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Thursday, December 27, 2007
Polish Divorce
A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American girl.
Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well until one day he rushed into a lawyer's office and asked him if he could arrangea divorce for him - "very quick."
The lawyer said that the speed for getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked him the following questions:
LAWYER: "Have you any grounds?"
POLISH: "JA, JA, acre and half and nice little home."
LAWYER: "No," I mean what is the foundation of this case?"
POLISH: "It made of concrete."
LAWYER: "Does either of you have a real grudge?"
POLISH: "No, we have carport, and not need one."
LAWYER: "I mean, What are your relations like?"
POLISH: "All my relations still in Poland."
LAWYER: "Is there any infidelity in your marriage?"
POLISH: "Ja, we have hi- fidelity stereo set and good DVD player."
LAWYER: Does your wife beat you up?"
POLISH: "No, I always up before her."
LAWYER: "Is your wife a nagger?"
POLISH: "No, she white."
LAWYER: "WHY do you want this divorce?"
POLISH: "She going to kill me."
LAWYER: "What makes you think that?"
POLISH: "I got proof.LAWYER: "What kind of proof?"
POLISH: "She going to poison me. She buy a bottle at drugstore and put onshelf in bathroom. I can read, and it say,
'Polish Remover'."
Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well until one day he rushed into a lawyer's office and asked him if he could arrangea divorce for him - "very quick."
The lawyer said that the speed for getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked him the following questions:
LAWYER: "Have you any grounds?"
POLISH: "JA, JA, acre and half and nice little home."
LAWYER: "No," I mean what is the foundation of this case?"
POLISH: "It made of concrete."
LAWYER: "Does either of you have a real grudge?"
POLISH: "No, we have carport, and not need one."
LAWYER: "I mean, What are your relations like?"
POLISH: "All my relations still in Poland."
LAWYER: "Is there any infidelity in your marriage?"
POLISH: "Ja, we have hi- fidelity stereo set and good DVD player."
LAWYER: Does your wife beat you up?"
POLISH: "No, I always up before her."
LAWYER: "Is your wife a nagger?"
POLISH: "No, she white."
LAWYER: "WHY do you want this divorce?"
POLISH: "She going to kill me."
LAWYER: "What makes you think that?"
POLISH: "I got proof.LAWYER: "What kind of proof?"
POLISH: "She going to poison me. She buy a bottle at drugstore and put onshelf in bathroom. I can read, and it say,
'Polish Remover'."
Monday, December 24, 2007
Joke for the day - Fishing Shop
A woman goes into a store to buy a fishing rod and reel for her grandson's birthday. She doesn't
know which one to get, so she just grabs one and goes over to the counter.
The salesman is standing there, wearing dark glasses.
She says "Excuse me - can you tell me anything about this rod and reel?"
He says, "Madam, I'm completely blind but if you'll drop it on the counter I can tell you everything
you need to know about it from the sound it makes."
She doesn't believe him but drops it on the counter anyway.
He says "That's a two meter Shakespeare graphite rod with a Zebco 404 reel and 5-kg. Test line.
It's a good all around combination and it's on sale this week for $44."
She says, "It's amazing that you can tell all that just by the sound of it dropping on the counter,
I'll take it!"
As she opens her purse, her credit card drops on the floor.
"Oh, That sounds like a Visa Card" says the salesman.
As the lady bends down to pick up the card, she accidentally farts. At first she is really
embarrassed but then realizes there is no way the blind salesman could tell it was she who had farted.
The salesman rings up the sale and says, "That'll be $58.50 please."
The woman is totally confused by this and asks, "Didn't you tell me it was on sale for $44?
How did you get to $58.50?"
"The Duck Caller is $11 and the Fish Bait is $3.50."
know which one to get, so she just grabs one and goes over to the counter.
The salesman is standing there, wearing dark glasses.
She says "Excuse me - can you tell me anything about this rod and reel?"
He says, "Madam, I'm completely blind but if you'll drop it on the counter I can tell you everything
you need to know about it from the sound it makes."
She doesn't believe him but drops it on the counter anyway.
He says "That's a two meter Shakespeare graphite rod with a Zebco 404 reel and 5-kg. Test line.
It's a good all around combination and it's on sale this week for $44."
She says, "It's amazing that you can tell all that just by the sound of it dropping on the counter,
I'll take it!"
As she opens her purse, her credit card drops on the floor.
"Oh, That sounds like a Visa Card" says the salesman.
As the lady bends down to pick up the card, she accidentally farts. At first she is really
embarrassed but then realizes there is no way the blind salesman could tell it was she who had farted.
The salesman rings up the sale and says, "That'll be $58.50 please."
The woman is totally confused by this and asks, "Didn't you tell me it was on sale for $44?
How did you get to $58.50?"
"The Duck Caller is $11 and the Fish Bait is $3.50."
