Report: North Korea's Kim was chronic truant

KCNA via Reuters file

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (L) watches a military exercise of the Korean People's Army in an undisclosed location, in this undated picture recently released by the official Korean News Agency KCNA.

By Kari Huus, msnbc.com

The current ruler of nuclear-armed North Korea was a laggard student who frequently skipped class when he was attending a school in Switzerland in the 1990s, according to the Daily Record news site. ?

The UK publication, citing leaked documents, reported that the Kim Jong Un, 29, who took the helm of the isolated totalitarian country upon the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in December, missed 75 days of school his first year of school at the International School in Berne.

Kim missed 105 days his second year at the elite private school, where he registered under a pseudonym?as the son of a North Korean diplomat.?It was not clear from the report which grade levels he was in at the time, but?he would have been in his?mid-teens. ?

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An unnamed source who said he was a school friend of Kim said that Pak Un ? as Kim was known there ? often did not show up at school until afternoon, preferring instead to play video games or watch basketball on television.

His grades seemed to suffer accordingly. According to the report, he failed science and got minimum pass grades in English and German, the main language used in the Swiss capital of Bern, but did well in music and technical studies.

Kim Jong Un was enrolled in the Kim Il Sung Military University in Pyongyang from 2002 to 2007, most analysts agree.

Kim Jong Un, now dubbed the "great successor," is the third-generation North Korean leader in his family, though virtually nothing was known about him before he was appointed to a set of powerful positions in 2011. His father, Kim Jong Il, came to power in a similar fashion, moving into the top military, government and party roles left by his father, Kim Il Sung, a communist guerrilla fighter who is considered the father of the country.

North Korea analysts continue to puzzle over the newest Kim in charge. It remains unclear how much support he has within the military, and whether he has any inclination toward reform ? seen as essential to restarting the country?s moribund economy and breaking the country?s isolation.

The United States, South Korea and other allies were discouraged by Pyongyang?s recent insistence that it soon will launch a rocket ? purportedly to put a satellite in orbit ? but widely viewed as a pretext for a long-range missile test.

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Broadcaster part-owned by Murdoch hacked emails

By Ian Johnston, msnbc.com

LONDON -- U.K. broadcaster Sky News?-- part-owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation -- admitted Thursday that it?approved the hacking of emails by a journalist, but insisted?it had been done?in the public interest.

The news channel said that in one case it broke into the emails belonging to Anne and John Darwin, who became notorious after the latter tried to fake his own death in a canoeing accident as part of an elaborate insurance fraud.

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NBC News Correspondent Jim Maceda shares details from the testimony.

The news channel said in a statement Thursday that "we do not take such decisions lightly or frequently" and said the investigation had served the public interest, The Associated Press reported.

John Ryley, the head of Sky News,?told The Guardian newspaper?that?the broadcaster had "authorized a journalist to access the emails of individuals suspected of criminal activity."

Ex-tabloid editor and friend of UK PM arrested in phone-hacking probe

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Journalist: CNN star Piers Morgan must have known about tabloid phone hacking

Former chief executive of News International, Rebekah Brooks, has been arrested for a second time by police investigating allegations of illegal phone hacking. ITN's Neil Connery reports.

The Guardian named the journalist involved as Gerard Tubb, the broadcaster's northern England correspondent.

It said?he also accessed email accounts of a suspected child sex offender and his wife.

Darwin?went missing in Britain in 2002 after going out to sea in a canoe and was presumed dead. However, he flew to Panama and his wife later joined him there. They were exposed after posing for a photograph with a realtor in Panama.

Undeterred by arrests and criminal investigations of his staff, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch launched the publication of a new tabloid, the Sunday Sun, He hopes to fill the gap left by the paper he had to close because of a phone hacking scandal. Annabel Roberts reports.

Sky News didn't identify which story was the result of hacking, but The Associated Press reported that in an article dated July 21, 2008, Tubb said the channel had uncovered documentary evidence showing that John Darwin had decided to come back to England because he was having trouble staying in Panama.

"We discovered an email," the article begins, without giving any explanation of how the message was obtained.

Sky News said the emails were later handed to police, according to The AP.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Obtain the knowledge of how to make apps for iPhone | The Free ...

