NSG hubs in four cities soon Nodal intelligence centre to share inputs with others
The Centre today gave legal backing to a nodal intelligence centre to share inputs with all other intelligence agencies, including that of the states, even as it unveiled a number of other steps to beef up internal security systems in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks.
It also announced the coming into force from tomorrow of the National Investigating Agency (NIA), a federal organisation to probe terror acts across the country, and deterrent anti-terror amendments made to law.
Steps would also be initiated soon to set up NSG hubs in four cities, a coastal command and 20 counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism schools. A decision has also been taken to procure 20,000 bullet-proof jackets for central para-military forces on an urgent basis. Addressing a press conference to present a report on the functioning of his Ministry one month after taking over the portfolio, Home Minister P Chidambaram said beginning today the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) has become operational on a 24x7 basis.
The MAC, established in the Intelligence Bureau, as the nodal centre on all intelligence relating to terrorism, has not be able to fully achieve its objectives. "Hence, it was decided that a legal colour should be given to the order establishing MAC", he said. Accordingly, an executive order was issued today under which the MAC has been obliged to share intelligence with all other intelligence agencies, including agencies of the state governments and the Union Territories.
Likewise, all other agencies have been obliged to share intelligence with MAC, Chidambaram said adding tomorrow he would chair a meeting in MAC. "With the order spelling out the functions, powers and duties of MAC, I expect that there will be a distinct improvement in the gathering and sharing of intelligence relating to terrorism, terrorist threats and terrorist offences," he said. Subsidiaries of MAC (SMAC) have been established in many state capital and in due course an SMAC will be established in every state capital, the Minister said. He said in the new set up it will be a mutually beneficial arrangement under which all intelligence agencies share intelligence on a real-time basis and are able to make joint preliminary assessment of intelligence.
The Home Minister said Presidential assent was received today for the NIA Bill and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill which were passed by Parliament in the just concluded winter session. PTI
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thanks to the Snow, Maybe
Thanks to the Snow, Maybe
By Lim Young-ae
Although winter is my least favorite season, whenever it snows, my heart still pounds like that of a teenage girl. It is a blessing for us to have snow during this desolate season.
Most people might have special memories about snow, myself included.
After meeting a young man, my early 20s were filled with periods of anxiety and pain. Cherishing somebody whose mind was somewhere else was like embracing a thorny rose in one's bosom, especially for a young woman who had strong self-esteem in those days.
Even though hurt by the thorns from time to time, somehow I could not throw the rose away from my heart as its fragrance was too fascinating to forget. I could neither love nor hate him. He was too remote to love but at the same too compelling to give up. I would rather suffer than just ignore him.
One winter day I managed to call him out for a date. Even if the sky was dark gray that morning, my mind was sky blue all day long.
We went to the recently opened coffee shop ``Ye Jeon" in Wolmido, Incheon. It was pretty popular owing to its nice atmosphere and beautiful view of the sea. We were lucky to get seats near the window facing it. The interior was great due to the exotic pictures on the walls, classic furniture, fireplaces, pink roses and candles at each table. In my eyes, however, the most impressive piece was the ivory grand piano at the center of the hall. It was natural for me to keep watching as I'd been taking jazz piano lessons.
All of a sudden, somebody exclaimed, ``Wow! It's snowing," and everyone looked out the window. We were both captivated by the magnificent scenery. It was snowing heavily, filling the space between the sea and the sky at dusk.
At that moment, the boundaries of every contrast started to break down; sea and sky, day and night, fantasy and reality, love and hatred, and even the boundary between others and self.
After a long silence, still fixing his eyes on the sea, he asked, ``Do you happen to play the piano?" I just smiled at him and instead of saying ``Yes," I moved to the piano at the center of the hall.
The tune I played was Tombe la Neige by Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo. I had just practiced it a great deal to learn the rumba rhythm. Furthermore, I had every reason to be encouraged to see his unusually happy face. It was as if I played from my heart rather than my fingers. The other couples in the cafe seemed to be spellbound during the tune and gave me a big hand afterward. They all asked for an encore. I was released from their attention after playing two more selections.
When I returned to my seat, he gave me a napkin on which something was written. It was none other than an impromptu poem entitled ``A piano and a woman." He was, at least in my eyes at that moment, a prince on a white horse!
He seemed to be a bit amazed by my performance. I was fascinated once again by his sensitivity hidden behind the cold reason. I felt that he was looking at me with a deep love, unlike before. We were selected as ``Today's Couple" and didn't have to pay for the coffee.
That evening, looking at the snowy seaside, he proposed to me, asking, ``Could you please play the piano only for me for the rest of your life?" It was the very moment that I had been anxiously looking forward to for several years and most dramatic. He had seared my heart by giving me a long, painful time with his cold attitude toward me.
I couldn't dare to say the short word '``yes" verbally. The only thing I could do was just nod my head like a little elementary schoolgirl with tears in my eyes.
In retrospect, my life has been somewhat harsh and mean on many occasions. However, once in a blue moon, we come across a day on which everything around us is unbelievably friendly and cooperative, like the gorgeous ``Ye Jeon," its ivory grand piano, the ivory coat I was wearing that day, the ivory sea, sky and snow, Adamo`s snow song, the hypnotized couples in a group (maybe thanks to the snow), the poem written on the napkin...
All of those things might have been preparing and waiting for me to receive a long-awaited proposal. (I tried to believe so).
Come to think of it, that evening was as if we were in Chagall's ``I and the Village" ― in the snow in which everything looked so unrealistic, such as a flying couple in the sky.
We, though, could not float in the sky as soon as we got out of Chagall's village (Wolmido). Like Cinderella who has just heard the bell at midnight, right after stepping on the ground, we had to sigh deeply to find a pumpkin, which used to be a golden coach for us.
After getting married, I couldn't keep our promise. Life was too challenging for me to play the piano for him all the time. Even though we had to move several times, somehow I could not throw away the bulky white elephant since I believed that my old piano was like Cinderella's glass shoe, which would take us to the beautiful village again.
Last year, I started to learn how to play the violin. Instead of playing ``Tombe la Neige," as on that dreamy winter evening, I have been practicing a Norwegian piece: ``For my precious love" (Jeg ser deg sote lam).
Now that we've gone through many ups and downs, I don't need a fairy tale any more. As long as I can play music for my now ``not very young" prince, our humble apartment can be our ``Chagall's village."
The writer is an essayist and freelance English and Korean Teacher. She can be reached at Thanks to the Snow, Maybe
By Lim Young-ae
Although winter is my least favorite season, whenever it snows, my heart still pounds like that of a teenage girl. It is a blessing for us to have snow during this desolate season.
Most people might have special memories about snow, myself included.
After meeting a young man, my early 20s were filled with periods of anxiety and pain. Cherishing somebody whose mind was somewhere else was like embracing a thorny rose in one's bosom, especially for a young woman who had strong self-esteem in those days.
Even though hurt by the thorns from time to time, somehow I could not throw the rose away from my heart as its fragrance was too fascinating to forget. I could neither love nor hate him. He was too remote to love but at the same too compelling to give up. I would rather suffer than just ignore him.
One winter day I managed to call him out for a date. Even if the sky was dark gray that morning, my mind was sky blue all day long.
We went to the recently opened coffee shop ``Ye Jeon" in Wolmido, Incheon. It was pretty popular owing to its nice atmosphere and beautiful view of the sea. We were lucky to get seats near the window facing it. The interior was great due to the exotic pictures on the walls, classic furniture, fireplaces, pink roses and candles at each table. In my eyes, however, the most impressive piece was the ivory grand piano at the center of the hall. It was natural for me to keep watching as I'd been taking jazz piano lessons.
All of a sudden, somebody exclaimed, ``Wow! It's snowing," and everyone looked out the window. We were both captivated by the magnificent scenery. It was snowing heavily, filling the space between the sea and the sky at dusk.
At that moment, the boundaries of every contrast started to break down; sea and sky, day and night, fantasy and reality, love and hatred, and even the boundary between others and self.
After a long silence, still fixing his eyes on the sea, he asked, ``Do you happen to play the piano?" I just smiled at him and instead of saying ``Yes," I moved to the piano at the center of the hall.
The tune I played was Tombe la Neige by Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo. I had just practiced it a great deal to learn the rumba rhythm. Furthermore, I had every reason to be encouraged to see his unusually happy face. It was as if I played from my heart rather than my fingers. The other couples in the cafe seemed to be spellbound during the tune and gave me a big hand afterward. They all asked for an encore. I was released from their attention after playing two more selections.
When I returned to my seat, he gave me a napkin on which something was written. It was none other than an impromptu poem entitled ``A piano and a woman." He was, at least in my eyes at that moment, a prince on a white horse!
He seemed to be a bit amazed by my performance. I was fascinated once again by his sensitivity hidden behind the cold reason. I felt that he was looking at me with a deep love, unlike before. We were selected as ``Today's Couple" and didn't have to pay for the coffee.
That evening, looking at the snowy seaside, he proposed to me, asking, ``Could you please play the piano only for me for the rest of your life?" It was the very moment that I had been anxiously looking forward to for several years and most dramatic. He had seared my heart by giving me a long, painful time with his cold attitude toward me.
I couldn't dare to say the short word '``yes" verbally. The only thing I could do was just nod my head like a little elementary schoolgirl with tears in my eyes.
In retrospect, my life has been somewhat harsh and mean on many occasions. However, once in a blue moon, we come across a day on which everything around us is unbelievably friendly and cooperative, like the gorgeous ``Ye Jeon," its ivory grand piano, the ivory coat I was wearing that day, the ivory sea, sky and snow, Adamo`s snow song, the hypnotized couples in a group (maybe thanks to the snow), the poem written on the napkin...
All of those things might have been preparing and waiting for me to receive a long-awaited proposal. (I tried to believe so).
Come to think of it, that evening was as if we were in Chagall's ``I and the Village" ― in the snow in which everything looked so unrealistic, such as a flying couple in the sky.
