Saturday 27 August 2011

Credit card

A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder’s promise to pay for these goods and services.[1] The issuer of the card creates a revolving account and grants a line of credit to the consumer (or the user) from which the user can borrow money for payment to a merchant or as a cash advance to the user.
A credit card is different from a charge card: a charge card requires the balance to be paid in full each month. In contrast, credit cards allow the consumers a continuing balance of debt, subject to interest being charged. A credit card also differs from a cash card, which can be used like currency by the owner of the card. Most credit cards are issued by banks or credit unions, and are the shape and size specified by the ISO/IEC 7810 standard as ID-1. This is defined as 85.60 × 53.98 mm

Foreign exchange market


Foreign exchange market

The foreign exchange market (forex, FX, or currency market) is a global, worldwide decentralized financial market for trading currencies. Financial centers around the world function as anchors of trading between a wide range of different types of buyers and sellers around the clock, with the exception of weekends. The foreign exchange market determines the relative values of different currencies.[1]
The primary purpose of the foreign exchange is to assist international trade and investment, by allowing businesses to convert one currency to another currency. For example, it permits a US business to import British goods and pay Pound Sterling, even though the business’ income is in US dollars. It also supports direct speculation in the value of currencies, and the carry trade, speculation on the change in interest rates in two currencies.[2]
In a typical foreign exchange transaction, a party purchases a quantity of one currency by paying a quantity of another currency. The modern foreign exchange market began forming during the 1970s after three decades of government restrictions on foreign exchange transactions (the Bretton Woods system of monetary management established the rules for commercial and financial relations among the world’s major industrial states after World War II), when countries gradually switched to floating exchange rates from the previous exchange rate regime, which remained fixed as per the Bretton Woods system.
The foreign exchange market is unique because of
its huge trading volume representing the largest asset class in the world leading to high liquidity;
its geographical dispersion;
its continuous operation: 24 hours a day except weekends, i.e. trading from 20:15 GMT on Sunday until 22:00 GMT Friday;
the variety of factors that affect exchange rates;
the low margins of relative profit compared with other markets of fixed income; and
the use of leverage to enhance profit and loss margins and with respect to account size.
As such, it has been referred to as the market closest to the ideal of perfect competition, notwithstanding currency intervention by central banks. According to the Bank for International Settlements,[3] as of April 2010, average daily turnover in global foreign exchange markets is estimated at $3.98 trillion, a growth of approximately 20% over the $3.21 trillion daily volume as of April 2007. Some firms specializing on foreign exchange market had put the average daily turnover in excess of US$4 trillion.[4]
The $3.98 trillion break-down is as follows:
$1.490 trillion in spot transactions
$475 billion in outright forwards
$1.765 trillion in foreign exchange swaps
$43 billion Currency swaps
$207 billion in options and other products

What You Should Know Before Buying Furniture at Auctions


What You Should Know Before Buying Furniture at Auctions

Auctions are great for finding unique furniture at bargain prices, but before buying furniture at an auction familiarize yourself with the process.
There are many obvious benefits to buying furniture at an auction. You can get furniture at real bargain prices and sometimes you have access to furniture or other objects that you wouldn’t normally come across.
Yet, if you are going to an auction for the first time, the quick pace and having to make split second decisions can seem slightly intimidating at first. Knowing and understanding the process will make it easier for you to make savvy bids.

Inventory Sources

While all kinds of items end up on the auction block, the inventory gets there from many very different sources such as:
  • Liquidators
  • Private companies
  • Homeowners who want to get some extra cash
  • Charities
  • Estates
  • Government agencies also put up impounded or lost and found items.
      • You can search online for furniture auctions. A great search resource is Live Auction Talk
      • Look for notices in newspapers.
      • Ask around at antique or used furniture stores.
      • Subscribe with auction houses to be informed of upcoming events.
    • Finding Auctions

      Auctions can be held at many different sites. Estate auctions can be held on the site of the estate, other types can be held at auction houses, hotels, community centers or even online. via: furniture.about.com/od/findingbargains/a/auctions.html

Tuesday 9 August 2011

What Is Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma?


Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease in which cancer cells develop in the protective sac covering the lungs. The main risk factor for this condition is exposure to asbestos. Possible signs include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage. It can be difficult to distinguish between malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, so it may be necessary to examine the inside of the chest to confirm the diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the mesothelium, which is a type of protective sac that covers internal organs. Most cases begin in the pleura (lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen).
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma in which cancer cells begin to grow in the pleura. Most people who develop this condition have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease in which cancer cells develop in the protective sac covering the lungs. The main risk factor for this condition is exposure to asbestos. Possible signs include shortness of breath and pain under the rib cage. It can be difficult to distinguish between malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, so it may be necessary to examine the inside of the chest to confirm the diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is a benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor affecting the mesothelium, which is a type of protective sac that covers internal organs. Most cases begin in the pleura (lining around the lungs) or peritoneum (the lining around the abdomen).
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma in which cancer cells begin to grow in the pleura. Most people who develop this condition have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles