tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:51:58 +0000random thoughts on random things.http://blog.junaidmirza.com/noreply@blogger.com (Junaid)Blogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-9133927330800936216Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:46:00 +00002010-03-05T09:46:18.090-05:00biofuelsafrica <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/srqnmIbjcayjxroxfFrcErbDisIhjdJzmInnhmoBfBuaCkFHhxcBzEIanIjm/media_httpwwwbusiness_etCyd.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="247" height="207"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=8910:state-set-to-build-n35bn-bio-fuel-refinery-&amp;catid=67:oil&amp;Itemid=307">businessdayonline.com</a></div> <p>One of the biggest reasons for biofuels not taking off in Africa, despite immense potential, is the lack of demand side development. The smallholders can grow the crops but they don't have the ability to sell them to European refineries. A local refinery has always been necessary but no one has been willing to invest in one without first ensuring that the supply side is guaranteed -- which is often difficult when you are looking to deal with potentially thousands of smallholder farmers to supply you with the feedstock. </p><p>Given that, government investment in a refinery is probably how one would need to proceed and this a great first step.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/nigeria-set-to-build-a-biofuels-refinery">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-9133927330800936216?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/aAUUT6Du5qQ/nigeria-set-to-build-biofuels-refinery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/03/nigeria-set-to-build-biofuels-refinery.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-6071412117942960488Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:42:00 +00002010-03-05T09:42:36.042-05:00renewable energybiofuelsresearch <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/qIwyhBmFhsjkutblwDiaFJEjGypfghlgDkzdqtiBBsafjAptcsGpojFnCHDp/media_httpwwwengumded_JzsCl.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="233" height="262"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.eng.umd.edu/media/pressreleases/pr022510_poplar.html">eng.umd.edu</a></div> <p>Poplar trees are already used for paper and timber production; could they now become yet another source of inedible biofuels? While this presents an opportunity for North America to move away from corn-based fuels, is this an efficient enough way to produce the fuel? And would this be sustainable enough? </p><p>This can become big if we can find a way to extract both fuel and paper out of the trees. That is to say, if the tree will be grown and cut down regardless for paper production, then let's find a way to get some fuel out of it as well.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/poplar-trees-are-the-newest-source-of-biofuel">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-6071412117942960488?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/JGvUgecfJFo/poplar-trees-are-newest-source-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/03/poplar-trees-are-newest-source-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-7063730647631497577Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:57:00 +00002010-02-14T11:57:15.341-05:00videoPalestineconflict <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="312" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hzqw7oBZT8k&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hzqw7oBZT8k&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="312" width="500" /></embed></param></param></param></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.closedzone.com/">closedzone.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/short-video-on-gaza-closed-zone">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-7063730647631497577?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/E9w_3luROiw/short-video-on-gaza-closed-zone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/02/short-video-on-gaza-closed-zone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-3256885966464820697Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:33:00 +00002010-01-16T13:33:21.713-05:00presentationstips <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/nsmqIwkwptibHztGJxanhhpItfxCFnBhjgBEIilBtusJxboInrIuksxGIiFb/media_httpwwwmakeuseo_hCcbu.png.scaled500.png" width="250" height="179"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-powerpoint-search-engines-to-seek-out-publicly-available-presentations/">makeuseof.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/5-powerpoint-search-engines-to-seek-out-publi-0">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-3256885966464820697?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/hNLWl4ww-h4/5-powerpoint-search-engines-to-seek-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/5-powerpoint-search-engines-to-seek-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-1544490451160205120Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:14:00 +00002010-01-16T00:14:12.407-05:00oileconomy <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/rbJzjywCjzzgfadzufwEvAgEpzEwelmriEegslqwoCFCzgbhrGwjatFyjAwl/media_http3bpblogspot_Jlkyt.gif.scaled1000.gif'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/rbJzjywCjzzgfadzufwEvAgEpzEwelmriEegslqwoCFCzgbhrGwjatFyjAwl/media_http3bpblogspot_Jlkyt.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" height="367"/></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_otfwl2zc6Qc/S0pN4HMGigI/AAAAAAAAMaw/0gto4iHLppk/s1600-h/oil.gif">3.bp.blogspot.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/the-argument-for-and-against-oil-abundance">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-1544490451160205120?