We, though, could not float in the sky as soon as we got out of Chagall's village (Wolmido). Like Cinderella who has just heard the bell at midnight, right after stepping on the ground, we had to sigh deeply to find a pumpkin, which used to be a golden coach for us.
After getting married, I couldn't keep our promise. Life was too challenging for me to play the piano for him all the time. Even though we had to move several times, somehow I could not throw away the bulky white elephant since I believed that my old piano was like Cinderella's glass shoe, which would take us to the beautiful village again.
Last year, I started to learn how to play the violin. Instead of playing ``Tombe la Neige," as on that dreamy winter evening, I have been practicing a Norwegian piece: ``For my precious love" (Jeg ser deg sote lam).
Now that we've gone through many ups and downs, I don't need a fairy tale any more. As long as I can play music for my now ``not very young" prince, our humble apartment can be our ``Chagall's village."
The writer is an essayist and freelance English and Korean Teacher.
By Lim Young-ae
Although winter is my least favorite season, whenever it snows, my heart still pounds like that of a teenage girl. It is a blessing for us to have snow during this desolate season.
Most people might have special memories about snow, myself included.
After meeting a young man, my early 20s were filled with periods of anxiety and pain. Cherishing somebody whose mind was somewhere else was like embracing a thorny rose in one's bosom, especially for a young woman who had strong self-esteem in those days.
Even though hurt by the thorns from time to time, somehow I could not throw the rose away from my heart as its fragrance was too fascinating to forget. I could neither love nor hate him. He was too remote to love but at the same too compelling to give up. I would rather suffer than just ignore him.
One winter day I managed to call him out for a date. Even if the sky was dark gray that morning, my mind was sky blue all day long.
We went to the recently opened coffee shop ``Ye Jeon" in Wolmido, Incheon. It was pretty popular owing to its nice atmosphere and beautiful view of the sea. We were lucky to get seats near the window facing it. The interior was great due to the exotic pictures on the walls, classic furniture, fireplaces, pink roses and candles at each table. In my eyes, however, the most impressive piece was the ivory grand piano at the center of the hall. It was natural for me to keep watching as I'd been taking jazz piano lessons.
All of a sudden, somebody exclaimed, ``Wow! It's snowing," and everyone looked out the window. We were both captivated by the magnificent scenery. It was snowing heavily, filling the space between the sea and the sky at dusk.
At that moment, the boundaries of every contrast started to break down; sea and sky, day and night, fantasy and reality, love and hatred, and even the boundary between others and self.
After a long silence, still fixing his eyes on the sea, he asked, ``Do you happen to play the piano?" I just smiled at him and instead of saying ``Yes," I moved to the piano at the center of the hall.
The tune I played was Tombe la Neige by Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo. I had just practiced it a great deal to learn the rumba rhythm. Furthermore, I had every reason to be encouraged to see his unusually happy face. It was as if I played from my heart rather than my fingers. The other couples in the cafe seemed to be spellbound during the tune and gave me a big hand afterward. They all asked for an encore. I was released from their attention after playing two more selections.
When I returned to my seat, he gave me a napkin on which something was written. It was none other than an impromptu poem entitled ``A piano and a woman." He was, at least in my eyes at that moment, a prince on a white horse!
He seemed to be a bit amazed by my performance. I was fascinated once again by his sensitivity hidden behind the cold reason. I felt that he was looking at me with a deep love, unlike before. We were selected as ``Today's Couple" and didn't have to pay for the coffee.
That evening, looking at the snowy seaside, he proposed to me, asking, ``Could you please play the piano only for me for the rest of your life?" It was the very moment that I had been anxiously looking forward to for several years and most dramatic. He had seared my heart by giving me a long, painful time with his cold attitude toward me.
I couldn't dare to say the short word '``yes" verbally. The only thing I could do was just nod my head like a little elementary schoolgirl with tears in my eyes.
In retrospect, my life has been somewhat harsh and mean on many occasions. However, once in a blue moon, we come across a day on which everything around us is unbelievably friendly and cooperative, like the gorgeous ``Ye Jeon," its ivory grand piano, the ivory coat I was wearing that day, the ivory sea, sky and snow, Adamo`s snow song, the hypnotized couples in a group (maybe thanks to the snow), the poem written on the napkin...
All of those things might have been preparing and waiting for me to receive a long-awaited proposal. (I tried to believe so).
Come to think of it, that evening was as if we were in Chagall's ``I and the Village" ― in the snow in which everything looked so unrealistic, such as a flying couple in the sky.
We, though, could not float in the sky as soon as we got out of Chagall's village (Wolmido). Like Cinderella who has just heard the bell at midnight, right after stepping on the ground, we had to sigh deeply to find a pumpkin, which used to be a golden coach for us.
After getting married, I couldn't keep our promise. Life was too challenging for me to play the piano for him all the time. Even though we had to move several times, somehow I could not throw away the bulky white elephant since I believed that my old piano was like Cinderella's glass shoe, which would take us to the beautiful village again.
Last year, I started to learn how to play the violin. Instead of playing ``Tombe la Neige," as on that dreamy winter evening, I have been practicing a Norwegian piece: ``For my precious love" (Jeg ser deg sote lam).
Now that we've gone through many ups and downs, I don't need a fairy tale any more. As long as I can play music for my now ``not very young" prince, our humble apartment can be our ``Chagall's village."
The writer is an essayist and freelance English and Korean Teacher. She can be reached at Thanks to the Snow, Maybe
By Lim Young-ae
Although winter is my least favorite season, whenever it snows, my heart still pounds like that of a teenage girl. It is a blessing for us to have snow during this desolate season.
Most people might have special memories about snow, myself included.
After meeting a young man, my early 20s were filled with periods of anxiety and pain. Cherishing somebody whose mind was somewhere else was like embracing a thorny rose in one's bosom, especially for a young woman who had strong self-esteem in those days.
Even though hurt by the thorns from time to time, somehow I could not throw the rose away from my heart as its fragrance was too fascinating to forget. I could neither love nor hate him. He was too remote to love but at the same too compelling to give up. I would rather suffer than just ignore him.
One winter day I managed to call him out for a date. Even if the sky was dark gray that morning, my mind was sky blue all day long.
We went to the recently opened coffee shop ``Ye Jeon" in Wolmido, Incheon. It was pretty popular owing to its nice atmosphere and beautiful view of the sea. We were lucky to get seats near the window facing it. The interior was great due to the exotic pictures on the walls, classic furniture, fireplaces, pink roses and candles at each table. In my eyes, however, the most impressive piece was the ivory grand piano at the center of the hall. It was natural for me to keep watching as I'd been taking jazz piano lessons.
All of a sudden, somebody exclaimed, ``Wow! It's snowing," and everyone looked out the window. We were both captivated by the magnificent scenery. It was snowing heavily, filling the space between the sea and the sky at dusk.
At that moment, the boundaries of every contrast started to break down; sea and sky, day and night, fantasy and reality, love and hatred, and even the boundary between others and self.
After a long silence, still fixing his eyes on the sea, he asked, ``Do you happen to play the piano?" I just smiled at him and instead of saying ``Yes," I moved to the piano at the center of the hall.
The tune I played was Tombe la Neige by Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo. I had just practiced it a great deal to learn the rumba rhythm. Furthermore, I had every reason to be encouraged to see his unusually happy face. It was as if I played from my heart rather than my fingers. The other couples in the cafe seemed to be spellbound during the tune and gave me a big hand afterward. They all asked for an encore. I was released from their attention after playing two more selections.
When I returned to my seat, he gave me a napkin on which something was written. It was none other than an impromptu poem entitled ``A piano and a woman." He was, at least in my eyes at that moment, a prince on a white horse!
He seemed to be a bit amazed by my performance. I was fascinated once again by his sensitivity hidden behind the cold reason. I felt that he was looking at me with a deep love, unlike before. We were selected as ``Today's Couple" and didn't have to pay for the coffee.
That evening, looking at the snowy seaside, he proposed to me, asking, ``Could you please play the piano only for me for the rest of your life?" It was the very moment that I had been anxiously looking forward to for several years and most dramatic. He had seared my heart by giving me a long, painful time with his cold attitude toward me.
I couldn't dare to say the short word '``yes" verbally. The only thing I could do was just nod my head like a little elementary schoolgirl with tears in my eyes.
In retrospect, my life has been somewhat harsh and mean on many occasions. However, once in a blue moon, we come across a day on which everything around us is unbelievably friendly and cooperative, like the gorgeous ``Ye Jeon," its ivory grand piano, the ivory coat I was wearing that day, the ivory sea, sky and snow, Adamo`s snow song, the hypnotized couples in a group (maybe thanks to the snow), the poem written on the napkin...
All of those things might have been preparing and waiting for me to receive a long-awaited proposal. (I tried to believe so).
Come to think of it, that evening was as if we were in Chagall's ``I and the Village" ― in the snow in which everything looked so unrealistic, such as a flying couple in the sky.
We, though, could not float in the sky as soon as we got out of Chagall's village (Wolmido). Like Cinderella who has just heard the bell at midnight, right after stepping on the ground, we had to sigh deeply to find a pumpkin, which used to be a golden coach for us.
After getting married, I couldn't keep our promise. Life was too challenging for me to play the piano for him all the time. Even though we had to move several times, somehow I could not throw away the bulky white elephant since I believed that my old piano was like Cinderella's glass shoe, which would take us to the beautiful village again.
Last year, I started to learn how to play the violin. Instead of playing ``Tombe la Neige," as on that dreamy winter evening, I have been practicing a Norwegian piece: ``For my precious love" (Jeg ser deg sote lam).
Now that we've gone through many ups and downs, I don't need a fairy tale any more. As long as I can play music for my now ``not very young" prince, our humble apartment can be our ``Chagall's village."
The writer is an essayist and freelance English and Korean Teacher.
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Korean Air Sponsors Service at Louvre, British, Hermitage Museums
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Korean Air is sponsoring Korean-speaking guides at three world-renowned museums ― the Louvre Museum in Paris, the British Museum in London and the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Following the guide service at the Russian museum, Korean has become the first Asian language to be adopted at the three museums.
