SEMBANG CORNER

2 Million Mysterious Deaths in the USA? Read about it!

2010-04-23T13:54:00.002+08:00

Russia Reports Over 2 Million Dead In US As Mysterious Die-Off Accelerates!

A most chilling report circulating in the Kremlin today prepared by the Russian Academy of Medical and Technical Science for Prime Minister Putin states that a “mysterious die-off” in the United States has claimed over 2,000,000 lives since 2008 and is “more than likely” linked to a “crossover” plant disease linked to genetically modified grains and foods.

According to these reports this mysterious, and as yet unidentified, lung disease responsible for this mass die-off began during the spring of 2008 in the US agricultural State of Iowa where (very ironically) at least 36 people attending a Lung Association event at the Governors mansion were stricken.

Important to note about Iowa is that it is one of the largest corn producing regions in the World harvesting over 2 billon bushels of this valuable grain farmed on nearly 32 million acres of its farmland, over 99% of which are genetically modified varieties made by the US agricultural giant Monsanto and idententifeid by their trade names of Mon 863, insecticide-producing Mon 810, and Roundup® herbicide-absorbing NK 603.

Not reported to the American people about these genetically modified corn varieties made by Monsanto was the study released by the International Journal of Biological Sciences warning that they were linked to organ damage. Monsanto quickly responded to this study, stating that the research was “based on faulty analytical methods and reasoning and do not call into question the safety findings for these products.”

Russian scientists in these reports, however, call Monsanto’s claim of their genetically modified Mon 863 corn as being safe for human or animal consumption “totally without validation”, a finding supported by the French biomolecular engineering commission, the Commission du Génie Biomoléculaire (CGB) who stated in their report, “with the present data it cannot be concluded that GM corn MON 863 is a safe product.”

Further supporting the findings of Russian scientists was Greenpeace International, who in their report titled “MON 863: A chronicle of systematic deception” warned that the campaign to unearth and evaluate data about this most dangerous of genetically modified grains demonstrates, beyond all doubt, that MON863 is unfit for consumption.

Most unfortunately for the American people though, all of these warnings have been ignored by their government masters who have allowed the mass planting of these genetically modified crops to such an extent that in the United States today fully 80% of their corn and 93% of their soybeans are of these dangerous varieties and leading one Russian scientist in these reports to warn that our World is now on the verge of experiencing an ecological disaster of “Biblical proportions”.

And according to these reports this ecological disaster is well underway in the United States and supported by American death statistics showing that of the nearly 2.5 million deaths reported by them each year the number of “sudden deaths” has increased to 40% equaling out to over 2 million “mysterious and unexplained” deaths from early 2008 to March, 2010.

Now of these “mysterious and unexplained” American deaths, these reports continue, nearly all of them are lung related and being erroneously documented as being caused by influenza and pneumonia type diseases so as not to panic these peoples, but have, instead, been caused by as an yet unidentified plant virus that has successfully jumped the species barrier to human beings.

Supporting Russian scientists in these conclusions is new research being conducted by the Didier Raoult of the University of the Mediterranean in Marseilles, France, where for the first time in human history a plant virus has been found to cause problems in people.

Russian scientists further claim in these reports that the United States mass vaccination of their population this past year for the supposed H1N1 Swine Flu epidemic was instead a “very clumsy attempt” to stop the spreading of this mysterious lung disease by injecting into these peoples a DNA “fix” to this genetically modified corn, and which by all the evidence available, they state, appears to have failed.

For those wondering how the United States government could ever allow such a monstrous outrage to be committed on their citizens one only need know that over the past 10 years Monsanto has paid over $500 million in bribing those American officials responsible for food safety while at the same time has joined US corporate giants General Electric and Exxon Mobil in not paying any taxes despite the billions in profits they have reaped.

And for those Americans believing that President Obama will protect them from these outrages they couldn’t be more mistaken, and as we can read as reported by the Huffington Post News Service in their article titled “You’re Appointing Who? Please Obama, Say It’s Not So!” and which, in part, says:

“The person who may be responsible for more food-related illness and death than anyone in history has just been made the US food safety czar. This is no joke.

Here’s the back story.

When FDA scientists were asked to weigh in on what was to become the most radical and potentially dangerous change in our food supply — the introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods — secret documents now reveal that the experts were very concerned. Memo after memo described toxins, new diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and hard-to-detect allergens. They were adamant that the technology carried “serious health hazards,” and required careful, long-term research, including human studies, before any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could be safely released into the food supply.

But the biotech industry had rigged the game so that neither science nor scientists would stand in their way. They had placed their own man in charge of FDA policy and he wasn’t going to be swayed by feeble arguments related to food safety. No, he was going to do what corporations had done for decades to get past these types of pesky concerns. He was going to lie.”

Even worse for these American people are those believing they will be able to change their government in the upcoming National elections to be held in the United States this coming November, but which new reports are showing that Obama is also preparing for with a special military unit called the “Consequence Management Response Force” said ready to deploy during these elections at his command from his White House fortress the Washington Post writes has now become more like “Soviet-era Moscow” then the house of the people it used to be should these Americans begin to rise up against the growing corporate-run police state surrounding them.

New reports from America are also warning that Obama’s growing police state government is further moving against its own citizens by ordering their Internet giants to turn over all emails written by every citizen in their country, an insidious move Yahoo, for one, has vowed to fight.

To the final outcome of all of these events it is not in our knowing, other than to note that in the same week that one of Obama’s Federal Courts has outlawed all Americans from celebrating their National Prayer Day, and Obama has vowed to rid the United States of all of its nuclear weapons, President Putin, on the other hand, stated that Russia’s internal and external security depends upon two things – “its traditional religions and its nuclear forces”…and leaving no doubt whatsoever that our World has, indeed, turned upside down as the US descends into tyranny and Russia moves tow

Article printed from The European Union Times – Breaking News, Latest News: http://www.eutimes.net

WHAT? PREDATOR FISH?

2008-11-26T23:09:00.003+08:00

I DO HOPE THE AUTHORITIES WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PRONTO BEFORE IT BECOMES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL!!

Invasion of the predator fish
By : Jennifer Gomez and Brenda Lim

KUALA LUMPUR: Local fish in ponds and rivers in Perak and the Klang Valley are in danger of being wiped out due to two highly aggressive predator fishes which are wreaking havoc in the

in Perak and the Klang Valleywaterways.

Pic Above: An angling enthusiast with a peacock bass. The peacock bass and zebra cichlid (below) are causing havoc with riverine biodiversity

Environmentalists have raised the alarm that if the biological invasion by the carnivorous peacock bass and the zebra cichlid (both from the cichlid family) is not checked, it will cause havoc on biodiversity and the livelihood of riverine fishermen.

Where these two predator fish are found, they have moved to the top of the fish chain, even attacking the original "king" of Malaysian predator fish, the toman.

And that is why local fishermen are hauling in fewer toman, haruan, sebarau and udang galah.

These predator fish attack in groups and their prey are known to beach themselves in futile attempts to escape being eaten.

DHI Water and Environment Sdn Bhd environmental consultant Mohd Zambri Mohd Akhir is particularly concerned about the threat posed by the peacock bass.

"Now you can find these fish in Chenderoh, the most downstream dam in Perak. If it enters the other river systems in Malaysia that has unique local species, it is going to cause irreversible damage," warned Zambri.

He said the peacock bass was already robbing riverine fishermen of their livelihood as the problem had been around for nearly a decade.

"Fishermen in Batu Gajah and Tanjung Tualang are already facing this problem as their income has been steadily suffering over the years.

"The supply of udang galah is also greatly reduced, depriving fishermen of a decent income."

The peacock bass is from the Amazon in South America and can grow up to five kilogrammes. It breeds fast and protects its eggs and fry, giving it a high survival rate.

The zebra cichlid from Africa, however, only grows up to palm size, but is known for its notorious feeding habits.

Fisherman Ishanorzaman Jaimit from Kampung Gajah confirmed that there were many peacock bass in the mining ponds and rivers in Perak, but said that they only ate the small fish.

There is also increasing demand for the peacock bass. Fishermen get RM5 per kg for it, while the middlemen sell it for RM6.50 per kg.

The peacock bass is not usually available in restaurants but it is known to make it to the dinner tables of fishermen and anglers who catch it.

Vincent Chin, owner of the Malaysian Fishing Net website, however, insists that the peacock bass is a real threat.

"It was brought into the country as an aquarium fish more than 10 years ago. It is a real nuisance because it feeds on local fish. They are vicious and attack like a pack of wolves," he said.

Another riverine fisherman, Muhammad Isa, said the zebra cichlid, nicknamed ikan belang for its distinctive stripes, was a bigger threat.

"The zebra cichlid is a bigger threat to the local species than the peacock bass," he said.