Obtain the knowledge of how to make apps for iPhone

Article by Desi Arnaz

iPhone has totally transformed how a world communicates and its introduction has resulted in the creation of thousands of unique iPhone applications. iPhone applications are classified under a diverse choice of segments varying from gaming and entertainment to business; communications, GPS, email client etc. Variety of iPhone users is selecting the platform of how to make an iPhone app for his or her purpose. In many circumstances, we find out, users are advertising their business through Applications of iPhone.

iPhone is really a leading smart phone that provides not merely the goal of telecommunication but additionally as platform for multimedia and capacity of multiple features by making use of just a single tool.iPhone development has combined creativity and technology with serious business making iPhone developers the best among techno geeks. No surprise there exists a international trend for this technology. The project not only includes a promising remuneration however with plenty of challenges and excitement. Today where technology has changed into a commodity, iPhone development has established a distinct segment for alone. There is not a single day when the world sleeps without seeing new iPhone applications popping out in the market.

There is also a craze for iPhone application development nowadays. Across the world, iPhone development is viewed as standard for both mobile applications and even marketing. iPhone developers are learning their hands full of ever challenging projects. One of the main issues for iPhone developers all over the world is to create effective applications, which match with the multi-touch screen, accelerometer, and virtual keyboard top features of the iPhone.

iPhone Application Development and Outsourcing keeps growing with a super speed nowadays because of the trend and reputation of iPhones among the users is very high. iPhone is surely an fantastic device which is often used like a camera phone, video iPod, and Internet device. With the increase in the requirement of iPhones among users, the necessity for iPhone applications is boosting every day. For that reason, iPhone Application Development i.e. how to make iPhone app has became a main target for software development companies today.

As the iphone, market is getting more and more popular increasing need in efficient app development is currently much more viable. Because iPhone application development is most probably the key target. On the contrary, creating an application is not really a easy job for even the very best software company in the market. Since iPhone users are situated in various geographical areas, in which the lifestyle, taste and want may be massively varied from one another, making an application, which will put together the standard, needs, and preference of users located in different countries, is often a struggle in itself. For that reason that the task of an iPhone app developer is not truly a simple one.

EDUmobile.ORG has set up a well-refined and confirmed teacher-student interactive system, which has successfully trained and it is training more than 400 candidates, at both Newbie and Superior levels. The course is organized to be delivered via Online Videos, written course material, weekly do-as-you-go exercises and worksheets and the much needed and valuable one-on-one live online support from real tutors. These professional teachers and developers are available to immediately assist you to resolve any concept on how to make iPhone app. This iPhone course is especially suitable for those who want to master iPhone Programming in a simple easy-to-learn fun environment.

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Relocating for Work ? _Toronto Real Estate NewsToronto Real ...

Years ago, I was finishing my degree in Vancouver with one co-op term left before graduating. There were some really good positions in Vancouver to choose from, but the one that caught my eye was a one-year term in Victoria with the Government of British Columbia. It had all the work opportunities that I was looking for, so I packed my bags and ferried over to Victoria.

Picking up and moving to a different city was challenging to say the least. Many people have done it and are doing it, but the decision is a big one. Though I was only moving a short distance, there were a lot of considerations I had to take in.

At the time, I was still renting an apartment, so I needed to make sure I gave enough notice to my landlord. Then, I had to pack up my place, prioritize what I wanted to bring and put the rest in storage. If you own your home, you should create a checklist of what you?ll need to do to list your home. It?s a good idea to speak with a Realtor to help arrange the sale of your home. They can help get your property ready to be listed and handle many of the details to alleviate the stress. Trust me; you?ll have enough to worry about with the move already.

Check out a previous guest blog by United VanLines on how to pack for your big move.

I had been to Victoria on vacations, but I didn?t know the neighbourhoods well enough to know where I wanted to live. I started my search online to see the location of my new workplace and had decided that I wanted to be within walking distance. From there I looked at the municipality?s website along with other sources. Google Street View is a fantastic way to preview a neighbourhood online. Also, check out our Community Websites, which will give you some insights into different neighbourhoods in Canada.

Again, a local Realtor will be able to give you knowledgeable information about new neighbourhoods and help you find a good location based on your needs.

For some, the company they work for will pay for their relocation costs. For others, like myself, the cost of moving was strictly on me. I was surprised at the cost to move to Victoria. Moving costs can be high if you have to travel large distances. Do some research on moving companies as they can vary in price. I also found that I had to buy small pieces of new furniture, and accessories like a rug and lamps. It all adds up.

Some costs associated with moving can be deducted on your tax return. Check with an accountant on what those could be and save your receipts.

I really had no support system in Victoria when I arrived. People I worked with were much older and I was starting to feel a bit lonely after a month away. Moving to a new city is exciting, but it can also take an emotional toll. I made an effort to try things on my own, like watching a movie in the theatres or eating at a restaurant. I also looked at community centre classes and hobby clubs to join.

Being involved in community groups and learning to live on my own really helped me make friends that had similar interests. Through various means, I ended up with some really good friends that I could count on. For me, moving to a new city was an amazing adventure.

Today, I?m back in Vancouver contemplating another move (locally this time). The experiences I gained in previous moves will hopefully translate to a smoother move next time.

Do you have any advice on relocating for work? Share them here in the comments.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Century21ca/~3/fWTJnFx7UEM/Relocating_for_Work

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Business Consultant's Digest April 2nd, 2012 | arc mercury

by Derek Greer

As a business consulting firm we focus on small businesses, startups and the middle class entrepreneur.? Knowing the value of time, here we share news items that we believe have the deepest impact on small business.

Top stories being reported today in the Wall Street Journal:

• U.S. manufacturing picked up steam in March as a broad cross-section of industries reported rising output and strong orders for coming months. American consumers are helping offset softer demand affecting factories in other parts of the world.
• Dire figures on unemployment and manufacturing activity in the euro zone?s weakest members dimmed hopes for the bloc?s growth prospects.
• Stocks rose to multiyear highs in the first session of the new quarter, with the Dow industrials gaining 52.45 points, or 0.4%, to 13264.49.
• A shakeout in the storefront-loan business may make credit even tighter for millions of borrowers with less-than-stellar credit histories.
• Employees, Measure Yourselves-Encouraging workers to keep track of what they?re doing can make them healthier and more productive. New tools are making it easier for them to do that.

US Manufacturing is making a comeback, bringing the Dow up 52.45 points. ?Lets hope this momentum continues and brings us closer to recovery rather than just create another spike in the charts. ?The euro zone is still struggling which could sneak up again and slow down US momentum, however, with good ole fashion American consumerism making a comeback, the US continues to weather the storm. ?Credit is still tight for some would be borrowers, but Americans saved a few dollars over the last 3-4 years easing the effects of this continued credit crunch.

Wishing everyone a productive day from arc mercury business consulting!

by Derek Greer

As a business consulting firm we focus on small businesses and the middle class entrepreneur.? Knowing the value of time, here we share news items that we believe have the deepest impact on small business.

Top stories being reported today in the Wall Street Journal:

• Even as the European banking crisis shows signs of easing, lenders across the Continent are engaging in a variety of maneuvers to avoid, or at least delay, coming to terms with potential problems lurking on their books.
• Rising interest rates aren?t threatening the economic recovery, but a sudden spike or sustained jump this year could eventually pose a problem.
• Global Payments, the credit-card processor that reported a significant security breach Friday, said that hackers stole account numbers and other key information from up to 1.5 million accounts in North America.
• NEW YORK?U.S. stocks traded higher on the first session of the new quarter, as domestic manufacturing data edged out expectations.
• California Gov. Jerry Brown?s proposed ballot measure this fall to raise taxes and restore funding to an array of state programs faces unlikely opposition from a prominent Los Angeles lawyer who supported Mr. Brown?s election only 17 months ago.

Lenders are in denial, this is nothing new, but what does this mean for small business and the individual?? If 2008 was any lesson, this is a warning sign.? The question remains about interest rates and their future direction, up or down?? Is the Fed sticking around or will they be forced by an improving economy to let rates rise?? These are the types of questions we are all asking ourselves as we look to navigate the future economic terrain as business owners.? Only time will tell, however, regardless we either continue to reap the benefits of lower rates or the economy picks up momentum, not bad either way.

Wishing everyone a productive day from arc mercury business consulting!

by Derek Greer

As a business consulting firm we focus on small businesses and the middle class entrepreneur.? Knowing the value of time, here we share news items that we believe have the deepest impact on small business.

