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  • Municipal Bankruptcy-Detroit Files For Largest Municipal Bankruptcy In US History

    Municipal Bankruptcy-Detroit Files For Largest Municipal Bankruptcy In US History

    DETROIT (TIP): The city of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in federal court Thursday, July 18, laying the groundwork for a historic effort to bail out a city that is sinking under billions of dollars in debt and decades of mismanagement, population flight and loss of tax revenue. The bankruptcy filing makes Detroit the largest city in U.S. history to do so.

    The filing by a state-appointed emergency manager means that if the bankruptcy filing is approved, city assets could be liquidated to satisfy demands for payment. Kevin Orr, a bankruptcy expert, was hired by the state in March to lead Detroit out of a fiscal free-fall, and made the filing Thursday in federal bankruptcy court. “Only one feasible path offers a way out,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a letter to Orr and state Treasurer Andy Dillon approving the bankruptcy. The letter was attached to the bankruptcy filing.

    “The citizens of Detroit need and deserve a clear road out of the cycle of ever-decreasing services,” Snyder wrote. “The city’s creditors, as well as its many dedicated public servants, deserve to know what promises the city can and will keep. The only way to do those things is to radically restructure the city and allow it to reinvent itself without the burden of impossible obligations.”

    Snyder had determined earlier this year that Detroit was in a financial emergency and without a plan to improve things. Snyder hired Orr in March, and he released a plan to restructure the city’s debt and obligations that would leave many creditors with much less than they are owed. Orr was unable to convince a host of creditors, including the city’s union and pension boards, to take pennies on the dollar to help facilitate the city’s massive financial restructuring.

    Some creditors were asked to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owed them. Under funded pension claims would have received less than 10 cents on the dollar under that plan. A team of financial experts put together by Orr said that proposal was Detroit’s one shot to permanently fix its fiscal problems.

    The filing leads to a 30 to 90 day period that will determine whether or not the city of Detroit is eligible for Chapter 9 protection, and define the number of claimants who may compete for Detroit’s limited settlement resources. The petition seeks protection from unions and creditors who are renegotiating $18.5 billion in debt and liabilities, according to the Detroit Free Press.

    “The President and members of the President’s senior team continue to closely monitor the situation in Detroit,” White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said in a statement Thursday. “While leaders on the ground in Michigan and the city’s creditors understand that they must find a solution to Detroit’s serious financial challenge, we remain committed to continuing our strong partnership with Detroit as it works to recover and revitalize and maintain its status as one of America’s great cities,” the statement read. Sen.

    Carl Levin, D-Mich., remained positive about Detroit’s outlook in spite of the major blow that bankruptcy delivered: “I know firsthand, because I live in Detroit, that our city is on the rebound in some key ways, and I know deep in my heart that the people of Detroit will face this latest challenge with the same determination that we have always shown,” the Senator said in a statement released Thursday.

    A number of factors — most notably steep population and tax base falls — have been blamed on Detroit’s descent toward insolvency. Detroit was once synonymous with U.S. manufacturing prowess. Its automotive giants switched production to planes, tanks and munitions during World War II, earning the city the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy.” Detroit lost a quarter-million residents between 2000 and 2010.

    A population that in the 1950s reached 1.8 million is struggling to stay above 700,000. Much of the middle-class and scores of businesses also have fled Detroit, taking their tax dollars with them. Detroit’s budget deficit is believed to be more than $380 million. Orr has said long-term debt was more than $14 billion and could be between $17 billion and $20 billion.

    For decades, sizeable bankruptcies have been rare in the $3.7 trillion municipal bond market, but experts say there might be an uptick as counties, cities and towns wrestle with economic recession and stubbornly rising costs. Until Detroit filed its landmark case on Thursday, there had been four Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy filings so far this year, compared with 12 in all of 2012 and 13 during 2011, according to James Spiotto, partner at Chapman and Cutler LLP. The four this year were special-purpose districts in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

    The great bulk of Chapter 9 filings involve utilities and special districts, Spiotto said. Many cases are blocked by judges. Since 1954, cities, villages and counties accounted for only 61 Chapter 9 filings. The highest number of bankruptcy filings occurred in Nebraska, followed by California and Texas.

    What will happen next
    A bankruptcy judge will be appointed to oversee the city’s case. Hearings could take place in Detroit, Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee. Chapter 9 bankruptcy is poorly understood, in part because it happens so infrequently. Detroit’s case is the largest in U.S. history. Here’s what happens next:

    o The city filed a Chapter 9 bankruptcy petition Thursday in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Michigan.The filing includes additional information on the city’s financial outlook and could include details about the city’s plan to cut costs, such as potential layoffs and department consolidation, said Ken Schneider, a bankruptcy attorney with Detroit-based Schneider Miller PC.

    o Alice Batchelder, chief judge of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, will appoint a bankruptcy judge to oversee the city’s case. o The bankruptcy judge will determine where to hold hearings, which could take place in Detroit, Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee. o An automatic stay will be issued on most of Detroit’s bills, including unsecured debts, Schneider said today. The city will continue to pay secured creditors, including water and sewer bondholders, who have the right to seize city assets if Detroit fails to pay.

    o An automatic stay also will be issued on lawsuits against the city, including outside challenges by pension officials and union members. This means hearings in those lawsuits will be indefinitely delayed. The plaintiffs can recast their arguments inside of bankruptcy court, said Jay Welford, a bankruptcy attorney and partner at Southfield-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss.

    o The city doesn’t need approval to continue services. For example, the police, fire, water, sewer and public works are completely unaffected by the bankruptcy filing for now and will operate as usual. However, cuts are possible in the future. “You have the ability to use your cash,” Welford said. “You don’t need court approval.”

    o Creditors can challenge the city’s right to file for bankruptcy by issuing motions to dismiss the case. o In this case, bondholders and pension officials could accuse the city of failing to negotiate “in good faith,” one of the key criteria allowing the city to file for bankruptcy. The judge would hear arguments on this issue. A ruling could take days, weeks or months – perhaps even a year.

    o The city also will have to prove it is insolvent, another stipulation required to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. According to the federal bankruptcy code, this requires the city to prove that it is not paying its bills. Emergency manager Kevyn Orr recently authorized the city to stop making payments on some debts. Bankruptcy experts believe that action was enough to satisfy the insolvency requirement, but creditors may still find wiggle room to argue the city is not insolvent.

    o If the judge authorizes the city to move forward with a Chapter 9 bankruptcy case, Orr would propose a plan of reorganization. This could take weeks, months or years. Bankruptcy court allows the city to restructure its operations and its balance sheet. This could involve budget cuts, layoffs, consolidation, the sale of assets, slashing union contracts, selling assets and dramatically reducing city debts, including outstanding bonds.

    o The city will attempt to win support for the reorganization plan from creditors, including secured bondholders, general obligation bondholders, unions and pension boards. If the city wins enough support, the plan would be put to a vote – and with enough support, the city could emerge from bankruptcy.

