the time, the truck was heavily loaded.
“We are seeking to recover economic damages of almost $ 30,000, in addition to non-economic damages for Jill’s pain and suffering. She had her foot crushed – she deserves their consideration,” said her attorney, Portland injury lawyer Sean DuBois.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 307,000 bicycle accident injuries in 2009, and over 600 bicycle accident fatalities in the United States (DOT HS 811 386). While only 8 of the fatalities occurred in Oregon, the number of serious injuries has risen since 2008 – especially for accidents occurring in intersections, like Michaelree’s.
“Portland is known throughout the country for being bicycle friendly, but Michaelree’s accident is just one more instance where some extra precautions might have prevented serious injuries,” said DuBois. The intersection where this occurred, NE Couch and NE Grand in Portland Oregon, was already known to be a dangerous intersection for bicyclists. In fact, a green bicycle box was installed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation a month later, city records show.
“The lack of a bicycle box does not excuse the allegedly negligent behavior of the United Rentals Northwest driver and his failure to watch for bicyclists before turning,” DuBois countered. According to medical records, Michaelree’s broken foot eventually required surgery and affected many of her everyday activities such as bicycling, yoga, and hiking.
The complaint filed (see above for court and case number) alleges negligence on the part of the driver in several particulars:
“(a) In failing to maintain a proper lookout for other vehicles;
(b) In failing to yield to right of way traffic before making a turn;
(c) In failing to yield to right of way traffic before crossing into adjacent lane;
(d) In failing to stop, swerve, or otherwise maneuver his vehicle so as to avoid colliding with the Plaintiff’s bicycle; and
(e) In failing to maintain his vehicle under proper control.”
By filing this lawsuit, the Portland bicycle accident attorneys of Shulman DuBois are also hoping to send a message to companies like United Rentals Northwest:
“Train your drivers! And make sure they understand the consequences of negligent driving. Truck drivers need to be especially careful – trucks are too heavy to be driven carelessly,” DuBois said. DuBois also said he hoped filing this lawsuit would send a message to United Rentals Northwest about how important training can be for the safety of the community.
About Shulman DuBois LLC:
The Portland personal injury law firm of Shulman DuBois LLC, is based in SE Portland, OR. Partners Joshua Shulman and Sean DuBois have experience helping people who have been injured in car, truck, bicycling, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents. For a free consultation, call 503-222-4411 or visit http://www.pdxinjurylaw.com.
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Beyond the BRICS
A second tier of middle-income powers is emerging beyond the Brazil, India, China, Russia, and South Africa (BRICS) group. These countries complicate traditional conceptions of East vs. West and developed vs. developing nations. CFR Senior Fellow Stewart M. Patrick analyses the global impact of this shift: * The BRICS have formed a formal group; however, questions remain over whether they will turn their economic clout into political power. Though they align on some issues like the role of the dollar, they collide on others such as the value of democracy. * Eleven countries outside the BRICS have been identified as the next crop of global powers: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, South Korea, Pakistan, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, and Vietnam. * These nations are all clamoring to reform global institutions and upset traditional divisions of international relations. But are they prepared to assume global responsibilities? This video is part of The Internationalist, a series dedicated to in-depth discussions about leveraging multilateral cooperation to meet today’s transnational challenges: www.youtube.com For more analysis by Stewart M. Patrick or to weigh in with your views, go to The Internationalist blog: blogs.cfr.org www.cfr.org
Speakers: Shankar Acharya, Isher Ahluwalia, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Surjit Bhalla, Martin Wolf This event was recorded on 01 June 2010 in Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building India has traversed a long way since the economic reforms of the early 1990s, and is now widely recognized as one of the fastest growing countries in the world. In view of Montek Singh Ahluwalia’s key role in crafting reforms which helped integrate India with the world economy, this volume (India’s Economy: Performance and Challenges Essays in Honour of Montek Singh Ahluwalia) in his honour brings together essays by leading experts on the Indian economy and on international economic policy. It spans the main features of India’s economic development and addresses a wide rang of topics such as growth, inequality, macroeconomic performance, monetary policy, capital markets, infrastructure, human resources, global finance, climate change and international trade.