"In rivers and ponds in my area, the peacock bass is noted for eating only the perimpin (freshwater version of the ikan bilis).

"The zebra cichlid, however, eats most fry. Even if we haul in these zebra cichlids, we do not eat them."

ISLAMIC HERITAGE - WHERE IS IT NOW?

2008-11-20T14:10:00.010+08:00

The following article was taken fr the Muslim Professionals UK's Forum which was posted 4 yrs ago. Since many Muslim friends have not read it or even aware of what's happening in the Haramain, I therefore take the liberty to copy and post the article here. The various modern developments are still ongoing. As Muslims, we must take heed of developments that might affect our faith eventhough outwardly they may look impressive and justifiable. I implore you to carefully reflect on this issue and the implications that might accrue as a result of these so-called progress. Somewhere in the Quran (my apologies tho cuz I cant't recall right now as to which verse that was), Allah mentioned ,"..I've given you the faculties of the mind, intelligence ...etc.. so use it!"

Islamic Heritage, where is it now? - 08-05-2004, 10:44 PM
By: Ather Hussain Al-Azhari

By the grace of Allah (S.W.T), I was actually given the privilege to visit the holy cities of Makkah Muazzamah and Madina Munawwarah. A trip to Umra is always a special occasion, and a time to re-strengthen spiritual bonds with Allah (S.W.T) and His dear Prophet (saw). However, the trip was partially scarred by the Saudi Government and their persistent efforts to mould the two shrines to suit their sectarian, anti-Sunni beliefs.

The Wahabi Government of Saudi Arabia is slowly eroding the rich Islamic heritage of the area in the name of Shirk and polytheism. Little do they know that denial and disrespect for your ancestors and for your past, is as if sowing the seeds of your destruction for the future.

One of the most startling changes made was to the blessed golden door of the grave of the Prophet (saw), Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) and Hadhrat Umar (R.A). The original door had the words 'Ya-Allah' and 'Ya-Rasool Allah' inscribed on it - the work of the Turks when they were custodians of the sacred mosque. The Saudis omitted the 'Ya' attached to the Prophet (saw)'s name. More recently, they have completely omitted the Prophet (saw)'s name and replaced it with 'Majid', one of Allah (S.W.T)'s names.

There is nothing wrong with writing Allah (S.W.T)'s name anywhere in a mosque, but this act calls for attention. They could have written any one of Allah (S.W.T)'s names, but they chose to write the one that closely matches the Prophet (saw)'s name 'Muhammad' in Arabic. Quite cunningly, and deceitfully, they simply omitted the second 'meem' of Muhammad and turned it into a 'ye' so it reads 'Majid'. It seems quite ironic that it is the Prophet (saw)'s blessed resting place, and yet his name is nowhere in sight. Allah (S.W.T)'s name is written on the door, but it is not His house, for Allah (the Glorified) is free from any place.

I asked a local Saudi about this, and he told me, quite assured me, that it was to quash any confusion among Muslims. He said that we worship Allah (S.W.T) alone, and having the Prophet (saw)'s name would equate shirk. I replied that no one worships the Prophet (saw) but Allah (S.W.T) alone. We are merely seeking Tawassul, sending salutations and blessings on the Prophet (saw) and with the blessing of this holy place, praying to Allah (S.W.T) to forgive our sins.

What adds insult to injury is the fact that King Fahd's name is present everywhere. A large plaque outside the mosque has his name written on it in a beautiful Arabic font. I asked the Saudi why the Prophet (saw)'s was deleted because it amounts to shirk, but it was perfectly acceptable to have the king's name everywhere in both Makkah Muazzamah and Madinah Munawwarah. For instance, the sacred door of the Holy Ka'aba is a place where devout Muslims pray to Allah (S.W.T) and humbly weep for forgiveness. Up above on the door, the king's name is handsomely inscribed in golden writing. The Saudi foolishly replied that to have the king's name was different, because it was just to inform the people that he built the mosques. King Fahd nor any of his family built the Ka'aba; Hadhrat Ibraheem (A.S) and those after him did. Nor did King Fahd build the mosque in Madinah Munawwarah; My dear Prophet (saw) and his Companions (ra) did.

The recent extension to the Prophet (saw)'s mosque has been not just to increase capacity, but to unfortunately increase disrespect to the Holy Prophet (saw). The original mosque had plaques with Allah (S.W.T)'s and Rasool Allah (saw)'s name on the roof. Now they have Allah (S.W.T)'s name only. Our Prophet D has informed us that in Paradise his name is written on the Arsh (throne)1. In countless verses in the Holy Qur’an, Allah (S.W.T) couples His mention with that of the Prophet (saw). Whose Sunnah are the Saudis following by writing just Allah (S.W.T)'s name?

The Prophet D's mosque in Madinah Munawwarah is a magnificent palace, and an appropriate abode for the Prophet (saw). Each of the ten towering minarets are illuminated brightly, and are clearly visible from outside the city. However, the green dome is not lit for some odd reason. When I pointed this out to my Shaikh, he replied that the Green Dome does not need any artificial light. It generates its own Nur which enlightens the hearts of the lovers of the dear Prophet (saw).

A Muslim visiting Saudi Arabia hoping to see the rich Islamic heritage of the Holy Land will be somewhat disappointed. The Saudis have demolished it! The exact birthplace of the Prophet (saw) is now a library. There is no clue whatsoever to suggest that this was the place where he was born. The only way a person can know this is through hearsay.

The cave Hira is a unique focus point in Islam, since it was the sacred place where the Prophet (saw) used to meditate in solitude before Prophethood, and because it was the place where Jibra'eel (A.S) brought the first revelation from Allah (S.W.T). However, the Saudis have erected a massive billboard at the foot of the mountain telling the people not to climb the mountain or do du'a etc. This propaganda is baseless and misleading. For instance, the mountains of Safa and Marwa became the signs of Allah (S.W.T) because Hadhrat Ismaeel (A.S)'s mother ran between them.

“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the house in the season or at other times should compass them round; there is no sin in them. And if anyone obeys his own impulse to good, be sure that Allah is He Who recognises and knows.
(Holy Qur’an - 2:158)

Surely the cave Hira is a sign of Allah (S.W.T) too, since it was where the Holy Qur’an's first verses were revealed and our dear Prophet (saw) used to pray to Allah Almighty.

The Holy Qur’an tells us the story of Hadhrat Maryam (S.A) and how she prayed to Allah (S.W.T) in her mehrab (place of worship).

“Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From Allah: for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure."

“There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: "O my Lord! grant me from You a progeny that is pure; for You are He that hears (the) prayer!"

“While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels called him: "Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah and (be besides) noble chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous."

“He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?" "Thus" was the answer “Allah accomplish what He wills."
(Holy Qur’an - 3:37-40)

Hadhrat Zakariah (A.S) used to look after her, and every time he entered the mehrab, he would find Maryam (S.A) with different fruits. The fruits themselves were out of season, so that added to Hadhrat Zakariah (A.S)'s curiosity. He asked her about where she got the fruits from. She replied, as the Holy Qur’an says: "That is from Allah, Allah gives whomsoever He pleases without measure." (Holy Qur’an - 3:37)

Hadhrat Zakariah (R.A) then prayed to Allah (S.W.T) in this same mehrab, because he believed it to be a sacred place, and where the Mercies of Allah (S.W.T) descended. He prayed for a child, and as a result of this blessed place Allah bestowed him Hadhrat Yahya (A.S).

During my conversation with the local Saudi, he learnt that I had studied in Al-Azhar University, Egypt. He told me that Muslims of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East were 'Mutasawwefeens' and that the people of the Arab peninsula were 'Salfis'. I asked him whether he therefore thought that all previous Muslims before the appearance of the Salfis were wrong, including the great scholars like Imam Ghazali and Imam Jalaluddin Suyooti. He replied 'Kullohum allal Khata' - all of them were wrong. For them, Islam started in the previous century, with the appearance of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab. I pointed out that sufiism was the soul or 'Ruh' of Islam and that without it, Islam becomes a list of Do's and Don'ts, not dissimilar to communism. It becomes lifeless and a religion of the mosque only, not a religion for all times and all places. He dismissed my proposition quite staunchly.

I told him that they consider themselves to be reviving the Sunnah and destroying Bidah (innovation). But how could they claim to be doing this, when they have little or no respect for the bearer of the Sunnah, our dear Prophet (saw). The Saudi had no reply but simply attempted to say that they did have respect for the dear Prophet (saw).

It's a sad fact that I have seen more of Islam's rich heritage in Cairo, Jerusalem and Amman, than I have seen in Makkah Muazzamah and Madinah Munawwarah, despite the fact that they are considered the centre of Islam. Of course the heritage is there, but the Saudis have done all they can to conceal or annihilate it.

