News and interesting stuff

U.S. and China sign trade agreements worth U.S. $ 45 billion

U.S. and China have reached an agreement on the conclusion of trade agreements worth 45 billion dollars, said Wednesday a senior U.S. official quoted by Reuters. Agreements have been obtained during the visit President Hu Jintao made a period of four days, U.S..

According to reports, an agreement aimed at buying Boeing 200 aircraft by the Chinese, for 19 billion dollars.

Also, contracts were negotiated about Honeywell, Caterpillar and Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp..

The Washington official said on condition of anonymity, the U.S. and China have made progress in several key business areas, from intellectual property, innovation and public procurement.

Tunisia, Twitter and revelations Wikileaks

Ben Ali's dictatorship in Tunisia was very real, as well as formal unemployment had reached 14%. In fact it was more than 20%. Daily shortages and population rises beats basic foodstuffs (flour, oil and sugar) with more than 30% have produced complaints that could be "liquidated" the way it is done in the past - fewer carrots and more bats.

This time they spoke, but a series of catalysts that did not exist five years ago when they produced the last major popular demonstrations. The first catalyst - "evidence of major corruption of the dictator's family, revealed in detail by msajele sent by U.S. Embassy officials in Tunisia and published by Wikileaks. In these messages, 13 in number, the figure for nefarious dictator described "tithe" on presidential family members and learn them every serious business. Nobody can do business in Tunisia without this family represented by dozens of nephews, cousins or brother and not to receive its toll.

Privatization imposed by the so-called democratization process has promoted Ben Ali was there just like in other parts of the world's business, which has depleted the state patrimony and fabulously enriched a few people close to dictatorship.

Reading the messages revealed by Wikileaks you can not make comparisons with other places, at different times, and unfortunately today. Some interesting things to report: first warning people that Wikileaks has made to these disclosures by a sustained campaign of social networks, especially Twitter, and secondly some blogs from outside Tunisia and took their texts and Wikileaks translated into French and Arabic (Tunisia is a Francophone country), the third row to distribute messages and promote those who are not online were prepared "manifest" in Arabic, which contained text messages released by Wikileaks, often amplified or out of context.

Mentioned that most of these leaflets were printed and placed in Tunisia from a neighboring country (from east), with which Tunisia has divergent territorial. If the Romanian Revolution of '89 was considered outside the United States as the first revolution on television, "Jasmine Revolution of Tunisians can be considered the first revolution of the Internet and social networking, course and off-line support!

Interesting to read the article that links between Wikileaks and Tunisia Revolution in Business Insider and of course the 13 negative messages for Ben Ali, published by Wikileaks.

India has produced the first local fighter

India has produced the lightest supersonic fighter in the world, which will replace old MiG 21. 13-ton plane, called Tejas, began to be designed since the mid-1980s. The first flight was conducted by Tejas on 4 January 2001, reports RIA Novosti.

Indian Air Force made a request for 200 single-seat aircraft Tejas and 20 two-seater aircraft for training. "This is a historic moment for Aryan forces and the scientific community. India has entered the elite list of powers capable platform to build from scratch, " said the Indian authorities.

The first 40 aircraft will be equipped with General Electric F404 engines. Meanwhile, Indian design engineers with French experts with a local gas turbine engine, called Kaveri. Russia Kaveri engine began testing in autumn 2010.

The news comes days after Beijing press commented on Wednesday, the general picture recently published a website with Chinese governmental invisible fighter Chengdu J-20, developed for the military in China.

Iran Earthquake of 5.1 degrees

An earthquake measuring 5.1 degrees hit on Saturday morning, Fars province, southern Iran, causing damage in several villages in the area, but to do and no casualties, according to preliminary information broadcast by state television and quoted by AFP . The quake occurred at 3:54 local time (0:24 GMT).

This is the second earthquake that hit Iran in recent days, after Wednesday, another earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale, also occurred in southern Iran, leaving 16 injured and causing damage in 17 villages in the south.

