pull! push! Adventures in Internet land :-)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Gold again for Jamaica in womens 100 metre event
(Image from CNN)
Jamaicans all over the world must be going crazy this weekend and rightly so! After Usain Bolt confidently secured gold during the Men's 100 metre event, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica today won gold. Her teammates, Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, also shared the silver medal.
Shelly-Ann Fraser (Wikipedia)
Kerron Stewart (Wikipedia)
Sherone Simpson (Wikipedia)
************************
"BEIJING--Shelly-Ann Fraser led the other two Jamaicans to win all the women's 100 meters medals on Sunday evening at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Fraser clocked her personal best in 10.78 seconds before Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart finished, both in 10.98, and shared the silver.
Simpson said, "We made history. Just like yesterday Bolt set a new world record. We are all great athletes and I'm very excited about the tremendous achievement we've made for our country."" (China Daily)
************************
"Shelly-Ann Fraser took Olympic gold in the women's 100m, leading home an unprecedented clean sweep for Jamaica.
Fraser finished in a time of 10.78 seconds, with her compatriots Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart sharing the silver medal after a dead heat.
"I'm so excited. I never dreamed this could happen to me," Fraser said." (BBC NEWS)
************************
"Jamaicans proved they are the world's fastest humans on Sunday when Shelly-Ann Fraser won the women's 100 metre at the Olympics 24 hours after Usain Bolt's record-setting victory in the men's event." (CNN.com)
(Image from CNN)
Jamaicans all over the world must be going crazy this weekend and rightly so! After Usain Bolt confidently secured gold during the Men's 100 metre event, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica today won gold. Her teammates, Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, also shared the silver medal.
Shelly-Ann Fraser (Wikipedia)
Kerron Stewart (Wikipedia)
Sherone Simpson (Wikipedia)
************************
"BEIJING--Shelly-Ann Fraser led the other two Jamaicans to win all the women's 100 meters medals on Sunday evening at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Fraser clocked her personal best in 10.78 seconds before Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart finished, both in 10.98, and shared the silver.
Simpson said, "We made history. Just like yesterday Bolt set a new world record. We are all great athletes and I'm very excited about the tremendous achievement we've made for our country."" (China Daily)
************************
"Shelly-Ann Fraser took Olympic gold in the women's 100m, leading home an unprecedented clean sweep for Jamaica.
Fraser finished in a time of 10.78 seconds, with her compatriots Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart sharing the silver medal after a dead heat.
"I'm so excited. I never dreamed this could happen to me," Fraser said." (BBC NEWS)
************************
"Jamaicans proved they are the world's fastest humans on Sunday when Shelly-Ann Fraser won the women's 100 metre at the Olympics 24 hours after Usain Bolt's record-setting victory in the men's event." (CNN.com)
Labels: Caribbean, China, Jamaica, Kerron Stewart, news, Olympics, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson, sports, World
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Who will win the 2008 Olympics?
"Even with the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games more than a month away, it is possible to predict which countries will come home winners. Using an original model based on economics and a dash of statistics and with no knowledge of individual sports or athletes, it is possible to accurately forecast both the number of medals and the number of gold medals that the top countries will win.
Country > Predicted Total Medals in Beijing > Total Medals won in Athens
U.S. > 105 > 102
Russia > 92 > 92
China > 81 > 63
Germany > 51 > 49
Australia > 49 > 49"
Going for the Gold: Who Will Win the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (Andrew B. Bernard, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, July 2008)
Country > Predicted Total Medals in Beijing > Total Medals won in Athens
U.S. > 105 > 102
Russia > 92 > 92
China > 81 > 63
Germany > 51 > 49
Australia > 49 > 49"
Going for the Gold: Who Will Win the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (Andrew B. Bernard, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, July 2008)
Labels: China, economics, life, news, Olympics, sports, World
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A very brief look at the other side of the coin: the American Petroleum Institute
Easy to read and follow, I picked up Linda McQuaig's 'It's the Crude, Dude: War, Big Oil and the Fight for the Planet,' while vacationing in Canada last year.
The title is what grabbed me, followed by the subject matter. The actual content has been nothing short of provocative, revealing and attention grabbing (especially the bit about Chavez 'saving' OPEC, and how Rockefeller and Standard Oil came about).
In one of her chapters, McQuaig mentions, in less-than-cozy terms, the American Petroleum Institute. The API, according to their website, is:
"...the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our 400 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry."
I'm mentioning them because some of their documents which, for whatever reasons or interests they are trying to serve, are interesting and worth reading, especially:
Understanding Today's Crude Oil and Product Markets (Oil Primer)
The Facts About Oil Industry Mergers, Market Power and Fuel Prices: An API Primer
The Truth About Oil and Gasoline: An API Primer
The title is what grabbed me, followed by the subject matter. The actual content has been nothing short of provocative, revealing and attention grabbing (especially the bit about Chavez 'saving' OPEC, and how Rockefeller and Standard Oil came about).
In one of her chapters, McQuaig mentions, in less-than-cozy terms, the American Petroleum Institute. The API, according to their website, is:
"...the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our 400 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry."
