General News of Saturday, 1 November 2014

Source: myjoyonline.com

Former National Security Advisor and two time Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General (Retired), Joseph Nunoo Mensah has admitted that he is very rough and tough and people find him uncomfortable to deal with, especially the young ones who consider him a bore.

In a hearty conversation with Nana Ansah Kwao IV on pm:EXPRESS personality profile on Multi TV, the old soldier says he has been vocal on many issues but people would not listen. He also admitted he has been punished in many ways for being vocal but that doesnt stop him.

He has no apology for his famous controversial statement: if the kitchen is too hot, take your passport and get out. He said, he is prepared to say it again and live by it. He said the statement didnt cause him any trouble at all, but rather a test of his convictions and how tough he is.

Nunoo Mensah was disappointed that lots of people in society today are lazy and have become crooks, looking for easy ways to make money. He bemoans the level of public sector corruption, citing GYEEDA, National Service Scheme and others, which he considers an indictment on "all of us"- Ghanaians.

As the only surviving member of the original conspirators within the Military that overthrew Colonel Acheampongs Presidency, he explains that, it was a principle that the Military is not to interfere in politics and vice versa.

He further explained that, the Military at that time only intervened to capture power and hand it over to competent hands for governance, and not to stay in power themselves. We are not trained in the Army to lead a government, we are trained to defend a country, and if you have to intervene for some reason, you shouldnt stay in power he emphasised.

He added that the coup through the Supreme Military Council, headed by Lieutenant General Akuffo was necessary to end the rift in the Military. He also admits that, even though Acheampongs stay in office was short lived, he is credited with many developmental projects in the country, which history is oblivious of.

In his view, Nkrumah is the most humble President the country has ever had and that even though he had lived through every coup dtat in this country, he was never actively involved in any plot to overthrow any government.

Original post:
I'm a very stubborn person; I do what I believe in Nunoo Mensah

Russian-backed militias in eastern Ukraine are holding elections today in their self-proclaimed peoples republics in defiance of the United Nations and governments from Kiev to Washington.

Voters in rebel-held territory in Donetsk and Luhansk will each select a head of government as well as a Peoples Council, according to their websites. Voting booths will open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Both regions switched to Moscow time, one hour later than the rest of Ukraine, on Oct. 26.

About 5.2 million people live in the conflict zones, according to the United Nations. About 4.3 million and 2.2 million people, mainly Russian speakers, lived in Donetsk and Luhansk, respectively, before the uprising began. Seven months of fighting has displaced almost 1 million people and claimed more than 4,000 lives, the UN says.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon deplores the elections as a breach of the constitution and national law, according to the UNs website. These elections will seriously undermine the Minsk protocol and memorandum, which need to be urgently implemented in full.

Fighting has continued almost daily since the belligerents agreed to a cease-fire in the capital of Belarus on Sept 5. Seven government soldiers were killed and 16 were wounded by rebel fire yesterday, according to the Defense Ministry. That pushed the death toll for Ukrainian soldiers to almost 1,000, military spokesman Volodomyr Polevyi said in a video briefing.

Russia is alone in saying it will accept the results of the elections in rebel-held territory in Donetsk and Luhansk, which boycotted national parliamentary elections on Oct. 26.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is calling on his party to support keeping Arseniy Yatsenyuk, 40, as the countrys youngest prime minister, saying Oct. 31 the country needs to be united as never before. Yatsenyuks Peoples Front edged the Poroshenko Bloc by 22.2 percent to 21.8 percent of the party-list vote that makes up half of parliament.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told Russias RBK television that todays polls in Donetsk and Luhansk will create problems that can never be solved, according to a video of the interview posted on YouTube. The situation will deteriorate no matter what anyone says.

Current separatist leaders Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitskiy are seeking to legitimize the roles they assumed at the start of the rebellion, which was triggered by the ouster of Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych in February and Russias annexation of Crimea in March.

Zakharchenko, 38, is one of three candidates running for the top job in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. He was educated as an electrician and worked as a miner before graduating from the Donetsk police academy and then starting his own business, according a biography posted on the local election commissions website. He led the group of protesters who seized the local government building on April 16 and later took part in many important battles, according to the biography.

