Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti

On Wednesday night I watched Aamir Khan's film Rang de Basanti. The film is about life in Delhi and covers the trials and tribulations of the city.

Rang de Basanti' is a film about awakening. About standing up for ones beliefs. Where the spirit of rebellion transcends time and age. A young idealistic English filmmaker, Sue, arrives in India to make a film on Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and their contemporaries and their fight for freedom from the British Raj. Owing to a lack of funds, she recruits students from Delhi University to act in her docu-drama. She finds DJ (Aamir Khan), who passed out five years back but still wants to be a part of the University because he doesn't think there's too much out there in the real world to look forward to. Karan (Siddharth), the son of Industrialist Rajnath Singhania, who shares an uncomfortable relationship with his father, but continues to live off him, albeit very grudgingly.

The film grips your attention for what is wrong with Indian society, especially corruption which they say is part of their society's DNA. There is lot of crazy fun and light-hearted moments applicable to rebellious youth. It also brings about a climax which gets the viewer sitting on edge.

A Visit To The Bugs'ingham Palace

This visit was perhaps long overdue for me, partly because I was a frequent visitor to the island that housed this palace or Butterfly Park, the Sentosa which is the popular entertainment theme island of Singapore. I used to take my family on weekends to sentosa and hit the beach, our most favourite spot. It was easier and cheaper for us to take a bus which took us right inside Sentosa.

So, finally time was right for me pay a visit to the butterflies. I later realized the pollen filled air that my hosts enjoyed so much was perhaps not very helpful for my son, who is very sensitive to allergens. All in all, the visit was good and we had a fun visit, ending our day at the Musical Fountain, which put up a spectacular feat of display using water, laser and fire. Best of all it was free entertainment. It was a pity that we did not have a camera with us, but I'll try to post in Flickr some photos taken with a phone camera.

The Bridge JOB

American baby boomers may be looking for that kind of job, what the economists call the bridge job, a new category of employment.

Economists use this term to describe part-time or full-time jobs typically held for less than 10 years following full-time careers. According to a 2005 working paper from the Center on Aging and Work at Boston College, one-half to two-thirds of workers take on bridge jobs before fully retiring--one reason the number of workers 65 and up is expected to increase 117% by 2025.

Revamping the retirement system requires a shift in attitudes and changing of rigid bureaucratic rules.

Bird Flu Strikes India

Avian influenza has struck India. After the Maharashtra government on Saturday confirmed that the recent deaths of chickens in Nandurbar and Dhule districts of North Maharashtra were caused by bird flu, eight people were reportedly admitted to a government hospital at Navapur, with suspected bird flu.

It is estimated that around 40,000 to 1,00,000 chickens in the poultries of Nawapur have been affected by bird flu. Avian influenza is caused by a strain of viruses of which H5N1 is the most lethal. These viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds carry the disease across borders and health agencies across the world are gearing up to counter a possible pandemic.

Avian influenza is highly contagious and usually results in the death of domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, once infected. Bird flu has infected humans in some countries and killed around 90 persons since 2003 in various parts of Asia and Europe.

Officials in India say there is no cause for alarm and they are taking measures to put a preventive plan in place and authorities have cordoned off a three-kilometre radius area where the cases are reported.

Infections of humans, mostly through contact with infected poultry, result in symptoms typical of common human influenza — fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches — to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and other life-threatening complications.

Security Overshadow Dubai Purchase Of P&O

Last week Dubai Ports World, (DPW), based in the United Arab Emirates, announced that it would purchase London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O). The deal gives DPW control over commercial operations at six US shipping terminals- New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.

This fact has caused a small but growing number of US lawmakers to press the White House and the Treasury Department to review their decision on the grounds that Arab control over American ports could jeopardize national security.

The purchase worth $6.8 billion dollars which gives a controlling stake of six US ports to a Dubai company has now become the subject of controversy and a national security debate. Although Dubai is a US ally in the combat of terrorism after 9/11, there are opponents of this administration as well as sceptics within the ruling party who strongly believe that the US should not allow its ports to be managed by Dubai which still has links to the terror groups in the middle east.

Dubai has beaten Singapore's Port Authority, (PSA) to take over P&O, but they still have to win over US lawmakers and public opinion who feel nervous that by allowing a Dubai company to manage their ports, it could compromise their security, giving the terrorists a gateway into their land.

End of the world in 1,000 years?

This eery headline is from Rediff.com, and they say:

"To stay alive, we have to meet a deadline.

• If man does not stop burning fossil fuels, by the year 3000, rising oceans will drown many countries and cities, and temperatures will have risen by as much as 15 degree Centigrade.
• Global warming could quadruple by 2100. Abrupt climate changes will become routine.
• Ocean water will become less acidic, throwing the marine ecosystem out of gear and resulting in catastrophic results for the earth."

These are the findings of a study called Climate Change on the Millenial Timescale by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research for the United Kingdom's Environment Agency.

We started off with homo sapiens , our ancestors with limited intelligence who habituated mother earth before we took over as the most intelligent and most wise successor. Unfortunately, it is the same intelligence that has also made us the most self-centred and narrow-minded which also leads us to the opposite end of being the most stupid of all ,when you think of the warmongering and horrendous consequences of our own actions.

Here, I am talking about global warming . Scientific research suggests that we are rapidly moving in the direction of ireversible damage, considering the green house gases that we continue to pump into our atmosphere. United States, one of the biggest pollutors in the developed world says they are addicted to oil and they cannot give up their gas guzzler SUVs nor agree to cut green house emissions as agreed by most of the international community as per the Kyoto Protocol aimed at cutting down the cardondioxide emissions.

For the world's largest economy, it seems it is 'business as usual' and if we continue down this road, scientific predictions are that the most intelligent human species may perish as a result of its own actions. I hope this is a false outcome but history does show that we are woefully slow in bringing dramatic change to our social behaviour.

Singapore Honours The First Social Entrepreneur

Mr. Jack Sim who founded the World Toilet Organization has won the first Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. As owner of a building materials company, Mr. Sim's inspirational idea to put more thought in the design and proper usage of toilets was recognized by the Switzerland-based Schwab Foundation For Social Entrepreneurship.

Mr. Sim beat three other finalists to win a trip to the World Economic Forum and the Annual Global Summit For Social Entrepreneurs to be held in Switzerland next year.

Addressing the award ceremony, the guest of honour, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, said ComCare Enterprise Fund, which provides seed funding for viable businesses with a social objective has todate approved $4.8 million for 48 approved projects. He urged the business community to look for opportunities with voluntary welfare organisations and charities as these organisations seek opportunities in the business area.

Hats off to Mr Sim for your innovation that is now recognized as a model for singapore. Poor toilet condition is a world wide problem and more than half of the world population have no proper sanitation.

Animation And Gaming Industry In India

According to the National Association Of Software And Service Companies, NASSCOM India, Newsreport issue No 51of January 2006, Indian animation and gaming industry is expected to show significant growth in the near future as global outsourcing takes off. A special study conducted by NASSCOM on the Indian animation and gaming market has found that the country could emerge as a significant destination for such outsourced work in the years to come.

According to the NASSCOM study, the global animation business was estimated to touch US$ 55 billion in 2005 and will grow to US$ 75 billion in 2009including segments such as entertainment (including TV broadcast, fully animated movies, direct-to-DVD and VFX), e-Education and web designing, with the entertainment market generating close to 73 per cent of the overall revenue during 2005.

The gaming industry, on the other hand, comprising the video console, PC, wireless/mobile and on-line gaming segments, achieved revenues of around US$ 19 billion in 2005. The sector is expected to witness exponential growth.


The NASSCOM study indicated that the mobile gaming segment would grow the fastest, increasing its overall share of the market from 16 per cent in 2005 to 28 per cent in 2009.

Presently the Indian animation market is dominated by the entertainment and film industry.
Mobile gaming so far is dominating the Indian gaming market. But India is making the right moves in these sectors to become a true global player

Kennedy and Cronkite

While scanning the internet for interesting reading material, I came across a book "About Why business people speak like idiots". The excerpts to this book bring out some interesting historical perspective giving a powerful example of an incident that has etched into the psyche of the American memory, thanks to a broadcast journalist by the name of Walter Cronkite. What you read in the 'Cronkite' example is just the opposite of how the idiots do it; without any double-speak or jargon, he connects with a nation to share in their grief.