    Without enough support, the judge could tell the city it must continue to negotiate with creditors. Orr may eventually pursue a “cram down” procedure, which would require winning support of a minority of creditors and convincing a judge that dissenting creditors are not being reasonable. “We’ll probably get to that because I don’t see how creditors are going to accept what he’s talking about paying them,” Schneider said.

    o The length of the case is widely debated. Some experts believe it could be as short as several months. Others say it could take years. Most complex Chapter 9 cases have taken several years.

    Recent and significant Chapter 9 cases include:
    SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
    San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy status last August 1, becoming the third city in America’s most populous state during 2012 to use Chapter 9 in a fiscal crisis. The city of about 210,000 residents located 65 miles east of Los Angeles said it had more than $1 billion in debts and had tapped out its financial reserves. A federal bankruptcy judge has scheduled a hearing for August 28 to determine if the city is eligible for Chapter 9 shelter.

    STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA
    Stockton, a city of 300,000 located east of San Francisco, filed for bankruptcy in June 2012 and was until Detroit’s declaration the biggest U.S. city ever to seek Chapter 9 protection. After years of fiscal mismanagement and a housing market crash, Stockton was unable to pay workers, pensioners and bondholders. In April this year, a judge turned aside objections from bondholders trying to scuttle the case and cleared the way for Stockton to move ahead on a debt-adjustment plan, which local officials hope to file in September.

    JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA
    At $4.2 billion, Jefferson County set the previous record for the biggest U.S. municipal bankruptcy filing in November 2011. The county has since negotiated a tentative settlement with most creditors that still must be approved by a federal judge. The county, home to Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city, is weighed down by massive sewer-system debt. After the loss in 2011 of a local jobs tax that severely reduced revenues, the county cut 1,300 staff jobs, pulled back on government services and stopped payments on general obligation debt.

    ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
    The county, California’s thirdmost populous, filed for bankruptcy in December 1994 after rising interest rates savaged investment bets by its treasurer, leaving the county with a loss of $1.7 billion in an investment pool. That put Orange County at risk of a $1 billion default the next year. Orange County emerged from bankruptcy after 18 months.

    HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
    Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania saddled with incinerator debts, lost a bid for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2011 and is now under state receivership. With a population of 50,000, Harrisburg is plagued by $320 million of debt incurred by cost overruns from an upgrade of its incinerator. In a bid to ease debts, the city is selling off thousands of Western and other historical artifacts accumulated by a former mayor to stock local museums that were never built.

    VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA
    Vallejo, a former U.S. Navy town near San Francisco, filed for bankruptcy on May 23, 2008, after failing to address steep city personnel costs and sliding revenue from a housing slump. In July 2011, the city won court approval for its financial plan to exit bankruptcy protection.

    CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND
    The smallest city in the smallest U.S. state filed for bankruptcy on August 1, 2011, after failing to win concessions from public-sector retirees and others to address an $80 million unfunded pension and retiree health benefit liability, which was nearly quadruple its annual budget of $17 million. Central Falls last September won court approval of a reorganization plan that cut retiree pensions, raised taxes and left bondholders without losses.

  • UK HEATWAVE KILLS 760 IN 9 DAYS

    UK HEATWAVE KILLS 760 IN 9 DAYS

    LONDON (TIP): A severe and prolonged heatwave is believed to have killed up to 760 people in England in the past nine days. Temperatures in parts of the country reached as high as 32 degree celsius on Thursday, four degrees short of the government announcing a Level 4 alert marking a national emergency.

    Thursday was the sixth consecutive day with a recorded daytime temperature of over 30 degrees celsius marking Britain’s longest heatwave in seven years. Research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has estimated the death toll for the first nine days of the heatwave at between 540 and 760 people in England alone. With high temperatures likely to remain till the end of next week, the number of heatrelated deaths is expected to double.

    A Level 3 heatwave alert means people should be aware of the actions to protect themselves from the possible health effects of hot weather, and social and healthcare services are advised to take specific actions that target highrisk groups. Ambulance services have already seen a 30% increase in past three days. A Level 3 is triggered as soon as the Met Office confirms there is a 90% chance of heatwave conditions, when temperatures are high enough over threshold levels to have a significant effect on health on at least two consecutive days.

    Following this latest Met Office alert, Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of UK’s department of health, is continuing to remind people to be aware of the health risks of hot weather. “… try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, avoid physical exertion, wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes, drink plenty of cold drinks, if you have a health problem, keep medicines below 25 °C or in the refrigerator and never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants , young children or animals ,” it has said.

    Dr Angie Bone, Heatwave Plan lead for PHE, said: “In this continued hot weather, it’s important to remember that high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for yulnerable people like older people , young children and those with serious illnesses.” Professor Dame Sally C Davies , chief medical officer in the department of health, said: “Although it seems we barely saw the sun last summer in England, last year’s Climate Change Risk Assessment clearly indicated that we are increasingly likely to experience summer temperatures that may be harmful to health.

    For example the temperatures reached in 2003 are likely to be a ‘normal’ summer by 2040, and indeed globally, countries are already experiencing record temperatures.” Declaring a Level 4 alert indicates a major incident. The government will decide whether to go to Level 4 if there is a very severe heatwave that will last for a considerable period of time and will also affect transport, food and water, energy supplies and businesses as well as health and social-care services.

    The hottest July temperature in Britain was 36.5°C, recorded in Surrey in 2006. The hottest ever in Britain was 38.5°C in Kent in 2003. July is also expected to become the driest July since records began in 1766 and may beat the record set in 1955 when only one inch (30mm) of rain fell.

  • FAT BURNERS

    FAT BURNERS

    Triggering your body’s fat burning ability is not a herculean task. There are ample ways to perk up your weight loss efforts. Mike Jackson – Nutritional Consultant and Physique Transformation Specialist gives 20 best ways on how to lose unwanted body fat.

    Run everyday
    Running is one of the simplest ways to burn fat easily. Every day running not only helps to burn fat but also boost your metabolism, so that your body keeps on burning calories and melting.

    Sleep well
    Efficient sleep every day is another important thing to burn fat easily. Improper sleeping habits can ruin your entire efforts to lose fats, as it produces more ghrelin and thus triggers cravings for sugar and other fatbuilding foods. Besides improper sleeping can also alter your hormone production that can cause belly fat.

    Sip on green tea
    Sipping at least two cups of green tea, will not only help to burn fat but also reduce your risk on developing cancer. Green tea is rich in catechins, which helps boost the level of metabolism speeding brain chemicals – norepinephrine, this further boosts your metabolism and helps in burning calories.

    Load up on protein
    To get your desired lean muscle body, load up on your protein intake. Fill your diet with serving of 3 ounces of lean meat, nuts, low-fat yoghurt, to every meal and snack. Besides a protein rich diet will also help you to stay full for a longer duration and thus help to curb your food cravings.

