Iran said on Tuesday that new sanctions imposed on it by the European Union could hurt diplomatic efforts to resolve a long-running row over Tehran’s disputed nuclear ambitions.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini condemned the latest sanctions, agreed by the 27-nation bloc on Monday, as illegal and suggested they would only serve to strengthen Iran’s determination to pursue nuclear technology.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Search on for Philippine ferry survivors
Philippine officials refused to give up hope of rescuing some of the 800 odd people missing after a ferry capsized during Typhoon Fengshen, even as the still-roiling seas hampered efforts to get inside the vessel on Monday.
Divers heard no response when they hammered on the tip of the 23,824-tonne ship that was jutting from the water, off Sibuyan Island in central Philippines.
The Coast Guard are still not ruling out that somebody there could be still alive
More details at http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062455011300.htm
Divers heard no response when they hammered on the tip of the 23,824-tonne ship that was jutting from the water, off Sibuyan Island in central Philippines.
The Coast Guard are still not ruling out that somebody there could be still alive
More details at http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062455011300.htm
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Federer begins his quest for his sixth title
Federer's 60th straight victory on grass, and the first in his quest for a record sixth Wimbledon title in a row, came against the old Slovakian warhorse — and Federer’s good friend and practice partner from his early days in the game — Dominik Hrbaty and the 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 success required the champion’s presence on the centre court for a mere 79 minutes.
At no time in the past five years has the Swiss maestro had to fend off so many questions concerning his form and championship mettle as he has had to in recent months.
Courtesy : Nirmal Shekar
For more details
At no time in the past five years has the Swiss maestro had to fend off so many questions concerning his form and championship mettle as he has had to in recent months.
Courtesy : Nirmal Shekar
For more details
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Spain finally conquers the penalty shoot out phobia
Vienna: Spain overcame a dreadful history and a phobia. Its dread of shoot-outs was conquered and so, too, was Italy, opponent it had not beaten in competitive football for 88 years.
The decisive penalty was taken by the substitute Cesc Fábregas, who displayed all the calm so associated with Arsenal as he slipped the ball past the left-hand of Gigi Buffon.
Previously, Daneiele de Rossi and Alessandro Di Natale had failed for Italy, while Daniel Guiza, of Italy, also had his effort saved.
Despite the eventual drama of the penalty shoot-out, the Eurocup tournament had not been afflicted with a game of this sort since the opening set of fixtures in which Romania and France held one another to a turgid 0-0 draw.
More details at
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062460891800.htm
The decisive penalty was taken by the substitute Cesc Fábregas, who displayed all the calm so associated with Arsenal as he slipped the ball past the left-hand of Gigi Buffon.
Previously, Daneiele de Rossi and Alessandro Di Natale had failed for Italy, while Daniel Guiza, of Italy, also had his effort saved.
Despite the eventual drama of the penalty shoot-out, the Eurocup tournament had not been afflicted with a game of this sort since the opening set of fixtures in which Romania and France held one another to a turgid 0-0 draw.
More details at
http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062460891800.htm
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tyra to replace Oprah ?
No...neverBut with a mentor like that who wouldn't be happy to see her win the Daytime Emmy Friday for Outstanding Informative Talk Show recently
To top it all Tyra Banks graciously thanked Oprah Winfrey in her acceptance speech.
What more do you want ?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Police give chase to a UFO
No not again !
well this time the UFO was close to a military base. and apparently zoomed in to a chopper
The chopper pilot had to swerve sharply to avoid a crash and then decided to pursue it
As expected, no fuel and the chase was called off
Shucks, another one lost
For more details ;
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1315843.ece
well this time the UFO was close to a military base. and apparently zoomed in to a chopper
The chopper pilot had to swerve sharply to avoid a crash and then decided to pursue it
As expected, no fuel and the chase was called off
Shucks, another one lost
For more details ;
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1315843.ece
Monday, June 16, 2008
Perspectives - The Balancing Act
There’s too much mental telepathy at work these days.
