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British TV presenter Rico Daniels tells Wikinews about being ‘The Salvager’

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Rico Daniels is a British TV presenter living in France who is known for his two television series — The Salvager — whilst he still lived in the UK and then Le Salvager after he moved to France. Rico has been in a variety of jobs but his passion is now his profession – he turns unwanted ‘junk’ into unusual pieces of furniture. Rico’s creations and the methods used to fabricate them are the subject of the Salvager shows.

Rico spoke to Wikinews in January about his inspiration and early life, future plans, other hobbies and more. Read on for the full exclusive interview, published for the first time:

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO apologies for financial planning scandal

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Ian Narev, the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, this morning “unreservedly” apologised to clients who lost money in a scandal involving the bank’s financial planning services arm.

Last week, a Senate enquiry found financial advisers from the Commonwealth Bank had made high-risk investments of clients’ money without the clients’ permission, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars lost. The Senate enquiry called for a Royal Commission into the bank, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Mr Narev stated the bank’s performance in providing financial advice was “unacceptable”, and the bank was launching a scheme to compensate clients who lost money due to the planners’ actions.

In a statement Mr Narev said, “Poor advice provided by some of our advisers between 2003 and 2012 caused financial loss and distress and I am truly sorry for that. […] There have been changes in management, structure and culture. We have also invested in new systems, implemented new processes, enhanced adviser supervision and improved training.”

An investigation by Fairfax Media instigated the Senate inquiry into the Commonwealth Bank’s financial planning division and ASIC.

Whistleblower Jeff Morris, who reported the misconduct of the bank to ASIC six years ago, said in an article for The Sydney Morning Herald that neither the bank nor ASIC should be in control of the compensation program.

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Mayor declares weather emergency in New York City

Thursday, January 13, 2011

On Tuesday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a weather emergency in New York City, New York. The announcement was issued as a preemptive measure in preparation for an expected 6-12 inches of snow Wednesday, although the Metropolitan Transportation Authority claims to be ready for 14 inches.

Bloomberg explained the meaning of the preemptive announcement by stating: “We recognize that we did not do the job that New Yorkers rightly expect of us in the last storm. We intend to make sure that does not happen again.” Despite declaring an emergency, the mayor said the city would not make the decision to close public schools until 5 AM.

The city is looking for people to shovel snow off sidewalks and intersections. The New York City Housing Authority announced on their Twitter page, “Turn a snow day into a payday. The city is looking for snow removal help. Apply now.” The linked page offered $12 an hour to shovel snow for the city.

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South Korea: Fire in hospital housing elderly people kills at least 37

Friday, January 26, 2018

Fire broke out on Friday morning and destroyed the bottom two floors of a six-story hospital in Miryang, South Korea, killing at least 37 people, most of them elderly. More than a hundred injuries were reported, with eighteen people in critical condition. This is the highest death toll from fire in South Korea in almost a decade.

The fire is believed to have started at about 7:30 local time, according to fire chief Choi Man-woo. It originated on the ground floor in the emergency room as per various officials. The hospital has 98 beds and a medical staff of about 35, and specializes in long-term care of elderly patients. It adjoins a nursing home, all of whose 94 residents were evacuated. Staff carried some patients out of the hospital on their backs.

One patient, Jang Yeong-jae, who told his story to JoongAng Ilbo, said he escaped by removing a screen from a window to get to a ladder placed by firefighters. He described people “running around in panic, falling over and screaming as smoke filled the rooms”. The majority of the victims died from smoke inhalation and are believed to be elderly, said the head of the city’s public hospital, Chun Jae-kyung. A doctor, a nurse, and a nursing assistant have died, according to the fire service; it took three hours to put out the fire.

In a press briefing, Seok Gyeong-sik, the director of the hospital, apologized to patients and their families. Son Kyung-chul, its chairman, stated that there were no sprinklers because the facility was small. Sprinklers are being installed in the nursing home, where a new law requires them by June 30.

Last month, 29 people died in a fire in a gym in Jecheon; the owner and the manager were arrested for safety violations. In 2014, a blaze in a nursing home in Jangseong left 21 dead. The President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, responded to the Friday fire by calling an emergency meeting of his staff, and promised that the cause would be found rapidly “to prevent the recurrence of the fire in the future”.

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Hydrogen fuel cell cars promoted in various states, but U.S. federal funding cut

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

American Secretary of Energy Steven Chu is cutting US$100 million dollars from hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research and diverting the remaining $69 million to hydrogen fuel cell research for household current.

Former president George W. Bush advocated the zero-emission vehicles and launched $1.2 billion for hydrogen fuel cell research over a number of years.