The national flag carrier and the Hermitage museum held an event on Nov. 28 to commemorate Korean Air's sponsorship of the museum's audio guide. Korean visitors to the museum will be able to enjoy about 300 art pieces with commentaries in their mother tongue starting next March.
The museum is currently providing the guide service in six languages ― Russian, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish ― and Korean will be the first Asian language there. About 2.6 million people visit the Russian museum yearly.
``It is part of our effort to spread Korean culture and support cultural projects around the world,'' a Korean Air official said.
It is not the first time for Korean Air to sponsor Korean language guides at museums. On Nov. 26, the airline and the British Museum held a signing ceremony for sponsorship at the museum.
The two sides agreed that Korean Air will be the exclusive sponsor in upgrading the museum's multimedia guide units into PDA-type ones and making the contents. The new audio and video guide will include explanations of 200 pieces in 10 languages, including Korean.
The audio guide currently used at the British Museum offers commentary on 50 items in nine languages. The new service will be available starting at the end of next year.
The museum, founded in 1753, houses about seven million pieces of cultural heritage collected worldwide, such as sculptures from the Parthenon and the Rosetta Stone. More than six million travelers visit the museum every year.
Earlier in February, the airline started offering a Korean guide service at the Louvre by sponsoring the multimedia guide equipment. Korean was the seventh language adopted at the museum, where more than 8.3 million people visit annually.
``Korean Air will expand the Korean-language guide service to more museums to contribute to a global society,'' the official said.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
World bids a relieved adieu to a rocky year
By KRISTEN GELINEAU – 10 hours ago
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Fireworks exploded in a kaleidoscopic shower of light over Sydney's shimmering harbor Wednesday, as the world's first major city to ring in 2009 celebrated the end of a decidedly rocky year with cheers, beers and a sense of relief.
Spectator Randolph King, 63, of York, England, whose retirement fund was gutted in the global financial crisis, summed up the feeling of many across the world as 2008 came to a close: "I'm looking forward to 2009," he said. "Because it can't get much worse."
Facing the end of a year that saw global markets come crashing down — taking the world's morale with them — partygoers everywhere struggled to forget their troubles on what is typically a joyous night.
In the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spoke of hope for better days to come, while in Hong Kong, some admitted they were too depressed over their monetary woes to join in the revelry. And in Malaysia, the government — mindful of the shaky economy — opted against sponsoring any celebration at all.
In Sydney, the midnight pyrotechnic extravaganza, which organizers hoped would give revelers a brief respite from the global gloom, drew a cheering crowd of more than a million people. Fireworks zigged and zagged against the backdrop of Sydney's famed Harbor Bridge and simulated rain, thunder and lightning built toward a booming "creation storm," in keeping with the evening's theme of new beginnings.
"It is about reflecting and looking at what's happened in the past and moving forward," the celebration's creative director, Rhoda Roberts, said of the night's "creation" theme, chosen in part to reflect the struggles of 2008. "It's a time for the community to gather, to reflect, and also to move on and to simply have a little bit of joy and celebration in their lives."
But in Hong Kong, where thousands were expected at popular Victoria Harbor for a midnight fireworks display, those who had investments linked to collapsed U.S. bank Lehman Brothers said there was little joy to be found.
"I don't think there's any reason for me to celebrate after knowing that my investment is worth nothing now," said electrical repairman Chan Hon-ming, who had purchased a $30,000 Lehman-backed investment.
In India, many were happy to see the end of 2008, during which the country was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks in several cities culminating in a three-day siege in Mumbai in which gunmen killed 164 people.
"The year 2008 can best be described as a year of crime, terrorist activities, bloodshed and accidents," said Tavishi Srivastava, 51, an office worker in the northern city of Lucknow. "I sincerely hope that 2009 will be a year of peace and progress."
The year was also tough on India's economy. Rising inflation and the global meltdown slowed the growth needed to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty, while stock exchanges plummeted, hitting the rich and middle class.
At midnight in Japan, temples rang their bells 108 times — representing the 108 evils being struck out — as worshippers threw coins as offererings and prayed. In Tokyo, dozens of volunteers stirred huge pots of New Year's rice-cake soup, pitched tents and doled out blankets and clothing to the needy.
The "New Year's Village for Temporary Workers" was set up for the first time this year to provide free meals and shelter in a park. About 100 people signed up to spend New Year's Eve at the village, which held a countdown ceremony and was slated to stay open through Jan. 5.
Japan has long boasted a system of lifetime employment at major companies, but that has unraveled this year amid the financial crisis.
"There's no work," muttered Mitsuo Kobayashi, 61, picking up a wool scarf, a coat and pants at the village, and stuffing them in his paper bag. "Who knows what next year will bring?"
In Thailand, after a year of near-daily protests — and six months in which demonstrations all but paralyzed the government — the country was finally calm on the last day of 2008 as loyalists of ousted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took off for a five-day national holiday. Many of the protesters come from Thailand's rural northeast and have few opportunities to get home except for longer holidays like New Year's.
Celebrations were muted in China, where fireworks and feasting are reserved mainly for the Lunar New Year, which in 2009 begins on Jan. 26.
In Beijing, President Hu Jintao summed up the year's challenges and successes ranging from the devastating Sichuan earthquake — that left nearly 90,000 people dead or missing — to the Beijing Olympics, calling 2008 extraordinary and unusual.
In the Philippines, President Arroyo looked toward the future.
"I pray for greater peace and stability," Arroyo said. "I hope that we can all work together as a global community to weather these storms."
Associated Press writers Denis Gray in Bangkok, Thailand, Dikky Sinn in Hong Kong, Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India, and Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this story.
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Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Futurists Talk About How to Live in 2009
12-31-2008 19:49
By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
New Year has arrived and it's time for resolutions that, for many, will last a few weeks at best.
The year is beginning dismally on account of the previous year's events. Ripple effects of bailouts for U.S. mortgage companies have begun to shake the global finance world. Terrorists couldn't be more active, and regional conflicts aren't about to cease.
The Korea Times asked three futurists for their forecasts for the New Year and to advise readers on how to live and what to expect in 2009.
Jerome C. Glenn is a futurist with over 35 years of experience. Currently, he presides over the Millennium Projects, a global future research think tank functioning under the World Federation of United Nations Associations, an independent NGO.
The project, started in 1996, has produced the annual State of the Future report for the past 12 years along with the Futures Research Methodology series. It has a Korean partner that invites Glenn to travel to Korea periodically.
Hazel Henderson is an independent futurist. In one of her recent papers given at the United Nations Environment Program's launch of the Green Economy Initiative, she called for re-designing finance systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the green economy.
Jose Cordeiro is with the Venezuelan Millennium Project of the World Federation of United Nations Associations and is currently working on a research project in Japan. He forecast that South and North Korea will be unified by 2020.
Money Management
The successful management of wages and assets can't take a backseat to other plans in times of economic crisis. This year in particular, as experts project that the economy will actually mark zero or minus growth and a decrease in wages, many will no doubt keep a close look on filling their wallets and bank accounts.
The three futurists agreed that the economic slowdown will continue into the New Year. The global financial downturn will impact the life of everyone on Earth. Each futurist had his or her own money management strategy and shared it with us.
Glenn left the stock market soon after the global financial market's first stroke last year and began to purchase gold. In an interview with a Korean radio station, he said the stock market has lost its legitimacy. ``I moved into gold last year since there were so many negative economic indicators, I could not see how the stock market could improve during 2008,'' he said.
In the New Year, he said he would restart to invest in the stock market with prudent judgments on what to buy.
He began by recommending companies that are very low in value now due to the overall economic situation, but good businesses that are necessary even during difficult times, such as those related to food and health.
Secondly, he recommended economic stimulus-type infrastructure companies, such as large construction firms that build roads, bridges, tunnels and railways.
He said he would still continue to invest in gold as it would at least hold its value and make a good long-term investment.
Cordeiro said he would keep his money in the stock market in the New Year.
``Even during the current global financial crisis, there are some countries and industries that will continue to grow. Personally, I am very optimistic about large Asian countries like China and India,'' he said.
He also recommends investing in the biotechnology and alternative energy industries. ``I myself invest in some funds with Asian companies and some funds with biotech and energy companies, and this helps me to diversify my risk and leverage assets.''
Henderson, a strong advocate for the environment and green economy, recommended ``green'' sectors for potential growth, and told The Korea Times that she herself is a big investor in the sector.
Where to Travel/ Not to Travel
Beset by attacks of various types and magnitude, the Middle East in 2008 has kept its stigma as one of the most dangerous parts of the world. For Koreans, the region is remembered for a kidnapping incident in 2007 that cost two lives. Africa was also marred by mega-size tribal conflicts and human rights failures last year.
Are they still be the most insecure parts of the world and should travelers think twice before traveling to the regions? The futurists were cautious on the issue given its sensitive nature, refusing to give definite answers.
But Cordeiro said, ``The Middle East and Africa are not very safe, and political and religious conditions are relatively difficult in those parts of the world.'' Interestingly, however, he said the United States will be much safer for travel than the United Kingdom, ``where there have been many more terrorist attacks for a longer time since the days of the Irish Revolutionary Army."
Trips to the United States would actually be much safer and more fun, the futurists project, dismissing rising speculation that President-elect Barack Obama would make American more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Cordeiro said Obama would rather have a positive impact on the tourist industry in America. Glenn actually suggested attending the presidential inaugural ceremony later this month for a memorable vacation.
Emerging Powers
China and India are the two fastest emerging powers, according to the futurists.
``There's no doubt that China and India will be major regional and global powers,'' Cordeiro predicted.
However, the withering global financial situation will certainly interfere with their economic development. Furthermore, they have their own problems to solve, Glenn said, giving water, energy and the gap between the rich and poor as examples.
``Especially for China, its water situation is terrible and likely to get worse ― water tables are falling, rivers run dry for parts of each year, and water pollution is very bad in many parts of China. It is limiting not only economic production but is increasing health problems,'' Glenn pointed out.
