DON'T try to change him
He might not share your party personality — and that's fine. Repeat: That's fine. "When we were first dating I would say, 'Why aren't you mingling?'" says Gwendolyn, 28. "Over time, I have just learned to let him be himself rather than wanting him to be like me."
DON'T ditch your partner
This is the DON'T to beat all others — and yet it happens frequently. "Sometimes he'll just be so excited to see someone, and I'm left standing there," says Puja, 21. Whether it's a work party, a family gathering or a bash with friends, if he doesn't know anyone, it's your responsibility to make introductions.
DON'T force him to go
"My husband had a terrible day at work, and instead of waiting for him to tell me he didn't feel like going to a dinner party, I said I thought he'd be happier staying home," says Pamela, 35. If he isn't in the mood for a night out, try taking a friend with you instead.
DON'T hog the conversation
How awful does this sound? You're sitting around the holiday table with his family and the conversation is nonstop — except it's all centered on things and people you don't know anything about. Not so fun. "There have been times I didn't involve my boyfriend," admits Kristen, 25. "Afterward he brought it up and said, 'You didn't even ask my opinion; you just kind of spoke for me.' He was right." So if you're going to take a trip down memory lane with your siblings, clue him in on what happened and follow it with a story to which he can add his own.
DO keep the conversation upbeat
"I try staying away from negative comments or gossip. That sets a really awkward tone for you and your partner in those kinds of settings," says Dorina, 27. In other words, think before you talk. It's better to bring up your favorite TV show than your not-so-favorite coworker.
DO leave the fights at home
Sort out any arguments before you get to the party to reduce the risk of a public spat. Otherwise, no one will be having much fun — not you, not him and not the poor innocent partygoers who get trapped in the middle.
Monday, 30 March 2009
How to lose ten pounds in 3 weeks
If you are overweight, there's a good chance you could be making smarter lifestyle choices. To lose weight, you'll have to train yourself to substitute poor choices with ones that will help you drop pounds.
Even if you have biological tendencies that make it easy to gain and hard to lose weight, you can be leaner and fitter than you are now.
If you follow the Lose 10 pounds in three weeks plan, not only can you start to get in the best shape of your life, you'll feel happier and more optimistic.
Here's what you need to do first:
- Take three days of this week to write down everything you eat. This will help you identify your specific eating patterns and spot areas where you can improve.
Always note what time it is, whether you're eating a meal or snack, and exactly what and how much you ate.
If you eat one banana, that's fairly straightforward. But if you eat one omelet, you'll need to describe how many eggs were used, and if it was an egg-whites-only concoction, what vegetables you put in it, whether you cooked it in butter or canola oil, and other factors. If you eat processed or packaged foods, save the nutrition labels. If you eat at fast-food restaurants, look up menu items online for specific ingredients and other nutritional information. Remember to write down all drinks, especially if they have calories.
- Learn to improve your diet.
Throw in beans. Beans are filling and packed with nutrients and fiber. Even if you think you're not a bean lover, experiment and no doubt you'll find types that you enjoy.
Always garnish with extra vegetables. Whether on a sandwich or burger, in chili or pasta, extra fresh vegetables barely boost the caloric level but add filling fiber and plenty of nutrients.
The most common diet mistake is eating little to nothing early in the day, then chowing down at night. But if you eat smaller, regular meals six times a day, you can quell the hunger and cravings that lead to nighttime binges. Stay satiated with a healthy dinner that gives you 350 to 550 calories.
When you're eating out, it's easy to succumb to the dessert cart. But those dishes can contain more than 500 calories. If you must, split a dessert with your dinner companions. Or go for the fruit plate. Or find something else to satisfy your sweet tooth—a cappuccino with vanilla syrup, or a small chunk of very potent dark chocolate. When it comes to dessert, think quality, not quantity.
- One of the simplest ways to squeeze fitness into your life is to walk more. Start the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan; each week has a designated walking program.
Week 1 :
- Figure out in advance what you will eat for each day's meal and snack.
Write out a daily menu, spreading your caloric intake evenly between your meals and snacks. On this plan, you will need to knock off 500 calories daily from your normal eating habits. This week's focus is to improve your diet by eating more nutritious and lower-calorie foods. Reduce calories in small ways—choosing lower-fat items, substituting lower-calorie spread and dressings, cutting out the liquid calories, and so on.
- Walk the fat off.
Follow a daily walking routine. No matter what, fit in some exercise every day. But if a workout feels too strenuous, back off slightly.
Week 2 :
- Focus on high-fiber plant foods.
You might not always be able to whip up your special low-fat menus. Or you may find yourself out with friends or colleagues—and margaritas and chicken wings. This week's focus is to improve your diet by adding more fruits and veggies to all your meals and snacks.
- Walk more (or figure out workout alternatives).
When you start easing off the strict calorie control, you can make up the difference by burning more calories through exercise. It's important to stay with the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan and increase the length and intensity of your workouts. The Walk-the-Fat-Off Plan provides intensity recommendations by the minute so you can follow the routine doing other aerobic activities besides walking. It's always better to do something than put off exercise altogether. If body aches are slowing you down (after consulting with a health professional) see if there are movement options that don't aggravate your problem areas.
Week 3 :
- Eat six meals or snacks every day.
If you are on a strict diet and/or you eat infrequently, you're not maximizing what is known as the thermic effect of food. The process of eating, breaking down and absorbing nutrients in food usually accounts for 8 percent to 10 percent of your daily energy expenditure, or about 200 to 400 calories for the average active person. Eating too little or waiting long periods between meals can minimize the effect. Some experts speculate that eating small, frequent meals has the potential to speed up your metabolism.
Keep in mind that eating protein with carbohydrates seems to induce a greater thermic effect—getting sufficient protein along with eating more "good" carbs tends to make you feel satiated, so you'll eat less and still feel full. And the greater amounts of fiber in the less-processed carbs crowd out extra calories. That helps your body burn more stored energy, and you'll therefore lose more weight. Continue to log everything you eat this week and how many times you eat. Make sure to meet a quota of six times per day.
- Be more active all day.
You can eat more if you move more. But to avoid gaining weight, you'll have to eat less if you don't move much. So the key to avoiding the starving-yourself feeling of deprivation that you get on many diets is to be more active. If you're more active, you can eat and feel satisfied, but still control your weight.
- Burn more calories by walking.
Exercising at higher intensities increases your burn rate, which is one reason why the Walk-the-Fat-Off routines include intervals of walking faster or more vigorously. And exercising harder provides another payoff: After a longer, high-intensity workout, your body stays revved up, burning extra calories even after you've gotten off the treadmill. A post-cardio afterburn could mean a loss of anywhere from 15 to 50 extra calories on top of what you burned while exercising.
Even if you have biological tendencies that make it easy to gain and hard to lose weight, you can be leaner and fitter than you are now.
If you follow the Lose 10 pounds in three weeks plan, not only can you start to get in the best shape of your life, you'll feel happier and more optimistic.
Here's what you need to do first:
- Take three days of this week to write down everything you eat. This will help you identify your specific eating patterns and spot areas where you can improve.
Always note what time it is, whether you're eating a meal or snack, and exactly what and how much you ate.
If you eat one banana, that's fairly straightforward. But if you eat one omelet, you'll need to describe how many eggs were used, and if it was an egg-whites-only concoction, what vegetables you put in it, whether you cooked it in butter or canola oil, and other factors. If you eat processed or packaged foods, save the nutrition labels. If you eat at fast-food restaurants, look up menu items online for specific ingredients and other nutritional information. Remember to write down all drinks, especially if they have calories.
- Learn to improve your diet.
Throw in beans. Beans are filling and packed with nutrients and fiber. Even if you think you're not a bean lover, experiment and no doubt you'll find types that you enjoy.
Always garnish with extra vegetables. Whether on a sandwich or burger, in chili or pasta, extra fresh vegetables barely boost the caloric level but add filling fiber and plenty of nutrients.
The most common diet mistake is eating little to nothing early in the day, then chowing down at night. But if you eat smaller, regular meals six times a day, you can quell the hunger and cravings that lead to nighttime binges. Stay satiated with a healthy dinner that gives you 350 to 550 calories.
When you're eating out, it's easy to succumb to the dessert cart. But those dishes can contain more than 500 calories. If you must, split a dessert with your dinner companions. Or go for the fruit plate. Or find something else to satisfy your sweet tooth—a cappuccino with vanilla syrup, or a small chunk of very potent dark chocolate. When it comes to dessert, think quality, not quantity.
- One of the simplest ways to squeeze fitness into your life is to walk more. Start the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan; each week has a designated walking program.
Week 1 :
- Figure out in advance what you will eat for each day's meal and snack.
Write out a daily menu, spreading your caloric intake evenly between your meals and snacks. On this plan, you will need to knock off 500 calories daily from your normal eating habits. This week's focus is to improve your diet by eating more nutritious and lower-calorie foods. Reduce calories in small ways—choosing lower-fat items, substituting lower-calorie spread and dressings, cutting out the liquid calories, and so on.