Imagine how much easier it would be if everyone simply stated what they wanted. Rather than making grand assumptions about other people’s motives, we might actually start getting our needs met.
Lies seem to be the in thing. It has no origin, and has lost its actual source and flavor. Nowadays, a lie is so obvious, something to be made mockery of. It sucks.
I didn't say that, although it appeared like a soliloquy, but I feel your anger.
It is amazing that people wait for something to be over, that they have waited all along, not realizing what is over. It's like having a ball with your credit card, under the assumption that you have a balance, no it's not worth discussing it, realization is what matters. I guess, opportunities are easier to realize, when they leave rather than when they knock, which they do rarely. Those few moments are to be cherished rather than assuming that a load has been taken off your back.
Financially - it appears that mutual funds are making a comeback. Bankruptcies are yet to raise its head. Appears embezzlements are out of fashion. Fudging the books is slowly poking its head up, and laundering is still a baby.
Where have the good old Cambodians gone. Perhaps we ought to come up with a grant so as to support this ailing industry. Apparently, the only things, which still rule, are the dumbbells.
If we don't something quickly, we wouldn't have countries to buy depleted weapons, as a result we might have to increase taxes again. Well, if this continues, it appears politicians eventually have to fund themselves, apart from an occasional handout.
I am, at 40, no longer in any demographic that matters. Other than the not mattering part, which stings a little, 38 is a fine age. There are even occasions when 38 can seem young, as if the numbers 3 and 8 were some sort of clerical error. You remind yourself of all the great professional athletes who are 38. Then you put on an old album by a great defunct band and rock out in the living room until your nephew walks in and tells you to stop acting "stupid."
I envy 20-somethings, but it's not their youth or their freedom or their little hardbodies that I envy. The place from which my rancor pours, the true source of my bile, is their timing.
Because, by some inexplicable (and unjust) force of dumb chance or intergalactic intelligence, this generation has landed in its 20s at an especially opportune moment in human history.
Reckon Mr. Greenspan was right in requesting the students to make mistakes, so as to reduce the level of perfection and so that we mortals can perform.
We are the generation that bought investment banking as an exciting and sexy profession.
We are the generation that said, "Just do it".
Imagine how much easier it would be if everyone simply stated what they wanted. Rather than making grand assumptions about other people’s motives, we might actually start getting our needs met.
Lies seem to be the in thing. It has no origin, and has lost its actual source and flavor. Nowadays, a lie is so obvious, something to be made mockery of. It sucks.
I didn't say that, although it appeared like a soliloquy, but I feel your anger.
It is amazing that people wait for something to be over, that they have waited all along, not realizing what is over. It's like having a ball with your credit card, under the assumption that you have a balance, no it's not worth discussing it, realization is what matters. I guess, opportunities are easier to realize, when they leave rather than when they knock, which they do rarely. Those few moments are to be cherished rather than assuming that a load has been taken off your back.
Financially - it appears that mutual funds are making a comeback. Bankruptcies are yet to raise its head. Appears embezzlements are out of fashion. Fudging the books is slowly poking its head up, and laundering is still a baby.
Where have the good old Cambodians gone. Perhaps we ought to come up with a grant so as to support this ailing industry. Apparently, the only things, which still rule, are the dumbbells.
If we don't something quickly, we wouldn't have countries to buy depleted weapons, as a result we might have to increase taxes again. Well, if this continues, it appears politicians eventually have to fund themselves, apart from an occasional handout.
I am, at 40, no longer in any demographic that matters. Other than the not mattering part, which stings a little, 38 is a fine age. There are even occasions when 38 can seem young, as if the numbers 3 and 8 were some sort of clerical error. You remind yourself of all the great professional athletes who are 38. Then you put on an old album by a great defunct band and rock out in the living room until your nephew walks in and tells you to stop acting "stupid."
I envy 20-somethings, but it's not their youth or their freedom or their little hardbodies that I envy. The place from which my rancor pours, the true source of my bile, is their timing.
Because, by some inexplicable (and unjust) force of dumb chance or intergalactic intelligence, this generation has landed in its 20s at an especially opportune moment in human history.
