Frankfurt: the city in a suit

Jeff Mills chooses the best sights, hotels, restaurants and bars for business in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt rightly continues to stake its claim as one of the most important business and financial centres on the European continent. And although it often suffers from a somewhat staid reputation, look beyond the slick high-rises and you will find a city with a surprisingly vibrant lifestyle.

Much of the old town was destroyed during the Second World War – hence all the new buildings – but small pockets remain, including the attractive stretch of museums along the River Main, the imposing Cathedral and the cobbled square of Römerberg.

You could find yourself doing business in almost any part of the city, although the main concentration of commerce tends to be in the area around the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and towards the Borse (Stock Exchange) just a short walk away.

Top five sights

1. Römer and Römerberg

Statue of Justice in Romerberg Square, Frankfurt travel guide

The City Hall, with its gabled Gothic façade, is widely recognised as the city’s emblem and is where banquets were held to celebrate the coronations of the Holy Roman Emperors. The square was lovingly restored after it was damaged during World War Two.

0049 69 21 23 4814
www.frankfurt.de
The Römer is open daily 10 am-1 pm, 2 pm-5 pm
Free

2. The Goethe Haus and Museum

The birthplace of Germany’s most famous poet is today a sizeable museum, furnished with pieces which belonged to his family.

Großer Hirschgraben 23-25
0049 69 13 8800
www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and 10am-5.30 pm on Sun
€5 (£3.35)


3. Sachsenhausen

The old quarter of Sachsenhausen, on the south bank of the Main River, has been preserved, or at least recreated, as it once was. This is the area to find the “Ebbelwei” – apple wine – taverns.
Free

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Eurovision 2008 Russia - Dima Bilan - Believing

Believe - Dima Bilan
Lyric
/Written by Viktor Belan aka Dima Bilan and Jim Beanz, produced by Jim Beanz/

Even when the thunder and storm begins
I’ll be standing strong like a tree in the wind
Nothing's gonna move this mountain
Or change my direction
I’m falling off that sky and I’m all alone
The courage that’s inside is gonna brake my fall
Nothing’s gonna dim my light within


But if I keep going on
It will never be impossible, not today

Cause I’ve got something to believe in
As long as I’m breathing
There is not a limit to what I can dream
Cause I’ve got something to believe in
Mission to keep climbing
Nothing else can stop me if I just believe
And I believe in me

Even when the world tries to pull me down
Tell me that I can, try to turn me around
I wont let them put my fire out, without no!

But if I keep going on
It will never be impossible, not today

Cause I’ve got something to believe in
As long as I’m breathing
There is not a limit to what I can dream
Cause I’ve got something to believe in
Mission to keep climbing
Nothing else can stop me if I just believe
And I believe:

I can do it all
Open every door
Turn unthinkable to reality
You’ll see- I can do it all and more!

Believing
As long as I’m breathing
There is not a limit to what I can dream
Believing
Mission to keep climbing
Nothing else can stop me if just believe
And I believe in me.

LABOUR LAW OF VIETNAM

The labour law of Vietnam is governed by the Labour Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Labour Code protects the right to work, the interests and other rights of the labourer. At the same time it protects the rights and lawful interests of the labour user. Therefore creating conditions for the establishment of harmonious and stable labour relations, helping to develop the creativeness and talent of the intellectual and manual workers, of the labour managers in order to achieve productivity, quality and social progress in labour, production, service, efficiency in the use and management of labour, thus contributing to the industrialization and modernization of the country in the cause of bringing prosperity to the people and strength to the nation and building a just and civilized society.

LABOUR CONTRACT

The labour contract is the agreement between the labourer and the labour user on a paid job, on the conditions of work, on the rights and obligations of each party in the labour relations.

The labour contract must be made in one of the following forms

1. Contract without definite term;
2. Contract valid for from one to three years.
3. Contract for a seasonal job or a specific job to be carried out in less than one year.

It is forbidden to sign labour contract for a season job or a specific job with a duration of less than one year to do jobs of a permanent character lasting more than one year.