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/XqMnBrtH7Qs/argument-for-and-against-oil-abundance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/argument-for-and-against-oil-abundance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-2490403340421972026Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:09:00 +00002010-01-16T00:09:14.560-05:00industryeconomy <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div><a name="3283220498877289157"></a> <h3> Pharmaceutical Facts 2009 </h3> <div> <p> </p><div style="clear: both;"></div><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 5pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time to develop and market a new drug:</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 10-15 years</span></span></p><p><b>Average Cost to develop a new drug (2006):</b> $1.318 billion</p><p><b>Total R&amp;D spending on drugs in 2008:</b> $65.2 billion</p><p><b>Generic share of market in 2007:</b> 72%</p><p><b>Percent of marketed drugs that cover R&amp;D costs:</b> Only 20%</p><p><b>Total number of drugs approved in 2008:</b> 31</p><p><b>R&amp;D as a percent of U.S. sales:</b> 20.3%</p><p><b>Average effective patent life for major drugs:</b> 11.5 years</p><p><b>Medicines currently in development</b>: 2,900 compounds</p><p><b>For every 5,000-10,000 compounds tested, the number that make it to clinical trials:</b> 5</p><p><b>For every 5 compounds that make it to clinical trials, the number that get FDA approval:</b> 1</p><p><b>Probability that a compound tested eventually gets FDA approval:</b> .01% (1/100th of 1%, or 1 out of 10,000) to .02% (1/50th of 1%, or 1 out of 5,000)</p><p><i>Source:</i> <a href="http://www.phrma.org/files/attachments/PhRMA%202009%20Profile%20FINAL.pdf"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pharmaceutical Industry Profile 2009</span></a></p><div style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><br /> <p></p> </div> <p> <em>Posted @ 12:12 PM <a href="http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/pharmaceutical-facts-2009.html" title="permanent link">Post Link</a></em> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=28997633&amp;postID=3283220498877289157">16 Comments</a> <a href="http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/pharmaceutical-facts-2009.html#links">links to this post <span></span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=28997633&amp;postID=3283220498877289157" title="Email Post"><img src="http://www.blogger.com:80/img/icon18_email.gif" height="13" alt="" width="18" /></a></p><p><span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=28997633&amp;postID=3283220498877289157" title="Edit Post" style="border: none;"><img src="http://www.blogger.com:80/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" height="18" alt="" width="18" /></a></span></p><p> </p><div><a title="data:post.title"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0;" width="83" /></a><p> </p></div> <p></p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/pharmaceutical-facts-2009.html">mjperry.blogspot.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/pharmaceutical-facts-2009">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-2490403340421972026?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/F7FDNbWkEVE/pharmaceutical-facts-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/pharmaceutical-facts-2009.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-2469205522469192506Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:59:00 +00002010-01-15T23:59:33.761-05:00tipsbookspersonal finance <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote class="posterous_short_quote">Why so many Americans are broke</blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/VGApp/pe/pubnews/AmericansBroke.jsf?SelectedSegment=ThinkingaboutRetirement">retirementplans.vanguard.com</a></div> <p>No matter which book you pick up nowadays on how to save money or get out of debt, you are likely to get a similar array of strategies. While these strategies do work, I often wonder why people continue writing books with these same old tips (and why publishers keep publishing them). </p><p>This one, however, is different. Professor Stuart Vyse of Connecticut College isn't even a finance professor. His subject is psychology and he takes a rather interesting approach to discussing how people fall into debt and how they can get out of it. Check the link above for some very interesting experiment results. </p><p>As for the mistakes people make: </p><p>- we are more likely to overspend if you pay by credit card instead of cash <br />- if we get a windfall we are likely to splurge <br />- we tend to get more enthusiastic about 50% sales on $10 items than on 5% sales on $100 items we need <br />- we don't mind paying more for image even if what we get is the same </p><p>So what does the good professor suggest for strategies? </p><p>- automatic contributions to savings accounts as soon as your pay is deposited <br />- building delays into buying non-essential items <br />- using windfalls to pay down debt or to save if there is no debt <br />- paying by cash as much as possible </p><p>Sounds like an interesting book but the summary on Vanguard's site is probably sufficient for most.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/sinking-in-debt-or-trying-to-save-here-are-so">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-2469205522469192506?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/HjvPepcYVvo/sinking-in-debt-or-trying-to-save-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/sinking-in-debt-or-trying-to-save-here.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-8604824935504558464Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:46:00 +00002010-01-15T22:46:19.874-05:00automotive <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/lDGvDipIuEzEwmCwpHIFDvzoicBugkEdzuyBvsDFeDaJqyIGCjwtIwjFAxvx/media_httpa323yahoofs_prpdg.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="300" height="200"/> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1273/cheap-car-from-india-could-cost-8000-in-us/">autos.yahoo.com</a></div> <p>Tata Technologies of India has already made a European version of the world's cheapest car--Nano Europa--set to debut in 2011. And now the company is setting its eyes on the U.S. market. However, the higher emissions and safety standards would mean that the $2,500 car would end up costing over three times its Indian price: $8,000. Add the typical Canadian premiums and this might not be as cheap any more.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/nano-by-tata-coming-to-the-us-but-not-for-as">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-8604824935504558464?