Blow out sales prices likely on mattresses as new U.S. fire-resistant standards take effect

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

If you are in the market for new bedding, and not too concerned with the new United States guidelines for mattress fire resistance, now might be a good time to buy. Mattresses sold in the U.S. must meet new federal guidelines for flammability starting on July 1.

The peak heat release rate is limited to 200 kW during a 30 minute test. The total heat release is limited to 15 MJ within the first 10 minutes.”

The flammability of mattress sets sold in the U.S. is subject to a new mandatory federal regulation requirement passed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 16 last year. The requirement, costing mattress manufacturers an estimated $100 million to meet, is scheduled to take effect on July 1. The commission anticipates that the new standards will save 270 lives and 1,330 injuries per year from mattress fires.

“We’ve passed a new open flame regulation and the whole idea behind the regulation is to make sure that if a mattress catches on fire that the fire burns slowly enough that people have enough time to get out of the house and get away,” said Hal Stratton, chairman of the CPSC

Radio and TV advertising spots are reacting to the new regulation by discounting prices on mattresses that fail to meet the new guidelines. Sales made in the mattress industry, like the automobile industry, are highly negotiable on price. The new regulation does not appear to have much “teeth” for mattresses already in the distribution pipeline, but it is a new law that is a bargaining position for potential buyers.

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Expand Your Contracting Services To Include Affordable Built In Options

byAlma Abell

If you are looking for an option to expand your contracting business providing a customized built-in service for your clients offers them remodel options they might not otherwise have considered. The custom cabinetry Ontario contractors offer can go beyond the basics for kitchen and bathroom remodels and be expanded to create stunning, showcase pieces. These pieces can completely change a space, as well as offer a unique way to make a room more functional.

Built In Offices

Most homeowners today are looking for ways to incorporate a home office. The home office is becoming more in demand due to more people working from home. As well, families require a space for a computer for homework, banking, paying bills and of course for entertainment purposes. Built-in office areas offer affordable options allowing people to make the most of unsuspecting spaces including areas under the stairs, tiny nooks and even repurposed closets. Having a creative service that focuses on built-in offices can expand your business as well as offer you a new way to use your design skills to optimize space for smaller homes.

Built In Display Cases

The charm found in older homes often includes charming details such as built in display cases. Complete with glass doors, these elegant additions can add a touch of architectural detail that is rare in modern homes. These types of features work well in dining rooms, libraries, dens and kitchens and provide an additional storage or display area for homeowners as well.

Built-In Side Boards

The dining room has become a very central location and the heart of entertaining for many families. The formal dining room had been phased out especially with the introduction of more open concept layouts. However, even in open concept spaces the addition of a built-in sideboard can help define a dining area while providing much-needed storage space. Drawer and cabinet door combinations for integrated sideboards offer a permanent design detail that can also increase the value of an everyday cookie cutter style home.

Built In Vanities

The bathroom is a room always in need of more storage. Custom cabinetry Ontario homeowners install in their bathrooms provides a substantial decorative detail while offering the additional storage space demanded by the modern family.

Let’s not forget the obvious: Home theatres. From offices to sideboards and built-in vanities to display cases, the built-in is the perfect addition to your contracting business.

If you are looking for the custom cabinetry Ontario homeowners are seeking, Lovech Ltd. has the expertise and design options you need. Contact www.lovech.ca for information.

Celebrities contribute to Katrina relief

Published:Wednesday, September 7, 2005Updated:Saturday, September 10, 2005 (Travolta, Preston, Moore, Stones, Three Doors Down, Johnson, Smith)

After Hurricane Katrina passed across the United States, various artists and media stars have leapt at a call to action.

John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston flew his private plane to deliver a load of supplies and tetanus vaccine to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Part of a Scientology project which has been using their non-massage “assists”, in an interview Preston mentioned that “auditing” had also been performed on victims.

Kevin Smith is holding an online auction on his Web site.

Sean Penn actually went to Louisiana. After loading down a small boat with his entourage, it was discovered one of them had neglected to seal a hole in the bottom. Penn was wearing a white vest rather than a life vest while bailing. After the motor wouldn’t start, the crew paddled down a flooded New Orleans street. Bystanders jeered at whether any victims could fit aboard the crowded craft. No report on rescue stunts. Local authorities had previously been criticized for not allowing volunteer boaters in to help.

Morgan Freeman, whose home fared well, is organizing an online auction of celebrity items at charityfolks.com, to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Curt Schilling opened his home to a family of nine driven out of their New Orleans home. The Schilling family will provide housing for the Fields for a year while their home in New Orleans is rebuilt and repaired.