See the rest here:
Ukraine Rebels Hold Russia-Backed Polls Condemned by UN

SINGAPORE: The Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on Tuesday (Oct 28) it will be simplifying about 70 rules and requirements currently in place to reduce costs and enhance flexibility for businesses.

One enhancement is to make it easier for electricians and gas service workers to obtain licensing. Starting Feb 1 next year, anyone with at least 10 years of relevant local practical experience in electrical or gas service work can apply for a licence.

Applicants will also be required to pass an interview and proficiency tests to maintain safety standards, EMA said.

Currently, an electrician licensee must possess a National Technical Certificate and have two years of practical experience relevant to electrical work, while a gas service licensee must hold a Builder Certificate in Plumbing and Pipefitting issued by the Building and Construction Authority, as well as two years of relevant practical experience.

The move will benefit workers who have the relevant skills and expertise, but did not have the opportunity to obtain formal academic qualifications, EMA said, adding that consumers will also benefit from having access to a larger pool of licensed electricians and gas service workers.

Mr Nachiappan R K Sinniah, General Secretary of the Union of Power and Gas Employees, said the move is timely and will help increase the pool of talent in the energy sector.

This is a good move by EMA and it is in line with what the union has been pursuing. This development will allow the skills and experiences of our workers to remain relevant and recognised, keeping them employable for a longer period of time, he said.

Originally posted here:
More can apply to be licensed electricians, gas service workers

SINGAPORE - Any person who has at least 10 years of relevant local practical experience in electrical or gas service work can apply for an electrician or gas service worker license starting February, 2015.

This will benefit workers who have the relevant skills and expertise, but did not have the opportunity to obtain formal academic qualifications, said the Energy Market Authority (EMA) in a statement today. Consumers will also benefit from having access to a larger pool of licensed electricians and gas service workers.

To maintain safety standards, EMA will continue to require all applicants to pass an interview and proficiency tests.

Some 70 rules and requirements have been simplified by EMA in an attempt to reduce costs and enhance flexibility for businesses. EMA also said that these changes will benefit electricity and gas licensees, and also consumers via lower compliance costs and improved service standards.

General Secretary of Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE) Nachiappan R K Sinniah applauded the move and said: "This development will allow the skills and experiences of our workers to remain relevant and recognised, keeping them employable for a longer period of time.

"The pool of talent in the energy sector will increase and this calls for the need to provide further training for these workers to continuously learn and upgrade themselves. The union looks forward to working with EMA to effectively represent these workers," he added.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg

See original here:
More can qualify to be licensed electricians, gas service workers

Wilton, CT (PRWEB) October 23, 2014

It may be a good idea, as 2014 will mark the first year that light bulb manufacturers will officially stop making traditional 40 and 60- watt light bulbs, in favor of halogen, compact fluorescent, LED and high-efficiency incandescent bulbs.

Chestnut Electric, an electrical contractor based out of Wilton, CT, has all the information you need to know about LED lighting and the tips you can use to help you save money on your electric bill for this upcoming winter.

There are two basic methods of utilizing LED lighting. The first method is using light fixtures that are designed from the ground up as LED light fixtures, meaning that the LED light circuits are built right into/onto the fixture itself and there is no bulb to change or swap out. Previously, we at Chestnut Electric might have suggested to steer away for these electrical options, especially on the recessed lighting side, because they were new to electrical technology and the color quality was not quite there. While there are still issues and potential additional costs involved in dimming proprietary LED fixtures (a separate topic in and of itself), we believe that they have now become a very viable option.

The second method of utilizing LED lighting is that of the LED retrofit bulb. You simply remove your current incandescent bulb and replace it with a similar LED version. This is the option we will dig into a little deeper in this Chestnut Electric newsletter.

LED (light emitting diode) lamps are useful for general and special purpose electric lighting. LED bulbs contain no mercury and turn on instantly at any temperature. They have a long life, which is unaffected by turning the light bulbs on and off. LED lamps can emit saturated colored light without the use of filters.

To give you an idea of the extreme cost savings in changing over to these alternative light bulbs; 60-watt bulb in a table lamp/decorative light will ultimately cost about $28 per year if kept on six hours each day. An 8-watt LED bulb, generating the same level of light, left on over the same amount of time will cost approximately $3.68 per year. This LED bulb may initially cost about $14, compared to less than $1 for the cost of the incandescent light bulb. However, the LED bulb will pay for itself in energy savings in less than a year.