May Allah guide them to the right path and make them realise that respecting your past is the key to success in the future. Amin!

* Haakim, Ba'Haqqi and Tibrani, Abu Naeem, and Ibn Asaakir have all narrated a Hadith from Hadhrat Umar (R.A) that the dear Prophet (saw) said, "When Hadhrat Adam (A.S) committed the original sin he prayed to Allah 'In the name of Muhammad (saw), please forgive me'. Allah asked, 'And how do you know Muhammad (saw)?' Adam replied, 'Because when You created me with Your own hands, and blew Your Ruh into me, I looked up at the pillars of the Arsh (throne) and I saw 'La illaha illallah Muhammad ur Rasool Allah' written there. And I knew that you would not couple your name with anyone except the most beloved of Your creation.' Allah replied, 'O Adam, you are correct. For if it wasn't for Muhammad (saw) I would not have created you'." (p.28, Khasaa Ese Kubraa, Imam Jalaluddin Suyooti, Volume 1, Al Maktaba Al Qayemma)

MEKAH - SOON - Post 2010

2008-11-19T13:37:00.008+08:00

The new look of Mekah/Makkah - soon to be! Like it? Don't forget to see too how humble and tiny Baitullah (The House) will soon be. How gigantic - soon to be completed Abraj Al-Bait! (Towers of The House). Will be sharing more news - soon ...

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by jiefy

Meet Yoda - The Cat With Four Ears

2008-10-11T21:46:00.004+08:00

Meet Yoda, a household pet born with an extra pair of ears.

Chicago, Illinois, couple Valerie and Ted Rock took the cat in two years ago after they visited a local bar, where a group of drinkers were handing the animal around and making fun of him.

Since being adopted by the Rocks and after getting his picture posted on the Internet, the two-year-old feline has become an international media celebrity.

The Rocks have received calls from Good Morning America, Fox News and The Tyra Banks Show. The moggy's mugshot has graced the pages of the London Guardian and British tabloids.

Despite his strange appearance, Yoda - named after the pointy-eared Star Wars character - is a perfectly normal and affectionate cat and a delight to have around.

His extra ears are thought to be the result of a genetic mutation.

But Yoda's owners are keeping a close watch on their much-loved pet. They are concerned he could be catnapped because he is so different.

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Manufactured Famine - Snatching Food from the Mouths of the Poor!

2008-09-21T11:08:00.002+08:00

A new wave of food colonialism manufactures famine in Africa and Asia

By George Monbiot
The Guardian, August 26 2008

In his book Late Victorian Holocausts, Mike Davis tells the story of the famines that sucked the guts out of India in the 1870s. The hunger began when a drought, caused by El Nino, killed the crops on the Deccan plateau. As starvation bit, the viceroy, Lord Lytton, oversaw the export to England of a record 6.4 million hundredweight of wheat. While Lytton lived in imperial splendor and commissioned, among other extravagances, “the most colossal and expensive meal in world history,” between 12 and 29 million people died.[1] Only Stalin manufactured a comparable hunger.

Now a new Lord Lytton is seeking to engineer another brutal food grab. As Tony Blair’s favoured courtier, Peter Mandelson often created the impression that he would do anything to please his master. Today he is the European trade commissioner. From his sumptuous offices in Brussels and Strasbourg, he hopes to impose a treaty which will permit Europe to snatch food from the mouths of some of the world’s poorest people.

Seventy per cent of the protein eaten by the people of Senegal comes from fish.[2] Traditionally cheaper than other animal products, it sustains a population which ranks close to the bottom of the human development index. One in six of the working population is employed in the fishing industry; some two-thirds of these workers are women.[3] Over the past three decades, their means of subsistence has started to collapse as other nations have plundered Senegal’s stocks.

The European Union has two big fish problems. One is that, partly as a result of its failure to manage them properly, its own fisheries can no longer meet European demand. The other is that its governments won’t confront their fishing lobbies and decommission all the surplus boats. The EU has tried to solve both problems by sending its fishermen to West Africa. Since 1979 it has struck agreements with the government of Senegal, granting our fleets access to its waters. As a result, Senegal’s marine ecosystem has started to go the same way as ours. Between 1994 and 2005, the weight of fish taken from the country’s waters fell from 95,000 tons to 45,000 tons. Muscled out by European trawlers, the indigenous fishery is crumpling: the number of boats run by local people has fallen by 48% since 1997.[4]

In a recent report on this pillage, ActionAid shows that fishing families which once ate three times a day are now eating only once or twice. As the price of fish rises, their customers also go hungry. The same thing has happened in all the west African countries with which the EU has maintained fisheries agreements.[5,6] In return for wretched amounts of foreign exchange, their primary source of protein has been looted.

The government of Senegal knows this, and in 2006 it refused to renew its fishing agreement with the EU. But European fishermen — mostly from Spain and France — have found ways round the ban. They have been registering their boats as Senegalese, buying up quotas from local fishermen and transferring catches at sea from local boats. These practices mean that they can continue to take the country’s fish, and have no obligation to land them in Senegal. Their profits are kept on ice until the catch arrives in Europe.

Mandelson’s office is trying to negotiate economic partnership agreements with African countries. They were supposed to have been concluded by the end of last year, but many countries, including Senegal, have refused to sign. The agreements insist that European companies have the right both to establish themselves freely on African soil, and to receive national treatment. This means that the host country is not allowed to discriminate between its own businesses and European companies. Senegal would be forbidden to ensure that its fish are used to sustain its own industry and to feed its own people. The dodges used by European trawlers would be legalized.

The UN’s Economic Commission for Africa has described the EU’s negotiations as “not sufficiently inclusive.” They suffer from a “lack of transparency” and from the African countries’ lack of capacity to handle the legal complexities.[7] ActionAid shows that Mandelson’s office has ignored these problems, raised the pressure on reluctant countries and “moved ahead in the negotiations at a pace much faster than the [African nations] could handle.” If these agreements are forced on West Africa, Lord Mandelson will be responsible for another imperial famine.

This is one instance of the food colonialism which is again coming to govern the relations between rich counties and poor. As global food supplies tighten, rich consumers are pushed into competition with the hungry. Last week the environmental group WWF published a report on the UK’s indirect consumption of water, purchased in the form of food.[8] We buy much of our rice and cotton, for example, from the Indus Valley, which contains most of Pakistan’s best farmland. To meet the demand for exports, the valley’s aquifers are being pumped out faster than they can be recharged. At the same time, rain and snow in the Himalayan headwaters have decreased, probably as a result of climate change. In some places, salt and other crop poisons are being drawn through the diminishing water table, knocking out farmland for good. The crops we buy are, for the most part, freely traded, but the unaccounted costs all accrue to Pakistan.

Now we learn that Middle Eastern countries, led by Saudi Arabia, are securing their future food supplies by trying to buy land in poorer nations. The Financial Times reports that Saudi Arabia wants to set up a series of farms abroad, each of which could exceed 100,000 hectares. Their produce would not be traded: it would be shipped directly to the owners. The FT, which usually agitates for the sale of everything, frets over “the nightmare scenario of crops being transported out of fortified farms as hungry locals look on.” Through “secretive bilateral agreements,” the paper reports, “the investors hope to be able to bypass any potential trade restriction that the host country might impose during a crisis.”[9]

Both Ethiopia and Sudan have offered the oil states hundreds of thousands of hectares.[10,11] This is easy for the corrupt governments of these countries: in Ethiopia the state claims to own most of the land; in Sudan an envelope passed across the right desk magically transforms other people’s property into foreign exchange.[12] But 5.6 million Sudanese and 10 million Ethiopians are currently in need of food aid. The deals their governments propose can only exacerbate such famines.

None of this is to suggest that the poor nations should not sell food to the rich. To escape from famine, countries must enhance their purchasing power. This often means selling farm products, and increasing their value by processing them locally. But there is nothing fair about the deals I have described. Where once they used gunboats and sepoys, the rich nations now use chequebooks and lawyers to seize food from the hungry. The scramble for resources has begun, but — in the short term at any rate — we will hardly notice. The rich world’s governments will protect themselves from the political cost of shortages, even if it means that other people must starve.

Blogs or Frogs?

2008-09-17T14:15:00.003+08:00

After reading about all the calamities and crises around the world, it is so refreshing to have come upon this comic strip. Here is something to bring back the smile ...enjoy ...!

2012: The End of the World?

2008-09-16T21:59:00.012+08:00

2012 - Speculation and Theories involving the year 2012 - Eschatology and End Times Beliefs - 2012 The End? - An examination of the Mayans

The ancient peoples of Mesoamerica were of a vast interconnected empire, filled with rich art, education and destruction. The Maya were one of these tribes. Other than archaeological intrigue why are these people so studied? Their written language was based on pictographs, much like the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Mayan culture was like most other native cultures.