Some celebrities “graced” disaster zones with their presence in the days following Katrina.

Singer Macy Gray and television personality Phil McGraw visited Houston’s Astrodome.

Celebrities visiting New Orleans include Michael Moore (opposite side of lake), singer Harry Connick, Jr., CNN’s Anderson Cooper, actor Jamie Foxx, singer Faith Hill, actor Matthew McConaughey, singer Lisa Marie Presley, comedian Chris Rock, and The Oprah Winfrey Show contributor Lisa Ling and interior decorator Nate Berkus.

Oprah Winfrey visited New Orleans, Houston, and Mississippi.

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US major general killed, 15 others wounded in insider attack in Afghanistan

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

United States Army Major General Harold J. Greene was killed yesterday afternoon in an apparent insider or ‘green on blue’ attack at the Marshal Fahim National Defense University on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. His death marks the first death of a United States general since the September 11th attacks and the first on foreign soil since the Vietnam War. Along with the death of Major General Greene, fifteen others were wounded in the attack including a German brigadier general, eight US soldiers, a number of British soldiers, and three Afghan soldiers.

The attack started during a routine visit, when an individual, reportedly an Afghan National Army soldier, opened fire with a light assault rifle from inside a building, 100 yards (90 meters) away from where Greene and others were standing. Soldiers fired back and killed the attacker. The Pentagon Press Secretary, US Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby, said, “There are a number of casualties as a result of the shooting, perhaps up to 15, to include some Americans”. Kirby added, “Many were seriously wounded. Others received only minor injuries. The assailant was killed.”

An Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson, General Mohammad Zahir Azimi, said the attacker was a “terrorist dressed in an Afghan army uniform.” The Taliban acknowledged the attack and praised it, but did not claim responsibility for it.

Greene was serving as deputy commanding general of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan at the time of his death. He was previously Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management in the office of the United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. Greene joined the Army as an officer in 1980 after graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

In a statement Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno gave his condolences, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene’s family, and the families of our soldiers who were injured today in the tragic events that took place in Afghanistan. These soldiers were professionals, committed to the mission. It is their service and sacrifice that define us as an Army.”

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Britney Spears announces she is pregnant

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Following weeks of speculation in some media quarters, it has been announced that Britney Spears, 23, is pregnant. In a posting on her Web site, Spears announced that she and husband, Kevin Federline, 27, were expecting their first child together. Her publicist, Sonia Muckle, confirmed the singer’s pregnancy Tuesday but gave no further information.

“The time has finally come to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together. There are reports that I was in the hospital this weekend,” read a statement allegedly written by Spears.

Federline has two children with his ex-girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson. He met Spears last year when he was a backup dancer on her tour and his girlfriend was pregnant with their son.

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The Aspiring Owner’s Guide To Canine Adoption

Submitted by: Lawrence J. Reaves

Your decision to adopt a dog will impact your life for many years. You’ll enjoy the companionship and unwavering devotion of a new friend. You’ll also be responsible for providing for his needs, including food, exercise, grooming, dental care, and regular trips to a veterinarian. For these reasons, it’s important to ask yourself if you’re truly ready to adopt a canine. Do you have the time, budget, and space to accommodate him? If so, you can expect to enjoy a deeply gratifying friendship with your new companion.

In this article, we’ll present an overview of canine adoption that takes you through the steps involved. You’ll learn about choosing the right breed, where to look, and deciding on a suitable match. We’ll also explain how to start your new friendship on the right foot.

Choosing A Breed That Matches Your Life

Many people prefer to adopt a purebred. To that end, each breed poses its own advantages and drawbacks depending on your lifestyle. It’s important to research specific breed characteristics so you’ll know in advance which are less than ideal. For example, some breeds are phenomenally energetic. If you enjoy jogging or bicycling, an energetic dog may be a good companion. On the other hand, if you live in a relatively small space (e.g. apartment), or are confined to your home, such dogs are inappropriate.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBvTBxRc-Lo[/youtube]

If you’re open to adopting a “mixed breed” (or mutt), your options will increase substantially. Mutts may be unable to offer the traceable lineage or breed-specific traits a purebred can, but they also tend to be free of many hereditary problems. To be sure, a mutt can still suffer from specific hereditary health issues, but the list of such problems tends to be shorter.

Searching The Shelters

Animal shelters are among the best places to look for a dog. Many of the animals in these facilities have been abandoned by owners who moved, grew too old, or lacked the funds to properly care for them. Those canines who have lived with owners in the past are usually housetrained, and often have received professional obedience training. Also, keep in mind that dogs for which a home cannot be found are euthanized. Thus, adopting a shelter dog literally means saving his life.

