Showing newest 10 of 11 posts from March 2010. Show older posts

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Iphone for Verizon & Sprint : Apple to produce a new CDMA iPhone this year

WSJ: Apple to produce a new Verizon-friendly iPhone this year

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple plans to begin producing a new iPhone this year that is compatible with U.S. phone carriers other than AT&T, like Verizon Wireless and Sprint.
The Journal, quoting "people briefed by the company," says the new iPhone would use the CDMA wireless network technology. The iPhone currently uses only GSM technology, which is compatible with most carriers worldwide, including AT&T.
If so, that would end AT&T's exclusive 3-year arrangement with AT&T.
The article says Apple declined comment and quotes AT&T as saying "only Apple knows" when a new iPhone might be developed.
Larry Dignan, the editor in chief of ZDNet, writes that even this hint of a move by iPhone to Verizon "could freeze smartphone upgrades" as customers await developments.
The reports boosted stock prices early for Apple and Verizon, and pushed AT&T lower.

source: wsj

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Tips:Best site for flexible-date flight searches

Best site for flexible-date flight searches

Orbitz, Cheaptickets, and many other online aggregators actually run on Ita Software’s platform, and, frankly, it’s easier to perform a flexible-date search at itasoftware.com itself. You can look by weekend or over the span of one month. The site digs up special fares that even the airlines’ own reservations agents don’t know about. It breaks down all the components of the price, so you’ll see base fares separate from taxes and fees. It also alerts you to tight layovers. Since you can’t book on the site, keep the fare code it gives you handy: You’ll need to reference it when you call the airline to buy your ticket.

Inspired By: T+L's Top Travel Websites of 2009

source: travelandleisure

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Health Reform:Year by Year List What Happens When

Health Reform: A Year-by-Year List of What Happens and When

President Obama and Democrats in Congress have come to the end of a 14-month health care odyssey. The result is a historic new health law that will make sweeping changes in our health system over the next few years. They include new consumer protections, coverage of millions of uninsured people, penalties for individuals and businesses who don't buy insurance, attempts to control rising costs, and Medicare savings and new taxes to pay for it all. Here is a year-by-year look at what's in store:

2010

Adults who can't get coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition can join a high-risk insurance pool (this is an interim step pending the launch in 2014 of competitive health insurance marketplaces and premium subsidies).

Insurance companies will have to issue policies for children with pre-existing conditions. They will not be allowed to revoke existing policies if people get sick. Lifetime limits on coverage will be banned in new coverage and annual limits will be restricted. Preventive services will be fully covered, with no co-pays or deductibles. Coverage will be available for dependent children until they turn 26.

People in the Medicare prescription drug program will receive a $250 rebate as the first step in closing the coverage gap, or "doughnut hole," that requires them to pay full freight after they have spent $2,700 on drugs. The gap would be phased out entirely by 2020.

Certain small businesses will start getting tax credits to offset up to 35 percent of the cost of insuring their employees. That will rise to 50 percent in 2014.

Plans must have "an effective appeals process" for decisions and claims. States will get grants to set up programs that help consumers with complaints or questions about health insurance. The federal government will set up a website to help people in different states figure out their insurance options.

The first tax increase kicks in: A 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services.

2011

Medicare changes will include free annual wellness visits; little to no cost-sharing for preventive care, like immunizations and cancer screenings; bonuses to primary care doctors and general surgeons; a new Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test ways to provide better, more efficient care; and, the start of a phase-out of overpayments to private Medicare Advantage insurers. People in the prescription "doughnut hole" will receive discounts on prescriptions.

2012

There will be new money for primary care services and new incentives to encourage doctors to join together in "accountable care organizations." The government will track re-admission rates at hospitals and impose penalty fees on hospitals with the highest rates.

2013

This is when higher taxes will begin for households with income above $250,000 and individuals above $200,000. The Medicare payroll tax on earnings above those amounts will rise from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent. Unearned income above those amounts, such as dividends, will now be subject to a 3.8 percent tax.

In addition, maximum contributions to pre-tax Flexible Savings Account contributions will be limited to $2,500 a year (down from the current $3,050 for individuals).

There will be a new 2.9 percent excise tax on medical devices.

Medicare will sponsor a national pilot program on "payment bundling" -- paying hospitals, doctors and other providers based on patient outcome, not services provided.

2014

More consumer protections begin. Insurance companies will not be able to deny policies to anyone based on their health status or to refuse coverage of a treatment based on pre-existing health conditions. Their ability to charge higher rates to people based on age, geography, family size or tobacco use will be limited. Annual limits on coverage will be abolished.

Each state will open a health insurance exchange, or marketplace, for individuals and small businesses without coverage. People will be able to comparison shop for standardized health packages. There will be a multistate private plan available nationwide, supervised by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Tax credits will be available to make insurance and care affordable for people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but have incomes below 400 percent of poverty.

