Turkish boy trying to date Turist girl: Very funny (VIDEO)
Insurance Consultant - Car Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance
Insurance Consultant - Car Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance
Attorney may refer to:
Lawyer, as a general synonym
Attorney-at-law, an official title of lawyers in some jurisdictions
- Attorney-in-fact, a holder of a power of attorney who is (though not necessarily a lawyer) able to act on another's behalf in legal and financial contexts
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| Global house prices |
Authoritative research by the OECD highlights property markets in Australia and France as overpriced - but Portugal's a bargain
House prices in Britain are around 30pc too high, according to a study published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development.
The figures, included in a wider report on economic prospects, offer a signal as to where buyers might be able to find a property bargain – and the nations where they may be overpaying.
Commonwealth countries, in particular, were found to have the most wildly overvalued property markets among the OECD countries. They include New Zealand, Australia and Canada; prices continued to power ahead in all three last year.
Closer to home, prices in France and Norway remain too high, the report indicated. In contrast, property markets in Ireland, Portugal and Germany are undervalued.
Japan, where prices have been in an on-off 25-year decline, remains the cheapest market within the OECD. Despite an unprecedented stimulus programme deployed last year by Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, prices fell in real terms by nearly 2pc in 2013. The wonders that so-called “Abenomics” worked in creating inflation and sending Tokyo shares soaring failed to work on bricks and mortar.
Much attention is also paid to the Spanish property market, where hundreds of thousands of Britons have holiday homes.
Taking the OECD’s two measures (which are explained below), the market remains around 5pc overvalued, compared with 12pc a year ago. The numbers for Spain have fallen from 108 and 115 a year ago. For more comparisons with a year ago, see the chart at the foot of this article.
What the valuations mean
The OECD research is based on two different measures of valuation. It compares prices with typical wages and then plots the ratio against the long-term average. At 100, it would be in line with that average. At 150, it is 50pc above the average.
A comparison with wages indicates what buyers can afford but the OECD also captures how prices look against rents. This measurement is akin to valuing homes as if they were businesses – not dissimilar to the price to earnings ratio used to value shares. A figure of 84, the number for Greece, suggests prices are 16pc below the long-term average on this measure.
We have created a colour-coded map to capture these differences and give a rough indicator of whether it is worth buying (green), worth avoiding (red) or in between (orange).
| Country | Annual rise in real terms | Price vs rents | Price vs wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6.6% (2013) | 145 | 128 |
| Belgium | 0.7% (2013) | 158 | 147 |
| Canada | 5.2% (Q1 2014) | 166 | 131 |
| France | -2.2% (2013) | 129 | 128 |
| Germany | 5.1% (2013) | 91 | 83 |
| Greece | -7% (2013) | 84 | 103 |
| Ireland | 4.3pc (2013) | 96 | 92 |
| Italy | -5.5% (2013) | 93 | 108 |
| Japan | -1.9% (2013) | 62 | 63 |
| Netherlands | -1.4% (Q1 2014) | 104 | 117 |
| New Zealand | 8.2% (2013) | 170 | 132 |
| Norway | -2.6% (Q1 2014) | 164 | 122 |
| Portugal | -1.5% (Q1 2014) | 83 | 94 |
| Spain | -4.9% (2013) | 104 | 107 |
| UK | 3.5% (2013) | 134 | 125 |
| US | 6.6% (2013) | 104 | 90 |
| Euro area | -0.9% | 106 | 107 |
| Total OECD | 2.8% | 106 | 95 |
The OECD's assessment of house prices today:
"House prices and housing investment are now rising in over half of the OECD economies. In Europe, strong house price growth is continuing inGermany (based on data from the big cities) and Switzerland, and has also resumed in the United Kingdom, even though UK prices are already above longer-term norms relative to rents and incomes. Markets remain softer in other parts of the euro area, reflecting weak income growth and tighter financing conditions.
"Recent data, however, suggest that the long declines in real house prices in Ireland and the Netherlands may now have started to bottom out.
"In the United States, housing developments are mixed. Prices continue to rise, but new home sales, starts and builders’ confidence have turned down, in part due to adverse weather conditions in the first quarter of 2014, but also because of a moderation in mortgage purchase applications since long-term mortgage rates rose last summer. Existing home sales have also declined, although much of this appears to reflect a welcome drop in the level of distressed sales. Looking ahead, given the likelihood of continued solid income growth, further easing of credit standards and pent-up demand after a period of subdued household formation rates, the housing market recovery should continue through this year and next.
"In Japan, real house prices are continuing to edge down, but land prices have now begun to stabilise and housing investment has been very buoyant, although this has now faded given the temporary boost provided by the demand for sales contracts to be finalised ahead of the consumption tax increase in April."