- Walk the fat off.
Follow a daily walking routine. No matter what, fit in some exercise every day. But if a workout feels too strenuous, back off slightly.
Week 2 :
- Focus on high-fiber plant foods.
You might not always be able to whip up your special low-fat menus. Or you may find yourself out with friends or colleagues—and margaritas and chicken wings. This week's focus is to improve your diet by adding more fruits and veggies to all your meals and snacks.
- Walk more (or figure out workout alternatives).
When you start easing off the strict calorie control, you can make up the difference by burning more calories through exercise. It's important to stay with the Walk-the-Fat-Off plan and increase the length and intensity of your workouts. The Walk-the-Fat-Off Plan provides intensity recommendations by the minute so you can follow the routine doing other aerobic activities besides walking. It's always better to do something than put off exercise altogether. If body aches are slowing you down (after consulting with a health professional) see if there are movement options that don't aggravate your problem areas.
Week 3 :
- Eat six meals or snacks every day.
If you are on a strict diet and/or you eat infrequently, you're not maximizing what is known as the thermic effect of food. The process of eating, breaking down and absorbing nutrients in food usually accounts for 8 percent to 10 percent of your daily energy expenditure, or about 200 to 400 calories for the average active person. Eating too little or waiting long periods between meals can minimize the effect. Some experts speculate that eating small, frequent meals has the potential to speed up your metabolism.
Keep in mind that eating protein with carbohydrates seems to induce a greater thermic effect—getting sufficient protein along with eating more "good" carbs tends to make you feel satiated, so you'll eat less and still feel full. And the greater amounts of fiber in the less-processed carbs crowd out extra calories. That helps your body burn more stored energy, and you'll therefore lose more weight. Continue to log everything you eat this week and how many times you eat. Make sure to meet a quota of six times per day.
- Be more active all day.
You can eat more if you move more. But to avoid gaining weight, you'll have to eat less if you don't move much. So the key to avoiding the starving-yourself feeling of deprivation that you get on many diets is to be more active. If you're more active, you can eat and feel satisfied, but still control your weight.
- Burn more calories by walking.
Exercising at higher intensities increases your burn rate, which is one reason why the Walk-the-Fat-Off routines include intervals of walking faster or more vigorously. And exercising harder provides another payoff: After a longer, high-intensity workout, your body stays revved up, burning extra calories even after you've gotten off the treadmill. A post-cardio afterburn could mean a loss of anywhere from 15 to 50 extra calories on top of what you burned while exercising.
Plastic surgeries and or other cosmetic procedures are still hot in 2009
A pullback is one thing, but what plastic surgeons are seeing can hardly be called a downturn, as the cosmetic surgery business still raked in nearly $12 billion last year. But the popular procedures of today are very different from those of 10 years ago. While all procedures are up about 69 percent on average since 1998, nonsurgical procedures are up 239 percent—mainly driven by the popularity of Botox. Botox injections, which decrease muscle activity that causes wrinkles, jumped from 65,157 treatments in 1997 to more than 2.4 million in 2008, bringing in $1 billion. That's more than any other procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical.
Ellenbogen's patients are not just tightening their purse strings, they're also concerned about taking too much time off of work in an economy that isn't synonymous with job security.
At the same time, Dr. Ellenbogen says some of his patients who were close to retirement but forced to stay on feel as though they need face treatments to compete with a younger workforce.
Therein lies the popularity of Botox. The injections smooth lines and wrinkles in a 30-minute treatment for a few hundred dollars, whereas a face lift averages more than $6,000 and requires up to two weeks of recovery.
Face lifts are up a mere 33 percent from 1997, while Botox treatments are up more than 3,600 percent since then.
And then there are the procedures that require surgery no matter what, which remain popular despite the downturn: nose jobs and breast implants. Rhinoplasty was one of the few areas that saw an increase from 2007, up 0.4 percent.
Breast augmentation was down 11 percent from 2007, but its popularity is still strong, up 482 percent since 1997.
Overall, though, the cosmetic procedures were down—surgical procedures were off 15 percent, and noninvasive procedures, which make up 82 percent of all procedures, were down 12 percent.
But surgeons say in the three months of 2009, business is starting to pick up again, especially for Botox and derma fillers like Juvederm and Rystalane, which use hyaluronic acid, a naturally found substance in the skin that diminishes over time, versus collagen, to plump up the skin.
Ellenbogen's patients are not just tightening their purse strings, they're also concerned about taking too much time off of work in an economy that isn't synonymous with job security.
At the same time, Dr. Ellenbogen says some of his patients who were close to retirement but forced to stay on feel as though they need face treatments to compete with a younger workforce.
Therein lies the popularity of Botox. The injections smooth lines and wrinkles in a 30-minute treatment for a few hundred dollars, whereas a face lift averages more than $6,000 and requires up to two weeks of recovery.
Face lifts are up a mere 33 percent from 1997, while Botox treatments are up more than 3,600 percent since then.
And then there are the procedures that require surgery no matter what, which remain popular despite the downturn: nose jobs and breast implants. Rhinoplasty was one of the few areas that saw an increase from 2007, up 0.4 percent.
Breast augmentation was down 11 percent from 2007, but its popularity is still strong, up 482 percent since 1997.
Overall, though, the cosmetic procedures were down—surgical procedures were off 15 percent, and noninvasive procedures, which make up 82 percent of all procedures, were down 12 percent.
But surgeons say in the three months of 2009, business is starting to pick up again, especially for Botox and derma fillers like Juvederm and Rystalane, which use hyaluronic acid, a naturally found substance in the skin that diminishes over time, versus collagen, to plump up the skin.
Friday, 27 March 2009
Nine illnesses that your doctor doesn't understand
1) Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue is a classic MUPS (medically unexplained physical symptoms) disease, with a diagnosis based only on the ruling out of other possibilities. More than just feeling a little tired, CFS patients are often bed-ridden for days at a time.
2) Morgellons disease
This mysterious illness, which has cropped up again recently, displays almost sci-fi symptoms. Sufferers complain of intensely creepy-crawly skin and odd fibrous strands which protrude from open wounds. Some in the medical community blame the "disease" on psychotic delusion, but others say the symptoms are very real.
3) Autoimmune disorders
A catch-all term for a host of afflictions including lupus and MS, autoimmune disorders treat the body's organs and normal functions as enemy invaders. They're usually chronic, always debilitating, and doctors can do little except ease their symptoms.
4) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
One version of this rare brain disorder is better known "mad cow" and can be contracted by eating contaminated beef. "Regular" CJD is also always fatal, quick-acting and is the most common form, but develops in most patients for reasons doctors have yet to figure out and can not prevent.
5) Schizophrenia
Experts consider this the most puzzling of mental disorders, one which robs the sufferer of the ability to logically distinguish between reality and fantasy. Symptoms range wildly between patients and include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and lack of motivation or emotion, but the disease has no defining medical tests.
6) Avian flu
Humans have no immunity to this powerful flu virus carried by birds, which health officials fear could mutate into a strain that can be transmitted between humans. Death rates for infected humans are around 50 percent, but, so far, humans have been infected mostly by direct handling of infected birds. A recent cluster of cases, however, appeared to involve its spread between people.
7) Pica
People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for the peculiar disorder.
8) Alzheimer's disease
Not to be confused with the forgetfulness that affects most everyone in their later years, Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests differently in each of its sufferers. The exact cause isn't understood and it can't yet be effectively treated.
9) The common cold
Even with an estimated 1 billion cases in the United States every year, doctors still know very little about the nose-running, cough-inducing cold, whose root causes number in the hundreds. Time and chicken soup, not antibiotics, is often the only prescription that helps.
Chronic fatigue is a classic MUPS (medically unexplained physical symptoms) disease, with a diagnosis based only on the ruling out of other possibilities. More than just feeling a little tired, CFS patients are often bed-ridden for days at a time.
2) Morgellons disease
This mysterious illness, which has cropped up again recently, displays almost sci-fi symptoms. Sufferers complain of intensely creepy-crawly skin and odd fibrous strands which protrude from open wounds. Some in the medical community blame the "disease" on psychotic delusion, but others say the symptoms are very real.
3) Autoimmune disorders
A catch-all term for a host of afflictions including lupus and MS, autoimmune disorders treat the body's organs and normal functions as enemy invaders. They're usually chronic, always debilitating, and doctors can do little except ease their symptoms.
4) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
One version of this rare brain disorder is better known "mad cow" and can be contracted by eating contaminated beef. "Regular" CJD is also always fatal, quick-acting and is the most common form, but develops in most patients for reasons doctors have yet to figure out and can not prevent.
