ARMENIAN STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT The Armenians in The Republic of Armenia and the Armenians of Diaspora are in turmoil on the question as to accept or to reject the so called "Swiss Road-map, Protocols" advocated by the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. Some valid proposals have been suggested by both the opposition and the advocates of the Protocols. But, for the first time it is hereby revealed the danger of physical extermination of the Armenians in Armenia if the border between Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Azerbaijan is opened. Attached is a map published in 2006, by Communicable Diseases World Health Organization. Before discussing the map in detail and why opening of the Armenia-Turkey border is a ... more

Financial hardship after graduation: SafeStart covers borrowers with deferred monthly loan payments ARLINGTON, Va./ BridgeSpan Financial LLC today announced that it will now offer its SafeStart program to lenders that originate private student loans. The new product will allow lenders offering private loans to provide a comprehensive student loan management program that helps prevent borrower delinquency. The SafeStart program allows borrowers the ability to defer their monthly loan payments by up to three years if they graduate and find themselves in financial hardship. College graduates with SafeStart-protected private student loans receive access to a no-interest line of credit that they can use to make up to 36 months of loan pay... more

HERNDON, Va./ Invengo Technology Corporation adds to its reader product range with the release of the UHF Gen 2 860E. A high performance RFID reader with unprecedented mobile data capability, the 860E reader delivers all the functionality that is expected from a top range reader with the addition of Wi-Fi, GPRS, and Bluetooth. The 860E mobile data function allows the reader to communicate by connecting to a local area network or cellular link, producing two key benefits: Big savings on installation cost. The Invengo 860E does not require the automatic use of an Ethernet data cable thereby generating huge potential savings in material and labor during installation. Mobility. Connect the reader to a power supply, plug in the ... more

Joint Statement on the Release of Martenus Bere ... Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity in Timor-Leste For the past ten years the disinterest of the international community and active efforts by Indonesia have blocked efforts to end impunity for serious crimes committed during the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste. Ignoring the pleas of the East Timorese people, the Timor-Leste leadership continues to dismiss their calls for justice and an end to impunity. We were deeply distressed by the 30 August speech of Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and the actions of the governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste which led to the release of indicted militia leader Martenus Bere. His extra-judicial release violated international law ... more

SAN DIEGO/ According to a report commissioned by the Fraud Discovery Institute Inc. (FDI), the repeated claims of InterOil Corporation (NYSE:IOC) that it has discovered "sufficient gas reserves to underpin its proposed liquefied natural gas project in Papua New Guinea" are far from accurate. Extensive expert analysis of results of the testing at InterOil's Antelope 1 well, publicly obtainable geological data from Papua New Guinea, and reports found on InterOil's Web site and in SEC filings were made by a team of researchers led by Renato Bertani, Ph.D. The 63-page report is available in its entirety at InterNoOil.com/IOCAugust13.pdf. The report reveals that InterOil has made premature claims about the sustainability and viability of the ... more

Washington ... As the U.S. led war in Afghanistan begins its ninth year this week, 82 were arrested bringing a strong message to the White House that war, torture and drone bombing are outrageous, unacceptable and must end immediately. National anti-war groups and people from around the country joined together to say "No to War in Afghanistan. No to Torture and Vengeance." The day opened with a "Guantanamo prisoner" presence at the U.S. Supreme Court as Justice Sonia Sotomayor begins her tenure on the country's highest court. The group distributed the Center for Constitutional Rights' "Torture Team" baseball cards and had four large puppet heads of George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice.all dressed in prison strip... more

Washington ... As the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan begins its ninth year, national anti-war groups join together for a day of nonviolent direct action on Monday, October 5 at the White House. Alarmed by the recent troop build-up and the prospect of an even greater military escalation there, the War Resisters League—the oldest secular pacifist organization in the United States—joins the coalition planning this day of action to express disappointment with President Barack Obama's unwillingness to significantly change course from the Bush administration in Afghanistan. When Monday, October 5, 2009 What * Rally at McPherson Square * March to White House for Protest, Presidential Letter Delivery and Nonviolent Direct A... more

