The rules are simple. Every day at 1030 BST we give you an answer. You then tell us what the question was.

Marks are deducted for predictability, and a selection of your most wrong questions are published each day until about 1500 BST when the actual question is revealed.

The winner of this week’s Lunchtime Achievement Award, and the beguiling keyring, is Simon Robinson, for his worryingly wrong question on Thursday. In accepting the award, he said: “Who’s as sick as a parrot now?”

LBQ roll of shame


FRIDAY

Friday’s answer is “BETTER EDUCATED, IF NOT WISER”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

Kevin Spacey’s text to David Beckham?
Stephen Ibbs, Wolverhampton

So, Ron, how do you feel now?
Mike, Antigua

A hungover parrot?
Liz Spencer, Ottawa, Canada

What are you if you drink 24 pints in 24 hours while attending lectures on Newman’s day in Princeton University?
Johnny, UK

The end result of someone attending the “How to read the racing tips” course would be …
Andy Donaldson, London

If the International Baccalaureate is so good, explain French toilets.
Andrew Taylor, Leeds

Updating the Christmas Story for the 21st Century: the Magi should be…?
Duncan P, London, UK

The difference between a complete idiot and a half wit?
Ibbi, Portsmouth

The education lottery gets worse when government passes a bill to allow only those with surnames starting with W and upwards fail to get into university.
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

What divides University Challenge from Come and have a go if you think you’re smart enough?
Dougie Lawson, Basingstoke, UK

George W Bush v George Bush snr?
Mike C, Leeds, UK

Define Si Griffin.
Alex E, Manchester

The reason for increased binge drinking in the parrot population?
Sarah, Maidstone

All those LBQ’ers who seem to have been through the Cartoon Scriptwriters school?
Jack, London

What do you need to be to succeed on The Weakest Link?
Kip, Norwich UK

How does one feel having discovered one’s wisdom teeth?
Stella Clark, Surrey, UK

What the Wizard of Oz might have meant by “I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma”?

Candace, New Jersey, US

“I know, if we give pupils 30 pounds a week to stay in school we will eventually have a nation that is….?”
Melissa, London

Eric Morecambe was…
Mike, UK

If your ‘S’ and ‘W’ keys are broken, you can manage to type…
Charlie Pearce, Wakefield

As a qualified idiot, what does my degree of stupidity demonstrate?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

Learning to create an e-mail distribution list and accidently sending out a company-wide “Fancy a drink?” personal mail showed I was
Niall, Belfast

What do yo get from education, education, education?
Martin Outlaw, Fareham

What is the proposed advertising slogan for the new beer, “Bud Einstein”?
Dave Taylor, Leeds

What do “the rest” of us think about Oxbridge students?
Steve, Brighton

All wrong. The correct question was how did Tony Blair describe himself after reading the Sun.



THURSDAY

Thursday’s answer is “PARALYTIC PARROTS”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

What do you find in seedy bars?
Patrick Rushton, Sheffield

Almost a Googlewhack?
Duncan, London, UK

Who built this city on Rock and Roll?
Graham Campbell, Edinburgh

Bolly polly?
Rob Falconer, Penarth

The result of a birds’ night out?
Sophie Sanderson, London

Peter Piper may have picked a peck of pickled pepper but what pickled pollies picked Pernod, Pina colada and Pilsner?
Simon Cholerton, London

give us a drink give us a drink give us a drink
Niall, Belfast

What’s kept next to the aliterating aligators?
Ben, UK

Polygon?
Tim G, London, UK

Why don’t they sell vodka-laced aspirin in the jungle?
Anne-Marie, London

Define aids dating advices hi
.
Simon, Birmingham, UK

What is meant by the reel macaw?
Phil, Stafford

One over the eight, one over the eight?
Jayne Burton, Sevenoaks

Two pirates walk into a pub. I’m not sure what happened next but…?
Sean, Buckingham

Who’s plastered with Polly-filler?
Simon, Birmingham, UK

An abundance of cocktails…?
James Castle, Welwyn Garden City

What phrase did Adam West veto from the 1960s Batman series?
David Gorton, Oldbury, UK

Trill - have you got a wkd side?
Mike F, Plymouth UK

Probably just pining for the fjords?
Candace, New Jersey, US

Who could talk the talk but not walk the walk?
Sion, Fleet, UK

Who designed the LBQ keyring?
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

Stoned crows and …..?
Kate, London

Why was London’s Zoo happy hour stopped?

Stuart Collins, Aberdeen

ITV’s replacement for Ron Atkinson?
Graham Campbell, Edinburgh

Derivation of the phrase “as sick as a parrot” ?
Mark Coates, York, UK

What is the largest demographic group of Bruce Forsyth’s Saturday night audiences?
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

All wrong. The correct question was what are some of the things that have happened in Moscow which have led to vets proposing advice dating relationship tip for animals.



WEDNESDAY

Wednesday’s answer is “A BAN ON BRATWURST”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

What could easily be made a pig’s ear of?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

What is worse than a ban on brats?
Brian Welsby, Bolton

Why do you have to sell the sizzle and not the sausage?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

Missing Links?
Martin, Leeds

After misunderstanding the public’s demand for anti-spam legislation, the EU have introduced what?
Martin, Leeds

What, along with the notorious Milano Salami Quota, is being contested by the Meat Preservation Society?
Madmarce, London

After the infamous Night of the Long Sausages, what was the Government’s response?
Geoff Spick, Bournemouth, UK

Training regime for the Berlin Marathon?
Phil Fenerty, Southport

What ban was introduced at the Naturists’ Barbecue Society?
Robin Hughes, Cheadle, UK

Clean air enthusiasts are hailing the sucess of their recent campagn at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. A ban on smoking and a ban on what?
Stephanie Halser, Munich Germany

The beginning of the end for pro-Scrabble?
Jack, London

Not a sausage?
James Castle, Welwyn Garden City

The latest result for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Innuendo?
Ben, uk

What will guarantee a Yes vote on the European Constitution?
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

What did the gestapo want Michelle to say only once
Angie, Newcastle

All wrong. The correct question was what catering dispute has been the result of McDonald’s winning the right to sell food at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.



TUESDAY

Tuesday’s answer is “SHAPED LIKE AN ICE-CREAM CONE”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

According to Neapolitan astrophysicists, how is the appearance of the universe best described?
Simon, Birmingham

What intimate detail is that, then?
John C, Oldham

What Speedos can’t hide
David Smith, Bristol

The logo for the Exclaimation mark society is…..
Kevin Smith, eastbourne, UK

Dressing up as Wizbit has left Paul Daniels feeling what?
Iain , Stirling

….AAARRGGHH!
Can’t get innuendo out of mind,
Must get back to some work……!

