Dubai's a great place to buy real estate and equities after a global ...

Posted on 22 February 2013 with no comments from readers

Join emerging market investment guru Chris Mayer on his three-day tour of Dubai with ArabianMoney editor and publisher Peter Cooper in the third anniversary issue of our sister investment newsletter. Today is the last day for our 50 per cent discount offer (subscribe here and we will send you the current edition straight away).

We get a first-hand view of Dubai just four years after its world-class property crash and three years after a debt crisis that shook global confidence in the city. The recovery that started when DP World signed off its $25 billion debt rescheduling in August 2011 is now in full swing.

Historic oil revenues

You could say that is not so surprising with oil revenues at their highest in history last year. Dubai after all is the trading and commercial hub of the region. Then again the same record low interest rates that have also ended the US Great Resssion have allowed Dubai to refinance its debts and have boosted investment in local real estate.

The smart money of the Arab Spring is also flooding into Dubai boosting real estate and stock prices. We see no end to this flow of cash into the city from this tide of human misery. Oil States are spending at home to counter potential unrest and that money comes to Dubai as new business and tourism.

Dubai has an across the board recovery. Local equities jumped 20 per cent last year and were up almost as much again this year before what we think is the start of a global correction. Real estate prices also gained sharply ? with Dubai villas amongst the top three global best selling realty investments last year ? but they have drifted down since a shock announcement from the UAE Central Bank on mortgage lending in the New Year.

Buying opportunity?

Any price weakness in Dubai stocks and real estate is a buying opportunity. Normally the hot summer is the best time for bargains. The ArabianMoney investment newsletter is the only independently written guide to these investments.

Just as top US newsletter writer Chris Mayer, whose ?Capital & Crisis? and ?Mayer?s Special Situations have a combined circulation of 26,000, turned to ArabianMoney as his tour guide last month so you can have us as your expert on the ground.

Things are going to get very interesting for investors in Dubai over the next 12-24 months at a time when investments in other parts of the world may not look nearly so strong. Inflation and high oil prices are a plus for Dubai, not a reason for depression like most everywhere else.

Dubai?s population and GDP growth will boom again and early investors will make a lot of money.

Source: http://www.arabianmoney.net/private-equity/2013/02/22/dubais-a-great-place-to-buy-real-estate-and-equities-after-a-global-correction-explains-arabianmoney/

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Wildlife Habitat ? Ecosystem Science and Management ? Penn State University

Keywords: habitat, edge, cover, succession, habitat suitability, fragmentation, interspersion, corridors, and vertical structure; Lesson Plan Grade Level: ninth through twelfth grade; Total Time Required: 50-minute class period; Setting: classroom

Goals for the Lesson

• Students will understand what a habitat is and be able to describe its four elements.
• Students will see how an area's habitat suitability varies with different species of wildlife.
• Students will be able to name factors that affect habitat suitability.

Materials Needed

• copies of the class outline for each student
• board or overhead

State Standards Addressed: E & E Standards: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2); Ecosystems and Their Interactions (4.6)

Subjects Covered: environmental science, biology?

Topics Covered: wildlife habitat, ecology, habitat improvement

Preparation

• Read through the lesson thoroughly and be able to answer the students' questions about the habitat of local wildlife. You may also want to think about showing your class actual habitat and allow them to come up with the wildlife most likely to be present in that area if this is available.

Introduction

"What is the term used to describe where an animal lives? It is called a 'habitat' and it can be defined as the kind of place where an animal, bird, fish, or plant lives in a natural state. Today we a going to look at the elements that make up an animal's habitat and how they relate to the animals that live there. We will also look at why some habitats suit some animals and not others."