    Avoid alcohol
    In your journey to burn fat, stay away from alcohol, because consuming even a glass of alcohol will invest approximately 90 calories in your body and make your fat loss task even more difficult.

    Take the stairs
    Take up the simplest things in your fat burning journey i.e. skip the elevator and take up stairs. This easy mode will help your burn fat in a hurry, without many efforts.

    Eat Less, but Don’t Starve
    Consuming fewer than 1000 calories a day tells your body to start storing food and slowing metabolism to prepare for starvation. This may help you lose some initial weight, but as soon as you start consuming a healthy portion of calories again, you will gain it all back. You will also be completely drained of energy. When your body stores nutrients, you don’t have anything left to burn for energy. Decreasing your caloric intake is important for weight loss, but don’t take it too far. Instead, eat healthier foods with lower calorie counts that fill you up and leave you energised.

    Keep your dinner the smallest
    In order to burn body fat effectively, keep your evening meal the smallest of all. You should be eating your smallest meals in the evening and eating your largest meals in the middle of your day.

    Love fishes
    Most types of fishes are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, which help in wide variety of ways, including burning quick fat. So add all types of fishes in your diet and experience the full range of benefits.

    Choose solid rather than juices
    If you want to burn fat, then choose apple rather than apple juice. However, juices are good for health, but they are not good if fat burning goal is in your mind. Having a fruit is more beneficial than drinking juice because, this will help to fill you up more efficiently and you will be ingesting far fewer calories and carbs.

    Eat the right foods
    Your diet also has a lot to do with your metabolic rate. Eating a well-balanced diet ensures you have the nutrients necessary to properly process and regulate incoming carbs. Protein, for example, is an important part of your diet. Calcium is another area to watch for. Calcium-rich foods actually help the body metabolise fat more efficiently.

  • Good Sleep Protects Against Heart Disease

    Good Sleep Protects Against Heart Disease

    Anew study claims that a good night’s sleep can increase the benefit of exercise, healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption and nonsmoking in their protection against cardiovascular disease (CVD). According to results of a large population follow-up study, it showed that the combination of the four traditional healthy lifestyle habits was associated with a 57 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease (fatal and non-fatal) and a 67 per cent lower risk of fatal events.

    But, when “sufficient sleep” (defined as seven or more hours a night) was added to the other four lifestyle factors, the overall protective benefit was even further increased – and resulted in a 65 percent lower risk of composite CVD and a 83 per cent lower risk of fatal events.

    “If all participants adhered to all five healthy lifestyle factors, 36 per cent of composite CVD and 57 per cent of fatal CVD could theoretically be prevented or postponed,” the authors said. “The public health impact of sufficient sleep duration, in addition to the traditional healthy lifestyle factors, could be substantial,” they said.

  • Turmeric Protects Against Lung Damage In Infants

    Turmeric Protects Against Lung Damage In Infants

    Anew study led by an Indian researcher has found that a substance in turmeric, curcumin, may provide lasting protection against potentially deadly lung damage in premature infants. Premature infants often need the assistance of ventilators and forced oxygen therapy because they’re frequently born with inadequate lung function. These therapies can cause the infants to suffer lasting lung damage and even death.

    Researchers at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed), using disease models, found curcumin provided longterm protection against this damage. Their study found that curcumin provided protection against bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BDP), a condition characterized by scarring and inflammation, and against hyperoxia, in which too much oxygen enters the body through the lungs, for up to 21 days after birth.

    A previous LA BioMed study found curcumin provided protection for up to seven days after birth. “This is the first study to find long-term benefits of using curcumin to protect lung function in premature infants,” Virender K. Rehan, MD, the LA BioMed lead researcher who authored the study, said. “Curcumin is known to have potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-microbial properties, making it a promising therapy for premature infants who require oxygen therapy after birth,” he added.

  • DECORATE YOUR CHILD’S ROOM

    DECORATE YOUR CHILD’S ROOM

    Decorating your kid’s room can be fun and exciting. You can totally indulge your inner child with the colours and prints you get to play around with. However, it’s important to remember that the occupant is going to be a kid. As interior designer Renu Chainani says, “It can also be a very challenging task. Since kids are in their growing years, they need all the space in the world to run, jump and play without hurting themselves.”

    While you focus on making the room look all cute and beautiful, you also need to pay absolute attention to safety. Actor Sudhanshu Pandey — father of two young and boisterous sons — Nirvaan and Vivaan says, “Kids will be kids. No matter how much you try to protect them, they will run, jump, fall and hurt themselves. As parents it is our responsibility to ensure that there is nothing in the room that can cause them bodily harm.”

    So what are the most important factors that you need to heed while planning out your kids room? “Safety, space and storage,” says Renu adding, “There’s just no excuse where safety is concerned. No sharp corners and edges.” That was precisely what TV actress Gouri Tonnk did in her daughter Pari’s room. “She’s a growing girl and would often have her friends over. Hence, we decided to give her a dedicated room.

    Safety was our first concern. All her furniture- bed, study table, cupboard, etc have rounded corners and the walls, soft, rounded edges. The floor has skid proof tiles,” she says. Still on the point of safety, electrical fittings are an extremely important consideration. “Keep plug points at safe heights. Also, ensure that you go in for safety sockets so kids cannot push their pencils or toys into them,” Renu warns.

    Another important factor, as Sudhanshu points out, is window heights. “Windows in kids rooms should either be placed relatively higher or should be well shielded with a properly fitted grill,” he says. Space is another big consideration. “In cities, space is the biggest constraint. An ideal way to ensure space in a kid’s room is to opt for compact beds— pull-out, bunk or wall-mounted.

    This way, during the day time, there is plenty of space for them to play,” says Renu. That’s exactly what Gouri and Sudhanshu have done. While Gouri got the room equipped with a sliding bed, Sudhanshu opted for bunk beds for his boys. “Personally, this is the best feature of their room. The boys have so much fun in them,” says the actor. Last, but definitely no less in importance, is the consideration for storage space. Says Renu, “For kids no space, however big it is, seems enough.” And Gouri couldn’t disagree.

    “We have made a lot of provision for space. There are plenty of drawers in Pari’s room that are placed at her level,” she says. There’s pride in her voice when Gauri talks about her daughter’s room. So we can’t resist but ask her what part of the room she personally loves. “There’s a small cabinet over her study table filled with all her Barbie dolls and one Barbie Prince dolls. It’s my favourite because even I love dolls,” she says laughing.