Here is the excerpt that I selected.

"What has been called the 'most moving and historic' passage in broadcast history - and it's hard to say otherwise - was a sharp departure from the rehearsed and stiff television of its era... News of the shooting broke an hour earlier, and there were unconfirmed reports that President Kennedy had been fatally wounded. Cronkite himself had delivered that momentous news, breaking into the soap opera As the World Turns. But it was this segment that got inside of everyone watching. Decades later, it has the same effect. There's no doubt that Kennedy's death would have moved the nation no matter who reported it, and others did, nonstop for days, but Cronkite's broadcast is the one of record. Why?"

Walter Cronkite choked up on the most important broadcast of his career. It gave the whole audience a license to share their grief. Cronkite went on to become a legend in broadcast news. These are the rare moments when humanity rises above their party affiliation , ideological or religious differences to grieve or celebrate the life of a person who has made his mark and left a lasting legacy.

Even as we salute the advancements made possible by globalization, we are saddened that the gap between the rich and the poor continue to increase. In the mixed up world that we live today, greed, corruption, poverty, religious intolerance and terror has become an alarming problem.

Well, coming back to the book; I get the feeling that this book talks about an epidemic applicable especially to business but generally to other sectors as well. Today much of the world is dominated by the free market system of capitalism based on intense competition.. It seems business people cannot talk or give out a report without disclaimers or sugar-coating what they have to say. Go on and look into company accounts or attend an annual general meeting and you'll know the kind of deceptive and hard-to-understand lingo that is used . In order to impress an audience the idot, when he has nothing worth saying will talk about the "value proposition, ecosystems and generate concepts " that will create fog in the mind of the listener.

It is no wonder that Enron, the worlds biggest energy giant named by Forbes magazine consecutively as"America’s Most Innovative Company" for six consecutive years, became the largest corporate bankrupcy in US history causing millions of dollars of loss to shareholders and investors.

Some Tips On Achieving Financial Independence

This article from rediff.com refers the reader to the book 'Rich Dad Poor Dad', by Robert T Kiyosaki wherein he writes; that the sources of money can be divided into four quadrants. One is employment, the second is entrepreneurial- or self-employment, the third is investments, and the fourth is business.

Well, you have to live well. Make choices that will help you to achieve financial goals.

You are financially independent when your lifestyle is sustained by passive income, that is income which comes to you automatically without you having to work in any way for earning it. How could this happen?

Here are the tips.

• Assets create income and liabilities deplete income. Choose assets over liabilities as far as possible .
  Invest 10% or more of your gross income to create financial independence for yourself. This is an important step.
• Of your savings, put 15 to 20% in life insurance, 10% in post office instruments or a provident fund, 25% , you can buy mutual funds, shares or anything else of choice. Choose something that allows you some liquidity and yet appreciates quicker than the more conservative investments. Be aware that risk and return are positively correlated. Higher the risk, the higher the return.

The thumb rule is to put only as much money in these that you can put away without feeling the pinch into your day-to-day living expenses.

EU Probes Airline Price Fixing

In many countries 'price fixing' is illegal where firms agree to sell commodities at a common price or at a certain minimum price.

U.S. and European officials have raided airlines in US and Europe in an investigation of possible price-fixing of freight shipments by passenger and cargo airlines.

The European Union's executive arm and the U.S. Justice Department conducted searches of some leading passenger airlines' cargo operations in Europe and around the United States, and other airlines were asked for information related to the probe.

"The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated (a European Union) treaty, which prohibits practices such as price fixing," the European Commission said in a statement.

It is against the law in most countries for companies to collude to set prices or divide territory. It is standard practice for antitrust authorities in Europe, the United States and other countries to coordinate simultaneous raids on suspects in cartel cases.

Some of the world's biggest airlines including American Airlines, British Airways Plc, Air France KLM, Lufthansa and several others have been asked for information related to alleged cartel activity.

International cartels deprive the consumers of fair competition which is essential in a free market. Such price fixing which is considered a criminal offence can be prosecuted under antitrust laws of many countries. In a global economy, the long arm of the law has got to reach far and wide to keep the crooks at bay.

Fries Under Fire

All this while McDonald's had said its fries were free of gluten and milk or wheat allergens and safe for people with sensitivities to those foods.

This has suddenly changed and Mcdonald's has quietly added "Contains wheat and milk ingredients" this month to its Web site's french fries listing. Last week, the fast-food giant acknowledged that its french fries contain more trans fat than previously advertised. While for most people it may not matter, it is a big deal for people who are sensitive to wheat and dairy derivatives which are used as flavour in the preparation of fries.

A heathy eating campaign that former President Bill Clinton has just started for public schools in order to combat obesity among young children will focus on the nutritional value of foods; burgers and fries no doubt will be included.

The schools will get help in improving the nutritional value of the food served in cafeterias and vending machines, increasing physical activity, providing health lessons and promoting staff wellness.

"What we want to do is to create a national recognition program shining a spotlight on schools that have done a good job, with concrete, innovative steps to create healthier learning environments for children and healthier work environments for staff," President Clinton said.

e- Community Centres Boost Rural Communities

e-Community Centres (CeCs) or telecentres are providing access to the rural communities to reach out to the wider world. In the Asia Pacific region where major farming communities live, the resources of information and communication technology are set bring far-reaching changes to the community life and their way of doing business.

In a province in Mindanao, Phillipines a high school student uses this e-centre to call her mother in Saudi Arabia and it cost her less than the bus fare for the 13 kilometre ride to reach her home.

The telecentres which look like cyber cafes provide facilities where, for a minimal fee, the public can access various information and communications technology (ICT) services such as web browsing, email, voice service, and fax service. These centers serve as community libraries, points of access to distance education, business service centers, local, regional and international news services centers, and portals for various government services. The e-centers, have enriched the learning experience of students in the area who previously had access only to antiquated library materials.

The e-center has also had a significant impact on local businesses. Business people, who once had limited contact and little access to markets , can now arrange efficient domestic and overseas transactions through the CeC. In fact, locally-made baskets made by the indigenous Teduray tribe, are being sold internationally through the Internet. Thanks to technology, product information on these baskets is posted in the local government unit’s website.

According to UNESCAP Report over 60% of the people in the Asia-Pacific region live in rural areas. The rural population tends to be poor, neglected and marginalized groups of society. In comparison to urban areas, the accessibility and availability of information and communications technology (ICT) is significantly lower in rural areas. Government and the private sector do not invest much in infrastructure development for ICT in rural areas, as it is not cost-effective. But modern communication and technology is changing the rural landscape, albeit perhaps rather slowly but with profound changes in the offing. With the awakening of the sleeping giants China and India, propects for an economic boom are greater in this region.

Some Useful Info For Small Businesses

Based on the wiki model, this site smallbusiness.com does provide some very useful information. It is gives a wide array of user contributed information, from starting a business to marketing, accounting, human resources and legal issues.

It is an intersting concept to share knowledge which can be used to help other people in getting started or inspiring the motivation to focus and do well. With the opportunities that come about, thanks to the power of the wide reach of internet, how-to-do information is in no short supply and if it can contibute to your understanding or inspire you, then it is worth your time to have a look.

Million Dollar Experiment

Here is a Million Dollar Experiment which is a financial exercise intended for personal and financial development.

The author states that the goal of this experiment is to attempt to use the power of intention to manifest $1 million for each person who chooses to participate. It is 100% free, and there are no costs of any kind. You can even participate anonymously.

It sounds interesting. To let the power of intention and intution be the driving force for motivation and to stay the course can be quite powerful. It is an exercise to tune the mind and for the universe to do the rest. What you invest is only your time to think with clarity and focus and pick up clues as they flash in your mind. The author states, "there's no downside other than investing a fraction of your time each day in holding the intention."

Integrity & Success

Integrity is characterized by upright character, sound moral principles and honest behaviour. For a person to be truly successful, these traits will have to be inculcated very early on in life.

If a person is dishonest at any level, is scheming and has the desire for something for nothing, it will lead the person to cheating and robs the individual of good character.

Enduring success depends on one's integrity. Do not sacrifice your chances for enduring success by yeilding to ill-gotten gains. Once you have sacrifised your character, you have lost all.

