The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported today that 2010 continued the trend of declining national vehicle thefts for the seventh consecutive year. While the top five hot spots for 2010 showed an increase in thefts over the previous year, the other areas on the top 10 list actually had fewer thefts.
NICB’s Hot Spots report examines vehicle theft data obtained from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation’s MSAs. MSAs are designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and often include areas much larger than the cities for which they are named. For example, the Fresno, Calif., MSA includes all thefts within the entire county of Fresno, not just the city of Fresno.
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Uncertainty and erratic moves will be the norm rather than the exception reports Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, in its economic outlook for the third quarter of 2011. The second half of 2011 will be volatile and the uncertainty almost as great as during the financial crisis.
The most probable outlook for Q3 is that the world extends monetary stimulus across the global economies. This will bring marginal higher growth but also increase the burden on fiscal payments and a need for structural changes. Any long-term solution needs to be forward looking and involve an agenda for dragging Europe out of the low growth stalemate. A solution based on buying more time will only take us closer to the feared full blown Crisis 2.0.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/saxobank/50522/
The Ad Council is joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to debut their first joint national multimedia public service campaign to help families prevent food poisoning in the home.
The Food Safe Families campaign was announced this morning by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in time for the July 4th holiday and the start of summer when foodborne illnesses tend to increase—a time when many families celebrate with food. It’s also a time when foodborne illnesses tend to increase with more outdoor meals, and other factors that increase the risk for disease-causing bacteria in food.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/50582/
From 14-17 September, Furniture China 2011 (www.furnitureinchina.com/expo) will take place at Shanghai New International Expo Centre and will showcase a gathering of world furniture industry experts. The exhibition will host 2,000 exhibitors, both domestic and overseas, which when compared with last year is a 10% and 15% increase respectively. Approximately 80,000 professionals from home and abroad are estimated to visit this great ‘annual party’ for the world’s furniture industry.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/sinoexpo/50705/
Verizon managers continue to step up to provide solid service on day five of a strike by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, answering customers’ calls, performing general customer service and responding to an increasing number of incidents of sabotage.
The company’s call centers answered 91 percent of incoming calls on Wednesday, and Verizon management call centers have repaired dozens of acts of sabotage to its network facilities since Aug. 6. In the face of adverse conditions, Verizon managers continue to increase their productivity while focusing on restoring customers’ service.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51704-verizon-responds-to-union-strike
For the first time in 70 years, Toastmasters International, the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to teaching communication and leadership skills, is updating its brand. The organization unveiled its new brand identity at its International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, today. As part of the rebranding effort, the organization has updated its logo, colors, fonts, imagery and messaging to make Toastmasters’ identity clearer, increase awareness of its impact around the world and focus more on leadership.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49429-toastmasters-where-leaders-are-made
Twelve percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report say they are planning to hire professional-level staff in the fourth quarter of 2011, while 5 percent foresee making cutbacks. The resulting net 7 percent increase in hiring activity is up four points from the third-quarter forecast. The portion (82 percent) of hiring executives saying they anticipate no change in staff levels is down from 90 percent three months ago.
Meanwhile, 59 percent of executives interviewed for the report said it is challenging to find skilled professionals today, up 17 points from the third quarter.
Fourth-quarter hiring projections were higher than the third-quarter forecast in nearly all professional segments.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/roberthalf/50680/
Today, hotels.com®, the leading provider of lodging worldwide, released its biannual Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), revealing a 3 percent global price increase and a gradual recovery despite major natural catastrophes and world events affecting travel during the first half of the year. Room rates are still lower than their peak in mid-2007, indicating to travelers that good deals and value are within reach for consumers.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52047-hotels-com-price-index-three-percent-global-increase-gradual-recovery
The Ad Council, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have joined together to launch a new phase of their Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Public Service Advertising (PSA) Campaign. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the Making Home Affordable® Program’s free resources and assistance for homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51783-ad-council-making-home-affordable-english-psa
The Arthritis Foundation is joining a global effort on Oct. 12, World Arthritis Day, to increase awareness of the many forms of arthritis and to call on individuals and policymakers to take action to reduce the burden of arthritis around the world.
Arthritis affects several hundred million people worldwide. In the United States, it’s the nation’s leading cause of disability, affecting one in five adults (50 million). The disease exacts a hefty financial toll, costing the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. As the staggering prevalence of arthritis continues to rise, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on the nation and individuals to “Move to Improve” to reduce the severe health and economic effects of this disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52066-ad-council-world-arthritis-day-move-to-improve-october-12
Carol Platt was caught in the middle of the economic downturn with no backup plan. Searching for a stable job in an unstable economy proved to be difficult without a college degree. Her work history and past successes were overlooked. It had always been a dream of hers to complete her degree; after a failed first attempt, she was unsure of her ability to follow through. She began researching online education options and felt that Kaplan University stood out; she decided to complete her college degree online. Carol enrolled in Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management and earned her bachelor’s degree online, focusing on business with an emphasis in human resources.
The adult continuing education program at Kaplan University is designed for working professionals who seek to further their career or, like Carol, want to earn their university degree online.* Students can complete assignments on a schedule that fits their lives. It’s this type of flexibility that helps prepare Kaplan University online students for success. Even if you already have an established career, it’s never too late to consider online business school to further your knowledge and update your skills. Increase your marketability with one of Kaplan University’s online bachelor degree programs without taking time off of work to attend class.
* Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
“I grew up in Graham, North Carolina. My parents both worked for the textile mills, both had fourth grade educations and my mom always wanted me to get an education. When I graduated from high school it was my dream to go to college. I failed the first class of my life which was my chemistry class. I was just overwhelmed so I left after about a year and half, got a job and kept trying to go back to school. For me it was personally devastating. It really bothered me. I felt like I was failing. I had one shot and I blew it.
When Jenna left for boarding school I couldn’t even open the door and go in the room and I was almost 52. All of that coincided with the downturn of the market. I had almost $6 million dollars in contracts waiting to close and they all fell through—every single one of them. I thought, ‘now what? I don’t have a degree, there are no jobs.’ It doesn’t matter what I had done or how much success I had, the requirements are to have a degree. Not only that, I had to walk back in the door competing with people half my age and many of them had MBAs.
It was just a matter of figuring out how to do it—so that’s when I started to check into what were the institutions, what was the cost, how were they respected. Kaplan [University] had a degree in business with a specialty in human resources. As I started narrowing the options down, it made it into about the final three. I took those three finalists to my traditional education friends and I said, ‘I want to know what the most respected online degree would be if someone was coming into your office looking for a job.’
The IT Dean, the Computer Science Dean, felt like Kaplan [University] had the best online delivery program that was out there. The Academic Dean’s advice was that this is a respected degree that you’re not going to have people questioning whether you were competent when you came out. Everything that you take there will be accepted if you go on to a master’s [program] anywhere so that was a very good recommendation. When I sat down at graduation, 31 years later, and I’m looking up at the podium and it says, ‘Kaplan University: a Different School of Thought’ that was probably more me because I do think a little differently. I’m willing to work on things that innovate and I think that’s more of an opportunity for me and many students like me.~N
Based on its recent analysis of the terminal automation market for the oil and gas industry, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Telvent DTN with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement.
Terminal operations are a strategic arm of the oil and gas marketing value chain. Reliability, real-time data monitoring and control of terminals are required for owners to capitalize on market opportunities and increase revenues. Telvent DTN differentiates itself in the terminal automation market through user-friendly, critical features as well as unmatched customer service in the North American market.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/frostsullivan/52903/