5) Schizophrenia
Experts consider this the most puzzling of mental disorders, one which robs the sufferer of the ability to logically distinguish between reality and fantasy. Symptoms range wildly between patients and include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and lack of motivation or emotion, but the disease has no defining medical tests.
6) Avian flu
Humans have no immunity to this powerful flu virus carried by birds, which health officials fear could mutate into a strain that can be transmitted between humans. Death rates for infected humans are around 50 percent, but, so far, humans have been infected mostly by direct handling of infected birds. A recent cluster of cases, however, appeared to involve its spread between people.
7) Pica
People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for the peculiar disorder.
8) Alzheimer's disease
Not to be confused with the forgetfulness that affects most everyone in their later years, Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests differently in each of its sufferers. The exact cause isn't understood and it can't yet be effectively treated.
9) The common cold
Even with an estimated 1 billion cases in the United States every year, doctors still know very little about the nose-running, cough-inducing cold, whose root causes number in the hundreds. Time and chicken soup, not antibiotics, is often the only prescription that helps.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Serious potential risks at Birmingham Children's Hospital
The Healthcare Commission said it had found a series of problems at Birmingham Children's Hospital ranging from a lack of beds to brain surgery being carried out without properly trained nurses.
While we have no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients, the standard of care has not been as good as it should have been in some cases," said Anna Walker, the commission's chief executive.
Incidents included a specific drill needed for neurosurgery not working and no replacement available and surgeons being handed incorrect instruments - one surgeon had his hand unintentionally jogged during surgery.
"It is deeply concerning that serious issues were raised but not properly or rapidly addressed over several months. While I would not say there were 'third-world' conditions, there were serious potential risks in the way care was provided."
The report was ordered by Health Secretary Alan Johnson after the concerns of consultants were publicized in the Observer newspaper in November.
The report is the second this week from the Healthcare Commission to criticize hospital services.
The hospital said it had been "victims of our own success" and that action was already being taken to address the problem caused by extra demand on its services.
"We listened very carefully to those who gave us suggestions for improvements and now welcome the Healthcare Commission's report, which reinforces our improvement agenda, whilst also confirming that there is no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients," said Sarah-Jane Marsh, the hospital's interim chief executive.
"Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly. I sincerely regret any distress caused to children, young people and their families during this time."
While we have no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients, the standard of care has not been as good as it should have been in some cases," said Anna Walker, the commission's chief executive.
Incidents included a specific drill needed for neurosurgery not working and no replacement available and surgeons being handed incorrect instruments - one surgeon had his hand unintentionally jogged during surgery.
"It is deeply concerning that serious issues were raised but not properly or rapidly addressed over several months. While I would not say there were 'third-world' conditions, there were serious potential risks in the way care was provided."
The report was ordered by Health Secretary Alan Johnson after the concerns of consultants were publicized in the Observer newspaper in November.
The report is the second this week from the Healthcare Commission to criticize hospital services.
The hospital said it had been "victims of our own success" and that action was already being taken to address the problem caused by extra demand on its services.
"We listened very carefully to those who gave us suggestions for improvements and now welcome the Healthcare Commission's report, which reinforces our improvement agenda, whilst also confirming that there is no evidence of serious incidents causing harm to patients," said Sarah-Jane Marsh, the hospital's interim chief executive.
"Whilst we acknowledge that the issues raised were significant, the clinicians involved at the time managed all situations expertly. I sincerely regret any distress caused to children, young people and their families during this time."
Friday, 20 March 2009
Five programs to get your career back on track
1. Dental Hygienist Training
There is more to this gig than a cleaning. Dental hygienists help people stay healthy by providing preventive care, teaching about good oral health, and looking out for gum disease. BLS reports median salaries in 2007 were $64,740. But that's not all there is to love. Many dental hygienists find flexible scheduling to be a real upside of this career.
The most common path to becoming a hygienist is through a two-year training program where you'll earn your associate's degree or certification. Once you're done, job prospects should be excellent.
2. Paralegal Certification
Paralegals have long been an integral part of the legal system. Working on behalf of law firms, government, and corporations, they perform many of the same functions as lawyers -- doing legal research, drafting legal briefs or contracts, and preparing tax returns. There are a few exceptions. Paralegals can't offer legal advice or argue a case in court. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a paralegal is $44,990. The top 10 percent earn $71,480.
If you already have your bachelor's degree, you can earn a paralegal certification program in 18 months to two years. Many programs include internships -- an excellent way to get experience in a law firm and begin to make connections for your future job search. Some programs provide job counseling for their graduates -- another excellent perk.
3. Master's of Business Administration
How can you turn your layoff into your golden opportunity? Breaking into management can take years. A master's degree can speed up your path to the corner office. MBA programs come in all sizes -- online, traditional, and one- or two-year programs.
It's important to understand that the days of six-figure signing bonuses for MBAs are probably on hold for the time being. But, if you can live with the potential of a significant pay raise, it's a path to consider. Look at some median management salaries from BLS:
Marketing Managers = $104,400
Sales Managers = $94,910
Financial Managers = $95,310
Chief Executives = over $150,000
4. Veterinary Technician Degree
Cats and careers have more than one life. Animal lovers might find their second (or third or fourth) career life working as a veterinary technician. Vet techs provide medical care for large and small animals, livestock and pets, and even wildlife. In 2007, median salaries were $27,970, while the top 10 percent earned $40,550. Perhaps the best part is the stability of this profession. BLS says that even during an economic recession, layoffs are less likely for vet techs than for others because the need for animal care doesn't go away.
In two years, you can earn your associate's degree in veterinary technology. And while some clinical work is essential, there are opportunities to take courses online.
5. Fast-Track Teacher Certification
Have you often thought of becoming a teacher? For some years now, a major teaching shortage has made it easier for people already working in another profession to fulfill their chalkboard dreams. Teaching certification programs can be as short as nine weeks -- one semester or summer. Others last as long as two years. There is one catch. To get in on the fast track, you must have your bachelor's degree.
Median salaries for teachers range from $45,120 for kindergarten to $50,090 for secondary school vocational teachers. Many teachers also take on jobs during the summer break to supplement their salaries.
There is more to this gig than a cleaning. Dental hygienists help people stay healthy by providing preventive care, teaching about good oral health, and looking out for gum disease. BLS reports median salaries in 2007 were $64,740. But that's not all there is to love. Many dental hygienists find flexible scheduling to be a real upside of this career.
The most common path to becoming a hygienist is through a two-year training program where you'll earn your associate's degree or certification. Once you're done, job prospects should be excellent.
2. Paralegal Certification
Paralegals have long been an integral part of the legal system. Working on behalf of law firms, government, and corporations, they perform many of the same functions as lawyers -- doing legal research, drafting legal briefs or contracts, and preparing tax returns. There are a few exceptions. Paralegals can't offer legal advice or argue a case in court. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a paralegal is $44,990. The top 10 percent earn $71,480.
If you already have your bachelor's degree, you can earn a paralegal certification program in 18 months to two years. Many programs include internships -- an excellent way to get experience in a law firm and begin to make connections for your future job search. Some programs provide job counseling for their graduates -- another excellent perk.
3. Master's of Business Administration
How can you turn your layoff into your golden opportunity? Breaking into management can take years. A master's degree can speed up your path to the corner office. MBA programs come in all sizes -- online, traditional, and one- or two-year programs.
It's important to understand that the days of six-figure signing bonuses for MBAs are probably on hold for the time being. But, if you can live with the potential of a significant pay raise, it's a path to consider. Look at some median management salaries from BLS:
Marketing Managers = $104,400
Sales Managers = $94,910
Financial Managers = $95,310
Chief Executives = over $150,000
4. Veterinary Technician Degree
Cats and careers have more than one life. Animal lovers might find their second (or third or fourth) career life working as a veterinary technician. Vet techs provide medical care for large and small animals, livestock and pets, and even wildlife. In 2007, median salaries were $27,970, while the top 10 percent earned $40,550. Perhaps the best part is the stability of this profession. BLS says that even during an economic recession, layoffs are less likely for vet techs than for others because the need for animal care doesn't go away.
In two years, you can earn your associate's degree in veterinary technology. And while some clinical work is essential, there are opportunities to take courses online.
5. Fast-Track Teacher Certification
Have you often thought of becoming a teacher? For some years now, a major teaching shortage has made it easier for people already working in another profession to fulfill their chalkboard dreams. Teaching certification programs can be as short as nine weeks -- one semester or summer. Others last as long as two years. There is one catch. To get in on the fast track, you must have your bachelor's degree.
Median salaries for teachers range from $45,120 for kindergarten to $50,090 for secondary school vocational teachers. Many teachers also take on jobs during the summer break to supplement their salaries.
Pursuits-turned-skills and their potential career matches
Gossiping = Blogger
If you have a flair for the dramatic, a strong work ethic and an ability to hunt down good tidbits and make sure they're accurate, you can thrive as a professional blogger. Companies like Gawker hire writers to pen entertaining and newsy bits several times a day. Or build up your expertise in a subject area and market your work until advertising revenues support you.