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/c2QTRAf2-ik/nano-by-tata-coming-to-us-but-not-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/nano-by-tata-coming-to-us-but-not-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-4914371629226603984Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:31:00 +00002010-01-13T10:31:44.693-05:00tipsjobs <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote class="posterous_long_quote"><li><strong>Always</strong> keep your eye open for new opportunities.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> have a basic résumé updated and ready.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> stay up-to-date in your field.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> say yes to manageable projects.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> look to meet new people in your industry.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> let outsiders know you are interested in moving forward with your career.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> look for ways to be successful working for yourself.</li> <li><strong>Always</strong> have options.</li></blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2010/01/13/treat-your-employer-how-it-treats-you/">consumerismcommentary.com</a></div> <p>As we get out of universities and step into the real world, we often make for ourselves a fantasy world in which we remain loyal to the employer and the employer is expected to stay loyal to us. The economic crash of 2008 was a wake-up call for many as the companies that had never fired anyone started cutting fat in huge chunks. So what do we learn from that? </p><p>While there are many benefits to staying with one employer long-term, it is absurd to do so without knowing your alternatives ... or as I would call it, your BATNA. </p><p>The eight tips given in the blog post above are must-dos for every professional. Keep your eyes and options open doesn't mean changing your job every couple of years. But it does mean treating your employers like they will most definitely treat you if the times were rough!</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/how-to-treat-your-employer">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-4914371629226603984?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/8Q9wt2Jh-4A/how-to-treat-your-employer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/how-to-treat-your-employer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-5472272339514514229Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:32:00 +00002010-01-13T09:32:21.942-05:00biofuelqatar <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote> <p>Qatar Airways yesterday (11th January) unveilled a biojet fuel development programme that will be backed by Qatar Science &amp; Technology Park, Qatar Petroleum and Airbus. The programme follows the company's successful trail of a Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel blend, as part of a commercial flight, last October.</p> <p> </p><p>Addressing a press conference in Doha, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "Building on the experience and success of the GTL Consortium, we now move to the next phase of alternative fuels while continuing to develop GTL further. While others talk, we take action!"</p><p>Seven months ago, Qatar Airways, Qatar Science &amp; Technology Park together with US-based Verno Systems Inc., embarked on a feasibility study on sustainable Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) jet fuel and possible by-products such as biodiesel.</p><p>The study, says the company, looked at all available bio feed stocks that would not affect the food or fresh water supply chain. It also looked at existing and future production technologies with a viability analysis. Based on the result of the study, the partners have agreed to establish the "Qatar Advanced Biofuel Platform" (QABP) which will lead activities in the following four areas.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; * A detailed engineering and implementation plan for economically viable and sustainable bio fuel production<br />* A bio fuel investment strategy<br />* An advanced technology development programme<br />* Ongoing market and strategic analysis</p><p>These activities will be built on, and primarily motivated by, the objective of executing advanced bio fuel projects – with Qatar Airways initially as a dedicated end-user.</p> </blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/2057/">biofuelreview.com</a></div> <p>As a follow-up to my last post, this one is about a Qatari company (from a country that is one of the leading oil producers) investing in production of jet fuel from biomass. The reality is, no matter how much or how little your energy needs are, waste disposal is becoming a real issue around the world and making energy out of that waste is the most useful remedy that is available to deal with that problem.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/qatar-to-make-biomass-to-jet-fuel">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-5472272339514514229?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/-aLQdatzEI8/qatar-to-make-biomass-to-jet-fuel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/qatar-to-make-biomass-to-jet-fuel.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-8800492121562902157Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:24:00 +00002010-01-13T09:24:31.536-05:00biofuels <div class='posterous_autopost'><div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <h3><a href="http://www.biodieselinvesting.com/biodiesel-archives/2010/01/12/cleantech-firm-to-change-focus/" title="Permanent Link to Cleantech firm to change focus" rel="bookmark">Cleantech firm to change focus</a></h3> <p>Written on January 12, 2010 </p> <div> <p> </p><p>EmailWire <a href="http://www.emailwire.com/release/32063-LiquidStockReportcom-GELV-Sets-Goals-For-2010.html">reports</a> that Green Energy Live, a clean energy firm, has decided to focus exclusively on its manure to energy conversion systems. Green Energy has phased out plans to expand into the ethanol business and will focus on the bio waste to energy segment. The company believes that this strategy will prove a better commercial success and easier to adapt to a widespread market. </p> </div> <p> <a href="http://www.biodieselinvesting.com/biodiesel-archives/2010/01/12/cleantech-firm-to-change-focus/" title="Permanent Link to Cleantech firm to change focus" rel="bookmark">Permalink</a> • </p> <p style="padding-left: 10px;">What do you think? Discuss this entry in the <a href="http://www.greeninvestingforum.com">Green Investing Forum</a>.