Giant Crabs May Invade Britain

According to this news and discovery item of Ananova , Environmentalists warn that Britain's waterways are set to be invaded by giant exotic Chinese crabs.

They say the mitten crabs, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate, could overrun canals and rivers. They also say that there could be a population explosion at any time.

This type of crabs are considered a delicacy in China and Japan when eaten raw and are already present in some British rivers including the Thames, Humber and Tyne.

One solution for the expected population explosion could be, export the crabs en masse to the countries of Far East, where the raving exotic food lovers could feast all year round. It certainly would be good business.

Sultan Loses To His Brother

This article in the UK Times Online states that the Sultan of Brunei, one of the world’s richest men, has failed in his attempt to have Prince Jefri, his younger brother, jailed in Britain in a family feud over £8 billion.

The Times reported that Prince Jefri Bolkiah won a key victory in the High Court last week in a five-year battle that has exposed the extraordinarily extravagant lifestyles of the brothers.


Prince Jefri, 51, has been accused by his brother Sultan Hassanal, 59, of embezzling £8 billion from the Brunei Investment Authority (BIA) during his 13 years as Finance Minister of the oil-rich country on the northern coast of Borneo.

Click on the 'article' above as well as Asiaweek.com article to read about this story which Asiaweek titled "Paradise Lost."

Asiaweek wrote, "Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei rules his tiny realm from the world's largest residential palace built on the edge of the Borneo jungle. The gold-domed Istana Nurul Imam has 1,788 rooms, which makes it bigger than the Vatican and on a par with Versailles."

Brunei also known as Negara Brunei Darussalam or Sultanate of Brunei has a population of 372,361 (July 2005 est.) according to the World Factbook.

Cartoons Being Used To Settle Scores

When the cartoons over which there is a fire storm raging across most of the muslim world were first published in Sept 2005, apparently there was no hoo-ha then. Perhaps emboldened by this meek no-reaction, the Denmark paper printed more of the same some ten days back recently, I guess, to push the envelope further and test the level of the bar of muslim tolerance. The publishers who reprinted these cartoons in other countries, too, believe that they have the right of expression, which is the hallmark of the free world; such a right and its implementation has kept their countries away from the grip of tyranny and dictatorships. This is necessary to uphold public scrutiny in the affairs of the state, good governance and to maintain checks and balances between the different branches of the government while holding them accountable to the citizens from whom they derive their power. Drawing caricatures of the muslim prophet does not enhance or help any of the issues mentioned here, other than dare the publishers right to do so. The consequences for doing so have not been taken to account, certainly the publishers would have least expected the passion and violence that this incident has unleashed across some parts of the muslim world. All muslims are offended by the cartoons but many don't agree that burning of national flags or torching of embassies is the way to register their dismay and protest.

I read in a newspaper that Financial Times in an editorial last friday said, " Freedom of speech is among the most invaluable of our liberties. But it is not absolute; It would not, say, include the right to cry 'fire' in a crowded theatre. But there is something dishonest, too, about the way arab leaders defer in these matters to reactionary clerical establishments that they rely on to legitimise their autocratic rule."

When the Danish Embassy in Beirut was burnt down, there was speculation that the Syrians may have a hand in it. State sponsored protests in Iran reflect the defensive stance of a government determined to devleop nuclear power against the will of the UN nuclear watch dog , the International Atomic Energy Agency. From United Kingdom, all across the middle east, to Pakistan, Afghanistan, to Indonesia and New Zealand; the extremists have come to the fore front to demonstrate radical forms of protest and violence. Whenever an incident like this occurs, the moderate muslims are blamed for not speaking up and making their voices heard. Unfortunately in this instance the wrath of fury and passions are running so wildly high that unless the muslim religious and political leaders come out to calm the frailed nerves, the moderate majority would be marginalised once again.

Final Word: To try to still justify reprints of this cartoons in the name of freedom of expression is to justify the misuse of the highest value that the free world so cherishes unlike the monolithic muslim middle east that Financial Times pointed out and which the US and the West have supported for far too long. Cooler heads need to prevail over the extremists to put this incident behind us and move on.

Freedom Of Expression Versus Respect For Religion

Regardless of one's religious affliliation, virtually everyone in the democratic west has individual liberty, political and religious freedoms. These are among their most cherished heritages .

In Denmark, a small town newspaper has drawn cartoons of the muslim prophet.The majority of the 5 million Danes are lutherian christians while a small minority are muslims. Other Eurpoean countries have reprinted these cartoons and there is a huge outrage among the muslims, affecting diplomatic relations with some muslim countries, boycott of Danish goods while others are protesting with fury.

If individuals are to live in peace and harmony, freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to degrade any religion. It serves no other purpose other than to provoke ill-feelings and incite hatred. When the French jumped on to this bandwagon reprinting these insulting cartoons, it is worth to remember the famous philosopher Voltaire. In the 18th Century, his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion, along with attacks on the Church and the French nobility, resulted in two prison terms in the Bastille and years of exile from France. So there was a huge furore then and I wonder if anything was learnt from that experience.

In a free world, you do require a free press. But the press does carry a social responsibilty. From time to time we should look at ourselves objectively and ask, "Should we do something because we can do it or should we do it because it is right to do so?" If you choose the former, then there are unacceptable consequences. When action is taken on the latter, it can enrich our lives and help us to live in peace and harmony.

Tradition Marches On in Singapore's Chingay Parade

Just returned after watching Singapore's Chingay Parade. Originally started in 1973 in Singapore as an annual Chinese festival marking the Chinese New Year celebrations, it has now become a multicultural event with Malay and Indian performances alongside the Chinese festivities. Every year it seems to become more grand and more colourful. Reflecting harmonious unity in diversity, these street dances are from Malay, Indian and Chinese cultural institutions and schools together with glittering lights and spectacular floats in this night-time parade. There were floats from other countries too adding an international flavour to this event.

Although you now don't hear the fire crackers that was reminiscent of the early festivals which originated from Penang in Malyasia and then came over to Singapore, you do have some amazing performances among the beat of drums and cymbols, colourful costumes and dragon dancers still reflecting its originality. The balancing act on a 30-foot pole swinging from side to side was the best performance that I witnessed as I walked along the Orchard lined which was lined with curious onlookers, tourists and enthusiastic children singing and clapping to the beat of the drums and to the steps of the cheerleaders. At its finale it became a cracking street party and onlookers were were urged to join and participate in the fun.

This is a refreshing experience depicting the cultural diversity that exist in a society that has achieved excellence in national progress and social development from very humble beginnings just over three decades ago. As you see the dragon dance snake through amid the towering buildings welcoming the year of the dog, even the cannines are happy and smiling from cheek-to-cheek confirming that this country has done exceptionally well.

Million Dollar Fish Head Battle

Here is a Singapore success story born out of a simple idea. In the early 1950s, an Indian cook in Singapore came up with the idea to use fish heads that were not eaten but usually thrown away . His idea to cook fish heads has created what is now famously known as the Indian fish head curry. Despite the name, you'll be surprised to know that it is not an Indian but regional creation using Indian spices and flavour. It seems, in India they do not eat fish heads as a meal in the same manner they do here.

The "Banana leaf Apolo" in Little India which is the Indian cultural district in Singapore has the fish head curry as it's premier dish. It is not only an irresistable moderately spicy dish for locals here, but also a must-stop point for tourists to saviour this dish. True to it's name, food is served on a big green leaf and rice and veggies are scooped onto it, the waiters don't even need to wash the plates. But the majestic fish head comes in a big bowl, it's eyes and meat shining bright.

According to this article the battle to woo fish head curry customers in Little India has become spicier among the few competitors serving this famous dish. The owner of Apolo Mr. Chellapan is opening another posch outlet after giving his existing flagship 'banana leaf apolo' a two million dollar renovation revamp.

FOR a man who used to make a measly one dollar a month, Mr S Chellappan has come a long way.

As a young boy from Tamil Nadu, India, he initially worked, without pay, as an odd-job labourer at a boarding house.

'I worked in exchange for my meals and lodging. I got a dollar each month as tips for cleaning the place. ' he said.

This is an amazing rags-to-riches story, not only creating a world class brand "the banana leaf apolo" but in the process lifting the once discarded fish head to the front lines of the food industry here. All this out of a simple idea and a lot of hard work.