LOS ANGELES --- Like many of his NFL and NBA brethren, for the last few years Saint-Michaels has found himself entrenched in a grueling conflict about as far from the U.S. Gridiron as one can imagine - but with absolutely no regrets for his service. Since his return, he's come back leaner, faster, stronger, and according to his athletic trainer, Ross Taylor, "He's much more intense. He's the 'penultimate receiver-halfjack,' and those words don't come easily for me." The football landscape has undoubtedly changed in his absence. The NFL Arena League franchises in Indiana and Carolina have folded, and the 2010 season for the remainder of the extremely popular Arena League is still an uncertainty. Talk... more

San Francisco, CA ... A legal settlement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will protect religious freedom of expression by amending the government's uniform and grooming policies. The government has agreed to pay Raghbir Singh, an observant Sikh who wears a beard and dastaar (turban) in accordance with his religious beliefs, monetary damages for his wrongful termination. Keker & Van Nest associates Khari Tillery and Rose Darling represented Singh pro bono along with the Sikh Coalition and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights. "Holding the federal government accountable for discriminating against Sikhs sends a strong message to private employers. If the government includes Sikh Americans in its workforce, it should encou... more

DALLAS, TX - Every hour 93 students drop out of Texas schools. According to the East Texas Review. Close to one-third of all high schoolers in Texas will fail to graduate. When asked the reason for their decision to drop out, many students cite "disinterest in classes". Dallas Cowboy Star Jason Witten is one of the top tight ends in the NFL and is putting up numbers that will be worthy of entrance into Canton, OH. As a five time pro-bowler, Witten has drawn up a game plan to confront this enormous educational problem. First, reach students before they step on a high school campus. Second, help students become passionate about their future. First play - Locate a program designed to help students discover their purpose. Former Dal... more

WASHINGTON, D.C. ... Peace Corps recruited 15,386 applicants in fiscal year 2009. This represents the largest amount of applications since the agency began electronically recording applications in 1998 and is an 18 percent increase from fiscal year 2008.* "Our record application numbers are another indicator of the strong interest in public service," said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. "From recent college graduates to our mid-career or retired applicants, Americans are inspired to serve both their country and the world as a Peace Corps volunteer. Peace Corps is a tremendous leadership opportunity for individuals prepared to live and work for two years in a community abroad." As of September 30, 2009, 7,671 Peace Corps... more

ST. LOUIS - Anna Zatonskih dispatched one of her two closest rivals in round six of the U.S. Women's Chess Championship at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. In the longest match of the day, Zatonskih, of Long Island, N.Y., used an impending pawn storm and slowly overwhelmed Melekhina's defenses. Melekhina, of Philadelphia, Pa., was tied for second with Camilla Baginskaite going into the round, but she is still overperforming for someone of her rating. She was ranked ninth going into the tournament and at 18 is the youngest player. "Even in a very bad position, (Melekhina) came up with some very interesting ideas," Zatonskih said. The entire field of 10 women all came perilously close to overstepping the time li... more

FEMA Continues to Encourage Concerned Individuals to Support Voluntary Organizations. PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners continue to support American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono, Delegate Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, and local leadership as the cleanup and recovery efforts in the territory continue. On Thursday, the Disaster Recovery Center opened its doors in American Samoa, serving 130 families in its first afternoon. "As relief supplies and equipment continue to arrive, I want to commend the efforts of FEMA under the leadership of Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Tingman in working together with local officials to ensure the recovery p... more

THE news agencies reported that the state Minister, Sheikh Yusuf, was kidnapped, beaten up and later hospitalized at a Ugandan hospital where he is recuperating from injuries he sustained during his ordeal. However, the chairman of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament,Information, Culture , Public Awareness and Heritage,told Al-Jazeera's English channel that the minister was detained by Ugandan authorities,and this was confirmed by Somali.s Ambassador to Uganda whom the chairman contacted by telephone. The State minister was admitted to hospital after the Ugandan Security forces pounced on him then assaulted him thereafter,the chairman charged. The Ugandan security services claimed that the State minister had not notified... more

Golden Globe nominated Cameron Diaz (There's Something About Mary), 37, wants to see universal symbol of love Taj Mahal and palaces of Jaipur in India, according to reports. She reportedly loves the dances depicted in Bollywood movies and has expressed desire to learn Bollywood dance. She would also like to plan a visit of India. Welcoming Diaz's interest in India and things Indian, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged her to explore the rich philosophical thought which Hinduism offers. Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, says that if Diaz needed any help in her Hinduism study, he or other Hindu scholars would gladly provide if asked. Globally admired masterpiece mausoleum of white marble, Taj ... more

Working Waterfronts Act of 2009 Needs Co-Sponsors. ALEXANDRIA, Va. ... Working waterfronts are a dying breed. With developer.s eyes on waterfront parcels, water-dependent businesses like marinas, boat yards, commercial fishing operations, boat builders, and charter boat fleets are getting pushed out from the only place they can do business. A bill now in Congress would provide federal funding to coastal and Great Lakes states to help preserve and protect working waterfronts. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) urges boaters and anglers to contact their members of Congress to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2548, the "Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2009." Introduced in May by Rep. Chellie Pingree, (D-ME) ... more

LOS ANGELES, CA - Entertainer, author and pop-culture expert Charles Phoenix will pay tribute to Bob Baker and host the legendary puppeteer's currently running Halloween show as part of "Charles Phoenix Presents... Halloween at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater!" Two performances take place at 8:30 pm on October 29 and 30, 2009 at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Phoenix will use film clips to share the story of Bob's colorful life with the audience prior to a performance of of Bob Baker's Halloween Spooktacular!, starring dozens of vintage marionettes including the Purple People Eater, Invisible Man and Dancing Black Light Skeletons. The evening will wind up with an appearance by the puppet master himself, foll... more

A report launched by human rights group Survival International shows that tribal peoples across the world are at greatest risk from swine flu, as many have poor immunity and suffer chronic underlying illnesses. The report, Swine flu and tribal peoples, shows that indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada have been hard hit by the swine flu pandemic, as the majority live in poverty, suffering overcrowding and poor sanitation, and have high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and alcoholism. The report comes just days after supplies of body bags were delivered to First Nations communities in Manitoba, Canada, along with hand sanitizers and face masks. First Nations communities in the province have s... more

Bangkok, Thailand ... With only two months to go before a new climate deal is negotiated in Copenhagen, The Forests Dialogue calls on industrialized nations to ensure robust financial commitments for conservation and sustainable management of forests and on tropical countries to ensure that these new financial streams are fairly shared with forest dependant communities. This is one of the main recommendations published by The Forests Dialogue (TFD) in "Investing in REDD-plus" which is launched today and which reflects unique consensus amongst forest stakeholders across business, environmental and scientific sectors and from indigenous peoples and forest-based communities, who met in a stream of intensive dialogues this year. ... more

State College, Pa. - AccuWeather.com reports a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS), in an exclusive interview with AccuWeather.com, said more could have been done to warn people of the approaching tsunami that killed at least 150 people in the South Pacific. Rescue and recovery efforts are under way in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga following the tsunami caused by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit about 7:48 a.m. local time. "We do need a siren. If we had a siren, we probably would have saved most of the people who had died because of the tsunami," he said to AccuWeather.com's Raychel Harvey-Jones. Akapo said the American Samoa has a volcanic and mountainous landscape, which enables people to climb to h... more

DURING the UN General Assembly meeting of September 2009, His Excellency Muamar Gaddafi, current chairman of the AU and leader of the great Jamahiriya of Libya, delivered a 90-minute speech in which he addressed the injustices and slavery activities perpetrated by the colonialists against Africans. In his no-nonsense speech, the Libyan strongman described the accused Somalia pirates as heroes protecting their marine resources, and who were rightfully confronting foreigners engaged in the obnoxious exercise of dumping toxic waste in Somalia. The Somali Government failed to put across the claim of requesting compensation for the looting of their marine resources, and the unfathomable damage the toxic waste was causing on the marine e... more