The Maya had an understanding of mathematics and understood the value of zero long before its discovery in the Eastern parts of the world. Their understanding of numbers and astronomy gave us the Mayan calendars of the Long and Short Counts. So why does this calendar attract so much attention now? The Mayan calendar ends on the Gregorian calendar date of December 21, 2012, which most people believe is the total end of civilization, as we know it, while others believe it is simply a change of enlightenment in this current time. Many theories have sprung up about this end date, ranging from the laughable, to the religious, to the scientific.

There are actually three Mayan calendar systems, the 365-day Solar year, the 260-day Ritual year, and the 5,128 years of the World Time calendar. The Haab or Solar year was broken down into an 18 month plus five days cycle. 18 months of 20 days and the 5 soulless days which were thought to be of ill omen, kind of like 5 days of Friday the 13th. The Tzolkin (zol-KEEN) or Sacred Round was the 260-day ritual calendar was broken down by days, not months. This religious calendar was the basis on how the people, singly and collectively, went on with their day-to-day lives according to destiny.

August 11, 3.114 B.C. when the world began in, long count to Gregorian translation. This beginning date was reached by finding a point in future time (December 21 2012) and counting backwards, as theories go, which gives us a 5,126 year span, not including year zero. This is still one year off if year zero is included. The Mayan World calendar is a series of 5,128 years per span. What is the extra year? Were translations wrong somehow, it is quite possible.

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So what is supposed to happen on this magical date of December 21, 2012?

One theory suggests that a Magnetic Field shift will occur around this time, that the calendar was based on pole shifts, which have occurred repetitively throughout the Earths history. The Maya, understanding the time periods between these shifts created their Long count calendar around them and come up with the final date for the next pole shift. But how would they know what to look for to expect another shift? How much time was supposed to pass between these shifts and how did they know it? Was there record passed down to them from long ago recounting a time when there was a prior pole shift so that mathematics could be used to predict the next one to come? Or did the ancients study a form of dendrochronology the study of climate changes by looking at tree rings. Others suggest a much more mythical or religious approach. December 21, 2012 is also the Winter Solstice, and provides us with a view that will not be seen again in any of our lifetimes. The Sun will conjunct the intersection of the Milky Way in the ecliptic, giving us view of the Sacred Tree as called by the Maya, giving us view of the Tree of Life. Both of these scenarios are quite possible, one scientific explanation, and one religious. What we still do not know, and probably will not know is what will happen after this end date until it actually occurs. A new dawn of enlightenment would be a step towards progression, in that mankind would become more aware of their surroundings and the impact that they have on the Earth as well as a higher intelligence and consciousness and a better mindset for helping their fellow man. Perhaps this is the end, when Mother Nature finally decides to shrug off the oppressiveness that has been created by the children and start anew. We may just end up living through another doomsday prophecy, going to work or school as usual, looking back on the prophecies and laughing them off. Peter may have cried wolf too often for our cynical minds.

What is the Mayan Calendar?

The Maya calendar is a system of complex and highly developed calendars created by the Maya Civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. This series of calendars, includes a sacred 260-day calendar, called the Tzol'kin, a 365-day calendar called the Haab, and a 52-Haab cycle called the Calendar Round, which synchronised the Tzol'kin and Haab cycles.

The importance of time in the Maya culture

The Maya believed that time was cyclical instead of the western conception of linear time. This means that they thought that time repeated itself, so therefore, if they knew the past they could predict the future. By understanding time, they Maya could gain power over their world.

The Tzol’kin

The Tzol'kin calendar combines twenty day names with thirteen numbers to produce 260 unique days. It was used to determine the time of religious and ceremonial events and for divination.

Divination

The Maya believed that each day of the Tzol’kin had a character that influenced events. The Maya had a shaman-priest, whose name meant day keeper, that read the Tzol’kin to predict the future. When a child was born, the day keeper would interpret the Tzol’kin cycle to predict the baby’s destiny. For example, a child born on the day of Ak’abal was thought to be feminine, wealthy, verbally skillful, and possibly a liar, cheat or complainer. The birthday of Ak’abal was also thought to give the child the ability to communicate with the supernatural world, so he or she might become a priest shaman or a marriage spokesman. In the Maya highlands, babies were even named after the day they were born on.

Origin of the Tzol’kin

The exact origin of the Tzol’kin is not known, but there are several theories. One theory is that the calendar came from mathematical operations based on the numbers thirteen and twenty, which were important numbers to the Maya. The number twenty was the basis of the Maya counting system, taken from the number of human fingers and toes. (See Maya numerals). Thirteen symbolized the number of levels in the Upperworld where gods lived. The numbers multiplied together equal 260. Another theory is that the 260-day period came from the length of human pregnancy. It is postulated that midwives originally developed the calendar to predict babies’ expected birth dates.

The Haab

The Haab was the Maya solar calendar made up of eighteen months of twenty days each and a five day month at the end of the year known as Wayeb or Uayeb that was called "the nameless days." Victoria Bricker estimates that the Haab was first used around 550 B.C.E. with the starting point of the winter solstice. The Haab was the foundation of the agrarian calendar and the month names are based on the seasons and agricultural events. For example the thirteenth month, Mac, may refer to the end of the rainy season and the fourteenth month, Kankin, may refer to ripe crops in the fall.

Wayeb

The five nameless days at the end of the calendar called Wayeb were thought to be a dangerous time. Lynn Foster writes that, "During Wayeb, portals between the mortal realm and the Underworld dissolved. No boundaries prevented the ill-intending deities from causing disasters." To ward off these evil spirits, the Maya had customs and rituals they practiced during Wayeb. For example, people avoided leaving their houses or washing or combing their hair.

The long count calendar

There was also a Long Count calendar which started at [0.0.0.0.0] (with Maya record) on August 11, 3114 BC according to the "Goodman, Martinez-Hernandez, and Thompson" correlation (nicknamed "GMT"), the most widely accepted correlation between the Maya and Gregorian calendar. This cycle is 1,872,000 days in length, terminates on the Winter Solstice of (December 21) AD 2012 and is designated [13.0.0.0.0] or [0.0.0.0.0], since the Maya believed that time is somehow periodical. Another widely-used correlation, that of Lounsbury, correlates the start-day to August 13, 3114 BC and the terminal date to December 23, AD

The end of the world?

The turn of the great cycle is conjectured to have been of great significance to the Maya, but does not necessarily mark the end of the world. According to the Popol Vuh, a sacred book of the Maya, they were living in the fourth world. The Popal Vuh describes the first three worlds that the gods failed in making and the creation of the successful fourth world were men were placed. They Maya believed that the fourth world would end in catastrophe and the fifth and final world would be created that would signal the end of mankind.

The Venus cycle

Another important calendar for the Maya was the Venus cycle. The Maya were excellent astronomers, and could calculate the Venus cycle with only a two-hour margin of error. The Maya were able to achieve such accuracy by careful observation over many years. The Venus cycle was especially important because the Maya believed it was associated with war and used it to divine good times for coronations and war. Maya rulers planned for wars to begin when Venus rose. The Maya also tracked other planet’s movements such as Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter.

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The Mayan Calendar Explained:

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Mayan 2012 Secrets Revealed pt1/18

2012 Predictions of Galactic Alignment of the Ancient Mayans

2012 Galactic Alignment Scientific Facts on What Will Happen

This Machine Is the Future of Physics

2008-09-13T15:02:00.016+08:00

More on the world's greatest experiment in physics!

By Alexis Madrigal
09.10.08

The Large Hadron Collider, the world's most-powerful atom smasher, is an engineering marvel constructed hundreds of feet underground.

Composed of millions of individual pieces, the collider uses more than 9,000 magnets to accelerate two beams of protons to almost the speed of light. When the beams collide, they shatter into their constituent parts, allowing scientists to glimpse particles that don't exist in standard environments.

The hard part, actually, becomes finding the rare and important particles among all the normal ones created in smashing atoms. Toward that end, physicists designed cathedral-size experimental chambers that feature some of the most-precise measurement tools ever created by man. One scientist described them as 150-megapixel digital cameras taking snapshots 600 million times a second.

In this gallery, we take you on a quick tour of the world's most complex scientific machine.

The Globe of Science and Innovation marks the site of the 17-square-mile underground Large Hadron Collider, the biggest physics experiment in the world, which starts smashing atoms ON Sept. 10 2008. (Photo: BUL Collection)

The Globe of Innovation at CERN, the world's largest particle physics laboratory. CERN has 20 European members and 7,931 scientists and engineers.( Photo: CERN)

Taken inside ATLAS, this image shows the Hadronic Endcap Liquid Argon Calorimeter. The calorimeter can measure the loss of energy from a collision, which could be caused by the creation of dark matteR. (Photo: Roy Langstaff)

The ALICE detector, a piece of which is pictured here, will be used in experiments designed to mimic the moments just after the Big Bang. Cosmologists hope to see how the superheated plasma present at the beginning of creation cooled into the particles we see in the world today. More than 1,000 scientists have collaborated on the ALICE experiment.(Photo: Maximilien Brice).