Besides China and India, the European Union, Brazil and Russia were projected to play bigger roles in regional and global affairs.
Outlook for Korea
Overall, the New Year will be a more challenging one for Korea as it has come under the effects of the global financial crisis and its relationship with North Korea lacks improvement, the futurists said.
While praising Korea's commitment to education and economic flexibility, Glenn called for it to focus on developing individuals' creativity and self-confidence in 2009.
``Korea should make increasing intelligence as an educational goal to get ready for the knowledge economy and re-unification with the North. Why? Because many in the North lack and continue to lack sufficient iron and protein in their diets which reduce development of the brain; hence, the South should develop ways to improve brain functioning and intelligence after such large scale malnourishment in the North,'' he said.
Cordeiro laid out some hopes. ``Hopefully, President Lee Myung-bak will manage to swim in the turbulent waters.'' Looking a little further, he added, ``The Korean Peninsula will be unified by 2020.''
Henderson lauded Korea for its understanding of sustainable energy and shifting from fossil fuel to solar energy.
Top Words in 2009
``Green'' vocabulary will prevail in the New Year as was the case in previous years, the futurists projected, reflecting on the magnitude and urgency of the environmental challenge the Earth now faces.
Renewable forms of energy such as solar, clean technology, the green economy and biofuel were mentioned.
A few other notable predictions included developments in cloning, space travel, artificial intelligence, bartering, ecological assets, waste treatment, natural capital and wisdom.
Hope and Self-Improvement
No matter how depressing the world looks now, it's worth keeping your hopes up, as it's full of opportunities, the futurists said.
It's important to remain optimistic and open-minded so as to make the best of every opportunity. ``There are also incredible problems and threats, no doubt about that, but we need to face those challenges and keep advancing toward a better future,'' Cordeiro said.
On top of optimism, investment on self-improvement would be perfect, Glenn said. ``What would improve your own economic value? A special training course? Create or improve a web site that advertises your capabilities, products or services,'' he said.
He even suggested hiring a public relations agent. He also said physically fitness was a good investment, as is learning that yields rewards years in the future.
skim@koreatimes.co.kr
India accuses Pak of creating a war hysteria to divert attention New Delhi
Demands dismantling of terror camps Hand over fugitives
: India today accused Pakistan of creating war “hysteria” in a bid to divert attention from the Mumbai terror attacks and demanded that it should dismantle terrorist camps estimated to number over 30 along with handing over fugitives of Indian law.
Rejecting Islambad’s contention that India had mobilised its army and air force, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here that there was no question of such mobilisation. Only normal winter exercises conducted every year had taken place.
Telling Pakistan that “there is no need of creating an atmosphere or some sort of hysteria”, the minister said that there was no tension as was borne by the fact that India was releasing some 67 Pakistanis detained for visa violations.
Moreover, like in the past, India and Pakistan will be exchanging information on nuclear con?dence building measures on the New Year’s day, he told PTI here.
Mukherjee was clear about what India wants from Pakistan--dismantling of terrorist camps, taking action against those involved in terror attacks and handing over of fugitives of Indian laws like the chief of the banned Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) Masood Azhar. Disagreeing with suggestions that India should recall its High Commissioner from Pakistan and put economic squeeze on Pakistan, he said while it cannot be “business as usual” with Islamabad, “I do feel still we should continue to put pressure diplomatically through international community to achieve our objectives.” DGMOs speak again Meanwhile, with noises over deescalation of tension between India and Pakistan emanating from both sides of the border, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries today spoke to each other over the hotline, continuing the practice of a call every Tuesday.
The two DGMOs, during the less than half-hour talks, reiterated their positions vis-a-vis reports of troops build-up on either side of the border, dismissing them as speculation, Army sources said here.
: India today accused Pakistan of creating war “hysteria” in a bid to divert attention from the Mumbai terror attacks and demanded that it should dismantle terrorist camps estimated to number over 30 along with handing over fugitives of Indian law.
Rejecting Islambad’s contention that India had mobilised its army and air force, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here that there was no question of such mobilisation. Only normal winter exercises conducted every year had taken place.
Telling Pakistan that “there is no need of creating an atmosphere or some sort of hysteria”, the minister said that there was no tension as was borne by the fact that India was releasing some 67 Pakistanis detained for visa violations.
Moreover, like in the past, India and Pakistan will be exchanging information on nuclear con?dence building measures on the New Year’s day, he told PTI here.
Mukherjee was clear about what India wants from Pakistan--dismantling of terrorist camps, taking action against those involved in terror attacks and handing over of fugitives of Indian laws like the chief of the banned Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) Masood Azhar. Disagreeing with suggestions that India should recall its High Commissioner from Pakistan and put economic squeeze on Pakistan, he said while it cannot be “business as usual” with Islamabad, “I do feel still we should continue to put pressure diplomatically through international community to achieve our objectives.” DGMOs speak again Meanwhile, with noises over deescalation of tension between India and Pakistan emanating from both sides of the border, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries today spoke to each other over the hotline, continuing the practice of a call every Tuesday.
The two DGMOs, during the less than half-hour talks, reiterated their positions vis-a-vis reports of troops build-up on either side of the border, dismissing them as speculation, Army sources said here.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
POST 26/11 - Indo-Pak war fever cools
Military level contacts reduced tensions
The Pakistani es tablishment now believes that the "time of war" with India is over and the recent telephonic contacts at the highest military level have led to reduction in tensions generated in the wake of troop build up following the Mumbai terror attacks. "The time of war has gone and even India cannot dare mount surgical strikes primarily because of the uncertain response," an unnamed top official told The News daily after the Directors General of Military Operations of the two countries spoke on their hotline over the weekend.
The contacts between the DGMOs had not been suspended after last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai and that the two officials remained in touch, officials said. The DGMOs discussed the situation along the Line of Control and the international border and other issues, Dawn News channel reported.
It quoted sources as saying that the conversation was part of "routine contacts" between the two top military officials. Inter-Services Public Relations chief Maj Gen Athar Abbas too confirmed the talks between the DGMOs. The DGMOs usually make contact on Tuesday on a routine basis but they spoke to each other over the weekend in an "extraordinary move", The News said.
"That was only possible with the consent of top military leaders of both the countries. Apparently, this helped lower the tension," a source told the newspaper. It also quoted unnamed defence analysts as saying that war "never breaks out when forces on both sides of the border are prepared".
Pakistan last week redeployed close to 20,000 troops from the Afghan border to the eastern frontier with India after scaling down operations against the local Taliban in the tribal belt. Pakistan's army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Tuesday emphasised the need to "de-escalate and avoid conflict" with India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks as China launched a diplomatic initiative to ease the Indo-Pak tensions by dispatching a top diplomat here.
Kayani's comments, believed to be his first on the situation, came during his talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, who is here to help defuse the Indo-Pak tensions. Gilani doesn't want war Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani too on Monday voiced his opposition to war and vowed not to allow his country's soil to be used for terrorism. "We have never wanted war with anybody... We also want our soil should not be used for terrorism.
If our soil is used, NATO forces (based in Afghanistan) will get a chance to react," Gi lani said.
The Pakistani es tablishment now believes that the "time of war" with India is over and the recent telephonic contacts at the highest military level have led to reduction in tensions generated in the wake of troop build up following the Mumbai terror attacks. "The time of war has gone and even India cannot dare mount surgical strikes primarily because of the uncertain response," an unnamed top official told The News daily after the Directors General of Military Operations of the two countries spoke on their hotline over the weekend.
The contacts between the DGMOs had not been suspended after last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai and that the two officials remained in touch, officials said. The DGMOs discussed the situation along the Line of Control and the international border and other issues, Dawn News channel reported.
It quoted sources as saying that the conversation was part of "routine contacts" between the two top military officials. Inter-Services Public Relations chief Maj Gen Athar Abbas too confirmed the talks between the DGMOs. The DGMOs usually make contact on Tuesday on a routine basis but they spoke to each other over the weekend in an "extraordinary move", The News said.
"That was only possible with the consent of top military leaders of both the countries. Apparently, this helped lower the tension," a source told the newspaper. It also quoted unnamed defence analysts as saying that war "never breaks out when forces on both sides of the border are prepared".
Pakistan last week redeployed close to 20,000 troops from the Afghan border to the eastern frontier with India after scaling down operations against the local Taliban in the tribal belt. Pakistan's army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Tuesday emphasised the need to "de-escalate and avoid conflict" with India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks as China launched a diplomatic initiative to ease the Indo-Pak tensions by dispatching a top diplomat here.
Kayani's comments, believed to be his first on the situation, came during his talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, who is here to help defuse the Indo-Pak tensions. Gilani doesn't want war Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani too on Monday voiced his opposition to war and vowed not to allow his country's soil to be used for terrorism. "We have never wanted war with anybody... We also want our soil should not be used for terrorism.
If our soil is used, NATO forces (based in Afghanistan) will get a chance to react," Gi lani said.
Going small: Netbooks aim for new PC sales
Published on Dec 29 2008
Netbook sales are expected to pass 35 million units by 2012, when the segment will account for nearly one-third of total laptop sales
C all it going small to get big, but a weak economy and expected declines in personal computer sales have nearly all the major PC makers looking at low-cost, streamlined laptops – commonly known as netbooks – as a way to revive the market in the coming years.
The netbook takes the concept of the notebook PC to an even smaller level. A netbook typically has a screen that is less than 10 inches wide diagonally, carries no optical drive, and runs on Intel Corp's Atom processor. Most employ either Microsoft Corp's Windows XP operating system or a version of open-source Linux-based software. Most weigh around 3 pounds or less.
For the consumer, though, the real allure likely comes from the price tag, as many start as low as $349. And PC makers are well aware that the low prices could open up a new market among buyers who may have been holding back from purchasing a computer in the current economic climate.
"We're trying to reconceive the (PC) category," said John New, a global product marketing manager with Dell Inc. "We think that with the new price points and form factors, there is a great appeal to the netbook, especially when parents are looking at purchasing a PC for their children."
