Imagine a psychological experiment. You set up a “shop” where the people taking part in the experiment have to purchase a washing power from a choice of 12 available. They have to pay for the washing power with their own money, but they get to keep it after the purchase. The psychologists running the experiment [...]Hard Choices: Why do we do what we do? is a post from: Wittgenstein and Freud



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Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe will today lead a 40-member business delegation to India for the fifth annual...

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The adoption of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill 2013 will be a significant milestone in pursuit of the aspirations of the National Development...

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An estimated 3.7bn euro was spent by Irish consumers online in 2012 however 73% of that was spent on overseas websites.* Google Breakfast Briefings...

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The swift is one of our most enigmatic birds. It’s one of the last of the UK’s summer migrants to arrive, and one of the first to leave.

Studies of swifts reveal some astonishing facts – during the course of an average day they fly an incredible 500 miles.

The only time they come to land is to nest – they do absolutely everything else – even sleep – on the wing.

Sadly, swifts are declining in numbers, and one of the reasons for this, according to the RSPB, is the destruction of their nesting sites, as old buildings are torn down, or renovated.

The Swift Conservation Society advises those who are renovating buildings to leave the nests they find intact, or, when re-roofing, create access holes to match the original ones exactly, so that the swifts will feel comfortable about returning.

Some local authorities are giving swifts a helping hand by erecting artificial nest sites for these special birds.

Given the choice, swifts prefer internal nesting sites, but external options are proving to be a viable alternative, if it’s not possible to create an internal nesting site.

Individuals can play a part by installing nest boxes under the eaves of their homes.

Kiev – The international community has called on all sides in Ukraine to preserve the country's unity and avoid violence after President Viktor Yanukovych was dismissed by parliament following more than three months of protests.

Expressing strong support for actions taken by the Ukrainian parliament, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged all sides in the conflicts to refrain from violence and respect Ukraine's democratic institutions.

In a telephone talk with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, he said his country hoped Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic freedom of choice will be respected by all the parties.

The top US diplomat also hoped that Russia could join the United States and the European Union to help Ukraine "turn the page and emerge from this crisis stronger, united and moving forward through new elections and critically needed reforms".

US President Barack Obama's National Security Adviser Susan Rice said "it's not in the interests of Ukraine or of Russia or of Europe or of the United States to see the country (Ukraine) split".

On Sunday, Ukrainian lawmakers voted to hand over the duties of the president to new parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov, one day after the lawmakers ousted Yanukovych from his post and set an early election for May 25.

Considering the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, Russia decided on Sunday to call its ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov back to Moscow for "consultations".

In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that "Ukraine must quickly get a government capable of acting and its territorial integrity must be preserved".

The European Union also expressed its support for Ukraine to stabilise the country's economic situation and find a lasting solution to the political crisis.

EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will pay a visit to Ukraine today for talks, saying that everyone in the conflicts should behave responsibly with a view to protecting the country's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Sunday urged Ukrainians to preserve the country's unity and integrity and to refrain from violence.

"We want a respect of the constitution, the formation of a new government and the preparation of elections as soon as possible," he said.

Ukraine's interim president made clear on Sunday that the country will revive plans to push Ukraine closer to the EU, saying that Kiev was ready to talk with Moscow on Ukraine's European choice.

However, President Yanukovych's whereabouts remain unclear after he signed an agreement with the opposition that ended bloodshed and conflicts that killed more than 80 people last week in Kiev.

Meanwhile, newly released former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said Sunday that she would not run for premiership in the new interim government.

"I ask you not to consider my candidacy for the post of prime minister," she said.

Tymoshenko, a key opposition leader, said she was surprised by the statement of her ally, opposition lawmaker Mykola Tomenko, who said earlier in the day that Tymoshenko was one of the three front-runners to be named as head of the cabinet.