President Barack Obama is proposing a “corporate average fuel economy,” or CAFÉ, placing standards for gas mileage at 39 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks at 30 mpg.

“The probability of deploying hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles in the next 10 to 20 years is low.” said Tom Welch of the U.S. Department of Energy. “We asked ourselves, ‘Is it likely in the next 10 or 15, 20 years that we will convert to a hydrogen car economy?’ The answer, we felt, was ‘no,'” said Chu.

In response, the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and the National Hydrogen Association said, “The cuts proposed in the DOE hydrogen and fuel-cell program threaten to disrupt commercialization of a family of technologies that are showing exceptional promise and beginning to gain market traction. Fuel-cell vehicles are not a science experiment. These are real vehicles with real marketability and real benefits. Hundreds of fuel-cell vehicles have collectively logged millions of miles.”

“I just got the Clarity, which is a wonderful hydrogen vehicle,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He lent his car to The Hydrogen Road Tour.

On Tuesday, The Hydrogen Road Tour began in Chula Vista, California. Twelve hydrogen fuel cell cars by seven auto makers will arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia June 3 for the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference, a global hydrogen and fuel cell event. “The point really is to raise awareness about fuel celled vehicles and hydrogen, their benefits both to energy efficiency and the environment as well as to consumers because we really believe these vehicles are going to be a market winner,” said Catherine Dunwoody, the Executive Director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cells 2009 conference began June 1. “Our global environmental challenges, such as climate change, do not stop at the border,” ” said John Tak, conference Chair, “I am pleased that scientists, engineers, government representatives and businesspeople from more than 35 countries are coming to Vancouver, an active hub for hydrogen and fuel cell development, to help create solutions to these challenges.”

The Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium was held in North Canton, Ohio on Wednesday and Thursday. “The hydrogen and fuel cell industries are at a stage where they have the momentum and energy to accomplish some truly revolutionary things in terms of how they apply their technologies,” said William Whittenberger, president of Catacel Corp. These fuel cells produce electricity and exhaust carbon dioxide and water.

A hydrogen powered municipal street cleaning vehicle is currently being tested for the next year and half in Basel, Switzerland. “Our aim is to take fuel cell technology from the laboratory onto the street,” said Empa’s Internal Combustion Engines Laboratory Project Leader Christian Bach.

Dan Lutz, the fleet manager for the Beloit, Wisconsin public works department, experimented with retro-fitting his personal truck. The department now has a large pickup truck, a garbage truck, a recycling truck, a police squad car and a small pickup truck using hydrogen technology increasing gas mileage from 14 to 22 and 31 mpg. “We know the basic technology works, but the issue is, is it practical,” said City Manager Larry Arft, “Can it be used realistically?”

The drawback is that the technology may rely on platinum, a rare metal, or palladium. Infrastructure would need to be changed to supply hydrogen fueling stations. Critics are also concerned about hydrogen fuel storage and the costs of retro-fitting existing vehicles.

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April

9

News briefs:June 3, 2010

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News briefs:June 3, 2010
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Wikinews Audio Briefs Credits
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April

8

#1 Dry Skin Care Tip}

#1 Dry Skin Care Tip

by

John RussellGot dry skin? A dry skin care anti aging lotion is the optimal solution for dry skin care problems.In order for any dry skin care anti aging lotion to actually improve a dry skin condition for more than a few minutes, the lotion must get below the second major layer of skin. Independent lab testing shows shielding lotions are the most effective anti-aging skin care products.Typically, the only moisture that is ever really going to reach deep enough in sufficient quantities to resolve a dry skin problem over the long-term, is the skin’s own natural moisture.So the solution is to assist your skin in producing more natural moisture and not allow it to be lost. Until now, all that could be done to alleviate a dry skin condition is apply conventional lotions like artificial moisture. These products were designed to just temporarily fix dry skin, placing artificial moisture over the top layer of skin.A dry skin care anti aging lotion, which is termed a shield lotion, is the key to actually improving dry skin.A major factor to consider is that many households and workplace chemicals, even cosmetics and fragrances, are absorbed directly into the skin, which can cause skin disorders or just plain cracked dry skin. When cooking, cleaning, or being active in activities from gardening to painting, skiing to fishing, or any exposure to harsh weather, you are further drying and irritating your skin. A dry skin care anti aging lotion, which provides a shielding lotion protection layer, is the product that is effective with dry skin. A shielding lotion will rapidly absorb into and bonds with the outer layer of skin, which creates a protective layer while retaining the natural moisture from within. This makes it the perfect anti-aging skin care product.An effective shielding lotion will not wash off, but comes off naturally with exfoliated skin cells and just needs to be reapplied every 4 hours. In summary, taking proper care of your skin can do more to enhance your appearance than all the lotions and creams that can be applied to cover-up unhealthy skin. The summer months pose unique challenges, constantly switching between dry indoor air and summer heat outdoors removes moisture from the skin. While creams and lotions replace some of the lost moisture, it is far better to take steps to prevent moisture loss in the first place. In the event a dry skin problem is present, a dry skin care anti aging lotion, termed a shielding lotion, is the fix.John Russell of IH Distribution, LLC brings you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world. Find fabulous skin care tips and great articles on a wide range of topics for women at our Skin Care Blog

