Imagine if the heat from the Sahara Desert - one of the hottest and emptiest places on earth - could somehow be used to provide solar energy for much of Europe. This is the dream of a team of scientists from several European countries who foresee just such an incredible concept becoming reality.

A new organization called the Mediterranean Union was established in July 2008 by the President of France and brings together all the countries in the European Union, as well as countries in the Middle East and Africa that border the Mediterranean. The organization’s aim is to deal with various important issues such as immigration, trade and security - as well as energy.

The idea of solar power from Africa has been considered before the creation of the Union. In 2007, a project with the nickname of Desertec was presented to the European Union. The plan called for huge solar power stations to be built along the coast of several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The electricity produced would then be transmitted through undersea cables to provide energy for much of Europe.

It is projected that this plan would potentially provide up to around 16% of Europe’s electricity needs - as well as considerably reducing carbon emissions. The huge solar power stations would also serve as desalination plants to provide African countries with much needed fresh water. The projected cost was around 200 billion pounds, with the money coming from financial institutions and governments.

The plan put forward by the Mediterranean Union foresees a similar system of huge solar farms across North Africa, connected to a supergrid and supplying electrical energy to Europe. One reason why the concept is so attractive is that the sunlight in this part of the world is so intense - it’s predicted that Sahara solar panels could produce up to three times the output of similar panels located in Europe.

Politicians and environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have welcomed the idea, especially as high oil prices have persuaded people to look more closely at other forms of energy. The cost of solar energy is actually decreasing, as the necessary technology increases, although this ambitious plan would still cost an expected 400 billion pounds.

Don’t anticipate Europe to be heated from desert solar power any time soon - it will take many years to have the infrastructure in place, although some Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Portugal, have already made a considerable investment in solar power. Scientists foresee that perhaps by 2050, the Sahara desert may be generating 100 GW (gigawatts of solar thermal power). However if this does one day become reality, it could benefit millions of people in Europe and Africa.

Do you already work at home? Or is it something you’re considering doing in the near future?

I’ve spent 20 years successfully working from home and so I understand why the idea of working from home aspires so many, especially with the possibilities it brings for a healthier quality of life, which it certainly can.

But to make it work and for you to create a successful business working from home, you need to GET ORGANISED!

Once you’re organised you can conquer the world, or at least stay happily on top of your own little corner of it.

With this in mind, this is the first of a few articles relating to giving you some simple but key tips on how to successfully work from home…

Tip 1 Set Up Your Work Space At Home

First, you will need to create some space; somewhere that’s yours, even if it’s temporary! Thankfully, working from home means you can be creative and flexible. If your home doesn’t have a dedicated office or study, then think about where else could you find space? Are there a few square feet to spare in any of these?

Loft or Attic Basement or cellar Under stairs Walk-in wardrobe Corner of living room or bedroom (you can even use a simple privacy screen if necessary, to give you more of a private area) Foyer or lobby Hall or landing Garage Garden shed Laundry room, utility room etc…

After deciding where your new work-from-home office will be, you need to ensure you’re setup with the correct equipment to enable you to do your ‘job’ from homw well.

Vital essentials include:

- Desk (or any flat surface ie kitchen table, where you can work). - Computer - desktop or laptop/notebook with Internet access, ideally broadband which provides much quicker internet access, and allows you to use the phone & internet at the same time. - Printer - Phone (using a digital cordless phone gives flexibility, in case you have to move to another space) - Answering machine - Filing system (cabinet, crate, box, concertina folder) - Comfortable (important!) chair - Good lighting (equally important if you’re planning on working late) - Basic office supplies (pens, highlighters, folders, stapler etc.)

But (and this is a very important “but”)… don’t go out and spend a fortune on ’stuff’ straightaway. learn to start with what you have, add what you absolutely need. Once the money’s coming in you can spoil yourself with shiny new stuff but do that only when your business begins turning a profit and you can afford the extras.

As you purchase things and create your workspace, keep in mind the need to be flexible and efficient. Your computer is crucial. Make sure your computer is ‘man enough’ to do what you’re asking of it - there’s nothing more frustrating then having to continually wait while your computer opens files, connects and/or reboots.

One other thing - ensure your software up-to-date, and you’ve installed adequate anti-virus and firewall protection (something I’ve learned the painful way!). Make sure you do regular backups of your data. Your data is your business’s lifeline… protect it above all costs.

