Monday, July 29, 2013

Royal baby Prince George: How Duchess of Cambridge can beat the 'four day blues', by her pregnancy guru

Meanwhile the Duke of Cambridge should be getting up in the night to make his wife cups of tea, taking responsibility for mealtimes and taking Prince George into the bath with him, the book recommends.

But now is also the time when the Duchess might suddenly become inexplicably weepy if, like the majority of new mothers, she experiences the “four-day blues”.

The Duchess attended private ante-natal classes with Christine Hill, who gave her a copy of her book A Perfect Start – Coping With the First Months of Parenthood, as she does all her clients.

Mrs Hill is an advocate of rest and relaxation for new mothers, saying plenty of sleep is “imperative” for them.

She says in her book: “Try to carry on wearing night-gear and be in or around your bed for the first few days after coming home, however wonderful and exuberant you may feel.


“This will remind other people that you have just had a baby and are not in any way back to normal…trying to demonstrate to the world that you have not been affected in any way by giving birth is a ridiculous idea.”

The Duke of Cambridge will have a big part to play in achieving this, her book suggests.

Mothers who breast-feed are likely to feel thirsty and peckish in the night, and: “The perfect man will wake with you for feeds, and can usefully bring you up a cup of tea as required. Make the most of all this; it is not guaranteed to last, especially when he is back at work.”

If the baby refuses to settle after his feed, “his father should pick him up and walk him round for 15 minutes or so rubbing his back”.

Mrs Hill also recommends day-time naps for mothers, adding: “Your husband must try to ensure you do get as much sleep as possible, so at some stage during the day, he should take the baby downstairs and out of your earshot so that you can sleep undisturbed. He needs to unplug/turn off the phones, and think about putting a Post-it note on the front door asking callers not to ring the bell…

“He should answer the door, take the phone calls and organise the meals.”

And when it time for Prince George’s bath, “the easiest and most fun way to bath a baby is to put him in the adult bath with his father”.

In truth, the Duchess' mother, Carole Middleton, is likely to be sharing the burden of such chores, particularly the cooking, as the couple are staying at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berks.

Just over half of all new mothers experience the blues four days after they give birth – the stage the Duchess is currently at. This is thought to be caused by a fall in levels of the hormone progesterone.

Mrs Hill says that mothers “find themselves in tears for trivial reasons…self-esteem plummets to an all-time low.

“This is not the real you. Nor is this postnatal depression. In fact, it isn’t really depression at all but a short-lived state of emotional turmoil which passes after a few days and needs no medical treatment.”

The Duchess, who proudly displayed her post-pregnancy bump in a bespoke Jenny Packham dress when she left hospital, will have been warned what to expect, as the book says that after delivery “the bulge will not yet have gone and you may appear at least three (often six) months pregnant. The skin on your tummy will look like orange peel or rumpled crepe paper”.

Once mothers are back on their feet, the best way to get back to a flat tummy is to “concentrate on holding your lower tummy muscles in while you are standing and walking. This will restore the elasticity of the muscles…don’t cover up a pot belly with a baggy sweater so that you forget about it – wear something that continually reminds you to hold your tummy in”.

Mrs Hill also has a piece of advice for parents who are tempted to hold large family get-togethers of the sort the Duke and Duchess may be contemplating if they visit Balmoral over the summer.

“The last thing [babies] want at this stage is to be passed around a circle of admirers who all want a cuddle, or over-stimulated by parents entering them for the developmental Olympics,” she says.

The Fashion Brooch Pin Bring You More Style

Brooches are mainly used for the purpose of fashion and aesthetics. By definition, a brooch is a jewelry piece so it is mainly decorative. It is a fun addition to an outfit and can be used to highlight a specific part of the body, such as a long neck. Traditionally, a brooch is fastened to a garment worn around the neck but a more modern style shows this accessory pinned to the lapel of a coat. An even more modern take is pinning a brooch to your clothing in such a way that it draws attention to the waist or the hips. So, the brooch could be pinned to a scarf belt or the waist band of your skirt.

For a far more elegant influence, shawl brooches can be utilized especially in social as well as other formal events. Evening dresses along with formal wear can even look much more sophisticated, more sophisticated and lovelier if the pashmina shawl has been secured using a shawl brooch pin. Some career women also would rather a scarf brooch on the pin with the flair for sophistication this affords this wearer.