Dell launched its first netbook, the 9-inch Inspiron Mini, on September 4, and New said that part of the reason the company has gotten into the market is because making the devices is now economically feasible.
"With notebooks, the prices had gotten lower, but those products aren't designed to compete at those price points," New said. "But netbooks are. They are designed to reach certain price levels from their initial conception."
Aside from Apple Inc., all of the major PC companies have now entered the netbook market. The launch of Asus' Eee PC late last year was largely seen as the catalyst for the sector. According to NPD Group's Display Search, fewer than 1 million netbooks were sold worldwide in 2007, but that figure is expected to rise to more than 14 million by the end of this year. Those numbers are similar to other predictions. IT hardware analyst Toni Sacconaghi of Sanford Bernstein predicts that netbook sales will pass 35 million units by 2012, when the segment will account for nearly one-third of total laptop sales.
"Netbooks represent a new category in the PC market, with their promoters betting that many users will trade off some computing power for a small form factor and very low price," Sacconaghi said. Bob O'Donnell, vice president of clients and displays at IDC, estimates 11.6 million netbooks will be sold worldwide this year, rising to 21.5 million in 2009 and reaching 42 million in 2012. John Jacobs, director of notebook-market research for NPD's Display Search, said the market for netbooks is poised for dramatic growth in the near term due to the low prices for the machines, capabilities that make them perform more like traditional notebook PCs, and the opportunities in new geographic regions where desktop PCs are rare.
The portability of the devices make them well-suited for basic word-processing and work programs, and their ability to connect wirelessly to the Internet is seen as a major selling point.
However, for the consumer, the final determiner of what to buy could come down to the price tag. Prices on netbooks start from as low as $280 for an Asus Eee PC 900A model with a 4-gigabyte solid state hard drive and can increase depending upon changes made to the devices' memory and hard drives.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Pak to deploy more troops on border
Published on Dec 29 2008,Page 1
Islamabad:
Notwithstanding its top leaders' assertions that they do not want a war, Pakistan continues to withdraw troops engaged in anti-Taliban operations from its troubled northwestern tribal belt for possible redeployment on the Indian border amidst heightened tensions in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
Hundreds of soldiers were pulled out along with heavy weapons from Bajaur, Mohmand, South and North Waziristan tribal regions since Friday, senior military officials told The News daily.
Sources in Miranshah, the capital of North Waziristan, too said a large number of troops had left the area. Mohammad Rahman, a resident of Miranshah, said he had seen a convoy of 200 trucks, cannon and tanks leaving the region.
Hundreds of troops were also withdrawn from Razmak in North Waziristan, an area close to the main stronghold of Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.
An official of the Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that a "limited num ber of troops had been pulled out"
Islamabad:
Notwithstanding its top leaders' assertions that they do not want a war, Pakistan continues to withdraw troops engaged in anti-Taliban operations from its troubled northwestern tribal belt for possible redeployment on the Indian border amidst heightened tensions in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
Hundreds of soldiers were pulled out along with heavy weapons from Bajaur, Mohmand, South and North Waziristan tribal regions since Friday, senior military officials told The News daily.
Sources in Miranshah, the capital of North Waziristan, too said a large number of troops had left the area. Mohammad Rahman, a resident of Miranshah, said he had seen a convoy of 200 trucks, cannon and tanks leaving the region.
Hundreds of troops were also withdrawn from Razmak in North Waziristan, an area close to the main stronghold of Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.
An official of the Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that a "limited num ber of troops had been pulled out"
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Year of The COW
The animal sign Cow in Chinese Horoscope is a female. We prefer to say 2009 is a Brown Cow Year than Brown Ox or Buffalo Year. Brown is equivalent to Earth in Chinese Astrology Five Element theory. The major element in Cow is Earth. It's very clear that Earth comes very strong in 2009.
Earth is the ground under our feet. The ground is very steady. It's required lots of energy to make it move. This implies the difficulty to make a chance in 2009. Earth is the land. Land is related to Real Estate property. The major focus in 2009 will be the land related issues. Hopefully, the Real Estate market will be gradually stable. Certainly, it's necessary that people put extra efforts and time to work on the problems.
Since 2009 Year of Cow contains strong Earth, people should have a very good luck, if their Chinese Astrology Lucky Element is Earth. The good luck should come to them in the months of Earth. But which months are the month of Earth?
In the theory of Chinese Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire Earth),
* The strongest season for Wood is Spring: Wood is related to tree and tree grow fastest in Spring
* The strongest season for Fire is Summer: Fire is related to heat. Summer is the hottest season in the year
* The strongest season for Metal is Fall: Metal is related to solid. All living things absorb energy inside body in the Fall. (such as Flower turn into seed)
* The strongest season for Water is Winter: Water is related to cold. Winter is the coldest season in the year
The Earth season is the days between four seasons. Chinese astrology says the Earth is charge of the 18 days before each season. The Earth Cycle will repeat about every two and a half month. The total Earth days in a year is 72. When is the strongest period of Earth in 2009? Because Fire is the mother element of Earth, therefore, we can say that the strongest period of Earth is the 18-day before the season of Fall.
If your lucky element is Earth and you are expecting something nice to happen, then the first target date will be in the second half of April. If it doesn't happen, then you have to wait for the date in the end of July, October, then January 2010. If the Earth is your unlucky element, then you need to prepare the emergency plan and even pay attention on daily activities during seasons changing. The good news for unlucky Earth people is that they always have at least two month break before the next unlucky cycle comes.
Because Earth is the mother element of Metal. Earth can make Metal stronger. If your Lucky Element is Metal, then 2009 is a good year to you. The lucky season is the Fall - August, September and October.
If the following Five Element Astrology is too complicate for you, then please try 2009 Chinese Horoscopes using 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs by birth Year.
Your Lucky Element
2009 Chinese Astrology - Year of Ox 2009 is Year of Brown Cow and it will come very soon. Many people must eager to know they have better luck in the coming year than 2008. Here, we want to use Chinese Astrology Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) theory to explain people fortune in 2009 and foresee what will be happening to them in year of Cow.
The first step to know you fortune is know what Type of Element you are and what your Lucky Element is. You can find that information from Chinese Astrology Lucky Element page. The following is a sample of Chinese Astrology Birth Chart from the Lucky Element page.
The Birth Chart of June 15, 2008
Upper Row of Day Column (Day Master) represents the Person
Fire represents the person. This Birth Chart shows Fire-Type Person
A person who was born on June 15, 2008 is a Fire-Type person. The birth chart has too less Metal and needs more Metal to balance the Five Elements. Therefore, the Lucky Element is Metal.
The following table shows people's luck in 2009 based on their Luck Element.
Lucky Element How good is the luck in 2009?
Metal Vary good luck. Earth is the mother element of Metal. Earth supports Metal.
Water Bad luck. Earth (Soil) can make Water disappear.
Wood Poor luck. Usually, Earth is afraid of Wood. But Wood needs to fight very hard to win over Strong Earth.
Fire Fair luck. Strong Earth could weaken the Fire.
Earth Very good luck. Even better luck, if the birth chart has Male Wood or Rat.
The following table tells people's what event might happen in 2009 based on their Day Master Element Type.
Day Master Type How will be happening in 2009?
Metal Many protection from people around you. If Earth is the Lucky Element, then someone will help you to release the pressure at school, job or home. If Earth is the unlucky element, people around you brings you trouble and you get the bad reputation.
Water Pressure from job, school, parents, boss, enemy. If Earth is the Lucky Element, there is a career/position opportunity. If Earth is the unlucky element, then watch for job responsibility, health, lawsuit or accident.
Wood Pressure from money. If Earth is the Lucky Element, then your wealth will increase. If Earth is the unlucky element, then Earth brings you debt.
Fire Trend to talk to people what in your mind. If Earth is the Lucky Element, then you will win the reputation. If Earth is the unlucky element, many people don't like the way you are.
Earth The social activities will increase. If Earth is the Lucky Element, friends bring the money opportunity. If Earth is the unlucky element, then friends help you spending money.
The Monthly Cycles of Chinese Astrology 2009 Female Earth Female SoilBrown Cow Year
Calendar Month Astrology Month Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
Note
February
02/04-03/04 Male FireMale Fire
Fire Tiger 16 37 7 0 0 Tiger contains Wood and Fire. This is a good month for people with Lucky Element Fire and Earth. Lucky Element Wood people is fine too.
March
03/05-04/03 Female FireFemale Fire
Fire Rabbit 30 30 0 0 0 Rabbit is Wood, which helps Fire to burn. This is good for people with Fire, Earth or Wood Lucky Element.
April
04/04-05/04 Male SoilMale Soil
Earth Dragon 9 0 48 0 3 Dragon is Earth. This is a strong Earth month. This is very lucky month for Lucky Element Earth people. Lucky Element Metal people is good too.
May
05/05-06/04 Female SoilFemale Soil
Earth Snake 0 16 37 7 0 Snake contains Fire and Earth. This is a month for Lucky Element Fire and Earth people.
June
06/05-07/06 Male Metal
Metal Horse 0 20 10 30 0 Horse contains Fire and Earth. Metal is under Fire. But the Metal is protected by Earth in the Year 2009. The luck is just fine for Lucky Element Fire, Earth and Metal people.
July
07/07-08/06 Female MetalFemale Metal
Metal Sheep 3 9 18 30 0 Sheep contains Earth. Metal is supported by Earth. This is a good month for Metal Lucky Element people. Sheep and Cow have Fighting Relationship. When they are fighting, the Earth become much stronger. Earth Lucky Element people will be very lucky in this month.
August
08/07-09/06 Male WaterFemale Water
Water Monkey 0 0 7 16 37 Monkey is Metal. Earth is the mother element of Metal. Water is afraid of Earth in Year 2009. But Metal can protect Water. This is a good month for Water and Metal Lucky Element people.
September
09/07-10/07 Female WaterFemale SoilFemale Water
Water Chicken 0 0 0 30 30 Chicken is Metal. Water is afraid of Earth in Year 2009. But Metal can protect Water. This is a good month for Water and Metal Lucky Element people.