Most people will be required to buy insurance coverage or pay penalties that start at $95 in 2014 and rise to $695 or 2.5 percent of income in 2016. Employers with 50 or more workers who do not offer coverage will have to pay annual fees.

Medicaid eligibility will increase to 133 percent of the poverty level ($14,404 for individuals) for everyone under 65 (when they qualify for Medicare).

2015

A new Independent Payment Advisory Board will be formed to come up with ways to lower Medicare costs and promote better care. The recommendations will go to Congress and private insurers.

2018

This is when the most controversial new tax begins, a 40 percent excise tax on insurance companies and plan administrators for any family plan that costs more than $27,500. The tax applies to the cost above that threshold. There are higher thresholds for retirees over 55 and plans that cover workers in high-risk jobs.

2019

The new system will have reduced the number of uninsured people by 32 million, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That will leave an estimated 23 million uninsured, one-third of them illegal immigrants. Coverage of legal residents too young for Medicare (under age 65) will be 94 percent, up from 83 percent now.

source: travelandleisure

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Pres. Obama: Major Victory for the American People - Healthcare !

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama won a historic victory in the struggle for health care reform Sunday as the House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill overhauling the American medical system. more

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Immigration rally scheduled in Washington

Sen. Charles Schumer, left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham have laid out plans for immigration reform.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Thousands of people expected at Sunday march on National Mall
Rally sets stage for fight over one of the country's most contentious issues
"American people deserve more than empty rhetoric," senators write
Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham have laid out plans for reform

Washington (CNN) -- Thousands of people are expected to pour into Washington for a Sunday rally demanding immigration reform, launching the first public battle over the issue since the announcement of a new bipartisan plan endorsed by President Obama.
While the nation will be focused largely on a more immediate debate -- an expected vote over health care reform -- the march on the National Mall will be setting the stage for a fight over another of the most contentious issues facing the country.
The organization Reform Immigration for America, which supports a path to citizenship for those in the United States illegally, says the changes it wants to see will help bring about "economic justice for all Americans."
In response, the Federation for American Immigration Reform -- which staunchly opposes amnesty -- called on Americans to contact their representatives and demand tougher borders and an end to illegal immigration. FAIR says it seeks "effective, sensible immigration policies that work for America's best interests."
"The American people deserve more than empty rhetoric and impractical calls for mass deportation," the two senators behind the new immigration plan wrote Friday in the Washington Post.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, lay out broad ideas for fixing a "badly broken" system.
"Our plan has four pillars: requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs; fulfilling and strengthening our commitments on border security and interior enforcement; creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and implementing a tough but fair path to legalization" for the 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally, the two lawmakers wrote.
The plan will "require an effective employment verification system that holds employers accountable for hiring illegal workers," the senators write, including a "tamper-proof ID system."
The plan also would create "a zero-tolerance policy for gang members, smugglers, terrorists and those who commit other felonies after coming here illegally."
"Ending illegal immigration, however, cannot be the sole objective of reform," they wrote. "Developing a rational legal immigration system is essential to ensuring America's future economic prosperity."
After meeting with Schumer and Graham -- both powerful figures within their parties -- earlier this week, President Obama issued a statement saying he was "pleased" to see their "promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward. It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system."
The "critical next step," Obama said, is turning the framework into legislation. He called on Congress "to act at the earliest possible opportunity."
The push forward on immigration also helped the president woo a key vote for health care reform.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, agreed to support the House health care bill after meeting with Obama and discussing immigration reform.
"After extensive discussions with the president, I believe we have a health care bill I can vote 'yes' for, and I believe we have a commitment to move forward on a comprehensive immigration reform package as soon as possible," Gutierrez said in a statement Thursday.
Gutierrez added that he believes Obama "gets that we cannot ensure the health of our nation if we continue to ignore the 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows. And he agrees that if we are going to have health care that works, if we are going to have a system that cuts costs and streamlines the delivery and keeps our children healthy, then we fundamentally need to enact comprehensive immigration reform."

Estimates of how many illegal immigrants are in the country vary. In January, the Department of Homeland Security said the number "decreased to 10.8 million in January 2009 from 11.6 million in January 2008."

source: cnn

US Jobs : Tanning butler

Help wanted: Tanning butler

NEW YORK -- Calling the unemployed! Do you like pool parties, sun tan lotion and hotties?
If so, the South Beach Ritz-Carlton has a position for you: tanning butler. One caveat: Ladies need not apply; this job usually goes to hunky male models.

You could be the South Beach Ritz-Carlton's next tanning butler.