People Versus Banks

"This is a staggering thought. We are completely dependent on the commercial Banks. Someone has to borrow every dollar we have incirculation, cash or credit. If the Banks create ample synthetic moneywe are prosperous; if not, we starve. We are absolutely without apermanent money system. When one gets a complete grasp of the picture,the tragic absurdity of our hopeless position is almost incredible, butthere it is. It is the most important subject intelligent persons caninvestigate and reflect upon. It is so important that our presentcivilization may collapse unless it becomes widely understood and the defects remedied very soon.
"-- Robert HemphillCredit Manager of Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta, Ga. http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Robert.Hemphill.Quote.CA66"

Banks have almighty power and if they are overtaken by greed and mismanagement, it is a frightening prospect for they can destroy business and livelihoods just as effectively as they create and prosper them.

Gift Giving

Gifts are given in all seasons. Some gifts are for all seasons while there are gifts that are special to specific occasions. From Chinese new year, to Valentine, to national days, to birthdays, to christmas, to halloween and new years; they have special meaning for different types of celebration.

It's the Chinese new year, the biggest festival for Chinese . You'll see lots of red packets and oranges given away with colourful dragon dances amid loud drumbeats where crowds of people come to soak in the festive atmosphere. Valentine is quite a personal affair for expressions of love to one another and blooming flowers would be in high demand. Designer goods, greeting cards, chocolates and big-time parties would go for birthdays. You'll see horror fiction come alive in halloween, while christmas has become a commercial affair to promote tourism in several countries.

If you have a writer friend do you give a book and the latest food recipes to your food loving friend. Selecting gifts in this manner may not provide the best value for your friends. chances are that your writer friend has already bought the latest fiction, and he is more knowledgeable than you about books unless you are also a great book lover. Why not give what you really want and can give with love and sincerity.

Ali Honoured at World Economic Forum

Mohamed Ali is honoured at The World Economic Forum , this time for his efforts to promote dialogue and understanding between the Muslim and Western world.

Muhammad Ali born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. is considered by many to be the greatest boxer of all time, as well as one of the world's most famous individuals, renowned the world over for his boxing and political activism. In 1999, he was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and is considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.

At the peak of his carrier, he was called up to serve his country in the Vietnam war. He refused to do so, citing he so no reason fight Vietnam. For this, the government prosecuted him for draft dodging, and the boxing commissions took away his license. He was idle for 3 1/2 years at the peak of his career. In 1971 the Supreme Court ruled that the government had acted improperly. He bore no ill-will against the governement, instead reclaimed his championship in the ring.

Britain's former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, who is on the Council of 100 religious leaders who honoured Ali, recalled Ali's boxing career and his public acknowledgment of having Parkinson's Disease.

"Who among us was not stirred and moved ... as he lit the flame at the start of the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta?" he asked.

Indeed, Mohamed Ali has made an indelible mark which go down as one of the greatest sporstsman and a unique human being.

Liberty Quotes

"The government should create, issue, and circulate all the currency and credit needed to satisfy the spending power of the government and the buying power of consumers. The privilege of creating and issuing money is not only the supreme prerogative of government, but it is the government’s greatest creative opportunity. The financing of all public enterprise, and the conduct of the treasury will become matters of practical administration. Money will cease to be master and will then become servant of humanity."
-- Abraham Lincoln(1809-1865) 16th US President http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Abraham.Lincoln.Quote.B712


"I, however, place economy among the firstand most important republican virtues,and public debt as the greatestof the dangers to be feared."
-- Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US PresidentSource: letter to William Plumer, July 21, 1816 http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Thomas.Jefferson.Quote.1156


"I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country.A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit.Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation,therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men.We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completelycontrolled and dominated governments in the civilized world.No longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men."
-- Woodrow Wilson
(1856-1924) 28th US President1916Source: in reference to signing the Federal Reserve Act in 1913http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Woodrow.Wilson.Quote.51CE= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =WHAT DO YOU THINK? Rate these quotes!http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/DailyQuotes Click open the quote you wish to rate, and enter your comments.

Time's All-Time Best 100 Movies

Here's the list.

The Year Of The Dog Is Here

Chinese Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, i.e. the day of the second new moon after the day on which the winter solstice occurs. The Chinese New Year period ends with the Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth day of the festival.

Chinese New Year is celebrated internationally in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese. A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family get together for celebration. It is a time of reunion and thanksgiving. New Year's day is also celebrated within the family. Usually family members gather on the morning of New Year's Day. It is at this gathering that red envelopes are given to unmarried members of the family.

Astrology in China is based on the cycle of the moon as a result of which each New Year begins on a different date every year. And each year is named after an animal.

Legend has it that, on New Year, Buddha called all the animals to make an appearance before him. Only 12 of them did so. First came the rat, followed by the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, dog and finally the pig. Buddha honoured them by naming a year after each one of them. People born in that year would have the characteristics of the animal it represented.

Thus evolved the Chinese system of astrology.

The year of the dog begins on January 29, 2006.

Based on your date of birth, find out which sign you belong to.

The Rat: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

The Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

The Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

The Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

The Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

The Snake: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

The Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

The Sheep: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

The Monkey: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

The Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993

The Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994

The Pig: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995

Happy new year, goodluck, peace and prosperity to everyone.

This Robot Can Help You At Home

According to this article, robots - named Promet - are being developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and can run errands. They are designed to respond to verbal instructions and are capable of capturing three-dimensional images of objects and locating them through an infrared sensor.

These robots can hit the market soon. Japan which leads the world in robotics already is extensively using robots in manufacturing and entertainment although they look less like human. The human like Promets will compete with us and give us a run for our money. They will either help us out or push us out in some areas of employment. The contest of 'man versus machine' will explore new horizons. We already have seen how IBM's Deep Blue, beat the grandmaster Russia's Garry Kasparov in 1997. For more details click here and here.

Artificial Intelligence will make it possible for these robots to be smarter and more intelligent than some of us. It wouldn't be too far fetched to think that the robots can easily solve some of our problems which we continue to create for ourselves and for the world we live in. You can imagine their audacity which will come as a punch on our face. But for this to become reality, they have to be born out of our best brains.

There's A "Celebrity Block" In Davos

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Situated among the snowy Alps Of Switzerland, World Economic Forum is the place to discuss and debate regarding the major social and economic problems of the world . Every year leaders of the most powerful countries and representatives of the top corporate world, invited to this forum negotiate and close deals with one another. Whilst business and political leaders make up the majority of participants, NGO leaders from groups such as Amnesty International, Transparency International, Oxfam and various UN organisations attend,as well as trades union leaders and religious leaders.

One of the pastimes for journalists is to spot the stars and celebrities among the vast array of leaders from all walks of life. Increasingly entrepreneurs like Bill Gates of Microsoft, Michael Dell , Sir Richard Branson and Bono of the music group U2 together with other celebrities are stealing the show. Even football legend Brazil's Pele who is campaigning against the problem of rascism on football grounds was spotted around. This year, Bill Gates announced his foundation is boosting its contribution to the tuberculosis fight. It's already given 300 (m) million dollars and plans to contribute a total of 900 (m) million by 2015.

One of the biggest celebrities at the World Economic Forum in Davos is the Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie. When you have stars like Michael Douglas, one of Hollywoods biggest movers and shakers, it is no wonder that people jam the corridors to catch a glimpse of them. Get a more comprehensive feel of the meeting from this BBC article.

Kidman Chosen As UN Goodwill Ambassador

Nicole Kidman the Australian actress has been chosen to advance women's rights around the globe in her new role as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.

Working with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Kidman, 38, will focus attention on "critical gender concerns such as ending violence against women," according to a Thursday press release from the U.N.

Since the 1950s, U.N. agencies have enlisted the help of prominent personalities from the arts and sports worlds to highlight key issues.

Actress Angelina Jolie is serving as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency, and has traveled widely promoting the agency's cause.

These prominent personalities and celebrities help to bring the issues of the under priviledged to the forefront and are able communicate those concerns using their status and goodwill.

In the same manner everyone of us can make a difference and enrich the life of another individual. We just need the will to do it.

In Search Of Freedom Or A Better Life?

Human beings have an inherent nature for freedom. They love freedom as a social state and demand it as their right. The society they live in requires that they respect the freedom of other people.

Whether man can be truely free or not is a question that seeks answers from a religious or philosophical perspective, depending on which side a person stands. Human beings are endowed with free will to choose their actions and they are held resposible for them.