Brooch jewellery is no doubt a very elegant ornament and one that can add to the charm of the wearer. However, do keep in mind that such jewellery needs to be cared for too. So make sure that you keep the ornament clean by using toothpaste to retain its shine. The tip of the pin of the brooch must be cleaned with an antiseptic and one must ensure that the jewellery is free of dust particles. Also make sure that you never leave a brooch on a garment for too long since this can cause a rust mark to transfer onto the garment. In fact it is best to put the brooch in a box after you have used it, so that the ornament does not get exposed to any breakage or rusting.

Friday, July 19, 2013

How to Survive a Heat Wave

It’s July, and it’s hot. But with parts of the country expected to swelter under triple digit temperatures, public health officials say it’s important to heed the heat.

In the Northeast, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. are expecting their highest heat measures of the summer, with readings peaking in the upper 90s and low 100s all week long. For New York City and the New England area, weather experts say that qualifies as a heat wave — defined as three or more days in a row with temperatures in the high 90s.

Other cities like Chicago, Detroit and Cincinnati will also have their share of steamy days this week.

While hot days are a staple of summer, according to The Weather Channel, this week’s heat wave can be traced to a dome of high pressure located in the upper atmosphere that is encasing the Northeast, Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Under that bubble of high pressure, temperatures typically rise 10 degrees above the average.

With consistently high humidity and temperatures, health officials say breathing can become difficult for some, including the elderly, so people caught in the heat wave should take precautions. Drinking lots of water and spending as much time as possible under air conditioning is important. For those who don’t have air conditioning, some cities offer cooling facilities where residents can wait out the hottest hours of the day; shopping malls are also good places to cool off while temperatures soar.

Even healthy people should take the heat into consideration in order to avoid heat exhaustion or dehydration, and doctors say these tips can keep you cool:

 *  Avoid caffeine and alcohol. While a cool beer may sound inviting on a steamy day, both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the body, which is the last thing you need when temperatures rise. “Alcohol and caffeine are dangerous in this type of weather. They create a chemical inside your body that makes you pee more than you should–it’s a diuretic,” says Dr. Salvatore Pardo, the vice chairperson of the emergency department at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.
 *  Tone it down. Healthy people who are active during the day should limit the amount time they spend outside during peak heat hours, which generally span from 11 am to 2 pm. Shift outdoor activities to the early morning or evening. If you want to work out, consider going to the gym instead of running outdoors.
 *  Don’t forget humidity. If you must work out outdoors, remember to check humidity levels, which can add several degrees to the heat index. “The environment is two-fold, it’s temperature and the humidity. If it was 85 degrees and low humidity, that’s a beautiful time to work out. If it is 85 degrees and greater than 70% humidity, then your body is going to have a hard time cooling off,” says Pardo. The body cools off by sweating and evaporating the water on the surface of the skin. If the air is saturated with water, the process doesn’t happen as efficiently and you can’t cool down.
 *  Don’t leave kids or pets in cars. Even if you’re only going to be a few minutes, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to above 100 degrees. Children and pets can’t sweat enough to cool off, so they are even more vulnerable to the rising temperatures in a closed car.
 *  Check in on the elderly. The elderly already have less tolerance to heat due to their age, and couple that with the fact that they typically take pills that can dehydrate the body, and some elderly patients may be even more vulnerable to the effects of hot temperatures. Making sure that elderly residents drink enough water, and that they turn on their air conditioning is important. “The elderly who are on their own tend to not turn on their air conditioner because they don’t feel like they need to or they don’t want to spend the money because they’re on a fixed income,” says Pardo. “ You know grandma has the air conditioner, but you don’t know if she has turned it on. You have to go into the house and check on people. It doesn’t have to be 65 degrees. Even if it was 75 degree or 85 degrees, that’s better.”

Heat-related sickness can be serious, leading to nausea, dizziness, confusion, headaches and rapid heartbeat. But in most cases, it’s avoidable. Drink plenty of water and stay in climate-controlled environments for as long as possible. But if you do feel ill and your symptoms don’t resolve after a few minutes in a cool setting, go to the emergency for treatment, where you may receive a quick infusion of fluids to replace what you’ve lost.

Choose Luxury Pet Bed Give Your Pet A Heslth Body

If you're one of many pet owners who prefer that your pet have their own sleeping space, then these pet beds are just the thing for your pet. It is the most comfortable sleeping space you could possibly get for your pet and is a mandatory requirement to maintain your pet's health.