Using a laptop or notebook computer and wireless Internet means you can work anywhere in your home, even outside in the garden! If you are a stay-at-home mum or dad and you have small children who can’t be left unsupervised, a wireless laptop is ideal. You can work wherever your kids are.

A notebook with wireless also lets you work outside your home wherever there’s wireless Internet… in local restaurants, coffee shops, hotel foyers, airports, etc. Having the option to “go out and work” can make a tremendous difference to your quality of life and productivity.

Another great tip to maximise your budget, space and time is to combine functionality. If you need a printer, look for a model that includes a printer, copier, scanner and fax machine… all-in-one - there are some great ones available at very reasonable prices.

No matter how small your work space, enjoy creating one that is just for you, by making it personal to you. I love my work space - and you need to do the same, after all you’re going to be spending a fair bit of time in ‘your space’…

…so make it a ’space’ you really enjoy being in - your work-from-home business will thank you for it!

You probably noticed a box for a promotion code when you went to enroll with TrustedID’s identity theft protection plan. We all like promotions and discounts. So now you’re on a mission to find one. Finding an actual code that is current is difficult because there really aren’t too many Trusted ID promotion codes issued.

However, you can find TrustedID promotion code offers and discounts from different websites. While they’ll vary, you’ll always save some money by clicking through the link on those pages.

One of the most popular promotions is a 10% discount. It also includes a 30 day risk-free trial so that you can take a test run to be sure you like this identity theft protection plan. The best part of this is that the discounted price applies to both the individual AND family plans on the monthly or annual pay plan. Take advantage of this to save yourself some serious bucks.

Another promotional offer that’s available for right now is to get your first TWO months for free. This is a very hard to find offer and isn’t going to last forever. If this appeals to you, jump on it now because it’s going to be history sometime in the near future. It also is applicable for family and individual plans using the monthly or annual memberships.

TrustedID is the identity protection recommended by Suze Orman|Suze Orman has endorsed TrustedID as her preferred plan|The TV financial whiz - Suze Orman - recommends Trusted ID}. She knows a thing or two about finances and how to preserve your assets. Keeping your identity safe is one of the biggest assets you own. For more information about it, check out this review of Trusted ID.

Trusted ID’s plans include all of the following:

* 14 Point Identity Protection

* ID Freeze

* Medical Record Protection

* Anti-Spyware Protection

* Lost Wallet Protection

* Reduction of junk mail

* Free Annual Credit Report

* Social Security Statement

* Credit Card Monitoring

* Black Market Monitoring

* Family Coverage Plan

* Lender Double Check

* 24/7 On-Call Protection Specialists

* $1,000,000 Service Warranty

* Child ID Theft Protection

* Name and Address Scanning

* Personal Data Screening

When you decide it is time to bring home a Shih Tzu for you and your family you want to be certain that you are getting the best start you possible can when you start life with your new pet.

The very first thing you are going to need to do is be certain that you find the right Shih Tzu breeder and one that you can trust, as your relationship will extend way after you leave their property with your new puppy. Choosing a breeder is important so take your time and consider many.

The first thing you can do is check with the National Kennel Club to find a reputable breeder in your area. The National Kennel Club will have a listing of most of the very good breeders near you and also some information about the dogs that breeder offers. There are other breeder registries that you can also look into and check out any potential local breeder you may want to deal with. If they are not listed with a registry then you may want to avoid them.

A good Shih Tzu breeder will be there for long after you take your new puppy home. A good breeder will be available to answer your questions and advice while you are raising your puppy.

A good breeder encourages owners, especially novice owners, to contact them if they have any questions or concerns or if they feel they need any advice for the raising of a new dog. A good breeder knows that a good relationship between breeder and owner is essential to the ongoing good health of each dog.

Another good sign of a breeder is how helpful they are with your new dog’s diet. A good breeder will offer detailed advice on care and feeding of your new Shih Tzu and they also offer their own personal advice as well, based on their experience. Most breeders will also send you home with a food sample so you know what to get your dog for the future. If you are not getting any of this kind of help from your breeder then you may have a bad breeder.

A reputable Shih Tzu breeder will offer you free pet insurance that will begin as soon as you take ownership of the dog and extend for six weeks. They are given the insurance for free from insurance companies in the hopes that you will see how convenient it is during that first vet appointment and you will extend the coverage. If you are not offered free pet insurance then you are probably not dealing with a reputable breeder.