In 2003, 30,000 people lost their lives after a devastating earthquake that hit south-eastern Iran.

Last month, seven people were killed and hundreds more were injured after an earthquake in northeastern Iran.

The IMF approved a loan of 22.5 billion euros for Ireland

International Monetary Fund approved a loan of 22.5 billion euros for Ireland to help the country overcome a crisis of the domestic banking system, informs AFP. Approximately 5.8 billion euros have already been transferred to Ireland, said a representative of the Fund.

The loan from the IMF is an essential part of the financing package of 85 billion ready by Ireland and the European Union in order to make the challenges brought by economic crisis.

Irish Parliament Wednesday approved the loan, with 81 votes for and 75 votes against. Ireland was hit by a drop in tax revenue amid the crisis, which correlated with rescue several banks in the country has a very delicate situation financially.

The oldest in the world of Facebook user has 103 years, and updating their profile on the iPad

The oldest in the world of Facebook users is Lillian Lowe, a British 103 years old, whoupdates the profile on an iPad, Daily Mail. Former hotel and then businesswomanLillian Lowe says that "love" Facebook, a social network that helps you keep in touch with those seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren of his people.

Previous "owner of record" was Ivy Bean, 104 years old, who died in July. Lillian Lowe, which uses up a few weeks, will turn to turn 104 years in two months.

Lillian declares himself a big fan of social networking: "I love Facebook, it is veryexciting. It is a wonderful way to learn all sorts of new things. But I must admit that it is also a great loss of time.'m sure there are a lots of other things I could do at that timeinstead to play on the computer. "

Lillian Lowe says he's on Facebook about two times a week and has "the list of " 134friends. She considers it "adorable" to see their latest photos and messages, eachtime they access social network.

"I read a lot during my life, and now took the place of computer books, " she says.

Lillian Lowe was born in Britain in 1907, back when King Edward VII was on the throne, and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was prime minister. He "caught" two worldwars and now remembers the moment he heard the news on the sinking Titanic in 1912.

Facebook has currently around 500 million users worldwide.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are going to China to convince Chinese billionaires to donate their wealth

 

Investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates will go to China this month to persuade Chinese billionaires to donate their goods, as part of the "Giving Pledge" that they have released it in the United States, transmit CNN , citing a story in the Financial Times. In June, CNN Money today announced that Buffett and Gates, his wife, Melinda, preparing a charity campaign that could revolutionize the American philanthropic behavior. The purpose of the three - to persuade the country's billionaires, starting with the list compiled by Forbes magazine, the failure to engage at least half of the value of their property charities.

"But fear of being persuaded to give a portion of wealth would have alienated some Chinese billionaires" at dinner that Buffett and Gates are going to offer it to Beijing in September. The exclusive list of guests include Zhang Xin, CEO of SOHO China real estate giant and Wang Chuanfu, chairman of car and battery maker BYD.

According to Chinese media, director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Beijing is worried that some guests may not participate. "A few people declined to participate, while many of the guests have called to ask if we will be forced to announce a donation during dinner," said Ray Yip.

"The biggest fear I have is to be humiliated," he said. Yip said also that the dinner is organized to allow Gates and Buffett "to meet new friends and exchange ideas about charity partners interested in, not to persuade the Chinese billionaires make donations." The two American billionaires could actually send letters in advance to assure that the wealthy China will not be obliged to make donations.

Rupert Hoogewerf, who made Hurun Report (rich list in China), said many Chinese are still skeptical about why people donate money and that "the most important shareholder in all charitable organizations in China is always government."

Hoogewerf but expressed optimism about Gates and Buffett's visit to China, especially since the devastating earthquake in Sichuan in 2008 changed the views of many local entrepreneurs. "Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are idolized by their coming here antrepenorii Chinese ... it might be the beginning of philanthropy in China."


