Thursday, October 31, 2013

Forbes World's Most Powerful People


There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the planet. These are the 72 that matter the most according to Forbes. There are some interesting figures, it seems now that Russia is now more powerful than the United States if we were to consider the 'ring' leaders. See the full list below

David Ortiz named 2013 World Series MVP


It comes as a great shock to us all, but the man who made only five outs in starting six games is the World Series MVP.

David Ortiz has been named the 2013 World Series MVP.

Could there be any doubt?

There are hot streaks. There are clutch performances. Then there is David Ortiz in the 2013 World Series. 11-for-16 with two homers and eight walks--the last bit coming as the Cardinals finally gave in and just started walking him in Game 6--and that's with Carlos Beltran robbing him of a Grand Slam in Game 1.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Halloween stunt or sign of endtime: Mysterious figures at Chelsea stadium

A bit of news from the world of football...:-). 11 strange men in black robes (can you spot them in the pic above?) caused a stir at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge yesterday Sunday October 27th during the Chelsea vs Manchester City clash.
Goal.com reports that the hooded men, who had mysterious circles on their chest, were seen making curious synchronised movements at irregular intervals during Chelsea's 2-1 win, while they also stood in unison at random moments.
Situated three rows back from the corner flag at the Shed End, the gang could be clearly seen on TV cameras beaming pictures of the crunch fixture all across the world. See more pics below

23 Things You Should Never Say To A Curvy Woman

plus size women


Despite the fact that we should all know better, a shocking number of people think that it's acceptable to comment on women's bodies -- curvy, skinnyshort and tallalike. However, women who fall outside of the thin "ideal" face a specific type of weight discrimination. The comments often directed at these women make it glaringly clear that fat stigma is (sadly) still alive and well.
The term "plus-size" itself is a point of contention for many women. Obviously no one should be singled out for their body size, or treated differently because of their weight. But the fact remains that strangers, friends, family members and colleagues often feel empowered to comment on a woman's size -- especially when that size is not petite.
In a January 2012 piece for xoJane, Lesley Kinzel wrote about being criticized for her weight in public places such as the grocery store, the gym and a parking lot:
The frequency with which fat-shaming happens means many fat people go about their lives for years feeling constantly on guard, always prepared for someone to make a comment, to call them out. It doesn’t have to come from strangers, either; often our families and friends are just as likely to throw out careless fat-shaming comments, and not always with malicious intent.
We asked our readers to share the size-related comments they hate receiving most. Here are 23 things you should never say to a woman who isn't rail-thin:

Saturday, October 26, 2013

25 Movies That Will Give You A Panic Attack

We love movies that keep us on the edge of our seats, but some can cause serious anxiety. Here are a group of films that might very well have you breathing into a paper bag to calm down.

1. Rear Window (1954)

Rear Window (1954)
Universal Pictures
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stuck at home with a broken leg, Jeff (James Stewart) begins aimlessly spying on his neighbors. Soon, however, he finds he may be a witness to a murder. So many of Master of Suspense Hitchcock’s movies are stressful, but there’s something about Jeff’s helplessness in Rear Window that makes the film extra anxiety-inducing.

2. Wait Until Dark (1967)

Wait Until Dark (1967)
Warner Bros.
Director: Terence Young
A young blind woman named Susy (Audrey Hepburn) is terrorized by criminals trying to break into her apartment.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Canada failing to meet 2020 emissions targets

Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq's department prepared the latest progress report to the UN on the federal government's emissions targets.
Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq's department prepared the latest progress report to the UN on the federal government's emissions targets. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Canada will fail to meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reductions targets under the Copenhagen Accord even with more regulation of the oil and gas sector, according to a new report and internal government analysis obtained by CBC News.
A report released today titled Canada’s Emissions Trends shows projections to 2020 with a significant and growing gap for targets even under variable economic growth and energy resource development scenarios.

Prince George’s christening

prince-george-christening
When three-month-old Prince George was christened today, the ceremony steeped in British tradition was more than a private family celebration of its latest addition. The christening of the third in line to the throne in a small London chapel was also another signal that the once-fusty House of Windsor is determined to mould a more modern image of the monarchy, including how George's father, Prince William, may focus on a lower-key approach to royal life.
George — formally known as Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge — is now part of the "magical group of eight," which includes his great-grandmother, the Queen, her husband Prince Philip, grandfather Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Kate and William and William’s brother Prince Harry

Caution for Immigrants: Most Commonly Advertised Occupations in Canada



A letter for all immigrants relocating to Canada to pursue a career, the top jobs by all the provinces in a recent survey by StatCan are listed  below. Babysitters, Nannies, and Parents' Helpers had the most job ad volume among these provinces. Cooks were the second most in-demand occupation and it appeared among the top 5 jobs in each province. Despite only appearing on some lists, demand for Sales, Marketing, and Advertising Managers increased the most in the past year out of the positions listed above. Next to Cooks and Babysitters, Nannies, and Parents' Helpers, Sales Representatives and Truck Drivers appeared most often. Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Occupations only appeared in Alberta and Prince Edward Island. Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics was unique in Saskatchewan. Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale Trade was only among the most advertised occupations in British Columbia. Visiting Housemakers, Housekeepers, and Related Occupations was distinctive in only Newfoundland and Labrador. Please be advised, see the full list below