Nandan Nilekani’s ideas for India’s future
www.ted.com Nandan Nilekani, visionary CEO of outsourcing pioneer Infosys, explains four brands of ideas that will determine whether India can continue its recent breakneck progress.TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at www.ted.com
I DO NOT OWN THIS VIDEO!!! COPYRIGHT by: FoxFaith Movies and The Bigger Pictures. •When his rich grandfather, Howard “Red” Stevens (portrayed by James Garner) died, Jason (Drew Fuller) thought he was going to inherit a piece of the old man’s multi-billion dollar estate, but it came with a condition. In order to get his share of the willed inheritance, Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year. Each assignment is centered around a “gift”. Gifts of money, friends and learning are among the dozen that Jason must perform before he is eligible for the mysterious “Ultimate Gift” his grandfather’s will has for him. At one point everything is taken from him and he lives as a homeless man sleeping in the park; another time he visits a developing country where even old library books are a treasure. Along the way, the movie spins a side story that was not in the novel, adding a romantic interest, Alexia (Ali Hillis), and her daughter Emily, an outspoken mysterious girl (Abigail Breslin) who, unbeknowst to Jason, is dying from leukemia. All throughout the movie, Jason helps Emily to have a great life while it lasts. As Jason works through these twelve gifts in twelve months, he comes to see Red Stevens as more than a dead billionaire. At the end of the film he chooses to use his entire inheritance to build a hospital, called Emily’s home (named after Emily), for cancer patients and their families. He has exceeded the expectations of his dead grandfather and receives …
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Disposability Consciousness
Environmental & social justice activist Julia Butterfly Hill shows how our belief that we are separate from the whole has created a disposability consciousness. video courtesy of: www.GlobalOnenessProject.org
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Actress and environmental activist Alicia Silverstone on how a healthy diet is not only good for your body, but can reduce damage to the planet. (2011)
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Construction Workers Celebrate Building Place at 2011 Michigan Municipal League Convention in Grand Rapids During ArtPrize
Image by Michigan Municipal League (MML)
The theme of the 2011 Michigan Municipal League Convention was Placemaking. Placemaking is about building communities where people want to live work and play. Practicing what it preaches, the League created the Center for 21st Century Communities: www.mml.org/resources/21c3/about.html. This program identifies eight assets that make for vibrant communities: physical design and walkability, green initiatives, cultural and economic development, entrepreneurship, multiculturalism, messaging and technology, transit and education. The League had its Convention in Grand Rapids during ArtPrize this year because the city and ArtPrize show several of these assets at work. To help illustrate the building place them the League staff created a unique stage that evolved over the three day conference. Using miniature construction workers as props the League built the work “Place” over a series of days. These photos show the process of building this “Place” stage. The stage was well received by League members who commented that it was a unique and innovative way to make the point – that place matters. Also during Convention the League officially unveiled its new book about placemaking, called “The Economics of Place: The Value of Building Communities Around People.” Sales of the book have been brisk on Amazon.com and the website, economicsofplace.com and a new shipment of the book has been sent to Amazon. To order a copy go to Amazon.com and type in the name of the book. Also, a press conference took place during Convention about the book and the conference featured Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. For more about the Michigan Municipal League and what we do go to mml.org. For more about Convention go to www.tour.mml.org and follow the League and the Convention on Twitter at @mmleague and the hashtag #mmltour.
In-Pipe Technology Awarded Contract for Green Sewer Collection System Treatment in Huntington, NY
In-Pipe Technology Awarded Contract for Green Sewer Collection System Treatment in Huntington, NY
Wheaton, IL (PRWEB) March 27, 2012
In-Pipe Technology® Company, Inc. announced today the Town of Huntington, NY awarded a contract for In-Pipe to provide professional, green sewer collection system services to the wastewater treatment plant’s collection system to improve treatment efficiency and reduce energy and sludge processing costs at the plant. In-Pipe’s services will also improve Huntington’s nitrogen removal capability assisting the Town with meeting the future low nitrogen discharge limits. The Huntington treatment plant discharges to the Long Island Sound, and therefore must meet very low nitrogen limits in the near future.