The Ritz will be posting the gig on Craigslist and in the Miami Herald in the next few days, and it expects a deluge of response.
"We're looking to fill the position immediately with someone who's outgoing, positive, energetic and recognizes the role as a brand ambassador," said Ritz-Carlton PR gal Michelle Payer, who invented the position in 2004.
The lucky guy gets paid $20 an hour plus tips to slather sunscreen and spritz Evian on beach-going Ritz guests. Plus, the hours aren't too bad: Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., at the beach and on the pool deck.
The position requires a uniform, however -- an official "Tanning Butler" T-shirt and holster for carrying bottles of sunscreen -- so you can differentiate between the official butler and creeps trying to get frisky.
The last tanning butler -- there's only one in the world at a time -- vacated the position for an Armani modeling gig in Italy. And get this -- he left on Monday without even giving two weeks notice!
Interested jobseekers should e-mail their headshot and cover letter to Jennifer.Steinmark@ritzcarlton.com.
Oh, and if you'd like a tanning butler T-shirt, the Ritz sells them for $29.50 a piece. So you, too, can convince the ladies -- or gents -- that you're qualified to apply sunscreen.

source: cnn

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Friday, March 19, 2010

USA: Nude Beaches Don't be Shy: Take Everything Off!

Nude Beaches

Don't be Shy: Take Everything Off!

by Melanie Mize

iStockphoto

Nude Beach. The very mention of these two words often arouses feelings of titillation, embarrassment, outrage or even a combination of the three. For the thousands of people involved in the naturist movement worldwide, however, the idea of a nude beach seems, well, natural. After all, we all come into this world wearing only our birthday suits.Below is a list of some of the best stretches of sand where beach lovers can shed their skivvies and perfect that all-over tan.

Little Beach
Maui, Hawaii
Officially known as Maui's "unofficial clothing-optional beach," Little Beach is an isolated strand surrounded by high shrubs, craggy volcanic rocks and driftwood. Although nude sunbathing is illegal in Hawaii, the law has not been enforced here for years. As a result, Little Beach has become a favorite hangout for naturists as well as artists like Dr. Leisure, who has been painting colorful scenes from nude beaches for more than a decade. Activities at Little Beach are plentiful, including swimming, body surfing and whale watching.

Haulover Beach
Florida
Just north of Miami lies one of the few county-run and government-sanctioned clothing-optional beaches in the United States. For years Haulover Beach, part of the city of Sunny Isles, has been a haven for naturists from South Florida as well as snowbirds from Canada and Europe. Thanks to the efforts of the South Florida Free Beach Association, this beach has certified lifeguards and organized group activities, such as swimming and volleyball.

Red Beach
Crete, Greece
With its cobalt blue waters, sun-bleached cottages, ancient ruins and red sandstone cliffs, Crete's Red Beach is picturesque to say the least. Made famous in 1968 when hippies from across Europe flocked to its shores, the resort at Red Beach has remained a naturist favorite for its rustic charm and its tolerance (nudity is allowed everywhere except the dining room). Visitors to Red Beach will find the area's ancient caves interesting, as well as sunken bits of history that wash ashore from time to time.

Praia do Pinho
Brazil
Although the barely-there, dental-floss bikini debuted here, nude beaches in Brazil are somewhat rare. However, naturism has caught on in some parts of the country, including Praia do Pinho (a.k.a. Pinho Beach), located in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Pinho opened in 1987 as the first sanctioned au naturel beach, and nudists who frequent this area make a point of saying "clothing is not an option" despite the strand's official description as clothing-optional. Balneário Camboriú, the chic city home to Pinho Beach, is very popular with beachgoers from Argentina, Uruguay and elsewhere, and its population is said to increase ten-fold from December through February.

Hedonism II
Negril, Jamaica
Unlike most other nude beaches, Hedonism II promotes a freewheeling and indulgent naturist experience for playful singles and couples. Located in Negril, Jamaica's famous 7-mile white sand beach, the all-inclusive resort is divided into "nude" and "prude" sections, with separate facilities for swimming, sunbathing, volleyball and more. Clothing is optional, however, throughout the entire complex. Visitors can expect to find vast spreads of food and drink, a thumping party scene and, quoting the resort, a "lush garden of playful passion."

Samurai Beach
Australia
Relaxed and lively is the only way to describe Samurai Beach. On this half-mile stretch of white sand, nudists let it all hang out while taking part in volleyball, tug-of-war and Frisbee.

Wreck Beach
Vancouver, British Columbia
Named for a hulking, wrecked vessel that once sat on the sand, Wreck Beach is the shore of choice for Vancouver students. Just several hundred steps below the University of British Columbia, the 3-mile-long beach is a wildlife and nesting area for both bald eagles and bald bodies. Other sections of the beach assume a more carnival-like atmosphere. One stretch on the beach known as Vendors' Row is a 1-stop shop for souvenirs, refreshments and the ever-important sunscreen.