There are many different sizes, shapes, styles and colors of pet beds and you will need to decide which one is best for your pet. Such as the Yellow Stripes Pet Beds, Pink Circle Pet Beds, Bright Red Stripes Pet Beds and so on, so many kinds of pet beds offerd you to choose. You will need to think about how big they are likely to grow and then decide how big the pet beds will need to be. Your pet will need to be able to lie comfortable in the bed and stretch out as well as curl up. You can buy the pet beds in either square, rectangular or round shapes although there are others these are the most popular. You need to decide if you are having a hard outer case on your pet bed or it will simply be soft foam.

Regardless of breed and size, any pet can benefit from quality pet beds. They can snuggle in their own space with a feeling of security. Large pet beds can help canines suffering from any orthopedic ailment. Your pet will really be comfortable if you get the best pet beds available in the market. These pet bed can also protect your pet from cold during wintertime. Discount pet beds can help limit the spread of hair and dirt in the house. Whatever your pet's needs are, you're sure to find a pet bed that's perfect for him.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SF plane crash: little talk of speed in cabin

(07-11) 15:41 PDT San Francisco -- The Asiana Airlines pilots flying the jetliner that crashed at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday didn't discuss the slow speed of the aircraft until nine seconds before they crash landed, federal investigators said Thursday.

The pilot, who was making his first landing at the airport in a Boeing 777, and his two more-experienced colleagues didn't verbally acknowledge that the plane was travelling too slowly to make a safe landing until they were at an altitude of less than 100 feet, according to a preliminary analysis of the cockpit voice recorder, said Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

"There is no mention of speed until about nine seconds until impact," Hersman said.

Investigators have said that the plane ended up coming in 36 mph slower than it should have been, so slow that it quickly lost altitude, nearly stalled and then slammed into a rocky seawall before bouncing up, spinning across the runway and pancaking into a grassy area next to the tarmac.

Two passengers died and 180 others were injured. Two adults and one child remain in critical condition.

The pilots did not discuss aborting the landing and going around for another try until three seconds before impact, Hersman said. The pilots again called for a go-around 1.5 seconds before impact, Hersman said.

As the aircraft approached the runway, an automated computer called out that the aircraft was passing through 500 feet. At that point, 34 seconds before impact, one of the pilots told his colleagues that the landing checklist was complete, Hersman said.

At around that time, the pilots were trying to correct the altitude and course of the plane, Hersman said, and may not have noticed that the plane's speed was falling.

Investigators told airport authorities late Wednesday it was OK to begin clearing debris and fire retardant from the runway. The burned-out body of the plane will remain for at least a few more days while forensic crews continue to examine and disassemble the plane.

Airport officials said they planned to open the runway, 28L, by Sunday or Monday.

Fashion Cross Pendant Are Trend For Fashionable

The cross symbol has always been a very stable design in accessories and jewelry. This is due to the symbol’s various meanings and representations both in history and religion. It has remained a classic design for jewelry over the years, and many people have one or more crosses in their personal jewelry collection.

All women numerous appear to be magnificent utilizing freshwater jewelry bead diamond. Cross Pendant, also come in varied exhilarating colorations. While white wine is simply typical plus common, although cross pendant made using various other nice-looking colorations glimpse genuinely in vogue and delightful. The most typical different types of pill strings of beads heating the marketplace through recent creation as well as their observation, snappy popular features of most of these pendants are as follows.

Cross Pendant is a popular choice as the necklace offers a bit of sparkle and pop without overstating your elegance. While the cut of a diamond may not be a large factor in bringing out or accentuating certain features, your choice of cut will express aspects of whom you are. If you like it, you can click bussiness website. A Cross Pendants can be beautiful with square, round or marquis – even all three cuts combined. The same as necklace or beautiful Cross Pendants noticed at any event. Moreover, if you like it, you can come here to have visit.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Street protests spread chaos across Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 11 (UPI) -- Protesters brought Brazil's main highways nearly to a standstill amid persistent public anger over alleged misuse of public funds and neglect of basic services.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff faces a sharp drop in her approval ratings amid allegations the government has lavished funds on controversial prestige projects that should go toward poverty reduction and improving public services.

The prestige projects include multibillion-dollar sprucing up of the country's exterior image before next year's FIFA World Cup tournament and the Olympics in 2016. Critics accuse the government of turning a blind eye to mass-scale misappropriations, delays in projects and cronyism.