People living in a communist or totalitarian state have freedoms that are dictated by the state and the state decides what political and social freedoms people ought to have. The state has a monopoly over ideology and morality which they enforce upon their people by strict rules and regulations.

In countries that embrace democratic forms of government, their people have more freedom through their participation in the political process. Thus people have political , social and economic freedom and choose to live the kind of life they want within the bounds of the law which is made for common good.

If look back into history, we find numerous cases where countries and their people have fought for freedom against colonization and other forms of subjugation. Sometimes the battles and wars have been bloody with untold misery and millions of lives lost. Amid the horror of wars, we do have examples of people who stood against unjust laws and human brutality.

Mahathma Gandhi's name comes as an example of a person whose passive resistance against the British rule India, eventually won independence for his country without a single bullet being fired from his side. His did not have an army and did not seek weapons to secure peace. But he was able to bring profound political and social change through non-violent means.

Gandhi drew inspiration the famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy whose works include " War and Peace" a novel depicting the Russian society and is regarded as one of the world's greatest novels. He too believed in nonviolence as a tool to achieve political and social goals. Martin Luther King, Jr. the famous US leader of "The Civil Rights Movement" believed in nonviolence and for his work as a peacemaker he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1964. Thus, it is not only large armies and an arsenal of deadly weapons (including chemical and biological) that can win over causes and resolve conflicts, but the power of nonviolence and resistance has proved that it too is equal to the task.

World's Tallest Towers 2006

Human beings have always had a fascination for monumental buildings as we see from the history of Rome, Greece, Egypt, India and China. In the modern day urban living, countries are going for buildings that are scraping the skies. Modern methods of structural engineering and super-fast lifts have made this possible.

Click here to see the world's tallest buildings by continent given on Forbes.

Doing Business With Socratic Talkers

Socrates was an influential thinker and used reasoning and logic as tools to win over conversations with opponents. Socrates explored intellectual independence to ask questions as a method of inquiry, now known as the Socratic method. More on Socrates here.

Businessman who use the Socratic method are concerned with analysis of details. If you come across a salesman who is a Socratic, don't be overwhelmed by his talk. That's the way he knows how to operate. He would probably throw more words at you than you can hear.

If on the other hand you want to sell something to a Socratic, provide the person all the information you have about the service or product on offer. Then ask, if he or she needs more information.

Socratics enjoy playing the role of a philosopher. They are not keen to get into tangible elements of a situation. They are famous for engaging in monologue speaking, often verbalizing their entire thought process. They have to hear what they are thinking before they can make a decision. They speak first to themselves, not necessarily to others.

So, if you are doing business with Socratics, be patient and a good listener. The reward for doing that may be the business deal which you may want to clinch. If this sounds easy; try being a good listener and you'll know the answer.

What Is Our Strength?

Our strength lies in our personality. It is more than brute force of character. Our strength lies in our ability to influence others and get things done. The greater our social interaction with others, the greater is our strength.

Let us take the example of mahathma Gandhi. He was educated in India and London. He practised law in India and South Africa. He returned to India in 1915, and later lead a campaign to free India from the British rule. He did not have an army, wealth nor an office. But he was a peoples person. He adopted a simple lifestyle and he revived cottage industries like spinning and production of hand woven cloth.

In 1930, he led the salt march against the salt tax imposed by the British. He and thousands of his followers walked over 300 km and extracted salt from the sea. The force of non violence that he preached was stronger than the might of the British, who ultimately freed India and gave independence. More on Gandhi here.

"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." - Gandhi.

Every person we come in contact with in life will have some mark on us. Regardless of our financial station in life, we should mix freely with people, drawing positive energy and moving forward. It is a great experience that we get to enjoy during this lifetime.

Temple Of Doom

Archeology has an exciting and romantic side to it when archeologists go to look for secrets and uncover ancient civilisations, religions, and cultures with painstaking precision and care.

The above picture taken from national geography shows the gory image of an ancient excavation of a Moche culture ritual of a human head being held in the hand of another human being. This is a bone chilling experience, to say the least.

Moche civilization was a South American culture along a 300 mile-stretch of the Peruvian coast between 100 and 800 AD. Archeologists still wonder in amazement of the Moche pyramids and their monumental palaces. This link gives a time line of the Moche civilization.

We do not know how the people of this ancient civilization came to an end. But archeologists have found evidence of flooding and earthquakes, possibly a series of El Ninos which destroyed the Moche irrigation systems vital for their farming.

Time To Recycle Graves,. In South Africa

According to this Independent Online artice, the Municipalty in Durban, South Africa is running short of burial space in their towns cemetries and is thinking of introducing drastic steps to solve this problem. A surge in HIV/Aids related deaths and a scarcity of land has exacerbated this problem.

Presently the lease period for burial space is for ten years. The authorities are thinking of multiple burials on top of each other and this is sure to cause a huge uproar.

Expert on Zulu culture Reggie Khumalo said recycling graves remained taboo among Zulus and Africans in general, simply because people attached respect to a grave as "a final resting in peace" for loved ones

"It's also important to mention that among Zulus we tend to believe that our loved ones who have departed are still with us - hence the practice of speaking to the graves when important cultural rituals have to be performed," said Khumalo.He said that people would find it difficult to speak to their departed loved ones if someone else completely unrelated to the family were in the same grave.

Space Tourism: The New Frontier To Explore

Humans need to explore. We've been doing it upto now venturing across every nook and corner of this earth, from arctic ice to tropical forests to sub sahara to the deep sea and lakes still looking for the fifty feet monster called "Loch Ness", a name derived from the lake in Scotland which has now become a major tourist attraction.

For the super rich, they can afford to explore beyond the vast beauty of this maginficient earth, its wonders, its cultures and its diversity of life and its people. Well, here comes Space Tourism.

If Virgin Airways boss and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has his way, for a cool $200,000 the super rich will be able to enjoy the fun of a space journey. Branson who is known for his daring stunts including jumping off from hot air balloons has formed his company Virgin Galactic to provide the weightless ride by 2008. The lucky ones would'nt have to hold on to their seats any longer. Read more here.

"Brokeback Mountain" Has Unleashed A Storm

The religious bigots in US have bared their fangs. The demons of intolerance are out in full force with their swords drawn out: their target, Golden Globe Awards and The Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

The golden globe award for the best film last year went to Brokeback Mountain. This is an epic love story and is claimed to be Ang Lee, the Tawanese born American film maker's best film. Many of his films have focused on the interaction between modernity and tradition.

Brokeback Mountain played against settings in Texas and Wyoming shows the sufferings of two heterosexual male partners in separate marriages that are drawn to each other. Their dalliances with each other intesify their relationship and wreck their marriages.

A furious debate on marriage and gay rights and civil unions is sweeping across the United States with uncompromising fervour. Larry Miller who owns several businesses and Cinemas in Utah has refused to put this film in his cinemas as stated in this article.

Without delving into the scholarly view of the instituion of marriage in christian theology, surely all parties can be hospitable to each other. Beating the daylight out of the Brokeback Mountain without even appreciating the cinematography of the film seems a bit disingenuous.

When The Court Plays God!

An article in The New York Times reports that the highest court in the State Of Boston ruled Tuesday that the state can withdraw life support from Haleigh Poutre, an 11-year-old girl who has been in a coma since September, and whose adoptive mother and stepfather are accused of abusing her.

Haleigh, of Westfield, Mass., was hospitalized on Sept. 11 with a brain injury and multiple bruises, burns and cuts. Her aunt Holli Strickland, who adopted her, and Ms. Strickland's husband, Jason Strickland, were charged with assault, but Ms. Strickland died in an apparent murder-suicide after charges were filed.

The state Department of Social Services, which was granted custody of Haleigh, successfully petitioned a juvenile court for permission to remove life support. Mr. Strickland challenged the state in court, asking to be considered Haleigh's de facto parent and to be allowed to argue for keeping her alive.

With the Court's decision to remove her feeding tube, doctors advise that she will die within a few hours of the tubes removal. The Court's decision fuels the existing debate on ethical and moral grounds whether it is appropriate for a Court to decide in a medical end-of-life decision. Many feel that rather than keeping her in a vegetative state, she should be allowed to go with dignity.

But who should make this decision??