  • Obama, Bush Leap Into US Immigration Fight

    Obama, Bush Leap Into US Immigration Fight

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Barack Obama and former President George W Bush are leaping into the immigration debate, but their attempts to add momentum to the search for a possible path to citizenship for millions face strong opposition in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

    As Bush delivered a rare political speech on Wednesday in favor of immigration reform and Obama prepared for a bipartisan meeting with prominent senators at the White House, Republicans who control the House bluntly challenged Obama and appeared unimpressed by Bush’s advice to carry a “benevolent spirit” into the debate. Emerging from a closed-door meeting, Republican leaders affirmed a step-by-step approach to immigration but offered neither specifics nor a timetable — nor any mention of possible citizenship for an estimated 11 million immigrants living in the US unlawfully.

    Lawmakers streaming out of the twohour meeting said Bush’s long-distance advice had not come up in a discussion that focused instead on the importance of securing the US borders and a general distrust of Obama. The meeting in the Capitol was the House Republicans’ first such gathering since the Senate approved sweeping legislation last month on a bipartisan vote of 68-32.

    Obama is to meet on Thursday with two authors of the Senate measure, Republican John McCain and Democrat Chuck Schumer, in the president’s Oval Office. The legislation faces a steep challenge in the House, and the former president’s ability to sway a new generation of conservatives was a matter of considerable doubt, especially because many of the conservative tea party movement-backed lawmakers have risen to power since he left the White House and are strongly on record in opposition to any citizenship provision.

    “We care what people back home say, not what some former president says,” declared Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a second-term Republican who has clashed with the party leadership in the House. Still, the timing and substance of Bush’s remarks were reminders of the imperative that many national party leaders feel that Republicans must broaden their appeal among Hispanic voters to compete successfully in future presidential elections.

    Obama took more than 70 percent of their votes in winning a second term last year. “America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,” Bush said at a naturalization ceremony at his presidential library in Dallas. For their part, Democrats quickly embraced the former president’s message, challenging House Speaker John Boehner to proceed in the same spirit.

    In a written statement noting that the White House recently delayed a key part of Obama’s health care reform law, Boehner and other leaders said that action raised concerns that the administration “cannot be trusted to deliver on its promises to secure the border and enforce laws as part of a single, massive bill like the one passed by the Senate.” Lawmakers said after the session there was strong support for a bill to create a path to citizenship for immigrants who were brought to the country as children illegally by family members, an idea advanced by Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

    Republican Rep. Robert Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said his panel would soon begin work on legislation covering that group. Several members of the rank and file said Republican Paul Ryan had made a particularly strong appeal for a comprehensive approach, which includes possible citizenship for the 11 million. But others emphasized there was virtually no support for the Senate’s approach of one sweeping measure that dealt with immigration in all its forms.

  • Indian American convicted for the Largest Hepatitis-C Outbreak in Vegas

    Indian American convicted for the Largest Hepatitis-C Outbreak in Vegas

    LAS VEGAS (TIP): Dipak Desai, a former Indian American doctor has been convicted of 27 criminal charges against him. The former Las Vegas doctor and Endoscopy clinic owner is responsible for the largest hepatitis C outbreak in the history of Las Vegas, which occurred in the year 2007. Desai had surrendered his medical license, declared bankruptcy and in the recent years, he also handed over his business to his family members. The trial took so long because of Desai’s bad health, who had to suffer several strokes in the past years. Desai along with Ronald Lakeman, his former employee at Endoscopy Clinic of Southern Nevada used vials and syringes which were already used, thus playing with the life of numerous patients. These vials were contaminated with hepatitis C virus from two different patients and reusing the same on other patients lead to the infection of nine of his patients. Apart from this, more than 100 people were affected indirectly. The medical negligence by Desai also cost the life of one of his patients, Rodolfo Meana. Lakeman was found guilty of 16 of 27 charges against him. It is bit shocking to see the increasing number of Indians involved in medical fraud in the U.S. May be, AAPI will realize its duty to counsel physicians of Indian origin to not succumb to temptation of making money through fraudulent means.

  • TONE YOUR LOWER HALF

    TONE YOUR LOWER HALF

    High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 individuals and can cause serious and irreversible damage. Yet, those affected can be completely unaware of their condition. Fortunately, the control button is your hands. Because high blood pressure increases the risk of heart diseases, kidney diseases and diabetes, the WHO will be focusing on hypertension throughout the year.

    WORKOUT FOR SEXY LOWER BODY
    1: Uphill Walking or Running Walking and running are not only good for the lower body, but also for your heart, lungs, and bones. These cardio exercises also trim fat from your legs and butt. Add the intensity of an uphill climb with gravity pulling against you, and you will see the results dramatically. If you’re not ready for the uphill challenges, walking or running on a flat surface also strengthens lower body muscles. However, the more intense the workout, the faster you get results.

    Squats
    Squats are one of the best exercises for toned legs and firmer butt. Plus, there are several variations that activate different muscles and make the workout more interesting.

    Deadlifts
    If your glutes and hamstrings (back of thighs) need more attention, deadlifts are the best exercise for the job. You can boost the intensity by standing on a block or board, which puts more tension on muscles. However, if your goal is to build strength, you can lift more weight if you’re not standing on an elevated surface. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart Hold a barbell in front of your body or two dumbbells at your sides Look forward, and keep arms straight and knees slightly bent Slowly bend hip joint – not waist – and knees, and lower weights as far as you can without bending your back Squeeze glutes and lift weight back up For beginners: Take 4 seconds to lower down and 2 seconds to rise up Do 3 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions

    Step Ups
    Step ups can strengthen and sculpt the quads (front of thighs) and glutes. Combining deadlifts and step ups is a great way to get a comprehensive lower body workout. Stand behind a bench or box, holding a dumbbell in either hand Place right leg on the bench with knee bent Flex glutes and push with right leg to lift left leg onto the bench Return left leg to the floor After completing a set with the right leg, do a set with the left leg

    Standing Seesaw
    This simple workout targets outer thighs, hips, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. All you need is one dumbbell and a step to stand on. Place right foot on the step and let left leg hang off the side Hold dumbbell in right hand and place left hand on your hip Flex abs and keep back and legs straight Slowly lift left leg out to the side as high as you can and raise right arm straight out to shoulder level, palm down Return to starting position Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat The Bottom Line for Sexy Lower Body Uphill cardio, squats, deadlifts, step ups, and standing seesaw are the five best lower body workouts for building strength, burning fat, and toning. But you probably shouldn’t do them all in one session. Instead, change up your workout and switch between these exercises to optimise recovery and maximise results.

  • How To Check If You Are Pregnant

    How To Check If You Are Pregnant

    How to check if you are pregnant becomes easy if you immediately consult a doctor. But do you really need to keep checking with a doctor every time you get a pregnancy scare? In light of the fact that home pregnancy tests are not 100% accurate, you must be mindful of certain symptoms of pregnancy. Armed with these you will be able to make the right choice in consultation.

    Today, Dr. Keya Lahiri – Chief Pediatrician at Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital, helps us out by providing a few possible symptoms which may point out that you are pregnant or not.