I'm mentioning them because some of their documents which, for whatever reasons or interests they are trying to serve, are interesting and worth reading, especially:
Understanding Today's Crude Oil and Product Markets (Oil Primer)
The Facts About Oil Industry Mergers, Market Power and Fuel Prices: An API Primer
The Truth About Oil and Gasoline: An API Primer
Labels: American Petroleum Institute, economics, news, oil, politics, U.S., World
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Relations between China and Africa
"FEARS of a "no fun Olympics" are growing as security restrictions increase and become more bizarre with less than 20 days to go until the opening ceremony.
Beijing police have been visiting bar owners in the popular Sanlitun area and asking them to sign pledges agreeing to not serve black people or Mongolians and ban activities including dancing."
Fears of a 'no-fun' Olympics in Beijing (theage.com.au)
"BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.
The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach."
Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach (globeandmail.com)
"No one alive at the close of the 19th century could have missed the "scramble for Africa". A motley collection of robber barons, imperialist ideologues, explorers, rogues and adventurers - the likes of Cecil Rhodes and the appalling Leopold II, King of the Belgians - carved up the continent in the name of five European powers.
Today, few appear to have noticed that a second "scramble for Africa" is under way. This time, only one giant country is involved, but its ambitions are every bit as momentous as those of Rhodes and company. With every day that passes, China's economic tentacles extend deeper into Africa. While Europe sought direct political control, China is acquiring a vast and informal economic empire."
Why China is trying to colonise Africa (Telegraph)
(NOTE: Is it just me, or is there something fishy going on here? Are the Chinese trying to have their cake and eat it, too? Then again, what do I know? IANAE - I Am Not An Economist, IANAP - I Am Not A Politician, IANAOE - I Am Not An Oil Exec and so on and so forth...)
"The People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Bilateral relations have since enjoyed smooth and steady development."
China-Nigeria Relations (EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA)
"The traditional friendship and relations of good cooperation between China and African countries have stood the test of time and gone through the trial of international turbulent events. This relationship, being a good example to the developing countries, has been further consolidated and developed under the present new situation."
China-Africa Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)
"China has secured four oil drilling licences from Nigeria as President Hu Jintao continues his week-long tour of Africa, his second in three years. In exchange China will invest $4bn (£2.25bn) in oil and infrastructure projects in Nigeria."
China and Nigeria agree oil deal (BBC NEWS)
"According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China and Nigeria signed an 8.3 billion US dollar railway construction contract. China will build 1315 kilometers of railroad in the west African state; this is the biggest infrastucture project abroad for a Chinese company to date."
Nigeria and China railway deal: $8.3 billion (DANWEI)
Beijing police have been visiting bar owners in the popular Sanlitun area and asking them to sign pledges agreeing to not serve black people or Mongolians and ban activities including dancing."
Fears of a 'no-fun' Olympics in Beijing (theage.com.au)
"BEIJING — Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.
The police denied the report Friday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach."
Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach (globeandmail.com)
"No one alive at the close of the 19th century could have missed the "scramble for Africa". A motley collection of robber barons, imperialist ideologues, explorers, rogues and adventurers - the likes of Cecil Rhodes and the appalling Leopold II, King of the Belgians - carved up the continent in the name of five European powers.
Today, few appear to have noticed that a second "scramble for Africa" is under way. This time, only one giant country is involved, but its ambitions are every bit as momentous as those of Rhodes and company. With every day that passes, China's economic tentacles extend deeper into Africa. While Europe sought direct political control, China is acquiring a vast and informal economic empire."
Why China is trying to colonise Africa (Telegraph)
(NOTE: Is it just me, or is there something fishy going on here? Are the Chinese trying to have their cake and eat it, too? Then again, what do I know? IANAE - I Am Not An Economist, IANAP - I Am Not A Politician, IANAOE - I Am Not An Oil Exec and so on and so forth...)
"The People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Bilateral relations have since enjoyed smooth and steady development."
China-Nigeria Relations (EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA)
"The traditional friendship and relations of good cooperation between China and African countries have stood the test of time and gone through the trial of international turbulent events. This relationship, being a good example to the developing countries, has been further consolidated and developed under the present new situation."
China-Africa Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)
"China has secured four oil drilling licences from Nigeria as President Hu Jintao continues his week-long tour of Africa, his second in three years. In exchange China will invest $4bn (£2.25bn) in oil and infrastructure projects in Nigeria."
China and Nigeria agree oil deal (BBC NEWS)
"According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China and Nigeria signed an 8.3 billion US dollar railway construction contract. China will build 1315 kilometers of railroad in the west African state; this is the biggest infrastucture project abroad for a Chinese company to date."
Nigeria and China railway deal: $8.3 billion (DANWEI)
Labels: Africa, China, economics, life, news, oil, Olympics, politics, World
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Notes From The Margin raises the alarm over Venezuelan claim
NTFM picked up his pen a short while ago (more like a month ago actually), but I've been a bit busy and didn't get around to mentioning it until now:
"After much thought we’ve decided to come out of retirement to blog on the subject of Venezuela’s claim of Barbados’ waters. This is not a full re-opening of NFTM but we felt that given our history of blogging on Venezuela and it’s territorial claims that we might be able to provide some clarity on this issue. This article is freely reproducible (once the source is attributed). In fact we would ask that given the potential seriousness of the claim that members of the blogosphere and other media propogate this story.
Marginal"
News of Venezuela's claim did make the newspaper, but not before (if I remember correctly) BFP's post.