John C, Oldham

Douglas Hurd’s contribution to British politics?
Martin Johnson, London

What will be the result of a fourth boob job?
Bernie Beesley, Chelmsford

Exactly what is the shape of things to come?
Neil, Birmingham

Does my bombe look big in this?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

The new dumbed-down version of the Highway Code explains that traffic cones are…
Ray Gray, London

Uptight flower arranging?
Candace, New Jersey, US

How best to describe an isoceles triangle to David Beckham?
Soo Rawlinson, Cambs, UK

So Mr Archer, please explain how you managed to finish after Rob Liddle in the marathon… were you in fancy dress?
Tim G, London, UK

If contents may settle in transit, what does Rob Liddle look like now?
Giles Murchiston, Cambridge

V ?
Jason S, Southampton, UK

Butlin’s comedic euphemisms, No. 119?
Suz, Grenoble

How do I feel after finishing the marathon dressed as an ice cream?
Pauline , Herne Bay

What’s the point?
Graham, London

My wife is ice cool, sweet and creamy as heaven and strawberry blonde but I should never have described her hairstyle as what?
Mark Starling, London

EU Regulation 88976: All ice cream cones must be ……
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

Pear shaped is so pass darling, men today like their women…
Mark Gledhill, Northampton

How would you describe an ice cream cone to a visiting Martian.
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

All wrong. The correct question was what is different about a pizza which has been designed to avoid the misery of unwanted topping slippage.



MONDAY

Monday’s answer is “007 WOULD BE THE LOGICAL WAY TO GO”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

If you are in Edinburgh and want to drive backwards from Clerk St to Lothian Road, what is your best route?
(Never explain, but that road is the A700.)
Keith, Kingston UK

The only real anti-cold call tactic?
Robert Henson, Nottingham, UK

You arrive at the cinema on a blind date, she’s gorgeous and she tells you she’s sensitive and doesn’t like violence. Do you take her to’The Passion of The Christ’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ or a Bond film?
Laurie, Alcester

So tell me 006, now that you are retiring, who do you think would make a worthy successor ?
Mark Coates, York, UK

If I want to impress the girl on the advice dating man tip counter at Tescos, which number should I select from the ticket dispenser?
Mark Starling, London

Options for a vodka martini:
001 Straight
002 On the rocks
003 With a small umbrella
004 With a cherry
005 Stirred and shaken
006 Stirred not shaken
007 Shaken not stirred
008 In an old tea cup straight from the draining board.
Which one would you go for James?
Andy Donaldson, London

Hey! David Shayler’s briefcase, let’s try to crack the code… now where to start?
Cass, London

What look needs to be adopted to get the girls?
Stephen Buxton, Coventry, UK

Having finally completed his marathon run, what should we expect of Rob Liddle now?
Nick Hill, Dolgellau, Wales

Before the days of the 747, how did the Wright Brothers try to market their plane?
David Stuart, Loughborough

Licensed to analyse?
Martin Cooper, Stoke on Trent, UK

We need someone who is a crack marksman with a Walther PPK, skilled in the use of super-gadgets to escape tricky situations, the mindset to outwit our most cunning foes, and yet have scantily clad women with provocative names falling at his feet. Any suggestions?
Candace, New Jersey, US

I’m not a number, I’m a free man … no, wait.
Dougie Lawson, Basingstoke, UK

How would a SPECTRE agent contemplate his own death?
Richard Sockett, Sheffield, England

If 012 = “way of life”, 103 = “things to do”, and 247 = “we can go”, how would you encode “way to go”?
Brian Ritchie, Oxford, UK

Explain this line from a BASIC computer program:
IF A=1 OR A1 THEN GOTO 007

David, UK

00 00 00 01 11. What could be clearer than that?
David Dee, Mozambique

To find the loo in Australia, which signs should be followed?
Ibbi, Portsmouth

Access via Bond Street?
Malcolm, Farnborough, UK

What phone extension should we give the new bloke upstairs in the corporate espionage department?
Tim G, London, UK

Bond meets Spock?
Simon, Birmingham, UK

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …
Dave Taylor, Leeds

What bus route should you take to MI6 headquarters?
Scott M, Aylesbury

The location of the Spytime radio programme on the new DAB radios?
Kiltie, Staffs, UK

When the LBQ has the wrong web address from the magazine page, who would you put on the job to find out why ?
Phil, Stockholm, Sweden

All wrong. The correct question was what should the smaller version of the Peugeot 107 be called, according to a company insider, instead of its actual name, 1007.

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Estee Lauder, who turned a business selling skin creams concocted by her uncle into an international cosmetics empire, has died in Manhattan.

Lauder died of cardiopulmonary arrest at home, aged at least 95.

Lauder put her success down to her sales technique. “If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard,” she once said.

Both her sons are chairmen of Lauder’s companies. Her husband, Joseph Lauder, died in 1982.

Advices dating advices online online

Josephine Esther Mentzer was born to immigrant parents in New York’s Queens borough. Her birth date is thought to have been 1 July, 1908, though her family says it may have been two years earlier.

She was fascinated by the lotions and potions concocted by her uncle and mentor, chemist John Schotz, and began to promote them.

In 1946, she founded her business with her husband, selling her uncle’s products to hotels and beauty shops.



There are no ugly women - only women who don’t care or who don’t believe they are attractive


Estee Lauder

By 1948, she had secured counter space at New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue christian dating tip store, and soon her products spread to other stores.

Lauder was said to be a master saleswoman, personally visiting staff in stores to offer sales tips, and pioneering the technique of giving away free product samples.

Empire

She expanded from skin creams to other cosmetics and perfumes. Estee Lauder now sells more than 70 perfumes, and the company says Lauder had a “dating free pal pen tip zambia fragrance nose”.

The company’s brand names now include Prescriptives, Clinique, Origins, Aramis and Tommy Hilfiger fragrances.

In 1998, Lauder was the only woman in Time magazine’s list of the 20 most single parent dating tip names in business in the 20th century. The magazine called the Estee Lauder story “a chapter from the book of American business folklore”.

The business is now worth an estimated $10bn, and controls 45% of the cosmetics market in US department stores, according to Time magazine. The company’s products are sold in 130 countries.

‘Attitude’

Her sons Leonard and Ronald are chairmen of Estee Lauder and Clinique respectively, and some of her grandchildren also work in the company.

“Beauty is an attitude,” she once said.

“There’s no secret. Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day they care about how they look. There are no ugly women - only women who don’t care or who don’t believe they are attractive.”

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The Sasser Windows worm is continuing to rack up victims as it steadily spreads across the net.

Computers at the UK Coastguard, British Airways, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Post were all affected by the worm.

Security experts fear that the next wave of people to fall victim will be broadband users switching on their computers.

Home users are being urged to patch their machines to avoid being infected by the malicious program.

Casualty list

The Sasser worm first appeared on 1 May and estimates vary widely on how many Windows PCs have been infected by it.


Some firms report that only about 300,000 machines have been caught out by the worm while others believe that up to a million machines are infected.