The labour contract must be made in writing and done -in two copies, each party keeping one copy. The commitment can be made orally if the job has a temporary character and its term does not exceed three years or it is the job of a house worker.

The contents of the labour contract must include the following main points :

• the job to be done,

• the working time,

• the rest time,

• the salary,

• the place of work,

• the term of the contract,

• the conditions on labour safety and

• labour sanitation and social insurance for the labouring people.

The labour contract shall be. temporarily suspended in the following circumstances:

1. The labourer is called up by his military service duty or other citizen's duties prescribed by law.
2. The labourer is taken into temporary custody or detention.
3. Other circumstances mutuality agreed upon.

TERMINATION OF LABOUR CONTRACT

The labouring contract shall terminate in the following circumstances

1. End of the contract term
2. The job under contract has been finished
3. The two parties agree to terminate the contract
4. The labourer is sentenced to Imprisonment or is banned from doing the former job by decision of the Court
5. The Labourer dies or is declared missing by court decision.

WORKING TIME

As per the code the working time shall not exceed 8 hours in a day and 48 hours in a week. The labour user is entitled to schedule the working time daily or weekly but must notify the labourers in advance.

The daily working time shall be shortened by one or two hours for those labourers working in especially heavy, noxious or dangerous jobs as prescribed in the list of such jobs published by the Ministry or labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Public Health.

The labour user and the labourer may agree on extrahours work but the time of such work shall not exceed four hours in a day and 200 hours in a year.

The working time at night is counted from 22 hours to 6 hours of the following day or from 21 hrs to 5 hrs or the following day depending day on the climatic zones stipulated by the Government.
REST TIME

The code describes that the labourer is entitled to the following rest times

• at least half an hour of rest inclusive of the working time if he works continuously for eight hours.

• on a night shift is entitled to at least 45 minutes of rest inclusive of the working time.

• on night- shift is entitled at least 12 hours of rest before beginning another shift.

• each week the labourer is entitled at least one day or rest (24 straight hours).

• weekly rest day on Sunday or any other fixed day in the week.

• where the rest day cannot be arranged weekly due to the work cycle, the labour user must ensure that the labourer can have an average of four days of rest at least in a month.

The labourer is entitled to obtain from work and receive full pay on the following holidays:

• New Year 's Day (solar calendar): one day

• Lunar New Year Festival: four days (the last day of the year and the first three days of the new year)

• Victory Day : one day (April 30)

• International labour Day: one day (May 1st)

• National Day : one day (September 2nd).

In case the above holidays coincide with weekly non-working days the labourer is entitled to take one day's leave on the following day.

The labourer with 12 months service at 8 business or with a labour user is entitled to an annual leave with full pay with the following specifications:

1. 12 days for a person working in normal conditions,
2. 14 days for a person working in heavy , noxious or dangerous Jobs or in places with harsh living conditions or for persons under 18 years of age;
3. 16 days for persons working in especially heavy, noxious and dangerous jobs or in places with especially harsh living conditions.

The number of days in an annual leave shall increase proportionally with the seniority of work at a business or with a labour user at the rate of one day for every five years.
FULLY PAID LEAVE

The labourer is entitled to fully paid leaves for personal affairs in the following circumstances:

1. Marriage: three days.
2. Marriage of his son or daughter: one day.
3. Death of parents (including parents of husband or wife) death of wife or husband, death of son or daughter: 3 days.

UNDER - AGE LABOUR

An under - age labourer is one under 18 years of age. Where under - age labour is employed there must be a separate record of these youngsters with their full names, dates of birth, their current jobs, the results of each periodical health check which must be produced to the labour inspector on his request. It is strictly forbidden to misuse the labour of under - age persons.

It is forbidden to sign on children of less than 15 years of age except for some professions and jobs to be defied by the Ministry of labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare. With regard to some profession services allowed to sign on children under 15 years of age for work, job learning or apprenticeship this admission and utilization must have the consent and the constant care of their parents or tutors.