Monday, November 19, 2007
UAE, Hong Kong and Russia best for tax
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong and Russia have the most attractive personal tax regimes, according to a survey by investment services firm Mercer.
Mercer's Worldwide Individual Tax Comparator Report found Australia ranked in the middle of the pack.
Belgium, Denmark and Hungary had the least attractive personal tax regimes.
The survey of tax and benefits systems across 32 markets quoted tax rates based on the average for a middle manager earning $91,000 per annum.
The survey also found married employees with two children were better off than single employees.
The Mercer report said single managers could do best in terms of net income in the UAE, which did not assess any income tax and only required that employees make a contribution of five per cent of gross salary in social security contributions.
The next best tax regime was Russia, which applied a flat tax of 13 per cent.
Hong Kong was third, requiring 14.2 per cent of gross base salary to be paid in tax and social security contributions.
Australia and India were tied in 14th place, with a tax rate of 29.1 per cent.
Mexico (8th), Brazil (9th) and Argentina (10th) led the American counties.
European countries - other than Russia - dominated the ranks of countries with the least attractive tax regimes.
Ireland was 18th, Spain 19th, Switzerland 21st, France 22nd and Germany 29th.
At the bottom were Hungary (30th), Denmark (31st) and Belgium (32nd), where single managers would have to pay tax and social security contributions of 48.5 per cent, 48.6 per cent and 50.5 per cent respectively.
Senior consultant Brian Waite said going to countries with low or zero tax rates was an important incentive for employees to work abroad.
In high-tax destinations, expatriate employees had to get compensation packages that would at least match their purchasing power at home.
Mercer researcher Niklaus Kobel said marital status was often a major factor in determining local tax rates.
In Hong Kong, a married manager with no children would pay 11.5 per cent in tax - lower than the rate for a single person - and a married person with two children would be taxed at only 8.9 per cent.
(Source: smh)
Mercer's Worldwide Individual Tax Comparator Report found Australia ranked in the middle of the pack.
Belgium, Denmark and Hungary had the least attractive personal tax regimes.
The survey of tax and benefits systems across 32 markets quoted tax rates based on the average for a middle manager earning $91,000 per annum.
The survey also found married employees with two children were better off than single employees.
The Mercer report said single managers could do best in terms of net income in the UAE, which did not assess any income tax and only required that employees make a contribution of five per cent of gross salary in social security contributions.
The next best tax regime was Russia, which applied a flat tax of 13 per cent.
Hong Kong was third, requiring 14.2 per cent of gross base salary to be paid in tax and social security contributions.
Australia and India were tied in 14th place, with a tax rate of 29.1 per cent.
Mexico (8th), Brazil (9th) and Argentina (10th) led the American counties.
European countries - other than Russia - dominated the ranks of countries with the least attractive tax regimes.
Ireland was 18th, Spain 19th, Switzerland 21st, France 22nd and Germany 29th.
At the bottom were Hungary (30th), Denmark (31st) and Belgium (32nd), where single managers would have to pay tax and social security contributions of 48.5 per cent, 48.6 per cent and 50.5 per cent respectively.
Senior consultant Brian Waite said going to countries with low or zero tax rates was an important incentive for employees to work abroad.
In high-tax destinations, expatriate employees had to get compensation packages that would at least match their purchasing power at home.
Mercer researcher Niklaus Kobel said marital status was often a major factor in determining local tax rates.
In Hong Kong, a married manager with no children would pay 11.5 per cent in tax - lower than the rate for a single person - and a married person with two children would be taxed at only 8.9 per cent.
(Source: smh)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Don't be trapped into flood damaged cars
NRMA says the following may help to identify any water damage:
- Water or condensation in exterior lights
- 'Tide marks' at the carpet and door trims
- Dampness or musty smells
- Shrunken carpet
- Missing or ill-fitting drain plugs
- Surface rust at brackets under dash and under seats, although some light rust here is considered normal for older cars
- Difficult-to-operate door locks, ventilation controls and switches
An owner who wants to keep a flood-damaged vehicle should:
- Free drain holes from obstructions
- Check for dampness or mould and replace carpets if affected
- Listen for noises that get louder with speed and time, which could indicate imminent bearing or driveling failure
(Source: "Open Road")
Sunday, October 21, 2007
More Aussies are millionaires
By Teresa Ooi
October 19, 2007 07:20am
THE ranks of Australia's millionaires swelled by 10.3 per cent to 161,000 last year, with them amassing a fortune of $US510 billion ($570.1 billion).
Their fortune was the third highest in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan at $US3.7 trillion and China at $US1.7 trillion.
Almost half of Australia's millionaires made their money by owning businesses or selling them. About 16 per cent racked up their dollars on the buoyant stock market. Only 13 per cent inherited their wealth.
More than 75 per cent of the country's millionaires are men, with an average age of 50. Only 15 per cent are women, compared with Taiwan's 43 per cent and China's 38 per cent.