And its assessment from 2013 for comparison...
How valuations have changed from a year ago when the OECD last published the study (May 2013)...
The following map shows the average number of cigarettes an adult consumes per year. The definition of an adult differs from study to study, but most studies included people aged 15 and older. The map is based on a table that compiles data from various studies and was released in 2007 (so the data may have somewhat changed since then, but I wasn’t able to find a more recent meta-analysis).
Edit: Corrected the colour of Latvia.
The underlying blank map is due to Tindo
Edit: Corrected the colour of Latvia.
The underlying blank map is due to Tindo
10. Montenegro
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,157
Cigarette consumption historically has been highest in high-income countries, but because of targeted marketing, increased social acceptability, continued economic development and population increases, consumption is expected to increase in low- and middle-income countries, according to TobaccoAtlas, which is sponsored by the World Lung Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
9. Belarus
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,266
Cigarette consumption in Western Europe dropped by 26% between 1990 and 2009 but increased in the Middle East and Africa by 57% during the same period, This change has occurred as people in high-income countries increasingly understand the dangers of smoking and governments continue to implement tobacco control policy and legislation. Left, a Belarusian man smokes a cigarette while cooling down near a fountain in Minsk during a heat wave.
8. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,278
Globally, the increase in cigarette consumption in low- and middle-income countries is significant enough to offset the decrease in high-income countries, according to TobaccoAtlas.org. Cigarette consumption is responsible for a significant disease burden. While global smoking prevalence is flat or decreasing, the total number of smokers world-wide continues to increase simply due to population growth.
7. Slovenia
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,369
While almost 6 trillion cigarettes are consumed annually, the pattern of nicotine consumption may shift in the future as people seek alternative nicotine delivery systems. The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has outlined how best to reduce tobacco use.
6. Ukraine
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,401
As consumption rates continue to increase in low- and middle-income countries, these countries will experience a disproportionate amount of tobacco-related illness and death — particularly China, as Chinese men smoke a third of the world’s cigarettes. If the smoking prevalence among Chinese women increases, global consumption of cigarettes will skyrocket, and the country’s economy and health-care systems will be overwhelmed. Left, a protester smokes at the barricade in front of armor-clad security forces blocking access to the Verkhovna Rada parliament in Kiev Jan. 21.
5. Moldova
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,479
Around the world, 48% of the world’s cigarette consumption was in the Western Pacific in 2009, 24% in Europe and 11% in the Americas.
Left, a “Lada” car, a brand well known during the communist era, is driven in Tiraspol, the main city of Transnistria, a separatist republic of Moldova. Transnistria, a small strip of land of 500,000 inhabitants in eastern Moldova, is not recognized by the international community.
4. Russia
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,786
Left, a former Soviet soldier smokes his cigarette near the monument commemorating the Soviet victims of the war in Afghanistan, in St. Petersburg Feb. 15.
3. Greece
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,795
Left, Greece's football coach Fernando Santos smokes a cigarette during a training session in 2012.
2. Bulgaria
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2,822
Left, people smoke cigarettes in front of the National Theatre in the center of Sofia. Bulgaria enforced a full smoking ban in all enclosed public spaces including bars and restaurants.
1. Serbia
Cigarette consumption per capita: 2861
In 2010, Serbia introduced tough antitobacco measures, the strictest ever in the Balkans country, where some 33.6% of adults smoke. Left, a passenger smokes a cigarette while waiting for a train in Belgrade last year.
This seminar will give participants a
deeper understanding of violent extremism and concrete methods for
working with youth in danger of being influenced by violent extremism.
This thematic seminar will investigate
and compare different political, ethnic and religious forms of violent
extremism which in recent years have appealed to young persons in Europe
and its neighbouring countries.
The seminar programme will contain input
from academics researching youth and violent extremism, young persons
with a past impacted by violent extremism and youth workers with
experience working with prevention for, and rehabilitation of, such
youth.
Along with presentations of best
practice examples from participants, the seminar will consist of
lectures, discussions, group work and the sharing of experiences and
challenges.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
* Develop an understanding for violent extremism.
* Develop an understanding for violent extremism.
* Examine what attracts youth to violent extremism and how they are recruited.
* Investigate how youth work is a primary force for preventing extremism amongst youth.
* Discuss how to best help youth that have fallen prey to violent extremism reintegrate into their society and local community.
* How to develop and use international networks in working with youth effected by violent extremism.
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
* Professionals and volunteers over the
age of 18 from Programme Countries and Partner Countries Neighbouring
the EU who work directly with young people.
* Youth workers that represent municipalities, other public youth work organisations or youth work done by NGOs.
* Although not a requirement,
participants should have worked with youth and violent extremism and be
willing to share these experiences.