The labour user or the employer has the responsibility to care for the under - age labourer in the domains or labour, wages, health and studies during the process of labour. It is forbidden to use under - age labourers in heavy and dangerous job or jobs necessitating contract with noxious substances prescribed in the list published by the Ministry of labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Public Health.

Working time

The working time of an under - age labourer must not exceed seven hours in a day and 42 hours in a week.

The labour user can use under - age labour for off hours work or night work in a number of occupations and Jobs defined by the Ministry of labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare.
LABOUR SAFETY & LABOUR SANITATION

The labour user has the responsibility of fully providing the labourers with equipment for labour protection, labour safety and labour sanitation and for improving their labouring conditions. The labourer must observe the regulation on labour safety, labour sanitation and the labour rules of the business. All organisations and individuals related to labour and production must observe legislation on labour safety, labour sanitation and environmental protection.

The building of new establishments or the expansion of and transformation of existing ones for the production, utilization, maintenance, storage and stockpiling of machine, equipment, materials and substances requiring a high level of labour safety and labour sanitation must be provided with.


The production or importation of machines, equipment, materials and substances requiring a high level of labour safety and sanitation must be declared and registered and have the licenses of the State inspection offices on labour safety or labour sanitation.

The labour user must ensure that the working place meet the norms on space, airiness, lighting and the prescribed maximum limits on dust, steam, noxious gases, radiations magnetism, heat, noise, vibration and other harmful factors. These factors must be periodically controlled and measured.

The labour user must periodically control and repair the machines, equipment, building structures and storage according to the norms of labour safety and labour sanitation.

The labour user must have the necessary equipment to shelter those parts of machines and equipment in the business likely to provoke accidents. The working places, the emplacements of machines and equipment, the places likely to cause dangers or noxious effects in the business must be so arranged to provide against accidents and equipped with signs and signals on labour safety and labour sanitation put up at open places where they can be easily seen and read.

In case the working place or a machine or equipment threatens to cause a labour accident or occupational disease, the labour user must immediately take remedial measures or must order immediate cessation of operation at the said place until the danger has been removed.

The labourer has the right to refuse to work or leave the working place when i he detects an imminent labour accident is seriously threatening his life or health and he must immediately warns the directly responsible person of the danger. The labour user must not force the labourer to continue his work or return to the working place so long as the danger has not been removed.

At the working place where dangerous and noxious factors exist susceptible of provoking labour accidents must be equipped by the labour user with technical and medical devices and appropriate labour protection gear to ensure timely rescue when an accident or labour accident occurs.

The labourer doing dangerous or noxious jobs must be adequately equipped with personal protection means. The labour user must ensure the supply of means for personal protection achieving the norms in quality and designs as prescribed by law.

In recruiting and arranging labour the labour user shall base himself on the health criteria for each type of work. He must organise training, guidance and inform the labourer of the regulations and measures of safety an sanitation and the possibilities of accident to be prevented in the work of each labourer.

The labourer must be given a health check during the recruitment and periodical health checks according to the prescribed regime. The cost of health checks for the labourer is borne by the labour user.

The business has the responsibility to organize healthcare for the labourers and must give first aid and emergency aid to the labourers when necessary.

The labourer working in the conditions of dangerous or noxious elements shall receive retainer in kind, enjoys preferential treatment in the matters of working time and rest time as described by law.

The labourer working in a place infested by noxious elements or bacteria must be ensured by the labour user of measures for detoxication and disinfection and personal hygiene after working time.

Labour accident is an accident causing injuries to any part or function on the body of the labourer or death of the labourer in the process of working associated with the execution of a job or a task.

The victim of labour accident must be rescued in time and carefully treated. The labour user must take responsibility for letting a labour accident occur, as prescribed by law.

Occupational disease is a disease caused by the harmful effects of the labour conditions of the occupation on the labourer. The list of the occupational diseases shall be published by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare after consultation with the Vietnam General Federation of Labour and the representative of the labour users.

The sufferer of an occupational disease must be given careful treatment, given periodical medical checks and have a specific medical record of his own.

The labourer rendered invalid by a labour accident or an occupational disease shall receive a general check-up by the medical examination board for classification of his injury and the rate of reduction of his working capacity and shall go through a rehabilitation process to recuperate his labour capabilities. If later he can continue to work he shall be assigned a job suited to his health according to the conclusion of the Labour Medical examination Board.

The labour user must bear all the medical cost from the first aid and emergency aid till completion of the treatment of the victim of labour accident or occupational disease. The labourer is entitled to the system regime of social insurance in case of labour accident or occupational disease. If the business has not joined any form of statutory social insurance, the labour user must pay to the labourer a sum equal to that provided for in the Social Insurance Statute.

The labour user has the responsibility to pay a compensation representing at least 30 months salaries of the labourer who suffers a reduction by 81 % and more of his labour capacity or an equivalent amount to the close relatives of a labourer who dies of a labour accident or an occupational disease not of his own fault.

In esse the injury or the death of the labourer is due to his own fault , the labourer still receive an allowance equalling at least 12 months of his salary .

Russia wins 2008 Eurovision Song Contest beating Ukraine, Greece

BELGRADE, Serbia: Dima Bilan has brought Russia its first Eurovision song title with a glitzy performance that included a famous ice skater.

Bilan beat Ukraine's Ani Lorak and Greece's Kalomira with an R&B ballad "Believe" before thousands of flag-waving fans of Europe's most glamorous pop song festival.

"
The Russian singer was joined on the stage by Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton and famous Russian Olympic skater Yevgeny Plyushchenko, who pirouetted on artificial ice to the tune.

Bilan has won the first-ever title for Russia in the competition, which has recently been dominated by Eastern European countries because of so-called bloc-voting among ex-Soviet republics and former Yugoslav states.

"Russia believed in our victory," Bilan said at a press conference after the show. "Dreams can come true.
While he sang in English during the contest, Bilan spoke in Russian at the press conference "so I can express in the best way all the intense feelings that I have tonight."

"I am so happy," he said.

This year's competition was held in Belgrade, Serbia. Serbia's songstress Marija Serifovic won last year's title with her ballad "Molitva" or "Prayer."

Bilan's appearance at the finals, which opened late Saturday at the Belgrade Arena hall, was his second in just two years. In 2006, he won second place.

Bilan had been tipped as the favorite going in, along with Ukraine and Sweden.

The Russian won 272 points from viewers from 43 countries who picked the winner by phone calls and text messages.

Ukraine's Lorak was second with 230 points, followed by Greece's Kalomira with 218.

The glitzy event was launched by Serifovic. Other guest stars include Bosnian ethno musician Goran Bregovic and Serbia's and L.A. Lakers' former NBA star, Vlade Divac.

Though criticized by many as a show of kitsch and an extravaganza, the Eurovision Song Contest, or Eurosong, is revered by its many followers. They often travel across the continent to support their favorite singers.

About 15,000 guests are believed to have arrived in Belgrade for the event, crowding the Serbian capital for the first time in years.

Serbia is taking advantage of the opportunity to present itself as part of Europe after years of pariah status in the 1990s under the late strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Authorities have gone out of their way to throw a perfectly organized party. During the finals, a huge screen was put up in front of the Belgrade City Hall as thousands flocked to watch the show.

After the winner was announced, fireworks lit the Belgrade skies.

The finale included 20 contestants who made it through the two semifinals earlier this week. In addition, performers from Britain, France, Germany and Spain, who are the biggest sponsors of the event, and Serbia, the host country, went straight into the final without having competed in preliminary rounds.