Lesson

1. After defining "habitat," you may want to relate that to the students' habitat or where they live. Point out that their habitats differ and also that their habitat preference may differ as you will find out if you ask them. Make sure they understand the concept.
2. Explain that the four elements of habitat are cover, food, water, and space. Cover usually refers to just what it sounds like--something to cover the animal. These include, but may not be limited to, breeding area, nesting site, hiding place, resting place, safe place to sleep, feeding area, and travel route. Cover may be provided by vegetation or rock outcroppings or, sometimes, by old abandoned buildings in the middle of the forest. Cover is a must, as is the other elements. If the other three elements exist without cover, the animal won't thrive.
3. All animals must eat just as we do. Therefore, sufficient food must be available for a species to thrive. This includes one type for herbivores and another for carnivores that must be present. Sometimes we humans provide food for wildlife. This, however, can backfire if we make animals, such as deer, dependant on this food source. We can also elevate a population to a dangerous level and cause other problems.
4. Water, too is needed for animals to survive. Many animals are dependant on streams or intermittent water holes. Many times we can improve these water sources without impacting the size of a population or causing negative consequences. Watering holes are also excellent places to observe wildlife.
5. Space is the fourth element of habitat. Species of wildlife vary widely in the amount of space they need to live. The range of a rabbit is much different from that of a black bear or a gray fox. The abundance of the other three elements may also impact the amount of space needed by an animal. The more concentrated the food, water, and cover, the less total space an animal may need.
6. In addition to these elements merely existing, they must also be:
   • available in adequate amounts.
   • high enough quality to meet the needs of animals
   • distributed where animals need them
7. This, in turn, affects the carrying capacity of an area. Carrying capacity refers to the number of animals a habitat can support over a given period of time. The larger the abundance of the four elements of habitat, the larger the carrying capacity of an area. This can be related to people and how many houses can be built in a given area.
8. Habitat suitability is described on the worksheet. What makes a given habitat suitable for a particular animal? We already know that different animals need different types of habitat. What can we look at to see if it suits various animals?
9. "Plant succession" is the process that occurs when one plant community replaces another over time. A grassy field will grow shrubs, then small trees, and taller trees, and these will eventually shade out the smaller trees and shrubs. The whole process takes decades and can be set back to any point from a disturbance. Different species like different stages of succession. Some like a shrubby forest, as do deer. Some songbirds require a mature forest with tall mature trees.
10. The vertical structure refers to how plants are layered in a forest. The three layers include the ground layer, shrub layer, and the canopy layer. Different types of wildlife require and live in different layers.
11. Edge is the boundary where two types of vegetation meet. An example is the boundary between a hay field and a forest. These areas attract many types of wildlife because of the variety of food and cover. However, sometimes we can create too much edge by breaking up larger expansive areas some animals need.
12. Some species also require more than one type of habitat. They may need one type for nesting and another type to feed in. Obviously these two types need to be close together. Having mixed plots of different successional stages in an area is called interspersion. An example of this would be having cornfields, mature forests, and shrubby woods all in the same area.
13. Fragmentation is caused when we break up large areas of habitat by developments, roads, and agriculture. While on a small scale, this sometimes can just cause interspersion, more of it can lead to less food and cover for animals. It can also cause dangerous circumstances for animals from roads as well as disrupt the food chain.
14. The presence or absence of corridors also can impact habitat suitability. Corridors are areas of secure cover that permit animals to travel from one patch of habitat to another. Without them, some animals wouldn't use some areas because they wouldn't feel safe traveling between them.

Conclusion

1. Since different species of animals require different types of habitat, it is difficult to manage a forested area for all kinds of wildlife. We all want to see all kinds of wildlife in the same area, but the fact of the matter is that sometimes it is not possible. Likewise, managing for both timber and wildlife can be difficult.
2. A landowner must decide what benefits are to be stressed the most. What type of wildlife is most important? What timber do you want to harvest? Which of the two is more important? However, don't set goals too narrowly. Make some compromises and you can enjoy many types of wildlife as well as economic benefits of timber.

Evaluation

1. Have the students, either individually or in groups, choose a type of wildlife found in your area and research its habitat requirements. Tell them to include an example local area that is well suited to that animal. Have them turn in a short written report or do an oral report for the class.
2. Written exam.

References

"Understanding Wildlife Habitat." Lesson plan NR036. Stewart-Peterson, Inc.

Williams, Lisa M., Margaret C. Brittingham, Sanford S. Smith (2001). The Wildlife Ecologist. University Park, Pa.: The Pennsylvania State University.

Author

James I. Over, Northern Bedford High School/Agriculture

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AgSuperfeed/~3/qPsxP76PYlo/habitat

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Florida governor backs limited Medicaid expansion

? Public Health ? Feb 21, 2013

Florida Governor Rick Scott backed a limited expansion of healthcare coverage for the poor on Wednesday, joining six other Republican governors who have agreed to the measure under President Barack Obama?s landmark reform law.

Scott, a wealthy former healthcare executive and vocal critic of the law known as Obamacare, had balked previously at expanding Medicaid.

His surprising about-face, seen by some as a crucial turning point in Republican opposition to the Affordable Care Act, came after the federal government granted Florida a conditional waiver to privatize Medicaid statewide.

Scott made the announcement at a news conference at the governor?s mansion in Tallahassee, where he said he would only agree to the expansion for three years while the federal government picks up all the costs.

