Bangkok should escape flooding

The Thai government said Friday that protecting Bangkok from flood waters that have devastated large swathes of the country is its top priority and it is confident the capital is well protected from the deluge surging its way.
The head of the government's Flood Relief Center, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, said some outlying parts of the city could be affected by floodwaters this weekend but most of the city would be spared by flood walls.
Three main water barricades north, east and west of Bangkok are "efficiently protecting" the city from being inundated, Pracha said at a news conference.
Bangkok's emergency irrigation system has the capacity to drain off about 550 million cubic meters of water per day, far more than the 100 million cubic meters per day that is flowing toward the city.
"Therefore Bangkok is safe," Pracha said.
Erroneous reports Thursday said that flood waters had broken through a key barrier protecting Bangkok, leading the government to order residents in the area to urgently evacuate. The Flood Relief Center later apologized for the "misinformation," saying the evacuation order had been reversed and that damage to the gate had been overestimated.
Emergency crews were working to repair the damage to the Khlong Ban Phrao Floodgate, just north of the city, and residents were asked to remain on alert for flooding. Gov. Peerasak Hinmuangkao of Pathum Thani province said the gate would be repaired by the end of the day.
At least 283 people have been killed in Thailand since late July by floods and mudslides that have covered entire towns, devastated rice crops and shut dozens of factories.
Bangkok has been spared so far but authorities had previously said that waters rushing from the north could combine with rains and high tides in the next few days to flood the city.
Buildings in many areas of the capital have stockpiled sandbags, while others have built protective walls from cement and cinderblocks. Nervous residents have been stocking up on bottled water, rice, instant noodles, medicine and other essentials.
Government spokesman Wim Rungwattanajinda said the main canals east and west of Bangkok would be dredged by Friday to allow more water to flow from flooded northern provinces. He said authorities are also digging canal shortcuts to help drive water to the sea.
"This is the best method at the moment" to protect Bangkok, Wim told The Associated Press. "We are all working against time."
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the operations will allow the water to exit through three major rivers instead of just one — the Chao Phraya River which flows through Bangkok — as the government initially planned, and will therefore relieve the impact on the capital.
Some 8.2 million people in 61 out of the country's 77 provinces have been affected by the flooding, which has also halted production at many major factories north of Bangkok.

Interview Tips

Interview is your first impression on your dream company after your resume. From clothes to conduct to language to information to skill – everything is important. Employers don’t just want a skilled person, they want a complete package of skills and soft skills. Questions may differ from industry to industry, but some dos and don’ts remain the same. Here are a few tips for your next interview:
Know yourself
Though more important for first timers, but even those who have worked for a few years tend to short sell themselves. Know your strong, weak and saleable points. Understand the job profile thoroughly and articulate your words accordingly.
Know the interviewer
In times of social networking and professional networking it’s very easy to know the person you are scheduled to meet. Try to look up the profile of the interviewer, it will help you conduct yourself in the right way.
Identify saleable points and talk well about them
You know your job and your achievements more than anyone. Be prepared and prioritise them in your head. Depending on the profile state nice and crisp without sounding verbose.
Do not keep personals on the table
This includes everything from - bag, wallet, mobile and also your elbows. In terms of body language, this is a complete no. Don’t rest yourself o the table and keep your bag near the chair you are sitting on.
Informal formality
That’s the style for an interview these days. You have to be proper, without being stiff.
Dress smart
Your dress up may not be the only thing, but it’s the first thing to be noticed. Wearing formals is safe and best. Stay away from T-Shirts and torn jeans. Comfort and cleanliness should be the motto.
Ladies, be minimal
We are asking you to dress smart and not provocative. Stay away from plunging neck lines or short skirts. Heavy duppattas and too much jewelry will also be difficult to handle and will distract both the parties.
If you don't know the answer accept it
It’s not necessary that everyone knows everything. Please do not cook up, if you don't know the answer say so. Don't jump to answer a question, take time to think.
Don't try to be a wisecrack
Sense of humour is great, but in an interview you will be judged for things which matter to the company. Be light hearted but don’t be frivolous. For phone interviews, don’t let sarcasm make way through your voice.
Everyone wants a positive person
This may sound like a cliche, but be good human being. Employers are looking for more than skills. Be smart, don't criticise and don't accept criticism, tackle it.
Learn from every interaction
Every job profile has its own requirements. Don’t be disheartened if you are not called for the next round. Review it in your mind and do your learning and move to the next one.