Reckon Mr. Greenspan was right in requesting the students to make mistakes, so as to reduce the level of perfection and so that we mortals can perform.
We are the generation that bought investment banking as an exciting and sexy profession.
We are the generation that said, "Just do it".
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Bill Gates or Bin Gatees
Well... came across this again, today, and though it is a bit old.... it is definitely worth a read...
Blog courtesy ... http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2006/04/year-in-umma.html
Today, Bill Gates — who now prefers to go by the name of Abu Mai’saf al-Windaaz — gave up the life he had known to become a Muslim. The wealthy entrepreneur and über-geek left behind the power breakfasts and business suits, moved to Saudi Arabia, and put on a burnoose.
He also answers to the name of Bin Gatees... so as to maintain Business Protocol.
We spoke to the software magnate in his villa, Beta Ri-Lis, on the Red Sea coast not far from Jeddah. We sat on a low couch next to an intricately carved table on a cool terrazzo floor while a ceiling fan turned silently overhead. As we spoke, we drank sweet tea and nibbled on dates and nuts presented by unobtrusive servants.
Q. Tell us about your conversion to Islam. Was it a momentous experience?
A. It certainly was. I was at a conference with some of our software partners in the UAE, and, during the meeting, I noticed the Arab men across the table pointing at my face and whispering.
It turned out that the freckles on my face miraculously formed the words “Allahu Akhbar” in Arabic calligraphy. They showed me in a mirror, and it was true! Then they started telling me about the Qu’ran and the Prophet (peace be upon him), and it all came together in a giant convergence — Allah, my freckles, and me! And now, here I am.
Q. Amazing! What are some of the benefits you have found in your new faith?
A. Well, I guess one of the main things is the prescriptions about women. I’ve always had trouble with… you know, meeting girls, talking to them and so on. But Islam makes it easier, since the women have to cover up and all.
In fact, most of the time you don’t even see them.
Q. And do you find a way to make your faith fit into your business operations?
A. Oh, yes. We’re working with our Dubai partners on the release of a new Islamic software suite called Microsoft Islam 2007. It will have five separate packages, Microsoft Dawa, Microsoft Jihad, Microsoft Hajj, and so on. We’ve got a ways to go yet — we’re working on Virtual Hajj, so that pilgrims won’t have to physically go to Makkah to meet the Hajj specifications. I’m consulting with the Mufti of Makkah to get the application declared halal, so it can aid people in places like Bangladesh.
But not all the bugs have been worked out — we still haven’t perfected the virtual stoning of the devil, for example.
Q. And jihad?
A. Well, I like to think of jihad as the process of getting the bugs out of the spiritual system, both on a personal and umma-wide level.
It’s kind of like optimizing a network — setting the system parameters and protocols, registering the users (in this case, the faithful), establishing permissions, and enforcing restrictions. Think of Allah as the Network Administrator of Islam, with Mohammed (peace be upon him) as his Chief Implementation Engineer.
Q. Is there anything you miss about your old life?
A. Bacon. That’s about it. Wait; there’s also pulled pork barbecue. Oh, and then there’s scrapple. And prosciutto…
Recently the wunderkind of Microsoft has become disenchanted with Islam, and is said to be no longer a follower of the Prophet.
The software magnate is said to be at his new home on the tiny Caribbean island of Santa Melinda, just to the northwest of Aruba. Mr. Gates owns the entire island, and has a sunny villa built on the slopes of Mount Vista, surrounded by lush tropical greenery with a view of the breaking surf below.
Q: Why did you decide to leave Islam?
A: There were several reasons. After I’d been there for a while, I started noticing subtle things I didn’t like. Besides, it was virtually impossible to get a decent broadband connection in Saudi Arabia.
Now a small note to reality-challenged people - Just remember, today is April 1st.
And with due apologies to all Muslims.....this is in no way to hurt anybody's feelings but just to have a good laugh...
Courtesy :
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2007/04/bill-gates-apostate.html
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