"This implies that there is still a glass ceiling in Australia, as we do not have as many women executives earning the big incomes in the top echelon," Capgemini financial services group wealth management head Gregory Smith said.
About 46 per cent of Australia's wealthy are aged between 41 and 55. Only 6 per cent are younger than 40.
China has the largest proportion of young millionaires, with 28 per cent of its 345,000 wealthy people younger than 40, according to the Asia-Pacific Wealth Report produced by investment bank Merrill Lynch and Capgemini.
Australia's new millionaires are worth at least $US3.2 million each - well below Hong Kong's new rich, who have average wealth of $US5.4 million, China's $US5 million and Singapore's $US4.9 million.
Australia has 1120 super-rich - those with more than $US30 million in financial assets.
"While the number of ultra-rich in Australia grew by only 0.7 per cent - slightly lower than the global average of 1 per cent - we still had our fair share of super-rich," Smith said.
"Like most super-rich around the world, they have a complicated lifestyle, with yachts, butlers and several homes across the globe.
"While they enjoy and celebrate their wealth by buying jewellery, baubles, art and vacations, there is a growing concern for the next generation and a growing tendency to give back to society - very much like what Bill Gates has done for charity.
"After acquiring their big yachts and private jets, they plan to give their wealth to the next generation and grandchildren. They are also becoming more altruistic."
This inter-generational transfer of wealth has spurred many wealth financial advisers to have a mature manager team up with a younger colleague to educate and advise the children of the super-rich who will inherit the wealth.
Many are starting to conduct wealth seminars aimed at the younger generation so they don't blow away their family inheritance.
Merrill Lynch global wealth management first vice-president Peter Opie said that with the super-rich becoming more interested in philanthropy, many wealth advisers were thinking of expanding their services to include investment advice in philanthropic enterprises.
(Souce: News.com.au)
October 19, 2007 07:20am
THE ranks of Australia's millionaires swelled by 10.3 per cent to 161,000 last year, with them amassing a fortune of $US510 billion ($570.1 billion).
Their fortune was the third highest in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan at $US3.7 trillion and China at $US1.7 trillion.
Almost half of Australia's millionaires made their money by owning businesses or selling them. About 16 per cent racked up their dollars on the buoyant stock market. Only 13 per cent inherited their wealth.
More than 75 per cent of the country's millionaires are men, with an average age of 50. Only 15 per cent are women, compared with Taiwan's 43 per cent and China's 38 per cent.
"This implies that there is still a glass ceiling in Australia, as we do not have as many women executives earning the big incomes in the top echelon," Capgemini financial services group wealth management head Gregory Smith said.
About 46 per cent of Australia's wealthy are aged between 41 and 55. Only 6 per cent are younger than 40.
China has the largest proportion of young millionaires, with 28 per cent of its 345,000 wealthy people younger than 40, according to the Asia-Pacific Wealth Report produced by investment bank Merrill Lynch and Capgemini.
Australia's new millionaires are worth at least $US3.2 million each - well below Hong Kong's new rich, who have average wealth of $US5.4 million, China's $US5 million and Singapore's $US4.9 million.
Australia has 1120 super-rich - those with more than $US30 million in financial assets.
"While the number of ultra-rich in Australia grew by only 0.7 per cent - slightly lower than the global average of 1 per cent - we still had our fair share of super-rich," Smith said.
"Like most super-rich around the world, they have a complicated lifestyle, with yachts, butlers and several homes across the globe.
"While they enjoy and celebrate their wealth by buying jewellery, baubles, art and vacations, there is a growing concern for the next generation and a growing tendency to give back to society - very much like what Bill Gates has done for charity.
"After acquiring their big yachts and private jets, they plan to give their wealth to the next generation and grandchildren. They are also becoming more altruistic."
This inter-generational transfer of wealth has spurred many wealth financial advisers to have a mature manager team up with a younger colleague to educate and advise the children of the super-rich who will inherit the wealth.
Many are starting to conduct wealth seminars aimed at the younger generation so they don't blow away their family inheritance.
Merrill Lynch global wealth management first vice-president Peter Opie said that with the super-rich becoming more interested in philanthropy, many wealth advisers were thinking of expanding their services to include investment advice in philanthropic enterprises.
(Souce: News.com.au)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
What is man's ultimate embarrassment? :)
Answer:
Running into a wall with an erection and breaking his nose.