This collaborative project will also be supported by Wendel Energy Services, which will work with In Pipe to maximize digester gas production and potentially provide a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) operation to significantly reduce Huntington’s power consumption from the grid. Additional goals of the project include increased rated capacity for treatment and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) elimination,
”We look forward to working with In-Pipe on this multifaceted project”, stated Neal Sheehan, Huntington’s Director of Environmental Waste Management. “Our major challenge is our future nitrogen limits, and In-Pipe appears to be able to provide a wide spectrum of tangible economic benefits in addition to reducing our nitrogen discharge loading.” John Williams, President & CEO of In-Pipe Technology added, “We look forward to working with the Huntington team. Everyone involved in the project is deeply committed to environmental stewardship.”
In-Pipe’s patented technology includes regularly adding a high concentration formulation of facultative, naturally-occurring, non-pathogenic bacteria to strategic locations throughout the sewer system in accordance with an engineered plan. This entails zero capital cost and no additional energy requirement. Performance in the collection system provides increased capacity within the plant, forestalls costly upgrades, and extends the life of the existing infrastructure.
In-Pipe Technology offers specialized technical expertise, strong customer understanding, and deep resource knowledge. Since In-Pipe uses natural, biological methods that complement the treatment plant’s own processes, In-Pipe is a sustainable solution ? environmentally and economically.
If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with John Williams, President & CEO, please contact Nikole Clay, Marketing Manager at (630)-871-5844 ext. 229. You may also visit our website at http://www.in-pipe.com.
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Interview with Abdul Mujeeb Khan
The Viewspaper interviews the Co-founder of Bhumi (Centre of Excellence for grass roots leadership), Abdul Mujeeb Khan. Khan spoke about his decision to start Bhumi, his combats with the social evils of society in India and his vision of developing effective leaders in the country who will ensure that the country comes out of the rut it has fallen into due to the rampant issues such as corruption, poverty, lack of basic amenities, etc.
Iran protesters attack UK embassy in Tehran – 11/29/2011
Iran protesters attack UK embassy in Tehran Protesters in the Iranian capital, Tehran, have broken into the UK embassy compound during a demonstration against sanctions imposed by Britain. Militant students are reported to have ransacked offices, burned the British flag and smashed embassy windows. The move comes after Iran resolved to reduce ties following the UK’s decision to impose further sanctions on it. Iran expressed “regret” over the attack on the embassy. The Foreign Office has summoned an Iranian diplomat in London. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain held the Iranian government “responsible for its failure” to protect the embassy “as it is required to do”. Mr Hague said the Iranian charge d’affaires had been summoned, adding: “Clearly there will be other, further, and serious consequences. I will make a statement updating Parliament on this tomorrow.” Mr Hague said all embassy staff and their dependants had been accounted for. The Foreign Office also updated its travel advice to Iran, urging Britons there to “stay indoors, keep a low profile and await further advice”. The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed “regret for certain unacceptable behaviour by a small number of protesters in spite of efforts by the police”. “The relevant authorities have been asked to take the necessary measures and look into this issue immediately,” it said. The students clashed with riot police and chanted “the embassy of Britain should be taken over” and “death to England …
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Ch??ng trình h?c ti?ng Anh c?a VOA: Special English Health Report – World Report on Disability. Xin hãy vào www.youtube.com ?? xem các bài k? ti?p. This is the VOA Special English Health Report. New estimates show that more than one billion people have a physical or mental disability. Experts say almost one-fifth of them experience serious difficulties in their daily lives as a result of their disability. And disability rates are increasing as populations get older and more people get long-term conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. The estimates are in a report from the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The World Report on Disability says few countries do enough to meet the needs of the disabled. They face problems like discrimination and a lack of health care and other services. They have higher poverty rates and lower education levels than other people. This is true in both rich and poor countries. Cindy Lewis is the director of programs for an organization called Mobility International USA. Ms. Lewis says people with disabilities helped write the new report. One of its messages is that people with disabilities should not only receive services — they should also help design and provide them. Ms. Lewis says that way they can become decision makers and policy makers. “People with disabilities are a huge and untapped resource for governments, communities [and] development programs. And that is a big problem that we are working on addressing.” Ms. Lewis …
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Singapore?s Number Nine Ranking is Still Fine: Rikvin
Singapore’s Number Nine Ranking is Still Fine: Rikvin
Singapore (PRWEB) March 21, 2012
In spite of Singapore’s lower ranking vis-a-vis Hong Kong in the latest Bloomberg Best Countries for Business survey, Singapore company registration specialists Rikvin is confident that the Republic is positioned to attract more businesses that value lower rental rates, cleaner environment and tax rebates for making their way up the productivity value chain.