The government says the expenditure is necessary to prepare Brazil for the two international events. Media reports cite shortfalls in necessary infrastructural renewal, including hotel room shortages.

Rousseff launched a major anti-corruption drive last year amid charges of misrule by her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and his alleged cronies, but the campaign has been derailed as renewed allegations emerge of widespread graft under her own presidency.

Tens of thousands of protesters turned out for Thursday's demonstrations, with protesters and traffic clogging major highways in at least seven states, officials said.

Protest leaders called the turnout a "national struggle day." Although the main protests were orchestrated by trade unions, many other organizations joined in.

Access to the Santos port, the largest in South America, was blocked by protesters for a second day.

The country's heavily congested ports suffered more setbacks in authorities' desperate bid to clear a backlog that has spread panic among traders. Exporters fear they face huge losses as merchandise remains unshipped.

Disruptions were reported in hospitals and some schools remained shut. Public transport systems in many areas outside Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were hit, leaving thousands more who didn't join the protests stranded in roads and at railway stations.

As the protests spread, demands have widened, too. Protesters want specific action on improving infrastructure, reducing income disparities and agricultural reforms that can lift farmers out of chronic poverty.

Analysts say income disparities have worsened with rising inflation.

IMF data show emerging markets including Brazil face slowing growth. The IMF cut its global growth forecast for 2013 to a "subdued" 3.1 percent and for emerging economies to 5 percent from 5.3 percent.

The outlook for Brazil has gone down to 2.5 percent from 3.4 percent.

Critics say the slow growth forecast is another reason for the Rousseff administration to be more cautious with public spending.

Beautiful Flower Brooch Make You More Elegent

The brooch is one of commonly used decorations by the women in modern society, texture silver or platinum set with diamonds and other precious stones, skirts respectively, it can highlight their beautiful body or status. Brooch is also known as corsage, and it is using hooks to clothes, jewelry, brooch can also be recognized as a decorative pin. Generally speaking, metal texture is embedded precious stones and enamel. It can be used as purely decorative or a combination of fixed clothes (such as robes, ponchos, scarves, etc.) function. Brooch, it was also called the "pin" is a jewelry worn on the chest or collar. Brooch type system is the various customs taste and fashion elements into one.

Your custom Flower Brooch can be any color, or combination of colors. Just tell me what your wedding colors are and we will begin dreaming up your creation. Something fun about this Flower Brooch is that you can stray from your wedding color palette and carry whatever you want. We can figure out the perfect flower brooch colors for you. The possibilities are endless. Ever since my Flower Brooch made it into the news and all over wedding blogs, there are quite a few other shops popping up that make their version of my bouquets.

You can even send me a piece of Flower Brooch that is important to you, and I can place it front & center on the stem of the bouquet. You can also collect jewelry from your family and friends, and send it to me to have a truly personalized bouquet made. We can negotiate a much lower price if you supply the materials!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Egypt pyramid vendors grow violent, embassy says

CAIRO – Vendors at Egypt's pyramids who are desperate to make money in a deepening economic crisis are using aggressive and even violent means to get tourists to give them some business, frequenters of the tourist spot say.

The U.S. Embassy issued a warning about increasing incidents at or near the famous pyramids at Giza about a dozen miles from downtown Cairo. Most of the incidents are due to overly aggressive vendors who in some cases come close to criminal conduct, the embassy says.

"U.S. citizens should elevate their situational awareness when traveling to the pyramids, avoid any late evening or night travel, utilize a recommended or trusted guide, and closely guard valuables," according to a security message on the embassy's website last week.

Visitors going toward the ancient complex, roughly an hour's drive in traffic from central Cairo, are encountering Egyptians who work in the tourism sector and surround and pound on tourists' taxis and cars in what the embassy says may be an effort to pressure visitors to ride in their horse-drawn carriages.

In some cases, angry vendors have tried to open vehicles' doors, frightening visitors, the embassy said.

Egypt's minister of antiquities, Ahmed Eissa, insisted the Giza pyramid complex is safe. He said neither his office nor the tourism police have received complaints, according to newspaper reports.

Others who have traveled to the area say the problems are real.

"It's a new level of frightening," said Graham Harman, associate provost for research administration and professor of philosophy at the American University in Cairo.

Vendors began the practice of banging on cars pulling up to the pyramids within the first six months after Egypt's revolution in 2011. Once tourists enter the complex gates the harassment continues.