"After much thought we’ve decided to come out of retirement to blog on the subject of Venezuela’s claim of Barbados’ waters. This is not a full re-opening of NFTM but we felt that given our history of blogging on Venezuela and it’s territorial claims that we might be able to provide some clarity on this issue. This article is freely reproducible (once the source is attributed). In fact we would ask that given the potential seriousness of the claim that members of the blogosphere and other media propogate this story.
Marginal"
News of Venezuela's claim did make the newspaper, but not before (if I remember correctly) BFP's post.
Labels: Barbados, Barbados Free Press, Caribbean, media, news, NTFM, Venezuela
Monday, June 2, 2008
Article: 'Will Soaring Transport Costs Reverse Globalization?'
A snippet from the article...
"Globalization is reversible. Higher energy prices are impacting transport costs at an unprecedented rate. So much so, that the cost of moving goods, not the cost of tariffs, is the largest barrier to global trade today. In fact, in tariff-equivalent terms, the explosion in global transport costs has effectively offset all the trade liberalization efforts of the last three decades. Not only does this suggest a major slowdown in the growth of world trade, but also a fundamental realignment in trade patterns."
Sources:
Will Soaring Transport Costs Reverse Globalization? (CIBC World Markets)
"Globalization is reversible. Higher energy prices are impacting transport costs at an unprecedented rate. So much so, that the cost of moving goods, not the cost of tariffs, is the largest barrier to global trade today. In fact, in tariff-equivalent terms, the explosion in global transport costs has effectively offset all the trade liberalization efforts of the last three decades. Not only does this suggest a major slowdown in the growth of world trade, but also a fundamental realignment in trade patterns."
Sources:
Will Soaring Transport Costs Reverse Globalization? (CIBC World Markets)
Labels: business, China, economics, life, news, oil, U.S., World
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The private lives of celebrities. Does the public care?
How much, or how little, do you care about what a popular celebrity thinks?
On May 6, The Bajan Reporter posted a rather lengthy 'thesis' by one Roger Marshall concerning the connection between Rihanna's famous 'Umbrella' song and the occult.
This was picked up by BFP this morning and has already resulted in a few comments (no surprise, as anything that involves religion and politics is bound to stir up the emotions). I have not read Marshall's article, nor am I planning to, as it does not interest me in the least bit.
Mind you, I'm not saying that Rihanna is knowingly (or unknowingly) involved in any of the stuff that Marshall mentions, nor am I commenting on her personal beliefs, etcetera. I'm sure that other like-minded people (i.e., people like Marshall) could find links to the occult and other artists' songs as well. It just so happened that his article mentioned Rihanna's song.
What does interest me is to what extent do the beliefs and values (etcetera) of a popular celebrity, affect how much (or how little) ordinary citizens like them.
It seems like a simple and straight-forward thing, doesn't it? If a celebrity that you've always liked for years adopts a position contrary to your own on any topic (drugs, the environment, religion, politics, etcetera), will you look at them differently? Consider also if, despite their opposing view, they continue to carry out their professional life in the exact same way (e.g. movies/music), putting aside their own personal philosophy. Now that you know what they really think, would you be able to ignore their beliefs and continue to support their films/music?
Realize that whatever you (and the majority of the public) choose may impact on how much money the celebrity earns. Knowing this, the celebrity (at the request of, or on the advice of his/her agent, etcetera) may try to appear in such a way so as toavoid a potential loss (or decrease) of income as a result of his/her personal opinions. This may end up in you rarely seeing, or getting to know, the real individual behind the celebrity.
In the end, and after considering the above, who do you like, the individual with his/her private opinions, or the celebrity who will please the audience?
On May 6, The Bajan Reporter posted a rather lengthy 'thesis' by one Roger Marshall concerning the connection between Rihanna's famous 'Umbrella' song and the occult.
This was picked up by BFP this morning and has already resulted in a few comments (no surprise, as anything that involves religion and politics is bound to stir up the emotions). I have not read Marshall's article, nor am I planning to, as it does not interest me in the least bit.
Mind you, I'm not saying that Rihanna is knowingly (or unknowingly) involved in any of the stuff that Marshall mentions, nor am I commenting on her personal beliefs, etcetera. I'm sure that other like-minded people (i.e., people like Marshall) could find links to the occult and other artists' songs as well. It just so happened that his article mentioned Rihanna's song.
What does interest me is to what extent do the beliefs and values (etcetera) of a popular celebrity, affect how much (or how little) ordinary citizens like them.
It seems like a simple and straight-forward thing, doesn't it? If a celebrity that you've always liked for years adopts a position contrary to your own on any topic (drugs, the environment, religion, politics, etcetera), will you look at them differently? Consider also if, despite their opposing view, they continue to carry out their professional life in the exact same way (e.g. movies/music), putting aside their own personal philosophy. Now that you know what they really think, would you be able to ignore their beliefs and continue to support their films/music?
Realize that whatever you (and the majority of the public) choose may impact on how much money the celebrity earns. Knowing this, the celebrity (at the request of, or on the advice of his/her agent, etcetera) may try to appear in such a way so as toavoid a potential loss (or decrease) of income as a result of his/her personal opinions. This may end up in you rarely seeing, or getting to know, the real individual behind the celebrity.
In the end, and after considering the above, who do you like, the individual with his/her private opinions, or the celebrity who will please the audience?
Labels: Barbados, Barbados Free Press, blogging, life, news, Philosophy, politics, religion, The Bajan Reporter
Friday, January 18, 2008
Four-day weekend!
