Monday 6 January 2014

President Obama Appoints America’s First Female Central Bank Chief, Janet Yellen


The U.S. Senate Monday voted to confirm
Janet Yellen as the first woman to head the
Federal Reserve, replacing Ben Bernanke.
The Senate voted 56-26 to approve Yellen,
who becomes the 15th leader of the central
bank.
President Obama said Yellen will be “a
fierce champion” for the American people
“who understands that the ultimate goal of
economic and financial policymaking is to
improve the lives, jobs and standard of
living of American workers and their
families.”
“As one of our nation’s most respected
economists and a leading voice at the Fed
for more than a decade — and vice chair for
the past three years — Janet helped pull
our economy out of recession and put us on
the path of steady growth,” Obama said in a
statement issued by the White House.
“Janet is committed to the Fed’s dual
mandate of keeping inflation in check while
also addressing our most important
economic challenge by reducing
unemployment and creating jobs.
“And she understands that fostering a
stable financial system will help the overall
economy and protect consumers. I am
confident that Janet will stand up for
American workers, protect consumers,
foster the stability of our financial system
and help keep our economy growing for
years to come.”
About 15 minutes after the bipartisan vote,
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said they
missed the vote because their plane was
delayed returning to Washington. Both
senators said they would have voted to
support Yellen’s nomination had they
arrived in time.
In all, 17 senators were missing from the
floor.
Bernanke’s term ends at the end of the
month.
Previously, Obama had praised Yellen’s
judgment, citing her early warning about
the housing bubble and the recession.
Yellen, 67, is known as a strong advocate of
the Fed’s easy monetary policy, and with
inflation at less than 2 percent she is
expected to keep the Fed’s accommodative
policies in place under her leadership.
Yellen previously was president and chief
executive officer of the Federal Reserve
Bank of San Francisco and chairwoman of
the White House Council of Economic
Advisers under President Bill Clinton.
Yellen is married to George Akerlof, a
Nobel prize-winning economist and
professor emeritus at the University of
California, Berkeley. Son Robert Akerlof is
an assistant professor at the University of
Warwick.























  poPThe U.S. Senate Monday voted to confirm
Janet Yellen as the first woman to head the
Federal Reserve, replacing Ben Bernanke.
The Senate voted 56-26 to approve Yellen,
who becomes the 15th leader of the central
bank.
President Obama said Yellen will be “a
fierce champion” for the American people
“who understands that the ultimate goal of
economic and financial policymaking is to
improve the lives, jobs and standard of
living of American workers and their
families.”
“As one of our nation’s most respected
economists and a leading voice at the Fed
for more than a decade — and vice chair for
the past three years — Janet helped pull
our economy out of recession and put us on
the path of steady growth,” Obama said in a
statement issued by the White House.
“Janet is committed to the Fed’s dual
mandate of keeping inflation in check while
also addressing our most important
economic challenge by reducing
unemployment and creating jobs.
“And she understands that fostering a
stable financial system will help the overall
economy and protect consumers. I am
confident that Janet will stand up for
American workers, protect consumers,
foster the stability of our financial system
and help keep our economy growing for
years to come.”
About 15 minutes after the bipartisan vote,
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said they
missed the vote because their plane was
delayed returning to Washington. Both
senators said they would have voted to
support Yellen’s nomination had they
arrived in time.
In all, 17 senators were missing from the
floor.
Bernanke’s term ends at the end of the
month.
Previously, Obama had praised Yellen’s
judgment, citing her early warning about
the housing bubble and the recession.
Yellen, 67, is known as a strong advocate of
the Fed’s easy monetary policy, and with
inflation at less than 2 percent she is
expected to keep the Fed’s accommodative
policies in place under her leadership.
Yellen previously was president and chief
executive officer of the Federal Reserve
Bank of San Francisco and chairwoman of
the White House Council of Economic
Advisers under President Bill Clinton.
Yellen is married to George Akerlof, a
Nobel prize-winning economist and
professor emeritus at the University of
California, Berkeley. Son Robert Akerlof is
an assistant professor at the University of
Warwick.

15 ways to get happy in 10 minutes


1. Smile
Even when you are going through the roughest
phase of your life always try to smile. Research
says that even an artificial smile gives us an
inner boost and impacts others. It also makes
one seem more approachable
2. Meditate
Meditation generates positivity. Only five
minutes of meditation will improve your
emotional and physical well-being. Also, one
becomes happy simply by staying connected to
one’s real self.
3. Play with your pet
Cuddling or playing with a pet, not only makes
you feel happy, but also has several health
benefits. Research says that being around a pet
reduces blood pressure and calms you down.
When pets are not given proper attention they
feel lonely and left out, so spending time with
our pets could help in building a good
relationship with them.
4. Listen to Music
When you feel low, play your favourite music, as
it is an instant mood-lifter. Also, try and sing
along to your favourite track as this will also
instantly improve your mood.
5. Dress Up
Dressing up makes one feel good about
oneself. All you need is a well fitting outfit and a
little bit of make up to boost your confidence
and happiness levels.
6. Watch Funny Videos
Watching funny videos, is the perfect way to
boost one’s confidence levels and improve one’s
mood. Funny videos also make one laugh and
boost one’s immune system and heart rate.
7. Eat some chocolates
Chocolates are known as antidepressants as they
contain theobromine, which can increase the
effects of the tryptophan, a chemical, which can
make you happy. So if you are feeling low, eat a
piece of your favourite chocolate.
8. Get Close to Nature
Flowers trigger happy emotions, which affect
one’s behaviour in a positive manner. They also
have a long term effect on one’s mood and give
one immense pleasure and a feeling of
satisfaction.
9. Chew Gum
Chewing gum not only gives you a boost, but
also helps your brain by supplying it with more
oxygen and glucose. This is because the
repetition of the gnawing action relaxes you and
also reduces yourstress levels and anxiousness.
10. Go for a walk
When you feel depressed you could go for a
walk. Try to look out for a place which is quiet
and peaceful. As this would help you filter out
your thoughts and seek a solution. Walking also
releases neurons in your brain, which will give
you joy and happiness. It will also loosen up
your body and help you deal with the sadness.
11. Reach out to a loved one
Always try and discuss your feelings and
thoughts with your loved ones as this will help
you deal with the sorrow and get a perspective
on things.
12. Dance
Dancing is a good way to deal with stress and
unhappiness. It also helps in building your
confidence and reduces your stress levels.
13. Clean out your Closet
Another way to relax is to clean out your closet
as this will not only help you get rid of all the old
stuff, but will clear your mind as well.
14. Play an instrument
Strum the strings of a guitar and compose a new
tune. This is a good way to express your feelings
and will improve your mood and boost your
happiness levels.
15. Read a comic
Reading your favourite comic will boost your
mood and put you in a happy place.