Friday, October 11, 2013

Entrepreneurs Feel Closer to God Than the Rest of Us Do



The study: Mitchell J. Neubert and three colleagues at Baylor University investigated the connection between faith and the propensity to start a business, by examining data from a survey that queried 1,714 U.S. adults about their religious habits. They found that entrepreneurs prayed more frequently than other people and were more likely to believe that God was personally responsive to them.
The challenge: Do people who launch companies really feel a deeper connection to their deity than non-entrepreneurs? Professor Neubert, defend your research.
Neubert: Entrepreneurs seem to be more religious in a couple of small—but statistically significant—ways. They pray more—several times a week, on average—and are more likely to believe in an engaged, responsive God who takes a personal interest in them. You can see how the two might be related: If you think God cares about you, you’re more likely to talk to him. Entrepreneurs also are more apt to worship with a congregation that encourages business activity. On other measures—church affiliation, belief in God, and service attendance—they seem to be as religious as everyone else: Nearly nine out of 10 are affiliated with some religion. They attend church monthly, on average, and two-thirds say they have no doubt that God exists. But even those findings might surprise people who assume that hard-driving business people are too busy or greedy to make time for religion.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Rise and Fall of World's Richest Drug Lords


Fugitive Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, best known for ordering the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena in 1985, appears to be the first in a generation of Mexican drug kingpins to amass a fortune estimated in the billions of dollars. During the 1980s he headed the Guadalajara Cartel, which was at the time the world’s most powerful drug organization.
Caro Quintero was sentenced in 1989 to serve 40 years in a Mexican prison for the murder of Camarena and his Mexican pilot, and for drug trafficking. But after spending 28 years in jail, the 61 year-old Caro Quintero was secretly released in the middle of the night on a legal technicality by an obscure court in Guadalajara in August.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

17 Incredibly Successful People Who Started As Interns

steve jobs


A wealth of knowledge, extensive opportunities and a foot in that dream job's door can only describe one thing: internships.
Several of us have been there -- in college, high school or even as an adolescent -- getting a glimpse of the real world and a chance to climb the career ladder.
The paid vs. unpaid debate rages on inside intern land despite many positive work outcomes. It isn't ALL grabbing coffee and making copies.
Internships can actually get you somewhere and Hollywood has proof. We found at least 19 examples. These stars worked their way up before hitting it big.
1. Steven Spielberg
The prolific producer began an unofficial internship with Universal Studios when he was 17 years old. Spielberg continually snuck onto the studio lot (he wasn't granted access) and networked with directors, even creating a short film that found its way into executives' hands. Universal heads were so impressed that they offered him a seven-year contract. The rest is history.
steven spielberg
2. Conan O'Brien
Funnyman O'Brien discussed his time interning for Barney Frank at the House of Representatives during an "Inside the Actor's Studio" episode. He says he didn't pursue politics because, "I didn't want to work my way up."
conan obrien
3. Tom Hanks
Before he was a movie star, Hanks was a college kid interning for the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. He obtained stage confidence and a wealth of theater production experience. The internship turned into a three-year gig ... in which the actor would drop out of college (no longer needing formal theater education).
tom hanks
4. Oprah Winfrey

'God particle' theorists receive Nobel Prize in physics

A proton-proton collision produced in the Large Hadron Collider shows characteristics in line with the decay of a Higgs boson particle.
A proton-proton collision produced in the Large Hadron Collider shows characteristics in line with the decay of a Higgs boson particle.
The Higgs boson, or the "God particle," which was discovered last year, garnered two physicists the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday, but it didn't go to the scientists who detected it. Nearly 50 years ago, Francois Englert of Belgium and Peter Higgs of the United Kingdom had the foresight to predict that the particle existed. Now, the octogenarian pair share the Nobel Prize in physics in recognition of a theoretical brilliance that was vindicated by the particle's discovery last year. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the prize to them. Higgs and Englert's theories behind the elusive Higgs boson explained what gives matter its mass.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

FBI shuts down online black market for illegal drugs, arms and money

Prosecutors also charged that in March, Ulbricht tried to hire someone to kill a Silk Road user

US authorities said Wednesday that they have busted an online black market for drugs, hitmen, hacker tools and more, arresting the suspected mastermind of a nefarious bazaar called Silk Road.


Ross William Ulbricht, also known as "Dread Pirate Roberts," was arrested on Tuesday in San Francisco after the website was shut down, the Justice Department said in a statement. His online moniker appeared to be taken from a character in the film "The Princess Bride. "Prosecutors said they seized approximately $3.6m worth of Bitcoins, the largest-ever seizure of the digital currency.