Folks, in celebration of the appointment of David Thompson as our new Prime Minister, today is a public holiday in Barbados. Also, Monday is a public holiday in celebration of Errol Barrow Day.
Sean Paul music causes seizures for woman
This is an interesting and peculiar one. A lady who suffered from epilepsy and from a rare condition known as musicogenic epilepsy, has been operated on. She began to suspect Sean Paul's tunes while at a barbecue with his music playing, she collapsed. This was confirmed later on while visiting a doctor's office, she played Sean Paul's 'Temperature' on her iPod and soon after, suffered three seizures. Now that the surgery has been completed, there have been no reported seizures.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
And In Other News...
Tigers kill man who stuck his arm into zoo cage in northeastern India
"GAUHATI, India - A man who stuck his arm into the tiger enclosure at a zoo in northeast India has died after two of the big cats tore off his limb. He says the man ignored warnings from keepers, crossed a barrier and stretched his hand into the enclosure that housed a male and a female tiger."
Viral Video of the Year Nominee: Human Tetris
"One of our 2007 favorites came all the way from Japan and it's fairly straightforward: Human beings are put in a stage with a moving platform that's made to resemble the all-time game phenomenon Tetris, the only difference is that the human beings are the blocks and they must fit into tiny crevices made of odd shapes." [Gadget Lab from Wired.com]
Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
"Like eminent social psychologist Professor Philip Zimbardo, I'm also obsessed with why we do dumb or irrational things. The answer quite often is because of other people - something social psychologists have comprehensively shown." [via PsyBlog]
New Google Talk bots bring real-time translation to IM
"In Google's never-ending quest to collect and utilize the world's information, the company today introduced a new translation feature to its Google Talk chat client. Delivered as a series of chat bots, these tools can quickly translate a phrase or paragraph for you, and they can even be added to group chats to act as real-time translators." [via Ars Technica]
"GAUHATI, India - A man who stuck his arm into the tiger enclosure at a zoo in northeast India has died after two of the big cats tore off his limb. He says the man ignored warnings from keepers, crossed a barrier and stretched his hand into the enclosure that housed a male and a female tiger."
Viral Video of the Year Nominee: Human Tetris
"One of our 2007 favorites came all the way from Japan and it's fairly straightforward: Human beings are put in a stage with a moving platform that's made to resemble the all-time game phenomenon Tetris, the only difference is that the human beings are the blocks and they must fit into tiny crevices made of odd shapes." [Gadget Lab from Wired.com]
Why We do Dumb or Irrational Things: 10 Brilliant Social Psychology Studies
"Like eminent social psychologist Professor Philip Zimbardo, I'm also obsessed with why we do dumb or irrational things. The answer quite often is because of other people - something social psychologists have comprehensively shown." [via PsyBlog]
New Google Talk bots bring real-time translation to IM
"In Google's never-ending quest to collect and utilize the world's information, the company today introduced a new translation feature to its Google Talk chat client. Delivered as a series of chat bots, these tools can quickly translate a phrase or paragraph for you, and they can even be added to group chats to act as real-time translators." [via Ars Technica]
Thursday, September 20, 2007
And In Other News...
Mammoth dung, prehistoric goo may speed warming
"For millennia, layers of animal waste and other organic matter left behind by the creatures that used to roam the Arctic tundra have been sealed inside the frozen permafrost. Now climate change is thawing the permafrost and lifting this prehistoric ooze from suspended animation."
A Floating Solar Island for the UAE
"Here in America we've got several vast deserts that are perfect for installing gigantic solar thermal power plants. But not every country has so much free space. At the end of the day, most of the sun's light hits the oceans, because most of the Earth is ocean, but the United Arab Emerates has just contracted with a Swiss firm, CSEM to purchase a floating solar island." [via EcoGeek, Digg]
Paying dearly to hear Gore's climate story
"In a passionate attack on the climate policies of Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush, the former US vice-president, addressing a very expensive lunch in Sydney yesterday, called Australia and the US "the Bonnie and Clyde" outlaws of the global environment for their failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol."
"Mr Gore made his comments after reporters were asked to leave the lunch venue. Despite the cost, lunch in the 700-seat room at the Sydney Convention Centre was a sell-out, as is tomorrow's event in Melbourne. VIP packages, which included a spot close to Mr Gore and a meet-and-greet with him, cost $25,000." [via theage.com.au, DRUDGE REPORT]
Darth Cheney
"Vice President Cheney came up to see the Republicans yesterday. You can always tell when the Republicans are getting restless, because the Vice President’s motorcade pulls into the Capitol, and Darth Vader emerges," Hillary Clinton said just now at a $100-a-head fundraiser at Town Hall near New York's Times Square, referring to Cheney's efforts shore up Republican congressional support for the Iraq war. [via Ben Smith's blog, DRUDGE REPORT]
"For millennia, layers of animal waste and other organic matter left behind by the creatures that used to roam the Arctic tundra have been sealed inside the frozen permafrost. Now climate change is thawing the permafrost and lifting this prehistoric ooze from suspended animation."
A Floating Solar Island for the UAE
"Here in America we've got several vast deserts that are perfect for installing gigantic solar thermal power plants. But not every country has so much free space. At the end of the day, most of the sun's light hits the oceans, because most of the Earth is ocean, but the United Arab Emerates has just contracted with a Swiss firm, CSEM to purchase a floating solar island." [via EcoGeek, Digg]
Paying dearly to hear Gore's climate story
"In a passionate attack on the climate policies of Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush, the former US vice-president, addressing a very expensive lunch in Sydney yesterday, called Australia and the US "the Bonnie and Clyde" outlaws of the global environment for their failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol."
"Mr Gore made his comments after reporters were asked to leave the lunch venue. Despite the cost, lunch in the 700-seat room at the Sydney Convention Centre was a sell-out, as is tomorrow's event in Melbourne. VIP packages, which included a spot close to Mr Gore and a meet-and-greet with him, cost $25,000." [via theage.com.au, DRUDGE REPORT]
Darth Cheney
"Vice President Cheney came up to see the Republicans yesterday. You can always tell when the Republicans are getting restless, because the Vice President’s motorcade pulls into the Capitol, and Darth Vader emerges," Hillary Clinton said just now at a $100-a-head fundraiser at Town Hall near New York's Times Square, referring to Cheney's efforts shore up Republican congressional support for the Iraq war. [via Ben Smith's blog, DRUDGE REPORT]
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
And In Other News...
Drift into war with Iran out of control, says UN
"I would not talk about any use of force," Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna. "There are rules on how to use force, and I would hope that everybody would have gotten the lesson after the Iraq situation, where 700,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives on the suspicion that a country has nuclear weapons." [via The Guardian, Digg]
Indonesia's big one 'on its way'
"An international team of earthquake specialists says Indonesia faces another potential "giant" quake in the near future" [via CNN.com]
Virtual worlds opened up to all
"We are out to democratise virtual worlds and bring them to absolutely anybody," said Mr Koster, founder of Areae, the company behind Metaplace.
"You can come to the site, press a button and have a functioning virtual world that supports multiple users in about 30 seconds." [via BBC NEWS]
"I would not talk about any use of force," Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna. "There are rules on how to use force, and I would hope that everybody would have gotten the lesson after the Iraq situation, where 700,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives on the suspicion that a country has nuclear weapons." [via The Guardian, Digg]
Indonesia's big one 'on its way'
"An international team of earthquake specialists says Indonesia faces another potential "giant" quake in the near future" [via CNN.com]
Virtual worlds opened up to all
"We are out to democratise virtual worlds and bring them to absolutely anybody," said Mr Koster, founder of Areae, the company behind Metaplace.
"You can come to the site, press a button and have a functioning virtual world that supports multiple users in about 30 seconds." [via BBC NEWS]
Labels: earthquakes, Iran, Iraqi, military, news, politics, technology
Sunday, September 16, 2007
And In Other News...
Clue search after Thai air crash
"At least 88 people were killed when the aircraft, operated by a Thai budget airline, skidded off a runway in heavy rain on the southern island of Phuket." [via BBC NEWS]
Family tribute to (Colin) McRae and son
"Mr McRae, 39, his son Johnny, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday." [via BBC NEWS]
Alan Greenspan claims Iraq war was really for oil
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil” [via Times Online]
Oil industry 'sleepwalking into crisis'
"Former Shell chairman says that diminishing resources could push price of crude to $150 a barrel" [via The Independent]
World's Worst Polluted Places [via The Blacksmith Institute]
Why old rockers are back on stage
"DINOSAURS might be revived in one of two ways. Fiction suggests applying the techniques of genetic engineering to DNA extracted from bloodsucking prehistoric insects trapped in amber. To resurrect the dinosaurs of rock, however, all you need is a fat cheque and a block booking at a vast stadium." [via Economist.com]
"At least 88 people were killed when the aircraft, operated by a Thai budget airline, skidded off a runway in heavy rain on the southern island of Phuket." [via BBC NEWS]
Family tribute to (Colin) McRae and son
"Mr McRae, 39, his son Johnny, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday." [via BBC NEWS]
Alan Greenspan claims Iraq war was really for oil
“I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil” [via Times Online]
Oil industry 'sleepwalking into crisis'
"Former Shell chairman says that diminishing resources could push price of crude to $150 a barrel" [via The Independent]
World's Worst Polluted Places [via The Blacksmith Institute]
Why old rockers are back on stage
"DINOSAURS might be revived in one of two ways. Fiction suggests applying the techniques of genetic engineering to DNA extracted from bloodsucking prehistoric insects trapped in amber. To resurrect the dinosaurs of rock, however, all you need is a fat cheque and a block booking at a vast stadium." [via Economist.com]
Labels: accident, death, environment, Iraqi, music, news, oil
Friday, August 31, 2007
Weather: Tropical Depression No. 6
In the parish of St. Michael, unusually strong (dare I say howling?) gusts of wind along with rain, are affecting us tonight. No doubt a result of Tropical Depression No. 6 passing to the south-southwest of Barbados.
According to NHC's PA2 (Public Advisory No. 2), TD6 is approaching tropical storm strength as it heads toward the Winward islands. Click here to read the NHC's Tropical Depression SIX Public Advisory Number 2.
According to NHC's PA2 (Public Advisory No. 2), TD6 is approaching tropical storm strength as it heads toward the Winward islands. Click here to read the NHC's Tropical Depression SIX Public Advisory Number 2.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Barbados: Reports Of New Collapse!
UPDATED ON AUG 28, AT 11:11 AM B'DOS TIME:
If you're looking for photos/video of the collapse/disaster area from the media, blogs, etcetera, click here.
ORIGINAL POST:
From Barbados Free Press:
"10:49pm Barbados Time - Monday 27, 2007 - Voice of Barbados Radio
New Collapse At Rescue Site
Voice of Barbados Radio live reporting now. Not sure how bad.
Attorney General Dale Marshall is being briefed and he will then speak to the media.
Barbados Defense Force team members about to go back down into the hole!
Rain is starting to impact the recovery efforts."
If you're looking for photos/video of the collapse/disaster area from the media, blogs, etcetera, click here.
ORIGINAL POST:
From Barbados Free Press:
"10:49pm Barbados Time - Monday 27, 2007 - Voice of Barbados Radio
New Collapse At Rescue Site
Voice of Barbados Radio live reporting now. Not sure how bad.
Attorney General Dale Marshall is being briefed and he will then speak to the media.
Barbados Defense Force team members about to go back down into the hole!
Rain is starting to impact the recovery efforts."
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave. The (Incomplete) Story In Pictures
Above: Photo from Barbados Underground and Cheese-on-bread! Originally from The Nation (I think).
Above: Photo from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Barbados Advocate.
Above: A picture from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Nation newspaper. Read their story: "Just a matter of time!"
Above: Four pictures submitted by a reliable friend. The pictures themselves were taken by Steve Sandy. The first two pictures show construction or excavation works going on in the area immediately behind(?) the collapse. From what little I've heard and know, the construction or excavation was in progress before the collapse.
Above: A video of the Brittons Hill cave-in from Voice of Barbados Radio (VOB 92.9)
Above: Two pictures from Barbados Free Press. The first shows, what appears to be, the rescue team. The second, personnel in the cave.
Above: Another picture from Barbados Free Press. According to BFP, the photo was from Nation News. Notice the car being hauled out of the cave. Notice the size of the car in comparison to the size of the cave.
Above: A picture from Barbados Undergound.
Above: Three pictures from Barbados Free Press. These pictures were taken by BFP Reader 0.
Above: An arrow on a Google Map image indicates where the cave-in took place. The image is from Barbados Free Press, I'm not sure who they got it from.
Above: Photo from Barbados Underground and Cheese-on-bread! Originally from The Nation (I think).
Above: Photo from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Barbados Advocate.
Above: A picture from Barbados Free Press, originally from The Nation newspaper. Read their story: "Just a matter of time!"
Above: Four pictures submitted by a reliable friend. The pictures themselves were taken by Steve Sandy. The first two pictures show construction or excavation works going on in the area immediately behind(?) the collapse. From what little I've heard and know, the construction or excavation was in progress before the collapse.
Above: A video of the Brittons Hill cave-in from Voice of Barbados Radio (VOB 92.9)
Above: Two pictures from Barbados Free Press. The first shows, what appears to be, the rescue team. The second, personnel in the cave.
Above: Another picture from Barbados Free Press. According to BFP, the photo was from Nation News. Notice the car being hauled out of the cave. Notice the size of the car in comparison to the size of the cave.
Above: A picture from Barbados Undergound.
Above: Three pictures from Barbados Free Press. These pictures were taken by BFP Reader 0.
Above: An arrow on a Google Map image indicates where the cave-in took place. The image is from Barbados Free Press, I'm not sure who they got it from.
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave
UPDATED AT 12:02 pm B'DOS TIME: This e-mail just in (as is) from a reliable friend of mine: "they havent found anyone yet, there was just a live press conference and they said they are now going from rescue to recovery and they need to do it fast cause a wave is supposed to start affecting the island at 1pm and that will further compromise the area. The Miami Dade rescue unit has said they is very little hope of anyone surviving, they have sent in the dogs and other equipment and have heard nothing."
UPDATED AT 11:43 AM B'DOS TIME: Folks, I cannot provide confirmation of this. One friend of mine heard that four people have been found dead. Another friend heard, via a radio report, that the baby may have been with a member of the family and was not at home when the collapse occured. Also, the dogs that came with the Miami Dade team, have not found any signs of life.
ORIGINAL POST:
I've just gotten home (about 2 AM). Where I was is of no importance (The Gap), where I drove past, however, is.
Without thinking about and realizing it, I found myself in the Brittons Hill area, enroute to home. I stopped for the lights somewhere in the Dalkeith area (sorry, I'm not good with places). These are the traffic lights just before the Brittons Hill post office. Going straight would've taken you past the post office. I was waiting to turn left. I looked ahead and saw two huge yellowish, cranes towering above all else. Bright, white light flooded the surrounding area. Lights that reminded me of the National Stadium at night. It's a scene that's impossible to miss.
From my position, the cranes appeared motionless. No audible sounds of activity either, at least, none that my ears could discern. I made a left turn and then a right at the next set of lights. Drove past the Shell(?) gas station on my right. Another view of the site. Again, the two huge cranes in plain view, surrounded by the flood lights. No motion, no sounds. All quiet.
I had my camera with me and thought about stopping to take a picture of the cranes and the lights. Thankfully, common sense got the better of me and I continued my drive home. Stopping on the road at two in the morning, by yourself, is generally not a good idea.
I don't know, but I can only hope that, judging by the motionless cranes and stillness of the area, the missing family was found and rescued in time.
Barbados Free Press has pictures of the disaster and Barbados Underground has a picture of the remains of the apartment building that collapsed.
"Rescuers get moving at 10:30 a.m." From The Advocate's website.
"Stress runs high on disaster site" From The Advocate's website.
UPDATED AT 11:43 AM B'DOS TIME: Folks, I cannot provide confirmation of this. One friend of mine heard that four people have been found dead. Another friend heard, via a radio report, that the baby may have been with a member of the family and was not at home when the collapse occured. Also, the dogs that came with the Miami Dade team, have not found any signs of life.
ORIGINAL POST:
I've just gotten home (about 2 AM). Where I was is of no importance (The Gap), where I drove past, however, is.
Without thinking about and realizing it, I found myself in the Brittons Hill area, enroute to home. I stopped for the lights somewhere in the Dalkeith area (sorry, I'm not good with places). These are the traffic lights just before the Brittons Hill post office. Going straight would've taken you past the post office. I was waiting to turn left. I looked ahead and saw two huge yellowish, cranes towering above all else. Bright, white light flooded the surrounding area. Lights that reminded me of the National Stadium at night. It's a scene that's impossible to miss.
From my position, the cranes appeared motionless. No audible sounds of activity either, at least, none that my ears could discern. I made a left turn and then a right at the next set of lights. Drove past the Shell(?) gas station on my right. Another view of the site. Again, the two huge cranes in plain view, surrounded by the flood lights. No motion, no sounds. All quiet.
I had my camera with me and thought about stopping to take a picture of the cranes and the lights. Thankfully, common sense got the better of me and I continued my drive home. Stopping on the road at two in the morning, by yourself, is generally not a good idea.
I don't know, but I can only hope that, judging by the motionless cranes and stillness of the area, the missing family was found and rescued in time.
Barbados Free Press has pictures of the disaster and Barbados Underground has a picture of the remains of the apartment building that collapsed.
"Rescuers get moving at 10:30 a.m." From The Advocate's website.
"Stress runs high on disaster site" From The Advocate's website.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave. Cries For Help Have Faded
UPDATE: Click here to see where the Brittons Hill area is, via Google Maps.
The map is centered around what I think is, the Brittons Hill area. If you zoom out, you should able to orient yourself by looking for familiar landmarks. For example, the junction and set of traffic lights at the bottom of Collymore Rock (a.k.a Lower Collymore Rock).
If you were leaving Bridgetown and approaching the lights and you turned left, you'd be in the Bellville area. If you turn right, you'll pass (on your left) the two buildings at Chelson Park (Royal Bank of Canada being one of the companies there). If you went straight across the junction, the first major building on your left would be the offices of IBM, the next left would be the Bishop's Court Hill area, next right turn would be the Brittons Hill area. These are, ofcourse, rough directions and should be treated accordingly.
Thanks to "Adrian2," a BFP reader, who made the Google Maps suggestion.
Click here for an interesting comment by BFP reader "Petros" on the geology of Barbados.
ORIGINAL POST:
This from the CBC website:
"Apartment block collapses into underground cave. Family trapped since early morning
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Efforts are underway to rescue a family of four trapped underground after part of the apartment building they were living in collapsed into a cave, early Sunday morning.Police, fire and Disaster Emergency Management Agency officials were out in full force on the scene in St. Michael where the incident occurred about 4:45 a.m.
Acting Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds said engineering experts had to determine whether the area was safe enough to proceed with the rescue attempt, but just after 10 a.m., a two-man team was sent in.
He said they had heard voices crying for help up to four hours after the incident. But he said those cries have become fainter and up to 8 a.m., no one else was heard.
Three other families living in the apartment building managed to get out safely and temporary shelter is being provided for them in a nearby school.
Residents within 500 feet of the area have been evacuated in the interest of safety but officials say they will have to make a determination on whether the area will be declared a disaster area.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur, other government officials and Opposition Leader, David Thompson went on the scene as efforts progressed.
Arthur described the incident as a catastrophe and said he has put a team in place to manage the situation."
The map is centered around what I think is, the Brittons Hill area. If you zoom out, you should able to orient yourself by looking for familiar landmarks. For example, the junction and set of traffic lights at the bottom of Collymore Rock (a.k.a Lower Collymore Rock).
If you were leaving Bridgetown and approaching the lights and you turned left, you'd be in the Bellville area. If you turn right, you'll pass (on your left) the two buildings at Chelson Park (Royal Bank of Canada being one of the companies there). If you went straight across the junction, the first major building on your left would be the offices of IBM, the next left would be the Bishop's Court Hill area, next right turn would be the Brittons Hill area. These are, ofcourse, rough directions and should be treated accordingly.
Thanks to "Adrian2," a BFP reader, who made the Google Maps suggestion.
Click here for an interesting comment by BFP reader "Petros" on the geology of Barbados.
ORIGINAL POST:
This from the CBC website:
"Apartment block collapses into underground cave. Family trapped since early morning
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Efforts are underway to rescue a family of four trapped underground after part of the apartment building they were living in collapsed into a cave, early Sunday morning.Police, fire and Disaster Emergency Management Agency officials were out in full force on the scene in St. Michael where the incident occurred about 4:45 a.m.
Acting Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds said engineering experts had to determine whether the area was safe enough to proceed with the rescue attempt, but just after 10 a.m., a two-man team was sent in.
He said they had heard voices crying for help up to four hours after the incident. But he said those cries have become fainter and up to 8 a.m., no one else was heard.