Vendors selling camel rides, horse jaunts or souvenirs pressure visitors to make overpriced purchases, and others aggressively demand money for nothing.

Harman, who is originally from Iowa but has lived in Egypt for 13 years, visits the pyramids frequently by taxi and says he wouldn't advise anyone to go without an organized tour based on an experience he had in March in which his wife was harassed and police asked for money.

"This was something new," he said. "People were much more aggressive."

The United States isn't the only country to issue warnings. The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the south Sinai, with the exception of popular Red Sea vacation spots and specific routes, while the north Sinai is listed as off-limits.

Egypt's revolution and election of an Islamist government after decades of military dictatorship has not led to improvements in the economy. Unemployment remains high and income low.

Visitors to Giza can see the depth of financial despair evident among those who work in the tourism industry, a main source of income for many Egyptians. Many vendors seem starved for travelers. Stable owners who offer horseback rides through the sprawling desert have fed their horses hay that was bought on loan while others over the past two years have been forced to sell their animals.

Tourism is diminished across the country.

Ayman Hussein works for a travel agency in Aswan, a city in Upper Egypt not far from Sudan that is near a set of magnificent temples. He said tourism has dropped by more than half since the days before the nation's uprising.

"Please tell the people: Come to Upper Egypt," Hussein said.

Making matters worse, prices of electricity and basic foods have been rising.

"It's very hard," Hussein said, but he brushed off news that there may be dangers hundreds of miles away at the Giza pyramids.

"We love the tourists," he said. "Don't worry about this."

What is the difference between a Harmony Ball and a Dream Ball?

Is the difference significant enough to have two different names for very similar items of jewellery?

Firstly let’s examine what a Harmony Ball is. The Harmony Ball is a common piece of jewellery in both Balinese and Mayan (Mexican) cultures, in Mexican culture it is call a Bola. The Harmony Ball also has origins in Celtic culture where it was known as a Druid Ball.

In each case, whether called a Harmony Ball, a Bola or Druid Ball the similarities are that it is seen to be a piece of jewellery, it includes a chiming ball and in most cases has cultural, regional and family heritage significance. A Harmony Ball Pendant generally consists of an outer “cage” and the chime ball contained within. Some cages are hinged, allowing for the changing or replacement of the chime ball, whilst others are fixed (soldered) after the chime ball is inserted. Harmony Balls can be made from a number of metals with sterling silver being the predominant metal of choice for its value, lustre and strength.

Theses Harmony Balls are made primarily by village or regional silversmiths or jewellers invariably using traditional methods and adding in some “local” originality.

The Chime ball itself is generally made from brass and the chime is achieved by a series of differing sizes “tongues” of brass fixed on the inside of the ball with a smaller ball inside. With movement the smaller ball rolls around running over the different length tongues and against the inside wall of the larger brass ball, like a bell,  creating a variation of sounds that result in a chime with most chimes being unique to each individual Harmony Ball.

Aside from the very high skill level required by a silversmith to create such wonderful sterling silver outer cages or skins, much of the skill is also in the design and making of the inner parts of the chime ball – the higher the skill of the silversmith the better the sound of the Harmony Ball. Silversmiths will often experiment with thicknesses of materials and indeed different materials in an effort to create different chime sounds.

The outer cages of Harmony Balls can vary significantly – some are made using flattened sheets of sterling silver intricately cut to create many different patterns, some are made using a thin sterling silver wire which is twisted, entwined and formed to create intricate wire cages. Some Harmony Ball outer cages are actually solid sterling silver skins whilst some are brass skins plated with sterling silver – in some cases highly polished and in others engraved with varying ornate impressions.

The Harmony Ball pendant is worn mainly as a necklace whilst they can also be worn as earrings or attached to a bracelet. Harmony Ball Pendants are often worn on a long necklace cord by women when pregnant so that the Harmony Ball rest over the bump with the chime sound relaxing the baby in the womb.
So if that is a Harmony Ball then what is a Dream Ball and how does it differ?

A Dream Ball is exactly what is described above as a Harmony Ball with the following differences. The Dream Ball has a cylindrical stem at the top of the pendant where on a Harmony Ball the ring would be for attaching a necklace bale. The length of the stem can vary greatly from one style of Dream Ball to another as can the diameter, suffice to say an average length is about 15mm (a bit over ?”) and diameter about 4-5mm (5/32”). The end of the stem is fitted with a Gemstone which acts as a plug. The stem was usually used to contain the “dream/s” of the wearer. The wearer would generally write down their dream on a small piece of paper or parchment and roll it tightly and put it inside the “tube” of the stem then tap the Gemstone in the opening of the stem creating a force fit hence sealing the dream inside the Dream Harmony Ball pendant.

