In May of 2007 the price of membership peaked at Y2.64 million ($27,700). That’s just to join!

The average price to join a golf club now - Y1.77 million ($18.6K) It’s $20Kish in the Tokyo region and $17Kish in the Osaka region.

When stock prices fell in October, investors started selling off their memberships.

Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club is one of Japan’s most upscale clubs. The price to join $184,000. And this price is DOWN 40%!

What would Mark Twain say about a walk spoiled after paying $200K?

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Here’s what I know:

Janet Napolitano was born November 29, 1957.

Janet Napolitano is the current governor of Arizona.

Janet Napolitano is a member of the Democratic Party.

Janet Napolitano has served two terms as governor.

Janet Napolitano was the first governor to call for the National Guard at the border at federal expense.

Janet Napolitano is Arizona’s third female governor, and the first woman to win re-election.

Janet Napolitano was name by Time magazine as one of the five best governors in the U.S.

Janet Napolitano served as the Chair of the National Governors Association in 2006-2007.

Janet Napolitano was named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.

Janet Napolitano’s father was the Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Janet Napolitano is of Italian heritage^.

Janet Napolitano is a Methodist.

Janet Napolitano was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Janet Napolitano graduated from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.

Janet Napolitano received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law.

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Here’s what I know:

General . is a retired Marine General

James Jones Jr. was born December 19, 1943.

James Jones is the former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) (2003-2006)

James Jones was the Commander of the United States European Command (COMUSEUCOM) (2003-2006).

James Jones retired from the United States Marine Corps on February 1, 2007 after 40 years of service.

James Jones is currently the Chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States,.

In 2007, James Jones served as Chairman of the Congressional Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq.

In November 2007, James Jones was appointed by the United States Secretary of State as special envoy for Middle East Security.

Jones is the son of James L. Jones, Sr., a decorated Marine in World War II.

His father was the commanding officer of the first amphibious reconnaissance unit in the United States.

Jones spent is his formative years in France.

Jones attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service

Jones is 6-foot, 4-inches. He played forward on the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team.

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Here are 10 things I know.

Susan Rice is a former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs.

While at Brookings Susan Rice focused on U.S. foreign policy, weak and failing states, the implications of global poverty and transnational security threats.

Susan Rice’s expertise - “Africa; war on terrorism; weak and failed states; foreign assistance; international peacekeeping and conflict resolution; national security policymaking; post-conflict reconstruction; trade, development issues; UN affairs and multilateral diplomacy.”

Susan Rice’s past positions:

Senior Advisor for National Security Affairs on the Kerry-Edwards campaign (2004);

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (1997-2001);

Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, the National Security Council, the White House (1995-1997);

Director for International Organizations and Peacekeeping, National Security Council (1993-1995);

Management Consultant, McKinsey and Company (1991-1993)

Susan Rice’s Education - D.Phil. (1990), M.Phil. (1988), Oxford University; B.A., Stanford University, 1986

Susan Rice grew up in Washington, D.C.

Her father is Emmett J. Rice a Cornell University economics professor and former governor of the Federal Reserve System.

Rice’s mother is education policy scholar Lois Dickson Fitt.

Rice is married to ABC News producer Ian O. Cameron.

Susan Rice was a three-sport athlete, student council president, and valedictorian at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C.,

Rice played point guard in basketball and directed the offense.

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Here are 1o funtions that all Secretary of State Heads do.

Hillary Clintonwill be responsible for storage and use of the Great Seal of the United States.

Hillary Clinton will perform protocol functions for the White House.

Hillary Clinton will draft proclamations reply to inquiries.

Hillary Clinton will in accordance with the United States Constitution, performs such duties as the President requires.

Hillary Clinton will negotiate with foreign representatives and instruct U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.

Hillary Clinton will servesas a principal adviser to the President in the determination of U.S. foreign policy.

Hillary Clinton  will be responsible for overall direction, coordination, and supervision of interdepartmental activities of the U.S. Government overseas.

Hillary Clinton will be the the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet and be fourth in line to succeed the Presidency - following the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate.

Hillary Clinton will receive written communication from President Obama if Obama decides to resign.

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Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton was born October 26, 1947.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is the junior United States Senator from New York.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is still married to Bill Clinton—the 42nd President of the United States

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is a native of Illinois.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first student to deliver the commencement address at Wellesley College.

Hillary Rodham Clinton served on the Board of Editors of Yale Law Review and Social Action,

Hillary Rodham Clinton had a career in law after graduating from Yale Law School in 1973.

Hillary Rodham Clinton moved to Arkansas in 1974.

Hillary Rodham Clinton  joined the faculty of the University of Arkansas Law School in 1975

Hillary Rodham Clinton met the President in the library when she strode up to him and said, “If you’re going to keep staring at me, I might as well introduce myself.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton married Bill Clinton in 1975.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first female partner at Rose Law Firm in 1979.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was twice listed as one of the one hundred most influential lawyers in America.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the First Lady of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992.

Hillary Rodham Clinton sat on the boards of Wal-Mart and several other corporations.

Hillary Rodham Clinton major initiative, the Clinton health care plan, failed to gain approval from the U.S. Congress in 1994.

Hillary Rodham Clinton played a role in advocating for the establishment of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Foster Care Independence Act.

Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first and only First Lady to be subpoenaed. She testified before a federal grand jury over the Whitewater controversy in 1996.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was elected as senator for New York State in 2000.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first time an American First Lady had run for public office.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is also the first female senator to represent New York.