</p> </div></blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.biodieselinvesting.com/biodiesel-archives/2010/01/12/cleantech-firm-to-change-focus/">biodieselinvesting.com</a></div> <p>While a number of biofuel projects are slow to get off the ground, I have been seeing a lot of activity in the waste-to-energy sector. It appears that there are real possibilities there -- and primarily because it solves two problems at once: provides energy and reduces the waste cities need to deal with.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/waste-to-energy-is-this-the-most-viable-biofu">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-8800492121562902157?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/GwvR7BDjnxg/waste-to-energy-is-this-most-viable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2010/01/waste-to-energy-is-this-most-viable.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-5505159359342649234Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:43:00 +00002009-12-31T17:43:56.210-05:00humourvideos <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AKVLxE5NNtM&hl=en&fs=1" /></param><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></param><embed allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AKVLxE5NNtM&hl=en&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="always" height="417" wmode="window" width="500"></embed></param></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKVLxE5NNtM">youtube.com</a></div> <p>Courtesy Saqib. This is absolutely hilarious. All I can say is that this definitely did air on Saudi Channel 2 (from the logo in the top left corner). Apparently, this was done to commemorate the Saudi national day on Sep. 23, 1992 and a Pakistani band was asked to compose a song in English.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/started-with-the-desert-a-hilarious-song-on-s">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-5505159359342649234?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/-hqeOQVZvho/started-with-desert-hilarious-song-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/started-with-desert-hilarious-song-on.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-5302336726498697236Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:16:00 +00002009-12-31T13:16:10.505-05:00videopakistan <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" /></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff" /></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/AsherHasan_2009I-high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/AsherHasan-2009I.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=719" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/AsherHasan_2009I-high.flv&amp;su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/AsherHasan-2009I.embed_thumbnail.jpg&amp;vw=432&amp;vh=240&amp;ap=0&amp;ti=719" height="326" wmode="transparent" width="446"></embed></param></param></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/asher_hasan_s_message_of_peace_from_pakistan.html">ted.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/tedindia-asher-hasans-message-of-peace-from-p">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-5302336726498697236?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/sAQfKy9Ahes/tedindia-asher-hasan-message-of-peace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/tedindia-asher-hasan-message-of-peace.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-617814813170897632Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:31:00 +00002009-12-20T20:31:57.732-05:00biofuelenvironment <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote> A core group of ATA airlines has signed, what they describe as, a groundbreaking memoranda of understanding with two different producers - AltAir Fuels and Rentech - for a future supply of alternative aviation fuel it was annopunced yesterday (14th December). A total of 15 airlines, from the USA, Canada, Germany and Mexico have signed MOUs with one or both of the producers. <p> </p><p>Speaking yesterday Glenn Tilton, ATA board chairman and UAL Corporation and United Airlines chairman, president and CEO, said; "Today's announcement reinforces the proactive steps that airlines are taking to stimulate competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, contribute to the creation of green jobs, and promote energy security through economically viable alternatives that also demonstrate environmental benefits." Tilton also noted that discussions with a number of additional alternative-fuel producers about other projects are underway, as are discussions with the US military regarding other cooperative opportunities.</p><p>"Our intention as an airline industry is to continue to do our part by supporting the use of alternative fuels. We urge the US government and the investment community also to do their part to further support this critical energy opportunity," said Tilton.</p><p>AltAir Fuels Founder and CEO Tom Todaro said, "The airlines' pledge to use renewable jet fuel sends a clear and unmistakable message to policymakers, investors and industry leaders that AltAir Fuels has entered a new era of more sustainable aviation."</p><p>The AltAir Fuels project contemplates the production of approximately 75 million gallons per year of jet fuel and diesel fuel derived from camelina oils or comparable feedstock, refined at a new AltAir Fuels plant to be located at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Wash. The Rentech project in Adams County, Miss., contemplates the production of approximately 250 million gallons per year of synthetic jet fuel derived principally from coal or petroleum coke, with the resultant carbon dioxide sequestered and the carbon footprint potentially further reduced by integrating biomass as a feedstock.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> </blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/2051/">biofuelreview.