Top stories being reported today in the Wall Street Journal:

• Best Buy, its business model undercut by Web shoppers, plans to close 50 of its big-box outlets and test remodeled store formats.
• A late-day surge pushed the Dow industrials to their first gain in three days, with the blue chips rising 19.61 points, or 0.1%, to 13145.82.
• Junk-rated companies are piling into the debt markets, seizing on some of the lowest borrowing costs in history and strong investor demand.
• The Brics group expressed concern over the slow pace of change at the IMF and criticized Western policies for causing market instability.
• The House passed a GOP budget calling for tax cuts and a Medicare overhaul. It almost certainly won?t become law due to Democratic opposition.
• Junk Bonds Feed Hungry Market-?U.S. companies with junk credit ratings are piling into the debt markets at a record pace, seizing on some of the lowest borrowing costs in history and strong demand from investors craving higher returns.

It seems that brick and mortar is getting a run for it?s money from online retailers as more people flock to e-commerce solutions. ?With technology advancing at an alarming rate, entrepreneurs are taking advantage of low overhead, online retail start-ups while consumers are becoming more comfortable buying goods online. ?It is definitely a sign when a company the size of best buy is planning to close over 50 locations. ?This could be good news for small businesses, as the barrier for entry gets smaller when competing for business online. ?Even though big retailers like Best Buy have marketing budgets the size of Texas, the playing field, to a degree, is leveled online. ?These days, it doesn?t cost an arm and a leg to build an online business, all you need is an idea, an e-commerce website, some merchandise, a little search engine optimization and some social networking and you are ready to take on the big guys. ?Obviously I am?oversimplifying?a little, however, you get my point. ?You no longer have to lease out a building for three years, put up billboards and hope to sell something to keep the lights on.

Wishing everyone a productive day from arc mercury business consulting!

by Derek Greer

As a business consulting firm we focus on small businesses and the middle class entrepreneur.? Knowing the value of time, here we share news items that we believe have the deepest impact on small business.

Top stories being reported today in the Wall Street Journal:

• New applications for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since April 2008. Separately, the economy?s fourth quarter expansion was unrevised at 3%, while corporate profits moderated.
• It turns out that the hottest growth area for new businesses isn?t something sexy such as software or biotechnology. It?s construction. More entrepreneurs are setting up construction companies, according to a report released earlier this week.
• Big Firms Mentor Start-Ups on Their Image.?Programs Connect Entrepreneurs With Marketers, Ad Agencies for Help on How to Sell Their Brand; Companies Benefit Too.
• Under a bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday and that?s expected soon to be passed into law, start-ups can raise up to $1 million a year by pitching to thousands of small-dollar investors online with little disclosure beyond a rough business plan. (They can raise up to $2 million if they provide audited financial statements.)
• The Senate approved, by a 73-26 margin, the bill easing corporate-governance and financial-reporting requirements for initial public offerings, the measure?s last major hurdle before being signed into law.
• Hearing: Start-Up Investors Key to Job Growth-Federal efforts aimed at creating jobs should focus on helping fast-growth start-ups raise cash, a group of small-business owners and researchers told a House committee Wednesday.?Their remarks come as Senate lawmakers remain divided over a wide-ranging bill that would roll back regulations on small firms seeking capital from outside investors.

Small business to the rescue. ?We hear it a lot these days, the key to job growth- freeing up small business to grow and hire. ?Given the news today, start-ups are in the lime-light, showing signs that with proper management, a?Goldilocks?amount of regulation, and the right access to capital,?entrepreneurs?can do what they do best and create jobs. ?Whether this will all pan out is yet to be seen, but America?s business owners are not giving up and neither are we.

Wishing everyone a productive day from arc mercury business consulting!

by Derek Greer

As a business consulting firm we focus on small businesses and the middle class entrepreneur.? Knowing the value of time, here we share news items that we believe have the deepest impact on the global and local economic horizon.

Top economic stories being reported today in the Wall Street Journal:

• Just over 80% of Greece?s private-sector creditors had agreed by a Thursday deadline to turn in their bonds for new ones with less than half the face value, touching off a massive debt swap.
• Stocks climbed on?optimism about the completion of the Greek debt deal. ?The Dow?industrials added 70.61 points, or 0.6%, to 12907.94.
• More than 200,000 financially strapped households will have a chance to sharply cut their mortgage balances under a deal struck by BofA.
• Americans ramped up their borrowing late last year for the first time since the depths of the recession, data from the Fed showed.
• The house passed a bipartisan bill aimed at easing business regulations and creating jobs, but critics said it loosened investor protections.