The ATLAS experimental chamber, pictured here, is 150-feet long, 82-feet high and weighs more than 15,000 pounds. It's the largest detector at the LHC and the handiwork of more than 1,700 scientists.(Photo: Claudia Marcelloni)

Unlike most of the other experiments at the LHC, the Compact Muon Solenoid was built above ground and then lowered into place in 15 sections. Here, the last section is brought into place for reassembly underground.(Photo: Maximilien Brice)

One of the final pieces is inserted into the Compact Muon Solenoid, or CMS, one of the largest detectors at the Large Hadron Collider. Built around an enormous solenoid magnet that generates a magnetic field 100,000 times that of the Earth, the CMS will be in on the hunt for the Higgs boson, dark matter and extra dimensions. More than 2,000 scientists from 37 countries will work with the CMS.(Photo: Maximilien Brice)

The Guardian newspaper once wrote, "Particle physics is the unbelievable in pursuit of the unimaginable." Here, we see the unbelievable ATLAS Magnet Toroid Endcap rolling through the streets of the LHC campus. The Endcap is one of three major magnets in the detector's system. (Photo: Claudia Marcelloni)

Here, a technician works on one of the major experimental areas within the Large Hadron Collider: the ATLAS all-purpose particle detector. ATLAS will be used to search for the long-postulated Higgs boson as well as for clues about dark matter and the nature of the universe.(Photo: Roy Langstaff)

The Silicon Pixel detector, pictured under construction, of the ALICE detector recorded the very first particle tracks produced by the LHC back on June 15 during a test run of the machine.(Photo: Maximilien Brice)

Scientists watch the second and final test of the LHC's beam-synchronization systems on Aug. 22.(Photo: Maximilien Brice)

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, which goes by its French acronym, CERN, is home of the Large Hadron Collider, located on the border between Switzerland and France northwest of Geneva.(Courtesy CERN)

Scientists Start World's Biggest Physics Project

2008-09-12T22:05:00.008+08:00

I find this piece of news to be truly incredible - sheer advancement in science! If man could actually prove the reality of the 'big bang' theory and thereby confirm the origin of the universe, what next? Will religion be affected? ......

Scientists Start World's Biggest Physics Project:
(D Ravi Kanth / Geneva September 11, 2008, 5:14 IST)
(Business Standard)

Experiments using the Large Hadron Collider could unlock secrets about the universe and its origins. Scientists and engineers today celebrated the successful steering of a beam of protons around a 27-km tunnel that houses the world’s largest collider at the European Nuclear Research Organization situated on the Geneva-France countryside, paving the way for a series of scientific experiments to reveal the early building blocks in the formation of the universe.

“There it is,” Lyn Evans, the leader of Large Hadron Collider project, declared proudly when two white dots of proton beam flashed on the computer screen, amid exultant scenes of triumph in crossing the first step of what is going to be the mother of all experiments in the arena of particle physics.

“It is a fantastic moment,” said Evans, the former British military commander. “We can now look forward to a new era of understanding about the origins and evolution of the universe.”

It required a Herculean effort to ensure that thousands of individual elements that went into the construction of the largest particle collider work in harmony and timings have to be synchronized to under a billionth of a second, said Dr Vinod Chohan, leader of CERN-India collaboration division.

India’s scientific and engineering personnel played a significant role in the construction of the LHC project, especially in providing 1,706 assemblies of cryomagnets that are essential for acceleration functions in the LHC. “Testing and qualification of the magnets at cryogenic temperature is a prerequisite for the installation of the Large Hadron Collider,” said Dr Chohan, suggesting that the Indian assistance is invaluable.

“We are in an era where Indian physicists are full-fledged members of the LHC experiment,” said Chohan, the Indian-origin British physicist.

“It has been a fascinating and rewarding experience for us,” said Vinod C Sahni, director of the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology in Indore. “Overall, Indian contribution to LHC accelerator is Swiss Franc 43 million (about $42.5 million) containing a variety of components and systems besides skilled manpower support for magnetic tests and measurements and help in commissioning LHC subsystems.”

Today’s experiment is a first step to ensure that the proton beams are captured and retained well in heavy magnetic fields that dominate the tunnel. After several experiments of steering the beams both in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, the ground will be prepared for the collision of protons in the coming months. “The collision and subsequent experiments will reveal the moment when the first building blocks of the universe began to take shape after the big bang,” he argued. “The LHC is a discovery machine,” said CERN’s Director General Robert Aymar, “Its research programme has the potential to change our view of the universe profoundly.”

Once the machine’s acceleration systems are brought into play to create conditions of 7,000 GeV, a measure for huge energy that will be generated, and the conditions of collision will be created, scientists will study the four experiments that are being carried out. The LHC, which is estimated at about $9 billion and has attracted researchers from around 80 countries, will provide ideal conditions for a collision of proton particles at the speed of light, whizzing 11,000 times a second around the tunnel.

The CERN’s four experiments are expected to throw more light on “dark matter”, antimatter and other dimensions. The CMS experiment will provide evidence of the Higgs Boson, which is referred to as the God’s particle, that provides mass to all other particles, and thus to the matter that makes up the universe. According to the theory, particles acquire their mass through interactions with an all-pervading field carried by the Higgs.

The universe is made up of 4 per cent ordinary matter, 23 per cent dark matter and 73 per cent dark energy. The LHC is expected to throw light on this mysterious stuff called the dark matter and dark energy.

Big bang effort:

Following are some facts about the Big Bang and CERN’s particle-smashing experiment:

WHAT IS CERN:
CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, is one of the world's largest and most respected centres for scientific research
Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works
Founded in 1954, CERN now has 20 member states, plus six actively participant observers including the United States and Russia

WHAT IS THE BIG BANG?
The name “Big Bang” was coined in 1949 by British scientist Fred Hoyle. It says the universe expanded rapidly from a highly compressed primordial state, which resulted in a significant decrease in density and temperature
It is the only explanation of an expanding universe, which shows how stars and planets came together out of the primeval chaos that followed

RECREATING THE BIG BANG:
The final tests involved pumping a single bunch of energy particles from the project's accelerator into the 27-km beam pipe of the collider and steering them counter-clockwise around it for about 3 km
The collider aims to simulate conditions milliseconds after the “Big Bang”, which created the universe around 13.7 billion years ago.
The collisions, in which both particle clusters will be travelling at the speed of light, will be monitored on computers at CERN and laboratories around the world by scientists looking for, among other things, a particle that made life possible.

The Ultimate Internet Entrepreneur Asia Workshop

2008-09-07T12:04:00.002+08:00

Today is the third and final day for the aspiring internet marketers who are attending the course mentioned above. It's been an intensive but great three days in which much knowledge about internet marketing has been imparted to the hungry minds present. Everyone seems to be very eager to learn and to start making money immediately from the internet. I am here as one of the workshop's facilitators.
In the photo are my table mates, from left: Christy, Victor, Jasmine, John and yours truly.

MERDEKA MALAYSIA MERDEKA!!

2008-08-31T20:52:00.009+08:00

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!.... Today, Sunday 31st August 2008, Malaysia celebrates its 51st Merdeka Day!(Independence Day). Yesterday, I took part in the "HIJRAH MERDEKA AMAL MUBARAK 2008", organised by MUBARAK (Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Wilayah Persekutuan), in conjunction with the spirit of Merdeka. (Will elaborate on this event later.)

What was important was the fact that never before have I sang a patriotic song (Jalur Gemilang) and the Malaysian National Anthem (Negara Ku) for so many times in a day! We sang them each time we stopped at our 'kembara' ('adventure') destination and in total there were 6 stops - including having tea with the TYT Yang diPertua Negeri Melaka (Governor of Malacca) and finally, dinner at the residence of YAB Ketua Menteri Melaka(Chief Minister of Malacca). Naturally, the final destination was where we celebrated the much awaited moment! Having sung the song and the national anthem several times already, our patriotic enthusiasm was at an all time high! The minute the clock struck 12 midnite, we excitedly waved our mini flags and sang more patriotic songs with patriotic gusto! It was fun! The food was good too (loved the kambing beryani!) and the musical band that entertained us throughout the whole evening was great also!

We spent the nite in Malacca at the Seri Warisan Hotel in Air Keroh and this morning, many proceeded to see the Merdeka parade, whilst some, including me, decided to drive back to Kuala Lumpur.