    Cramps
    The first signs after a few days of conception is spotting or cramping. This sign occurs as the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. It can occur anywhere between 6-12 days after fertilization of the egg. This phenomenon is usually called as implantation bleeding. The cramps are similar to menstrual cycle, so don’t get yourself confused. Besides, slight bleeding and cramps a woman may experience slight white, milky discharge from her vagina. This occurs soon after conception. This condition can occur throughout your pregnancy period and is completely harmless, but if you experience stingy smell or burning sensation, then don’t hesitate to meet a doctor.

    Missed period
    Menstrual cycle occurs due to temporary halt in progesterone hormone production. If you have been getting regular periods and you notice that this month you have missed your periods than it indicates that you are pregnant. You miss your periods because your body starts producing progesterone to protect the baby. As your body starts using up progesterone you miss your periods.

    Changes in the breast
    If you are pregnant then your breast will show quite a few changes, especially if you are first time pregnant. The changes can be soreness or tenderness in your breasts, they will appear larger, and your nipples will turn darker and bulky.

    Increased urination
    Peeing more than usual or constantly getting up in the middle of the night to pee, is one of the common hints that you may be pregnant.

    Morning sickness
    This is one of the famous symptoms linked with pregnancy. It can happen any time of the day, so don’t assume that it will only occur in the morning due to its name. Nausea or morning sickness is caused due to pregnant woman’s hormone which slows down the process of emptying her stomach.

  • Even A Few Extra Pounds Deadly For Your Heart

    Even A Few Extra Pounds Deadly For Your Heart

    Researchers have proved for the very first time that being overweight can raise the risk of heart disease as well as diabetes and high blood pressure. A large-scale study, conducted on 200,000 people by a team at Uppsala University in Sweden, proved that an increase of one unit of Body Mass Index, between four and 12lbs depending on height, makes people at least 20 per cent more likely to develop heart failure.

    The group also analyzed whether an alteration in a gene, that regulates hunger and increases BMI, was also linked to cardiovascular diseases. Dr Tove Fall said that obesity and cardiovascular disease often occur together and it has been hard to determine whether increased BMI as such is dangerous.

  • Wearing Bra Makes Breasts Sag

    Wearing Bra Makes Breasts Sag

    Wearing bras make your breasts sag even more and they do nothing to reduce back pain, a French study spanning 15-years has found. Jean-Denis Rouillon, Research Professor on the French study, told Counsel and Heal that medically, physiologically, anatomically – breasts gain no benefit from being denied gravity.

    On the contrary, Rouillon added, women get saggier with a bra, News reported. The study that looked at the changes in breasts of 330 women using a slide rule and calliper concluded that breasts naturally become more toned and supported if no bra is used. When a bra is used, the breast becomes dependent on the artificial support, making them degrade more quickly.

    Moreover, the study found that going braless gives women a 7mm lift in their nipples for every year they go without, and aids in fading stretch marks. But Rouillon noted though they validated the hypothesis that the bra is a false need, it would be dangerous to advise all women to stop wearing their soutien-gorge as the women involved were not a representative sample of the population.

  • DECORATING HOME WITH MIRRORS

    DECORATING HOME WITH MIRRORS

    Different way to use mirrors in home decor to accentuate artefacts, add dimension, give the illusion of space and play with light Gone are those days when a mirror was used merely for the dressing table; it has now become an essential piece of home decor. According to the space and proportion, mirrors can be aesthetically used to reflect your taste and create drama. Says Subbanshu Jaiin, director of Blackberry Overseas, distributors of luxury mirrors, “Since mirrors are movable, they can be placed and moved around depending on your choice or need. They have the benefit of reflecting and accentuating the colours of artefacts and walls.”

    Mirrors add dimension
    Use mirrors to give a sense of visual expansion in a particular room. The location and placement of mirrors in a given space creates a focal point by avoiding undesirable reflections. For example, mirrors in a dining room can be used to create luminosity and add dimension to the space.

    Pieces of art
    Indian royalty used bold and gorgeous mirrors as a focal point of a room, so that they reflected the light from the outside and illuminated the room further. Mirrors themselves become artworks in this minimal setup. Says Jaiin, “You can create a dramatic effect by placing a fulllength mirror on the floor and resting on a wall. Long passages and hallways are most suitable for this placement.” Or hang multiple mirrors together on the same wall.

    For the outdoors
    Mirrors can amp up the aesthetics in a private garden or verandah. If you have a hanging garden, place mirrors adjacent to it with a source of light directly opposite so that the mirrors sparkle when the light falls on them.

    In the bedroom
    Using mirrors in the bedroom is crucial. As each bedroom reflects the energy of the space, a large stand up mirror works best. Says Jaiin, “If you want one only for the dressing table, consider a full-scale mirror — from ceiling to floor — with a light framework that reflects your personality.”

  • NELSON MANDELA’S health is showing great improvement, says ex-wife

    NELSON MANDELA’S health is showing great improvement, says ex-wife

    ORLANDO (TIP: South Africa’s ailing anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is showing “great improvement”, his former wife said on June 28 as his countrymen continued to pray for the speedy recovery of the 94-year-old former president. “I’m not a doctor but I can say that from what he was a few days ago there is great improvement,” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told reporters outside his former home in Orlando, Soweto. Madikizela-Mandela called on the media not to “get carried away” in their reporting on her former husband’s illness.

    “Please understand the sensitivities and the feeling of the family,” she said. “It can also happen that you have crossed the boundaries.” The medical condition of Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, has improved slightly from an earlier “critical” state, the country’s Presidency said yesterday. Mandela, who turns 95 on July 18, has been admitted to a hospital here on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

    Well wishers are continuing to gather outside the hospital where Mandela, regarded the founding father of South Africa’s multiracial democracy, was admitted 21 days ago. They have been singing and saying prayers outside the hospital and at Soweto former home of Mandela, who is revered across the globe as a symbol of resistance against injustice. South African children released 94 balloons – one for every year of Mandela’s life – into the air in his honour.

    US President Barack Obama also arrived in South Africa, the second stop in his three-country tour of Africa. But he is not expected to meet the globally admired statesman. Mandela had a long history of lung problems, dating back to the time when he was a political prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid. While in jail he contracted tuberculosis. Mandela is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in the African country and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

    Mandela served as the country’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.He left power after five years as president. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He retired from public life in 2004 and has not been seen in public since the football World Cup finals in in 2010. Meanwhile, South Africans protested against Obama’s visit to the country. Trade union activists, students and South African Communist Party cadres staged the demonstration to protest Obama’s “arrogant, selfish and oppressive” foreign policy.

  • US Allows Unrestricted Morning-After Pill Sales

    US Allows Unrestricted Morning-After Pill Sales

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved unrestricted sales of the Plan B One-Step morning-after pill, lifting all age limits on the emergency contraceptive. The move came a week after the Obama administration ended months of back-and-forth legal battles by promising a federal judge it would take that step. Women’s health advocates had pushed for easier access to next-day birth control for more than a decade.