A good breeder can mean many things to an owner and you should make sure to discuss all of these things prior to investing in a dog from any breeder. A good breeder will also offer to take back the dog, without a refund, at any point in the dog’s life if you can no longer care for it. A good breeder is interested in the health and happiness of the dog and the satisfaction of the family that bought it.

Just as it is extremely important to make sure that you put only the best of the best food into your body, for the same reasons, you want to make sure that only the best foods and treats go into the little body of your dog. Yorkshire Terrier nutrition is one of the most important parts to consider and focus on when thinking of proper pet care. While there are many choices of food on the market and this may seem like an excellent thing, it can make it a lot more confusing when trying to find what will be best for your individual dogs needs.

Too many times an owner will only take into account the price of the product thinking that all dog foods are created equal and that is simply not the case. Take special note to who the makers of the dog foods are and make sure that you read through all of the fine print and the ingredients as well. When in doubt, your local vet should be able to direct you in the right direction as to which dog food is best for your little furry friend.

One thing that never seems to come to mind for many people when thinking about proper Yorkshire Terrier nutrition is how much they are feeding the dog, instead of completely focusing all of their efforts onto the type of food being served. This particular breed is highly at risk for various types of stomach disorders and digestive issues. Making sure that your dog is not overeating can make sure to keep these potential problems at bay.

Most animals will stop when they are full, but just as some humans face the problem of overeating even when their body is not in need of more food some dogs face the same issue. It is important that you closely monitor the food and food portions that your Yorkie receives so that there are no problems down the road. Helping to control the food by not leaving food out all of the time would help keep a possible over eating problem away.

When trying to look through the different types of dog foods at your local grocery store or pet store, it can be completely confusing. There are so many options to pick from with each and every brand stating that they provide the best Yorkshire Terrier nutrition.

The fact is though, that not every type of dog food is suitable for every type of dog. The cheapest are not always the worst for your dog and the most expensive are not always the best for your dog’s nutrition.

Your vet may also suggest that you research and try out some of the different Yorkshire Terrier dog food recipes as these home made meals will often provide the essential nutrients that are required for excellent Yorkshire Terrior care.

Taking the appropriate steps now will make sure that you will have a long and healthy life with your Yorkie. It isn’t hard to take that few extra moments and try something new in order to benefit your pup.

You and your family have talked it over and it is time to add a new member to your family. Everyone wants a Shih Tzu and now it is up to you to find the right way to get a good dog for you and your family.

The very first thing you are going to need to do is be certain that you find the right Shih Tzu breeder and one that you can trust, as your relationship will extend way after you leave their property with your new puppy. Choosing a breeder is important so take your time and consider many.

The place you can start is any of the national breeder registries you can find on the Internet or just skip right to the National Kennel Club, which is the standard by which many breeders go by in the United States. The registry will point you towards a quality breeder and help you start your search off on the best foot possible to get the best results.

The relationship between you and your Shih Tzu breeder extends way beyond the transaction itself. A good breeder wants to make sure you have a positive experience in owning the dog so they will make themselves available for consultation or whenever you have a question at all.

A good breeder encourages owners, especially novice owners, to contact them if they have any questions or concerns or if they feel they need any advice for the raising of a new dog. A good breeder knows that a good relationship between breeder and owner is essential to the ongoing good health of each dog.

Another good sign of a breeder is how helpful they are with your new dog’s diet. A good breeder will offer detailed advice on care and feeding of your new Shih Tzu and they also offer their own personal advice as well, based on their experience. Most breeders will also send you home with a food sample so you know what to get your dog for the future. If you are not getting any of this kind of help from your breeder then you may have a bad breeder.

A reputable Shih Tzu breeder will offer you free pet insurance that will begin as soon as you take ownership of the dog and extend for six weeks. They are given the insurance for free from insurance companies in the hopes that you will see how convenient it is during that first vet appointment and you will extend the coverage. If you are not offered free pet insurance then you are probably not dealing with a reputable breeder.

Any good breeder will offer many options and pieces of advice to any new or experienced owner. You should discuss with your prospective breeder any of these conditions to see if you are dealing with a reputable breeder or not. A reputable breeder will offer to take the dog back at any point in its life if you can no longer care for it, with no cash refund. That is something you do not get from a shady breeder.