Running into a wall with an erection and breaking his nose.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Living Green: Ranking the best (and worst) countries (3)
Cities Overall
1. Stockholm, Sweden
2. Oslo, Norway
3. Munich, Germany
4. Paris, France
5. Frankfurt, Germany
6. Stuttgart, Germany
7. Lyon, France
8. Dusseldorf, Germany
9. Nantes, France
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
11. Geneva, Switzerland
12. Zurich, Switzerland
13. Glasgow, United Kingdom
14. Barcelona, Spain
15. New York, United States
16. Brussels, Belgium
17. Hamburg, Germany
18. Hong Kong, PR China
19. Newcastle, United Kingdom
20. Tokyo, Japan
21. Helsinki, Finland
22. Washington, D.C., United States
23. Chicago, United States
24. Vancouver, Canada
25. Dortmund, Germany
26. San Francisco, United States
27. London, United Kingdom
28. Perth, Australia
29. Melbourne, Australia
30. Manchester, United Kingdom
31. Graz, Austria
32. Berlin, Germany
33. Ottawa, Canada
34. Wellington, New Zealand
35. Amsterdam, Netherlands
36. Atlanta, United States
37. Marseille, France
38. Vienna, Austria
39. Rome, Italy
40. Sydney, Australia
41. Prague, Czech Republic
42. Brisbane, Australia
43. Denver, United States
44. Berne, Switzerland
45. Singapore, Singapore
46. Houston, United States
47. Bologna, Italy
48. Montreal, Canada
49. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
50. Toronto, Canada
51. Cape Town, South Africa
52. Seoul, South Korea
53. Milan, Italy
54. Curitiba, Brazil
55. San Diego, United States
56. Madrid, Spain
57. Los Angeles, United States
58. Budapest, Hungary
59. Calgary, Canada
60. Phoenix, United States
61. Johannesburg, South Africa
62. Sao Paulo, Brazil
63. Athens, Greece
64. Tel Aviv, Israel
65. Chennai, India
66. Cracow, Poland
67. Taipei, Taiwan
68. Bangkok, Thailand
69. Guangzhou, PR China
70. Mumbai, India
71. Shanghai, PR China
72. Beijing, PR China
1. Stockholm, Sweden
2. Oslo, Norway
3. Munich, Germany
4. Paris, France
5. Frankfurt, Germany
6. Stuttgart, Germany
7. Lyon, France
8. Dusseldorf, Germany
9. Nantes, France
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
11. Geneva, Switzerland
12. Zurich, Switzerland
13. Glasgow, United Kingdom
14. Barcelona, Spain
15. New York, United States
16. Brussels, Belgium
17. Hamburg, Germany
18. Hong Kong, PR China
19. Newcastle, United Kingdom
20. Tokyo, Japan
21. Helsinki, Finland
22. Washington, D.C., United States
23. Chicago, United States
24. Vancouver, Canada
25. Dortmund, Germany
26. San Francisco, United States
27. London, United Kingdom
28. Perth, Australia
29. Melbourne, Australia
30. Manchester, United Kingdom
31. Graz, Austria
32. Berlin, Germany
33. Ottawa, Canada
34. Wellington, New Zealand
35. Amsterdam, Netherlands
36. Atlanta, United States
37. Marseille, France
38. Vienna, Austria
39. Rome, Italy
40. Sydney, Australia
41. Prague, Czech Republic
42. Brisbane, Australia
43. Denver, United States
44. Berne, Switzerland
45. Singapore, Singapore
46. Houston, United States
47. Bologna, Italy
48. Montreal, Canada
49. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
50. Toronto, Canada
51. Cape Town, South Africa
52. Seoul, South Korea
53. Milan, Italy
54. Curitiba, Brazil
55. San Diego, United States
56. Madrid, Spain
57. Los Angeles, United States
58. Budapest, Hungary
59. Calgary, Canada
60. Phoenix, United States
61. Johannesburg, South Africa
62. Sao Paulo, Brazil
63. Athens, Greece
64. Tel Aviv, Israel
65. Chennai, India
66. Cracow, Poland
67. Taipei, Taiwan
68. Bangkok, Thailand
69. Guangzhou, PR China
70. Mumbai, India
71. Shanghai, PR China
72. Beijing, PR China
Living Green: Ranking the best (and worst) countries (2)
Countries Overall
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Austria
6. Switzerland
7. Ireland
8. Australia
9. Uruguay
10. Denmark
11. Canada
12. Japan
13. Israel
14. Italy
15. Slovenia
16. France
17. Netherlands
18. Portugal
19. New Zealand
20. Greece
21. Germany
22. Latvia
23. United States
24. Lithuania
25. United Kingdom
26. Belgium
27. Argentina