Computer network connections, Eyewire


With Sasser you have to go and stick the patch in yourself


Richard Archdeacon, Symantec

Q&A: The Sasser worm

Whatever the final numbers the worm’s four variants have racked up an impressive list of victims between them.


The virus was reported to have hit up to 300,000 machines at Deutsche Post making it impossible for staff to hand over cash.


Machines at investment bank Goldman Sachs, the European Commission and British Airways and 19 regional offices of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency all fell victim to Sasser.


The coastguard said rescue work remained unaffected by the virus outbreak even though staff were forced to use paper charts rather than digital maps.


Previously disruption at Taiwan’s national post office, Hong Kong government departments and hospitals, Australian railways and the Westpac bank were all blamed on Sasser.


Protect yourself

Richard Archdeacon, technical services director from security firm Symantec, said the next 24 hours would reveal how far the worm would spread.

“The fact that there have already been four variants tends to indicate that they are refining the code and looking for a way to spread it before the patches are in place,” he told BBC News Online.


Mr Archdeacon said worms like Sasser could potentially do more damage than many other recent viruses.

Loveletter virus in e-mail inbox, Ap

Sasser struck almost exactly 4 years after the Iloveyou bug

“Mass-mailing viruses are not as potentially dangerous because they can be cured with anti-virus software,” said Mr Archdeacon. “But with Sasser you have to go and stick the patch in yourself”.


The online christian dating advices sites
that Sasser exploits was first identified on 8 October last year by security firm eEye Digital Security.


However the first code to exploit the vulnerability only appeared a few days after the first patch for the loophole was released by Microsoft on 13 April.


The virus can infect PCs running Windows 2000 and XP that are not patched against the loophole it exploits or do not have a firewall to protect themselves.


According to anti-virus firms machines running Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Edition can help spread Sasser even though they cannot be infected by it.

Virus chase

The virus is called a worm because it searches out machines to infect by itself without any help from users.


The latest version, Sasser.D, scans so aggressively for new computers to infect that it may cause networks to become congested with packets of data and slow down.

Windows XP on sale, PA

Unpatched versions of Windows XP are vulnerable

Poor programming by Sasser’s creator makes infected machines shut down.

Microsoft and many security firms have released tools that help people find out if they are infected and to help them remove the virus from their system.


Microsoft played down reports that millions were being infected by Sasser.


It reported that almost four times as many PC owners were downloading patches for security problems now compared to autumn in 2003.


Holidays in the UK, parts of Europe and Japan may also help to limit the spread of the worm.


Creators of other malicious programs are trying to cash in on the success of Sasser.


The latest version of the Netsky virus, the 29th variant, travels with a file that claims to be a cure for Sasser sent out by anti-virus firms.


Inside this version the creators of Netsky claim that they were responsible for making Sasser too.


Have you been affected by the Sasser worm? What can be done to stop the spread of of worms and viruses like this one? Send us your comments on the form below.

I’d just like to point out that there is a general consensus and misconception that firewalls are the answer to all these problems when they aren’t. A firewall can block unused ports to stop some exploits but any viruses that are downloaded via HTTP/FTP or SMTP will pass right through if you use these ports. You need anti-virus software or better still avoid Windows. Also, script viruses (and I use the world tentatively) are caused by abuse of features built-in to Microsoft Products. And I have yet to see these features used legitimately.
Paul, Manchester

To stop pc shutting down after 60 seconds
click on start then run then type shutdown -a
and hit return, this will stop computer shutting down and allow users time to get rid of virus
Dave Anthony, Newcastle -

I switched to Apple Mac several years ago and now have an iMac operating under Mac OSX. I do not suffer from viruses or worms and my machine never crashes. It is fast, stylish, and far superior to Wintel machines adult dating advices site submit
for graphics applications. Its GUI is far easier to use and I would never switch back. Convert to Mac for a better IT-life.
Ian Henley, UK

Anyone that thinks Linux or Apple Macs are invunerable to viruses and worms really need to wake up and smell the binary. There are just as many flaws in Linux systems as Windows, and there are many Mac based viruses. There are also java-based attacks that can affect many different types of system.
The only real answer is to get a firewall and antivirus system, and learn how to use it!
Steve Lake, Reading, UK

Always taken IT for granted and assumed viruses attacked online dating advices agency
etc when individuals have a vendetta. Never considered firewalls etc for home PC. Not quite sure what to do next or indeed how much it will cost to fix. You see all these downloadable fixes but the problem with my PC is that it is running far too slow to download anything anyway, shuts down before download is complete, or simply does not let me get on to the appropriate screens.

Anyone got any tips? - fortunately can maintain my internet access from work!
O, Wales

Cause: Windows is very sick!

Prediction: This is not the last attack. You will hit again and again and again.

Temporary Solution: Install the patch for this from Microsoft and patch for next after next attack and so on.

Permanent Solution: Drop the sick Windows completely. Switch to a Linux based computer or install Linux Desktop on your existing computer and have peace in mind and in the world. Good luck.
Sagara Wijetunga, Singapore



Why do we always only hear about new Windows vulnerabilities when they are exploited


Colin McKenzie, London UK

Why do we always only hear about new Windows vulnerabilities when they are exploited? If the issue of the patch got the news coverage that the worm has, many more people would be protected in time.
I update Windows regularly, but no more than monthly. If I didn’t have a firewall, Sasser would have caught me by now.
Colin McKenzie, London UK

I don’t think Colin McKenzie quite understands. If Microsoft made announcements saying they had spotted a specific vulnerability, the virus writers would have a field day exploiting it. Due to their very nature, these things must be kept under wraps until a fix is produced and then discretely rolled into Windows Update. The best thing to do is run Windows Update in automatic mode so you are always up to date. Or, get a Mac.
Anon, UK

A fried of mine was infected with the Sasser virus, I removed it using Norton’s removal tool, the pc is now updated and is running sweet, but it was quite a pain to remove it. Had to use Safe Mode on XP to remove some of it, then had to create a new account on the pc to enable the rest of the removal as in the standard account the pc would keep shutting down. Not much fun…..
Robert J Wilson, Herne Bay, Kent

Oh for goodness sake, pay peanuts, get monkies. Buy an Apple Mac and remain totally immune to all this rubbish. Factor in the cost of rebuilding,reformating, security updates, time wasted, data and documents lost, cost of virus checkers and AppleMacs complete with Microsoft Office for the Mac are VERY cost effective. Companies and Businesses that follow the herd instinct and stay with Windows deserve all they get.
Arthur Lowe, Melbourne, Australia

Pretty primitive worm really. Spotted within a minute of it first running - easily detected due to ADSL connection activity when no programs open. Check Task Manager processes, a process called avserve.exe (which I don’t recognise) is running. Stop the process, locate and delete the file, download Microsoft patch to prevent re-infection.