THE Tailors and Textiles Workers Union (TTWU), yesterday expressed displeasure over the government.s failure to address the plight of workers in Kenya, and charged that they were wallowing in great misery despite previous pledges by leaders to have their situation improved. Addressing the press, the union.s Secretary General William Muga Aketch, and the organizing secretary Francis Muthuri, lamented that the Coalition government had failed Kenyan.s for regarding workers apathetically. They regretted that in their manifestoes, the leaders had promised workers a better deal particularly during the electioneering period, but this was not the case since not a single motion had been raised in Parliament to have the situation of workers upd... more

The United Nations welcomed the return of Belgium's refugee resettlement programme marked by the transfer of some 36 Iraqis who were previously sheltered in Syria and Jordan. This first group of Iraqi refugees to settle in Belgium included some single mothers and their children, UN High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva. Mr. Mahecic noted that later this month some 11 Palestinian refugees from the no-man's land refugee camp located on the border between Syria and Iraq are also slated to be housed in Belgium. European Union encouragement last November of its Member States to accommodate around 10,000 Iraqis forced to leave their homeland led to Belgium's decision to restart its r... more

DAVAO CITY - The key to attracting more investors in Mindanao particularly in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is to bring out success stories in parts of the region where BPO has flourished and other areas that have great potential, industry experts say. "It's about getting the message out. These (BPO) players are already here and they can help bring out that message," said Sec. Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, Chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) who spoke during the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Summit 2009 held here recently. Roxas-Chua said that Davao and other parts in Mindanao which show great potential as BPO locations should intensify information drive sayi... more

BROOKLYN, NY - The importance of ensuring the Caribbean community counts in the next Census was on Monday reiterated by CaribID founder and CaribWorldNews publisher, Felicia Persaud, at the annual West Indian American Carnival kick-off breakfast. Before a roomful of dignitaries, including former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Persaud reminded the audience that while Labor Day or Caribbean Carnival Day in Brooklyn is always a day when the community is celebrated, the bloc will go back to be dismissed and ignored as unimportant for the rest of the year again, if they fail to ensure an accurate count in 2010. The CaribID head insisted that an accurate count is important for the community to not only secure the necessary social an... more

Kite flying activities go well beyond the physical phenomenon of wind blown materials flying tethered to their earth bound launchers. It is an activity including local knowledge of winds and landscapes, knowledge of how to physically shape the kite in order to have it fly. It is an activity that challenges the artistic creativity of the kite maker, a challenge to make the kite not only fly-worthy, but also decorative, and through that decoration, to make a statement from and about the flyer and kite maker. The statements can be several at a time, from simply being "I am the best kite maker and designer" through the many nuances of challenging others to fly higher, or as in several Middle East regions, to challenge others in manipulating the... more

Adam Gonn/The Media Line Is swine flu behind the recent increase in private jet rentals in the gulf region? One of the world's leading private jet operators, International Air Charter, based in the United Arab Emirates, is reporting a 50% increase in demand over Ramadan for flights in Saudi Arabia. The King Abdul Aziz International Airport which is the main airport in Saudi Arabia's financial hub Jeddah and the main gate for pilgrims arriving to perform the Umrah, has been packed over the last three days according to local newspapers. A statement from International Air Charter explained the surge in demand was due to "clients recogniz[ing] the strategic benefits of charter jet services, particularly in term... more

Adam Gonn / The Media Line Dow Jones Indexes is set to launch four new indexes for the Middle East and North Africa region, giving investors access to both conventional and Shari'a compliant indexes. Dow Jones Indexes, best known for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, is launching the Dow Jones GCC Index, covering the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The company is also launching a Dow Jones GCC Islamic Market Index. "Dow Jones Indexes is expecting to see great interest in these new indexes," Andrea Weidemann, a spokesperson for... more

Naked yoga is reportedly the new trend among Hollywood and other celebrities. Unconfirmed reports link Oscar winners Nicolas Cage (Adaptation), Halle Berry (Monster's Ball), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love); Oscar nominated Naomi Watts (21 Grams); Golden Globe nominated Jennifer Lopez (Selena); Rita Wilson (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), etc., with naked yoga. Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, criticizing Hollywoodization of yoga, has urged celebrities and others to take yoga seriously as, being one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy, it is highly revered in Hinduism. It is actually a mental and physical discipline by means of which the human-soul (jivatman) unites with universal-soul (parmatman). Th... more