28. Croatia
29. Spain
30. Hungary
31. Albania
32. Estonia
33. Slovakia
34. Costa Rica
35. South Korea
36. Cuba
37. Belarus
38. Czech Republic
39. Bosnia and Herzegovina
40. Brazil
41. Panama
42. Armenia
43. Chile
44. Paraguay
45. United Arab Emirates
46. Macedonia
47. Bulgaria
48. Poland
49. Kuwait
50. Oman
51. Russia
52. Peru
53. Colombia
54. Malaysia
55. Guyana
56. Romania
57. Trinidad & Tobago
58. Georgia
59. Kazakhstan
60. Moldova
61. Thailand
62. Tunisia
63. Mexico
64. Libya
65. Ukraine
66. Sri Lanka
67. Lebanon
68. Venezuela
69. Ecuador
70. Turkey
71. Jordan
72. Algeria
73. Kyrgyzstan
74. Azerbaijan
75. Bolivia
76. Gabon
77. Dominican Republic
78. Syria
79. El Salvador
80. Saudi Arabia
81. Jamaica
82. Indonesia
83. Iran
84. China
85. Nicaragua
86. Namibia
87. Philippines
88. Egypt
89. Mongolia
90. Viet Nam
91. Myanmar
92. Honduras
93. Botswana
94. Turkmenistan
95. Tajikistan
96. South Africa
97. Guatemala
98. Cambodia
99. Uzbekistan
100. Bhutan
101. Laos
102. Morocco
103. Ghana
104. India
105. Congo
106. Cameroon
107. Uganda
108. Nepal
109. Papua New Guinea
110. Gambia
111. Bangladesh
112. Madagascar
113. Senegal
114. Togo
115. Pakistan
116. Kenya
117. Rwanda
118. Guinea
119. Zimbabwe
120. Zambia
121. Nigeria
122. Sudan
123. Tanzania
124. Benin
125. Central Africa Republic
126. Malawi
127. Mauritania
128. Yemen
129. Angola
130. Côte d'Ivoire
131. Democratic Republic of the Congo
132. Haiti
133. Mali
134. Guinea-Bissau
135. Mozambique
136. Burundi
137. Chad
138. Burkina Faso
139. Sierra Leone
140. Niger
141. Ethiopia
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Austria
6. Switzerland
7. Ireland
8. Australia
9. Uruguay
10. Denmark
11. Canada
12. Japan
13. Israel
14. Italy
15. Slovenia
16. France
17. Netherlands
18. Portugal
19. New Zealand
20. Greece
21. Germany
22. Latvia
23. United States
24. Lithuania
25. United Kingdom
26. Belgium
27. Argentina
28. Croatia
29. Spain
30. Hungary
31. Albania
32. Estonia
33. Slovakia
34. Costa Rica
35. South Korea
36. Cuba
37. Belarus
38. Czech Republic
39. Bosnia and Herzegovina
40. Brazil
41. Panama
42. Armenia
43. Chile
44. Paraguay
45. United Arab Emirates
46. Macedonia
47. Bulgaria
48. Poland
49. Kuwait
50. Oman
51. Russia
52. Peru
53. Colombia
54. Malaysia
55. Guyana
56. Romania
57. Trinidad & Tobago
58. Georgia
59. Kazakhstan
60. Moldova
61. Thailand
62. Tunisia
63. Mexico
64. Libya
65. Ukraine
66. Sri Lanka
67. Lebanon
68. Venezuela
69. Ecuador
70. Turkey
71. Jordan
72. Algeria
73. Kyrgyzstan
74. Azerbaijan
75. Bolivia
76. Gabon
77. Dominican Republic
78. Syria
79. El Salvador
80. Saudi Arabia
81. Jamaica
82. Indonesia
83. Iran
84. China
85. Nicaragua
86. Namibia
87. Philippines
88. Egypt
89. Mongolia
90. Viet Nam
91. Myanmar
92. Honduras
93. Botswana
94. Turkmenistan
95. Tajikistan
96. South Africa
97. Guatemala
98. Cambodia
99. Uzbekistan
100. Bhutan
101. Laos
102. Morocco
103. Ghana
104. India
105. Congo
106. Cameroon
107. Uganda
108. Nepal
109. Papua New Guinea
110. Gambia
111. Bangladesh
112. Madagascar
113. Senegal
114. Togo
115. Pakistan
116. Kenya
117. Rwanda
118. Guinea
119. Zimbabwe
120. Zambia
121. Nigeria
122. Sudan
123. Tanzania
124. Benin
125. Central Africa Republic
126. Malawi
127. Mauritania
128. Yemen
129. Angola
130. Côte d'Ivoire
131. Democratic Republic of the Congo
132. Haiti
133. Mali
134. Guinea-Bissau
135. Mozambique
136. Burundi
137. Chad
138. Burkina Faso
139. Sierra Leone
140. Niger
141. Ethiopia
Living Green: Ranking the best (and worst) countries (1)
Just because a country or place is environmentally “fit” doesn’t mean you’d want to spend your life there – think jungles or the Antarctic. But finding the perfect balance between what’s green and what’s livable could lead you to paradise. Aiming for that ideal, we researched the world’s greenest countries while also ensuring they were ones where people could thrive. Along the way, we also unearthed the worst places in the world to live.
We analysed data from top sources covering 141 nations to rank the planet’s greenest, most livable places.