    “Over-the-counter access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States,” FDA drug chief Dr Janet Woodcock said in a statement announcing the approval. It wasn’t clear how quickly Plan B One-Step would move from behind pharmacy counters to sit on drugstore shelves. Until now, customers could buy that morningafter pill and competing generic versions without a prescription only if they proved to a pharmacist that they were 17 or older.

    FDA said the product will have to be repackaged to reflect the change; maker Teva Women’s Health didn’t immediately respond. FDA has not lifted age limits on competing generics. The morning-after pill contains a higher dose of the hormone in regular birth control pills. Taking it within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or just forgetting regular contraception can cut the chances of pregnancy by up to 89 percent, but it works best within the first 24 hours. If a girl or woman already is pregnant, the pill, which prevents ovulation or fertilization of an egg, has no effect.

    Back in 2011, the FDA was preparing to allow over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives with no limits when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled her own scientists in an unprecedented move. She said she worried that girls as young as 11 could use the pill with no supervision, a concern that President Barack Obama echoed. In April, US District Judge Edward Korman blasted that decision as putting politics ahead of science and ordered the FDA to allow unrestricted sales of emergency contraceptives. He said hardly any 11-year-olds would use the pill, which costs about $50.

    The Obama administration lost a round in the appeals court, too, before telling the judge it would approve the one-pill brand. Doctors’ groups and contraceptive advocates have long argued that easier access to emergency contraceptives would cut unintended pregnancies and said the drugs are safe even when used at young ages. Social conservatives, in contrast, complain that lifting prescription requirements undermines the rights of parents and could endanger girls.

  • IT INDUSTRY WILL GROW 13-14%: SOM MITTAL

    IT INDUSTRY WILL GROW 13-14%: SOM MITTAL

    CHENNAI (TIP): Software industry body Nasscom expects the country’s information technology (IT) services sector to grow 13-14 per cent in the current financial year and to touch $225 billion (Rs 13.22 lakh crore) by 2020. Speaking to reporters after addressing Nasscom’s EmergeOut Conclave here, the industry body’s president, Som Mittal, said the sector had been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12-13 per cent till two years earlier, and reaching the $225 billion target was not impossible.

    The first main driver will be new geographies. At present, the US, the UK and other European markets contribute to around 90 per cent of the total business, while other markets, including India, China and Latin America, contribute the rest. “Only three per cent of the business we do in China and Japan, which shows there is plenty of opportunities in those markets,” said Mittal. Many small companies have now started focussing only on these markets. “Our estimate is that around 20 per cent of the business would come from new geographies by 2020,” said Mittal. The second driver will be new verticals.

    At present, banking, financial services and insurance, hi-tech and telecom and manufacturing contribute around 80 per cent of the business, while utilities, transport, health care and media and entertainment open up new opportunities. “Not that the existing verticals will have a setback. The growth will not be at the cost of others, it will be an an expansion,” said Mittal. The third driver will be new customers, especially small and medium business companies, said Mittal.

  • PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM PREMATURE AGEING

    PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM PREMATURE AGEING

    What are antioxidants? They are substances that help prevent damage by oxidation. While oxygen is an essential part of human existence, there are times when it can also be damaging. Oxidation is when oxygen combines with another material and leads to a negative outcome – for example, fruits rot because of oxidation. Similarly, oxidation causes our body to age and degenerate. When the cells in the human body are exposed to free radicals, oxidisation takes place.

    In a nutshell, your ageing process depends on your ability to protect cells from oxidation. Unfortunately, free radicals are all around us – we’re exposed to them daily through toxic chemicals that are absorbed through the skin or breathed in. Free radicals damage the tissues and are also known to affect memory, cause mood swings, wrinkles, hardening of the arteries, stiff joints and several other problems.

    While the human body is capable of handling a certain amount of free radicals, when your system gets overloaded, it affects your body’s ability to cope and results in premature ageing and health issues. Certain items which contain free radicals include junk food, sugar, white flour, canned, frozen or readymade meals which have been processed, preservatives and food additives. Others include chemotherapy or radiation exposure, certain medications, coffee, tea, hydrogenated and saturated fat, fizzy drinks, certain household chemicals, cigarette smoke and alcohol.

    At your rescue are antioxidants, which are powerful nutrients, known to minimise the effects of free radicals. They are present in plant foods and destroy free radicals. This, in turn, promotes the growth of healthy cells and keeps premature ageing at bay. One of the best things you could do to protect yourself is to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds in your diet. Nutrients that reduce free radical damage should be rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Here are some foods that are packed with antioxidants…

    – Cranberries, blackberries, blueberries and citrus fruits are known to be full of antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles.
    – Protect your skin against sun damage by eating carrots and apricots.
    – Green leafy vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beetroot, carrots, artichokes and strawberries have high quantities of copper, magnesium and selenium – all necessary for healthy hair, nails and bones.
    – Aloe vera raw gel, cold-pressed, contains approximately 75 minerals and vitamins, including B12, and 12 amino acids, essential for digestion and skin disorders.
    – Raw nuts, dark fish and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium, which are known to keep premature ageing at bay and even improve memory.
    – Papayas, sprouts, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage and spinach help detoxify your liver.
    – To get a healthy complexion, drink plenty of water. An antioxidant-rich diet is a must to help protect your body. Antioxidants are found in these foods: – Unrefined and raw foods
    – Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds – Cold-pressed oils like flax, olive and canola. – Sprouts and eggs

  • Vit C Deficiency Not Letting You Sleep Well

    Vit C Deficiency Not Letting You Sleep Well

    The cause of your disturbed sleep could be vitamin C and folic acid deficiency. Follow these tips for a sound snooze Do you keep tossing and turning restlessly through the nights? If yes, then you need to rectify what you are eating for dinner, or even breakfast to avoid your bleary eyes today. A study published in the journal Appetite found differences in the diets of people who slept the longest number of hours compared with those snoozing for the least.

    Those who slept less than five hours, took in less vitamin C, had less selenium, which is found in nuts, meat.

    Consume little nd often
    Having something nutritious every few hours helps your body and brain maintain the right balance of hormones and neurotransmitters, essential for falling – and staying – asleep at night. Rather than large meals with gaps in between, aim for six mini meals a day. If you go to bed hungry, your body’s innate biological need for food will send signals to keep you awake to find subsistence – a survival throwback to our cavemen days when food was scarce.

    Go bananas
    Have a banana – ideally in the second half of the day. This sleep wonder fruit is packed with potassium and magnesium, nutrients that double as natural muscle relaxants. Plus, they contain the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan, which ultimately turns into serotonin and melatonin in the brain. Serotonin is a natural chemical that promotes relaxation, while melatonin is the hormone that promotes sleepiness.