Bloomberg’s Best Countries for Business survey evaluated 160 markets along six categories namely the 1) costs of setting up business, 2) hiring and moving goods, 3) the degree of economic integration, 4) costs of labor and material, 5) less tangible costs and 6) the readiness of the local consumer base.
Hong Kong, which came first in the list, scored higher than Singapore on all fronts. However, company registration specialists Rikvin has recognized three crucial factors that continue to compel entrepreneurs and firms to form a Singapore company, namely 1) lower office rental rates, 2) cleaner environment and 3) the tax rebates offered through the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) scheme.
LOWER OFFICE RENTAL RATES IN SINGAPORE
Prime office rental rates has consistently been lower in Singapore than in Hong Kong. Knight Frank’s recent study has demonstrated that Central Hong Kong has superceded London’s West End for having the highest prime office rental rates worldwide in 2011. Colliers International’s H2 2011 Global Office Demand Growth survey has also affirmed this trend.
The survey showed that Hong Kong offers the most expensive net rental rate for Class A office spaces not only in Asia, but globally. As of December 2011, the rate for Class A office spaces was US$ 178.34 per square feet. In comparison, office space of the same quality in Singapore cost almost a third of that during the same period. At US$ 65.81 per square feet, prime office space in Singapore offers both startups and MNCs immense cost savings.
CLEANER ENVIRONMENT
A beautiful office space is nothing if the tenant cannot enjoy the view. Hong Kong is notorious for its persistently poor air quality. According to a recent report by Civic Exchange, the Region’s air pollution levels is responsible for over 528, 000 hospital bed days and over 49 million medical visits since 2005. The city is only beginning to chart a new roadmap to improve its air quality in the face of rising criticism by academics, businesses and international bodies like WHO.
Singapore, on the other hand offers high air quality compared to Hong Kong and other cities in the region. Sources of air pollution has long been well-regulated in Singapore and the government has enforced minimum emission standards under the Environmental Protection and Management (Air Impurities) Regulations in 2000 to ensure that air remains clean and safe in Singapore.
Furthermore, the Singapore government’s recent announcement of a S$ 75 million injection to support agencies including the Singapore Green Building Council and the Waste Management and Recycling Association over the next four years is a testament to Singapore’s commitment to maintaining high environmental standards for its residents.
TAX REBATES THROUGH THE PIC SCHEME
In gist, the Productivity and Innovation Credit scheme allows firms enjoy tax rebates or cash payouts when they move up the productivity and innovation chain.The updated scheme grants every Singapore firm a 400% tax deduction or a 60% cash payout option when investments are made in six productivity-enhancing and innovation activities per annum. This in turn means that Singapore firms that plan their productivity and innovation strategies ahead of time could potentially reap up to S$ 9.6 million in tax savings on their annual taxable income.
Further analysis by Rikvin shows that the World Bank has ranked Singapore as the Easiest Place to do Business for six consecutive years. As discussed in a recent analysis of EIU’s ranking, Singapore is the world’s third and Asia’s most competitive city due to its ability to attract businesses, capital, talent and tourists.
Commenting on the Mr. Satish Bakhda, Head of Operations, Rikvin, said, “In the near term, Hong Kong is an attractive location as it offers a slightly lower corporate tax rate and robust free market policies. However, in that regard, Singapore can closely match those terms and more. The three factors discussed demonstrate that Singapore offers a better environment to live, open a company and relocate a family. We anticipate that more discerning entrepreneurs and professionals will instead start a Singapore company with the long-term view of relocating their loved ones and growing the business.”
ABOUT RIKVIN
Rikvin is a Singapore-based consultancy that offers business solutions for both local and foreign professionals, investors and entrepreneurs. Rikvin’s areas of expertise include Singapore company formation, incorporation, offshore company setup, accounting, taxation and other related corporate services. Rikvin also provides Singapore work visa and immigration services for foreign professionals wishing to relocate to Singapore.
Rikvin Pte Ltd
20 Cecil Street, #14-01, Equity Plaza, Singapore 049705
(65) 6320 1888
http://www.rikvin.com/
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