October
10/08-11/06 Male WoodMale Wood
Wooden Dog 30 3 18 9 0 Dog is Earth. Male Wood and Female Earth in Year 2009 have attraction relationship into Earth. This is a very good month for people with Lucky Element Earth. Earth is a supporting element of Metal. Metal Lucky Element people will be fine too.
November
11/07-12/06 Female WoodFemale Wood
Wooden Pig 40 0 0 0 20 Pig is Water. Wood is under Pig Water. This is a strong Wood month. Wood and Earth in 2009 will fight. Water and Earth are opposite elements. This is not a peaceful month for people with Lucky Element Earth, Wood or Water people.
December
12/07-01/04 Male FireMale Fire
Fire Rat 0 30 0 0 30 Rat is Water. Water and Earth don't each other. But Rat and Cow in 2009 have attraction relationship in Earth. This is good for Lucky Element Earth people.
You can see Lucky Element Earth and Metal people have more lucky months. Lucky Element Water people have least luck in 2009. If you think you don't have good fortune in 2009, then you don't have to feel sad. The reason is that you are not alone - only about 20% of people have good luck in year of Brown Cow. The above predictions doesn't consider the Fighting/Attraction Relationships among Elements (Stems) and Animals (Branches) between the Birth Chart and Female Earth Brown Cow. Some Stem Relationships and Branch Relationships might turn the prediction result around.
Suggestions
We recommend that you find out your Lucky Element and follow the Five Element Guide to improve your luck. If you are serious about your coming luck, then you can try our Free Daily Chinese Horoscope. Also, you can check any new Chinese astrology tool in http://www.myspace.com/mastertsai. If you think the Five Element Astrology is too complicate to you, then try the following 2009 Chinese Zodiac prediction.
2009 Chinese Horoscope - Year of Ox
2009 Chinese Horoscopes By 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
Yearly Zodiac Sign
Yearly Cycle contains Stem and Branch. Stem is one of Five Elements. Branch is an animal zodiac sign. The zodiac sign contains one or more Five Elements. Based on the major element in the animal sign, we can place Rat and Pig in the Water group; Tiger and Rabbit in the Wood group; Snake and Horse in the Fire group; Monkey and Chicken in the Metal group; Cow, Sheep. Dragon and Dog in the Earth group. So we can treat Yearly zodiac sign as two different, separate, independent elements, which are connected to things or persons. Both of elements might be against or with us. Or one element helps us and another doesn't.
For example, 2001 was the Metal Snake year. Snake is in the Fire group. Therefore Metal and Fire came together into our life in 2001. Metal and Fire have Fighting Relationship. Something like that we go to pass the war zone of two fighting persons or two persons fight each other outside our house. That means most people's life will be impacted by the outside world, which fill with argument and conflict. On September 11, 2001, around 3,000 are killed in World Trade Center in New York City and Pentagon.
2002 was Water Horse Year and Horse is Fire. Fire and Water are opposite elements. On March 1, 2002, U.S. allied invaded Afghanistan. 2003 was Water Sheep Year and Sheep is Earth. Earth and Water have Fighting Relationship. On March 20, 2003, U.S. allied invaded Iraq. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are continuing in 2009. 2004 was Wooden Monkey Year and Monkey is Metal. Metal and Wood are rival opponents. Tsunami disasters hit Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004. 2005 is Wooden Chicken Year. Chicken is Metal. Metal and Wood have the fighting relationship. The 2005 Pakistan earthquake killed about 80,000 people...
Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Name Metal
Snake
(Fire) Water
Horse
(Fire) Water
Sheep
(Earth) Wooden
Monkey
(Metal) Wooden
Chicken
(Metal) Fire
Dog
(Earth) Fire
Pig
(Water) Earth
Rat
(Water) Earth
Cow
(Earth) Metal
Tiger
(Wood) Metal
Rabbit
(Wood) Water
Dragon
(Earth) Water
Snake
(Fire)
Zodiac Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood Male Wood
Female Soil
Fighting Metal vs. Fire Water vs. Fire Water vs. Earth Wood vs. Metal Wood vs. Metal Fire vs. Water Earth vs. Water Metal vs. Wood Metal vs. Wood Water vs. Earth Water vs. Fire
Many wars, earthquakes, airplane accidents and natural disasters happened in many countries from 2001 to 2008. We expect they will continue to happen. As long as the conflicts surrounding in our living environment, we don't get a fully peaceful life.
Is there any way to make those conflicts disappear? The answer is depending on each individual's Birth Chart and the current Major Cycle having any Stem Attraction Relationship and Branch Attraction Relationship with Yearly Cycle. For example, 2008 is Earth Rat Year. Rat is Water. If there is a Cow in the Birth Chart or Major Cycle, then Rat and Cow have Attraction Relationship turning into Earth. It sounds that Cow meets Rat to make Water disappear. Actually, Water still comes first. It implies that an enemy comes to trouble you, but someone appears to negotiate and walk away with the enemy. You have a happy ending. But you have to pay for the effort. The Attraction Relationship doesn't always bring the good ending. If you are a single male and Water Rat represents a female to you, then that implies a female appearing into your life, but she walks away with your boy friend.
2006 and 2009 are the only two years without Five element fighting relationship inside yearly zodiac signs from 2001 to 2013. 2006 is a Fire Dog Year. Dog is Earth. Fire is a mother element of Earth. Real Estate market price peak was in 2006. We hope there is a good new coming in 2009.
WORDY DUELS - Pak told to end war hysteria Berhampore/New Delhi:
[Click To Enlarge]
Issue is not war but terror: Pranab
India, on Saturday, asked Pakistan not to deflect attention from the real issue of terrorism by whipping up a war hysteria but tackle "face-to- face" the problem of terrorism emanating from its soil.
"I appeal to Pakistan and Pakistani leaders, do not unnecessarily try to create tension. Do not try to deflect (attention from) the issue. A problem has to be tackled face to face. Evading a problem will not help to get rid of it," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Berhampore.
Terming as "unfortunate" the attempts in Pakistan to create a "war hysteria", Mukherjee said the real issue is "not war" or the defence of Pakistan but the terrorist attack on Mumbai.
"It is unfortunate that an atmosphere has been created in Pakistan, some sort of war hysteria," he said. "The issue is how to prevent terrorism. The issue is how to direct the international community to face the terrorist challenge and eliminate terrorism from the face of the world," Mukherjee said.
The "unprecedented scale, magnitude, ferocity and audacity" with which the Mumbai attacks were carried out "clearly demonstrated that it was not only preplanned but also well planned", he said.
In Delhi, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said "it is time for Pakistan to act" against the two organisations -- Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa. "Enough evidence is there. The two organisations have been identified and proscribed by the UN Security Council," Sharma said.
Sharma dubbed as a "disinformation campaign" the claims in the Pakistani media about the arrests of four purported Indian nationals in connection with the recent blasts in Lahore.
"There has been a disinformation campaign by Pakistan inventing incidents which never occurred, making claims of Indians being involved in some violent incidents, which were never there," he told reporters today. Sharma said even the police in Lahore were totally unaware about the arrest of Indian nationals in connection with the blasts in the city. The minister said that considering the situation in Pakistan, India has advised its citizens that this is not an appropriate time to visit Pakistan "because they would be unsafe."
Issue is not war but terror: Pranab
India, on Saturday, asked Pakistan not to deflect attention from the real issue of terrorism by whipping up a war hysteria but tackle "face-to- face" the problem of terrorism emanating from its soil.
"I appeal to Pakistan and Pakistani leaders, do not unnecessarily try to create tension. Do not try to deflect (attention from) the issue. A problem has to be tackled face to face. Evading a problem will not help to get rid of it," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Berhampore.
Terming as "unfortunate" the attempts in Pakistan to create a "war hysteria", Mukherjee said the real issue is "not war" or the defence of Pakistan but the terrorist attack on Mumbai.
"It is unfortunate that an atmosphere has been created in Pakistan, some sort of war hysteria," he said. "The issue is how to prevent terrorism. The issue is how to direct the international community to face the terrorist challenge and eliminate terrorism from the face of the world," Mukherjee said.
The "unprecedented scale, magnitude, ferocity and audacity" with which the Mumbai attacks were carried out "clearly demonstrated that it was not only preplanned but also well planned", he said.
In Delhi, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said "it is time for Pakistan to act" against the two organisations -- Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa. "Enough evidence is there. The two organisations have been identified and proscribed by the UN Security Council," Sharma said.
Sharma dubbed as a "disinformation campaign" the claims in the Pakistani media about the arrests of four purported Indian nationals in connection with the recent blasts in Lahore.
"There has been a disinformation campaign by Pakistan inventing incidents which never occurred, making claims of Indians being involved in some violent incidents, which were never there," he told reporters today. Sharma said even the police in Lahore were totally unaware about the arrest of Indian nationals in connection with the blasts in the city. The minister said that considering the situation in Pakistan, India has advised its citizens that this is not an appropriate time to visit Pakistan "because they would be unsafe."
Life is moving on with the bullet holes in the front Glass pane as a reminder....what happened here a month back in Colaba Causeway - BOM
Life at the Leopold Cafe...BOM today on the 27/12/2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
POST- MUMBAI ATTACK - US to offer anti-terror package Washington:
Objective is to deter such horrific attacks
The US, which witnessed the deadly 9/11 attacks seven years ago, is working through a package for India on dealing with the situation arising out of the "horrific" Mumbai strikes by way of information sharing, collaboration and cooperation, a top Pentagon official said.
"We are working through the initial parts of a package... we would offer to India to help them understand some of the lessons ... that we very painfully learnt in the wake of our 11 September attacks, in information sharing, collaboration and cooperation," Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told reporters here on Friday. "And I expressed our willingness to provide that to India in my conversations with Indian leaders shortly," he said.
Praising India for its "measured response" in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, Keating said that various agen cies of the US government were working closely to keep a tab of developments in the region. He said Washington was satisfied that India and Pakistan have successfully avoided the danger of a military confrontation.
