The Next Summer Travel Destination

March 29, 2013 By

The Next Summer Travel DestinationLooking for your next travel destination this summer? Consider the natural wonders of Biliran.

A tourism boom is expected in Biliran after President Benigno S. Aquino III recently signed Republic Act (RA) No. 10409 declaring the island-province as a Tourism Development Area (TDA).

The new law involves the establishment of a tourism development plan as well as trust fund to propel Biliran, located in Eastern Visayas, as a major travel destination in the country.

“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitable for local communities,” the law said. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Tourism, Travel

Coconut Water Sells Like Hot Cakes

March 28, 2013 By

Coconut Water Sells Like Hot CakesWith the rise in mercury levels, residents of the city are making a beeline for roadside fruit juices helping the sellers do brisk business. The sale of natural thirst quenchers such as coconut water and watermelon juice has picked up.

With sale soaring piles of ‘daab’ and water melons can be seen stocked up beside every street vendors’ shops. “Summers have just started and the sale has already shot up. As it becomes warmer outside we will expect sale to rise too. I sell almost 20-25 pieces per day and the number will definitely increase,” said Guddu Yadav, a coconut water vendor in Lalpur.

During the summers most prefer to stay indoors to avoid heat waves. That has not deterred them from going out occasionally for coconut water. “Coconut water and watermelons hydrates and keeps us cool from within,” said Priya, a Ranchi resident. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Fitness

The Many Features of the All-In-One Map Tool Pro

March 27, 2013 By

The Many Features of the All-In-One Map Tool ProWhen you do activities in the backcountry like hiking, camping or skiing; it is best to be prepared for any type of emergency. Knowing where you are and how to avoid being lost is important. You can take a GPS unit with you, but what happens when you lose power or the unit malfunctions? You really should have some mapping tools and skills. The problem is that most map tools on the market today are anywhere from 5% to 40% inaccurate. Small inaccuracies over the course of a long trek can really get you lost. That is why Brooks-Range Mountaineering has developed a whole range of mapping products that are designed to meet or exceed USGS standards for accuracy.

Their line of products revolves around the All-In-One Map Tool that has been featured in various publications like “Backpacker Magazine.” This 4×7 inch mapping marvel works in combination with any topographical map of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Europe; and it is accurate to 1/50th of an inch. The All-In-One Map Tool is made from a flexible, special plastic that is easy to see in direct sunlight because of its anti-glare properties. This plastic is strong enough to resist corner breakage while being stuffed away in the most active pockets, and it can withstand cracking in the coldest weather.

The All-In-One mapping tool is equipped with eight different distance scales on the edges that are compatible with just about any topographical map. The scales range from 1:25,000 to 1:250,000; and they are set to miles, three in miles and kilometers increments. There are also eight UTM scales and six slope indexes. The compass rose has 360 degree and 64 degree notation, and it can act as an inclinometer at the same time. For those who need even more mapping power, there is the All-In-One Map Tool Pro. It has all the features of the regular model, but it has ten slope indexes, eight UTM scales and ten distance scales that range from 1:20,000 to 1:250,000.

Brooks-Range Mountaineering combines the All-In-One Map Tool with other backcountry aids to make complete kits tailored to specific outdoor needs. For example, there is the Emergency Latitude / Longitude Ruler that can help you relay important position coordinates to emergency crews. They have the Field Book #311 that is made out of a paper that you can write on with pen or pencil even while it is wet. This allows you to keep notes and track your position while you are navigating your way through the wilderness. You can put all of the orienteering tools Brooks-Range has available in the bright yellow Field Organizer. This easy to see, waterproof case can hold your All-In-One Map Tool, compass, maps, pencils, etc.

Brooks-Range Mountaineering has everything you need to keep you and your group safe while you are out on your next adventure. Not only will you be able to keep track of your position at all times, but these map tools make it easy to plan the best routes to maximize your next adventure.

Filed Under: Art, Humanities

China’s Leaders Move To Fill Top Government Posts

March 21, 2013 By

Li Keqiang, Xi Jinping, Wen JiabaoThe Chinese Communist Party’s No. 2 leader was confirmed Friday as premier, tasked with addressing a slowing economy and defusing public anger over corruption, pollution and a growing gap between rich and poor.

China’s rubberstamp legislature appointed Li Keqiang to the premiership as a long-orchestrated leadership transition neared its end. Final touches take place Saturday with selections of vice premiers, a central bank governor and finance and other ministers, and the legislature wraps up on Sunday.

Party chief Xi Jinping was appointed Thursday to the ceremonial post of president, completing his ascension as China’s pre-eminent leader after being promoted last November to head the Communist Party and the military. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Foreign Affairs, Government, People

Kindergartener Gets Dh200k Damages

March 19, 2013 By

Kindergartener Gets Dh200k DamagesA three-year-old boy who was repeatedly raped by the school bus driver shortly after he began kindergarten has received Dh200,000 in compensation, while his tormentor has been jailed for 10 years.

Court documents show that while the boy had become happy going to kindergarten, after initial trepidation, his father noticed he had started to appear upset and unaffectionate. When the man asked his son what was the wrong with him, the small boy pointed at a part of his body where he felt pain.

The father asked his son what the reason for such pain was, and the child told him that the school bus driver used to insert a strange thing in him every day he drove him to school and back. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Humanities, People

Over 330mn Abortions in China in 40 Years of One-Child Policy – Ministry

March 16, 2013 By

Over 330mn Abortions in China in 40 Years of One-Child Policy - MinistryMore than 330 million abortions and almost 200 million sterilizations have been performed in China since family-planning policies to limit the population were introduced 40 years ago, the country’s Health Ministry has revealed.

Measures to encourage fewer children in China were introduced in the 1970s, including the one-child rule. The goal behind the policies was to minimize population growth to save resources, such as food and water.

Data also revealed that the government has done more than a half-billion birth control procedures, including the mandatory insertion of some 403 million of intra-uterine devices – a practice considered a regular birth control procedure in the West, if chosen voluntarily – the Financial Times reported. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health, Humanities

Pressure Rises on Korean Peninsula

March 12, 2013 By

Pressure Rises on Korean PeninsulaAs the South Korean and U.S. militaries began a second phase of their annual joint winter exercises Monday, North Korea cut off a phone hotline to the South and repeated its threat to nullify the Korean War armistice.

Seoul said the North was conducting its own military drills, but the activity didn’t suggest an imminent threat.

“There has been no unusual movement spotted in North Korea,” a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in late afternoon. “It has been quiet so far.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Foreign Policy, Politics