Hindus have strongly criticized attempts to regulate yoga by various states in USA. Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that yoga was one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy whose traces went back to around 2000 BCE. Yoga never had any formal organization and yoga practice had been handed down from one guru to the next. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that yoga, referred as "a living fossil", was mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita. The Bhagavad-Gita, one of the most popular Hindu scripture, was considered a comprehensive yoga-sastra (treatise on yoga). Mahabharata, also an ancient Hindu scripture, said... more

Jews and Hindus have urged the Texas State Board of Education to treat all the major religions and denominations evenly in its Social Studies curriculum, which is currently under revision. Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California; and Rajan Zed, well known Hindu statesman; in a statement in Nevada today, said that opening-up the Texas schoolchildren to major world religions, Native American spirituality, and non-believers' viewpoint would make them well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. Freirich and Zed (who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism) argued that Texas was a very diverse society and it also made a good business sense to know th e beliefs of "others... more

The US has decided to be 'flexible' regarding its once touted call for a total Israeli freeze on the expansion of its occupied territories' settlements, all illegal under international law. A senior official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity on August 27. "It was more important that the scope of a settlement freeze was acceptable to the Israelis and the Palestinians than to the United States," Reuters reported, citing the senior official. This means that peace negotiations can resume while Israeli bulldozers are carving up Palestinian land, demolishing homes and cutting down trees. It also means that the Israeli rejection of the only US demand, which has thus far defined President Barack Obama's relations to the ... more

Gaza's troubles have somehow been relegated, if not completely dropped from the mainstream media's radar, and subsequently the world's conscience and consciousness. Weaning the public from the sadness there conveys the false impression that things are improving and that people are starting to move on and rebuild their lives. But nothing could be further from the truth. Since the conclusion of Israel's war last year, the Palestinian Ministry of Health declared that 344 Gaza patients have reportedly been added to the swelling number of casualties. Khaled Abed Rabbu, once a young father of four is a precise living example, such an eloquent paradigm of what no human being ought to endure in this world laden with international h... more

Brooklyn, New York: St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Jamaica outplayed their competitors in the semi finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York on Sunday and advanced to next Sunday's finals, which take place at the Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York. Digicel was on hand at the match on Sunday with some exciting competitions and giveaways. Two lucky football fans - Jamaican-born college student, Chris McLeod and Natalie Baptiste from St. Lucia- took part in the Digicel Kick for Cards competition and walked away with Digicel calling cards to call their friends and family at home in Jamaica and St. Lucia. City Tech university student, McLeod, was smiling from ear to ear after being presented with Digicel calling cards foll... more

MONTREAL - Global Warming has been mentioned in 414 articles and has appeared on 15 covers of Time Magazine. Bjorn Lomborg wrote in the Montreal Gazette (18 August) "Our carbon fixation will cost us". Everyday you hear about it: global warming, the many threats to the environment, carbon emissions trading, feeding the poor, crops for food or fuel, dwindling energy reserves, alternative energy sources, waste management, sustainability, and more. What are the solutions to Global Warming and these other challenges? Chemical Engineers see these challenges in our changing world at the top of their list of priorities as they seek to innovate, and develop new products and processes that are green. "Challenges for a Changing Worl... more

"I was Inspired by my grandfather," says eight A-level boy. An 18-year old Muslim boy on north-east England has passed no less than eight A-levels, including six A grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, History, Critical Thinking, and Urdu and two B's in Arabic and Religious Studies. Ibrahim Khan, who has also memorised the Qur'an, said he was inspired by his grandfather, a historian who recently passed away, and encouraged by his parents to study from an early age dueto the importance Islam puts on gaining knowledge. "Caring for my bedridden grandfather, and seeing the patience with which he put up with the intense pain, showed me that there were much harder things in life than exams," Khan told The Muslim News, who... more