The legislation would sunset after three years and need to be reauthorized, he said.

?Expanding access to Medicaid access services for three years is a compassionate, common sense step forward,? said Scott, reading from prepared remarks.

?It is not the end of our work to improve healthcare. And it is not a white flag of surrender to government-run healthcare,? he said.

Scott joins fellow Republican Governors Rick Snyder of Michigan and John Kasich of Ohio in making Medicaid expansion announcements this month. The Republican governors of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota had previously said they would expand the program.

Scott got his start in politics by forming a group called Conservatives for Patients Rights to campaign against Obama?s healthcare reforms in 2009. In June last year the U.S. Supreme Court rejected efforts led by Florida and 25 other states to have Obama?s healthcare law declared unconstitutional.

Scott?s conditional agreement to expand Medicaid in Florida, a move that officials have said could add about 1 million people to the state?s Medicaid rolls, must still be approved by the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature. About 3.8 million Floridians have no health insurance, according to the health insurance industry.

Such approval seems far from certain. House Speaker Will Weatherford said the whole idea of expanding ?a challenged system? through federal funding required ?a big leap of faith? in Washington.

?The money is coming from a government that is having problems balancing its own budget every year - they?re about to have a debt-ceiling debate in the coming days to determine if they can pay their bills,? Weatherford said.

Medicaid primarily provides healthcare for U.S. citizens or legal residents with low incomes or certain disabilities.

Republican lawmakers have warned in the past that Medicaid?s annual costs, which they estimated to total $21 billion in the fourth most populous U.S. state, were putting too much of a burden on Florida?s budget.

That is why Scott proposed a privatized or managed care plan for Medicaid recipients to save money. Introduced through a pilot program in five Florida counties, the managed care program has faced criticism for problems including limited access to care, limited doctor participation and excessive red tape.

But the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted a conditional waiver to Florida on Wednesday, hours before Scott?s news conference, permitting the use of private managed care plans using public dollars on a statewide basis.

Healthcare advocates are reserving final judgment on the privatization plan. But they say some of the worst problems with the managed care program appear to have been addressed.

?Consumer health advocates have fought hard to ensure that access to care and consumer protections remain a top priority,? the Community Health Action Network, one statewide group, said in a news release.

###

By Bill Cotterell

Provided by ArmMed Media

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Source: http://www.health.am/ab/more/limited-medicaid-expansion/

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Coats calls on president to withdraw Hagel nomination

Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., today joined a group of 14 other senators and called on President Obama to withdraw the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense. The full text of the letter follows:

February 21, 2013

President Barack H. Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

Last Thursday, the Senate voted to continue its consideration of your nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to serve as our nation?s next Secretary of Defense. While we respect Senator Hagel?s honorable military service, in the interest of national security, we respectfully request that you withdraw his nomination.

It would be unprecedented for a Secretary of Defense to take office without the broad base of bipartisan support and confidence needed to serve effectively in this critical position. Over the last half-century, no Secretary of Defense has been confirmed and taken office with more than three Senators voting against him. Further, in the history of this position, none has ever been confirmed with more than 11 opposing votes. The occupant of this critical office should be someone whose candidacy is neither controversial nor divisive.

In contrast, in 2011, you nominated Leon Panetta, who was confirmed by the Senate with unanimous support. His Pentagon tenure has been a huge success, due in part to the high degree of trust and confidence that Senators on both sides of the aisle have placed in him. The next Secretary of Defense should have a similar level of broad-based bipartisan support and confidence in order to succeed at a time when the Department of Defense faces monumental challenges, including Iran?s relentless drive to obtain nuclear weapons, a heightened threat of nuclear attack from North Korea, potentially deep budget cuts, a strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, military operations in Afghanistan, the ongoing Global War on Terror, the continued slaughter of Syrian civilians at the hands of their own government, and other aftermath of the Arab Spring.

Likewise, Senator Hagel?s performance at his confirmation hearing was deeply concerning, leading to serious doubts about his basic competence to meet the substantial demands of the office. While Senator Hagel?s erratic record and myriad conversions on key national security issues are troubling enough, his statements regarding Iran were disconcerting. More than once during the hearing, he proclaimed the legitimacy of the current regime in Tehran, which has violently repressed its own citizens, rigged recent elections, provided material support for terrorism, and denied the Holocaust.