Here are some changes that you should make today to save this most this winter.

Using a 60w household bulb?

Switch to a LED/A19/8w/2700K or 3000K bulb.

View original post here:
Local Electrician in Wilton, CT Offers Tips on Saving with LED Light Bulbs

SHAFTSBURY -- A Shaftsbury electrician called into question the process used to acquire bids on the installation of a generator at the elementary school during the Shaftsbury Select Boards meeting on Monday.

Ben Hulett submitted a letter to the board prior to the meeting, in which he questioned whether the towns purchasing policy had been followed, and asked for various details about the project, including what town department was responsible for the generator, what, if any, grants the town received to help pay for the generator, and what specifications were given to those who did bid on the project.

"Let me state clearly once again that I do not think anything underhanded or illegal was done on purpose," Hulett wrote in the letter, "but happened due to inexperience, lack of knowledge of the formal bidding process, and lack on continuity in the Town of Shaftsbury Leadership."

Select board chairman Tim Scoggins invited Hulett to the meeting to express his concerns to the board in person, and attempted to give some background on the situation. "The school was able to obtain, from the [Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union], an emergency generator, essentially surplus, essentially free," said Scoggins, "Our school board jumped at the chance to get it, because they recognized that Shaftsbury Elementary is designated as an emergency shelter for this area.

Scoggins went on to say that the board had budgeted approximately $15,000, or roughly half of the estimated cost to install the generator, with the hope that the school would pick up the other half of the bill, although they did not secure an official commitment from the school. "It didnt work out that way," said Scoggins.

"The actual cost is more like $23,000 to $25,000," clarified town manager David Kiernan, who started at that position just before the end of fiscal year 2014, when the budgeted funds, which had not yet been used, were about to expire. "Of the $12,000 that was budgeted last year, only $9,100 was spent. The rest did remain in the general fund, as there was nothing to spend it on. At the time, we had no anticipation that we would get any money to finish this project, so the intent was, we have this voter-approved money at this stage right now, we have proposals to do the work, lets take the lowest one, and lets buy the parts before the price goes up."

"What the select board has been led to believe," said Scoggins to Hulett, "is that you were asked to contribute a quote toward this project, as were Myers and Carpenter, and that that quote was not received." Hulett said that he had never been solicited for a quote. Scoggins responded that the bidding process had been handled by the school, not the town, but that the policy only specified that three bids must be sought, which, to his knowledge, was done.

"The fact that it happened was regrettable, but I dont think that theres anything we can do about it at this point. You should have been involved, we thought you were involved, and if you werent involved, we apologize for that."

Hulett then asked Scoggins, "Have you informed Green Mountain Power that this is an emergency shelter? Because they will work to provide power there, like they do at the hospital."

"So youre suggesting that we should not even be putting a generator at the school," asked Scoggins.

More here:
Elementary school generator issue sparks debate at Shaftsbury meeting

COACHELLA, Calif. -

Six years ago, Sandra Wallace paired her love for Hollywood haunts with her passion for school children. Parkwil Manor: The Retribution is one of, if not the Coachella Valley's only local haunted house.

From general contractor Paul "Billy" Sutton and his electrician, Curtis Summerville, to the "diabolical mastermind" of all the prop mechanisms, Randy Peterson, this haunt is 100% staffed by volunteers.

No one is paid for their time, so every dollar is donated to Desert Sands Unified School District's after-school programs.

"Their after-school program was sorely lacking funds, and I thought, well, how can I combine two things and make something work?" said Wallace.

The combination seems to be working out well. Since 2012, the haunt raised more than $5,000 for things like robotics and art clubs.

Make up artist and sculpturist Jose Rocha spends hours making the ghouls and goblins look as creepy and dead as possible, targeting things people fear most.

"A lot of clowns, a lot of dead people walking around. Keep the colors vibrant and dark, especially when we have such a great crew, it's pretty easy," he says.

From faux-chainsaws to sparking butcher knives, this haunt is not for the faint of heart. One monster boasts making 10 people, err, not be able to make it to the bathroom. If you don't make it through the haunt, you'll have to sit on the "Shame Wall" until your party comes out alive. They take this dead seriously.

Wallace suggests little goblins 10 and under stay home.