CES'T LA VIE at Bandra presented a whole new lifestyle experience in Mumbai for those who are looking for more options in recreation, leisure and wellness activities. Last Sunday, Basab and Annu Paul introduced the Swimsong Sunday Brunch, an ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday. Martinis at the poolside deck, foot reflexology massages, a dip in the (tented) pool followed by a lavish brunch at the gorgeous Sky Bar while the music helped one unwind. After your invigorating swim, you can eat from a wide selection of Mediterranean and Western food and a drink from a selection of exotic martini sand beer! Also try the Mushroom Capuccino, Prawn Bisque, Rocket and Cottage Cheese Salad, Red Snapper in Lemon Butter Sauce, Prawn and Saffron Rissotto, Gri... more

...Where is President Mills in all these? Why has he maintained his silence despite the call for him to step in? Obama decided to choose Ghana out of about 48 countries in Africa South of the Sahara for his maiden visit because of what he calls Ghana's strong democratic credentials, human rights record, rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly and economic performance. But barely one month after his visit he must be shaking his head for praising the country and authoring those praising words. He now wished he had not visited the country at all. He has now realised that Ghana too is an African country where nothing good could come from. The question he is asking is, "Is this the country that I visited just one month ago? I thought t... more

China's tire manufacturers should have played safe and fair, says AAM Senior Analyst. Washington, DC - After a recent finding by the U.S. International Trade Commission that Chinese tire manufacturers used illegal trade practices to flood the U.S. with substandard tires, Zhong Shan, China's Vice Chairman of Commerce, is in Washington this week to lobby against tariffs on Chinese tires. As a result of its finding, the ITC had recommended tariffs on Chinese tires at 55%, 45% and 35% respectively over the next three years. President Obama has until September 17th to accept or reject the ITC's recommendations. Vice Chairman Zhong plans to meet with the Department of State, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Treasury and Co... more

New role follows his appointment in october 2008 as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Emmanuel Villaume has been appointed Chief Conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra that is based in Bratislava. He will begin his tenure with the orchestra during the 2009-10 season with three programs featuring Mahler's Symphony No. 5, Poulenc's Gloria and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. Mr. Villaume will gradually increase his presence with the orchestra over the next few years. Founded in 1949, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra marks its 60th anniversary during the 2009-10 season. The Orchestra resides in the Baroque-era Reduta Concert Hall built in 1773 and in addition to its conce... more

Families of victims appeal for Philippine government.s help. Manila, Philippines — More than 20 Filipino seamen have been languishing for five months now in the hands of Somali pirates aboard their hijacked ship, MV Irene EM, off the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, Africa, with very little food and water supplies. The families of the victims are appealing to the Philippine government to step up the pressure on the shipping firm and authorities to negotiate for the immediate release of the seamen or secure help from the international community to rescue the kidnapped crew of the MV Irene. MV Irene is a 35,000-ton oil tanker owned by Bright Maritime Corp., a major Greek shipping firm. The Somali pirates hijacked the ship on Apr... more

New Building Marries Innovative Energy Sources with Comfortable Living. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Its form is inviting -- a red house on stilts with vaulted ceilings, reclaimed wood beams, angled windows and a contemporary d.cor. Yet despite its coziness, the house's purpose is nothing short of revolutionary: The solar-powered structure serves as a real-world testing facility for solar and hydrogen power, hydrogen combustion and other innovative clean-energy and design technologies developed at The Florida State University. The Off-Grid Zero Emissions Building (OGZEB) , as the house is known, was unveiled today in a dedication ceremony at Florida State. The 1,000-square-foot facility, nestled in the heart of campus near the Love Building... more

Reform that Includes Legalization Would Yield a Net Benefit of $180 Billion Over 10 Years, While Enforcement Efforts Alone Would Incur $80 Billion in Losses. Washington D.C. - In a new report released yesterday, Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform, the Cato Institute seeks to quantify the benefits that would flow to the U.S. economy from comprehensive immigration reform which grants some form of legal status to unauthorized immigrants already living in the United States. The report constructs seven statistical models to simulate various immigration policy options that run the gamut from enforcement-only strategies along the border and at the workplace, to the legalization of currently u... more