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/airlines-group-commits-to-alternative-fuels">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-617814813170897632?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/zP8dvUEnV_Y/airlines-group-commits-to-alternative.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/airlines-group-commits-to-alternative.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-7125307567164768385Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:30:00 +00002009-12-20T20:30:30.055-05:00biofuelgreen energyenvironment <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <div>Clean energy to grow into 1.6 trillion euros industry: WWF</div> <p> (AFP) – <span>Dec 10, 2009</span></p> <p>GENEVA — The clean energy technology sector will grow into a 1.6 trillion-euro (2.4 trillion-dollar) industry by 2020, becoming the third largest industrial sector after automobiles and electronics, WWF said Friday.</p><p>The clean energy industry, which includes wind energy infrastructure, insulation, solar panels and bio-ethanol treatment production, generated 630 billion euros in revenues in 2007, a sum that has already surpassed that of the global pharmaceutical industry, said WWF.</p><p>"This is the clean economy growth happening now with only a partial Kyoto protocol international framework supporting clean energy development, patchy national support for green energy and huge subsidies to fossil fuel use," said Kim Carstensen, leader of WWF?s global climate initiative.</p><p>"Imagine what is possible with a successful Copenhagen climate deal and the national mechanisms to deliver its outcomes -- clean energy is where the money is going to be and this is where energy security is going to be," she added.</p><p>Germany, the United States and Japan currently lead clean energy sales, according to 2008 data cited by the WWF.</p><p>China is ranked fourth in absolute sales, but is expected to take up a "rapidly increasing share" in coming years.</p><p>In terms of sales relative to gross domestic product, however, it is Denmark, Brazil and Germany which are leading the scale.</p><p>Denmark is leading wind energy and insulation products, while Brazil has a massive bio-ethanol industry.</p><p>Germany, meanwhile is a specialist in solar and wind energy products.</p><p>"Clearly, from a national perspective there is much to gain and nothing to lose from investing in clean energy," said Donald Pols, Head of the Climate Programme at WWF-Netherlands.</p><p>"Forgoing these opportunities for the sake of propping up an aging, polluting fossil fuel sector for as long as its lobbying power remains significant is acting for vested interests not the national interest."</p><p>Some 194 nations are meeting in Copenhagen under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), seeking to secure an agreement spelling out national pledges for curbing heat-trapping carbon emissions.</p><p>Over the past 250 years, atmospheric concentrations of these invisible, odourless, tasteless gases have risen, propelled by the unbridled use of coal, oil and gas.</p><p>The envisioned December 18 accord will also pump hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to poor countries, providing them with new and clean technology and the means to toughen their defences against the impact of climate change.</p> <p><span>Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7gjRltYaokGdjFT_wTYHsiRoTkA#">More »</a></span></p></div></blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7gjRltYaokGdjFT_wTYHsiRoTkA">google.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/clean-energy-to-grow-into-16-trillion-euros-i">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-7125307567164768385?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/XvumWrVRJv0/clean-energy-to-grow-into-16-trillion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/clean-energy-to-grow-into-16-trillion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-5683826989368386283Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:28:00 +00002009-12-20T20:28:16.322-05:00biofuelsafrica <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div><p>Principle says its funds have incurred substantial losses on their 18m investment in the biodiesel company.</p><p>With 27.55% of the issued share capital, it says it has the ability to block all special resolutions of the company and intends to do so until the board agress to discuss its requests.</p><p>These are that D1 ceases all but essential cash expenditure immediately and begins talks for the acquisition of Principle Energy Limited and an associated fundraising.</p><p>Principle is resolved 'to fulfil its duties to its underlying investors by ensuring that what it considers to be fruitless expenditure is halted'.</p><p></p><p>Story provided by Business Financial Newswire</p></div></blockquote> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20091214/principle-capital-will-block-d1-oils-fundraising.htm">ibtimes.co.uk</a></div> <p>Brian Myerson brings significant leadership to D1 Oils--a company that has probably done more harm than good to the sector with its unsubstantiated claims. There was a time when D1 Oils was widely expected to be a leader in the biofuel sector. Today, it is a sorry tale of poor planning. Can Principle change the trends?</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/principle-capital-will-block-d1-oils-fundrais">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-5683826989368386283?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/SU7GBhP5f9g/principle-capital-will-block-d1-oils.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/principle-capital-will-block-d1-oils.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-4493701310026572401Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:48:00 +00002009-12-13T20:48:32.413-05:00cartoonshumour <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/jJDBCnwcuvDwCFegAIIvuqyqqoEvBnFCIionItHtdtInzpBibJusqnaJGvBb/media_http4bpblogspotcomdjgssszshgMSwvnKkok2BIAAAAAAAABEA6gZHFjNNAJMs1600terminatrixJPG_egJczDDHiwgvzeo.JPG.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/jJDBCnwcuvDwCFegAIIvuqyqqoEvBnFCIionItHtdtInzpBibJusqnaJGvBb/media_http4bpblogspotcomdjgssszshgMSwvnKkok2BIAAAAAAAABEA6gZHFjNNAJMs1600terminatrixJPG_egJczDDHiwgvzeo.