DDTV: WOW! PARAGLIDING OVER THE FINGER FINGER STRAND
DDTV: We probably don’t have the stomach for it – but what a view you can get…paragliding over the Five Finger Strand in Inishowen. The boys from CloudSurfIreland certainly know how to get their kicks.And you can see how they get on without getting a single hair blown out of place by playing the video. DDTV: WOW! PARAGLIDING OVER THE FINGER FINGER STRAND was last modified: January 9th, 2012 by BrendaShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:donegalfive finger strand
UN ambassador Baso Sangqu andInternational Relations and CooperationMinister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane willlead the South African delegation as thecountry takes its place in UN SecurityCouncil. (Image: United Nations) South Africa firmly committed itself to international peacekeeping efforts on 1 January 2011 when it took its place for a second term on the UN Security Council (UNSC). Voted in by 182 member states of the UN General Assembly last year, the country will serve as a non-permanent member for the 2011/12 term.The UNSC is made up of five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK and US – and 10 non-permanent members, which currently are Bosnia and Herzegovina; Germany; Portugal; Brazil; India; South Africa; Colombia; Lebanon; Gabon and Nigeria.The council is responsible for maintaining peace and security across the globe, usually by recommending that the parties involved reach an amicable agreement. The UNSC also conducts investigations into areas of conflict and may send in UN peacekeeping forces to help reduce tension.South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said the country’s UNSC seat would give it the opportunity to forge closer partnerships with other member states.The department added that South Africa is committed to contributing to the work of the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security, particularly in Africa.“South Africa wants to advance the African agenda within the security council,” said the country’s UN ambassador Baso Sangqu.“More than two-thirds of the conflicts and crises that the security council handles are in Africa. It is not something that we should be proud of,” he said.Learning from experienceSouth Africa previously served on the UNSC in 2007 and 2008. “South Africa has learnt important lessons from the first term,” said Sangqu, who will lead the country’s UNSC delegation.Dirco said it has assembled a “crack team” of diplomats and officials to help South Africa serve on the council.“In its actions, South Africa will be guided by the commitment to uphold international law and universal values, and help others protect or achieve their inherent and inalienable rights,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.She added that the country would continue with its efforts to promote and enhance the UNSC’s cooperation with regional organisations, particularly the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.Sangqu said: “Ivory Coast will be an issue we will have to deal with. There is now a standoff with regards to who the leader is. As a council member, South Africa will have to lead from the front on such issues.”South Africa will also advocate for more resources to help resolve the conflict in Somalia, the ambassador added.He said the UNSC should not to let the situation in that country become “a forgotten conflict” like the dispute between Morocco and Western Sahara guerrillas.
IT project failure expert Michael Krigsman shared some thoughts on social CRM adoption at Dreamforce last December. Krigsman has posted a video from Dreamforce and added some thoughts.Frankly, I’m surprised there are enough companies that have tried and failed to adopt social CRM that anyone can deduce any trends yet. It’s still such a new technology/strategy. But Krigsman’s advice is good. It may seem obvious, but the problems he mentions are exactly the ones that trip projects up. Cognitive Automation is the Immediate Future of… Krigsman cites three reasons that social CRM projects typically fail:Poor strategyOver-focus on technologyMinimizing cultureKrigsman concludes with some common sense advice:WIFM – “what’s in it for me” — is key to encouraging user adoption of any social business software. Help users engage quickly and often, by finding ways for them to gain tangible value fast. Users adopt new software when they experience delight and benefit, which is an incredibly powerful combination.It’s probably worth mentioning Ray Wang’s tips for avoiding social CRM failure as well.Photo by kioan klint finley Massive Non-Desk Workforce is an Opportunity fo… 3 Areas of Your Business that Need Tech Now IT + Project Management: A Love Affair Related Posts Tags:#enterprise#Products 
This is the gateway to the Thar desert. Churu in Rajasthan sits in the middle of unending sand dunes that roll away on all sides. Temperatures here dip below freezing point in winter and zoom to over 50 degrees Celsius in summer.This has been one such summer. The people of Churu know they must not venture out during the daytime, but needs must. Fetching and storing water is the chore that takes precedence over all others. It is not an easy task when the sun blazes down like molten gold.The only flora that braves the heat and the terrain are the Phog and Kair bushes, and the Khejri, Royara and Babul trees.Drinking water is scarce in almost all the villages and towns of this region and the groundwater is salty. Some homes have made provision for rainwater harvesting and, those who can afford it, have water purifiers.In summers, most families drink raabdi, a traditional drink made from bajra(pearl millet) and chaach (buttermilk). Heatstroke is an ever present danger and nobody ventures out bare-headed.Churu’s summers are too severe for any agriculture to be possible. Instead, the fields are all tilled and lie in wait for the monsoon.The main occupation in the countryside is livestock and dairy farming. And for the villagers, ensuring that their cattle and goats are fed and watered is a primary concern. This summer, grazing lands too are drying up.Churu is home to the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, famed for its blackbuck population. But May and June are not the months to spot wildlife; not one animal ventures out in the heat.This year, on June 1 and 2, Churu recorded its highest ever temperature at 50.8 degrees Celsius. According to skymetweather.com, this is the second all-time highest maximum temperature recorded in the history of India.Of the 15 hottest places recorded in the world in the past few days, eight were in India and the rest were in neighbouring Pakistan.(IMAGES AND TEXT BY SANDEEP SAXENA)