Serbia was represented by Jelena Tomasevic, who finished sixth.
Source: http://www.iht.com

When you believe

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood

Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could


There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


In this time of fear
When prayers so often prove in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
To swiftly flown away

Yet now I'm standing here
My heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


They don't always happen when you ask
(Oh)
And it's easy to give in to your fears
(Oh...Ohhhh)
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way straight throught the rain
Small but still, resilient voice
Says love is the relief
(Ohhh)

There can be miracles
(Miracles)
When you believe
(Lord, when you believe)
Though hope is frail
(Though hope is frail)
It's hard to kill
(Hard to kill, Ohhh)
Who know what miracles,you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will(somehow,somehow, somehow)
somehow you will
You will when you believe

You will when you
You will when you believe
Just believe...in your heart
Just believe
You will when you believeeeeeeeeeee

7 Tips for Effective Public Speaking

Many people routinely give speeches in the course of their work or at various functions. Others do so occasionally and might not be very comfortable. They may even experience a great amount of anxiety. There are many books, classes and courses on the subject, but I've discovered some basic elements that will enhance one's speaking performance, regardless of the amount of education or training the person has received. Here are 7 helpful tips:

Tip for Public Speaking #1: Know Your Stuff

Make certain that you have a great amount of personal knowledge of your subject matter or firmly believe in your cause. This is actually a prerequisite. It will come across in your presentation, your confidence will project and you'll be perceived as an expert. If you really love what you're presenting, it will show.

Tip for Public Speaking #2: Be Organized

Have your material ready with the proper order of delivery. Using a general outline or slide presentation is fine, but this will be different than rehearsing what you're going to say word for word, which I'll explain below.

Tip for Public Speaking #3: Be Lighthearted, Have a Sense of Humor, Don't Be Afraid

I know that it's easier said than done and this is going to take some practice. Don't fear your own shortcomings and weaknesses. Use them to your advantage in any situation. Honesty can be very powerful and your ability to communicate with levity and sincerity will take you far.

Tip for Public Speaking #4: Care About Helping People

Focus upon helping the individuals in your audience. While it's usually easier and more comfortable to look off into the distance, get used to making eye contact with your audience members and convey your earnestness and warmth. This will also help you to perceive if you're coming across effectively and if they understand you. The more you're able to do this, the more you'll overcome your own anxiety and the more powerful speaker you'll become. This is truly the essence of a great speaker.

Tip for Public Speaking #5: Dress Well

Wearing suitable, tasteful attire will increase your confidence and give you added credibility. You don't need to overdress. Wear what's businesslike and comfortable, according to the circumstances or occasion.

Tip for Public Speaking #6: Consider Joining a Group

A club, such as Toastmasters could be a way of gaining speaking experience and might be valuable for a lot of people. I feel that it makes sense for those who need to develop their confidence and public speaking ability.

Tip for Public Speaking #7: Don't Write Word for Word or Rehearse!

This is closely related to tip #4 and it's called "speaking from the heart." Speaking naturally and spontaneously to the greatest extent possible goes against the grain of most conventional teaching. In our daily lives, our best presentations come not from planning what we're going to say when we get up the morning, but rather expressing what is true, honest and suitable for the moment. The best speakers are those who are genuine, but they are rare in this day and age. While it's fine to prepare the topics that are needed to be covered, it's best to speak naturally, instead of reading everything. To the extent one can do this, the better speaker he or she will become. I urge everyone to try this and to get used to doing it. Once you start to practice this method, it becomes more and more natural.

I wish you the best of success!

Get a Better Job

Are you where you want to be in your professional life? Is it time for a new job, or should you invest your energy in learning fresh skills at your current job?

The Career Exploration tool provides step-by-step details to help you evaluate your own career path. Start by identifying your likes and dislikes, skills, and values. Also, think about your ideal job by asking yourself these questions:

* What are you doing when time seems to fly by?
* What do you look forward to doing?
* Who do you know, real or fictional, who has your dream job?

Do you think you're ready for a career change, or at least a career shift?

* Visit the Skills Profiler to help identify other occupations that require skills similar to your current job.
* Research other occupations and industries.
* Consider updating your skills.
* Visit the Employability Checkup for a snapshot of your ability to find employment within a specific occupation at a particular wage and location.
* In the military or recently separated from service? Visit the Military to Civilian Occupation Translator to match military skills and experience to civilian careers.