Graham Fewster, Huntingdon, UK



Patch, or face the consequences


James Atack, Paris, France

We should think ourselves lucky that once again the writer of this virus let us off the hook. Despite the high number of infections, the virus has a relativley benign payload.
If ever a similar virus appears on the scene that actively destroys data, then the financial loss will be huge. Patch, or face the consequences.
James Atack, Paris, France

Common sense prevails here, buy a firewall, or download a free one of of the net and run Windows update often. Take 5 minutes out of your day, run Windows Update, update your firewall and antivirus definitions, and you’ll be fine.
Blair, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

No comment on the ‘poor programming’ by Microsoft that caused this vulnerability in the first place?
Alex Hawdon, Huddersfield, UK

Name

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Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published.

The spat has highlighted how labour rights could become an important issue ahead of the US Speed dating tip election.

The Bush administration’s “Fairpay” initiative aims to bring overtime rules up to date by including workers who are doing jobs that were left out in the past.

The Labor Department insists the new rules would strengthen overtime rights for 6.7 million American workers, including low-wage workers who were denied overtime under the old rules.

But critics insist it does not go far enough and say a huge number of workers would not qualify for overtime rates under the plan.

If the disagreements continue the rules may never get approved at all, leaving overtime pay unprotected for millions of Americans.

High earners

The new rules, due to come into effect on 23 August, aim to guarantee overtime protection for workers who earn less than $23,660, (13,300) per year - that is $455 per week.

US street scene

6.7 million Americans could benefit from the new rules

The idea looks simple enough, but problems arise not just for those earning less than $23,660 per year, but for those earning more as well.

“They harm a huge number of people making between $23,000 and $100,000,” said Republican George Miller from California.

“It’s riddled with loopholes, potentially making millions of Americans earning as little as $23,660 vulnerable to losing some of their income,” said Senator Tom Harkin from Iowa.

Managerial jobs

The original overtime law guaranteed time-and-a-half pay for each additional hour worked beyond 40 in a week.

But not everyone was covered by the law - the act exempted certain grades and professions.

Administrative, executive and professionals were exempted based on duty tests.

That loophole would not be closed by the proposed new rules.

Hence, an “employee who leads a team of other employees assigned to complete major projects for the employer” could be exempted from overtime.

As many as 1.5 million Americans could be denied guaranteed overtime payment by that clause alone, said one expert in a memo.

Inadequate

Under pressure to extend the scope of the plan, the Bush administration has kept on adding to the list of occupations that should be covered by the rules.

President Bush behind Labor Secretary Elaine Chao

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao says she faces a misinformation campaign

Following the proposed amendments, the list now includes a wide range of jobs, from computer programmers to plumbers.

And yet, a recent 52-47 Senate vote against the amendments means implementing the initiative will now have to wait.

Those who voted against said the revisions would have limited impact, were inadequate and confusing.

Stand-off

Generally, the rules are backed by business but denounced by the unions.

“It speaks volumes about the real motives of this so-called family-friendly administration,” said Mark Wilson, a lawyer for the union Christian dating advices site web
Workers of America.

But the US Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than three million businesses, backs the proposed new regulations.

“Although we are 102 dating man man tip in some of the provisions, these reforms provide clearer guidance to both employers and workers on their rights and responsibilities under wage and labour laws,” said Randel Johnson, Chamber of Commerce vice president for labour, immigration and employee benefits.

Business leaders welcome the idea to give wider overtime protection, as they had been complaining that they were facing costly lawsuits from employees who claimed they were being unfairly denied overtime.

The Administrative Office of the US Courts said class action litigation on wage and hour laws has grown by 230% since 1997 alone.

Employers

Opponents are interpreting some of the Labor Department’s pune dating advices
to employers as tips on how to avoid paying overtime to would-be newly eligible low-income earners.

In the Labor Department summary it says “most employers affected by the proposed rule would be expected to choose the most cost-effective compensation adjustment method”.

It offers an options list, including adhering to a 40-hour week and adjusting an hourly rate to include overtime without increasing annual salary.

Taken literally, this would mean employees working more hours for the same pay.

In its defence “we do not anticipate employers will cut people’s pay,” the Labor Department said.

Mobilising force

The proposed overhaul of the overtime regulations would be the first major change since 1938.

US

US competitiveness is one element in a complex picture of workers’ rights

But the revisions are looking less likely to happen.

In March, when the new regulations were proposed, the Democrats jumped on it as a means to gain political advantage, the Bush administration insists..

The administration has accused the Democrats of wildly exaggerating how many workers could lose their overtime pay.

The apparent deadlock means the rules will not be implemented until after the election at the earliest, and they would be dead in the water if President Bush is not re-elected.



Champion jockey Kieren Fallon has been called before the Jockey Club dating tip for woman panel over race fixing claims made by the News of the World.

Fellow rider John Egan has also been asked to attend an inquiry into whether the pair communicated student teacher dating advices information about horses.

The panel will seek to establish whether any material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind was received.

It will also ask if the integrity and reputation of racing was prejudiced.

No date has been set for the inquiry, although the Jockey Club has informed the
two riders it wants the matter dealt with as soon as possible.

The newspaper alleged Fallon told undercover online dating tip for man that eventual winner Rye would beat his mount Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield.

Fallon has insisted he was completely innocent of allegations of asian dating tip,
saying such claims were “completely ridiculous”.

Ballinger Ridge was beaten by a short head despite being well clear approaching the final furlong.

Irregular betting patterns on a betting exchange prompted the Jockey Club to launch an investigation into the defeat.

Fallon has denied any wrongdoing over the incident and insists he repeatedly refused to accept any money or gifts for tips from undercover journalists.

On Thursday, Fallon completes a 21-day ban for failing to ride to the finish in a race at Lingfield.

He is set to resume riding at Kempton on Saturday.


The rules are simple. Every day at 1030 BST we give you an answer. You then tell us what the question was.

Marks are deducted for predictability, and a selection of your most wrong questions are published each day until about 1500 BST when the actual question is revealed.

The winner of this week’s Lunchtime Achievement Award, and the beguiling keyring, is Simon Robinson, for his worryingly wrong question on Thursday. In accepting the award, he said: “Who’s as sick as a parrot now?”