Internet addiction = Social Media Publicist
When Termeh Mazhar worked from home as a freelancer, he hid his obsession with YouTube fat-cat videos, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace from his clients. Today, they're his job. As a social media publicist, Mazhar works for a PR agency generating buzz for his clients on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, as well as writing his own blog and tracking his client's online competitors.
A stint at the Gap = Almost any corporate job
"Young professionals often tell me they don't want to put their summer job at the Gap on their resume, but as we talk about it more, inevitably we uncover loads of experience that's useful in today's business world," says Levit. "Nowadays, every department is a business and every team member a salesperson. Retail experience means you know how to engage in activities that meet customer needs."
A flair for the dramatic/comedic timing = Teaching
It's not all you need, but commanding a room is key to teaching success.
"People who are natural performers often tend to be good one-on-one communicators," says Alexandra Levit, author of How'd You Score That Gig? A Guide to the Coolest Careers and How to Get Them. "If you want to educate people effectively, you also have to be able to entertain them."
An obsession with global warming = Sustainability Coordinator
It takes more than watching "An Inconvenient Truth," but if you follow the scientific data on climate change and have a facility with numbers, you may be able to parlay that into a job helping corporations, universities and colleges reduce their carbon footprints. The jobs often require an environmental studies or engineering degree.
Getting Mom into the right nursing home = Elder Care Consultant
"Frankly, it's a relief for the Baby Boomer generation, sandwiched between elderly parents and children, to get some help," says Caprino. "People in this field must be compassionate, organized, connected to a great network of lawyers, financial consultants and understand the law and insurance. They really provide a deep array of consulting services." Often, they have a social-work degree.
If you have a flair for the dramatic, a strong work ethic and an ability to hunt down good tidbits and make sure they're accurate, you can thrive as a professional blogger. Companies like Gawker hire writers to pen entertaining and newsy bits several times a day. Or build up your expertise in a subject area and market your work until advertising revenues support you.
Internet addiction = Social Media Publicist
When Termeh Mazhar worked from home as a freelancer, he hid his obsession with YouTube fat-cat videos, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace from his clients. Today, they're his job. As a social media publicist, Mazhar works for a PR agency generating buzz for his clients on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, as well as writing his own blog and tracking his client's online competitors.
A stint at the Gap = Almost any corporate job
"Young professionals often tell me they don't want to put their summer job at the Gap on their resume, but as we talk about it more, inevitably we uncover loads of experience that's useful in today's business world," says Levit. "Nowadays, every department is a business and every team member a salesperson. Retail experience means you know how to engage in activities that meet customer needs."
A flair for the dramatic/comedic timing = Teaching
It's not all you need, but commanding a room is key to teaching success.
"People who are natural performers often tend to be good one-on-one communicators," says Alexandra Levit, author of How'd You Score That Gig? A Guide to the Coolest Careers and How to Get Them. "If you want to educate people effectively, you also have to be able to entertain them."
An obsession with global warming = Sustainability Coordinator
It takes more than watching "An Inconvenient Truth," but if you follow the scientific data on climate change and have a facility with numbers, you may be able to parlay that into a job helping corporations, universities and colleges reduce their carbon footprints. The jobs often require an environmental studies or engineering degree.
Getting Mom into the right nursing home = Elder Care Consultant
"Frankly, it's a relief for the Baby Boomer generation, sandwiched between elderly parents and children, to get some help," says Caprino. "People in this field must be compassionate, organized, connected to a great network of lawyers, financial consultants and understand the law and insurance. They really provide a deep array of consulting services." Often, they have a social-work degree.
Five careers with bright futures
1. Financial Analyst ($67,000 salary) -- from Financial Operations Analyst ($54,000) to Principal Financial Analyst ($93,000)
The future holds opportunities. According to BLS, the job market for financial advisers and analysts is projected to increase sharply -- by 37 percent during the 2006-16 decade -- well above the national average for all careers, and personal financial advisors are anticipated to be one of the 10 fastest growing jobs during this period. Despite the growth, strong competition is expected for these new positions, which are well-paid. Candidates who have an MBA or other business degree will have the best opportunity for success.
2. Engineer ($72,000 salary) -- from Electrical Engineer ($67,000) to VP of Engineering ($123,000)
In the coming decade, engineers will have a corner on one of the hottest, most steadily-growing careers in the United States (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS). As their careers progress, engineers often advance into Management, or into lucrative consultant positions. The job outlook for engineers is very positive -- but the good news begins earlier: starting salaries for college graduates with engineering degrees are significantly higher than those with degrees in other fields.
3. Internet Marketer ($53,000) -- from Internet Marketing Specialist ($43,000) to Internet Marketing Life Coach -- $203,000
Online marketers, also called eMarketers or Internet advertisers, work in a lively business sector that changes every day. One of those changes, according to the BLS 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, is continued growth. "Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales manager jobs are highly coveted and will be sought. ... In particular, employers will seek those who have the computer skills to conduct advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales activities on the Internet."
4. High school teacher ($46,000 salary) -- from Math teacher ($42,000) to Spanish teacher ($52,000)
Over the next ten years, according to BLS, 1.3 million new teachers will be needed for public schools. Within that favorable outlook, job opportunities will vary by subject taught and, naturally, geographic area. For public school teachers, one big advantage is job security, given that the teachers' union is strong, and many states have tenure laws keeping teachers from being fired without due process. Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved teacher education program. Given the competition for good teachers in the coming years, highly qualified teachers are likely to bring in larger bonuses and increased salaries.
5. Nurse ($66,000 salary) -- from Charge Nurse ($44,000) to Nurse Emergency RN ($144,000)
Calling projected employment opportunities for nurses "excellent," BLS details that Nursing already makes up the largest healthcare occupation, at 2.5 million jobs, and that roughly 587,000 new Nursing positions will be added through 2016. A registered nurse (RN) has the ability to specialize in multiple areas of patient care -- for instance, as a pediatric nurse, you'd work with children, while as a pediatric oncology nurse your specialty would be young people with cancer. There are many specialty options for nurses, varying by employment setting. Educational options take three main forms: a bachelor's of science degree in Nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma (administered within hospitals).
The future holds opportunities. According to BLS, the job market for financial advisers and analysts is projected to increase sharply -- by 37 percent during the 2006-16 decade -- well above the national average for all careers, and personal financial advisors are anticipated to be one of the 10 fastest growing jobs during this period. Despite the growth, strong competition is expected for these new positions, which are well-paid. Candidates who have an MBA or other business degree will have the best opportunity for success.
2. Engineer ($72,000 salary) -- from Electrical Engineer ($67,000) to VP of Engineering ($123,000)
In the coming decade, engineers will have a corner on one of the hottest, most steadily-growing careers in the United States (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS). As their careers progress, engineers often advance into Management, or into lucrative consultant positions. The job outlook for engineers is very positive -- but the good news begins earlier: starting salaries for college graduates with engineering degrees are significantly higher than those with degrees in other fields.
3. Internet Marketer ($53,000) -- from Internet Marketing Specialist ($43,000) to Internet Marketing Life Coach -- $203,000
Online marketers, also called eMarketers or Internet advertisers, work in a lively business sector that changes every day. One of those changes, according to the BLS 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, is continued growth. "Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales manager jobs are highly coveted and will be sought. ... In particular, employers will seek those who have the computer skills to conduct advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales activities on the Internet."
4. High school teacher ($46,000 salary) -- from Math teacher ($42,000) to Spanish teacher ($52,000)
Over the next ten years, according to BLS, 1.3 million new teachers will be needed for public schools. Within that favorable outlook, job opportunities will vary by subject taught and, naturally, geographic area. For public school teachers, one big advantage is job security, given that the teachers' union is strong, and many states have tenure laws keeping teachers from being fired without due process. Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved teacher education program. Given the competition for good teachers in the coming years, highly qualified teachers are likely to bring in larger bonuses and increased salaries.
5. Nurse ($66,000 salary) -- from Charge Nurse ($44,000) to Nurse Emergency RN ($144,000)
Calling projected employment opportunities for nurses "excellent," BLS details that Nursing already makes up the largest healthcare occupation, at 2.5 million jobs, and that roughly 587,000 new Nursing positions will be added through 2016. A registered nurse (RN) has the ability to specialize in multiple areas of patient care -- for instance, as a pediatric nurse, you'd work with children, while as a pediatric oncology nurse your specialty would be young people with cancer. There are many specialty options for nurses, varying by employment setting. Educational options take three main forms: a bachelor's of science degree in Nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma (administered within hospitals).
More than 1 million people marched in France yesterday
More than 1 million people marched in France on Thursday to demand the government do more to overcome the economic crisis, but planned strikes failed to fulfill a key goal — to paralyze the country.