Martina Hingis Is Welcomed Back In Australia

She is history's youngest world champion and has five grand slam titles of which three were in Australia and has won many more doubles titles. Martina Hingis, 24 is making a comeback in this years Australian Open where she entered as a wild card.

"The Swiss Miss" as she is affectionately called, was on a roll in her illustreous career, when in 2002 she decided to retire due to chronic injury and repeated surgery. It is difficult to keep these true great champions out for too long. The passion for the game and competive spirit has brought this champion back to the surface, much to the delight of her adoring fans who first saw her when she won this tournament at the age of 17.

Today she overcame her first round opponent the 30th seeded Russian Vena Zvonareva, beating her 6-1, 6-2, with impressive tennis, finnese and grace that her fans have sorely missed during her absence.

The Power Of Your Mind

Your mind is your biggest asset. You have the capacity to do great things when you control it. Then you become the master of your destiny.

Take the example of Thomas Edison, one the greatest inventors of all time. He had tried more than ten thousand times before he was able to perfect the light bulb. How many of us would have given up on the tenth or fifteenth try, probably most but not Edison. Every time he failed he saw it as a new opportunity to try a different method which did without giving up until he succeeded.

Your mind is your own. When you close the doors of your mind to everything that causes anxiety including anger and revenge, you'll unleash the forces of positive energy which can make amazing things happen for you.

Zidane Scores A Hat Trick

Real 4 Sevilla 2



If you love football, Zinedine Zidane is one player whose ball bending silky skills you cannot help but admire, regardless of whether you support his team or not. In the Spanish Liga match played againt Sevilla yesterday his hat trick of three goals comes at a time when his club presently fourth on the Liga table is seeking to reverse a dry spell and turn the fortunes around.

Zidane is a very good role model, has won world cup for France , the European championship and is an outstanding personality.Click here and read his bio.

Communal Bathing Rituals

Many of us have heard of the Turkish bath, a ritual that originated from ancient Turkey. In the ancient cultures bathing traditions were a community unifying force but practices such as nude bathing has lost it's appeal under pressure by the catholic church when they became a dominating force in Europe.

The modern day sauna's which has its origins in Finland, shows that even today's society does value such communal practices, with modifications to suit the current climate and times.

Thailand which has strong tradition and cultural roots can offer you the healing power of "spiritual bathing", encompassing the practises of yoga and meditation amidst the rain forest and natural settings; quite a contrast to what the modern day urban dweller is used to.

Communal bathing is a sacred ritual in Japan. You go to a "sento house", (read more) where you'll find this quite an amazing experience. In modern life, the public bath in these places provide an opportunity for interaction and communication just like the country club does for persons who like to entertain or play games.

In my home country Maldives where communities live on small islands surrounded by the sea all round, for community bathing you hit the beach and dive into the sea. It's the most therapeautic experience for beach lovers when you have pristine clear waters and bright sunshine to soak in as much or less to your heart's desire. Unfortunately uncontrolled development may see a day when we may lose the swimming lagoons as has happened in the nation's capital Male' and we may have to do with artificially created swimming pools that you so commonly see in countries that do not have the luxury of the beautiful sea.

This Pill Can Erase Your "Bad" Memory

According to this AOL News scientists are working on a pill that can wipe clean your traumatic thoughts.

The pill is in the testing stages, but it can't come soon enough. More and more soldiers are coming back from Iraq not only with badly torn bodies but with minds gone crazy. Many of them suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and there is an urgent need for a magic pill to help growing numbers of returning soldiers who can't erase the pictures of maimed bodies and dying colleagues on the battle field. Many of them have become sleepless zombies.

When polticians can't reduce the need for armed resistance in the hot spots of conflict with more looming on the horizon considering the likes of Iran's defiance to go for nuke, the need for such a pill has never been greater. Off the battle field violence is no less with gun violence, rape and other accidents.

The lifestyle of modern times is seeing a younger generation that demands instant gratification in whatever they do. This is the "cool" MTV generation growing up to fancy the "American Idol", which now every country seems to idolize in their own name. If they have to languish any pain, such a pill will be the solution and it will soon become the most widely used pill in living history.

Manchester United Lose The Derby Battle

Manchester City 3, Manchester United 1.

This is Manchester's version of the US Superbowl and the club owner Malcom Glazer already brooding over his other team Tampa Bay's failure to make the play-off must be glad he doesn't watch real football games. As though the humiliating defeat is not bad enough, Wayne Rooney and Alex Fergusion could face FA charges for confronting the referee Steve Bennet during half time. After a half time booking and a warning by the referee to Roony seen in the picture, Roony's well known ferocious temper got the better during half-time when he went about banging doors of the tunnel.

To make matters worse for United, Christiano Ronaldo was sent off for a wild tackle on Andy Cole as the loss leaves the Red Devils 13 points adrift of Chelsea which still has a match in hand.

Sir Alex Fergusion might take consolation this was his sides first loss since October, but it is really no consolation when you probably cannot catch up Chelsea and you've got Liverpool chasing down your tail to claim your second spot.

The greater tradegy would be if Alex Fergusion is unable to bridle his young talent such as Roony to consistently play on their best behaviour. There is no doubt that Roony is buzzing with match winning talent skills, but arrogance should never be allowed to come in. English Premier League has seen such talent before, such as Paul Gasgoine who never realized the full potential of his talent for similar reasons. Football loving fans can only hope the script is not written for Roony and would relish the glory days of silverware be brought to the Old Trafford faithful.

Bird Flu: The Race Against Time

This is going to be a huge problem. Scientists predict and have been giving out alert signals when the virus surfaced at Asia that this is to be treated seriously as uncontrolled spreading can make it into a pandemic.

Like the distant rumbling of a storm on the horizon, the television images of children’s’ funerals in eastern Turkey have send a shudder across Europe.
At least 15 people have been diagnosed with the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu across Turkey and three children in Dogubeyazit have succumbed, two of them confirmed flu cases.

As devastating as the outbreak in Turkey is, it is providing invaluable information for those scientists working with the leading medical centres on the planet desperately trying to outwit the virus.


Samples obtained from Turkish victims and analysed at the National Institute of Medical Research in London show that H5N1 has undergone a slight mutation which makes it more likely to attach to human cells.

The doctors who have seen at first hand the effects of bird flu are themselves shaken. In chickens, H5NI seems to spread to all internal organs, but in humans it appears to devastate the lungs in particular. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have found that a victim’s own immune system may be part of the problem. It reacts to the virus with a flood of chemical messengers that draw white-blood cells into the lungs, where they trigger a massive inflammatory reaction.

Although the flu has so far shown no great ability to pass between humans, a worldwide pandemic is seen by experts as inevitable. A pandemic born out of avian flu will be one of the great levellers of our time. The last great flu pandemic, the Spanish flu that followed the end of the first world war, killed 50 million people across the world.

Western governmnets have hastily convened meetings to decide on protective measures. Drug companies are developing the anti-viral vaccines and stock piling them as this will be armour in the first line of defense against a pandemic. Public fears will have to be calmed and life will have to go on "business as usual" while the scientists nervously watch for mutuations and spreading of the virus. So this time it is man against an unseen enemy which can strike anytime with deadly consequences.

Los Angeles is the US homeless capital.

What an irony it is that the city of the stars, the city of the rich and glamorous is also the homeless capital of the United States. Los Angeles has about 4 million people while nearly 10 million live in Los Angeles County, which embraces a sprawl of 88 cities. Los Angeles County is the second biggest urban concentration in North America after the big apple, New York.

A report released on Thursday by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimated that 82,291 people were homeless in Los Angeles County on any given night in 2005, with about 48,103 of the county's homeless living within Los Angeles' city limits. (Read the full article. )

This is an appalling social condition in a country which has sold itself as the promised land of endless opportunty.

Stop This Religious Intolerance For The Sake Of Peace And Harmony

Television evangelist Pat Robertson Of United States has said that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.
"He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club."
"God says, 'This land belongs to me, and you'd better leave it alone,'" he said.

This statement has been condemned by Conservative Christians as well as by the American Adminstration. The Israeli government took objection to this and under immense pressure Robertson retacted his statement and offered an apology.

This is the same man who stirred a controversy when he called the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "a terrific danger" bent on exporting Communism and Islamic extremism across the Americas. (Full story)
"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it," said Robertson Monday. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war." Here too he offered an apology.