Ochos Rios
Jamaica
The site for nude novices is the Couples Resort in Ocho Rios, a popular Jamaican port-of-call. A unique feature at the romantic, all-inclusive spot is a private, au naturel island approximately 200 yards offshore where playful pairs can enjoy a day of nudity. Located on the island is a pool, cozy nooks for lounging, a cabana bar and, of course, a pristine beach. Although the rest of the complex has a dress code, Couples is the ideal resort for letting loose year-round.

Montalivet Beach
France
Travelers looking for an authentic nude beach experience should go to Centre Hélio Montalivet, the birthplace of the international naturist movement. Established in 1950, this nude beach resort on France's Atlantic Coast provides a safe and legal wilderness setting for nudists and their families. Within the complex are more than 1,800 camp sites, 172 bungalows, shops and facilities for art classes, yoga, soccer and more. No other nude beach or camp on earth rivals Montalivet's family-friendly environment.

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source: travelchannel

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Startup visa: Create jobs, get Green Card

Startup visa: Create jobs, get Green Card

WASHINGTON - United States Democratic Senator John Kerry and his Republican colleague, Mr Richard Lugar, on Wednesday proposed the creation of a new class of visa for foreign entrepreneurs who create jobs in the US.

The two-year visa would be given to immigrants who show that they plan to invest at least US$250,000 ($353,000) in the country.

The legislation, called the "StartUp Visa Act", would allow immigrant entrepreneurs to apply if their businesses would "create not fewer than five new full-time jobs in the US, employing people other than the immigrant's spouse, sons or daughters".

"Global competition for talent and investment grows more intense daily and the US must step up or be left behind," said Mr Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, in a statement.

"Our country should strive to attract to the United States the most talented and highly skilled entrepreneurs," added Mr Lugar. The legislation allows entrepreneurs who create and maintain five new jobs, attract at least US$1 million in additional investments or earn at least US$1 million in revenue to apply for permanent US residency. AFP

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canceled flight where's refund?

A canceled flight ... where's my refund?

By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services
STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* A leg of a flight booked through an online agecney was canceled
* The traveler appealed to the agency for a refund; it said the airline was responsible
* Troubleshooter inquired with the agency and a refund was issued

RELATED TOPICS

* Air Travel

(Tribune Media Services) -- Nallan Chari's flight is canceled, but his online agency is dragging its feet on a refund. The reason? The airlines involved, including Continental Airlines and Jet Airways, haven't sent the money to the agency yet. How much longer should Chari wait?

Q: I recently booked a flight through Expedia from Orlando to Hyderabad, India. The flights were on Continental Airlines and Jet Airways. After I made the reservation and received a confirmation, I got an e-mail from Expedia that one leg of my flight had been canceled.

I have been trying to get a refund for that canceled flight since then. I've spent hours on the phone with Expedia, but they have not credited me, saying it's up to Continental.

We paid the money directly to Expedia, not Continental. Common sense suggests that this issue should be taken care of by Expedia. Don't you agree?

-- Nallan Chari, Longwood, Florida

A: Expedia should have credited you for the canceled flight immediately when you asked for a refund.

Why didn't it? Because Continental had your money, and wresting it from the airline is easier said than done. Even though Continental issued your tickets, part of your itinerary -- a flight from Mumbai to Hyderabad -- was through Jet Airways. Technically, that shouldn't make a difference (Continental has all your money) but in my experience, airlines use the multicarrier itinerary as an excuse to delay their refunds.

It could also have something to do with the fact that you no longer have the credit card you used to pay for the ticket. As a matter of policy, online travel agencies only refund purchases back to your credit card. Anything else confuses them.

It shouldn't be that way. If a company can take your money immediately, it should return it just as quickly. Any way you want it.

From your point of view, what's happening behind the scenes is irrelevant. As your online travel agent, Expedia took your money, and it should return it. But it's not that simple.

There's another wrinkle: A Transportation Department rule that tickets must be refunded within seven business days. But that rule only applies to refundable tickets. Alas, few tickets used by leisure travelers are refundable.

Should Expedia give you the money even if it doesn't have it? In a word, yes. A company of its size should be able to negotiate a faster return of its customers' money, and ultimately, I think the problem of ticketing and refunds between carriers is an issue for the online travel agency to work out.

You could have exerted a little pressure on Expedia in several ways -- none of which involved a phone conversation. A polite e-mail is a good place to start. If that doesn't work, try appealing to someone higher up. Sometimes, copying the Transportation Department is a good way to underscore the seriousness of your complaint to an airline when it is holding on to your money. A note to your state's attorney general can also be useful if you think your online agency is stalling.

I contacted Expedia on your behalf. It promptly apologized and refunded the money for the unusable portion of your trip.