    A carb-rich dinner
    A recent study found that people who ate rice before bedtime fell asleep faster than those who didn’t. This is because rice is rich in sugars, which increase production of tryptophan, the amino acid that makes you sleepy.

    Avoid fatty meals
    Not only will greasy takeaways scupper your diet, they’re a recipe for sleep disaster. Research suggests people who have fatty meals in the evening clock fewer hours of total sleep than those who don’t, so stick to lean meat and plenty of vegetables.

    No crash-dieting
    If you’re eating fewer than 1,200 calories a day, as many diets recommend, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on key nutrients, which can affect your sleep. Low levels of calcium, from dairy products, and magnesium, which is found in green veggies and nuts, are linked to poor sleep. Low iron can trigger restless leg syndrome symptoms in which twitching leg movements disrupt your sleep. A deficiency in the B vitamin, folic acid, found in wholegrains and green leafy veggies, may also lead to insomnia. People who don’t get much vitamin C – in fruit and veggies – or selenium from nuts, meat and fish have been shown to sleep for fewer hours.

    Lay off the booze
    Initially drinking induces sleep, but if you indulge in more than two small drinks, you’re in for a fragmented night. One recent study showed alcohol increased slow-wave deep sleep in the first half of the night, but increased sleep disruptions in the second half.

  • Is Buddha Lucky For Your Home?

    Is Buddha Lucky For Your Home?

    He’s a lucky charm, but is he really the Buddha? The ‘Laughing Buddha’ is the most popular luck charm being passed around the world. But there’s a confusion surrounding his name. A Chinese folklore deity, he is called the Budai for his jolly countenance. He’s often seen as a wandering, cheerful monk, with a large protruding stomach, wearing a robe, and carrying sackcloth.

    Sometimes he shown seated on a cart drawn by boys, or holding an oogi (a wish giving fan). While Japan refers to him as Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the patron of poor children, some Buddhist traditions believe him to be Maitreya, the future Buddha. Messages of peace, generosity, wisdom and kindness are attributed to him. According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha’s great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity.

    Confusion
    Budai is often confused for the Buddha in West. But in reality, the Chinese name Budai has no connection with the Sanskrit word, Buddha.

    Trivia
    The ‘Laughing Buddha’ as Hotei is also said to be the patron saint of restaurateurs and fortunetellers.

    Charm quotient
    The ‘Laughing Buddha’ is popular as a house-warming gift. It is best to be gifted one, than buying it, should be kept on an elevated surface facing the main door, and never on the floor. It should also not be kept in the bedroom or the dining room.

  • THINGS WOMEN DESPERATELY WANT FROM MEN

    THINGS WOMEN DESPERATELY WANT FROM MEN

    Someone once said ‘To generalize on women is dangerous. To specialize on them is infinitely worse’. Well, what women want still remains the unanswered question across the globe. However, men needn’t lose hope for all is not lost. There are still a good number of things that most women like. Here are a few from the long list which can perhaps help you make her fall head over heels in love with you. Take your pick to woo and sweep her off her feet!

    SUPERMAN:
    Women love to be protected.So show in more ways than one to prove that you will be her saviour should your damsel land in distress! Women are always in awe of men who can step up in times of conflicts. Be sure you grab every opportunity that situation throws at you.

    SMELL GOOD:
    Deodorant Ads may be going overboard showing men being lured by women’s perfume. But the other way is also true. Choose a deo that suits you. Especially if it’s your first date, it’s best not to try anything experimental. Know what smells best on you.Remember, what smelt heavenly on your friend might stink on your skin! For everything depends on your body odour. When you spray perfume on your body, what you smell is a combination of the deo spray and your body odour. Choose wise.

    SURPRISES GALORE: Women love surprises be it chocolates, love notes, gifts or even a bouquet of flowers. Women don’t mind them in any numbers. You are sure to score brownie points with this one! Transparency: Honesty is still the best policy.Never lie to her if you are thinking of a long-term relationship. Never mind you will face some initial flak, but eventually you will win over her trust.

    PERFECT BODY:
    What with the celebrities being obsessed with getting a six pack or eight pack abs, girls too go ga ga over men with a well-toned body. Get into the habit of regular workout so you can make heads turn!

    DRESS WELL:
    Nothing turns off a women than a poorly-dressed man. Do a style-check, spot the trends in fashion, speak to a stylist to find out what looks best on you.Clothes maketh man literally!

    CROWNING GLORY:
    Nothing like a funky haircut! A good hairstyle can give you a different look altogether. What are you waiting for? Get that stunner look so you can impress that chick you have been eyeing.

    MAGIC OF YOUR HANDS:
    You might have taken your girlfriend to the hottest restaurants in town, yet she will not mind if you can cook one of her favorite dishes (or even plain instant noodles) when she’s hungry. Such moments are never forgotten. There’s a joke doing the rounds that ‘A woman’s mind is cleaner than a man’s That’s because she changes it more often’. However, there are some things that remain constant.

  • BRAZIL PROTESTS RAMP UP, WITH 800,000 IN STREETS

    BRAZIL PROTESTS RAMP UP, WITH 800,000 IN STREETS

    RIO DE JANEIRO (TIP): Hundreds of thousands of people rallied across Brazil on June 20, as a protest movement over the quality of public services and the high cost of staging the World Cup gathered steam. The mounting pressure on the government of President Dilma Rousseff in the face of the biggest street protests the South American country has seen in 20 years prompted her to cancel a trip to Japan planned for next week.

    Police fired tear gas in Rio de Janeiro, scene of the biggest protest where 300,000 people demonstrated near City Hall, while in the capital Brasilia, security forces blocked protesters trying to break into the foreign ministry. About 800,000 people marched in rallies across the country of 194 million people, according to an AFP tally — an intensification of a movement sparked two weeks ago by public anger about a hike in public transport fares.

    The protests have spiraled into a wider call for an end to government corruption in the world’s seventh largest economy, a call fueled by resentment over the $15 billion cost of hosting the Confederations Cup and the World Cup. In Rio, police fired tear gas to disperse a small group of stone-throwing protesters. At least one person was injured in the clashes, which sparked panic in the crowd. “Don’t run, don’t run,” some shouted as they ran through the clouds of tear gas.

    Demonstrators meanwhile set ablaze a vehicle owned by the SBT television station. On Wednesday, protesters had scored a major victory when authorities in Rio and Sao Paulo, Brazil’s two biggest cities, canceled the controversial transit fare hikes, but that was not enough to placate the demonstrators. In Sao Paulo, an estimated 110,000 people flooded the main avenida Paulista to celebrate the fare rollback and keep the pressure on Rousseff’s leftist government to increase social spending.

    But clashes erupted between a group of ultra-leftists marching behind their red banners and a majority of demonstrators who objected to the presence of political parties. “This is a social movement, not a political movement. This has nothing to do with ideology,” 28-year-old protester Maria Vidal told AFP. “We don’t want parties in the demonstration.” One of the leftists was hit in the head by a projectile and blamed a member of the ruling Workers Party.