Best Places

The single most effective move in making your retirement stash go further is, well, a move. "There's nothing more powerful than relocating from a high-cost-of-living area to a low-cost one," says Baltimore financial planner Tim Maurer.
If "low cost of living" conjures up visions of some bleak backwater, think again. MONEY combed its Best Places to Live database to find affordable cities and towns that offer lots to do, both inside and out. Places that are safe, with violent-crime rates below the national average. Where there's good medical care close at hand. And where at least 30% of the population is over the age of 50, so you'll have no shortage of golf or bridge partners.
The ten places you'll read about in the story that follows offer all that — plus they're exceptionally kind to your wallet. Their cost-of-living indexes range from 87 to 97, meaning that as little as 87 cents buys residents what a dollar would buy the average American. Homes are affordable, with median prices below the $173,100 national median (some well below). And tax rates are reasonable, with either no state income tax or significant exemptions for retirees. Could one of these places be your new home?
Footnote: The nation's average cost of living index is 100; the lower a place's number, the less expensive it is. Median home price is for 2010. Source: OnBoard Informatics.
Marquette, Mich.
As lovely as it sounds to sip margaritas on the beach, doing it year round can get old. This picturesque town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula offers outdoor fun for all seasons. With an average of 141 inches of snow a year, there's plenty of the white stuff for cross-country skiing and other winter sports. And when things warm up, you can grab a kayak and start paddling on Lake Superior.
And when outdoor activities grow tiresome, retirees can take advantage of a wealth of offerings at Northern Michigan University, in town. People 62 or older can attend classes free, and the affiliated Northern Center for Lifelong Learning offers low-cost diversions, from bird watching to dinner clubs.
If all that excitement causes heart palpitations, you're in the right place: Thomson Reuters ranks Marquette General Health System among the nation's top 50 cardiovascular hospitals.
Cape Coral, Fla.
For retirees who are looking for lower taxes, cheap housing and a gentle climate, Cape Coral scores on all fronts. Home prices here, for example, have fallen more than 60% since the 2006 peak. For homebuyers, that means a lot of bang for the buck: A newly renovated three-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot house with a pool was recently bought here for $145,000.
Lots of Florida towns have seen dramatic price drops, of course, but Cape Coral has something else going for it: It's paradise for water lovers. The town is sliced with 400 miles of canals, half of which have access to the Gulf of Mexico, about 20 minutes away by boat.
This quiet place doesn't offer much nightlife. But there's a public golf course, a weekly farmers' market with live music, and a nearby outlet mall. Training camps for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins are just 15 minutes away.
If you're the type who can't survive without your symphony, art, and theater fix, you may have resigned yourself to staying in some pricey coastal burg during retirement. Take a look at Idaho's capital city instead.
Granted, Boise is no Manhattan. But its thriving cultural scene includes an opera company, a philharmonic orchestra, and a ballet. At Boise Art Museum, which focuses on contemporary American art, you'll see works by Ansel Adams and Chuck Close.
Catch shows at Boise State University's Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts not only classical events but also touring Broadway shows and such boomer draws as Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. Or hit the annual Shakespeare Festival at the city's 770-seat outdoor amphitheater.
Residents also enjoy all the outdoor activities you might expect of a city that's flanked by mountains and bisected by a river full of fish — and that has a mild climate year round.
Another plus: Violent crime in Boise is little more than half the national average. That's a remarkable score for a You can't stroll through this small town in horse country without feeling a strong connection to the past. A half-dozen different districts in Danville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It was in Danville's Constitution Square that delegates assembled in 1792 to proclaim Kentucky the nation's 15th state. The original log post office — dating from that same year — still stands, as do many antebellum buildings. nd there's plenty in the area to keep Civil War buffs happy, including nearby Perryville Battlefield, where Union and Confederate soldiers skirmished in 1862.
Expect plenty to do in the here and now, too. In the past 18 months, a new microbrewery and three new restaurants joined the art galleries and gift shops downtown. The Norton Center for the Performing Arts, at 190-year-old Centre College, offers many cultural events. In summer, Danville shows free outdoor movies each week; in fall it hosts an annual arts festival (with historic reenactments) that draws artists from all over the state.
Two more pluses: The area's regional medical center is right in town. And the urban amenities of Lexington and Louisville are a 40- and 90-minute drive away, respectively.