Skirmishes between several hundred youths and riot police broke out in the square where the Paris march of at least 85,000 ended. Police said the youths — some of them hooded — set garbage cans on fire and showered police with bottles and stones, injuring nine officers.
The Interior Ministry said 1.2 million protesters turned out for about 200 protest marches around the country. Union officials put that figure at 3 million and said that 350,000 marched through the capital.
The day of action was aimed at forcing the government to open new talks on policies to fight the spreading crisis, with unions saying that action so far is far from sufficient.
Police said they detained 49 of the estimated 500 youths as they worked to empty the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris.
France's economy, which was sluggish even before the crisis, is now reeling. The country's national statistics agency said Thursday the economy is shrinking at the fastest pace in more than 30 years.
Unions had been looking for an opening from Prime Minister Francois Fillon, but during a televised interview Thursday night, he towed the line.
Speaking on TF1 television, Fillon reiterated there would be "no new economic restart plan" and rattled off a series of already-announced measures aimed at limiting the crisis' effects on the needy.
The country's national statistics agency warned that the contraction of the economy will accelerate to 1.5 percent in the first quarter, its worst performance since 1975.
France's economic malaise also involves unemployment. The jobless rate stood at 7.7 percent in the third quarter and is expected to spike to 9.8 percent this year, according to the European Commission, with some of France's largest companies expected to cut their work forces this year.
Strikers weakened some sectors without paralyzing the country. Still, former conservative Prime Minister Alain Juppe concluded that street protesters were numerous enough so that "in one way or another, there must be a return to the table" for talks.
The powerful CGT union claimed that more people took to the streets than during a Jan. 29 march when it counted 2.5 million.
Despite the showing in Paris, the strikes were not widely felt in the capital where buses and subways ran at nearly normal rates.
Rail traffic was disrupted throughout France, although the high speed TGV trains that connect the country with European neighbors ran on time. The SNCF train authority said 36 percent of its employees joined the strike. Some suburban Paris lines were seriously hobbled.
Paris' main Charles de Gaulle airport was not affected while there were some disruptions at the capital's No. 2 airport, Orly.
Strikers disrupted services at schools, hospitals and the postal service to varying degrees. Nearly a third of the country's teachers did not go to school, national education officials said.
Skirmishes between several hundred youths and riot police broke out in the square where the Paris march of at least 85,000 ended. Police said the youths — some of them hooded — set garbage cans on fire and showered police with bottles and stones, injuring nine officers.
The Interior Ministry said 1.2 million protesters turned out for about 200 protest marches around the country. Union officials put that figure at 3 million and said that 350,000 marched through the capital.
The day of action was aimed at forcing the government to open new talks on policies to fight the spreading crisis, with unions saying that action so far is far from sufficient.
Police said they detained 49 of the estimated 500 youths as they worked to empty the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris.
France's economy, which was sluggish even before the crisis, is now reeling. The country's national statistics agency said Thursday the economy is shrinking at the fastest pace in more than 30 years.
Unions had been looking for an opening from Prime Minister Francois Fillon, but during a televised interview Thursday night, he towed the line.
Speaking on TF1 television, Fillon reiterated there would be "no new economic restart plan" and rattled off a series of already-announced measures aimed at limiting the crisis' effects on the needy.
The country's national statistics agency warned that the contraction of the economy will accelerate to 1.5 percent in the first quarter, its worst performance since 1975.
France's economic malaise also involves unemployment. The jobless rate stood at 7.7 percent in the third quarter and is expected to spike to 9.8 percent this year, according to the European Commission, with some of France's largest companies expected to cut their work forces this year.
Strikers weakened some sectors without paralyzing the country. Still, former conservative Prime Minister Alain Juppe concluded that street protesters were numerous enough so that "in one way or another, there must be a return to the table" for talks.
The powerful CGT union claimed that more people took to the streets than during a Jan. 29 march when it counted 2.5 million.
Despite the showing in Paris, the strikes were not widely felt in the capital where buses and subways ran at nearly normal rates.
Rail traffic was disrupted throughout France, although the high speed TGV trains that connect the country with European neighbors ran on time. The SNCF train authority said 36 percent of its employees joined the strike. Some suburban Paris lines were seriously hobbled.
Paris' main Charles de Gaulle airport was not affected while there were some disruptions at the capital's No. 2 airport, Orly.
Strikers disrupted services at schools, hospitals and the postal service to varying degrees. Nearly a third of the country's teachers did not go to school, national education officials said.
Eu rejected new spending projects to boost their recession-hit economies
European Union nations on Thursday rejected new spending projects to boost their recession-hit economies, standing firm against massive street protests demanding subsidies and U.S. suggestions to stoke growth with more aid.
Despite a million people marching in France and more bad company news hitting Europe's industrial engine in Germany, EU leaders at a summit in Brussels said now was not the time to throw more money at the crisis — at least not until the effects of a first euro200 billion package set in.
"We are unanimous in our views and we all agreed we are going to be prudent," said the summit host, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso claims that the bloc is spending 3.3 percent of gross domestic product this year and next year on efforts to improve the economy and sagging employment.
That includes unemployment benefits and job programs — the cornerstones of Europe's vaunted welfare state. Barroso says those are making the difference in Europe, while less regulated economies like the United States have to spend much to start weaving a tighter social safety net.
The cautious European approach on government spending stood in contrast to the announcement Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Reserve will launch a bold $1.2 trillion effort to increase the amount of money in the economy by lowering rates on mortgages and other consumer debt.
Topolanek said that among the 27 leaders at the summit table "we heard expressions like 'not being dictated to by the United States' or by those who want more fiscal stimulus."
European governments already resisted a push from the U.S. for more spending at a summit of Group of 20 finance ministers last week. Thursday's stand underlined their position going into an April 2 summit of G-20 national leaders in London.
"You cannot solve everything by using taxpayers' money. The huge deficit of the United States is a problem because it takes away resources for credit markets all over the world," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who will take over the EU presidency in July.
Despite taking no immediate action, the EU leaders sought to prepare themselves in case of bad news later this year.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy argue that excessive public debt threatens global stability and countries must move swiftly to pay off debt when they can.
Barroso said he expects EU nations to double a bailout fund for member states in trouble to euro50 billion ($68 billion). Hungary and Latvia have already received euro9.6 billion from the fund, which raises money by selling bonds.
Germany opposes a much higher threshold for the emergency fund, arguing it would tempt countries into seeking bailouts when there is no real need. Many member states from central Europe that joined only five years ago are scared, however, that their currencies could plummet further and rating agencies could downgrade them — making it more expensive for them to borrow money.
The EU leaders did agree on a euro5 billion energy package likely to include gas pipelines and plans to bury climate-damaging carbon, Barroso said. He did not detail which projects won approval, though a final list was expected at the summit's close Friday. Again, Merkel had led opposition, warning of higher budget deficits despite the benefits for Europe's environmental credibility.
The EU wants to be at the vanguard of U.N.-sponsored global warming talks in Copenhagen later this year.
EU leaders are seeking agreement Friday on how much aid to give to poor nations in exchange for support for a global climate change pact. Environmental groups say the EU should contribute around euro35 billion ($47 billion) a year by 2020 to poorer nations to help them cut emissions.
The heavy impact of recession is hitting a growing number of Europeans. About 18 million people are believed to be unemployed in the EU, about 7.6 percent of the overall working population.
When Sarkozy came to Brussels on Thursday, he had to leave his prime minister behind to deal with a wave of protests and strikes demanding more action to counter the recession and unemployment.
In Germany, companies piled on more bad results. Chemicals producer Altana AG said it was "caught in the maelstrom" of the global crisis, with profits in 2008 down 25 percent.
More than 1 million people marched in cities and towns around France, and a few hundred youths showered police with bottles and stones at a big protest in Paris. Meanwhile, news came that France's economy is shrinking at its fastest pace in over 30 years.
Despite a million people marching in France and more bad company news hitting Europe's industrial engine in Germany, EU leaders at a summit in Brussels said now was not the time to throw more money at the crisis — at least not until the effects of a first euro200 billion package set in.
"We are unanimous in our views and we all agreed we are going to be prudent," said the summit host, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso claims that the bloc is spending 3.3 percent of gross domestic product this year and next year on efforts to improve the economy and sagging employment.
That includes unemployment benefits and job programs — the cornerstones of Europe's vaunted welfare state. Barroso says those are making the difference in Europe, while less regulated economies like the United States have to spend much to start weaving a tighter social safety net.
The cautious European approach on government spending stood in contrast to the announcement Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Reserve will launch a bold $1.2 trillion effort to increase the amount of money in the economy by lowering rates on mortgages and other consumer debt.
Topolanek said that among the 27 leaders at the summit table "we heard expressions like 'not being dictated to by the United States' or by those who want more fiscal stimulus."
European governments already resisted a push from the U.S. for more spending at a summit of Group of 20 finance ministers last week. Thursday's stand underlined their position going into an April 2 summit of G-20 national leaders in London.