Regarding U.S. policy on Iran?s pursuit of nuclear weapons, Senator Hagel displayed a seeming ambivalence about whether containment or prevention is the best approach, which gives us great concern. Any sound strategy on Iran must be underpinned by the highly credible threat of U.S. military force, and there is broad bipartisan agreement on that point. If Senator Hagel becomes Secretary of Defense, the military option will have near zero credibility. This sends a dangerous message to the regime in Tehran, as it seeks to obtain the means necessary to harm both the United States and Israel.

We have concluded that Senator Hagel is not the right candidate to hold the office of Secretary of Defense, and we respectfully request that you withdraw his nomination. Thank you for your consideration.

Source: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130221/BLOGS01/130229916/-1/blogs

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Edible Arrangements? Launches Major Initiative ... - Franchising.com

? ?Hero?s Welcome? Program to Create Franchise and Employment Opportunities

? Major Contribution made to International Franchise Association?s Vetfran Program

February 20, 2013 // Franchising.com // WALLINGFORD, Conn. ? Edible Arrangements? CEO Tariq Farid today announced a major contribution to the International Franchise Association?s (IFA) VetFran program and the launch of ?Hero?s Welcome,? a nationwide initiative designed to help veterans become business owners and re-enter the workforce.

Edible Arrangements? will contribute $125,000 to VetFran, the IFA?s program through which franchise companies help military veterans make the transition to civilian life.

In addition, Edible Arrangements? will launch its own ?Hero?s Welcome? program this year. The program, part of the company?s Edible Cares umbrella initiative to give back, will be designed to provide special support to help veterans become franchisees. It will include specialized training, a franchise fee discount and mentoring from existing Edible Arrangements? franchisees who are also veterans. In addition, Edible Arrangements? has set a goal of providing job opportunities and a career path for an additional 1,000 veterans throughout its franchise locations nationwide.

?The brave men and women of our military are the ones who have made it possible for each of us to enjoy the American Dream,? Farid said. ?I believe it is our obligation to help those who have sacrificed so much by doing what we can to give them the tools and support to achieve that dream themselves.?

Through the IFA, Farid also is participating in a new Veterans Business Accelerator program established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will provide free courses and resources for all veterans interested in entrepreneurship including providing financial support to wounded veterans doing the coursework.

Farid has taped a video for use in the program in which he discusses how he founded Edible Arrangements? as a teenager, and then he and his brother, Kamran, turned it into the international leader in fresh fruit arrangements with more than 1,100 locations worldwide. Within the Edible Arrangements? system, former veterans own and operate some of the most successful franchise locations.

?I know from personal experience within our own system that veterans bring an exceptional level of passion and discipline to their business,? Farid said. ?I also know that they often face employment challenges once their service to their country is complete.?

The IFA?s VetFran program was born out of the desire of the late Don Dwyer Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, as a way to say ?thank you? to veterans returning from the first Gulf War. IFA President and CEO Steve Caldeira said the IFA is excited about the new opportunities created by the support of Edible Arrangements?.

"Edible Arrangements' contribution to IFA's VetFran initiative is truly awe-inspiring and will help to strengthen the franchise industry's efforts to further support veteran entrepreneurship and employment,? Caldeira said. ?We are extremely grateful to Tariq Farid for his outstanding leadership and support of our nation's veterans."

About Edible Arrangements?

With over 1,100 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts and centerpieces for everyday occasions and events. Brothers Tariq and Kamran Farid developed and launched the company in 1999 in East Haven, CT, after many years in the floral industry. The company has been recognized as an industry leader since its inception, including ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine?s annual ?Franchise 500? for the past six years and also placing in Entrepreneur?s top 40 of ?Fastest Growing Franchises? and ?America?s Top Global Franchises.? Edible Arrangements? was named one of the Top 5 businesses in Connecticut by Inc. magazine?s first Hire Power Awards in 2012 and has also ranked in Inc.?s Top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies for seven consecutive years. The company was recently recognized as one of the "Top 100 Internet Retailers" by Internet Retailer magazine and was also named as one of 1851's "Top 100 Social Franchises." Customers may order arrangements by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, at one of the company?s retail stores, or online at EdibleArrangements.com. EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS? and other trademarks noted are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements, LLC.

SOURCE?Edible Arrangements, LLC

Media Contact:

Scott White
BizCom Associates
(214) 458-5751
scottwhite@bizcompr.com

###

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Source: http://www.franchising.com/news/20130220_edible_arrangementsreg_launches_major_initiative_t.html

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Baseball. 2013 Baseball Season Preview

Feb. 20, 2013

EASTON, Pa. ? Under the direction of 14^th year head coach Joe Kinney, the Lafayette baseball team will once again open its 2013 season south of the Mason-Dixon line when it travels to Davidson, N.C. for a meeting with Georgetown and a pair of contests against the host Wildcats. The Leopards return 23 letterwinners, including seven starting position players and seven pitchers from their 2012 team which advanced to the Patriot League Tournament.