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" height="533"/></a> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_djgssszshgM/SwvnKkok2BI/AAAAAAAABEA/6gZHFjNNAJM/s1600/terminatrix.JPG">4.bp.blogspot.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/why-obama-won-the-peace-prize">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-4493701310026572401?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/dS1gXsQMHLM/why-obama-won-peace-prize.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/why-obama-won-peace-prize.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-8271025567129676169Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:42:00 +00002009-12-13T20:42:38.908-05:00tipsGoogle <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5381219/"><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/sHaGxptlGazvFEJdFidCcnHsArAoGCAyuvecFpcllkHudxfuavzbsDibquGG/media_httpcachegawkercomassetsimages17200910500xwaveuseshedjpg_EmxwczzdvaEnImt.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" height="310"/> </a><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5381219/">lifehacker.com</a></div> <p>Check it out here: <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5381219/">http://lifehacker.com/5381219/</a></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/google-waves-best-use-cases-from-lifehacker">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-8271025567129676169?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/KZq5clw7_08/google-wave-best-use-cases-from.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/google-wave-best-use-cases-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-2266165719859298834Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:23:00 +00002009-12-13T19:23:11.876-05:00recessioninterestingeconomy <p>This is a couple days old -- <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canadian-exports-jump-on-us-demand/article1395493/" target="_blank">Globe and Mail reports</a> that Canada has its first trade surplus in four months due to increase in gold and energy prices and higher demand for canola oil resulting from McDonalds switching to canola oil. &nbsp;The company now claims to be trans-fat free and that is good news for Canada's canola farmers -- mostly in Quebec and Saskatchewan -- who are expanding seed crushing capacity to meet this sudden increase in demand for their product.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/mcdonalds-causes-canadian-trade-surplus-by-it">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-2266165719859298834?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/X4EIavstA9w/mcdonalds-causes-canadian-trade-surplus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/mcdonalds-causes-canadian-trade-surplus.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-6076152687240586392Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:09:00 +00002009-12-13T19:10:00.052-05:00ethanolbiofuelEPAcorn <p>Given that Germany is already using 100% biodiesel in many of its cars and many European countries commonly have significant proportions of biodiesel blended in their diesel, it is curious that <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5B032K20091201#" target="_blank">EPA is still struggling with 15% ethanol blend in gasoline</a>. &nbsp;This just further highlights the innovation gap between the U.S. automakers and their competitors across the pond. &nbsp;</p> <p>What is also worrying is that it is the automakers who have influenced the delay and not the environmentalists. &nbsp;Does the corn lobby still dictate what is environmentally friendly and what is not?</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/on-automakers-behest-epa-delays-action-on-mor">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-6076152687240586392?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/EgSs_ZuCOiE/on-automakers-behest-epa-delays-action.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/12/on-automakers-behest-epa-delays-action.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-5203924953559232971Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:43:00 +00002009-11-29T23:43:27.466-05:00 <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <embed name="plugin" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h7V3Twb-Qk&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" height="400" width="500" /><div style="display: none; border-top-left-radius: 5px 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px 5px; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px 5px; border-top-width: 4px; border-right-width: 4px; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-left-width: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-right-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-bottom-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-left-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); background-image: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); height: 610px; background-position: 0% 0%;"><iframe name="POSTEROUS___bookmarklet_iframe" style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 100%;"></iframe></div><form action="http://posterous.com/bookmarklet/iframe_contents" method="POST" accept-charset="utf-8" target="POSTEROUS___bookmarklet_iframe"><input name="title" type="hidden" value="" /><input name="linkto" type="hidden" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h7V3Twb-Qk&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><input name="selection" type="hidden" value="" /><input name="doc_contents" type="hidden" /></form></embed> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h7V3Twb-Qk&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;">youtube.com</a></div> <p>This is a prime example of wasteful spending by a government that does not answer to the masses ... nor plans before acting.</p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/chinas-empty-city-3">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-5203924953559232971?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/FZfZS1BM7zk/china-empty-city.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/11/china-empty-city.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-3316369584693745874Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:15:00 +00002009-11-29T23:15:01.085-05:00 <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <a href="http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/11/the_world_accor.