    Police were forced to intervene to put an end to the clashes. Protesters say they want higher funding for education and health and a cut in salaries of public officials. They are also railing against what they viewed as rampant corruption within the political class. In the capital Brasilia, security forces pushed back demonstrators who tried to break in the foreign ministry and were throwing burning objects, an AFP reporter saw. Military police threw a security cordon around the building.

    Some 15,000 people, most of them in their 20s, meanwhile gathered just before dusk on the Alfonso Pena thoroughfare in Belo Horizonte, but a prompt police response of rubber bullets sent them scuttling for cover. “Brazil, country of corruption,” “We want a serious economic policy,” “Enough, it’s time to speak” and “Brazil is waking up,” were just some of the slogans marchers held aloft as they wound their way through the city center. “I know that in principle staging the Cups is good for Brazil.

    This should bring development and money. But for decades, the governments we have had have just wasted money,” explained Thiago, a 28-year old medical student. Thousands more marched in Salvador, the capital of Bahia state, and Recife. As the protests heated up in the evening, Rousseff’s office announced that she would not travel to Japan on June 26-28 as planned for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “She has ultimately decided to postpone this trip, which would have involved several days of travel. She has decided to stay in Brazil due to current events,” a source in her office told AFP.

    Social media networks have been key to the organization of the mass protests, with demonstrators using the slogan “It’s more than just 20 cents” — a reference to the bus fare hikes — to rally people to their cause. The movement has no political coloration and no clearly identified leadership. Those opposing the hosting of the World Cup are planning a mammoth march to Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium on June 30, the day of the Confederations Cup final. In Belo Horizonte, some marchers predicted the wave of protests could have far-reaching consequences. “I think they could even bring down the government,” said Nancy Borges, a 26-yearold pharmacist.

  • BJP meeting: Party plays down LK Advani’s absence in Goa on Day 1

    BJP meeting: Party plays down LK Advani’s absence in Goa on Day 1

    PANAJI (TIP): BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu said that the party’s senior leader LK Advani will arrive in Goa on Saturday to attend the national executive meeting and the media should not read too much about the delay in his arrival.

    Speculation has been rife after it became apparent that Advani will not arrive in Goa on Friday. Speaking to reporters outside the venue of national executive meeting, Naidu said Advani is not able to come to Goa on Friday because of ‘health reasons’ . There was speculation in the media about Advani’s delayed arrival. “There is no need to read too many things in everything,” Naidu said.

    Replying to queries from the media about a few other BJP senior leaders skipping the national executive meeting, Naidu said they are not able to attend the meeting due to prior engagements and that there is nothing new in that.

    BJP national spokesman Prakash Javdekar said that Advani is not angry about speculation that Modi will be projected as chief of election campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

  • Ways To Fight The Tan

    Ways To Fight The Tan

    Excessive exposure to UV rays leads to many skin problems and skin tanning is one of them. The melanin in the skin increases and leads to pigmentation and it also causes rapid aging, fine lines, wrinkles and leathery skin. For Indians who already have a dark complexion it is very necessary that they prevent their skin from tanning. Dr Swati Srivastava, Sketch Clinics from Mumbai shares tips to fight tan during the summer season. Wear full sleeves clothes if you are going to be out in the sun for long time.

    Least the exposure, less will be the tan. Use hats and caps whenever possible. There is nothing better than a umbrella on a bright sunny day. Avoid sun between 10am – 3 pm. The UV rays are at their maximum intensity between this tie.

    Don’t forget the sunscreen. A broad spectrum sunscreen covering UVA & UVB of any SPF above 15 should be applied 20-30 mins before going in the sun on all exposed areas. If you have been out in the sun, immediately rinse your face with cold water after coming home . This will minimize the tanning. If you will be in water or swimmimg, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every hour. A water resistant sunscreen should be used.

    You can put aloe vera gel on all exposed areas.

    Mix turmeric powder and lime juice and make a paste. Apply this thrice a week.

    It will help in reducing the tan. Antioxidants in diet (in fruits and vegetables) or as supplements will help in maintaining the quality of the skin.

  • BJP Meeting: Party Plays Down LK Advani’s Absence In Goa On Day

    BJP Meeting: Party Plays Down LK Advani’s Absence In Goa On Day

    PANAJI (TIP): BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu said that the party’s senior leader LK Advani will arrive in Goa on Saturday to attend the national executive meeting and the media should not read too much about the delay in his arrival. Speculation has been rife after it became apparent that Advani will not arrive in Goa on Friday. Speaking to reporters outside the venue of national executive meeting, Naidu said Advani is not able to come to Goa on Friday because of ‘health reasons’ .

    There was speculation in the media about Advani’s delayed arrival. “There is no need to read too many things in everything,” Naidu said. Replying to queries from the media about a few other BJP senior leaders skipping the national executive meeting, Naidu said they are not able to attend the meeting due to prior engagements and that there is nothing new in that. BJP national spokesman Prakash Javdekar said that Advani is not angry about speculation that Modi will be projected as chief of election campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.

  • 24×7 Ambulance Service On National Highways Made Mandatory

    24×7 Ambulance Service On National Highways Made Mandatory

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Now, developers and government agencies managing and maintaining National Highways (NHs) will have to ensure that ambulances and patrolling vehicles are available 24×7. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to install vehicle tracking system (VTS) in all such vehicles with global positioning system (GPS) within a month to monitor their uninterrupted movement. In a circular issued last Monday, NHAI chairman R P Singh has directed all chief general managers (CGMs) to take up the issue with private developers.

    He has cited the provision of concession agreement, where private developers are bound to provide “round the clock” ambulance service for accident victims and patrolling vehicles for the entire project stretch. Singh has pointed out there are often complaints of developers not deploying these vehicles crucial for shifting accident victims to hospital and to get crucial first report of jams, breakdowns or accidents from patrolling vehicles. As per rules, every developer needs to deploy one ambulance and one patrolling vehicle for every 50 km stretch.

    At present, though 244 life-support ambulances and 245 patrolling vehicles are deployed on highway stretches totaling around 10,360 km, the deployment is inadequate. Moreover, only a small portion of country’s 80,000 km NH stretch has such a facility. The most recent global road safety report, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), has also exposed how only less than 49% seriously injured victims are rushed to hospital by ambulances in India.

    “Robust ambulance services reduce fatalities significantly as the victims get immediate treatment at spot and are rushed to hospital. As per the order, in case of financial need to implement this project the fund can come from the decided road safety fund available with NHAI,” said B S Singla, CGM in NHAI. Road safety experts have welcomed the move considering the fact that 37% of countries’ total road fatalities are reported from NH stretches. “Finally, the beginning has been made. But what we need is to monitor and control the facilities at local level for effective result,” said Rohit Baluja.