These are not only inappropriate but outrageous statements and Robertson should be ashamed of himself. Even most of his followers know that he is wrong, but the problem is how do you shut up such a person who claims to preach the Word of God

Afridi "booms" 27 Runs In An Over, The Second Highest In Record Books

It would have been a joy to watch Afridi in action today in the Pakistan versus India 2nd day of the 1st test. He delivered true to his name, Boom Boom Afridi, his fans call him affectionately for his agressive and hard hitting style of play. To the joy of his thousands of fans his 103 knock off 80 balls today included an over with 27 runs, the record holder for this feat being one of the greatest batsmen none other than Brian Lara with 28 runs.

The best compliment for Shaihid Afridi comes from Michael Holding when he said "Cricket is not cricket without Shahid Afridi". Few can disagree with this statement going by today's performance.

I don't see any reason why I should change my style of batting. I have scored all my runs in international cricket by playing aggressively and would continue that in the forthcoming series. I don’t know why but I like to chase bowlers,” Afridi said in an interview on the eve of this first Test. His fans will be eagerly watching to see their flamboyant batsman in the coming days.

Liberty Quotes From Lincoln

"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step over the
ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! -- All the armies of Europe, Asia
and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own
excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander,
could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the
Blue Ridge, in a trial of a Thousand years. At what point, then, is the
approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it
must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction
be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation
of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
-- Abraham Lincoln
(1809-1865) 16th US President
1838

http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Abraham.Lincoln.Quote.FBCC


"If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens,
you can never regain their respect and esteem.
It is true that you may fool all the people some of the time;
you can even fool some of the people all of the time;
but you can't fool all of the people all the time."
-- Abraham Lincoln
(1809-1865) 16th US President
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Abraham.Lincoln.Quote.8167


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Turk Who Shot Pope Released

As I glanced through the headlines, I noticed that the title headline appeared in several major news bulletins.At first I could not understand all the fuss over a greying middle age man who is free from prison after serving his time. I read the news and here is my take of this story.

Mehmet Ali Agca was freed from prison on thursday, nearly 25 years after he shot Pope John Paul II. Agca shot the John Paul as the pope rode in an open car in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981, and was captured immediately. John Paul was hit in the abdomen, left hand and right arm, but recovered because Agca's bullets missed vital organs. The pontiff met Agca in his prison cell two years later and forgave him. After serving out his twenty year prison term in Italy, he was extradited to Turkey to face some previous charges unconnected to the attempted assasination of the pontiff.

In 1980 Agca was sentenced for execution for murdering a Turkish journalist but the sentence was commuted to life in prison in 2002, after Turkey abolished the death penalty. Later he escaped from prison and surfaced in Rome where he attempted to asssinate the pontiff.

Supporters of Agca were outside the prison to greet him as they consider him a hero.
Hours after his release, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek ordered a review to see whether any errors were committed in freeing him. He said Agca would remain free until an appeals court reviewed the case.

Many Turks were outraged at the decision to free Agca, approved by local courts, and Cicek apparently was responding to widespread criticism of the release after Agca served only five years for murdering Turkish journalist Abdi Ipekci.

At the time when Agca shot the pope who did not support the communist ideolgy, there was speculation that The Bulgarian Secret Service acting for the Soviet Union may have played a part in the plot but it was never proved.

With Turkey vying for a place as a member of the European Union, special interest will now bear on how Turkey handles this case.

A Thought From Napoleon Hill Foundation

A GOOD FISHERMAN GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO BAIT HIS HOOK WITH WHAT THE FISH PREFER-WHICH MIGHT NOT BE A BAD TIP FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SUCCEED IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.

Just as in a conversation it's a good idea to listen more than you talk, it is also wise in relationships to think about the well-being of others more than you think about your own wishes and desires. When you constantly strive to treat others in the same way you would like them to treat you, you become a person whom others like to be around, one who commands their respect, confidence, and loyalty. When you learn to manage emotions and your ego, and when you learn to always consider the needs and desires of others, it is inevitable that you will "bait your hook" with kindness and consideration, and catch more friends than you can count.

This positive message is brought to you by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Visit us at http://www.naphill.org. We encourage you to forward this to friends and family. They can sign up for this free service at our web site.

Early Victims Of Global Warming: The Frogs

Global warming has aided the growth of a fungus that caused the extinction of as many as 70 species of brightly colored South American frogs, according to a study to appear in the Jan. 12 issue of the journal Nature.

Several species of frogs including the brightly coloured golden toad have become extinct.

Here is what happens. The clouds create a mix of warmer nighttime temperatures that help the fungus grow on the frogs and cooler daytime temperatures that prevent the frogs from seeking the warm spots that could help them fight infection, according to the study. Scientists are now hopping and hoping to find ways to prevent the outbreak of the fatal disease.

For now what we know is that disease is killing frogs and global warming has unleashed havoc. The effect of any chain reaction on our biodiversity will be disastrous and hopefully we can get out of a death trap which the human species has unwittingly brought about.

Global Warming Gets A Pat From Asia Pacific

Global warming has produced a new partnership among some of the world's biggest polluting nations on Clean Development and Climate, one that complements the Kyoto protocol and compromises with U.S., Japan, Australia, South Korea, China and India in it. It is working together to develop, deploy and transfer cleaner, more efficient technologies and to meet national pollution reduction, energy security and climate change concerns, consistent with the principles of the U.N. Framework Convention of Climate Change.

The six nations at the inaugural Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate meeting in Sydney acknowledged that burning fossil fuels a major contributor to greenhouse gases will remain "critical" to their economies. Australia and the US have each pledged more than $50 million for research into cleaner forms of energy. The money will be used to look at ways to generate cleaner electricity, and make industries more energy-efficient.

But critics say the pledged money is not enough, and accuse Australia and the US of not agreeing to the Kyoto Protcol which reqiures nations for mandatory cuts of green house gases.

The low lying countries that will be most affected by severe weather changes will do well to do all it can to keep this issue in the global focus, demanding attention and action in the interest of humanity.

Are You Dissatisfied With Your Current Career?

If the answer is 'yes', then why not launch your own home-based business. The internet offers unbeatable tools and abundant opportunities. You may even require more than a lifetime to explore the information superhighway fully. How far you succeed in your own home-based business will depend on your ability to give total commitment.

It requires radically redefining the way you earn a living and live your life. There are lot of people who fantasize about working at home but frankly don't have the internal discipline to work efficiently without supervision. The idea of not having a supervisor sounds like the greatest thing in the world. The reality is that a lot of people can't function without that structure and without that discipline.

It is also a reality that in your own home-based business you can bring massive changes with profound effects by putting out the same level of effort that you did in your old nine-to-five job. There is no magic formula to succeed at office or home; except hard work and total commitment. An example in point: Fortune 500 companies spend thousands of dollars or more to create dazzling home pages. The home-based entrepreneur on a shoestring budget can create similar pages using the internet tools available, many of them free.

India and Pakistan Engaged In Cricket Diplomacy

Ever since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have been arch rivals. While the dispute over the Kashmir conflict remains unresolved, both sides have agreed to work towards a peaceful solution and the millions of cricket crazy fans provide an excellent opportunity for the politicians to bring both sides closer in the areas of agreement.

Starting from 13th January, India and Pakistan will play three tests and five one day internationals. During this period the divided subcontinent of India and Pakistan with more a billion population will be consumed to watch fever pitch cricket.

It's also the time for pundits and astrologers to predict the winning team analysing every aspect of the playing conditions, the pitch, players form and their behaviour both on and off the field.

The home team captain Inzamam (in the pic) gave out his Strategy saying, his bowlers need to get opener Virender Sehwag early because he can destroy any bowling attack. He fancies his chances against Sachin Tendulkar and said the Pakistani bowlers can restrict him.

"I know the Indian batsmen have not done as well as they should have in the recent past. But we cannot ignore their track record which is of the highest class. Similarly, Pakistan bowling, especially the fast bowling attack, will not be the same as the Indians faced in 2004 and I am sure the Indians would have realised it after last year's series," Inzamam said.

The Indians arrive in Lahore on Thursday evening on their second tour of Pakistan in three years for a three-Test and five-match one-day international series. The Test series starts in Lahore on January 13.