Continuity on Kinney?s coaching staff is noticeable as Gregg Durrah?returns for his 14th season,?Brandt Godshalk?enters his sixth year, and?Ian Law '06, a former All-Patriot League shortstop, begins his third campaign as an assistant coach. Kinney has led four of his previous six teams to the Patriot League Tournament and aims to return the League title back to College Hill for the first time since 2007.

Duties behind the plate in 2013 will fall primarily on sophomore Parker Hills, who split time a year ago with Kevin McCarville ?12. Hills, who earned a spot on the Patriot League All-Tournament Team, made 26 starts at catcher in his rookie season and posted a .235/.304/.272 slash line with 17 RBI and seven runs scored. After Hills, Lafayette will look to senior Thomas Dunleavy when he isn?t manning right field, sophomore Tim Lazor and senior Alex Osuchowski.

Three returning starters give the Leopards a familiar and experienced look in the infield heading into this season as seniors Brad Hopek, Kevin Casey, and Scott Kelleher will be called upon to take a starting role in their respective positions. Hopek, a lefty, started 46 games at first base and slugged three home runs last season. To his right, defensively, will be Casey, the team?s co-captain and Preseason All-Patriot League selection, who will also be called upon to pitch in certain situations. Kelleher returns to third base, where he made 113 starts during his first three seasons in Easton. Rounding out the Leopards? infield is newcomer Andrew Landolfi, a shortstop from Springfield, Pa. and The Haverford School, who replaces three-year starter Brian Davila ?12.

The infield is an area with plenty of depth behind those four for Lafayette, headed by sophomore James McCool. McCool started 34 games last year at second base, shortstop, third base and designated hitter and garnered Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors after stepping in at second following an injury to Casey. Freshmen Tyler Hudson and Jackson Kramer can also each play multiple positions in the infield, while junior Eric Anderson and sophomore Rob Caliento provide reliable backups up the middle. Behind Hopek at first base will be 6-3 freshman Campbell Lipe, who comes to Lafayette from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill.

The right-handed hitting Lipe will also compete for time as Lafayette?s primary designated hitter with Hudson. Hudson provides Kinney with an option from both sides of the plate, while Osuchowski could also be penciled into the lineup at DH. Additionally, Sophomore Zach Gross will provide insurance at the first base and catching positions.

Across the Leopards? outfield from left to right are returning starters, Andrew Ruck, Andrew Santomauro and Dunleavy. Ruck will serve as co-captain with Casey a year after starting 36 games, while Santomauro started all 52 games in centerfield and Dunleavy started 30. Santomauro received the Paul E. Koch ?28 award as Lafayette?s most valuable offensive player and hit for a .277 average with one homer, four triples, 12 doubles 21 RBI and 32 runs scored in 2012.

Sophomore Brett Thompson and classmate Matt Lerner will compete for immediate depth in the outfield, with Thompson able to play all three positions and Lerner playing in the corners and also at designated hitter. A trio of freshmen, Alex Nickles, Matt Lawrence and Mark Louis each bring tremendous defensive attributes to the Leopards? outfield. Louis will also contribute in the bullpen for Lafayette this season.

Lafayette?s schedule opens with a pair of three-game series in which the Maroon and White will give the ball to sophomore left-handed pitcher Toby Schwartz, sophomore right-hander Alex Farina and senior lefty Mike Massa as starting pitchers. During that time, Lafayette?s fourth spot in the rotation will be up for grabs between junior left-hander Connor Ortolf, senior righty Derek Gussaroff and rookie southpaw Ari Kaufman. Of that group, the two non-starters will be key components of Lafayette?s bullpen.

Right-handers Ben Meer, Rob Tatum, Corey Sperra and Mitch Leeds will bridge the gap between the starters and the end of the game. Freshman left-hander Ryan Callanan will also be called on from the pen, while classmates Connor McMahon, Dan Dymecki and Louis round out the relievers.

Lafayette?s 2013 opener is set for Saturday at Noon when the Leopards challenge Georgetown and will be followed by an afternoon contest against Davidson. ?The Leopards and Wildcats then meet again on Sunday at Noon from Davidson?s Wilson Field. Check back to GoLeopards.com for a preview of opening weekend on Friday.?

? ?

Source: http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/patr/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/022013aad.html

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