As a side note, be wary of buying a canine from a pet store. One problem with such places is that many of the dogs are pulled from puppy mills. They often have health problems and psychological issues that may only become clear later.

Finding A Suitable Match

Avoid the temptation to choose the first canine that captures your attention. You’ll be spending over a decade with your new companion, so it’s worth investing time upfront to make sure you choose wisely. The dog you select should fit the criteria you established earlier; its breed, size, activity level, and age should conform to the archetype in your head. If you stumble upon one that seems to pose an ideal match, come back the next day. That will give you enough time to be sure you’re making the right decision.

Adopting Your New Canine Companion

After selecting your new dog, you’ll need to sign a few papers to formally document the adoption. Next, the shelter will require a fee that pays for spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and any related expenses. They’ll inform you of any known health problems as well as medications the canine must take. But it’s important to have a veterinarian perform a thorough examination to make sure small problems are identified and addressed.

Prior to bringing your new companion home, purchase a dog bed, food and water bowls, a few toys, and a crate. You’ll also need to buy a leash and collar, grooming supplies, and food (including treats). These items will help your new canine companion feel welcome and comfortable in his new home, providing a perfect start to a lifelong friendship.

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Yemeni journalist Nabil Hasan al-Quaety shot dead in Aden

Friday, June 5, 2020

Nabil Hasan al-Quaety, a photo- and videojournalist from Yemen, died in the city of Aden, in southern Yemen, on Tuesday after being shot in his car. He was 34 and reported extensively on the nation’s ongoing civil war.

journalists are now favourite targets, regardless of the region they cover

Al-Quaety, who contributed to Agence France-Presse among other news organizations, openly supported independence for South Yemen. The Southern Transitional Council, previously an ally of the government, is currently in conflict against it. Both sides also oppose Houthi rebels. Both the council and the government called for his death to be investigated.

Multiple assailants attacked al-Quaety shortly after he left his nearby home, then, according to security officials, fled. He is survived by three children and his pregnant wife. A freelancer, he was a 2016 Rory Peck Awards finalist for his coverage of the conflict. In 2019 he survived a drone attack that left six soldiers dead. The city’s security chief, Abdullah al-Jahafi, announced on Facebook on Tuesday there were suspects in custody.

“Nabil’s murder is unacceptable and constitutes a terrible new blow to journalism in Yemen[…] journalists are now favourite targets, regardless of the region they cover”, said Sabrina Bennoui of Reporters Without Borders. Phil Chetwynd, director of global news for AFP, called the death “the senseless killing of a courageous journalist doing his job despite threats and intimidation.” Chetwynd also praised the quality of al-Quaety’s work.

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3 Mistakes To Avoid When It Comes To Your Savings

Banking and savings can be considered two sides of the same coin. We all want to save money and it the number one money tip that everyone advocates and implements on themselves as well. Although this is all for good reasons too how it is possible is a big question. What should be the most appropriate way is still need to explore with every minute changing trends.

If one goes with conventional banking for having a savings account, the interest rate is a big issue while on the other hand Islamic bank speculation savings account is another way to explore properly for international account holders in UAE.

Cut it short, keep one thing in your mind that it is the most basic money management step that keeps you prepared for the most unexpected scenarios. For example, a sudden car breaking down, or you need to make an emergency trip, having savings in your account gives you peace of mind. Otherwise to come out of such big financial losses is hard to tackle.

However, saving is just one part of the equation and there are two other directions that give you the exact output to deal with this plan. First seeing it as just a lump sum of money you already have in your savings account, you should focus on the ways to keep it stable and save it from losing the potential value this plan can give you. You can take the path with two options as:

  • Islamic savings account with a Fixed Deposit
  • Conventional savings account with an investment plan

Choose which way you want because both are working in a perfect manner in the UAE region. To make sure that you can get maximum output through a saving plan, here are five mistakes you need to avoid when it comes to your savings.

Don’t have any idea about savings ratio

There is a variation in the savings options like if you are saving for your emergency fund, the general rule of thumb is to save up at least three months of your monthly income. While if you are saving for a UAE mortgage loan, at least you have six months’ monthly expenses so that to easily handle your loan installments without disturbing your routine based tasks.

Let me explain through an example, if your monthly income is AED 3,000, you may look at saving about AED 10000 for your home loan or a mortgage loan in the future then you must start by putting 10% of your monthly income into your savings account.