"It is going to be a battle between the Indian batting and Pakistan bowling. Spearheaded by a rejuvenated Shoaib Akhtar, I fancy my team's chances more than the Indians but we have to remember that every Indian batsman has earned respect and recognition after performing consistently over the years.

Have A National Fruit Cake Day!

ABC Mildura Swan Hill in Australia celebrated national fruit cake day on tuesday, 27th Dec 2005.

Here is Elwyn Frankel's boiled fruit cake recipe that was passed down to her by her mother Violet Wakefield.

Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe

Boil together 1 cup of sugar, a quarter of a pound of butter, one pound of dried fruits, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, 1 cup of cold water, lemon peel and nuts if liked. Boil together for five minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of bi-carbonate soda. Let the mixture cool then add 2 eggs, 1 cup of self-raising flour, and one-and-a-half cups of plain flour. Bake in a slow oven for one to one-and-a-half hours. The cake is improved and has a better keeping quality if a good dash of sherry is added.

Microsoft Under Fire For Blocking Chinese Blogger

Microsoft is under fire for blocking a blog belonging to chinese researcher Zao Jing
after he posted articles critical of a management purge at the "Beijing News Daily." here is what he said:

"I posted three posts about the Beijing News and all posts and articles were deleted inside China," Mr Zhao, who uses the pen name Michael Anti, told the XFN-Asia news service this week.

"MSN Spaces (has) now deleted all of my articles and I have no backup and I'm very angry."

The MSN Spaces operation, a Microsoft joint venture with state-owned Shanghai Alliance Entertainment, is the top blog hosting service in China.

Microsoft this week defended its latest action, releasing a statement saying it was acting in line with global laws when it deleted the web blog.

"In line with Microsoft practices in global markets, MSN is committed to ensuring that products and services comply with global and local laws, norms, and industry practices," the company said.

"Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to make the internet safe for local users. Occasionally, as in China, local laws and practices require consideration of unique elements."

On which ever side of the divide of free speech you remain, it is clear that big business such as microsoft, yahoo and google would not want to jeopardize their business interests although they may privately not agree with the practices that prevail in some global markets that are so important to them.

Sharon: Fights The Battle Of His Life

As the prime minister of Israel Arial Sharon lies critically ill, there is debate in the middle east on his contribution to peace or otherwise. The acting prime minister has said, "Israel's democracy is strong and its institutions are functioning as they should."

Doctors will decide to wake him from the medically induced coma on monday and Israel anxiously awaits the new political landscape that will emerge if for any reason, Arial Sharon is unable to resume active duty as prime minister. Many in the middle east have strong views on Mr.Sharon's role in the peace process. Even his unilateral decision to pull out from the Gaza is seen with suspicion by those opposed to him. Such an attitude of mistrust does not help in the peace process of a region that is fraught with a history of unresolved conflicts.

From his friends and foes alike, Mr. Sharon desrerves the support and good wishes for his recovery, as would be the case with any other human being.

Keep It Simple And Lose Weight

Read this article from WebMD. Stop looking for miracle cures or super-fast weight loss techniques.Keep it simple. says the writer of the article who has experienced the demands of life that many of us have to struggle with on a daily basis. Accept the two things below and it will be easier for the rest to fall into place and make your life simpler.

1.Life will always be full of stress and demands
2.We can't control a lot of things. We can control how we respond to them

Learning to control our emotions is not always easy but the recognition and acceptance of it will put us in the right track to achieve success.

Complacency- A Rehash of My Previous Post

"Complacency is a form of slavery, binding one to a living death of inaction, non participation and default. The shackles are easy to slip into. They are comfortabale chains because they require nothing but your disinterest and indifference."

The above is an abstract from the book "Life By Design" by Dr. Rick Kirschner and Dr. Rick Brinkman.

The book gives an example to support the above stated view illustrating ' a frog experiment.' The frogs were put into a pond. The water temperature of the pond was gradually raised. The idea was to see at what temparature the frogs will jump out and leave the pond. Surprisingly every time the temperature was raised the frogs adjusted to the new level and did not leave the pond. This continued until the frogs finally got roasted in the pond.

This example demonstrates the consequences of inaction and disinterest.

This Computer Can Taste Wine

Computers are beating the humans in several fields including in wine tasting. A Carnegie Mellon University Professor is working to build computer tools that will make and taste better wine. The connoisseurs will have to look for other jobs and ardent muslims will ask for halal computers. ha! These are exciting times.

Live A Life Of Self-Respect And Dignity

Coming through the busy MG Road of the Bangalore City Center yesterday, we were passing through the neon-lit billboards that were plentiful around almost all the buildings. One advertisement caught my eye and stuck to my mind. It read: Live a life of self-respect and dignity. It was an advert of a bank.

Our car stopped at the next red light. A young young boy ran between the moving vehicles that were coming to a halt, to sell the evening papers and some 2006 calendars. I wondered what self-respect and dignity would mean to this young man's life . I certainly hold him in high respect for his enterprising though somewhat reckless behaviour to earn a living.

Even after I reached home, I kept thinking to myself whether society could do more to help those at the lowest tier of society who peddle and push sometimes risking their own lives, just in order to survive.

The answers do not easily follow the questions, but I decided to put my pen to paper hoping to capture my trend of thought before my imagination takes flight into the other mundane matters of life.

I wrote effortlessly upto this point and began to falter when the complexity of the problems we face became clearer in my mind. The advert that raced in front of my eyes was probably not meant to evoke any of these emotions. The advert was out to sell a package of services since we know banks take your money and invest for higher returns. So no big deal, it's just business ; big business.

Does big business have a social responsibilty to help others live a life of self-respect and dignity? I think they do. I agree that the prime motive of any business is first to make money for the people who invest in the business. But since business is done in a community, it has a responsibilty to contribute to the well-being of the community thereby helping it's members to live a life self-respect and dignity.

The Best Part Of Your Life

You think the best part of your life is when you are a footloose teenager with a transistor plugged into your ear and you seem to have all the time in the world to do whatever it pleases you. You are cool to sip pepsi and frequent fast food cafes, appealing not only to your taste buds but giving you an identifiable lifestyle. You are the trendy virtually connected generation whose fast fingers SMS friends near and far. You are lucky if you can afford such a lifestyle which is the norm that aspiring developing nations hope to achieve for their youthful generation who demand instant gratification as a way of life.

Unfortunately, even with the best of medical technology and modern conveniences, age takes you on as you go through life. You turn a corner and you are in the middle age when everything turns grey. Leaving home to party all night is no longer easy for the aching bones and you begin to say, " I've done it all before."

What comes at your next turn into your later life is better left undescribed. There are no cool TV commercials to show you how to live that part of your life. There is no glamour there and you've given up the pepsi's in favour of the health conscious drinks.

I've described three distinct phases of your life: the wrinkle free youth, the experienced middle age and the sunset years of old age. Her's how I think you can make each of these phases the best phase of your life.

1- The youth: Make this the best learning period. Look after your health, keep yourself gainfully employed, persue a hobby and live an active lifestyle saving sufficient for your future.

2-With maturity and experience now to your credit you can discern what relationships give you joy. You can learn from your mistakes and commit yourself to contribute to and help worthy social causes such as helping the poor or providing affordable education.

3-Old age is the payback time for your early efforts. You can reap the fruits of your harvest now. You can afford to spend time on what pleases you most, whether it is to travel or just wait and smell the roses while you watch the world pass you by.

If you can smothly manouvre yourself from one phase to the other and avoid sharp volatile patterns while resident in any particular stage, it would give you a great sense of accomplishment. At whatever point you are in the odyssey of life, you must make the best of it and don't be among the walking dead for you get to live this life only once on this planet we call earth.

Give Peace A Chance

John Lennon's title song comes to mind as I write this piece from Bangalore, still reeling from last wednesday's terror attack in which a gunmen entered the nation's prestigious Indian Institue Of Science in Bangalore, opened fire and killed a respected mathematics professor who had come in to attend a sminar. My heart goes out to the professor's family and I condemn this barbaric action.

As the world welcomes the new year celebrations the mood here isn't damp though understandably some nervousness does prevail with a higher level of security visibly present in strategic areas.

Terror from an unseen enemy is the biggest threat facing the world now. Religious zealots and ideological fanatics and their agenda must be defeated to allow peace and harmony between the communities of the world.