LBQ roll of shame


FRIDAY

Friday’s answer is “BETTER EDUCATED, IF NOT WISER”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

Kevin Spacey’s text to David Beckham?
Stephen Ibbs, Wolverhampton

So, Ron, how do you feel now?
Mike, Antigua

A hungover parrot?
Liz Spencer, Ottawa, Canada

What are you if you drink 24 pints in 24 hours while attending lectures on Newman’s day in Princeton University?
Johnny, UK

The end result of someone attending the “How to read the racing tips” course would be …
Andy Donaldson, London

If the International Advice dating man tip is so good, explain French toilets.
Andrew Taylor, Leeds

Updating the Christmas Story for the 21st Century: the Magi should be…?
Duncan P, London, UK

The difference between a complete idiot and a half wit?
Ibbi, Portsmouth

The education lottery gets worse when government passes a bill to allow only those with surnames starting with W and upwards fail to get into university.
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

What divides University Challenge from Come and have a go if you think you’re smart enough?
Dougie Lawson, Basingstoke, UK

George W Bush v George Bush snr?
Mike C, Leeds, UK

Define Si Griffin.
Alex E, Manchester

The reason for increased binge drinking in the parrot population?
Sarah, Maidstone

All those LBQ’ers who seem to have been through the Cartoon Free teen dating advices site
school?
Jack, London

What do you need to be to succeed on The Weakest Link?
Kip, Norwich UK

How does one feel having discovered one’s wisdom teeth?
Stella Clark, Surrey, UK

What the Wizard of Oz might have meant by “I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma”?

Candace, New Jersey, US

“I know, if we give pupils 30 pounds a week to stay in school we will eventually have a nation that is….?”
Melissa, London

Eric Morecambe was…
Mike, UK

If your ‘S’ and ‘W’ keys are broken, you can manage to type…
Charlie Pearce, Wakefield

As a qualified idiot, what does my degree of stupidity demonstrate?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

Learning to create an e-mail distribution list and accidently sending out a company-wide “Fancy a drink?” personal mail showed I was
Niall, Belfast

What do yo get from education, education, education?
Martin Outlaw, Fareham

What is the proposed advertising slogan for the new beer, “Bud Einstein”?
Dave Taylor, Leeds

What do “the rest” of us think about Oxbridge students?
Steve, Brighton

All wrong. The correct question was how did Tony Blair describe himself after reading the Sun.



THURSDAY

Thursday’s answer is “PARALYTIC PARROTS”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

What do you find in seedy bars?
Patrick Rushton, Sheffield

Almost a Googlewhack?
Duncan, London, UK

Who built this city on Rock and Roll?
Graham Campbell, Edinburgh

Bolly polly?
Rob Falconer, Penarth

The result of a birds’ night out?
Sophie Sanderson, London

Peter Piper may have picked a peck of pickled pepper but what pickled pollies picked Pernod, Pina colada and Pilsner?
Simon Cholerton, London

give us a drink give us a drink give us a drink
Niall, Belfast

What’s kept next to the aliterating aligators?
Ben, UK

Polygon?
Tim G, London, UK

Why don’t they sell vodka-laced aspirin in the jungle?
Anne-Marie, London

Define polysaturated.
Simon, Birmingham, UK

What is meant by the reel macaw?
Phil, Stafford

One over the eight, one over the eight?
Jayne Burton, Sevenoaks

Two pirates walk into a pub. I’m not sure what happened next but…?
Sean, Buckingham

Who’s plastered with Polly-filler?
Simon, Birmingham, UK

An abundance of cocktails…?
James Castle, Welwyn Garden City

What phrase did Adam West veto from the 1960s Batman series?
David Gorton, Oldbury, UK

Trill - have you got a wkd side?
Mike F, Plymouth UK

Probably just pining for the fjords?
Candace, New Jersey, US

Who could talk the talk but not walk the walk?
Sion, Fleet, UK

Who designed the LBQ keyring?
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

Stoned crows and …..?
Kate, London

Why was London’s Zoo happy hour stopped?

Stuart Collins, Aberdeen

ITV’s replacement for Ron Atkinson?
Graham Campbell, Edinburgh

Derivation of the phrase “as sick as a parrot” ?
Mark Coates, York, UK

What is the largest demographic group of Bruce Forsyth’s Saturday night audiences?
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

All wrong. The correct question was what are some of the things that have happened in Moscow which have led to vets proposing rehabilitation for animals.



WEDNESDAY

Wednesday’s answer is “A BAN ON BRATWURST”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

What could easily be made a pig’s ear of?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

What is worse than a ban on brats?
Brian Welsby, Bolton

Why do you have to sell the sizzle and not the sausage?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

Missing Links?
Martin, Leeds

After misunderstanding the public’s demand for anti-spam legislation, the EU have introduced what?
Martin, Leeds

What, along with the notorious Milano Salami Quota, is being contested by the Meat Preservation Society?
Madmarce, London

After the infamous Night of the Long Sausages, what was the Government’s response?
Geoff Spick, Bournemouth, UK

Training regime for the Berlin Marathon?
Phil Fenerty, Southport

What ban was introduced at the Naturists’ Barbecue Society?
Robin Hughes, Cheadle, UK

Clean air enthusiasts are hailing the sucess of their recent campagn at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. A ban on smoking and a ban on what?
Stephanie Halser, Munich Germany

The beginning of the end for pro-Scrabble?
Jack, London

Not a sausage?
James Castle, Welwyn Garden City

The latest result for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Innuendo?
Ben, uk

What will guarantee a Yes vote on the European Constitution?
Chris Ford, Bristol, UK

What did the gestapo want Michelle to say only once
Angie, Newcastle

All wrong. The correct question was what catering dispute has been the result of McDonald’s winning the right to sell food at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.



TUESDAY

Tuesday’s answer is “SHAPED LIKE AN ICE-CREAM CONE”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

According to Neapolitan astrophysicists, how is the appearance of the universe best described?
Simon, Birmingham

What intimate detail is that, then?
John C, Oldham

What Speedos can’t hide
David Smith, Bristol

The logo for the Exclaimation mark society is…..
Kevin Smith, eastbourne, UK

Dressing up as Wizbit has left Paul Daniels feeling what?
Iain , Stirling

….AAARRGGHH!
Can’t get innuendo out of mind,
Must get back to some work……!

John C, Oldham

Douglas Hurd’s contribution to British politics?
Martin Johnson, London

What will be the result of a fourth boob job?
Bernie Beesley, Chelmsford

Exactly what is the shape of things to come?
Neil, Birmingham

Does my bombe look big in this?
Mike Yeaman, Newcastle upon Tyne

The new dumbed-down version of the Highway Code explains that traffic cones are…
Ray Gray, London

Uptight flower arranging?
Candace, New Jersey, US

How best to describe an isoceles triangle to David Beckham?
Soo Rawlinson, Cambs, UK

So Mr Archer, please explain how you managed to finish after Rob Liddle in the marathon… were you in fancy dress?
Tim G, London, UK

If contents may settle in transit, what does Rob Liddle look like now?
Giles Murchiston, Cambridge

V ?
Jason S, Southampton, UK

Butlin’s comedic euphemisms, No. 119?
Suz, Grenoble

How do I feel after finishing the marathon dressed as an ice cream?
Pauline , Herne Bay

What’s the point?
Graham, London

My wife is ice cool, sweet and creamy as heaven and strawberry blonde but I should never have described her hairstyle as what?
Mark Starling, London

EU Regulation 88976: All ice cream cones must be ……
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

Pear shaped is so pass darling, men today like their women…
Mark Gledhill, Northampton

How would you describe an ice cream cone to a visiting Martian.
Dave Godfrey, Swindon

All wrong. The correct question was what is different about a pizza which has been designed to avoid the misery of unwanted topping slippage.