See original here:
Coachella haunted house raises money for local schools

Faults:

Its prime problems are expensive/non-availability of spare parts, skilled mechanic non-availability, AC requiring continuous maintenance, jittery brakes, early worn-out D-Bushes, complex electrical layout needing expert electrician, dim headlights (CIELO), awkward reverse gear, non-repairable radiator (which gives way frequently due to extreme climate of Pakistan) and inferior music system.

I have Daewoo Racer 93 converted to a CIELO since May, 2004, and I am really pleased with this deal.

Ever since then I have been driving it all across the country during my attachments. CNG provision although taking some place of the trunk is indeed an added advantage in this car, and for those race lovers, you can still beat any of those latest petrol sedans on the road in Pakistan, even on CNG, provided you have 5-speed provision as I have.

As far as its plusses are concerned, it has an extremely comfortable drive, inspite of being manually-steered, easy and comfortable seating, excellent mush/momentum in neutral gear, quick speed build-up, less tire maintenance, superb road grip, aerodynamic beautiful front and rear (CIELO), handy ergonomics, ultra super fuel consumption and above all reliable companionship. If it is in perfect shape, it is indeed in the top list of my dream cars.

Go here to see the original:
1993 Daewoo Racer Reviews

If there's an aspect of nursing Audrey Schmidt hasn't experienced, she'd be hard-pressed to name it. Her been-there-done-that career spans five decades and embraces about every duty imaginable -- OB, pediatrics, ER, ICU and CCU, IV therapy, home care, industrial nursing and,well, you get the idea.

She'snot finished yet. At73, a grudging concession to aging prevents hands-on nursing. But she putsall that experience to work as a coordinator in Charleston Area Medical Centerspatient transfer center.In a command post at CAMC General, shejugglesbed assignments, admission reservationsandallsorts of other requests fromall three CAMC hospitals.

She works part-time, three tofour days a week, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Who else but a veteran with a sense of dedication would want those hours?

Nursing is her life.From earlygirlhoodon the farm, she dreamedofa nursing career. A fullscholarship to nursing school was like a gift from God.She graduatedin 1962 and neverlooked back.

Fifty-two years and counting ...

"I grew up in the country on the family farm next to Kanawha State Forest. We had cattle and I had to learn to milk the cow. I can remember making butter. We moved from the farm when I was about 11. My father was employed at Libbey-Owens Ford and was an electrician who wired a lot of homes in South Hills.

"They used to give me nursing kits atChristmas.I thought I wanted to be a little nurse. Then my brother was involved in an accident when he was 16 and was hospital-bound for several months with a crushing kneeinjury. He ended up in a rehabilitation center. He was four years older. I was with him a lot at the hospital. I thought then that I definitely wanted to be a nurse.

"I graduated fromStonewall Jackson in 1959 and was a candy striper all through high school. Sarah Ethel Rose was our teacher at Stonewall. She knew I was faithful and liked the hospital. The day before graduation,the phone rang. Shewantedme to come back to the school. She asked about my plans. I said I wanted to go to nursing school but hadn't heard if I'd beenaccepted. I told her I had been accepted to a scrub technician school at Memorial and could always go there and work my way through nursing school.

"She said she had solved my problem. Shehad a full nursing scholarship for me. I almost passed out. I got my firstacceptance at Kanawha Valley Hospital. I got a call later from General, but I was already committed.

"When the Kanawha Valley school closed,we had seven months of classes left, and they transferred us to General.

Continue reading here:
Innerviews: Even after 52 years in nursing, she can't walk away

Aeon Towers - Davao City's Tallest Residential Building

Experience state-of-the-art condominium living in Davao's tallest residential building. Located right at the heart of Davao's industrial park, the AEON Tower...

Vlog #31: Annex Building SM Ecoland Davao City - Cheng finally got her laptop.. http://www.pinkiericegurl.com/ My Beauty Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user...

Some Projects Completed and under Construction.

First Sunday at New Hope International Philippines September 14 2014

davao city real estate 3 storey building in Anda St for sale MDR657.

This prime property for sale is in the strategic commercial center of Davao City. It is a four floor-concrete building (about 2000 square meters total floor...

davao city real estate commercial building for sale in Camus MDR655.

Minadanao's prime address and the tallest structure in Davao city and Mindanao.

PNRC Davao City Chapter Building ID.

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Davao identity