| Multi-Level Marketing, a Hidden Peril in China
HONG KONGMulti-level marketing (MLM) 1 , also know as pyramid schemes ( chuanxiao ), has become prevalent again in China in the past two years 2 . Millions of people, including students and farmers, are involved in this sector, drawing 50 billion yuan (US$6.66 billion) into the scheme. Chinese authorities continue, however, to be wary of direct sales on a number of grounds, among them pyramid scheme frauds, strong networking capabilities and loss of social stability. With such a large and well-organized sales force, MLM has caused panic on the authorities. In July and August of this year, the authorities significantly strengthened the co-operation with related departments in fighting illegal pyramid selling. According to Oriental Daily News in Hong Kong, MLM salespeople, dissatisfied with the authority's bans, often gather a crowd to attack governmental agencies.
Egyptians grow weary of Gazans
On the Egyptian side of Rafah, a town that the border had divided, many gas stations have run out of fuel and grocery stores are short on food. Hammad, 26, said he restocked his store twice this week but ran out of items to sell Tuesday. "They are buying everything," he said of the Palestinians. "God forbid, they will also buy the air and we will not be able to breathe." Gazans spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past week, cleaning out the stores in Egyptian Rafah and the nearby town of El-Arish. They scooped up just about anything they could get their hands on - diesel fuel, cement, cigarettes, washing powder, electrical appliances, car batteries, medicines and even exotic birds for pets. The Egyptians were eager at first to make a buck from the Palestinians but now they want the crisis wrapped up.
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Pacific Film Archive. "Movie Matinees for All Ages": An ongoing Saturday series. This winter, discover the magic of Georges Méliès, speed through New York with Harold Lloyd, and follow the adventures of Betty Boop and friends. Through Feb. 16. "Jean-Pierre Léaud: The New Wave and After": If the French New Wave has a face, it might be the beaky, piercing-eyed visage of Léaud. Through Feb. 29. "African Film Festival": Experience the vibrant voices and visions of recent African cinema, with a special focus on Abderrahmane Sissako, the director of Bamako. See site for schedule. Through Feb. 28. "Cool World: Jazz and the Movies": A film series that features music ghosted by such greats as Harry James, Gene Krupa, and Charles McPherson. In some, the likes of Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Mingus cut loose for the camera.
Alberta green plan puts PM 'on the spot'
I use, according to those calculators on the web, very little CO2, in fact I`m at the bottom end on most canadians. Its cause I`m a cheap a$$ SOB. I hate waste. Yet I hear from those who are better than me that my lifestyle is hurting theirs. Give me a break. I am in agrement with those who say the earth temp has not rose like the CPUs said they would. I could say its all a lie, but I am waiting for more proof.
So far the end of the world looks very far away, unless you`re a seal. Posted 25/01/08 at 4:02 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment .
Yankton Group Wants To Attract Young Professionals
He and other young business people say the key is making Yankton feel like home. "If you're 25 years old and you just moved here you may know five people at work and some people at church. What's the next step to get you rooted in the community and get you into a larger group of people?" Hanten asked. XYZ will help do the fundraising, and Verve will help put the dollars into action. Young business owner Andy Holst says, "Verve is going to be that catalyst in Yankton to give people opportunity to get out get to know each other and network and down the road give back to community in a number of different ways." XYZ hopes to raise $200,000 in its first capital campaign and will add that money to other groups to attract new business to the town. Verve is holding it's kickoff on February 7.
Conditions wearing down Canadian manufacturers
As a result, says Stats Canada's latest Business Conditions Survey, manufacturers were anticipating to lower production and employment levels in the first quarter of 2008. The survey -- conducted in the first two weeks of January with over 3,000 manufacturers -- reveals that the proportion of manufacturers stating they would decrease production over the next three months stood at 33 percent, a 9 point jump from October. This was partially offset by 19 percent of manufacturers stating they would increase production, which was down 5 points from October. The provinces were evenly split in terms of their production prospects with the big manufacturers, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta plus New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador posting negative balances. Opinions were positive in the five remaining provinces, says StatsCan.
'Saawariya' and 'Om Shanti Om' gear up for the Diwali dhamaka
A cracker of a contest is in store this Diwali as Sanjay Leela Bhansali s Saawariya and the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Om Shanti Om gear up for release in the festive season.
Diwali 2007 promises to be a cracker of a contest in Bollywood where SRKs Red Chillies-produced, Farah Khan directed Om Shanti Om, which is the launch pad of Deepika Padukone , will compete with Bhansalis Saawariya, a love story that brings together two newcomers, Ranbir Kapoor , son of Rishi Kapoor , and Sonam Kapoor , daughter of Anil Kapoor .
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Analysis: After Iowa, New Hampshire, every Republican for himself at ...
Seeking an edge, Romney worked during the debate to weaken McCain and peel off some of his supporters in Michigan, where unemployment is 7.4 percent, compared to 5 percent nationwide. Continuing that line of criticism Friday, Romney told CNN: "It's unacceptable to say that some jobs just can't come back to Michigan. All jobs we should fight for. Every industry has every reason to believe it can survive and thrive in Michigan if we have the right kind of federal and state policies working together." In South Carolina, Thompson is pushing for his own comeback while Huckabee, a Baptist preacher turned Arkansas politician, hopes Christian evangelicals lift him to victory, as they did in Iowa. Both candidates draw voters from the party's right flank. So, Thompson let loose on his rival with an obviously staged rant.
'Golden Bough' warms audience in chilly theater
The matinee played to a full house of enthusiastic children, including first time participants from the newly opened Pioneer School in Thermalito, and Ophir School. The Golden Bough trio of performers; Margie Butler, Paul Espinoza, and Kathy Sierra, were very adept at engaging and instructing the students since they have, for years, presented an acclaimed Music In The Schools program. Participation was encouraged in the form of sing-a-longs, rhythmic clapping (Rattlin' Bog / All God's Creatures ) and appropriate responses to musical queries. Instruction was provided on size versus pitch of the various instruments - and they had plenty - Celtic harp, accordion, tin-whistle, violin, viola, mandolin, mandola, guitar, and bodhran. And, as special guest, Leonard Sanders appeared, fully kilted, with his bagpipes.
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