Posted in December 2009

What's Next After COP 15?

Source: hazel eyes
Thursday 31st December 2009, 10:39am

After the failure of the Copenhagen summit to reach any significant agreement, what happens next?

No binding climate change deal was struck, leaving many believing that the world leaders aren't listening to the people who put them in power.

At the summit, leaders did agree that:

• Average temperature rises around the globe should not exceed 2C, the generally accepted level for being dangerous.
• Rich countries will decide themselves by how much they will cut emissions by the year 2020 and register the amount by the end of January 2010.
• A fund of around $30 billion will be donated to poorer nations between 2010 - 12, increasing to an annual sum of $100 billion by 2020 to help them deal with the effects of climate change.

It is the most vulnerable people in poorer countries that are feeling the worst effects of climate change. Rains fail to come, and when they do, it is in a torrent, sweeping away harvests, leaving many with no food to feed their families.

The next summit is in Mexico 2010 and the pressure is really on to come to a globally binding agreement and put the disappointment of Copenhagen behind us.

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Internet Sales To Start On Christmas Eve

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 22nd December 2009, 3:04pm

Internet shoppers could get a head start on the sales this year as many retailers are launching them on Christmas Eve.

Retailers such as John Lewis, Comet, B&Q and Halfords are expected to start their xmas sales online 36hrs before the more traditional Boxing Day start.

Sales are expected to be particularly brisk between Christmas and New Year because of the VAT increase, which returns to 17.5% on January 1st. Consumers wishing to make a large purchase such as furniture and big electrical items are most likely to try and grab a bargain before the increase takes effect.

IMRG, the online trading body, estimates that around 4 million people will go online on Christmas day and will spend around £100 million on Dec 26th. Kelkoo estimates that traffic will spike at 8pm on the 25th.

David Smith, director at IMRG, said: "A lot of these purchases are for downloads – be it films or computer games. If you have received a games console or computer for Christmas one of the first things you want to do is download something...And it doesn't mean sitting in the spare room. Most people do their shopping with a laptop on their knee in the sitting room, or even on their phone."

The bad weather we are experiencing at the moment has meant that some delivery guarantees have had to be scrapped. Previously, customers have been informed that they could order up to 5pm today (Dec 22nd) and still have it in time for Christmas, but retailers such as Marks & Spencer have had to alter it to 1pm yesterday with purchases after that time no longer promised to arrive before xmas day.

Those with poised laptops will need to note that online sales bargains will be available from the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, just as high street shops are closing.

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Top 10 Ways To Donate To Charity

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 16th December 2009, 5:24pm

Charity shops aren't just full of bric a brac any more, here's a top 10 list of ways to help out your favourite charity.

1. Gift Aid - Tick the box! This allows the tax on your charity donation to be reclaimed - an extra 28p in the pound for basic rate taxpayers.

2. Give As You Earn - If your employer is signed up to the scheme, you can donate directly from your pay packet. As it is taken out pre-tax, a £10 donation will only cost basic rate taxpayers £8 and higher rate earners £6.

3. Buy Charity Gifts - Pop down to your local charity shop to buy presents. Perhaps Lottie the Hospicecare elephant will show you her celebrity photos.
4. Donate Unwanted Presents - Take any unwanted presents down the a charity shop. Remember to let them know if you pay tax so they can claim the magic gift aid.
5. Charity Credit Cards - Each purchase using the card gives a small percentage to charity.
6. Open A Charity Bank Account - A Charities Aid Foundation Account allows you to put aside money you want to donate to charity and will automatically be Gift Aided when you wish to donate through your account.
7. Charity Bank Savings - Whilst there is money in the savings account, Charity Bank can use them to offer affordable loans to charites, voluntary organisations or social enterprises. The interest on your savings can also be donated if you choose.
8. Legacy Giving - Charitable donations made through a will don't incur inheritance tax and can either be money or items such as jewellery.
   
9. Volunteer - Help out at a homeless shelter, or go on a volunteer holiday break.
10. Get Fit - Sign up for a charity run or event to help raise money

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Abu Dhabi Construction Industry Booming

Source: hazel eyes
Thursday 10th December 2009, 4:34pm

Unlike its beleaguered neighbour, Dubai, which is struggling under debt, Abu Dhabi is planning to build a new sports stadium.

Abu Dhabi is planning to make the new stadium the biggest in the UAE, holding 65,000 seats and feature a retractable roof. Once completed, it will be eventually the new home of the UAE's football team.

Abu Dhabi is hoping that this latest construction, following on from the $1 billion Formula 1 track, seven hotels and marina on Yas Island completed earlier this year, along with $100 billion of infrastructure investments will help put it on the world map.

Dubai, seen as the jewel in the crown of the UAE, is currently striving to sort out its own financial crisis as it requested debt repayment delays recently.

Contractors interested in taking on the stadium project have until 12th December to submit prelimary bids and must have had a minimum annual turnover from construction activities of $1.22 billion in each of the last three years.

The stadium is being developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Hospitality, part of the Abu Dhabi-owned investment company Mubadala.

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Real Madrid Lingerie

Source: hazel eyes
Thursday 3rd December 2009, 11:17am

Real Madrid, the worlds most profitable football team, has brought out a range of lingerie for its female fans.

The club has decided to increase its range of souvenir range from mugs, keyrings, t-shirts and the like to include lingerie and boxer shorts.

The lingerie is being made by Little Kiss in Valencia and will be available from March - just a bit late for a Christmas stocking filler this time around. I'm sure there will be lots of opportunities for footie fans to fill their Christmas gifts list with momentos of their favourite team.

Real Madrid makes up nearly one quarter of its annual budget from sales of items with their logo on - over 100 million euros out of a budget of more then 400 million euros. It has been in the top spot of the Deloitte Football Money League since the 2004 - 05 season when it usurped Manchester United.

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