It’s relatively unclear and practically impossible to judge exactly which species of dinosaur was the largest, due to the fact that many of the fossil remains discovered to date aren’t totally complete. Partial fossils have been discovered relatively recently that allude to the fact that there may have been dinosaurs that were much larger than what scientists had perceived to have been the largest, but trying to judge based on the incomplete evidence that exists is a difficult task.

Despite the information and evidence that has already been unearthed, and what is discovered in the near and the distant future, there will probably always be questions when it comes to determining which dinosaur was the largest or which was the fastest, which could fly or which were adept in the water. Regardless of what exactly is discovered, scientists will probably never be able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what exactly went on sixty five million years ago, or that we will have enough information to make any truly conclusive decisions.

The best that we can do is judge based on the most complete evidence that we currently have available to us, which may only be an infantile percentage of what the age of the dinosaurs really has to offer.

Judgment based on complete evidence

With a relatively complete skeleton to go by and enough information to make a reasonable judgment as to overall size, the largest dinosaur discovered seems to be the Brachiosaurus.

The Brachiosaurus most likely lived at the end of the Jurassic period or at the beginning of the Cretaceous period.

How big did it get?

It should come as no surprise to anyone who has some familiarity with dinosaurs that the biggest of all the dinosaurs was beyond what could be considered massive. The Brachiosaurus could have gotten to in excess of eighty feet in length, and with a body type similar to that of a giraffe, it could very well have been able to raise its head nearly forty feet in the air.

Though it can be pretty difficult for scientists to accurately estimate the weight of any dinosaur, the estimates on this giant herbivore range in the neighborhood of thirty tons on the low end, all the way up to forty tons at the other end of the spectrum.

Safety in Numbers (numbers of pounds, that is.)

Brachiosaurus was an herbivore, dining exclusively on plant material. Many herbivores were particularly susceptible to predators, most likely because they posed less of a threat to their attackers. Quite a few known dinosaur herbivores had extra protection like armor plating or extra tough, spiny skin, but not the Brachiosaurus. It’s speculated that the brachiosaurus wasn’t too threatened by even some of the larger predators in the dinosaur world, simply because they were so large in stature.

Popularity

Because of the unique distinction of being the biggest prehistoric dinosaur to ever roam the earth, the brachiosaurus has gained some notoriety in the popular media. We’ve seen the brachiosaurus in some major motion pictures as well as on television; in fact, the brachiosaurus has become popular almost to the point that it rivals the tyrannosaurus as the most popular of all known species of dinosaur.

It’s probably pretty likely that, in the not too distant future, another nearly complete fossilized skeleton will be unearthed and put back together like an enormous jigsaw puzzle, to show the world a dinosaur that is even more immense than the brachiosaurus. If in fact this does happen, it certainly won’t change the fact that the brachiosaurus was one of the most impressive animals to ever walk the earth and it probably won’t change the fact that the brachiosaurus is also one of the most popular species of dinosaur to have ever existed.

You and your family have talked it over and it is time to add a new member to your family. Everyone wants a Shih Tzu and now it is up to you to find the right way to get a good dog for you and your family.

The best way to insure you get the best dog you can get and a breeder you can trust is to do some research and make sure you get a reputable Shih Tzu breeder. A good breeder makes all the difference in the world, so take your time and make the right choice the first time.

The first thing you can do is check with the National Kennel Club to find a reputable breeder in your area. The National Kennel Club will have a listing of most of the very good breeders near you and also some information about the dogs that breeder offers. There are other breeder registries that you can also look into and check out any potential local breeder you may want to deal with. If they are not listed with a registry then you may want to avoid them.

The relationship between you and your Shih Tzu breeder extends way beyond the transaction itself. A good breeder wants to make sure you have a positive experience in owning the dog so they will make themselves available for consultation or whenever you have a question at all.

If you are having a difficult time getting a hold of a particular breeder, or they don’t seem too anxious to answer questions, then you may need to move on to a different breeder before you make a mistake.

Every good breeder is very concerned about your dog’s health so a good breeder will make sure you leave their property not only with a healthy dog but with detailed care and feeding instructions so you know exactly how to care for your dog. Many of the more reputable breeders will also send you home with a sample of the type of food your dog will need so you know exactly what to get.

