Daily Archives: February 25, 2014

That’s one way to expand your workspace! The ‘world’s biggest’ desk installed at New York marketing firm stretches for 1,100 feet

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ամենամեծ գրասեղանը

The world’s largest desk has been installed in the offices of a New York marketing firm at a cost of $300,000, and it even features its own Twitter account.

The desk is actually an architecturally designed installation rather than a solid state desk, featuring 1,100 feet of desk space.

It was designed by architect Clive Wilkinson, 59, and was built into the office of New-York marketing firm The Barbarian Group last month.

 

The Barbarian Group said: ‘It’s a desk that we could all share, literally.
‘4,400 square feet of undulating, unbroken awesomeness to keep people and ideas flowing.’

 

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The design was commissioned by the company to create an ‘endless table’ which features large meeting spaces, individual and group work spaces and shelter-like areas for semi-private chats, all on one desk in a large office space.

Named ‘Superdesk’ the structure features a flowing surface which loops and connects to itself, including seven arches for multiple functions.

 

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Inside India’s rat temple where 20,000 of them are worshipped, fed and protected as they scurry between the feet of tourists

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հնդկաստան,տաճար

 

An Indian temple is overrun with more than 20,000 rats – and the devotees couldn’t be happier.

հնդկաստան, առնետներ

The Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan, India, is known for its devotion to the furry animals, often seen as the scourge of urban areas.

Rats scurry throughout the temple, where they are worshipped, fed and protected.

Devotees have even gone to extreme lengths to protect the species by building netting and grills to keep out predators such as raptors.

The rodents move freely within the temple and can be seen eating from a huge metal bowl of milk and grains, placed there daily by devotees.

Small children can be seen playing and interacting with the rats – while scores of tourists flock there each day to catch a glimpse of the unique spectacle.

The food nibbled by the rats is also considered holy and is sometimes consumed by a devotee – even if it has been half eaten by rodents.

While black and brown rats are easily spotted in the temple courtyard, devotees believe sighting a white rat is a blessing.

Priests at the temple treat the furry inhabitants with serious devotion and warn visitors to walk carefully within the temple premises to avoid trampling them.

According to the temple rules, stepping accidentally on rat and killing it is a sin.

 

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ACNIS Hosts Conference on International Integration Processes

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Yerevan—The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion on “The Eastern Partnership and Customs Union: International Integration Projects or Geopolitical Competition?” The meeting brought together representatives from the diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading policy analysts, political figures, and members of the press.

Raffi K. Hovannisian, ACNIS founder and president, welcomed the audience with keynote remarks, and wished the participants fruitful deliberation. “With today’s strategic offering, ACNIS enters its 20th year of public service and commitment to the cause of objective, multi-disciplinary research, analysis, and national discourse for the betterment of Armenia and the deepening of its democracy, rule of law, and sovereignty,” he said.

Welcoming the guests with an opening speech, ACNIS director Manvel Sargsian underscored the need for public debates on the matter at hand. “Armenia’s choice between signing the EU Association Agreement and entering the Customs Union evoked concerns all over the world, and particularly in those countries, whose interests are closely linked with the afore-mentioned projects. Armenia is one of those countries,—hence comprehensive, multi-disciplining assessments of the processes taking place are of vital significance for us.”

The day’s first speaker was governance expert Harutyun Mesrobyan, who described Armenia’s decision to access the Customs Union as a serious challenge to the state’s sovereignty and security. “By accessing any union, we will become uncompetitive. It is simply amazing why Armenia—neighboring Iran with its vast resources—does not make any use of it and is knocking at doors of the North and the West. The impression is that we do need a state but we are looking for any available protector,” Mesrobyan underscored.

In his intervention, leading economist Dr. Tatoul Manasserian assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the Customs Union. According to him, Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union may bring more economic harm than good if the procedure of customs clearance is not clarified. “I appreciate the very positive cooperation, but along political decisions, we need to be able to make correct economic calculations so that the budget could avoid any gaps caused by not cleared customs.” On the other hand, Manasserian stressed that at current stage it is of vital importance to solve the Abkhazian railroad issue with assistance of the strategic partner “which will create more favorable conditions for businesses to develop trade and economic relations with the outside world.”

In his turn, Yerevan Press Club president Boris Navasardyan—in light of Armenia’s “official” decision to enter the Customs Union—contemplated the prospects of the nation’s facing restrictions upon its democratic freedoms. “By choosing the Eurasian direction, we are entering a system where the other three members do not meet the minimum threshold of democracy—freedom of assembly and freedom of access to Internet—that Armenia has already reached. Therefore, the model prevailing therein will have a negative impact on our value system. If Armenia signs the agreement on accessing the Customs Union, it will become monopolistically dominated by one country. Armenia has never experienced such isolation over the course of its modern history,” Navasardyan mentioned.