This is the most basic formula to manage your savings in a fruitful way. Most of the expatriates don’t have an exact idea and they informally get into a loan which comes into an ultimate result in the form of debt. So be prepared yourself with all outcomes so that to manage in a responsible and accurate way.

Avoid saving in an interest bearing account

In conventional banking, savings come from an interest rate system but it’s of no use because at the end of your FD, you will get a minimum amount. Always keep one thing in your mind that compounding interest makes the world go round – well, almost and in many similar situations.

Now the point is, how can we safeguard our hard-earned money from the ghastly inflation in critical situations? Very simple, you always put your emergency savings in an account that offers liquidity and high-interest rate. This is a variable method that can save you from the inflations period when banks have no other option but to cut down your interest rate. This is the only way to save your actual profit.

We would recommend you to take advantage of this feature from savings or current accounts offered by the banks in the UAE. In this way, you can also boost your savings. There is another way out in the form of multiple savings account. For example in a multi-tiered interest account, you don’t only protect your savings from the situation like inflation, but at the other end, you always keep working to increase your funds.

Use auto-billing payments

Most of the account holders don’t have any idea about the smart savings options in UAE they ignore the small things which can be used for savings. Like paying your bills isn’t part of saving, do a thing so? It’s wrong because making smart payments can save you money in many ways. Nowadays making payments have become increasingly easy through credit card and other online banking options. To complete this task you can even choose the option of making recurring transactions.

Suppose you are working with an Islamic loan in the Emirates and you have to make payments for your loan schemes every month. If you are using auto-billing options, you can save a lot. All these features help you to keep track of your payments at one side while on the other hand, you can make it safer for getting further into debt. There is a choice like making late payments through checks and other transaction options. Well, it doesn’t just incur higher interest costs but also affects your credit health, which will impact your credit application in the future.

In UAE, most of the banks provide auto-billing transactions without any fee and it can be done completely free of charge but some of the banks charged a little amount. Take note of these in a proper way and consider this extra fee will help you save in other ways like managing the loan sheet. While the cost of paying your bills manually could possibly be higher due to late transactions.

Conclusive point

As an expatriate, if you want to work for your savings plans, investment solutions or any kind of a loan option, the best Islamic current account might be an appropriate option. You should read all the terms and conditions applied to a scheme because this is quite unique as compared to the conventional banking system.

First Nestorian search engine goes online

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Recently the first ever Nestorian Search Engine went online currently offering users more than a million resources…

The Web site says that is the “official Search Engine for all things Nestorian.” The Nestorian Search Engine has materials ranging from Assyrian, Chaldean, Biblical languages, Aramaic, Hebrew, Christianity, Judaism, Armenian texts, and much more.

This is the only Nestorian Search Engine on the Internet. Spokesman Marcus Levine said, “Our Search Engine spiders the internet on a daily basis for Nestorian related Web sites and research materials in general.” Levine said the Nestorian Search Engine is an ongoing project.

“We are working on many features that will be of interest to Nestorians and all Christians in general such as recipes from Nestorians around the world. Users will soon be able to post their own recipes or request others. Get breaking news from your city, state or country through the free service as well as local weather – users can find out what the weather’s like in their area or anywhere in the world”, Levine said.

The Nestorian Search Engine will also include a service called “Nestorian Books”, which Levine said would serve as a “book finder and publishing service. We will be offering a free print-on-demand service. You can upload a PDF or MS Word doc of your manuscript and the service will publish it. The search engine will also be able to find online books within just a matter of seconds.”

Other features the Nestorian Search Engine will include:

  • Nestorian Q&A – Nestorian Question and Answer. Post a question and get an answer from a clergy person with the Nestorian Orthodox Church.
  • Nasrani Blog – Users can sign up for a free blog and post their thoughts daily, every other day, or weekly with the free service.
  • The Global Nestorian – This is the search engine in the user’s own language. Soon users will be able to search Nestorian sites in many different languages.
  • Free Translation Service – Need a translation of a verse or passage in the Scriptures? Want to see your congregation’s name in another language such as Nasramit, Hebrew or Aramaic? Users will be able to post translation requests and get their answer emailed to them.
  • Nestorian Chat – Users will be able to start chatting soon with fellow Nestorians worldwide with the free Nestorian toolbar.
  • Photo Gallery – Find Nestorian graphics, create your own Nestorian photo gallery or view other galleries with the click of a button.

You can visit the beta site of the Nestorian search engine by going to this link: [1] The Nestorian Search Engine is provided by the Nasrani-Kazaam Software Foundation and sponsored in part by the Nasrani Church of the East and Abroad which is also known officially in many parts of the world as The Nestorian Orthodox Church.

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Australia/2005

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