As a commemoration to Malaysia's Merdeka Day today, am gonna share some patriotic songs and videos with you. MERDEKA!

Negaraku dan Laungan Merdeka 1957:

31 Ogos by Sudirman Hj Arshad:

Lagu Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia 51:

Jalur Gemilang:

Malaysia Gemilang:

Budget 2009 - ForThe Well-being Of All Malaysians

2008-08-29T22:44:00.012+08:00

WELL MALAYSIANS! HERE'S THE NEW BUDGET FOR US!

August 29, 2008 17:27 PM

Budget 2009 For The Well-being Of All Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The government today tabled Budget 2009 which focuses on measures to maintain the well-being of Malaysians that has been enhanced over the last 51 years since independence, by seeking to strengthen the nation's economic resilience to mitigate the adverse impact of an increasingly challenging external environment.

"Today, as we face a global environment of higher prices and slower economic growth, I am confident, if we remain united, we shall overcome this challenge as well," said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when tabling in the Dewan Rakyat next year's budget carrying the theme of "A Caring Government".

The strategies formulated demonstrate that the government was responsive to the concerns of the people and had taken measures to lighten the burden of all Malaysians, particularly the lower income group, he said.

The approach taken was focused towards support and assistance, which not only improved the quality of life but also enabled all Malaysians to enhance their productivity, he added.

The budget was also in line with the medium-term plan as articulated in the National Mission and the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to further develop the nation towards Vision 2020.

Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister, proposed for next year's budget an allocation of RM207.9 billion, of which RM154.2 billion was for operating expenditure and RM53.7 billion for development expenditure, and said the budget focused on the three specific strategies of ensuring the well-being of Malaysians, developing quality human capital, and strengthening the nation's resilience.

He said that in ensuring the well-being of the people, the government would ensure that all Malaysians would continue to benefit from the country's economic growth.

"The government will implement a broad range of measures to reduce the impact of the higher cost of living, particularly among the lower income group and the vulnerables," he said.

As in previous budgets, the government empathised with the difficulties faced by the lower income group, he said and announced that the government had raised the eligibility criteria for welfare assistance under the Welfare Department from a monthly household income of RM400 to RM720 for Peninsular Malaysia, RM830 for Sarawak and RM960 for Sabah.

Abdullah said the government recognised the contributions of pensioners towards the development of the country, and in assisting the lower income pensioners cope with the recent price increases, government pensioners who had served at least 25 years upon retirement would be given a pension of not less than RM720 per month from Jan 1 next year.

The prime minister said the government had always assisted victims of calamities, such as floods and fire, and would now set up a special fund of RM25 million to channel timely financial assistance to families deprived of their sources of income, particularly arising from accidents to breadwinners.

Efforts to eradicate poverty remains an important government agenda in Budget 2009. Abdullah said the government was confident that hardcore poverty would be eradicated by 2010.

He also said that the government would continue to implement programmes to enhance income, as well as provide skills and career development training under the "Skim Pembangunan Kesejahteraan Rakyat" programme.

Abdullah said the government proposed an allocation of RM220 million for the "Program Lonjakan Mega Luar Bandar" rural development programme being implemented in Pulau Banggi, Sabah, and Tanjung Gahai in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, which would benefit 13,300 households.

The provision of housing for the poor was being stepped up with the government proposing a RM50 million allocation to build 1,400 houses and repair 1,000.

Abdullah said priority would be given to senior citizens, the disabled and single parents with many dependents as well as victims of natural disasters.

He also said that hardcore poverty in Sabah and Sarawak was also being given attention in the budget. He said measures would continue to be taken to increase income and enhance the quality of life of Malaysians in the two states by improving basic amenities, such as electricity, water and rural roads.

For this, RM580 million and RM420 million were being allocated for Sabah and Sarawak, respectively, he said.

Abdullah also said that as part of the government's effort to further reduce the financial burden of the lower income group, households which incurred monthly electricity bills of RM20 or less would not have to pay for electricity for the period of Oct 1 2008 to the end of 2009.

A total of 1.1 million households would benefit from this measure which would cost the government RM170 million for the period, he added.

Abdullah said that realising that higher inflation rate had also affected the purchasing power of the lower middle-income group, the government proposed that the current tax rebate of RM350 per person be increased to RM400 for those with taxable income of RM35,000 and below. With this increase, some 100,000 tax payers would be out of the tax net, he added.

Additionally, to reduce the tax burden of individuals, especially those dependent on interest income from savings, the government proposed that all interest income for individuals be tax exempt.

To mitigate the impact of rising prices on consumers, the government proposed to reduce import duties on various consumer durables from between 10 per cent and 60 per cent to between five per cent and 30 per cent. These included blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle.

Abdullah also said that the government would reduce the road tax on private passenger vehicles with diesel engines to be the same as those with petrol engines effective Sept 1 this year as, currently, private passenger vehicles with diesel engines owned by individuals and companies were subject to a higher road tax compared with those with petrol engines.

The prime minister said the primary strategy of Budget 2009 was to focus on measures to make employee welfare a priority. He said that to encourage the private sector to give employee welfare priority, the government proposed that the travel allowance for commuting to work provided by employers be given full tax deduction while the employees receiving such an allowance be given tax exemption of up to RM2,400 per year.

Furthermore, the government has proposed tax exemption for private sector employers who give their employees interest subsidies on loans for housing, motor vehicles and education limited to total loans of up to RM300,000 in a move to make employee welfare a priority in the private sector.

Abdullah said tax exemption was also proposed for employers who provided mobile phones for their staff and paid their telephone and Internet bills. It was also proposed that employers be given tax exemption for staff discounts of up to RM1,000 a year on company traded goods, he said.

He also said that the proposed tax exemption also covered staff discounts rendered by the company, such as private schools providing free education to children of their employees. It was also proposed that tax exemption be given for childcare allowance of up to RM2,400 per year.

Abdullah said the government proposed to extend the tax exemption on medical benefits by employers to include maternity expenses. In addition, he said, given the growing acceptance of traditional medicine, namely acupuncture and ayurvedic, the government also proposed an extension of tax exemption to cover such medical benefits.

The prime minister said that to assist civil servants with young children, the government proposed to raise from RM2,000 to RM3,000 from Jan 1 next year the eligibility criteria of monthly household income for those households provided with the RM180 monthly subsidy towards nursery fees.

He also said that the free return air fares to home states, between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, enjoyed by government servants once every two years to foster closer family ties would be provided every year from Jan 1 next year.

Abdullah said the government would continue to encourage greater utilisation of public transportation, in the context of improving the productivity and quality of life.

"I believe a more efficient, reliable and integrated public transportation, which provides seamless travel and greate frequency of services, is required," he said.

The prime minister said RM35 billion would be expended between 2009 and 2014 to further improve the efficiency of public transportation, which included projects to enhance the capacity of existing rail services, build new rail tracks, increase the number of buses, as well as provide better infrastructure facilities.

Besides increasing the number of RapidPenang buses to 350 next year, he said, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the Klang Valley would be extended by 30 km, that is 15 km respectively for the Kelana Jaya and Ampang lines.

"Upon completion in 2011, the extensions are expected to benefit 2.6 million residents in the Subang Jaya-USJ and Kinrara-Puchong areas, compared with 1.9 million currently," he said.

Abdullah said a new LRT line would be built along a 42-km route from Kota Damansara to Cheras, with a capacity exceeding 300,000 passengers daily when completed in 2014.

He also said that Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Berhad commuter rail services would be upgraded through the rehabilitation of the existing 20 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), which was expected to be completed next year, and the addition of 13 new units of EMUs by 2011.

The 7.5-km Sentul-Batu Caves rail track was under construction and was expected to be completed by 2010, he added.

To provide facilities for inter-urban taxis and buses from the northern region, a new integrated terminal would be built, he said, adding that the terminal would contribute towards further reducing traffic congestion in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Abdullah said the government would continue to help reduce the operating costs of public transport operators.

Besides the recent increase in the quota for diesel subsidy, the government would provide a soft loan facility of RM3 billion under the Public Transportation Fund, administered by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd, to finance the acquisition of buses and rail assets, he said.

He said the government also proposed to reduce toll charges by 50 per cent for all buses, except at border entry points, namely the Johor Causeway, Second Link and Bukit Kayu Hitam, for a period of two years from Sept 15 this year.

The government would provide compensation to toll operators for their loss of revenue, estimated at RM45 million per year, he added.

Abdullah said bus operators would also be given sales tax exemption on the purchase of locally assembled new buses and Accelerated Capital Allowance on the expenditure incurred while road tax would be reduced to RM20 a year for all bus and taxi operators, including rent-a-car and limousine operators.

To ensure that specific attention is given to efforts for overall development of the public transportation system, Abdullah said, the Public Land Transportation Commission would be established under the Prime Minister's Department to plan, integrate, regulate and improve the overall public transportation services. The commission was expected to commence operations by mid-2009.