Some of the performers at the Malcolm Hardee Awards charity show on Friday 28th August have been revealed, with more to follow. Much like Malcolm's shows, there will be something old, something new, something blue. Brendon Burns Charlie Chuck Aindrias de Staic John Hegley Richard Herring Phil Kay Otto Kuhnle Laura Lexx Mr Methane Simon Munnery Frank & Nancy Sanazi Henning Wehn The world's only performing farteur Mr Methane, will be coming up to the Fringe solely to appear on the show and will be performing a part of his act which he has never shown on TV or on video. His recent appearance on "Britain's Got Talent" got over 2 million hits on YouTube. The show will also include newcomer Laura Lexx (a finalist in the Chortl... more

Claudia Ciesla, 22 years old German actress-supermodel-singer, reportedly always carries an idol of Hindu Lord Ganesha presented by her Vedic astrologer, which she claimed brought her good luck. She is reported to have said, "I love Hinduism`s tolerance and peaceful thinking. I have visited many temples and prayed, which is helping me by way of hope and new energy." Applauding her interest in Hinduism, acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged Ciesla to seriously further explore Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, which is rich in philosophical thought. In a statement in Nevada (USA) today, Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that if she needed any help in her... more

Hindus are happy to note that American entertainer Madonna finally "woke up". Writing an exclusive article in July 31 edition of Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Madonna wrote that she was looking for an answer for quite some time which she has now found in Kabbalah. Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that they were happy that Madonna finally "found an answer" to her quest for the meaning of life. But, if she wanted, she was still welcome back to further explore the rich philosophical thought of Hinduism in the future. He or other Hindu scholars would gladly assist her, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, added. Madonna writes in this article t... more

Completion of road, airport projects seen to boost Zambo Norte tourism. DAPITAN CITY - As the completion of major road and airport projects in Zamboanga Del Norte is seen critical in boosting tourism, the improvement and rehabilitation of the Dapitan-Dakak Road and Dipolog Airport are now being fast-tracked to provide greater access to the region's famous tourist attractions by yearend. Data gathered during MEDCo's recent project monitoring visit to Super Region projects in Mindanao show that that the Php 309.5-million Dapitan-Dakak road project is now 72.8 per cent complete. As of April this year, around 92.6 percent of the Php478.05-million worth of improvement projects committed for the Dipolog Airport has also been implemente... more

Long-term international support is needed to overhaul the prison system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where inmates routinely have to sleep in disease-ridden hallways and men, women and children incarcerated together, a senior United Nations peacekeeping official says. Wrapping up a six-day visit to the DRC, Dmitri Titov, Assistant Secretary-General for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions, told journalists in Kinshasa on Friday that drastic changes are necessary to fix the state of the Congolese prisons. "I've visited many African countries in a post-conflict situation and Goma prison is one of the most terrible prisons that I have seen," Mr. Titov said, referring to the jail in the capital of North Kivu provinc... more

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton talked about Hollywood and Bollywood in the same breath during her recent trip to India. Interacting with Delhi University students, she said, "If Hollywood and Bollywood were how we all lived our lives that would surprise me! And yet it's often the way our cultures are conveyed." Hillary further said, "People watching a Bollywood movie in some other part of Asia think everybody in India is beautiful and they have dramatic lives and happy endings. And if you were to watch American TV and our movies you'd think that we don't wear clothes and we spend all our time fighting with each other." She reportedly blamed both news and entertainment media for distortions. In another i... more

Hindus have demanded end to "ethnic profiling" in Europe. According to Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights for Council of Europe, "Members of minorities are more often than others stopped by the police, asked for identity papers, questioned and searched. They are victims of "ethnic profiling", a form of discrimination which is widespread in today's Europe. Such methods clash with agreed human rights standards." Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was unbelievable and unacceptable that "ethnic profiling" was widespread in 2009 in Europe which made tall claims of good governance in the globe. World expected better standards from Europe as compared to "Banana Repu... more