How Countries Rate
1 Finland
2 Iceland
3 Norway
4 Sweden
5 Austria
8 Australia
19 New Zealand
23 USA
Bottom 5
137 Chad
138 Burkina Faso
139 Sierra Leone
140 Niger
141 Ethiopia
The world’s greenest, most livable cities
Using different data, we analysed 72 major international cities, ranking them in terms of being green and livable.
5 Best
1 Stockholm
2 Oslo
3 Munich
4 Paris
5 Frankfurt
5 Worst
68 Bangkok
69 Guangzhou
70 Mumbai
71 Shanghai
72 Beijing
How Australasia ranked
28 Perth
29 Melbourne
34 Wellington
40 Sydney
42 Brisbane
(Source: Readersdigest.com.au)
We analysed data from top sources covering 141 nations to rank the planet’s greenest, most livable places.
How Countries Rate
1 Finland
2 Iceland
3 Norway
4 Sweden
5 Austria
8 Australia
19 New Zealand
23 USA
Bottom 5
137 Chad
138 Burkina Faso
139 Sierra Leone
140 Niger
141 Ethiopia
The world’s greenest, most livable cities
Using different data, we analysed 72 major international cities, ranking them in terms of being green and livable.
5 Best
1 Stockholm
2 Oslo
3 Munich
4 Paris
5 Frankfurt
5 Worst
68 Bangkok
69 Guangzhou
70 Mumbai
71 Shanghai
72 Beijing
How Australasia ranked
28 Perth
29 Melbourne
34 Wellington
40 Sydney
42 Brisbane
(Source: Readersdigest.com.au)
Reader's Digest study says Finland best for living
Reuters
Thursday, October 4, 2007; 7:06 PM
HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Nordic countries are the world's greenest and, despite the cold winters, Finland is the best country to live in, according to a Reader's Digest study released on Friday.
Finland was followed by Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Austria.
"Finland wins high marks for air and water quality, a low incidence of infant disease and how well it protects citizens from water pollution and natural disasters," the study said.
The United States was 23rd on the list of 141 countries, Britain was 25th and China 84th. Nations at the bottom of the table were all African.
Stockholm scored as the best city to live in out of 72 major metropolitan hubs, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris. Four German cities won a spot in the top 10 list. New York was 15th and London 27th.
The dirtiest cities were in Asia, with Beijing, host of next summer's Olympic, at the bottom because of its air pollution.
The study was conducted by U.S. environmental economist Matthew Kahn, who looked at issues such as quality of drinking water and greenhouse gas emissions as well as factors such as education and income.
Thursday, October 4, 2007; 7:06 PM
HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Nordic countries are the world's greenest and, despite the cold winters, Finland is the best country to live in, according to a Reader's Digest study released on Friday.
Finland was followed by Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Austria.
"Finland wins high marks for air and water quality, a low incidence of infant disease and how well it protects citizens from water pollution and natural disasters," the study said.
The United States was 23rd on the list of 141 countries, Britain was 25th and China 84th. Nations at the bottom of the table were all African.
Stockholm scored as the best city to live in out of 72 major metropolitan hubs, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris. Four German cities won a spot in the top 10 list. New York was 15th and London 27th.
The dirtiest cities were in Asia, with Beijing, host of next summer's Olympic, at the bottom because of its air pollution.
The study was conducted by U.S. environmental economist Matthew Kahn, who looked at issues such as quality of drinking water and greenhouse gas emissions as well as factors such as education and income.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Give up sugar to live longer
Passing on sweets and avoiding vitamins could help you live longer, German researchers have discovered.
They found that restricting glucose - a simple sugar found in foods such as sweets that is a primary source of energy for the body - set off a process that extended the life span of some worms by up to 25 per cent.
The key was boosting the level of ``free radicals'' - unstable molecules that can damage the body and which people often try to get rid of by consuming food or drinks rich in anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, they said in a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Restricting glucose first spurred the worms to generate more free radicals, but then they quickly built up long-lasting defences against them, said Michael Ristow, an endocrinologist at the University of Jena and the German Institute of Human Nutrition, who led the study.
``During the process, the worm generates more free radicals, which activates defences against free radicals within the worm,'' he said in a telephone interview. ``The bad thing in the end promotes something good.''
The body needs glucose, but taking in too much was unhealthy, Ristow said.
Scientists have long known that restricting calorie intake in worms and monkeys increases longevity, and the study narrowed that idea further, to glucose.
The study also for the first time points to a possible reason why antioxidants - long thought to promote health - might do more harm than good, Ristow said.
The German team used a chemical that blocked the worms' ability to process glucose in a treatment that extended their life span by up to 25 per cent, the equivalent of 15 years in humans.
The worms unable to depend on glucose increased energy power sources in certain cells for fuel. That activity produced more free radicals, which in turn generated enzymes that strengthened long-time protection against the harmful molecules, Ristow said.