MONDAY

Monday’s answer is “007 WOULD BE THE LOGICAL WAY TO GO”

Entries are now closed. Wrong questions included:

If you are in Edinburgh and want to drive backwards from Clerk St to Lothian Road, what is your best route?
(Never explain, but that road is the A700.)
Keith, Kingston UK

The only real anti-cold call tactic?
Robert Henson, Nottingham, UK

You arrive at the cinema on a blind date, she’s gorgeous and she tells you she’s sensitive and doesn’t like violence. Do you take her to’The Passion of The Christ’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ or a Bond film?
Laurie, Alcester

So tell me 006, now that you are retiring, who do you think would make a worthy successor ?
Mark Coates, York, UK

If I want to impress the girl on the delicatessen counter at Tescos, which number should I select from the ticket dispenser?
Mark Starling, London

Options for a vodka martini:
001 Straight
002 On the rocks
003 With a small umbrella
004 With a cherry
005 Stirred and shaken
006 Stirred not shaken
007 Shaken not stirred
008 In an old tea cup straight from the draining board.
Which one would you go for James?
Andy Donaldson, London

Hey! David Shayler’s briefcase, let’s try to crack the code… now where to start?
Cass, London

What look needs to be adopted to get the girls?
Stephen Buxton, Coventry, UK

Having finally completed his marathon run, what should we expect of Rob Liddle now?
Nick Hill, Dolgellau, Wales

Before the days of the 747, how did the Wright Brothers try to market their plane?
David Stuart, Interractial dating advices

Licensed to analyse?
Martin Cooper, Stoke on Trent, UK

We need someone who is a crack marksman with a Walther PPK, skilled in the use of super-gadgets to escape tricky situations, the mindset to outwit our most cunning foes, and yet have scantily clad women with provocative names falling at his feet. Any suggestions?
Candace, New Jersey, US

I’m not a number, I’m a free man … no, wait.
Dougie Lawson, Basingstoke, UK

How would a SPECTRE agent contemplate his own death?
Richard Sockett, Sheffield, England

If 012 = “way of life”, 103 = “things to do”, and 247 = “we can go”, how would you encode “way to go”?
Brian Ritchie, Oxford, UK

Explain this line from a BASIC computer program:
IF A=1 OR A1 THEN GOTO 007

David, UK

00 00 00 01 11. What could be clearer than that?
David Dee, Mozambique

To find the loo in Australia, which signs should be followed?
Ibbi, Portsmouth

Access via Bond Street?
Malcolm, Farnborough, UK

What phone extension should we give the new bloke upstairs in the corporate espionage department?
Tim G, London, UK

Bond meets Spock?
Simon, Birmingham, UK

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …
Dave Taylor, Leeds

What bus route should you take to MI6 headquarters?
Scott M, Aylesbury

The location of the Spytime radio programme on the new DAB radios?
Kiltie, Staffs, UK

When the LBQ has the wrong web address from the magazine page, who would you put on the job to find out why ?
Phil, Stockholm, Sweden

All wrong. The correct question was what should the smaller version of the Peugeot 107 be called, according to a company insider, instead of its actual name, 1007.



Estee Lauder, who turned a business selling skin creams concocted by her uncle into an international cosmetics empire, has died in Manhattan.

Lauder died of cardiopulmonary arrest at home, aged at least 95.

Lauder put her success down to her sales technique. “If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard,” she once said.

Both her sons are chairmen of Lauder’s companies. Her husband, Joseph Lauder, died in 1982.

Saleswoman

Josephine Esther Mentzer was born to immigrant parents in New York’s Queens borough. Her birth date is thought to have been 1 July, 1908, though her family says it may have been two years earlier.

She was california speed dating advices
by the lotions and potions concocted by her uncle and mentor, chemist John Schotz, and began to promote them.

In 1946, she founded her business with her husband, selling her uncle’s products to hotels and beauty shops.



There are no ugly women - only women who don’t care or who don’t believe they are attractive


Estee Lauder

By 1948, she had secured counter space at New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue department store, and soon her products spread to other stores.

Lauder was said to be a master saleswoman, personally visiting staff in stores to offer sales tips, and pioneering the technique of giving away free product samples.

Empire

She expanded from skin creams to other cosmetics and perfumes. Estee Lauder now sells more than 70 perfumes, and the company says Lauder had a “world-renowned fragrance nose”.

The company’s brand names now include Prescriptives, Clinique, Origins, Aramis and Tommy Hilfiger gay dating tip.

In 1998, Lauder was the only woman in Time magazine’s list of the 20 most influential names in business in the 20th century. The magazine called the Estee Lauder story “a chapter from the book of American business folklore”.

The business is now worth an estimated $10bn, and controls 45% of the cosmetics market in US department stores, according to Time magazine. The company’s products are sold in 130 countries.

Dating advices in the uk

Her sons Leonard and Ronald are chairmen of Estee Lauder and Clinique free dating advices forums
, and some of her grandchildren also work in the company.

“Beauty is an attitude,” she once said.

“There’s no secret. Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day they care about how they look. There are no ugly women - only women who don’t care or who don’t believe they are attractive.”


The Sasser Windows worm is continuing to rack up victims as it steadily spreads across the net.

Computers at the UK Coastguard, British Airways, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Post were all affected by the worm.

Security experts fear that the next wave of people to fall victim will be broadband users switching on their computers.

Home users are being urged to patch their machines to avoid being infected by the malicious program.

Casualty list

The Sasser worm first appeared on 1 May and estimates vary widely on how many Windows PCs have been infected by it.


Some firms report that only about 300,000 machines have been caught out by the worm while others believe that up to a million machines are infected.

Computer network connections, Eyewire


With Sasser you have to go and stick the patch in yourself


Richard Archdeacon, Symantec

Q&A: The Sasser worm

Whatever the final numbers the worm’s four variants have racked up an impressive list of victims between them.


The virus was reported to have hit up to 300,000 machines at Deutsche Post making it impossible for staff to hand over cash.


Machines at investment bank Goldman Sachs, the European Commission and British Airways and 19 regional offices of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency all fell victim to Sasser.


The coastguard said rescue work remained unaffected by the virus outbreak even though staff were forced to use paper charts rather than digital maps.


Previously disruption at Taiwan’s national post office, Hong Kong government departments and hospitals, Australian railways and the Westpac bank were all blamed on Sasser.


Protect yourself

Richard Archdeacon, technical services director from security firm Symantec, said the next 24 hours would reveal how far the worm would spread.

“The fact that there have already been four variants tends to indicate that they are refining the code and looking for a way to spread it before the patches are in place,” he told BBC News Online.


Mr Archdeacon said worms like Sasser could potentially do more damage than many other recent viruses.