The markets are feeling good, with the Dow up two days in a row based on relief that Greece may finally have a way out, given that private-sector creditors agreed to swap their debt out for half the value. ?Good news on the home front with 200,000 struggling households getting mortgage balance cuts from BofA. ?Positive news for small business and the unemployed, the housed passed a bill that will ease business regulation helping companies hire more.

Wishing everyone a productive day from arc mercury business consulting!

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Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

People used to say that cars in the '50s and '60s had fins, giant wing-like protuberances that designers grafted on to capitalize on the fledgling concepts of aerodynamics. Your fist impression of the Terrafugia Transition is much the same as standing next to a 1959 Coupe de Ville -- it's huge, and the giant vertical stabilizers on the back have a distinctly Cadillac feel. This, however, is different. Sure, it too is made in the US, but it's crafted of carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, costs $279,000 and seats only two. Oh, and did we mention it can fly? It's making its major auto show debut this week and we got a chance to check it out. Follow us after the break for some grounded impressions.

Gallery: Terrafugia Transition first eyes-on

Continue reading Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video)

Terrafugia Transition aircraft first hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Assad's uncle says Syria leader is finished

By msnbc.com staff and news services

Bashar Assad?s exiled uncle believes the Syrian president will not be able to stay in power, according to an interview Tuesday.

Rifaat Assad, who attempt to take power from Assad?s later father in the 1980s and now lives in exile, told BBC News that Bashar Assad help with the transition to a new government. He also suggested he would make a good replacement president.

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"The problems are now general to all parts of Syria -- there are no places that have escaped violence -- so I don't think he [Bashar Assad] can stay in power," Rifaat Assad told the BBC News. "I would say, though, that he should stay so he can co-operate with a new government and offer the experience he has."

"A commission should go from the Arab League and the [U.N.] Security Council to monitor free and transparent elections," he added.

He claimed such elections would show that ?the Assad family has got much more importance and support than some of the meaningless figures [of the opposition Syrian National Council] who we see on TV screens now."

Rifaat Assad was in charge of a military attack on the city of Hama in 1982 that killed between 10,000 and 25,000 people, according to BBC News.

'Horror'
And Ausama Monajed, of the Syrian National Council, said in an email to msnbc.com Tuesday that it was ?true that Bashar Assad is finished,? but that Rifaat was ?even worse.?

?The atrocities and massacres he [Rifaat Assad] committed in Syria, before he was forced into exile, can fill horror books! There is no way Syrians can accept him in any public position, let alone the presidency!? Monajed wrote.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the Assad regime in Syria must stop killing its people or face "serious consequences." NBC's Andrea Mitchell has more.

Meanwhile, opposition activists accused Syrian troops of shelling two cities ? Homs and Zabadani -- on Tuesday in a campaign to weaken opposition forces Assad's government before a ceasefire deadline next week.

Rebel fighters also kept up their attacks, killing three soldiers in separate actions in northern Syria, activists said.

Assad has agreed to a ceasefire negotiated by international peace envoy Kofi Annan from April 10, the latest effort to end a year of bloodshed stemming from an uprising against his rule.

Peacekeepers to arrive soon
An advance team from the United Nations' peacekeeping department will arrive in Damascus in the next two days to work out how observers can monitor the truce, Annan's spokesman said in Geneva.

But Syrian opposition figures as well as Western governments have already made it clear they are not convinced that Assad, who has failed to honor previous commitments, would keep his word this time.

Syria agrees to UN's April 10 peace plan deadline

"He is a liar," said Waleed al-Fares, an opposition activist in Homs, a city which came to symbolize the anti-Assad struggle as opposition-held areas endured weeks of bombardments and sniper fire.

Targets in Homs were coming under shelling on Tuesday, he said. Another opposition activist, Mortadha al-Rashid, told Reuters from Damascus that the western border town of Zabadani was also taking a pounding.

Syria says it won't back down first

"The regime shows no signs of stopping. There are people being shelled in Zabadani right now," another opposition activist, Mortadha al-Rashid said. "Where are Kofi Annan's words? Because we have never seen them on the streets."

Reuters contributed to this report.

More from msnbc.com and NBC News:

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