Abdullah also said that the government would implement several agriculture programmes to ensure adequate food supply.

For this, he said, the government had provided RM5.6 billion under the National Food Security Policy for the period 2008 to 2010, among others to provide incentives to agriculture entrepreneurs to reduce pollution costs and encourage higher agriculture output.

An amount of RM300 million had been allocated in an effort to increase fish landings. Of the sum, RM180 million was in the form of cost-of-living allowance to fishermen and fishing boat owners as well as RM120 million as incentive for fish landings.

Abdullah said the government proposed that the expansion of chicken and duck farms be given Reinvestment Allowance of 60 per cent for a period of 15 years to help increase poultry output.

An allocation of RM475 million was to be provided in the form of agricultural inputs, fertilizers and pesticides to assist padi farmers, besides proposing that import duty on fertilizers and pesticides be abolished.

Early diagnosis can save lives

2008-08-26T19:27:00.004+08:00

The journalist was on his way to a nasi lemak breakfast with a colleague when he slumped in the car seat and died. He was just 41. A pulmonary and critical care physician tells ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ that doctors are seeing more and more young people with coronary heart diseases.
THE modern sedentary lifestyle is the biggest culprit in the growing number of heart-related diseases in the country.

Kuala Lumpur Hospital's consultant pulmonary and critical care physician, Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai, says for instance, an officer worker will take a lift to his first floor office rather than use the stairs.

"But it not just taking the lift to the office and leading a highly sedentary lifestyle that will increase the risk factor."

Dr Jeyaindran says a combination of many things, such as a bad diet, fast food, smoking, stressful lifestyles and not exercising regularly contribute to the risk.
In fact, researchers in the United States have calculated that by middle age, the average person's heart is five years older than the rest of his body because of the strains of modern life.

K. Ravi, 45, a company executive who has no family history of heart disease or diabetes, suffered a massive heart attack two years ago.

Doctors know why Ravi suffered the heart attack -- he led a stressful working life, never went for regular health screening, smoked heavily and did not exercise.

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn't restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Dr Jeyaindran says acting fast at the first sign of a heart attack can save lives and limit damage to the heart. Treatment is most effective when started within one hour of the attack.

The most common heart attack signs and symptoms are:

- Chest discomfort or pain -- uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the centre of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

- Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

- Shortness of breath may occur with or before chest discomfort.

Other signs include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat, heartburn and/or indigestion, .

About one quarter of all heart attacks are silent, without chest pain or new symptoms. Silent heart attacks are especially common among patients with diabetes mellitus.

"Too often patients attribute heart attack symptoms to indigestion, fatigue, or stress, and consequently delay seeking prompt medical attention.

"Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives, and delays in getting medical assistance can be fatal."

Delay in treatment can also lead to permanently reduced function of the heart due to more extensive damage to the heart muscle.

Dr Jeyaindran says cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may improve the survival rate but it is not easy to do.

He says people who smoke, suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure, are obese and have high cholesterol level are at higher risk of having coronary artery diseases.

Age, sex and family history are also contributing factors.

An interheart2 study, Global Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Acute Myocardial Infarction, has identified nine risk factors that account for more than 90 per cent of acute heart attacks -- smoking, lipids, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption and psychosocial factors.

Each person is solely responsible for his health, says Dr Jeyaindran.

"They must lead a healthy lifestyle by exercising, controlling their sugar, blood pressure, weight and cholesterol and go for regular medical check-ups."

- NST Online -

Fill Up For Less!

2008-08-24T00:19:00.003+08:00

Aah...! 'Telur Orang Kahwin'...!

2008-08-23T18:15:00.008+08:00

Just last August 11th. I lamented about the disappearing Malay tradition in giving away 'telur orang kahwin' isn't it? Well..well..what do you know? I had to attend another wedding earlier this afternoon - the wedding of my friend Leha's son. Aah...at long last .. 'telur orang kahwin'..! Finally, I got to experience the nostalgic Malay tradition again.

You know, when my eyes fell on the 'gifts' handed to me (refer to pic), my... breadth came to a momentary standstill. I could not believe what I was seeing. Telur!! (Eggs!-I excitedly exclaimed to myself albeit, silently, ofcos!) And.. instantly I could feel the excited smile on my lips and a wave of warm, good nostalgic feeling just filled my whole being .. hmmm... I almost hug the girl to give her a kiss of 'nostalgic gratitude' but stopped myself short! Wouldn't want to have curious eyes set on me, do I? In Malay weddings no-one ever kiss the person who gives out the gifts of ... whatever. It's not a habit. Anyway, what I felt was good. Warmly good. In reflection, it is actually little things like this that brings much pleasure and happiness into our lives isn't it? I thank the Almighty for bringing good ole nostalgia back to me today and the happiness I felt...thank you .. amin...

li

Limbs Saved By Menstrual Blood?

2008-08-20T11:29:00.003+08:00

Advances in science continues to amaze me! Religion (in Islam at least) considers menstrual blood as 'dirty blood'. Even mentioning the very word is considered akin to being shameful. But now .. it can save limbs? Well.. find out more.

LIMBS SAVED BY MENSTRUAL BLOOD STEM CELLS:
Extracted From United Press International

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A U.S.-led study shows endometrial regenerative cells from menstrual blood can restore blood flow in animal models of peripheral artery disease.

Researchers led by Dr. Michael Murphy, a vascular surgeon at Indiana University, demonstrated that when circulation-blocked mice were treated with injections of the cells, circulation and functionality were restored.

Endometrial regenerative cells are stem cells taken from menstrual blood that are capable of forming into at least nine different tissue types, including heart, liver and lung.

"The advantage of ERCs is that they can be used in an 'off the shelf' manner, meaning they can be delivered to the point of care, do not require matching and are easily injectable without the need for complex equipment," said Murphy.

The experiments were performed as a collaboration of the University of Western Ontario, the Scripps Research Institute, Indiana University and several other academic centers.

The findings are reported in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

Warnings for Amylin diabetes drug!

2008-08-20T10:13:00.004+08:00

To all diabetics out there, please get to know your medicine. I too am a diabetic but I maintain my blood sugar the natural way cuz I do not trust all them drugs! More often than not doctors do not tell you the side effects. It is up to you my friends to be responsible over your own body and health. Please read this latest news:

U.S. SEEKS WARNINGS FOR AMYLIN DIABETES DRUG:
Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:57pm EDT
By Susan Heavey; REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators warned of more cases of dangerous pancreas inflammation in patients taking Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc's diabetes drug, Byetta, pounding company shares on fears of lower sales and doubts about a new version of the medicine.

The Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it received six reports of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis requiring hospitalization, including two deaths. The four others were recovering at the time of the reports.

The FDA said it was working "to add stronger, more prominent warnings in the product label" with Amylin, which co-markets the drug -- one of the most promising new diabetes medicines in recent years -- with Eli Lilly and Co.

Amylin's shares closed down 13 percent at $29.76 on the Nasdaq, while Eli Lilly's shares were down 1.5 percent at $48.05 on the New York Stock Exchange.

It was not immediately clear if the FDA would order new so- called "black box" warnings, the strongest type available, and representatives for the agency did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The companies said they would work with the agency to update the drug's label.

The new reports follow an earlier warning last October, when the FDA cited 30 reports of pancreatitis in Byetta patients. At the time, it said the drug was suspected in some of the cases, and Amylin agreed to add information about the risk to its drug label and to alert doctors about the problem.

Analysts said on Monday the additional cases could pressure doctors into discontinuing use of the drug, which has already seen prescription growth slacken in recent months, in part because of difficulty adhering to twice-daily injections.

Launched in mid-2005, Byetta was thought to have wide potential use, in part because of its ability to help type II diabetes patients lose weight.

"This is very negative and damaging news for Amylin," BMO Capital Markets analyst Jason Zhang wrote in a research note.

"Growth in demand for Byetta has been lackluster in the last couple of years ... and this development obviously can't help," Deutsche Bank analyst Barbara Ryan said in a note.

The FDA's ongoing concerns also signal a potentially stormy approval path for the experimental, once-a-week version of Byetta. The companies have said they plan to file for U.S. approval by mid 2009.

While the complication seems rare, fewer than 300 patients have been studied in advanced trials, according to Timothy Anderson, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.

"FDA may worry about LAR's effects once it is approved and used in a broader, less closely-monitored, patient population. To us, this creates regulatory risk with Byetta LAR," he said in a research note.

Lilly spokeswoman Kindra Strupp said no link had been established between Byetta and pancreatitis.

"We do remain very confident in the development program of our once-weekly" formulation of Byetta, she told Reuters.

No pancreatitis cases have been seen in Byetta LAR trials so far, she said.