and

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leoxb6KIQ58[/youtube]

hormones-beauty-health.com

Don’t forget to check out their newly re-launched newsletter – filled with information you won’t find anywhere else.

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Filled Under: Skin Treatment

April

8

Top Mistakes Of Managing Your Own Rental Property}

Submitted by: Jason Kay

Managing your own rental property can be somewhat of a challenge especially if you dont know what mistakes are common and how to avoid them. But by avoiding these mistakes you will not only save yourself money, but you will also save yourself a whole lot of headaches.

While managing your own rental property is not something for the meek, here are some common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs:

Not screening potential tenants: It is of utmost importance that you carefully screen each prospective tenant who wishes to rent your property. You should have each interested party fill out an application that includes things such as rental history, financial stability, credit, and even criminal background. The last thing you want to do is to take someone at their word that they are going to be a great tenant and then find out later that they dont have two nickels to rub together. Nothing will make you feel more foolish than knowing there was something you could have done to prevent a bad tenant from occupying your property. The key to enjoying the rental property business lies in good tenants and if you dont screen properly you may miss out and rent to some less than desirables.

Not signing a lease: You never want to take anything for granted when it comes to renting your property. If you dont make the tenants sign a lease you will have a harder time getting them out should they default on the agreement. Whether you are renting month to month or a year at a time, make sure you get it in writing.

Not giving Title X information: This one can cost you big, $10,000 in fact. According to the law, every tenant, new or renewing, must receive a pamphlet from you on the Lead Based Paint Disclosure Law if your house was built before 1978.

Not having the property ready: Make sure that everything that needs to be done to your property such as painting or repairs are done before a new tenant moves in. Failure to do so will result in endless phone calls from the tenant and added headaches for you. Unless you have a written agreement with the tenant prior to them moving in, then it is imperative that all the work be completed before occupancy begins.

Not maintaining the property: Another common mistake is not properly maintaining your property. It is easy to ignore little problems as they begin, but after enough time those little problems become big problems and cost big bucks to fix. It is better to find a company to perform routine maintenance such as clean the gutters and maintain the air conditioning unit so that problems arise on a less frequent basis. The cost of a maintenance program is nothing compared to a major problem that can arise if things are not taken care of from the get go.

While many rental property owners hire a company to manage their rental properties for them, it can be done yourself. Again, managing your own rental problem is a very challenging and difficult thing to do, but avoiding common mistakes can make your endeavor a bit easier.

About the Author: Compare property management companies by reading independent

property management reviews

given by landlords and tenants.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=464845&ca=Real+Estate}

Filled Under: Accountants

April

8

Canada’s Toronto Centre (Ward 28) city council candidates speak

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Canada’s Toronto Centre (Ward 28) city council candidates speak
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Saturday, November 4, 2006

On November 13, Toronto residents will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward’s councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto’s ridings is Toronto Centre (Ward 28). One candidate responded to Wikinews’ requests for an interview. This ward’s candidates include Howard Bortenstein, Holly Cartmell, Baquie Ghazi, Connie Harrison, Yaqoob Khan, Pam McConnell (incumbent), and Catherina Perez.

For more information on the election, read Toronto municipal election, 2006.

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April

8

Network Rail employee arrested in connection with Cumbrian train crash

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Network Rail employee arrested in connection with Cumbrian train crash
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Friday, July 13, 2007

An employee of Network Rail, the company that owns and maintains the British railway infrastructure, has been arrested in connection with the Grayrigg derailment in Cumbria, in the north of England, which left one passenger dead in February of this year.

The Virgin Pendolino service from London to Glasgow derailed at 20:15 GMT on February 23 as it passed over a set of points which an interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found were missing components and were in a poor condition.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said that the 46-year-old man from Preston was arrested on Wednesday and has been released on police bail until October 31.

Network Rail were unable to comment on the arrest.

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