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfectiousGreed+%28Paul+Kedrosky%27s+Infectious+Greed%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader"><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/qvpDksFtjfhcthAxBAokxaowbumBvxxCEqzrjAGIaznaApmrGwbBGbpgmobb/media_httppaulkedroskycomimagesworldaccordigntoUSAjpg_iaGepHkldEpxbwo.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/junaidmirza/qvpDksFtjfhcthAxBAokxaowbumBvxxCEqzrjAGIaznaApmrGwbBGbpgmobb/media_httppaulkedroskycomimagesworldaccordigntoUSAjpg_iaGepHkldEpxbwo.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" height="321"/></a> </a><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://paul.kedrosky.com/archives/2009/11/the_world_accor.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfectiousGreed+%28Paul+Kedrosky%27s+Infectious+Greed%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">paul.kedrosky.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/the-world-according-to-americans-26">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-3316369584693745874?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/Y9eF_vuuuWg/world-according-to-americans.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/11/world-according-to-americans.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-4493503374283898332Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:03:00 +00002009-11-28T12:03:34.897-05:00recessiondubaiislamic financeeconomy <p>I had been busy for a few days and this caught me by surprise: global markets in a free fall because Dubai World might default on its US$59 billion debt. &nbsp;Everyone knew that Dubai World was having a lot of trouble refinancing its debt, but given that the government of Dubai is the only shareholder of Dubai World, almost everyone expected that they will be rescued. &nbsp;While that still might be true, the ruler of Dubai hadn't given any indications that a rescue might be in works.</p> <p>And just this morning, after a couple fairly hard days for the world markets, Abu Dhabi <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/business/2009/11/20091128144913644499.html" target="_blank">announced that it will rescue</a> selective assets of Dubai World. &nbsp;While this is welcome news, the fact that uncertainty will remain over what and how much will be rescued by Abu Dhabi means that the world markets will continue to stay cautious. &nbsp;</p> <p>While this is not as big as the sub-prime crisis, this news comes right when the global economy seemed to have been recovering. &nbsp;With investors looking for positive signs to enhance their confidence in the markets, this is a big step back. &nbsp;Most importantly, this will seriously hamper investments into the developing world and that, in the end, might be the biggest impact of Dubai World's mismanagement.</p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/the-sun-about-to-set-on-dubai-world-and-takin">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-4493503374283898332?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/o86siGeqhPw/sun-about-to-set-on-dubai-world-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/11/sun-about-to-set-on-dubai-world-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-7709393143629932054Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:51:00 +00002009-11-24T00:51:22.766-05:00interesting <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p><img src="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/images/091120_bluemosquemotorcycleresized.jpg" height="332" width="500" /> </p><p>Georgetown University's Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal <a href="http://cmcu.georgetown.edu/about/" target="_blank">Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding</a>, like any good institution, knows that the way to steer publicity toward their work is to make a list. This is the only possible explanation I can conjure up for their report on <a href="http://www.rissc.jo/muslim500v-1L.pdf" target="_blank">the world's top 500 most influential Muslims</a>. </p><p>Somewhere, Prince Al-Waleed must be pleased that he's getting his money's worth from <a href="http://www.thehoya.com/opinion/make-the-millions-add-up/" target="_blank">the $20 million donation he made</a> to establish the Center. Headlining the list is his uncle, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. One can, of course, legitimately argue that Abdullah is the world's most influential Muslim -- he is the custodian of Mecca and Medina and Saudi Arabia has done more to spread its version of Islam than any other state. However, it's hard to read the description of King Abdullah's reforms as anything other than a press release. The report lauds Abdullah for "his ability to enact multiple landmark reforms to fight corruption, balance the Saudi budget, tailor the education system, [and] address women's and minority rights." This, in a country where women cannot drive. </p><p>Looking at the list more broadly, there is also a clear bias towards the Middle East (using a broad definition including Iran and Turkey). The top 14 Muslims all hail from the Middle East, and only six out of the top 40 are from outside of the region. Perhaps only a third of the world's Muslims live in this area, giving them an outsized influence on what it means to be "Islamic" in today's world.</p><p>The list is also weighted very heavily toward invidividuals who represent more conservative forms of Islam. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah clocks in at number 17 and Hamas's Khaled Mashaal is included at number 34, but PA President Mahmoud Abbas and IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei -- who no doubt consider themselves good Muslims -- are nowhere to be found in the top 50. Even Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an adherent of the Alawi sect, is considered too heterodox for this list. That's without mentioning hugely influential figures outside politics such as Mohamed El-Erian, Fareed Zakaria, and Muhammad Yunus, who didn't make the cut. </p><p>To be fair, these figures are mentioned later in the report -- a list of 500 names gives room to cover all the bases. The report's title is something of a misnomer; it provides a ranking ofthe top 50 influential Muslims, and then organizes the remaining 450 by subject field without attempting to impose a hierarchy. Nevertheless, it is instructive that the individuals headlining the report are filled almost exclusively with rulers and conservative theologians from the Middle East. In the end, this report tells us very little about the world's most influential Muslims, and a great deal about what Georgetown's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding believes constitutes a good Muslim.