The shares of Alkermes Inc, maker of technology used to develop the new version, known as Byetta LAR, closed down 10 percent at $14.73 on Nasdaq.

Byetta, also know by its chemical name, exenatide, is taken with other diabetes medicines to help lower blood sugar levels by regulating insulin production. The first in a new class of drugs called incretin memetics, it posted $636 million in 2007 net product sales, according to Amylin.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which helps aid in digestion by releasing vital hormones. The condition usually subsides within a week, according to the National Institutes of Health.

But in some patients taking Byetta, the condition worsened.

"There are no signs or symptoms that distinguish acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis associated with Byetta from the less severe form of pancreatitis," the FDA said.

Doctors who suspect pancreatitis should discontinue use of the drug and monitor patients carefully, it added.

(Additional reporting by Ransdell Pierson in New York and Toni Clarke in Boston; Editing by Maureen Bavdek and Andre Grenon)

Missing The "Telur Orang Kahwin"

2008-08-11T23:44:00.007+08:00

August seems to be the most favoured month to tie the knot this year. My August weekends are filled with wedding invitations that peaked on 08.08.08! Triple auspiciousness! The very same day Olympics began at 8.08pm sharp in China too! Ah..weddings... reminds you of beauty.. romance.. love.. and arrghh.. food!! Bless my figure as I can do with a little help of an extreme makeover right now! Anyway, if am feeling just a tad guilty, well .. hope the fasting month that begins on September 1st will more than compensate it eh. Wishful thinking? Hmm... lets see.

Now what about these weddings that I wanted to comment on??.. Oh yeah, wanted to ask "What happened to the good ole "telur orang kahwin?!". When I was little, when it came to weddings (Malay weddings that is), I always looked forward to the "telur orang kahwin" (A hardboiled egg that would be placed in nice little bags or baskets etc..and given away to guests.) cuz somehow the eggs always tasted nicer than home boiled eggs. For Johoreans, it would be "telur pindang" ofcos.(eggs that are boiled with various herbs which gives them a brown colour.) Eventho that used to be the norm in Malay weddings, it has however changed now. Everywhere I went, eggs have been replaced with chocolates, sweets, cakes, cookies, etc.. Wo..o diabetics beware plizz!

Lets ponder a little shall we? Why were eggs given? An egg signifies a new beginning, a new chapter in the life of .... Mr so and Mrs so. An egg contains all the goodness, a complete range of nutrients and ingredients that would bring forth a chirruppy little chicklet. So, an egg represents a new life and with it comes our blessings and wellwishes for the new bride and groom to have a long, happy and productive marriage. Well... how sad to think that a well meaning Malay custom is allowed to die out... just for the sake of convenience... Boy, do I miss the good ole days!

TO ALL THE NEWLY WEDS AND THOSE IN LOVE... HERE'S A BEAUTIFUL SONG - 'DEALOVA' :

Tree Man!

2008-07-09T17:26:00.004+08:00

Tree Man who grew 'roots' offered hope of new life by doctor:
- December 24, 2007 - Indonesia

Above: Dr Anthony Gaspari believes that he has diagnosed Dede's rare condition.

An Indonesian fisherman who is "half man half tree" has been offered new hope of recovery by an American doctor - and Vitamin A.

32-year-old Dede, who lives in a remote village in Indonesia with his two children, feared that he would be killed by the tree-like growths that cover his body.

Known locally as 'Tree Man' his condition has baffled local doctors for 20 years.

He has root like structures growing out of his body - branches that can grow up to 5cm a year and which protrude from his hands and feet, and welts covering his whole body.

In an attempt to earn a living to support his family, he is part of a circus troupe, displaying his Tree Man limbs along with others afflicted with skin deformities in 'freak' shows.

The former fisherman was the subject of a documentary "Half Man Half Tree", part of the "My Shocking Story" series on Discovery Channel TV.

Dede's story began when wart-like "roots" started growing out of his arms and feet after he cut his knee in a teenage accident. The medical world was completely baffled.

The welts spread rapidly across his body and soon he was not able to carry out ordinary household tasks.

Dede was sacked from his job and deserted by his wife. He has been raising two children, now in their late teens, in poverty. He is resigned to the fact that local doctors have no cure for his condition.

To try to support his family he even joined a local "freak show", parading in front of a paying audience along with victims of other peculiar diseases.

While he has the support of his extended family, he has frequently been a target of ridicule and abuse in rural fishing village where he lives.

But now new hope has emerged for Dede after an American dermatology expert flew out to his home village south of the capital Jakarta.

Dr. Anthony Gaspari of the University of Maryland claims to have identified Dede's condition, and has proposed a treatment that could completely change his life.

Following the testing of samples of the lesions and Dede's blood, Dr. Gaspari says his condition is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is a fairly common infection that usually causes small warts to develop on sufferers.

Dede's problem is that he has a rare genetic fault that impedes his immune system. This means his body is unable to contain the warts.

According to Dr. Gaspari, the virus was able to "hijack the cellular machinery of his skin cells", instructing them to produce huge amounts of the substance that caused the tree-like growths known as "cutaneous horns" on both his hands and feet.

The doctor became involved in the case through the Discovery Channel documentary, and he is convinced that Dede's condition can be largely cleared up by a daily doses of a synthetic form of Vitamin A, which has been demonstrated to stop the growth of warts in severe cases of HPV.

Dr. Gaspari said that Dede's warts should reduce in size to the point where he can use his hands. He said he had never seen anything like this in his entire career.

Dede with his teenage daughter. He fears that his children may also become infected

Weird Trees

2008-07-09T17:00:00.006+08:00

Here are some really strange trees from around this weird wonderful world. From the top down you can see: the Bike Tree, Fat Tree, Fork Tree, Six Branches Tree, Smiley Tree and the Snake Tree.

Joss Stone - Son of a Preacher Man

2008-07-04T22:17:00.002+08:00

I have only recently discovered Joss Stone and I like her vocals and style.

Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone - Janis Joplin Tribute

2008-07-04T22:12:00.002+08:00

Janis Joplin has always been one of my favourite singers but sadly she left early in her prime years due to a 'deep bout of loneliness'. Anyway, as a tribute to Janis, Melissa and Joss Stone rendered "Cry Baby" & "Take Another Piece Of My Heart" beautifully. By the way, when she sang the song, Melissa has just undergone chemotherapy for her breast cancer. That explained her baldheadedness but the spirit she displayed is indeed to be commended by all!

"Here In My Home" - Malaysian Artistes For Unity

2008-07-04T12:06:00.001+08:00

News Clips (Excerpted Fr. Malaysiakini.com):

A group of Malaysian artistes got together one fine day and made an anti -racism song and music video.

Pete was juggling tomatoes and was getting bored. So he telephoned a few friends instead: "how about getting together to make an anti-racism song and music video?" Al said yes without hesitation. Not because Pete threatened them with a rusty knife. Only because they love Malaysia.

The contingent swelled to 52 people a few days later. It included filmmakers, dancers, singers, producers. musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, designers, footballers, activists, celebrities, students and a florist. Nobody would be paid. Yet they were enthused. not because they were high on speed. Only because they love Malaysia.

They gathered to record the song. It had a catchy chorus and was able to induce a mass sing-along. everyone was happy when it was done. They named it 'Here In My Home'. Then more people joined. The party now included more than 120 people. But the budget remained exactly zero. It seems even the spreadsheet loves malaysia.

Everyone turned up for the video shoot. Much fun was had and friendships made. Video editors went to work after the shoot was done. Both the recording and the video would be given away for free. A gift to the nation. From those who love malaysia to those who feel the same.

Did you ask what this is all about?

It's about love.

Malaysiakini.tv feels that this is a beautiful project and really reflects what a majority of Malaysians feel and want -- released from the shackles of racism. We congratulate the 52 people who created this project.

Below is the entire entry in 'about' at http://www.malaysianartistesforunity.info
(The video is available for free download from this site)

I too congratulate them on this novel effort. SYABAS!!

Pfizer Starts Paying for Painkiller Deaths

2008-07-01T00:15:00.005+08:00

Source : New York Times 3 May 2008

Pfizer has started settling cases over its Celebrex and Bextra painkillers. More than 3,000 patients have claimed that the drugs caused heart attacks and strokes.

Celebrex, which is in the same class of medicines as Merck’s recalled Vioxx, is Pfizer’s third-best-selling drug. The product is still on the market, and generated $2.3 billion in sales in 2007. Pfizer withdrew Bextra in April 2005 after it was tied to a potentially fatal skin condition.

Pfizer has already reached settlements with three law firms representing more than 200 of the thousands who sued over the drugs. Firms have been offered $40,000 to $50,000 a client to resolve Bextra cases, and as much as $200,000 a client for Celebrex.