Obama deficit plan aimed

President Barack Obama will lay out a plan on Monday to cut the U.S. deficit, striking a populist tone aimed at galvanizing his Democratic Party base ahead of the November 2012 election.
Obama will vow to veto any cuts proposed for the government-run Medicare health program for the elderly unless Congress agrees to raise taxes on companies and the wealthy.
The president's recommendations to a congressional "super committee" would deliver deficit savings of more than $3 trillion over the next decade, his aides said, with roughly half of those savings coming from higher tax revenues.
Republicans, who control the U.S. House of Representatives, are firmly rejecting any tax hikes to raise revenues. Many Democrats see that as a sign for Obama to stop trying to compromise with Republicans over tackling the debt, and instead to fight for the voters who put him office.
"These things are critical to the base," said Jared Bernstein, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington and a former economic adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.
Obama, under fire from Democrats to defend Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs as he seeks to boost flagging support ahead of next year's election, will demand that all Americans share the burden of controlling the budget.
"He will veto any bill that takes one dime from the Medicare benefits seniors rely on without asking the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share," a senior administration official told reporters on Sunday.
Medicare, for elderly and disabled Americans, and Medicaid for the poor, are viewed by analysts as the biggest contributors to long-term U.S. deficits, which many voters see as a key issue in the election.

Uphaar tragedy

The Supreme Court Thursday reduced the amount of compensation for the 59 people who died in south Delhi's Uphaar cinema hall fire in 1997, and also slashed punitive damages to be paid by cinema owners Ansal brothers from Rs.2.5 crore to Rs.25 lakh.
The decision came as a shock and a major setback for the victims' families, who described it as 'very, very disappointing'.
The bench headed by Justice R.V. Raveendran cut down compensation for those above 20 years from Rs.18 lakh to Rs.10 lakh while for those under 20 years, the amount has been reduced from Rs.15 lakh to Rs.7.5 lakh.
The court held Ansals and the erstwhile power utility Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) as jointly and severally liable to pay the damages. The DVB was privatised in 2002.
While the cinema hall owners Ansals were asked to pay 85 percent of the compensation money to the families of the victims, the DVB was asked to pay 15 percent of the amount.
The apex court absolved the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Police from paying their liabilities. They were earlier directed by the Delhi High Court to pay 15 percent each of the compensation amount in its order of April 24, 2003.
The Supreme Court retained the part of the high court's verdict that mandated payment of Rs.1 lakh as compensation to those injured in the June 13, 1997, fire incident.
Neelam Krishnamurthy, who lost two children in the blaze and is convenor of the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), said she was 'very, very disappointed with the verdict'.
'We had a long battle of 15 years...after today's verdict, overall, I can say that we are very, very disappointed. This is not about money but the point is that if you want to bring in deterrence you must make those responsible to pay hefty damages,' she told reporters.
'We wanted people to get safer public places and the only way to do this was by putting pressure on corporates. The corporates are being benefited by such judgments. So, many more Uphaars will happen.'
'By exonerating the government agencies, there is a very strong message which is going down and that is -- flout the rules as much as you want to and keep on giving away the NOCs (no objection certificates) without inspections, we are going to do nothing about you.'
'The Supreme Court has lost a very good opportunity of laying down a new law,' Krishnamurthy added.
Another aggrieved family member of a victim said: 'The verdict means that Delhi Police and the MCD will continue to have a free hand in issuing NOCs in return of money.'
The blaze June 13, 1997, during the screening of the Hindi film 'Border' claimed 59 lives and injured over 100 people in the subsequent stampede.
The fire was sparked by a blast in a transformer in an underground parking lot in the five-storey building in south Delhi that housed the cinema hall and several offices.
Sanjeev Sen, counsel for the MCD, said: 'Now after this judgment, Ansals will pay 85 percent. The DVB has already complied with the court order and paid 15 percent while the court has set aside compensation to be paid by Delhi Police and the MCD.'
'Delhi Police have already paid certain amount as ex-gratia,' he told reporters.
The bench also issued a number of safety guidelines for theatre owners and government authorities.
It ordered screening of a short documentary film - showing dos and don'ts in case of any emergency arising out of fire - before a movie starts.
The court directed that the theatre staff should be properly trained in fire drills and evacuation and there would be mandatory half-yearly survey of theatres by the government authorities on safety measures.