Loveletter virus in e-mail inbox, Ap

Sasser struck almost exactly 4 years after the Iloveyou bug

“Mass-mailing viruses are not as potentially dangerous because they can be cured with anti-virus software,” said Mr Archdeacon. “But with Sasser you have to go and stick the patch in yourself”.


The dating advices tips and advice
that Sasser exploits was first identified on 8 October last year by security firm eEye Digital Security.


However the first code to exploit the vulnerability only appeared a few days after the first patch for the loophole was released by Microsoft on 13 April.


The virus can infect PCs running Windows 2000 and XP that are not patched against the loophole it exploits or do not have a firewall to protect themselves.


According to anti-virus firms machines running Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Edition can help spread Sasser even though they cannot be infected by it.

Virus chase

The virus is called a worm because it searches out machines to infect by itself without any help from users.


The latest version, Sasser.D, scans so aggressively for new computers to infect that it may cause networks to become congested with packets of data and slow down.

Windows XP on sale, PA

Unpatched versions of Windows XP are vulnerable

Poor programming by Sasser’s creator makes infected machines shut down.

Microsoft and many security firms have released tools that help people find out if they are infected and to help them remove the virus from their system.


Microsoft played down reports that millions were being infected by Sasser.


It reported that almost four times as many PC owners were downloading patches for security problems now compared to autumn in 2003.


Holidays in the UK, parts of Europe and Japan may also help to limit the spread of the worm.


Creators of other malicious programs are trying to cash in on the success of Sasser.


The latest version of the Netsky virus, the 29th variant, travels with a file that claims to be a cure for Sasser sent out by anti-virus firms.


Inside this version the creators of Netsky claim that they were responsible for making Sasser too.


Have you been affected by the Sasser worm? What can be done to stop the spread of of worms and viruses like this one? Send us your comments on the form below.

I’d just like to point out that there is a general consensus and misconception that firewalls are the answer to all these problems when they aren’t. A firewall can block unused ports to stop some exploits but any viruses that are downloaded via HTTP/FTP or SMTP will pass right through if you use these ports. You need anti-virus software or better still avoid Windows. Also, script viruses (and I use the world tentatively) are caused by abuse of features built-in to Microsoft Products. And I have yet to see these features used legitimately.
Paul, Manchester

To stop pc shutting down after 60 seconds
click on start then run then type shutdown -a
and hit return, this will stop computer shutting down and allow users time to get rid of virus
Dave Anthony, Newcastle -

I switched to Apple Mac several years ago and now have an iMac operating under Mac OSX. I do not suffer from viruses or worms and my machine never crashes. It is fast, stylish, and far superior to Wintel machines particularly for graphics dating advices dc washington
. Its GUI is far easier to use and I would never switch back. Convert to Mac for a better IT-life.
Ian Henley, UK

Anyone that thinks Linux or Apple Macs are invunerable to viruses and worms really need to wake up and smell the binary. There are just as many flaws in Linux systems as Windows, and there are many Mac based viruses. There are also java-based attacks that can affect many different types of system.
The only real answer is to get a firewall and antivirus system, and learn how to use it!
Steve Lake, Reading, UK

Always taken IT for granted and assumed viruses attacked dating seduction tip etc when individuals have a vendetta. Never considered firewalls etc for home PC. Not quite sure what to do next or indeed how much it will cost to fix. You see all these downloadable fixes but the problem with my PC is that it is running far too slow to download anything anyway, shuts down before download is complete, or simply does not let me get on to the appropriate screens.

Anyone got any tips? - fortunately can maintain my internet access from work!
O, Wales

Cause: Windows is very sick!

Prediction: This is not the last attack. You will hit again and again and again.

Temporary Solution: Install the patch for this from Microsoft and patch for next after next attack and so on.

Permanent Solution: Drop the sick Windows completely. Switch to a Linux based computer or install Linux Desktop on your existing computer and have peace in mind and in the world. Good luck.
Sagara Wijetunga, Singapore



Why do we always only hear about new Windows vulnerabilities when they are exploited


Colin McKenzie, London UK

Why do we always only hear about new Windows vulnerabilities when they are exploited? If the issue of the patch got the news coverage that the worm has, many more people would be protected in time.
I update Windows regularly, but no more than monthly. If I didn’t have a firewall, Sasser would have caught me by now.
Colin McKenzie, London UK

I don’t think Colin McKenzie quite understands. If Microsoft made announcements saying they had spotted a specific vulnerability, the virus writers would have a field day exploiting it. Due to their very nature, these things must be kept under wraps until a fix is produced and then discretely rolled into Windows Update. The best thing to do is run Windows Update in automatic mode so you are always up to date. Or, get a Mac.
Anon, UK

A fried of mine was infected with the Sasser virus, I removed it using Norton’s removal tool, the pc is now updated and is running sweet, but it was quite a pain to remove it. Had to use Safe Mode on XP to remove some of it, then had to create a new account on the pc to enable the rest of the removal as in the standard account the pc would keep shutting down. Not much fun…..
Robert J Wilson, Herne Bay, Kent

Oh for goodness sake, pay peanuts, get monkies. Buy an Apple Mac and remain totally immune to all this rubbish. Factor in the cost of rebuilding,reformating, security updates, time wasted, data and documents lost, cost of virus checkers and AppleMacs complete with Microsoft Office for the Mac are VERY cost effective. Companies and Businesses that follow the herd instinct and stay with Windows deserve all they get.
Arthur Lowe, Melbourne, Australia

Pretty primitive worm really. Spotted within a minute of it first running - easily detected due to ADSL connection activity when no programs open. Check Task Manager processes, a process called avserve.exe (which I don’t recognise) is running. Stop the process, locate and delete the file, download Microsoft patch to prevent top dating tip.

Graham Fewster, Huntingdon, UK



Patch, or face the consequences


James Atack, Paris, France

We should think ourselves lucky that once again the writer of this virus let us off the hook. Despite the high number of infections, the virus has a relativley benign payload.
If ever a similar virus appears on the scene that actively destroys data, then the financial loss will be huge. Patch, or face the consequences.
James Atack, Paris, France

Common sense prevails here, buy a firewall, or download a free one of of the net and run Windows update often. Take 5 minutes out of your day, run Windows Update, update your firewall and antivirus definitions, and you’ll be fine.
Blair, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

No comment on the ‘poor programming’ by Microsoft that caused this vulnerability in the first place?
Alex Hawdon, Huddersfield, UK

Name

Your E-mail address

Town & Country

Comments

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published.

The spat has highlighted how labour rights could become an important issue ahead of the US Presidential election.

The Bush administration’s “Fairpay” initiative aims to bring overtime rules up to date by including workers who are doing jobs that were left out in the past.

The Labor Department insists the new rules would strengthen overtime rights for 6.7 million American workers, including low-wage workers who were denied overtime under the old rules.