However, antioxidants and vitamins given to some worms erased these benefits by neutralising free radicals and preventing the body from generating the defences, Ristow said.
``These latter findings tentatively suggest that the widespread use of antioxidants as human food supplements may exert undesirable effects,'' the researchers wrote.
(Source: smh.com.au)
They found that restricting glucose - a simple sugar found in foods such as sweets that is a primary source of energy for the body - set off a process that extended the life span of some worms by up to 25 per cent.
The key was boosting the level of ``free radicals'' - unstable molecules that can damage the body and which people often try to get rid of by consuming food or drinks rich in anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, they said in a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Restricting glucose first spurred the worms to generate more free radicals, but then they quickly built up long-lasting defences against them, said Michael Ristow, an endocrinologist at the University of Jena and the German Institute of Human Nutrition, who led the study.
``During the process, the worm generates more free radicals, which activates defences against free radicals within the worm,'' he said in a telephone interview. ``The bad thing in the end promotes something good.''
The body needs glucose, but taking in too much was unhealthy, Ristow said.
Scientists have long known that restricting calorie intake in worms and monkeys increases longevity, and the study narrowed that idea further, to glucose.
The study also for the first time points to a possible reason why antioxidants - long thought to promote health - might do more harm than good, Ristow said.
The German team used a chemical that blocked the worms' ability to process glucose in a treatment that extended their life span by up to 25 per cent, the equivalent of 15 years in humans.
The worms unable to depend on glucose increased energy power sources in certain cells for fuel. That activity produced more free radicals, which in turn generated enzymes that strengthened long-time protection against the harmful molecules, Ristow said.
However, antioxidants and vitamins given to some worms erased these benefits by neutralising free radicals and preventing the body from generating the defences, Ristow said.
``These latter findings tentatively suggest that the widespread use of antioxidants as human food supplements may exert undesirable effects,'' the researchers wrote.
(Source: smh.com.au)
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
250g good-quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped
150g unsalted butter, chopped
2/3 cup caster sugar
125g almond meal
5 eggs, separated
Icing sugar to dust
Ice cream to serve
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease a 23cm springform tin with butter and line base with non-stick baking paper.
Combine the chocolate, butter and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water) and stir frequently until melted and smooth. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the almond meal. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat well with a wooden spoon after each addition.
Place the eggwhites in a separate clean bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until firm peaks form. Add a third of the eggwhite to the chocolate mixture and use a large metal spoon to fold in until combined. Fold through the remaining eggwhite.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the centre. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin.
Dust the cake with icing sugar and serve with ice cream.
(Source:Kidspot Daily)
250g good-quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped
150g unsalted butter, chopped
2/3 cup caster sugar
125g almond meal
5 eggs, separated
Icing sugar to dust
Ice cream to serve
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease a 23cm springform tin with butter and line base with non-stick baking paper.
Combine the chocolate, butter and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water) and stir frequently until melted and smooth. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the almond meal. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat well with a wooden spoon after each addition.
Place the eggwhites in a separate clean bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until firm peaks form. Add a third of the eggwhite to the chocolate mixture and use a large metal spoon to fold in until combined. Fold through the remaining eggwhite.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, until crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the centre. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin.
Dust the cake with icing sugar and serve with ice cream.
(Source:Kidspot Daily)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Apple juice may protect against asthma in kids
A daily dose of apple juice could keep the wheeze away in children, according to a report from the UK
A large-scale study in the UK suggests that kids drinking a daily a serve of apple juice might be at lower risk of asthma.
Involving 2,640 children aged five to ten years, the study, by researchers including Dr Seif O Shaheen, from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, analysed fruit intake and asthma symptoms.
While apples alone were not associated with lower asthma symptom incidence, apple juice – specifically made from concentrate – was a different matter. Those drinking apple juice daily were shown to have a 47 per cent lower risk of wheezing than those who only drank a serve less than once a month.
The researchers surmised that the antioxidants contained in fruit may ease inflammation, the trigger to asthma, and also counteract oxidative damage caused by toxins such as pollution.
As Shaheen stressed, though the results do not show a definite link between apple juice and lowered risk, the findings do reveal an association, which her team intend to further investigate through clinical trials.
(Source: Blackmore website)
A large-scale study in the UK suggests that kids drinking a daily a serve of apple juice might be at lower risk of asthma.
Involving 2,640 children aged five to ten years, the study, by researchers including Dr Seif O Shaheen, from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, analysed fruit intake and asthma symptoms.
While apples alone were not associated with lower asthma symptom incidence, apple juice – specifically made from concentrate – was a different matter. Those drinking apple juice daily were shown to have a 47 per cent lower risk of wheezing than those who only drank a serve less than once a month.
The researchers surmised that the antioxidants contained in fruit may ease inflammation, the trigger to asthma, and also counteract oxidative damage caused by toxins such as pollution.