"I think the most important thing is the very ...horrific nature of the attacks, the very calm measured response demonstrated by India thus far and our hopes that all throughout our region in particular and all throughout the world, folks will understand that the struggle against violent extremes -- violent extremists continues to this day."
"Mumbai is just the latest place where the ... innocent victims number in the hundreds. And it remains our foremost objective in the Asia-Pacific Region to deter and prevent those kinds of attacks," Keating said. His remarks came in response to a question on his assessment of relations between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.
The US, which witnessed the deadly 9/11 attacks seven years ago, is working through a package for India on dealing with the situation arising out of the "horrific" Mumbai strikes by way of information sharing, collaboration and cooperation, a top Pentagon official said.
"We are working through the initial parts of a package... we would offer to India to help them understand some of the lessons ... that we very painfully learnt in the wake of our 11 September attacks, in information sharing, collaboration and cooperation," Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told reporters here on Friday. "And I expressed our willingness to provide that to India in my conversations with Indian leaders shortly," he said.
Praising India for its "measured response" in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, Keating said that various agen cies of the US government were working closely to keep a tab of developments in the region. He said Washington was satisfied that India and Pakistan have successfully avoided the danger of a military confrontation.
"I think the most important thing is the very ...horrific nature of the attacks, the very calm measured response demonstrated by India thus far and our hopes that all throughout our region in particular and all throughout the world, folks will understand that the struggle against violent extremes -- violent extremists continues to this day."
"Mumbai is just the latest place where the ... innocent victims number in the hundreds. And it remains our foremost objective in the Asia-Pacific Region to deter and prevent those kinds of attacks," Keating said. His remarks came in response to a question on his assessment of relations between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Force One to be trained in Pune - Mumbai:
The special crack commando team Force One which would be raised by the Maharashtra Government on the lines of the National Security Guard (NSG), is likely to be trained in Pune, highlyplaced Intelligence department sources said.
They are likely to be trained at the Special Security Training School near Hadapsar in Pune district, the sources told 'Sakaal Times', adding that the basic training infrastructure for such specialized course is already available there.
As regards the current Special Security Training Institute, the official said that currently it teaches modules like VVIP security and anti-Naxalite operations.
As a matter of fact, the new intelligence training institute will also be set up here.
Help for NSG training team at Manesar at Gurgaon in Haryana and former Indian Army infantry and special forces officers would also be taken to devise the training programme. The commandos of the Indian Army are trained at the Junior Leaders's Wing at Belgaum – and the trainers there would be consulted.
Several officers and men, in the initial stages, would be sent to the NSG facility for training and subsequently the training modules would be adopted in Pune. The new team will be trained in handling different kinds of weapons like MP-5 sub machine guns, sniper rifles and light machine guns.
They are likely to be trained at the Special Security Training School near Hadapsar in Pune district, the sources told 'Sakaal Times', adding that the basic training infrastructure for such specialized course is already available there.
As regards the current Special Security Training Institute, the official said that currently it teaches modules like VVIP security and anti-Naxalite operations.
As a matter of fact, the new intelligence training institute will also be set up here.
Help for NSG training team at Manesar at Gurgaon in Haryana and former Indian Army infantry and special forces officers would also be taken to devise the training programme. The commandos of the Indian Army are trained at the Junior Leaders's Wing at Belgaum – and the trainers there would be consulted.
Several officers and men, in the initial stages, would be sent to the NSG facility for training and subsequently the training modules would be adopted in Pune. The new team will be trained in handling different kinds of weapons like MP-5 sub machine guns, sniper rifles and light machine guns.
Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles "Between the lines"
"City" by Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles in San Francisco - Gravity
How to play Love Song by Sara Bareilles on Piano / Keyboard
Sara Bareilles - Genie in a Bottle / Gravity (Live)
"City" by Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles in San Francisco - Gravity
How to play Love Song by Sara Bareilles on Piano / Keyboard
Sara Bareilles - Genie in a Bottle / Gravity (Live)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS - No plans to attack Pak: Antony
Cautions that things will not be 'normal' unless Pak takes stern action against terrorists
India on Tuesday said it is not planning any military action against Pakistan but stressed that the neighboring country will have to take action against terrorists there for the relations to improve.
"We are not planning any military action... but at the same time unless Pakistan takes actions against those terrorists who are operating from their soil against India and also against all those who are behind the Mumbai terrorist attack, things will not be normal," defence minister A K Antony said.
He was talking to reporters on the occasion of 'Vijay Diwas' marking the 37th anniversary of India's military victory on Tuesday over Pakistan in the Bangladesh liberation war.
On the issue of troop deployment along the Indo-Pak border, Antony said the situation there was "normal" and armed forces were "always ready".
"Everything is normal because our forces are always ready," the minister said.
The minister denied that India was planning to call off the more than five-year-old ceasefire along the Line of Control.
"Nothing like that," he stated when asked if India had any plans to call off the ceasefire with Pakistan.
Refusing to divulge India's course of action in the present scenario, Antony demanded sincere action by Pakistan against the terrorists. "I cannot say what course of action we will take but unless Pakistan shows sincerity in whatever they are saying through their actions, one thing is very sure that there is no question of things being as usual," he said.
The chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force -- Admiral Sureesh Mehta, General Deepak Kapoor and Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major -- also attended the Vijay Diwas function.
The Indo-Pak War of 1971 was a major military conflict between India and Pakistan. The war is closely associated with the Bangladesh Liberation War.
WORLD WAR-I HEROES CAN REST IN PEACE NOW
All the 258 graves of Commonwealth soldiers who died fighting during World War I and were buried in the city have now been restored.
Work will now start on the remaining 476 graves across the state. The restoration work comes as part of the worldwide mission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to honour soldiers of the Commonwealth who died in World War I. The CWGCKirkee War Cemetery has been given the responsibility to restore graves of these soldiers across Maharashtra.
"The (Khadki) Kirkee War Cemetery was created to receive World War II graves from the western and central parts of India where their permanent maintenance could not be assured. The cemetery contains 1,668 Commonwealth burials of WW-II. The Kirkee Memorial stands within the cemetery and commemorates more than 1,800 servicemen who died in India during the WW-I between 1914-1918, who are buried in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan where their graves can no longer be properly maintained.
"Now we have begun work on restoring the WW-I graves in Maharashtra," CWGC-Kirkee War Cemetery Manager M S Bahanwal told Sakaal Times.
From army records, 476 WWI graves across the state were identified. Pune had the maximum number of graves, 258 of them. Of these 144 were in St Sepulcher Cemetery on Solapur Road and 114 in the graveyard in High Explosives Factory, Khadki. The other graves are the 168 at Deolali Camp in Nashik, Ahmednagar 44, two in Purandar's Sambhaji Fort, Parbhani two, Alibaug one and Bombay Service Cemetery one. "Restoration work is complete in Pune. We will now start work in Nashik followed by other places starting with Ahmednagar. In St Sepulcher Cemetery, Assistant Garden Superintendent, PMC A D Ghorpade and Pune Christian Cemeteries Societies, Solapur Road extended full cooperation for the restoration of 144 WW-I graves without the removal of a single tree," he said. The CWGC-Kirkee Cemetery manager added that while the restoration work was on, efforts were made to save the trees by adjusting the graves. Thus 55 trees were saved from cutting.
Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commission pays tribute to the 17,00,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died fighting in the two world wars. It is a non-profit-making organisation that was founded by Sir Fabian Ware. The cost is shared by the partner governments - Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and United Kingdom. "Since its inception, the Commission has constructed 2,500 war cemeteries and plots, erecting headstones over graves and, in instances where the remains are missing, inscribing the names of the dead on permanent memorials. Over one million casualties are now commemorated at military and civil sites in some 150 countries," Bahanwal said.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sings The Heart is slow to learn
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sings The Heart is slow to learn
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Interview with Sir Georg Solti in a break during the rehearsal for "Nobel Jubilee Concert" - for the 200th anniversay of Mozart's death. Stockholm, Sweden, 1991.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sings The Heart is slow to learn
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Interview with Sir Georg Solti in a break during the rehearsal for "Nobel Jubilee Concert" - for the 200th anniversay of Mozart's death. Stockholm, Sweden, 1991.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Karajan
Strauss - Voices of Spring- Battle, Karajan
Mozart - Coronation Mass - Karajan 1985
Johann Strauss Sr. "Radetzky March", the last piece at the New Year's Concert Vienna 1987, with Herbert Von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic AND THE AUDIENCE, lol.
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Kathleen Battle performs "The Lord's Prayer" for Pope Benedict XVI in front of the White House
Vienna Boys Choir : Gloria
Mozart - Coronation Mass - Karajan 1985
Johann Strauss Sr. "Radetzky March", the last piece at the New Year's Concert Vienna 1987, with Herbert Von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic AND THE AUDIENCE, lol.
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Kathleen Battle performs "The Lord's Prayer" for Pope Benedict XVI in front of the White House
Vienna Boys Choir : Gloria
NAVY AT SEA OVER WHAT TO DO WITH PIRATES
W ith no instructions from the Indian government, navy ship INS Mysore is at sea over what to do with the 23 pirates and their dhow apprehended by it in the Gulf of Aden while repulsing an attack by the brigands on an Ethiopian merchant vessel.
"Since Saturday afternoon, the 12 Somali and 11 Yemeni pirates are kept in custody on board INS Mysore and they are being fed with the rations meant for sailors," Navy officials said here today. "We have not received any instructions yet from the Defence Ministry or the External Affairs Ministry on what needs to be done with the pirates," they said.
The piquant situation that INS Mysore finds itself has been compounded as the Rules of Engagement issued to the warship before it set sail to Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy patrol duties is unclear on the course of action if it did seize a pirate vessel and sea brigands, officials said.
However, officials claimed that frantic efforts were being made by both ministries to get a foreign port to accept the bandits for trial in their courts and they were optimistic of finding a solution by tomorrow. The only other option available to INS Mysore is to abandon its anti-piracy patrols and return to an Indian port to hand over the pirates to local authorities for trying them. But that appears to be unacceptable to the Navy authorities as their action against the sea bandits was just gaining momentum.