"You cannot solve everything by using taxpayers' money. The huge deficit of the United States is a problem because it takes away resources for credit markets all over the world," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who will take over the EU presidency in July.
Despite taking no immediate action, the EU leaders sought to prepare themselves in case of bad news later this year.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy argue that excessive public debt threatens global stability and countries must move swiftly to pay off debt when they can.
Barroso said he expects EU nations to double a bailout fund for member states in trouble to euro50 billion ($68 billion). Hungary and Latvia have already received euro9.6 billion from the fund, which raises money by selling bonds.
Germany opposes a much higher threshold for the emergency fund, arguing it would tempt countries into seeking bailouts when there is no real need. Many member states from central Europe that joined only five years ago are scared, however, that their currencies could plummet further and rating agencies could downgrade them — making it more expensive for them to borrow money.
The EU leaders did agree on a euro5 billion energy package likely to include gas pipelines and plans to bury climate-damaging carbon, Barroso said. He did not detail which projects won approval, though a final list was expected at the summit's close Friday. Again, Merkel had led opposition, warning of higher budget deficits despite the benefits for Europe's environmental credibility.
The EU wants to be at the vanguard of U.N.-sponsored global warming talks in Copenhagen later this year.
EU leaders are seeking agreement Friday on how much aid to give to poor nations in exchange for support for a global climate change pact. Environmental groups say the EU should contribute around euro35 billion ($47 billion) a year by 2020 to poorer nations to help them cut emissions.
The heavy impact of recession is hitting a growing number of Europeans. About 18 million people are believed to be unemployed in the EU, about 7.6 percent of the overall working population.
When Sarkozy came to Brussels on Thursday, he had to leave his prime minister behind to deal with a wave of protests and strikes demanding more action to counter the recession and unemployment.
In Germany, companies piled on more bad results. Chemicals producer Altana AG said it was "caught in the maelstrom" of the global crisis, with profits in 2008 down 25 percent.
More than 1 million people marched in cities and towns around France, and a few hundred youths showered police with bottles and stones at a big protest in Paris. Meanwhile, news came that France's economy is shrinking at its fastest pace in over 30 years.
France is predicted to slide deeper into recession
France is predicted to slide deeper into recession in the first quarter of 2009 as the global economic slump sees job losses accelerate, the national statistics institute INSEE said in figures released Friday.
The French economy contracted 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and will shrink 1.5 percent in the three months to March, a regular INSEE report said.
The country should then recover slightly, with the economy contracting 0.6 percent in the second quarter this year as French and other stimulus packages begin to get some traction and ease the global economic crisis, it said.
The figures would mean that for all of 2009 the economy would shrink 2.9 percent, assuming zero gain in both the third and fourth quarters.
Finance and Economy Minister Christine Lagarde told parliament on Wednesday that the economy would contract 1.5 percent this year before returning to growth of 1.0 percent in 2010.
"This estimate is surrounded by numerous uncertainties linked to the international (economic) environment," Lagarde said, adding that 290,000 jobs could be lost in 2009.
For the government's 2009 forecast of a 1.5 percent contraction to be correct, the economy would have to grow 1.9 percent in each of the last two quarters of the year, said Eric Dubois, head of forecasts at INSEE.
INSEE did not provide growth forecasts for the last half of 2009.
Despite the expected downturn, France is likely to do better than most of its peers, INSEE said, estimating the US economy will shrink 2.9 percent this year, the eurozone 3.6 percent, Germany 4.9 percent and Japan 6.5 percent.
INSEE said the most visible result of the crisis will be massive job losses, at double the pace seen in the last major recession in the 1990s, with the unemployment rate jumping to 8.8 percent in the first quarter from 7.8 percent in the fourth.
Household consumption should stay positive, however, growing 0.6 percent over the first half of 2009 compared with 1.3 percent for all 2008 and the average 2.5 percent in the previous two years.
Deflation will more than offset a 0.6 percent fall in income in the first quarter, with purchasing power up 0.7 percent, helped also by various economic stimulus measures.
Overall, government stimulus plans will have only a very small impact on the first quarter, Dubois said.
The French economy contracted 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and will shrink 1.5 percent in the three months to March, a regular INSEE report said.
The country should then recover slightly, with the economy contracting 0.6 percent in the second quarter this year as French and other stimulus packages begin to get some traction and ease the global economic crisis, it said.
The figures would mean that for all of 2009 the economy would shrink 2.9 percent, assuming zero gain in both the third and fourth quarters.
Finance and Economy Minister Christine Lagarde told parliament on Wednesday that the economy would contract 1.5 percent this year before returning to growth of 1.0 percent in 2010.
"This estimate is surrounded by numerous uncertainties linked to the international (economic) environment," Lagarde said, adding that 290,000 jobs could be lost in 2009.
For the government's 2009 forecast of a 1.5 percent contraction to be correct, the economy would have to grow 1.9 percent in each of the last two quarters of the year, said Eric Dubois, head of forecasts at INSEE.
INSEE did not provide growth forecasts for the last half of 2009.
Despite the expected downturn, France is likely to do better than most of its peers, INSEE said, estimating the US economy will shrink 2.9 percent this year, the eurozone 3.6 percent, Germany 4.9 percent and Japan 6.5 percent.
INSEE said the most visible result of the crisis will be massive job losses, at double the pace seen in the last major recession in the 1990s, with the unemployment rate jumping to 8.8 percent in the first quarter from 7.8 percent in the fourth.
Household consumption should stay positive, however, growing 0.6 percent over the first half of 2009 compared with 1.3 percent for all 2008 and the average 2.5 percent in the previous two years.
Deflation will more than offset a 0.6 percent fall in income in the first quarter, with purchasing power up 0.7 percent, helped also by various economic stimulus measures.
Overall, government stimulus plans will have only a very small impact on the first quarter, Dubois said.
Many detainees locked up at Guantanamo were innocent men
Many detainees locked up at Guantanamo were innocent men swept up by U.S. forces unable to distinguish enemies from noncombatants, a former Bush administration official said Thursday. "There are still innocent people there," Lawrence B. Wilkerson, a Republican who was chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, told The Associated Press. "Some have been there six or seven years."
Wilkerson, a retired Army colonel, said vetting on the battlefield during the early stages of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan was incompetent with no meaningful attempt to determine "who we were transporting to Cuba for detention and interrogation."
Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman, declined to comment on Wilkerson's specific allegations but noted that the military has consistently said that dealing with foreign fighters from a wide variety of countries in a wartime setting was a complex process. The military has insisted that those held at Guantanamo were enemy combatants and posed a threat to the United States.
Wilkerson, who first made the assertions in an Internet posting on Tuesday, told the AP he learned from briefings and by communicating with military commanders that the U.S. soon realized many Guantanamo detainees were innocent but nevertheless held them in hopes they could provide information for a "mosaic" of intelligence.
"It did not matter if a detainee were innocent. Indeed, because he lived in Afghanistan and was captured on or near the battle area, he must know something of importance," Wilkerson wrote in the blog. He said intelligence analysts hoped to gather "sufficient information about a village, a region, or a group of individuals, that dots could be connected and terrorists or their plots could be identified."
In his posting for The Washington Note blog, Wilkerson wrote that "U.S. leadership became aware of this lack of proper vetting very early on and, thus, of the reality that many of the detainees were innocent of any substantial wrongdoing, had little intelligence value, and should be immediately released."
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney fought efforts to address the situation, Wilkerson said, because "to have admitted this reality would have been a black mark on their leadership."
Wilkerson told the AP in a telephone interview that many detainees "clearly had no connection to al-Qaida and the Taliban and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pakistanis turned many over for $5,000 a head."
Some 800 men have been held at Guantanamo since the prison opened in January 2002, and 240 remain. Wilkerson said two dozen are terrorists, including confessed Sept. 11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was transferred to Guantanamo from CIA custody in September 2006.
"We need to put those people in a high-security prison like the one in Colorado, forget them and throw away the key," Wilkerson said. "We can't try them because we tortured them and didn't keep an evidence trail."
But the rest of the detainees need to be released, he said.
Wilkerson, who flew combat missions as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and left the government in January 2005, said he did not speak out while in government because some of the information was classified. He said he feels compelled to do so now because Cheney has claimed in recent press interviews that President Barack Obama is making the U.S. less safe by ordering Guantanamo closed and reversing other Bush administration policies.
"I'm very concerned about the kinds of things Cheney is saying to make it seem Obama is a danger to this republic," Wilkerson said. "To have a former vice president fearmongering like this is really, really dangerous".
The administration is now evaluating what to do with the prisoners who remain at the U.S. military base in Cuba.
Wilkerson, a retired Army colonel, said vetting on the battlefield during the early stages of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan was incompetent with no meaningful attempt to determine "who we were transporting to Cuba for detention and interrogation."
Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman, declined to comment on Wilkerson's specific allegations but noted that the military has consistently said that dealing with foreign fighters from a wide variety of countries in a wartime setting was a complex process. The military has insisted that those held at Guantanamo were enemy combatants and posed a threat to the United States.
Wilkerson, who first made the assertions in an Internet posting on Tuesday, told the AP he learned from briefings and by communicating with military commanders that the U.S. soon realized many Guantanamo detainees were innocent but nevertheless held them in hopes they could provide information for a "mosaic" of intelligence.
"It did not matter if a detainee were innocent. Indeed, because he lived in Afghanistan and was captured on or near the battle area, he must know something of importance," Wilkerson wrote in the blog. He said intelligence analysts hoped to gather "sufficient information about a village, a region, or a group of individuals, that dots could be connected and terrorists or their plots could be identified."
In his posting for The Washington Note blog, Wilkerson wrote that "U.S. leadership became aware of this lack of proper vetting very early on and, thus, of the reality that many of the detainees were innocent of any substantial wrongdoing, had little intelligence value, and should be immediately released."
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney fought efforts to address the situation, Wilkerson said, because "to have admitted this reality would have been a black mark on their leadership."
Wilkerson told the AP in a telephone interview that many detainees "clearly had no connection to al-Qaida and the Taliban and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pakistanis turned many over for $5,000 a head."
Some 800 men have been held at Guantanamo since the prison opened in January 2002, and 240 remain. Wilkerson said two dozen are terrorists, including confessed Sept. 11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was transferred to Guantanamo from CIA custody in September 2006.
"We need to put those people in a high-security prison like the one in Colorado, forget them and throw away the key," Wilkerson said. "We can't try them because we tortured them and didn't keep an evidence trail."
But the rest of the detainees need to be released, he said.
Wilkerson, who flew combat missions as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and left the government in January 2005, said he did not speak out while in government because some of the information was classified. He said he feels compelled to do so now because Cheney has claimed in recent press interviews that President Barack Obama is making the U.S. less safe by ordering Guantanamo closed and reversing other Bush administration policies.
"I'm very concerned about the kinds of things Cheney is saying to make it seem Obama is a danger to this republic," Wilkerson said. "To have a former vice president fearmongering like this is really, really dangerous".
The administration is now evaluating what to do with the prisoners who remain at the U.S. military base in Cuba.
Barack Obama told Jay Leno he was stunned by AIG bonuses
President Barack Obama told Leno on Thurday that he was stunned when he learned of the bonuses that bailed-out insurance giant AIG was paying its employees.
Obama told "The Tonight Show" host the payments raise moral end ethical problems — and vowed again to try to recoup the cash for taxpayers.
Leno asked Obama what he thought when his staff first advised him of the payments, many made to traders in the very division that brought American International Group to ruin.
"'Stunned' is the word," Obama replied in a taped appearance on "Tonight." He said he found it hard to fathom how anyone would accept lavish payments in those circumstances. "People just had this sense of entitlement. We must be the best and the brightest."
But Obama staunchly defended Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who's increasingly come under fire for failing to block the bonuses.
"I think Geithner is doing an outstanding job," Obama said. "He is a smart guy. He is a calm and steady guy. I don't think people fully appreciate the plate that was handed him."
Obama added Geithner's carrying on "with grace and good humor. He understand that he's on the hot seat."
Too many in Washington are trying to figure out who to blame for things — when they should be focused on fixing them, Obama said.
Obama spoke with little interference or challenge from Leno, who clearly was enthused about snaring the president as a guest and pronounced it "one of the best nights of my life."
Leno veered away from politics and into the personal toward the end of the 35-minute interview, asking, "How cool is it to fly on Air Force One?" and when Obama daughters Sasha and Malia would get their pet dog.
"This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Obama replied to audience laughter. "No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly."
The new pet will be in place after he returns from a NATO meeting, Obama said.
The White House bowling alley remains in place, Obama said, bragging that he rolled a 129-point game, but a basketball court is a priority.
In his opening monologue, Leno said lots of people were surprised Obama would come on NBC — figuring he'd be tired of big companies on the brink of disaster with a bunch of overpaid executives.
Leno also joked about the dismal state of the economy, saying it's so bad Obama flew to California on Southwest Airways — making nine stops.
In recent years, a "Tonight Show" appearance has become a key humanizing touch for aspiring presidents. But its history of such appearances goes back to 1960, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy came on the show to chat with Jack Paar.
According to NBC, Obama was the first sitting president ever to appear on "The Tonight Show." He'd already appeared twice as a candidate.
The White House scheduled the appearance as part of a broader outreach to promote Obama's agenda — one that's already had him on ESPN's "SportsCenter" this week and includes a "60 Minutes" interview airing Sunday, plus a prime-time news conference Tuesday.
But on ESPN, the talk was mostly about basketball. The First Fan filled out an NCAA tournament bracket — picking North Carolina to defeat Louisville in the final. But recalling he picked the Tar Heels last year, he joked, "This year, don't embarrass me in front of the nation, all right? I'm counting on you."
Obama told "The Tonight Show" host the payments raise moral end ethical problems — and vowed again to try to recoup the cash for taxpayers.
Leno asked Obama what he thought when his staff first advised him of the payments, many made to traders in the very division that brought American International Group to ruin.
"'Stunned' is the word," Obama replied in a taped appearance on "Tonight." He said he found it hard to fathom how anyone would accept lavish payments in those circumstances. "People just had this sense of entitlement. We must be the best and the brightest."
But Obama staunchly defended Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who's increasingly come under fire for failing to block the bonuses.
"I think Geithner is doing an outstanding job," Obama said. "He is a smart guy. He is a calm and steady guy. I don't think people fully appreciate the plate that was handed him."
Obama added Geithner's carrying on "with grace and good humor. He understand that he's on the hot seat."
Too many in Washington are trying to figure out who to blame for things — when they should be focused on fixing them, Obama said.
Obama spoke with little interference or challenge from Leno, who clearly was enthused about snaring the president as a guest and pronounced it "one of the best nights of my life."
Leno veered away from politics and into the personal toward the end of the 35-minute interview, asking, "How cool is it to fly on Air Force One?" and when Obama daughters Sasha and Malia would get their pet dog.
"This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Obama replied to audience laughter. "No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly."
The new pet will be in place after he returns from a NATO meeting, Obama said.
The White House bowling alley remains in place, Obama said, bragging that he rolled a 129-point game, but a basketball court is a priority.
In his opening monologue, Leno said lots of people were surprised Obama would come on NBC — figuring he'd be tired of big companies on the brink of disaster with a bunch of overpaid executives.
Leno also joked about the dismal state of the economy, saying it's so bad Obama flew to California on Southwest Airways — making nine stops.
In recent years, a "Tonight Show" appearance has become a key humanizing touch for aspiring presidents. But its history of such appearances goes back to 1960, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy came on the show to chat with Jack Paar.
According to NBC, Obama was the first sitting president ever to appear on "The Tonight Show." He'd already appeared twice as a candidate.
The White House scheduled the appearance as part of a broader outreach to promote Obama's agenda — one that's already had him on ESPN's "SportsCenter" this week and includes a "60 Minutes" interview airing Sunday, plus a prime-time news conference Tuesday.
But on ESPN, the talk was mostly about basketball. The First Fan filled out an NCAA tournament bracket — picking North Carolina to defeat Louisville in the final. But recalling he picked the Tar Heels last year, he joked, "This year, don't embarrass me in front of the nation, all right? I'm counting on you."
Fighting bare-knuckle brawls at Dallas school
The Dallas school system was rocked by allegations Thursday that staff members at an inner-city high school made students settle their differences by fighting bare-knuckle brawls inside a steel cage. The principal and other employees at South Oak Cliff High knew about the cage fights and allowed the practice to continue, according to a 2008 report by school system investigators.
"More than anything, I'm in shock and disbelief — shocked that this could ever occur and shocked that it would be condoned by a professional administrator," said Jerome Garza, a member of the Dallas school board.
The report, first obtained by The Dallas Morning News, describes two instances of fighting in an equipment cage in a boys' locker room between 2003 and 2005. It was not clear from the report whether there were other fights.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa told the newspaper that there were "some things that happened inside of a cage" and called the fights "unacceptable."
No criminal charges were ever filed, and there was no mention in the report of whether anyone required medical attention or whether any employees were disciplined. A district spokesman would not comment.
The allegations came to light during a grade-fixing investigation that eventually cost the high school its 2005 and 2006 state basketball titles. School officials were suspected of altering students' grades so that they could remain eligible to play for South Oak Cliff, a perennial basketball powerhouse in one of the poorer sections of the city.
In an interview with the Morning News, Donald Moten, who retired as principal last year, denied any fights were held.
"That's barbaric. You can't do that at a high school. You can't do that anywhere," Moten said. "Ain't nothing to comment on. It never did happen. I never put a stop to anything because it never happened."