But critics insist it does not go far enough and say a huge number of workers would not qualify for overtime rates under the plan.

If the disagreements continue the rules may never get approved at all, leaving overtime pay unprotected for millions of Americans.

High earners

The new rules, due to come into effect on 23 August, aim to guarantee overtime protection for workers who earn less than $23,660, (13,300) per year - that is $455 per week.

US street scene

6.7 million Americans could benefit from the new rules

The idea looks simple enough, but problems arise not just for those earning less than $23,660 per year, but for those earning more as well.

“They harm a huge number of people making between $23,000 and $100,000,” said Republican George Miller from California.

“It’s riddled with loopholes, potentially making millions of Americans earning as little as $23,660 vulnerable to losing some of their income,” said Senator Tom Harkin from Iowa.

Managerial jobs

The original overtime law guaranteed jake gyllenhaal dating advices
pay for each additional hour worked beyond 40 in a week.

But not everyone was covered by the law - the act exempted certain grades and professions.

Administrative, executive and professionals were exempted based on duty tests.

That loophole would not be closed by the proposed new rules.

Hence, an “employee who leads a team of other employees assigned to complete major projects for the employer” could be exempted from overtime.

As many as 1.5 million Americans could be denied guaranteed overtime payment by that clause alone, said one expert in a memo.

Inadequate

Under pressure to extend the scope of the plan, the Bush administration has kept on adding to the list of occupations that should be covered by the rules.

President Bush behind Labor Secretary Elaine Chao

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao says she faces a internet dating advices software
campaign

Following the proposed amendments, the list now includes a wide range of jobs, from computer programmers to plumbers.

And yet, a recent 52-47 Senate vote against the amendments means implementing the initiative will now have to wait.

Those who voted against said the revisions would have limited impact, were inadequate and confusing.

Stand-off

Generally, the rules are backed by business but denounced by the unions.

“It speaks volumes about the real motives of this so-called family-friendly administration,” said Mark Wilson, a lawyer for the union Dating advices russian women online
Workers of America.

But the US Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than three million businesses, backs the proposed new regulations.

“Although we are disappointed in some of the provisions, these reforms provide clearer guidance to both employers and workers on their rights and canadian dating advices free site
under wage and labour laws,” said Randel Johnson, Chamber of Commerce vice president for labour, immigration and employee benefits.

Business leaders welcome the idea to give wider overtime protection, as they had been complaining that they were facing costly lawsuits from employees who claimed they were being unfairly denied overtime.

The Administrative Office of the US Courts said class action litigation on wage and hour laws has grown by 230% since 1997 alone.

Employers

Opponents are interpreting some of the Labor Department’s free teen dating advices service
to employers as tips on how to avoid paying overtime to would-be newly eligible low-income earners.

In the Labor Department summary it says “most employers affected by the proposed rule would be expected to choose the most cost-effective compensation adjustment method”.

It offers an options list, including adhering to a 40-hour week and adjusting an hourly rate to include overtime without increasing annual salary.

Taken literally, this would mean employees working more hours for the same pay.

In its defence “we do not anticipate employers will cut people’s pay,” the Labor Department said.

Mobilising force

The proposed overhaul of the overtime regulations would be the first major change since 1938.

US

US competitiveness is one element in a complex picture of workers’ rights

But the revisions are looking less likely to happen.

In March, when the new regulations were proposed, the Democrats jumped on it as a means to gain political advantage, the Bush administration insists..

The administration has accused the Democrats of wildly exaggerating how many workers could lose their overtime pay.

The apparent deadlock means the rules will not be implemented until after the election at the earliest, and they would be dead in the water if President Bush is not re-elected.


Fed up with the vagaries of the stock market and the poor returns from low interest savings accounts?

Advice dating free tip senior dating advices online have always been a popular option, whether it’s wine, art or disabled dating advices site
.

Of course, it’s harder to find the range of advice on financial matters you get in the newspapers and on programmes such as Working Lunch.

So you need to do plenty of homework before splashing out your hard-earned cash on that up-and-coming painter or a rolltop desk of unknown origins.

Rules

One of the most popular areas is antique furniture, no doubt boosted by the spate of TV programmes all seeming to feature the perma-tanned David Dickinson.

Dealers claim that furniture has outperformed the markets and house price inflation over the past 30 years.

There are some basic rules that apply to any alternative investment.

Firstly, buy something because you like it. It’s no good having an ugly object sitting in your living room simply because you hope it will shoot up in value.

Be focused - buying random pieces of art or furniture is fine, but a collection of sculpture or Art Deco may ultimately be more valuable.

Investment

It’s often better to choose an investment that already has a following - there will be more buyers when you come to sell.

“As with any other investment, it is essential to buy the right thing at the right price,” advises Simon Bowyer, director of Safe dating tip antiques group Tomlinsons.

“Pay too much for an item and you will have to wait many years for inflation to catch up with your error.”

Finally, these investments aren’t like day trading where you can dip in and out of the markets.

Be prepared to invest for the long term, so don’t tie up cash you might need in a hurry.

Specialists

So what do you look for in antique furniture?

Pieces from the late 17th and early 18th centuries are big at the moment.

If it’s marked or labelled with a name you’ve heard of - Ince & Mayhew, Seddon or Gillows are examples - it’s probably worth a fair bit.

But Art Deco from the early 20th century and even pieces from the 1960s are worth collecting.

Georgian English furniture has always been considered a good long-term investment. Some observers think this market has been depressed recently so it could be a good time to get into it.

Top Tips
Compare prices across a number of outlets and be prepared to negotiate.

Always buy from a reputable dealer who is a member of a professional body.

Buy the best quality you can afford.

Insist on a full written description of the goods you are buying, with details of dates and originality.

When buying watches or clocks always ask for a guarantee.

Go for something that is functional as well as attractive. It will hold its value.

Other specialists say Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts are good investments at the moment.

English oak and country furniture is also seen as love and dating tip.

You can buy either from dealers or at auction - but whatever you do, check prices regularly so you can tell what’s a good deal and what isn’t.

Dealers

Provenance can also be important. Is there any verification that it was made by someone well-known? Or does it have an interesting history?

Some dealers and investors think it’s sensible to buy only the best, as a top quality piece will rise more in value than a poor example.

If you want a helping hand, there are dealers who will buy, hold and sell pieces on behalf of clients, taking much of the stress out of running a portfolio.

While Tomlinsons deals mainly with the trade, six years ago, it started a Fine Furniture Club, where the public get to visit at weekends and buy stock.

This part of the business has grown rapidly, with sales up more than 30%. Membership is now about 11,000.

Simon Bowyer says that when you buy an antique you’re also paying for the quality of the piece.

“You can buy two antique chairs for 750 which are 150 years old and, if looked after, will last another 100 years,” he says.

“Having them made today could cost about 2,000 each. With antiques, you’re benefiting from the cheap labour of the 17th century.”