</p><p>(Above: German free style motocross champion Hannes Ackermann performs in front of Istanbul's Blue Mosque in 2008)</p><p><span>MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images</span> </p> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/11/20/these_are_the_worlds_500_most_influential_muslims">blog.foreignpolicy.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/these-are-the-worlds-500-most-influential-mus">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-7709393143629932054?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/Sjc6n1g2-5E/these-are-world-500-most-influential.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/11/these-are-world-500-most-influential.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754346233856615796.post-6430367052211638356Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:34:00 +00002009-11-24T00:34:06.288-05:00humourtips <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <blockquote><div> <p> </p><p> <strong>Nov 11, 2009</strong> - </p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Who’s got the time and energy to interview people these days? My buddies Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon, authors of </span></span><em><a href="http://bit.ly/2IVbU9" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I Hate People!</span></span></a></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, came up with this solution for this problem: Watch how they cross the street.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">If you can’t arrange for an interviewee to cross the street to get to your building, arrange for the interview at a Starbucks, cafe or restaurant—preferably in Manhattan during rush hour, but any reasonably-sized city will do. Watch carefully. Secretly videotape it, if at all possible. These few seconds will tell you more about their workplace capabilities than an hour of tough questions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Here are five types of crosswalkers and how they would perform in the workplace:</span></span></p> <ol> <li> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Matador</b>. Fearless, the Matador thinks nothing of daring the cars and taxis with his elegant dance through traffic. Crosswalks are just paint to a Matador. Red lights are mere suggestions. Nor does the Matador care whether the oncoming traffic shows no sign of stopping. After all, what’s a little glancing blow? Best Positions: Entrepreneurs, super salesmen, and financial mavericks.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Wader</b>. Bold but not fearless, the Wader is eager to cross, demonstrating ample initiative but a little more common sense. Waders may phone and text while on the move…but not when venturing into traffic. They recognize that getting struck by any part of a car is a bad thing. That’s why they let the Matadors run interference. While the hotshots are busy tempting fate, the Wader is getting to the other side first. Best Positions: Excellent CEOs, vice presidents, software designers, project leaders and design heads.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>TextWalker</b>. Having mastered typing, talking and walking at once, the TextWalker tends to forget that crossing a car-clotted street is real life while tapping keys on a little plastic box is not. TextWalkers may appear on the surface to be Waders or even Matadors, but with one critical distinction—progress in their case is often an illusion. The Textwalker tends to meander, drift, and even pause midway. They lack the presence of mind to stay on task. Best Positions: Creatives and lower-level programmers. They exhibit flashes of talent but are ill-suited for management or higher-level responsibilities.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Light Jumper</b>. Though a Light Jumper starts out determined to follow the letter of the law, when the crosswalk light turns yellow he can’t help but jump the curb. Dr. Jekyll turns into Mr. Hyde. A Light Jumper is not above shouting and glaring at motorists who narrowly miss him even though they still legally have the right of way. Best Positions: Dependable but ballsy attorneys, independent CPAs and trusty managers with hidden tattoos.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>CurbHuggers</b>. No matter how empty the street, CurbHuggers would never dream of leaving the sidewalk for the crosswalk a second earlier than the law (or the “Walk” sign) allows. Ironically, CurbHuggers rarely make it across before the light turns and, by playing it safe, are often sitting ducks for signal-jumping taxis. Best Positions: Accountants, statisticians, or rules-based occupations. Excellent at scheduling and attending meetings, especially when the purpose is to schedule new meetings.</span></span></p> </li> </ol> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">While you’re at it, you should think about how you cross the street, too. You might learn something about yourself—and what you’re communcicating about your outlook on life.</span></span></p> <br /> </div></blockquote><div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/the-perfect-interview-test-guy-kawasaki">openforum.com</a></div> <p></p></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via web</a> from <a href="http://junaidmirza.posterous.com/the-perfect-interview-test-1">Junaid's posterous</a> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6754346233856615796-6430367052211638356?l=blog.junaidmirza.com' alt='' /></div>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JunaidMirza/~3/p0jy67Hu0-4/perfect-interview-test.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Junaid)0http://blog.junaidmirza.com/2009/11/perfect-interview-test.html