She was convicted in October 2011 for abuse of power over a 2009 gas deal with Russia and was released on Saturday evening in eastern Ukraine after the parliament approved earlier in the day a fast-track procedure that did not require the president's endorsement. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua

A brand intelligence tech start-up company backed by Queen’s University Belfast has been crowned ‘best tech start-up’ at the ITLG Silicon Valley Global Technology Forum. Adoreboard scooped the Irish Technology Leaders Group (ITLG) University Challenge Award for best tech start-up with the most global commercial potential at the recent awards ceremony. The company beat off [...]Adoreboard Wins Award is a post from: Tech-e-View



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A tribunal has found that a tax avoidance scheme which involved celebrities, fund managers and other high earners claiming that they were second-hand car dealers in their spare time did not work. The decision, which will save the country £290 million, is the fourth consecutive win by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) against schemes promoted [...]

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Blanco Niño is building Europe’s first real corn tortilla factory in Ireland, and they’re partnering with great Irish farmers to do so. They plan to have over 600 acres of farm land growing high quality non GMO corn maize for their products by year 5, giving a much needed boost to the Irish farming sector, [...]

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If you are hoping to create a truly individual home then a visit to Build it Live at Bluewater's event venue 'Glow' on 22 and 23 February 2014 will provide plenty of inspiration and practical advice to ensure you get the home and space you want.

The Build It Live! show is dedicated to putting self builders and renovators in touch with experts and companies who can help realise a house building or renovation dream. Find out what is possible and what you can and can't do without planning permission, learn how to add space, value and light into your home, and hear from architects about how to plan and realise a home that works for you and your family.

Meet over 100 of the UKs most innovative suppliers offering 1000s of products and services including lofts, kitchens, underfloor heating, folding sliding doors, mortgages and much more.

There will also be the opportunity to meet with architects and other independent experts for one-to-one free advice on a project, from planning to design.

Four new and exciting exhibits this year will include the 'Naked house' exhibition which will show a section of a new build to give a fascinating insight into how things are installed in a new home.

Alternative build techniques will be on show with live demos from the 'Centre for Alternative Technology' which aims to inspire self builders on the merits of green building, energy conservation and renewable energy generation.

The 'Plotsearch Zone' will provide tips on searching for plots of land. Visitors to the show can take advantage of free access to Plotsearch, the UK's premier live online database and view a gallery of current plots of land available in the South East.

The 'Self Build Academy' will provide taster sessions of the training courses available through house builder 'Potton'. The Self Build Academy courses are designed to give essential knowledge for all self builders.
To find out more about the show which will be open between 10am and 5pm on 22 and 23 February 2014 or to purchase tickets visit builditlive.co.uk

There are also FREE Seminars and workshops each day which have been developed to help inspire and give confidence when taking on a renovation or building project. Presented by leading suppliers and specialists, each session zones in on specific problems and choices that self builders and renovators face every day.

Daily Seminar programme

10.30 A step by step guide to self-build
11.15 How to find land and getting planning permission
12.00 Designing your dream home
12.45 The different routes to managing your project
13.30 Finding the right build method for your project
14.15 How to add more space
15.00 Renovating a home with character
15.45 Trouble-shooting: Avoiding the pitfalls

Whatever your question, you're bound to find the answer at one of our free workshops. Presented by leading suppliers and specialists, sessions range from finding an architect and setting a budget to building with a timber frame and installing renewable technologies.

Workshop Programme

Saturday
10.20 – Choosing and working with an architect
11.00 – Community & custom build schemes – the new way to self-build
11.40 – How to build instant character with Oak Frame
12.20 – Heating systems: understanding the options
13.00 – Building Regulations explained
13.40 – Letting light into your home
14.20 – Smart home systems
15.00 – Setting a budget
15.40 – How to build with SIPs
16.20 – What can I build without planning permission?

Sunday
10.45 – In case it goes wrong: insurance and warranties
11.25 – Why you should build with Timber
12.05 – The Green Deal & Renewable Heat Incentive –how to get the Government to pay!
12.45 – Why you should build with brick
13.25 – Finding land in the South East
14.05 – How to get finance for your project
14.45 – Assessing a development opportunity
15.25 – How to design an eco home