The wearer would always be carrying their dream and in some cases share that dream with family by handing down the dream ball pendant to a son or daughter.
So the Dream “Harmony” Ball is different in some respects however in most cases is simply called a Harmony Ball. The Dream Ball by virtue of its design is often more ornate than a Harmony Ball and of course includes a Gemstone so is generally more valuable than a Harmony Ball.

An extensive range of quality Sterling Silver Harmony Balls and Dream Balls at very affordable prices can be found at HarmonyBallPendant.com

About the Author: Mike OShannessy is an authority in Balinese Harmony Balls and Dream Balls and writes for a number of jewellery online sites.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Administration delays key ObamaCare insurance mandate

The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is delaying a major provision in the health care overhaul, putting off until 2015 a requirement that many employers offer health insurance.

The announcement was made late Tuesday by the Treasury Department, at the beginning of the holiday week while Congress was on recess. It comes amid reports that the administration is running into roadblocks as it prepares to implement ObamaCare.

The change in the employer mandate is arguably the most significant concession the administration has made to date.

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., a critic of the law, seized on the delay as a "clear admission" that the law is "unaffordable, unworkable and unpopular."

"It's also a cynical political ploy to delay the coming train wreck associated with ObamaCare until after the 2014 elections," he said.

The law requires companies that employ 50 or more workers to offer coverage or face fines. The Treasury Department and the White House said that, based on complaints by employers that the system for reporting the coverage was too onerous, they would simplify that system and give employers an additional year to comply.

"We have heard concerns about the complexity of the requirements and the need for more time to implement them effectively," Mark J. Mazur, the assistant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury Department, said in a statement posted online. "We have listened to your feedback.  And we are taking action."  

The mandate was originally set to kick in for 2014, but will now start in 2015.

The decision effectively means that penalties that would have been assessed against non-compliant businesses will be delayed until 2015. The administration encouraged employers to provide insurance anyway.

While the employer mandate is being delayed, the so-called individual mandate -- the requirement that individuals obtain health insurance -- presumably remains on schedule for 2014.

The administration also still plans to open up a new marketplace for government-regulated insurance plans on Oct. 1, to take effect on Jan. 1. And a sprawling set of subsidies would also remain in place.

The delay of the employer mandate, though, raises questions about whether more elements of the law might be delayed in the coming months.

White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett explained that, on the employer mandate issue, the administration was making two changes.

"First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process," she wrote on the White House blog. She cited concerns that the law would have required companies to set up new data collection systems on employee access to health care. She said: "Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law." So, she said, the administration plans to figure out a "smarter system."

Second, she said, the administration would delay the roll-out and penalties since they were overhauling the reporting system.

"This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers," she said.

Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits at the Chamber of Commerce, told Fox News that with its decision, the administration has "finally recognized the obvious."

"Employers need more time and clarification of the rules of the road before implementing the employer mandate," he said. "We will continue to work to alleviate this and other problems with ObamaCare."

Hair Jewelry - the Essential Addition to Women’s Beauty

Still paying much attention to your face? Now, it is time to lay stress on your hair. Of course, face is of vital importance to one’s overall look. Meanwhile, hair can achieve the same effects. While buying all kinds of cosmetics for face, one can spare some money to get wonderful fashion accessories for hair.

When it comes into hair jewelry, you will come across a large selection in the market, such as, tiaras, headbands, combs, hair clips, and hair pins etc. Usually, they are made of some brilliant materials, like rhinestone, quartz, and crystal. These pieces can add great sparkle to one’s hair. So, you should not hesitate to use these dazzling pieces to appear more beautiful and attractive.

Hairdressers give full play to their imagination and creation, thus, we can expect many stylish hair jewelry today. Besides various hairstyles, some people may choose to wave or color their hair to pursue beauty. Wave hair and hair color can certainly help you make a difference with other people. However, your hair quality will become worse if you do these actions frequently.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Singapore smog eases as Indonesian planes waterbomb fires

(Reuters) - Air quality in Singapore improved significantly to "moderate" pollution levels on Saturday, as Indonesian planes waterbombed raging forest fires and investigators scrambled to determine the cause of one of Southeast Asia's worst air pollution crises.