The debt ceiling and potential impact on Canada explained

President Obama addresses the press as Republican House Speaker John Boehner looks on.
President Obama addresses the press as Republican House Speaker John Boehner looks on.
Getty Images
So what is the debt ceiling exactly—and more importantly, what does it mean for Canada if the U.S. government hits it?
It’s a complicated question everyone from big financial investor-types and lawmakers are trying to unpack now, 10 days ahead of a deadline set in Washington to either raise the ceiling, which would allow the U.S. Treasury to borrow additional money to continue funding the business of government, or not, leaving the Treasury in a position where it will run short of cash.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Teenagers arrested for Facebook kiss

Moroccan police have arrested a teenage boy and girl for posting a photograph of them kissing on Facebook, with the incident provoking a slew of copycats, a rights organisation said. "It involves a teenage boy and his girlfriend. They were arrested on Thursday for violating public decency by posting a photo of them kissing" in the northeastern town of Nador, said Chakib al-Khayari, president of the Rif Association of Human Rights on Friday.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Freed Canadians barred from leaving Egypt

Canadians John Greyson and Tarek Loubani had been held in the high security Tora facility for 6 weeks


Two Canadians released from an Egyptian prison after being held without charges since mid-August have barred from flying out of the country, Cairo airport officials said. John Greyson, a Toronto-based film-maker and York University professor, and Tarek Loubani, a physician from London, Ontario, had checked in for a flight to Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday, but were prevented from boarding the plane after their names appeared on a "stop-list" issued by prosecutors, the airport officials said.

Song of the Week: Supersoaker by Kings of Leon (Live performance in London 02 arena)


[Verse 1:]
My motivation has gone too soon
Good vibrations all over you
Act like you mean it, you mean it
You've got a story you never tell
Down in the delta I'm ringing bells
I've never seen it, seen it
Back of my mind I'm on my way
I see through smiles on every face
I don't believe it, believe it

[Pre-Chorus:]
Cause I'm a supersoaker red, white,
And blew em all away
With the kisses unclean
as the words that you say

[Chorus:]
I don't mind sentimental girls at times
Mister walk away, walk away

[Verse 2:]
The flags are flying across the plains
I've got a secret picking at my brain
I wanna see you, see you
The exit sign is on my face
Don't know my home, I don't know my place
I just wanna be there, be there

[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus x2]

I don't mind sentimental girls at times
I just lay it on the line, on the line

[Chorus x2]

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Ex-Revenue Canada lawyer advised how to hide money offshore

An exclusive CBC News hidden camera investigation into the world of offshore banking uncovered a former executive with the Royal Bank of Canada and a former lawyer with the Canada Revenue Agency offering advice on how to hide money from Canadian tax authorities.


As part of the joint investigation with Enquête, the CBC’S French-language investigative program, CBC News hired a private investigator, who is also a restaurant and bar owner in Toronto, to test 15 different offshore service providers in Canada and abroad.
The investigator was given a story: over the years he had squirrelled away as much as a million dollars that he hadn’t declared, and wanted to hide it offshore to avoid paying taxes.
More than half of the offshore service providers tested with hidden cameras by the CBC in Canada and Barbados provided advice that wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny, according to CBC experts.

Struggle for India’s Women Far From Over

Photo: There were 24,923 reported rape cases in India last year. On average, 24% of rape cases end with a conviction. http://on.wsj.com/15XVVvF

Why the struggle for India's women is far from over: http://on.wsj.com/1egnJpp
There were 24,923 reported rape cases in India last year. On average, 24% of rape cases end with a conviction. The verdict was in. A New Delhi court has found four men guilty of rape and murder in the case of a 23-year-old woman assaulted on a bus as it drove through the Indian capital in December. Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Kumar Singh face a possible death penalty when they are sentenced.

Judge Yogesh Khanna’s decision may help provide a sense of closure for the woman’s family and friends. But for India, the struggle to stop violence against women is far from over.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Apple overtakes Cocacola as world's number one most valuable brand



For thirteen years, Cocacola was the world's number one most valuable brand...but not anymore. In 2013, two brands took over - Apple and Google, leaving Cocacola at number three.

From New York Times
Apple is the new most valuable brand in the world, according to a closely followed annual report. The report, to be released next Monday, is from Interbrand, a corporate identity and brand consulting company owned by the Omnicom Group that has been compiling what it calls the Best Global Brands report since 2000. The previous No. 1 brand, Coca-Cola, fell to No. 3.
Not only has Apple replaced Coca-Cola as first among the 100 most valuable brands based on criteria that include financial performance, this is the first time that the soft drink known for slogans like “It’s the real thing” has not been No. 1.

Apple’s arrival in the top spot was perhaps “a matter of time,” Jez Frampton, global chief executive at Interbrand, said in a recent interview. Apple was No. 2 last year, climbing from No. 8 in the 2011 report.

“What is it they say, ‘Long live the king’?” Mr. Frampton asked. “This year, the king is Apple.”

The 2013 report begins: “Every so often, a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following Coca-Cola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Interbrand has a new No. 1 — Apple.”

The report estimates the value of the Apple brand at $98.3 billion, up 28 percent from the 2012 report. The value of the Coca-Cola brand also rose, by 2 percent to $79.2 billion, but that was not sufficient to give Coca-Cola a 14th year as Interbrand’s most valuable brand.