Billionaire Buffett and Gates want to donate at least 50% of wealth

In June, CNN Money today announced that Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, his wife, Melinda, preparing a charity campaign that could revolutionize the American philanthropic behavior. The purpose of the three - to persuade the country's billionaires, starting with the list compiled by Forbes magazine, the failure to engage at least half of the value of their property charities.

According to reports in the last four years, Buffett, the third richest man in the world after Bill Gates and Carlos Slim, husbands Gates Foundation donated $ 6.4 billion.With money donated by Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has managed to offer, every year about $ 3 billion, particularly medical organizations.

In a rough calculation, the entire wealth of the Forbes 400 billionaires would amount to 1.2 trillion dollars. Thus, if they would commit to the initiative of three, would raise 600 billion dollars to charities.

Buffett said that wealthy people think what they could do with their property, but postponed the decision until the times when it's too late.
"If you expect to write his testament to 90 years, the chance that their reasoning power and will be better than is now null," says famous investor.

The idea was developed last year at a meeting between billionaires, headed by David Rockefeller in New York, who took part, among others, Oprah and Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York and the eighth richest man in the U.S..

 

The Vatican does not allow entrance to tourists dressed in shorts or sleeveless shirts

Visitors wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts are not allowed in the Vatican after officialslaunched a campaign against "inappropriate clothing" forward YahooTravel. The dress code is valid until now regarding the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, was extended toSt. Peter's Square.

The new dress code prohibits the presence of tourists dressed in shorts, miniskirts orbare shoulders are.

YahooTravel writes that this week, tourists who had not discovered the new rules werevery surprised when they were stopped by the Vatican's Swiss Guard members whohave asked to be covered or not will be left out.

Newspaper Daily Mail writes that many visitors have said that the Catholic Church is"hypocritical"by introducing these restrictions. A tourist from Bristol, James Smith, saidthe new law is "ridiculous. "

Duchess of York, about the bribery scandal of 500 thousand pounds: I was drunk when shot

Duchess of York, former wife of Prince Andrew of Great Britain, said the show madefamous by Oprah Winfrey, that he consumed alcohol on the day he was shot byundercover reporters while a British tabloid require 500 000 pounds bribe to facilitateaccess to a fake businessman ex-husband, wrote BelfastTelegraph.

"I am aware that I had, you know, I was not comfortable in my day, "said SarahFerguson.

Sarah Ferguson called an undercover journalist from the tabloid News of the World "$ 40,000 cash, promising him that he will present to Prince Andrew. Also, the Duchesscalled "business man" Indian £ 500,000 directly deposited into his bank account.

Sarah Ferguson (50 years) insisted and receive a commission of 1% of all businessesthat would be achieved as a result of intermediation of it.

The video was released early last week. News of the World has reported that there was no evidence that Prince Andrew would know of meetings Duchess of York andBuckingham Palace declined to comment on the incident.

Duchess of York and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996 and have two children together.

Airports in Ireland and Britain closed because of volcanic ash cloud

Several airports were closed Sunday morning in the west of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, because the return of a cloud of volcanic ash, authoritiesannounced, quoted by AFP.

Airports in Sligo, Donegal and Knock, West of Ireland were closed on Sunday, said theIrish civil aviation. Dublin and Shannon Airports will remain open at least until 12:00GMT (15:00 GMT).

Airports in Belfast, Northern Ireland - Belfast International and Belfast Harbour - areclosed, as Ronaldsway airport on the Isle of Man, up from 12.00 GMT.

"A dense cloud of volcanic ash covers quickly and Northern Ireland Isle of Man. Therefore, airspace was closed to civil aviation authorities over a part of NorthernIreland", says NATS.

British Transport Ministry warned on Saturday that British airspace could be partiallyclosed from Sunday to Tuesday because of the presence of a cloud of ash emitted by the volcano, Iceland.

Volcano eruption in Iceland Eyjafjoll paralyzed air traffic in Europe for nearly a week in mid-April. More than 100,000 flights have been canceled and then over eight millionpassengers were stranded.