As Shaheen stressed, though the results do not show a definite link between apple juice and lowered risk, the findings do reveal an association, which her team intend to further investigate through clinical trials.
(Source: Blackmore website)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Fw: Sex frog
A blonde goes to her local pet store in search of an 'exotic' pet. As she looks about the store, she notices a box FULL of live frogs.
The sign says:
"SEX FROGS"
Only $20 each!
Comes with 'complete' instructions.
The girl excitedly looks around to see if anybody's watching her. She whispers softly to the man behind the counter, "I'll TAKE one!"
As the man packages the frog, he quietly says to her, "Just follow the instructions!
The blonde nods, grabs the box, and is quickly on her way home.
As soon as she closes the door to her apartment, she opens the instructions and reads them very carefully.
She does EXACTLY what is specified:
1. Take a shower.
2. Splash on some nice perfume.
3. Slip into a very sexy nightie.
4. Crawl into bed and place the frog down beside you, and allow the frog to do what he has been trained to do.
She then quickly gets into bed with the frog and to her surprise . . . NOTHING happens!
The blonde is very disappointed and quite upset at this point. She re-reads the instructions and notices at the bottom of the paper it says, "If you have any problems or questions . please call the pet store."
So, she calls the pet store. The man says, "I'll be right over."
Within minutes, the man is ringing her doorbell.
The blonde welcomes him in and says, "See, I've done everything according to the instructions. The damn frog just SITS there!"
The man . . . looking very concerned, picks up the frog, stares 'directly into its eyes' and STERNLY says:
"LISTEN TO ME!!
I'm only going to show you how to do this
ONE ... MORE ... TIME!!!"
The sign says:
"SEX FROGS"
Only $20 each!
Comes with 'complete' instructions.
The girl excitedly looks around to see if anybody's watching her. She whispers softly to the man behind the counter, "I'll TAKE one!"
As the man packages the frog, he quietly says to her, "Just follow the instructions!
The blonde nods, grabs the box, and is quickly on her way home.
As soon as she closes the door to her apartment, she opens the instructions and reads them very carefully.
She does EXACTLY what is specified:
1. Take a shower.
2. Splash on some nice perfume.
3. Slip into a very sexy nightie.
4. Crawl into bed and place the frog down beside you, and allow the frog to do what he has been trained to do.
She then quickly gets into bed with the frog and to her surprise . . . NOTHING happens!
The blonde is very disappointed and quite upset at this point. She re-reads the instructions and notices at the bottom of the paper it says, "If you have any problems or questions . please call the pet store."
So, she calls the pet store. The man says, "I'll be right over."
Within minutes, the man is ringing her doorbell.
The blonde welcomes him in and says, "See, I've done everything according to the instructions. The damn frog just SITS there!"
The man . . . looking very concerned, picks up the frog, stares 'directly into its eyes' and STERNLY says:
"LISTEN TO ME!!
I'm only going to show you how to do this
ONE ... MORE ... TIME!!!"
Party Perfect - Pavlova
Ingredients
6 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
300g caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornflour
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
300ml pouring cream
Method
Preheat oven to 120C.
Trace around a 24cm dinner plate or cake tin onto baking paper and place the baking paper onto a baking tray.
Combine eggwhites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk until stiff peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating constantly, but gently, until the mixture is glossy and can be held upside down without the mixture falling out. If you overbeat the foam will dry out.
Whisk in cornflour and vinegar.
Shape mixture on baking tray, keeping within the circle.
Smooth the mixture into a cake shape and remember to flatten the top.
Place in oven on the bottom shelf and immediately turn the heat down to 110 C and bake for 1 hour.
Turn off the oven and allow the pavlova to cool inside the oven until the oven is cold. This can take a few hours.
Remove the pavlova and carefully remove the baking paper from its base.
Whip the cream, cover the pavlova with cream and add seasonal fruit such as strawberries, kiwi fruit, berries and drizzle with passionfruit.
6 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
300g caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornflour
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
300ml pouring cream
Method
Preheat oven to 120C.
Trace around a 24cm dinner plate or cake tin onto baking paper and place the baking paper onto a baking tray.
Combine eggwhites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk until stiff peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating constantly, but gently, until the mixture is glossy and can be held upside down without the mixture falling out. If you overbeat the foam will dry out.
Whisk in cornflour and vinegar.
Shape mixture on baking tray, keeping within the circle.
Smooth the mixture into a cake shape and remember to flatten the top.
Place in oven on the bottom shelf and immediately turn the heat down to 110 C and bake for 1 hour.
Turn off the oven and allow the pavlova to cool inside the oven until the oven is cold. This can take a few hours.
Remove the pavlova and carefully remove the baking paper from its base.
Whip the cream, cover the pavlova with cream and add seasonal fruit such as strawberries, kiwi fruit, berries and drizzle with passionfruit.
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