Rohit Prabhakar

I build agentic revenue systems for Fortune 50 companies

Haiti, American Red Cross and Technology

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It is very impressive to see the American Red Cross using web technology extensively to reach the world with the latest news and messages bulletins. The newsroom of the American Red Cross is constantly updating with the latest news, messages. They have put the technology to the right use by distributing the information at the same time and not waiting for the media to print it after a lapse of few hours or even a day.

The updates coming out of the site are beneficial for both the victims and the donors. Here are two of the updates

As of Sunday morning, more than 21,600 people had registered with a special Red Cross Web site to help people search for their loved ones. The Web site of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) enables people in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake. The web address is: www.icrc.org/familylinks. People in Haiti are registering to let their loved ones know they are safe and well.

The damage is extensive, and we know that this is going to be a massive and costly long-term recovery operation.

  • As of January 16, the American Red Cross has raised more than $87 million for relief efforts. We know that we are going to spend much more than that to help the people of Haiti. The Red Cross has already released $10 million for Haiti relief efforts, and will be adding more. Future allocations will be made once we know more about the situation on the ground in Haiti and the greatest needs for both the short and long term.
  • Terrible times like these bring out the best in people, and we are grateful for the support being given to the American Red Cross.
  • People can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.

Source: American Red Cross

If unfortunately you are a victim or a relative/ friend of a victim please go to http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/WFL_HTI.NSF/DocIndex/locate_eng?opendocument

California Has More Than 99% Chance Of A Big Earthquake

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California Has More Than 99% Chance Of A Big Earthquake WIthin 30 Years, Report Shows

ScienceDaily (2008-04-15) —

California has more than a 99% chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake within the next 30 years, according scientists using a new model to determine the probability of big quakes. The likelihood of a major quake of magnitude 7.5 or greater in the next 30 years is 46% – and such a quake is most likely to occur in the southern half of the state.

read complete story….

Haiti Earthquake

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The strongest earthquake in more than 200 years rocked Haiti today. The magnitude was 7.0 on the Richter scale. Even after this powerful quake there has been two more after shocks measuring more than 5 on the Richter scale.

“The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation. As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

The American Red Cross is accepting donations through our International Response Fund.”

Source: Red Cross

Meanwhile a Tsunami watch is in effect for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas and Dominican Republic.

Source: NWS

Is Economy recovering? The BLS report suggests something different.

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The economic news released by bureau of labor statistics today i.e. Tuesday, January 12, 2010 has something very different and opposite to what most of us are thinking. As per all the current news and posts the economy is recovering but it seems it must be recovering on some specific segments. There are less than 50% jobs for the officially unemployed 15.3 million US citizens.

 Job Openings and Labor Turnover – November 2009
There were 2.4 million job openings on the last business day of
November 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The
job openings rate was little changed over the month at 1.8 percent.
The openings rate has held relatively steady since March 2009. The
hires rate (3.2 percent) and the separations rate (3.3 percent) were
essentially unchanged in November. This release includes estimates of
the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the
total nonfarm sector by industry and geographic region.
Job Openings
The job openings rate was little changed in November at 1.8 percent.
After falling steeply from mid-2007 through February 2009, the job
openings rate has been steady at 1.8 percent or 1.9 percent since
March 2009. The number of job openings fell by 2.3 million from the
most recent peak in June 2007 to April 2009 but has declined by only
98,000 since. The job openings rate was essentially unchanged in all
industries and all four regions in November.
Read the detailed report at bls website.

How can some see racist theme in alien adventure ‘Avatar’ ??

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I was amazed to read a news on Yahoo

Some see racist theme in alien adventure ‘Avatar’ (AP)

avatar

I discussed this with my wife and inquired when and how during  all the minutes of the movie a person can take it to be even close to being racist. After reading the whole news on Yahoo we tried to recreate all those moments of the movie in our mind but nowhere it seems to be racist. I was under an impression that there is no racism in America but this news says something different (and I donot believe it).

You may call it racist or you may not agree to it, but one thing that we all agree to is that it is a Masterpiece movie. Surely it is going to break all the records set by Titanic!