Hillary Rodham Clinton initially supported the George W. Bush administration on voting for the Iraq War Resolution.

Hillary Rodham Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history.

Other sources -

HillaryClinton.com

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator from New York

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Finance minister P Chidambaram is going to take over as the new home minister and the finance portfolio is reported will now be under the direct charge of Prime Minister Singh. The Congress Working Committe, which met on Saturday night gave the orders to Shivraj Patil to resign.

Party sources have confirmed that the ministers resignation has been accepted and also added that Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh could be next who could be asked to step down.

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Last year’s winner was China’s Zhang Zilin.

I thought to do a little research -

History -

History of the contest

The event was founded in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations.

Eric Morley was the founder.

The BBC televised Miss World from 1959 to 1979.

Thames Television picked up the contract from 1980 to 1988.

At its peak, the show claimed an audience of 27.5 million in Britain alone.

Miss World now pulls in a crowd of 2.5 billion.

The 1950s

The first Miss World - Sweden’s Kiki Haakonson, was crowned in a two-piece swimsuit.

The 1960s

In 1966, India enjoyed its first success with Reita Feria. Articulate, charming and beautiful, she went on to qualify as a doctor, highly respected for her brains and not just her looks.

The 1970s

The first Miss World was hosted by the legendary Bob Hope. In reply to feminist protesters Hope said, “Anyone who would try and break up an affair as wonderful as this has got to be some kind of dope.”

In the 1970 Miss World, two black women - Jennifer Hosten of Grenada and Pearl Jansen of Africa South - claimed first and second place.

By 1979 the show was topping 500 million viewers world-wide.

The 1980s

In 1980, for the first time personality and intelligence came into the evaluation and vital statistics were no longer deemed vital.

In 1986, Halle Berry, then Miss USA, stunned the judges and audiences when she wore a bikini featuring stars and ropes of beads during a parade of national costumes.

The 1990s

Miss World was held in the United States in 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ninibeth Leal won the crown and went on to become one of Venezuela’s most successful models.

The years 1992 to 1995 viewer figures increased from 1.2 billion to 1.8 billion.

The contestants were welcomed by President Nelson Mandela and over one million people turned out to see them in Johannesburg.

In 1994 Aishwarya Rai became the second Indian winner. Aishwarya went on to become Bollywood’s biggest female star.

In 1996 over 40,000 people turned out to watch the show at Bangalore’s cricket stadium.

Irene Skliva was the first-ever Greek Miss World.

The start of a new century

In the year 2000 a massive television audience of 2.3 billion witnessed India retain the Miss World crown.

Miss World 2001, Agbani Darego was the first black African winner.

The 2007 contest took place in the People’s Republic of China. Model Zhang Zilin became Miss World.

Up-to-date-News.

Live TV Broadcast Schedule

The Favorites -

Merica Lane Lindell, Representing the United States of America at Miss World 2008

Lisa LENTS - Representing Denmark at Miss World 2008

Tinnyse Jamel JOHNSON - Representing Bahamas at Miss World 2008

Tamara ALMEIDA SILVA - Representing Brazil at Miss World 2008

Espinoza Marroquin ANA GABRIELA - Representing Mexico at Miss World 2008

Miss Tansey COETZEE - Representing South Africa at Miss World 2008

Hannely Zulami QUINTERO LEDEZMA - Representing Venezuela at Miss World 2008

Geisha Natalie MONTES DE QOA ROBLES - Representing Dominican Republic at Miss World 2008

Gabrielle WALCOTT - Representing Trinidad and Tobago at Miss World 2008

Marjorie CEVALLOS VERAS - Representing Ecuador at Miss World 2008

Patricia Yurena RODRIGUEZ ALONSO - Representing Spain at Miss World 2008

Iryna ZHURAVSKA - Representing Ukraine at Miss World 2008

Kseniya SUKHINOVA - Representing Russia at Miss World 2008

Alfina NASSYROVA - Representing Kazakhstan at Miss World 2008

Rosarita TAWIL - Representing Lebanon at Miss World 2008

Anun CHINBAT - Representing Mongolia at Miss World 2008

Kahurangi, Julia TAYLOR - Representing New Zealand at Miss World 2008

Faraliza TAN - Representing Singapore at Miss World 2008

Rochelle Adriana COREA - Representing Sri Lanka at Miss World 2008

Ummarapas JULLAKASIAN - Representing Thailand at Miss World 2008

Tamar Ziskind - Representing Israel at Miss World 2008

Danielle Castano - Representing the Philippines at Miss World 2008

Sandra Angelia - Representing Indonesia at Miss World 2008

Skye Chan - Representing Hong Kong at Miss World 2008

Yan Ling Mei - Representing China at Miss World 2008

Katie Richardson - Representing Australia at Miss World 2008

16 Places to Bet on Miss World 2008, Johannseburg, South Africa

Mizuki Kubodera - Representing Japan at Miss World 2008

Bo-in Choi - Representing Korea at Miss World 2008

Soo Wincci - Representing Malaysia at Miss World 2008

Tran Thi Thuy Dung - Representing Vietnam at Miss World 2008

Lin Jie Ming - Representing Taiwan at Miss World 2008

Parvathy Omandakuttan - Representing India at Miss World 2008

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Events at the Oberoi Trident

Events at Nariman House

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