When you get ready to take your new dog home from the Shih Tzu breeder the reputable breeder will offer you free pet insurance for a six week period after you leave their property. They get it as a free incentive from insurance companies and the hope of the insurance company is that you will want to continue coverage. Free pet insurance is not something a shady breeder can offer or will offer.

A good breeder can mean many things to an owner and you should make sure to discuss all of these things prior to investing in a dog from any breeder. A good breeder will also offer to take back the dog, without a refund, at any point in the dog’s life if you can no longer care for it. A good breeder is interested in the health and happiness of the dog and the satisfaction of the family that bought it.

Of all the breeds of dog to choose from, the Shar Pei is definitely one of the very best. This is an incredibly popular breed of dog, and for good reason. They are loyal, loving, and make a great family pet, as long as they have been trained properly. Shar Pei training is incredibly important, and although it is going to go over better if you start when still a puppy, you can do this at any age.

There are a few different aspects that you are going to want to keep in mind when it comes to Shar Pei training. Remember that these are very dominant dogs and so if you do not train them properly or put enough care into the matter, they will try to run the house.

When it comes to Shar Pei training, you may not know where to start. The first thing you should do is gather together the tools and equipment that you are going to need.

If you are considering getting a puppy, the Shar Pei is definitely a great choice. These are beautiful, loyal and adorable dogs, but Shar Pei training is going to be a serious aspect if you choose this breed. This is because Shar Pei tend to be very dominant dogs and they will try to run the household if you do not let them know who is in charge.

Puppies are learning right from the moment you bring them home, just as with children, and so it is best to start right away rather than waiting for them to get older. Socialization classes are great for all dogs, especially Shar Peis, and as an added benefit of puppy class you will also be helping by building a stronger bond with your dog. You can either train your Shar Pei yourself or you can take them to a professional dog training class or course.

Whether you are training with positive reinforcement or just trying to bond more with your dog, Shar Pei potty trainingis an essential part to owning a Shar Pei dog. You want to make sure that they recognize you as being the master, the one in control, but remember that if you try to force it too much you may end up just doing yourself even more harm.

Monitoring your puppy and taking it outside to the same place every hour or so will start the habit of going in the right place. Be sure to establish your self as the boss as soon as you bring your puppy home, because without this authority training can be really difficult with a Shar Pei puppy. You might even be able to train your puppy to ring a bell hung on a doorknob when it needs to go out!

It should not take long to potty train your Shar Pei and then you can go on to other training such as for obedience. If you have any questions or run into any trouble contact your vet, a trusted breeder or a professional dog trainer.

The US government today took a major step toward increasing investors confidence in the US mortgage market by utilizing the power Congress provided the Treasury Department and the new government sponsored enterprise oversight agency known as the Federal Housing Finance Agency FHFA.

Some observers believe that this move may cause interest rates to go down. Because buyers of government sponsored enterprise investments have demanded higher than normal returns on their investments due to a lack of confidence in these entities, which as been pronounced by speculation that the GSEs may collapse. Others feared nationalization of the government sponsored enterprises, which presents a different sent of implications. What happened today stops short of nationalizing the government sponsored enterprises, but it does dilute shareholder equity in the GSEs.

The speculation as to what will happen with the government sponsored enterprises and it’s concern of their potential collapse, consolidation, nationalization, etc. The certainty of the situation is thought to be a very good thing. Investors will likely be willing to invest in mortgage backed securities under the new scenario meaning with the explicit guaranty of, rather than the implicit guaranty of, the credit of the US government at rates similar to the past. This could be great news for Mortgage rates, construction loan rates, new home construction and refinancing.

Recently investors have demanded spreads of 2.25% to 2.45% over treasuries, whereas the normal spread historically has been 1.25%. That means agency interest rates may have been inflated recently by as much as 1.2%. Well have to see if this move causes the reaction of international investors feeling comfortable enough with this move to accept a 1.25% spread over treasuries like they used to. Logically they should, so long as these investors believe in the underlying credit worthiness of the US government.

If we do see a rate decrease of 100 to 120 basis points we should see a surge in business. We will not expect to see the GSEs back off of the recent underwriting guideline tightening; in fact, we expect to see underwriting guidelines continue to tighten in reaction to a recent revelation that the foreclosure crisis is now spreading further into high quality credit borrowers. So, no relief expected soon on underwriting guidelines, but potential significant relief in terms of interest rates.

Refinance My Vehicle