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
Language: English, but fluency is not a requirement.
Location: Oslo, Norway
Dates :
Arrival on the 14th of April.
Program starts at 09:00 15th of April
Program ends at 13:00 17th of April
Arrival on the 14th of April.
Program starts at 09:00 15th of April
Program ends at 13:00 17th of April
Participation in the entire training is compulsory.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS FROM COUNTRIES NEIGHBOURING THE EU:
If you have any questions regarding your participation please contact:
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES + RUSSIAN FEDERATION – eeca@salto-youth.net
WESTERN BALKANS – see@salto-youth.net
SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES – euromed@salto-youth.net
If you have any questions regarding your participation please contact:
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES + RUSSIAN FEDERATION – eeca@salto-youth.net
WESTERN BALKANS – see@salto-youth.net
SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES – euromed@salto-youth.net
Training Course
10-19 April 2015 | Armenia
A TC around the topics of Otherness, Personal Development and Intercultural Learning, which will give participants the possibility to reflect on their 'meetings with the other' on different levels.
Concepts of intercultural learning (ICL) are often focused on preparing individuals to get ready for an encounter with something that is different than their usual environment. To categorize this differences a traditional concept of culture is often applied, which implicitly assumes a strangeness during the encounters of people with a perceived different cultural background.
The proposed project "Meeting the other" wants to address those aspects in a new light by choosing a different starting point. Instead of focusing on encounters, where people already assume a strangeness it will start from the basic human experience on how we relate to something, which is different from us. This will be handled on different levels, starting from the question what can be considered 'the other' in ourselves (as we often don't understand ourselves completely), over how we act towards differences in the outside world to how we react to strangeness and how we actually distinguish it from a general 'otherness'.
The proposed project "Meeting the other" wants to address those aspects in a new light by choosing a different starting point. Instead of focusing on encounters, where people already assume a strangeness it will start from the basic human experience on how we relate to something, which is different from us. This will be handled on different levels, starting from the question what can be considered 'the other' in ourselves (as we often don't understand ourselves completely), over how we act towards differences in the outside world to how we react to strangeness and how we actually distinguish it from a general 'otherness'.
Apart from the related theme of ICL the project has a strong focus on personal development. One topic, which will be reflected on all levels is the limitation we set ourselves through fixed concepts and stereotypical perceptions. On a personal level this will e.g. include the exploration of situations in which we surprised ourselves and the habits which sometimes hinder us to think and act 'out-of the box'. On the inter-personal encounter it will relate to our limitations in perceiving the other as an unique individual through the constant comparison to previous experiences and the application of stereotypical images.
Although the project from a conceptual point will touch questions, which seem very abstract, the methodologies will be designed in a way to make the participants experience them in a playful way.
Although the project from a conceptual point will touch questions, which seem very abstract, the methodologies will be designed in a way to make the participants experience them in a playful way.
The whole project will consist of two activities, which are strongly interconnected: The first activity will be a training course on above mentioned topics for multipliers who are working with young people in their local context. Some participants from the TC will then afterwards be invited to become group leaders and facilitators during a Youth Exchange (1.-14. July 2015), which will deal with similar topics but will give more space to the youngsters to reflect on them by making use of artistic forms of expression.
Available downloads:
- Call for applicants_Meeting the other_SALTO.pdf
- Daily Prog_Meeting the other_TC.pdfThis Training Course isfor 24 participantsfrom Armenia, France, Georgia, Germany, Norway, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Spain, Ukraineand recommended forYouth workers, Trainers, Youth leadersOrganizer:Narviksenteret (Norway) (NGO/Others)Co-organizer(s):
- ICIRLD (Armenia) (NGO/Others)
Contact for questions:Costs
We willl be able to reimburse your travel costs until the following maximum amount:Norway, France, Spain: 530€
Russia, Serbia, Germany: 360€
Romania, Ukraine: 275€
Georgia: 180€Food and accomodation is covered 100%This training activity is funded by:
Apply now!Application deadline: 3 March 2015Date of selection: 5 March 2015
Over one billion people traveled to another country last year, according to the World Tourism Organization's annual report on international travel. That's billion, with a "b". And that's a lot of cheesy Facebook pics of people holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Where'd they all go, you ask?
Well, while hiking (without enough water) into the Grand Canyon or (blocking traffic in) Harvard Square are both good guesses, turns out, the United States isn't the world's first choice of vacation destination.
Nope, the US has been bested for the second year running -- and by France, no less. It's gotta be the cheese. Spain reclaimed its third place showing from 2012, edging out China, and Thailand vaulted five spots to crack the Top 10 for the first time.
Here's the full list of the world's most popular countries (based on the number of "international tourist arrivals" who spent at least one night there):