Snubs and Surprises

Our Emmy pool ballot is in tatters. Tonight's Emmy awards defied predictions by serving up a flurry of big surprises. Sure, some favorites managed to eke out a win, but others got flat-out robbed while unheralded newcomers swooped in to snag first-time statuettes. Check out our list of the night's biggest snubs and surprises.
We would've bet the farm on Carell finally winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy for his emotional final season on NBC's "The Office." But he remained a bridesmaid while "The Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons claimed his second straight Emmy win. Carell's "Office" run officially comes to an end with six Emmy nominations and no wins.
Snub: Jon Hamm
With three-time winner Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") out of the running, the stage seemed set for Hamm to win his first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for his riveting turn as ad man Don Draper on AMC's "Mad Men." His show grabbed its fourth straight award for Outstanding Drama Series, but Hamm once again came up short, this time to "Friday Night Lights" star Kyle Chandler. Take heart, Jon: You couldn't have lost to a more worthy opponent.
Snub: "Glee"
Guess Emmy voters aren't feeling quite so "Glee"-ful these days. After garnering a slew of Emmy nominations for its first season, "Glee" returned with an uneven Season 2 that was less well-received and came up empty-handed on Emmy night. "Glee" star Jane Lynch was stuck playing host while "Modern Family's" Julie Bowen took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy award she won last year. First, New Directions loses at Nationals, and now this?
Surprise: Melissa McCarthy
One actress left the Emmys feeling like Miss America: "Mike & Molly" star McCarthy scored a stunning win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, beating out favorites like "Nurse Jackie's" Edie Falco and "Parks and Recreation's" Amy Poehler. Thanks to a pre-planned bit with her fellow nominees, McCarthy ended up receiving a pageant-style tiara and bouquet of roses along with her statuette. She exclaimed, "This is my first and best pageant ever!" Now this is one crowning we can get behind.

Remo Pens Song

Goa musician Remo Fernandes has penned an anthem for Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption, saying it is his 'tiny contribution' to the movement.
The well-known Bollywood singer and music director said on his YouTube channel: 'This free song is a tiny contribution to Anna Hazare's 'India Against Corruption' movement. Share it, spread it as much as you like.'
The song, also titled 'India Against Corruption', was uploaded Friday.
Remo's song touches every aspect of the activist's struggle against corruption and begins with a satiric, rhyming invocation to the motherland, 'India shining, my motherland... India Shining, in Switzerland', in a not so oblique reference to the reports about the billions of dollars hoarded away by the Indian elite in Swiss banks.
Invoking people to back Hazare, the song, which has been written by Remo along with Shyam Banerjee, has also credited another famous pop group, Microwave Papadums, for lending additional voices.
Remo, who has virtually launched a volley of comments in Hazare's support on his official Facebook page, says in his song that 'if you are not against corruption, then you are corrupt yourself'.
'I am an Anna supporter. Pure and simple. If you don't agree with him, stay away from this page,' Remo says on his page.
Meanwhile, Remo's fans cheered his initiative.
'Remo, you always have been one of the forerunner of many social causes. May your inspiration n likeness filter down so a few (wish for many) may follow in ur inspired footsteps (sic),' posted Ivan Souza from Dubai.
'Great song!!! We should use this song as the theme song for the latest crusade,' said John D'Costa, owner of a production house in Goa.
Remo has also made political statements earlier with an album titled 'Politicians don't know to Rock n Roll', which was released in 1992 by Magnasound. The hit album had several tracks critical of the establishment, in light of the communal violence prevalent at the time.

Soundtrack Music

Film: 'Soundtrack'; Music Directors: Midival Punditz, Karsh Kale, Kailash Kher, Laxmikant Kudalkar, Pyarelal, Ankur Tewari and Papon; Lyricists: Dhruv Jagasia, Anushka Manchanda, Kailash Kher, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Ankur Tewari, Papon and Anand Bakshi; Singers: Anushka Manchanda, Kailash Kher, Suraj Jagan, Ankur Tewari and Papon; Rating: **
When a movie is called 'Soundtrack', the least you expect from it is to have a strong musical backing. Fulfilling this to some extent is this album that has more than one composer and also marks the entry of electronic music specialists Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale in Bollywood.
The songs in this album are of various genres, including some retro hits that have been nicely transformed into contemporary numbers.
The music of the film starts with 'Atomizer', which is Midival Punditz' and Karsh Kale's original composition and was selected for the official FIFA World Cup 2010 video game. Later, they had featured it in their album 'Hello Hello'. The song is high on electronic beats and low on lyrics - good for parties and lounges.
Then comes in Papon with 'Banao', a track that has a raw feel, owing to its acoustic instrumentation. It is spiritually inclined but the composition of the song is more apt for a love ballad. So, the devotional song fails to impress.
Next is 'Ek manzil' with Vishal Vaid behind the mike. The Sufi rock composition brings forward east meeting west amalgamation. It begins on a solid note but fails to hold the interest till the end, though it is backed by strong orchestration.
Then comes another Sufi rock 'Fakira' crooned by Vishal Vaid. It seems more of a situational track. Although the music is still impressive to an extent, the song, overall, is mediocre. But it might gain importance with visuals.
Up next is an inspirational song 'Main chala' in Kailash Kher's voice. The fast-paced song has a strong musical backing and the punch in Kailash's voice gives it an edge. The intense song creates drama and slowly grows on the listener. Overall, it is an impressive number that should go well with ardent Indi-pop listeners.
'Naina lagey' is undoubtedly the best song of the album that has been skilfully voiced by Papon. This semi-classical track is soul-stirring and takes romance to a different level altogether. It is appealing and soothing to the ears, which makes this a slow-paced harmoniously delightful track.
Next is a re-arranged version of the song 'Ruk jaana nahin', which was originally sung by Kishore Kumar in the 1974 film 'Imtihan'. The new version has been rendered by Suraj Jagan in his silken voice. Although old is gold, yet this version is not too bad, since it retains the qualities of the original track.
Then comes another old rehashed Bollywood song 'Yeh Jeevan hai', which had appeared in 1972 film 'Piya Ka Ghar'. The song is more contemporary as Malini Awasthi has given her own singing style to the song.
Then there are two instrumental tracks, which are equally impressive. One is called 'Symphony of the streets' and the other is titled 'Soundtrack theme song'.
Finally the album ends with the song 'What the F' that might look like another controversial song in the making owing to its title. However, there is nothing controversial about the song that is sung by Anushka Manchanda. Although it tries hard to impress with its quirky lyrics, experimental singing and composition, yet it doesn't appeal much.