Indonesia's environment minister said eight domestic firms were suspected of being responsible for the blazes on Sumatra island that blanketed neighboring Singapore in record levels of hazardous smog. The parent companies of the Indonesian firms included Malaysia-listed Sime Darby and Singapore's Wilmar Group.

A senior presidential aide on Friday also blamed units of Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) and Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL) for the fires.

"We will take legal action whoever they are," Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya told reporters. "Any companies from Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, they will be legally processed."

But Indonesia's Forestry Ministry, which is leading the investigation, warned about naming suspects and jumping to conclusions too soon.

"We have to be very careful in any legal action. We have to really find out what happened, why the fire happened, and so on. This could be due to negligence too," said Hadi Daryanto, the ministry's general secretary.

Under Indonesian law, any company or person proven to be involved in an illegal forest fire could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah ($503,800).

Sime Darby and APRIL said there were no fires in any of their operating areas in Indonesia.

SMART and Wilmar said they both had a "zero burning" policy and that most, if not all, the fires raging in and near their concessions were caused by the local community.

"We have discovered a few smallholders with land near our plantations who have been burning to clear their land. We have reported these to the local authorities," said a Wilmar spokeswoman.

HAZY FORECAST

Singapore has warned the "haze" - which has fuelled fears about health problems and raised diplomatic tension in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - could last for weeks, or even longer.

Indonesia has deployed military planes to fight the blazes on Sumatra island from illegal burning that typically takes place in the June to September dry season to clear space for palm oil plantations. The fires are unusually widespread this year and the smog was the heaviest in Singapore's history.

On the sixth day of the thick smoke, Singapore's pollution index eased to the "moderate" zone with readings as low as 77. It hit a record of 401 on Friday afternoon, a level considered potentially life-threatening for the ill and the elderly.

Despite the improving conditions, streets in the clean and green city-state were far less crowded than on a typical Saturday when people go out to shop, meet in outdoor cafes and have fun at the park.

The Ministry of Education advised public schools to cancel all activities planned for the holiday month of June.

StarHub Ltd, a cable television and Internet provider, said it was providing a free preview of more than 170 channels over the weekend "as we stay home to escape the unbearable haze".

The cost of the smog for Singapore, a major financial centre and tourist destination, could end up being hundreds of millions of dollars, brokerage CLSA said in a report.

In Malaysia, the haze spread north. Air quality in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, and in several surrounding areas worsened into the "unhealthy" zone. The air quality was now "unhealthy" in 17 areas of Malaysia and "very unhealthy" in one area. ($1=9,925 rupiah)

(Additional reporting by Randy Fabi, Fergus Jensen and Michael Taylor in JAKARTA, Eveline Danubrata and Kevin Lim in SINGAPORE, and Stuart Grudgings and Siva Sithraputhran in KUALA LUMPUR; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Beaded Bracelets – Beaded Bracelets Are the Perfect Gift

Now if you are looking for a special gift for someone you know, handmade bracelets crafted out of any of these styles will be wonderful! Beaded jewelry gifts are very popular all the time! Consider the personality and usual dress of the person you are shopping for. Do they like a lot of drama? If so, then consider beaded jewelry that has a lot of flair, such as charms or various colors. Are they more sophisticated? If so, choose something elegant, like a single strand in sparking, shimmering crystals. Perhaps your gift recipient loves to wear unusual buttons. If that’s the case, consider a button jewelry style bracelet!

Consider now, on the other hand, that you are shopping for yourself! Obviously, it is easy to shop for oneself! However consider a few things when choosing between the many beaded bracelets. The first thing you should picture in your mind is whether or not this beaded jewelrywill match what you want to wear with it. Will it match one outfit or multiple outfits? Think about what colors you like to wear. Do you like busy jewelry, or a peaceful, subtle, calmer piece? Use these considerations to choose your bracelet. Also, how big is the bracelet compared to your wrist? Jewelry extenders are also available to extend the length of your bracelets or other jewelry items.

Since the popularity of beading and bead weaving has skyrocketed in recent years, it has also given way to several related beading magazines, online communities and major events and festivals. For people just beginning to learn about beading, online forums are an excellent way to pitch queries to more advanced peers. Beading magazines are another great resource for finding new project tutorials to help inspire new jewelry ideas. They also report on the latest trends in beading, supplies and styles, which is good to research before visiting beading tradeshows and events.