Officials said under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS), International Maritime Organisation resolutions and the Navy Act and Regulations, the warships were authorised to seize and apprehend the pirates. UNCLOS Articles 100, 105, 107 and 110 provided for warships to act against pirates in the high seas or any other place outside the jurisdiction of any nation state, including boarding, inspecting, seizing vessels and its equipment, and arrest the bandits.
"Article 105 specifically provided for the courts of the country, which carried out the seizure, to decide upon the penalties to be imposed and also determine the action to be taken with regard to the pirates ships and their property," of ficials said.
"Since Saturday afternoon, the 12 Somali and 11 Yemeni pirates are kept in custody on board INS Mysore and they are being fed with the rations meant for sailors," Navy officials said here today. "We have not received any instructions yet from the Defence Ministry or the External Affairs Ministry on what needs to be done with the pirates," they said.
The piquant situation that INS Mysore finds itself has been compounded as the Rules of Engagement issued to the warship before it set sail to Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy patrol duties is unclear on the course of action if it did seize a pirate vessel and sea brigands, officials said.
However, officials claimed that frantic efforts were being made by both ministries to get a foreign port to accept the bandits for trial in their courts and they were optimistic of finding a solution by tomorrow. The only other option available to INS Mysore is to abandon its anti-piracy patrols and return to an Indian port to hand over the pirates to local authorities for trying them. But that appears to be unacceptable to the Navy authorities as their action against the sea bandits was just gaining momentum.
Officials said under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS), International Maritime Organisation resolutions and the Navy Act and Regulations, the warships were authorised to seize and apprehend the pirates. UNCLOS Articles 100, 105, 107 and 110 provided for warships to act against pirates in the high seas or any other place outside the jurisdiction of any nation state, including boarding, inspecting, seizing vessels and its equipment, and arrest the bandits.
"Article 105 specifically provided for the courts of the country, which carried out the seizure, to decide upon the penalties to be imposed and also determine the action to be taken with regard to the pirates ships and their property," of ficials said.
It's official: Barack Obama elected 44th president
1 hour ago
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — As 13 electors cast ballots Monday for the nation's first black president in the Confederacy's old Capitol, Henry Marsh emotionally recalled the smartest man he ever knew — a waiter, who couldn't get a better job because of his race.
"He waited tables for 30 years, six days a week, 12 hours a day, from 12 noon to 12 midnight, and he supported his family," Marsh, 75, a civil rights lawyer and state senator, said of his father as he fought back tears. "He suffered a lot. He went through a lot."
In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the 538 electors performed a constitutional process to legally elect Democrat Barack Obama the 44th president.
More than 131 million voters cast ballots — the most ever in a presidential election. But Obama's election is not complete until Congress tallies the outcome of Monday's Electoral College vote at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6.
Monday's voting was largely ceremonial, the results preordained by Obama's Nov. 4 victory over Republican Sen. John McCain. Obama was to win 365 electoral votes, to 173 for McCain. With only Hawaii still to vote, all the electors had cast ballots in accordance with the popular votes in their states.
In many states, the formal, staid proceeding was touched with poignance, particularly among people old enough to recall a time when voting alone posed the risk of violence for black Americans.
The contrast at Virginia's Capitol, where the Confederate Congress met, was particularly striking.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine noted in his speech that the 200-year-old Capitol was where lawmakers just 50 years ago orchestrated the state's formal defiance of federal school desegregation orders. But he also noted that it is where L. Douglas Wilder took his oath as the nation's first elected black governor in 1990.
"This temple of Democracy shines very brightly today," Kaine told a standing-room-only crowd attending what had always been a sparsely attended afterthought.
In Florida, state Sen. Frederica Wilson, 66, never thought she would see a black man elected president.
"White water fountains, colored water fountains. You couldn't sit at the lunch counter, go to the bank or get a hamburger," Wilson said after signing a document certifying that Obama got all 27 of her state's electors.
"The pain will always be there, but I think there's a realization that people have evolved," she said.
In North Carolina, 61-year-old Janice Cole said Monday's event was a joyous marker for black people to put old Dixie's trouble past behind them.
"Sen. Obama reminds us that only in America could this story be possible," Cole said.
As pro football legend, Franco Harris signs his autograph countless thousands of times. But the signature he made as one of 21 Pennsylvania electors for Obama was the one the Pittsburgh Steelers great running back won't ever forget.
"That was special," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said. "This was the most valuable thing I've ever signed my name to."
In Augusta, Maine, the moment was freighted with emotion for Jill Duson, the first black mayor of Portland and chairwoman of Maine's four electors.
"Every time I think of it, I get a little misty eyed," Duson said. "I am undone by the election of Barack Obama and what it says to me as a black American, and his victory in the whitest state."
Sedrick Rawlins, a retired 81-year-old dentist from Manchester, Conn., traveled to Selma, Ala., in 1965 to help the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with the bloody march to Montgomery. The night Obama won the election, he said, he wept with joy. On Monday, he couldn't stop smiling.
"The election is one thing, but it's really official when they seal those ballots with wax and send them off," Rawlins said.
Colorado elector Wellington Webb, Denver's first and only black mayor, said the chance to cast an electoral vote for the first black president was the honor of a lifetime, one that would have made King proud.
"He would find the dream fulfilled," Webb said.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — As 13 electors cast ballots Monday for the nation's first black president in the Confederacy's old Capitol, Henry Marsh emotionally recalled the smartest man he ever knew — a waiter, who couldn't get a better job because of his race.
"He waited tables for 30 years, six days a week, 12 hours a day, from 12 noon to 12 midnight, and he supported his family," Marsh, 75, a civil rights lawyer and state senator, said of his father as he fought back tears. "He suffered a lot. He went through a lot."
In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the 538 electors performed a constitutional process to legally elect Democrat Barack Obama the 44th president.
More than 131 million voters cast ballots — the most ever in a presidential election. But Obama's election is not complete until Congress tallies the outcome of Monday's Electoral College vote at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6.
Monday's voting was largely ceremonial, the results preordained by Obama's Nov. 4 victory over Republican Sen. John McCain. Obama was to win 365 electoral votes, to 173 for McCain. With only Hawaii still to vote, all the electors had cast ballots in accordance with the popular votes in their states.
In many states, the formal, staid proceeding was touched with poignance, particularly among people old enough to recall a time when voting alone posed the risk of violence for black Americans.
The contrast at Virginia's Capitol, where the Confederate Congress met, was particularly striking.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine noted in his speech that the 200-year-old Capitol was where lawmakers just 50 years ago orchestrated the state's formal defiance of federal school desegregation orders. But he also noted that it is where L. Douglas Wilder took his oath as the nation's first elected black governor in 1990.
"This temple of Democracy shines very brightly today," Kaine told a standing-room-only crowd attending what had always been a sparsely attended afterthought.
In Florida, state Sen. Frederica Wilson, 66, never thought she would see a black man elected president.
"White water fountains, colored water fountains. You couldn't sit at the lunch counter, go to the bank or get a hamburger," Wilson said after signing a document certifying that Obama got all 27 of her state's electors.
"The pain will always be there, but I think there's a realization that people have evolved," she said.
In North Carolina, 61-year-old Janice Cole said Monday's event was a joyous marker for black people to put old Dixie's trouble past behind them.
"Sen. Obama reminds us that only in America could this story be possible," Cole said.
As pro football legend, Franco Harris signs his autograph countless thousands of times. But the signature he made as one of 21 Pennsylvania electors for Obama was the one the Pittsburgh Steelers great running back won't ever forget.
"That was special," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said. "This was the most valuable thing I've ever signed my name to."
In Augusta, Maine, the moment was freighted with emotion for Jill Duson, the first black mayor of Portland and chairwoman of Maine's four electors.
"Every time I think of it, I get a little misty eyed," Duson said. "I am undone by the election of Barack Obama and what it says to me as a black American, and his victory in the whitest state."
Sedrick Rawlins, a retired 81-year-old dentist from Manchester, Conn., traveled to Selma, Ala., in 1965 to help the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with the bloody march to Montgomery. The night Obama won the election, he said, he wept with joy. On Monday, he couldn't stop smiling.
"The election is one thing, but it's really official when they seal those ballots with wax and send them off," Rawlins said.
Colorado elector Wellington Webb, Denver's first and only black mayor, said the chance to cast an electoral vote for the first black president was the honor of a lifetime, one that would have made King proud.
"He would find the dream fulfilled," Webb said.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sumi Jo
Sumi Jo & Ah-Kyung Lee - Delibes - Lakme - Flower Duet
Sumi Jo - Bellini - I Puritani - Elvira's Mad Scene
Sumi Jo - J. Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz
Sumi Jo - Leonard Bernstein - Candide - Glitter and Be Gay
Sumi Jo speaks about the Queen of the Night
Sumi Jo - Lehar - Merry Widow - Vilja Song
Sumi Jo - My Heart Will Go On
Sumi Jo - Hervert - Naughty Marietta - Italian Street Song
Sumi Jo - Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Doll Song
Sumi Jo - Bellini - I Puritani - Elvira's Mad Scene
Sumi Jo - Luigi Arditi - Il Bacio - Nobel Peace Prize
Sumi Jo - J. Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz
Sumi Jo - Bellini - I Puritani - Elvira's Mad Scene
Sumi Jo - J. Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz
Sumi Jo - Leonard Bernstein - Candide - Glitter and Be Gay
Sumi Jo speaks about the Queen of the Night
Sumi Jo - Lehar - Merry Widow - Vilja Song
Sumi Jo - My Heart Will Go On
Sumi Jo - Hervert - Naughty Marietta - Italian Street Song
Sumi Jo - Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Doll Song
Sumi Jo - Bellini - I Puritani - Elvira's Mad Scene
Sumi Jo - Luigi Arditi - Il Bacio - Nobel Peace Prize
Sumi Jo - J. Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz
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