Bromance in Bollywood

Forget romance, 'bromance' is the buzzword at the box office. Films like 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', 'Delhi Belly' and 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' are bringing alive boy bonding on the big screen, albeit with a realistic twist.

'It's nothing new, just fresh,' says film critic Anupama Chopra.
'Bromance doesn't get better than Jai-Veeru in 'Sholay'! That was the great Indian bromance! So the concept is not new. It's been there...it's just that stories are not as overblown and over-the-top as they used to be,' she added and rightly so!
Zoya Akhtar's hit 'Zindagi Na...' narrates the story of three friends who head for a three-week bachelor party and discover their strengths, weaknesses and conquer their fears on their way.
Aamir Khan Productions' 'Delhi Belly', a money spinner despite having an A-certificate, turned out to be a cult project with abuses and mischief galore - in tune with India's growing, notorious, urban youths.
There was also the hilarious 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', about three friends-cum-flatmates, and their lives after they get bitten by the love bug.
'Films on bromance are closer to reality now, without dialogues like 'Main tere liye apni jaan bhi de sakta hun!',' Anupama, wife of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who gave a hit bromance with '3 Idiots', told IANS.
Earlier films like 'Chashme Buddoor', 'Satte Pe Satta', 'Amar Akbar Anthony' and 'Bombay Boys' had also touched upon boy bonding.
But the Hindi film industry saw a more contemporary take on the trend with Farhan Akhtar's 'Dil Chahta Hai' about three friends from diverse backgrounds, the bullying between them, their romances, their victories, their defeats - and their never ending support to each other.
It was followed by films like 'Jhankaar Beats', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Masti', 'Dhamaal', 'Dhol', 'Badmaash Company', 'Dostana', 'Rock On!!', 'Golmaal' series, 'Heyy Babyy' and 'Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji'.
Director Luv Ranjan, who tickled the viewers' funny bone with 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', explains why the audience embraces bromances.
'After an age, people get burdened with a lot of responsibilities and these fun moments get lost on the way. So these films give them a reminder or an experience of the life that they perhaps wanted to have, or perhaps the life they miss,' Ranjan told IANS.
In Bollywood, bromances have usually had staple features - it's a gang of guys, there's confrontation and then a patch-up or there's a nagging girl, love is in the backdrop and friendship takes centrestage. Sometimes, the friends take a road trip and their experience helps audiences relive their past.
But a lot has changed in terms of the treatment, says Ranjan.
'It's very important to make films realistically. Films work when they are a true reflection of society. It's not as though men never used to abuse each other in their friends circle 40 years ago. But it was just a more closed and covered up society back then. That has changed.
'People are now open about using expletives in public, hugging and flirting in public...and so some of it is coming on the big screen, and people are loving it! That curtain of hiding the true, crazy bonding has been removed,' added Ranjan.
According to actor-comedian Vir Das, that's what worked best for his movie 'Delhi Belly'.
'Boy bonding is a formula which seems to be working a lot. In 'Delhi Belly', the characters were more real. Normally you see friends who are super rich, having fun and having the time of their life...but in 'Delhi Belly', there were three underdogs, very real people, who were together because of certain conditions. There were no ultra cool gangs, no ultra cool friends, just characters who looked real and used real language. That's the way it should be done,' said Vir.