The report said a hall monitor, Gary King, told investigators he witnessed the head of campus security and an assistant basketball coach place two students in the cage to fight.
Another hall monitor, Reno Savala, told investigators he came upon two students fighting in the cage "bare-fisted with no head or eye protection." Savala said the assistant coach was watching the fight and broke it up when Savala told him to.
"It was gladiator-style entertainment for the staff," Frank Hammond, a fired counselor who has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the district, told the newspaper. "They were taking these boys downstairs to fight. And it was sanctioned by the principal and security."
Hammond did not actually witness any of the fights, according to the report.
In the report, a teacher was quoted as saying Moten told security personnel to put two fighting students "in the cage and let `em duke it out."
Garza, the school board member, said the board should look into whether criminal charges should be filed. He expressed frustration that the allegations were not brought to the board's attention earlier.
"If, in fact, it bears out that this did occur, clearly the administration had a responsibility to inform the board in the proper manner and in a timely fashion," he said.
Lew Blackburn, a school board trustee whose district includes South Oak Cliff, said he was "disappointed the trustees did not know about" the 2008 report. He also said no parent brought up allegations about fighting in cages and that he was unaware of them prior to the news reports.
The allegations come about 10 days after law enforcement authorities reported that careworkers at a Corpus Christi institution forced mentally disabled residents to fight each other and recorded the brawls for their entertainment.
Dallas police said they have no record of any investigation by the department. The district attorney's office would not comment.
"More than anything, I'm in shock and disbelief — shocked that this could ever occur and shocked that it would be condoned by a professional administrator," said Jerome Garza, a member of the Dallas school board.
The report, first obtained by The Dallas Morning News, describes two instances of fighting in an equipment cage in a boys' locker room between 2003 and 2005. It was not clear from the report whether there were other fights.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa told the newspaper that there were "some things that happened inside of a cage" and called the fights "unacceptable."
No criminal charges were ever filed, and there was no mention in the report of whether anyone required medical attention or whether any employees were disciplined. A district spokesman would not comment.
The allegations came to light during a grade-fixing investigation that eventually cost the high school its 2005 and 2006 state basketball titles. School officials were suspected of altering students' grades so that they could remain eligible to play for South Oak Cliff, a perennial basketball powerhouse in one of the poorer sections of the city.
In an interview with the Morning News, Donald Moten, who retired as principal last year, denied any fights were held.
"That's barbaric. You can't do that at a high school. You can't do that anywhere," Moten said. "Ain't nothing to comment on. It never did happen. I never put a stop to anything because it never happened."
The report said a hall monitor, Gary King, told investigators he witnessed the head of campus security and an assistant basketball coach place two students in the cage to fight.
Another hall monitor, Reno Savala, told investigators he came upon two students fighting in the cage "bare-fisted with no head or eye protection." Savala said the assistant coach was watching the fight and broke it up when Savala told him to.
"It was gladiator-style entertainment for the staff," Frank Hammond, a fired counselor who has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the district, told the newspaper. "They were taking these boys downstairs to fight. And it was sanctioned by the principal and security."
Hammond did not actually witness any of the fights, according to the report.
In the report, a teacher was quoted as saying Moten told security personnel to put two fighting students "in the cage and let `em duke it out."
Garza, the school board member, said the board should look into whether criminal charges should be filed. He expressed frustration that the allegations were not brought to the board's attention earlier.
"If, in fact, it bears out that this did occur, clearly the administration had a responsibility to inform the board in the proper manner and in a timely fashion," he said.
Lew Blackburn, a school board trustee whose district includes South Oak Cliff, said he was "disappointed the trustees did not know about" the 2008 report. He also said no parent brought up allegations about fighting in cages and that he was unaware of them prior to the news reports.
The allegations come about 10 days after law enforcement authorities reported that careworkers at a Corpus Christi institution forced mentally disabled residents to fight each other and recorded the brawls for their entertainment.
Dallas police said they have no record of any investigation by the department. The district attorney's office would not comment.
Obama guaranteed Americans that the nation's economy will recover
Buoyed by adoring crowds far from Washington's political wars, President Barack Obama guaranteed Americans that the nation's economy will recover, though he asked them for patience.
Obama looked every bit the campaigner as he sometimes mocked his GOP critics, and sometimes asked people to forgive his shortcomings. In general, his demeanor and message were more upbeat than in recent days when public fury over executive bonuses dominated Congress.
"We will come out on the other side stronger and a more prosperous nation," he said, acknowledging the nation's economic crisis. "That I can guarantee you. I can't tell you how long it will take, what obstacles we'll face along the way, but I promise you this: There will be brighter days ahead."
The comments brought another roar of approval from about 1,000 people at a town hall forum in Los Angeles, where questions were more fawning than pressing. "I'm very glad and thankful that you are our president," the first questioner began. The second said, "thank God for you."
In his second California town hall in as many days, Obama asked Americans to back his plans to overhaul health care, change energy policies, and spend more on roads, education and many other areas to boost the stalled economy. The resulting large deficits will be temporary and justified, he said.
He told Americans not to expect "something for nothing" from their government. Improvements to the economy and medical care will take time, he said.
"Nothing is free," the president said. Responding to a woman's complaint about cuts in jobs and salaries for California teachers, Obama urged people not to ask the federal and state governments to cut taxes and improve services at the same time.
"At some point you've got to make some choices," he said.
"We are not always going to be right," he said. "And I don't want everybody disappointed if we make a mistake here or there."
The important questions, he said, are whether things are moving "in the right direction" and whether he is keeping his main campaign promises.
Obama mocked Republican officials who call his plans too costly even though they presided over huge deficits while they controlled Congress and the White House.
"Where have you been?" he said. "What have you been doing?"
Obama also announced fresh aid to struggling homeowners in California. He said the state would receive $145 million to help communities hardest hit by the home foreclosure crisis. He said the money would be used to buy up and rehabilitate vacant homes, and provide loans to poorer and middle-income families to help with home assistance.
California's GOP governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gave the president a far warmer greeting than Obama has received from Republicans in Congress. "It's great to have him here," Schwarzenegger said in introducing Obama to the crowd. He thanked Obama for "courageous leadership."
Obama called the governor "one of the great innovators of state government" and "an outstanding partner with our administration."
The president capped his day on comedian Jay Leno's late-night talk show, taping his appearance at NBC's Burbank, Calif., studios a few hours in advance of its airing.
California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring was not amused. While the two "swap jokes," Nehring said in a statement, "hardworking California families continue to struggle to keep their homes and jobs."
Obama looked every bit the campaigner as he sometimes mocked his GOP critics, and sometimes asked people to forgive his shortcomings. In general, his demeanor and message were more upbeat than in recent days when public fury over executive bonuses dominated Congress.
"We will come out on the other side stronger and a more prosperous nation," he said, acknowledging the nation's economic crisis. "That I can guarantee you. I can't tell you how long it will take, what obstacles we'll face along the way, but I promise you this: There will be brighter days ahead."
The comments brought another roar of approval from about 1,000 people at a town hall forum in Los Angeles, where questions were more fawning than pressing. "I'm very glad and thankful that you are our president," the first questioner began. The second said, "thank God for you."
In his second California town hall in as many days, Obama asked Americans to back his plans to overhaul health care, change energy policies, and spend more on roads, education and many other areas to boost the stalled economy. The resulting large deficits will be temporary and justified, he said.
He told Americans not to expect "something for nothing" from their government. Improvements to the economy and medical care will take time, he said.
"Nothing is free," the president said. Responding to a woman's complaint about cuts in jobs and salaries for California teachers, Obama urged people not to ask the federal and state governments to cut taxes and improve services at the same time.
"At some point you've got to make some choices," he said.
"We are not always going to be right," he said. "And I don't want everybody disappointed if we make a mistake here or there."
The important questions, he said, are whether things are moving "in the right direction" and whether he is keeping his main campaign promises.
Obama mocked Republican officials who call his plans too costly even though they presided over huge deficits while they controlled Congress and the White House.
"Where have you been?" he said. "What have you been doing?"
Obama also announced fresh aid to struggling homeowners in California. He said the state would receive $145 million to help communities hardest hit by the home foreclosure crisis. He said the money would be used to buy up and rehabilitate vacant homes, and provide loans to poorer and middle-income families to help with home assistance.
California's GOP governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gave the president a far warmer greeting than Obama has received from Republicans in Congress. "It's great to have him here," Schwarzenegger said in introducing Obama to the crowd. He thanked Obama for "courageous leadership."
Obama called the governor "one of the great innovators of state government" and "an outstanding partner with our administration."
The president capped his day on comedian Jay Leno's late-night talk show, taping his appearance at NBC's Burbank, Calif., studios a few hours in advance of its airing.
California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring was not amused. While the two "swap jokes," Nehring said in a statement, "hardworking California families continue to struggle to keep their homes and jobs."
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