The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers, and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable participants also included writer and blogger Marine Petrosyan, political analysts Mikayel Zolyan, Nikita Zarobyan, and Edgar Vardanian, civic activist Zarouhi Hovhannisyan, expert Khachik Harutyunyan of TransparencyInternationalAnti-CorruptionCenter in Armenia, head Arthur Avtandilyan of FreeDemocratsPartyPolicyAnalysisCenter, and others.

 

 

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The ArmenianCenter for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.  As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Over the past 20 years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national and international policy issues.

 

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Holmes under the hammer: Victorian church where Arthur Conan Doyle tried to contact the dead goes on the market for £500,000

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A Victorian church where Sherlock Homes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tried to contact the dead has gone up for sale.

The Cedars Spiritualist Church in Ipswich, Suffolk – once a hotbed of British spiritualism – is on the market for between £500,000 and £700,000.

In the 1920s it hosted packed meetings where psychics would try to contact the spirits of people who had passed on.

One regular visitor was writer Doyle who was one of the most famous spiritualists of his day, finding solace in the practice after losing his wife Louise in 1906 and his son Kingsley just before the end of the First World War.

Records show that Ipswich Psychic Society – as the church was once known – hosted popular garden parties and talks that attracted as many as 1,000 people.

Kandi Munson, The Cedars’ president, said the imposing Victorian property was originally bought for £800.
She added: ‘We had our own mediums, Joan Brown and Dorothy Abraham, who lived here in the flats above the church for many years.

‘They talked about people arriving in horse and carriages from London, visits from and to Native Indians in Canada and, of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who came to society meetings on a number of occasions.

‘We’ve got all his books on spiritualism – all first editions which he gave us. They are locked away but they won’t be sold as part of the house.

‘They are too precious and will be coming with us to our new home.’

Church leaders have taken the decision to sell up as they want a property more suited to what the church now offers, including activities such as yoga and meditation, as well as regular services.

The Cedars will be going under the hammer at Goldings Auctions at Wherstead Park next month.

Tigran Sargsyan Sums Up Outcome Of Meeting With Russian Counterpart

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Following his meeting with Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan introduced some details to the news reporters. In particular, he advised that the status of Armenia’s Customs Union and Common Economic Space joining roadmap activities had been discussed during the meeting.

“We traced back the actions implemented by the Armenian side. The Russian side hailed the activities of our working groups. We also discussed how Russia might help us implement the roadmap more effectively, since we need grant funds to develop appropriate infrastructure, to build up a single database and unified networks. We look forward to being assisted by our partners in these matters,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Tigran Sargsyan, per-sector estimates have been made as to the resources needed to improve infrastructure. The finalized figures will be made public upon completion of the talks. Another key topic was Rosneft’s investment projects in Armenia.

“We took note of Rosneft President Igor Sechin’s report on the activities already completed and the actions planned. USD500mn-worth investment is scheduled under Rosneft’s Armenia project. We are going to have a substantial discussion next week to see what conditions should be provided to expedite the process. Of course, the program features Nairit chemical plant, because the workers currently employed will make up the kernel of the new plant’s staff,” the Prime Minister advised.
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Collapse at construction site in Thailand kills at least 11

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At least 11 construction workers were killed Tuesday when a big cement beam fell on them in a Bangkok suburb, at the site where they were working, Thai police said.

More than a dozen injured people have been transported to nearby hospitals, and at least one worker is still trapped inside the rubble, police said.

A rescue team is trying to lift the wreckage of cement and steel to free anybody trapped underneath, authorities said. Sniffer dogs have also been deployed to find possible survivors.

The collapse took place around noon at the construction site of a new hospital.

 

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Full List of 2014 Oscars Presenters Announced

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ջոլի, պիտ

The full list of celebrities who will take the stage on March 2 to present the Oscars has been unleashed on Monday, February 24. Among the famous names are Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jim Carrey.

The ceremony which will take place at the Dolby Theater inside Hollywood & Highland Center is hosted by Ellen Degeneres. Pink and Bette Midler have been previously announced as performers.

 

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Holy cow! Five-legged animal tours round India to bring good luck with extra limb attached to its NECK

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Հինգ ոտք ունեցող կով

 

These extraordinary pictures show a five-legged cow, whose extra limb is rather bizarrely attached to its neck.

Many believe the four-year-old animal brings good luck to whoever touches the extra limb – with some claiming it is a manifestation of a Hindu deity.

Owner Laxman Bhosale, 35, tours the country with the animal – with hundreds regularly turning out to catch a glipse of the creature.

Laxman said: ‘Cow is our holy animal. We call her our mother. With this extra limb, God is indicating to us that we must respect the animal and seek her blessings.

After setting off last July from his home in Solapur, Maharastra, where he owns a cow shelter, Mr Bhosale’s journey has seen him visit six states and 15 major cities.

Most people who come to see the five legged wonder pay their respects with some making donations.

Laxman has now arrived in New Delhi, India’s capital. But he says it is only a temporary stop.

‘I want all of humanity to benefit from the blessings of mother cow and her fifth leg.’

 

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