Three other families living in the apartment building managed to get out safely and temporary shelter is being provided for them in a nearby school.
Residents within 500 feet of the area have been evacuated in the interest of safety but officials say they will have to make a determination on whether the area will be declared a disaster area.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur, other government officials and Opposition Leader, David Thompson went on the scene as efforts progressed.
Arthur described the incident as a catastrophe and said he has put a team in place to manage the situation."
Barbados: Apartment Collapses Into Cave
UPDATED: A reliable friend of mine has information from someone who lives nearby:
This via e-mail:
1.The apt is brittons cross road (the one way). A little ways past the st. pauls primary school.
2. Its ONE apt, part of another and 2 garages that fell into the cave.
3. They were building and additional building for a pre-school or nursery.
4. The apt building is located above the mouth of the cave.Instead of at either side or a little futher back where the roof of the cave is not so high.
ORIGINAL POST:
Barbados Free Press is all over it:
Family of four missing.
Apartment was built on known cave that goes down 100 feet.
Entire area (Brittons Hill?) may be evacuated as several cracks are being seen.
Heavy equipment on site to remove the roof of the collapsed building.
Prime Minister to address the country at 5 PM today.
This via e-mail:
1.The apt is brittons cross road (the one way). A little ways past the st. pauls primary school.
2. Its ONE apt, part of another and 2 garages that fell into the cave.
3. They were building and additional building for a pre-school or nursery.
4. The apt building is located above the mouth of the cave.Instead of at either side or a little futher back where the roof of the cave is not so high.
ORIGINAL POST:
Barbados Free Press is all over it:
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Mexico Expert(?)
I saw this intereview a few days on ago on CNN and I still can't stop thinking about it. Hurricane Dean was, at the time, either approaching or already interacting with Mexico and CNN was interviewing this guy, this "Mexico Expert." No disrespect to CNN, or to the guy in particular, but he (to me at least) didn't look like a Mexican. In fact, he looked and sounded very North American.
This made me wonder, what qualified him to bill himself as an expert on Mexico? Did he live in Mexico for a period of time, did he study there, does he have family or relatives from, or living there, does he vacation there frequently? Is he familiar with the plights of Mexicans? Has he slummed around in Mexico, that is, has he lived the good life and the bad life? Is he aware of Mexico's history, is he up-to-date on Mexican current events and so on and so forth.
In the interest of full disclosure, with the exception of border crossing, illegal immigrants, cheap mexican labour issues, sombrero's, middle america, tacos, enchiladas and something about the water not being safe to drink, I haven't a clue about Mexico. As such, you'll never find me proclaiming to be an expert on that country or any other country for that matter.
So that's what made me wonder...how does one go about claiming to be an expert on Mexico in particular and other countries in general. There's obviously a way, if not, then why would he be called a "Mexico Expert?"
This made me wonder, what qualified him to bill himself as an expert on Mexico? Did he live in Mexico for a period of time, did he study there, does he have family or relatives from, or living there, does he vacation there frequently? Is he familiar with the plights of Mexicans? Has he slummed around in Mexico, that is, has he lived the good life and the bad life? Is he aware of Mexico's history, is he up-to-date on Mexican current events and so on and so forth.
In the interest of full disclosure, with the exception of border crossing, illegal immigrants, cheap mexican labour issues, sombrero's, middle america, tacos, enchiladas and something about the water not being safe to drink, I haven't a clue about Mexico. As such, you'll never find me proclaiming to be an expert on that country or any other country for that matter.
So that's what made me wonder...how does one go about claiming to be an expert on Mexico in particular and other countries in general. There's obviously a way, if not, then why would he be called a "Mexico Expert?"
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hurricane DEAN
Despite the fact that it looks like Hurricane DEAN may pass to the north of the island, there is a tropical storm warning in effect for Barbados.
No doubt many people will stock up on supplies, clear their property of loose debri, secure windows, etcetera. One can never be sure with hurricanes. Current news reports indicate that DEAN will begin affecting us tonight.
Fifty-two years ago, Hurricane Janet (the most powerful hurricane of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season), hit Barbados as a Cat 3. It eventually made it to Cat 5 status and left widespread damage and loss of life in its wake. Since then, Barbados has been extremely lucky and has avoided a hit from the majority of hurricanes, if not all, since Janet.
********************************************************
000
WTNT34 KNHC 161224
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
HURRICANE DEAN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 12A...CORRECTED
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042007
800 AM AST THU AUG 16 2007
...CORRECTED REPEAT SECTION PRESSURE...
...STRENGTHENING DEAN SPEEDS TOWARD THE LESSER ANTILLES...
A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLANDS OF DOMINICA AND ST. LUCIA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.
A HURRICANE WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE...GUADELOUPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES...SABA...AND ST. EUSTATIUS. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED FOR SOME OF THESE ISLANDS
LATER THIS MORNING.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
********************************************************
Click here to read the remainder of the advisory.
[via National Hurricane Center]
No doubt many people will stock up on supplies, clear their property of loose debri, secure windows, etcetera. One can never be sure with hurricanes. Current news reports indicate that DEAN will begin affecting us tonight.
Fifty-two years ago, Hurricane Janet (the most powerful hurricane of the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season), hit Barbados as a Cat 3. It eventually made it to Cat 5 status and left widespread damage and loss of life in its wake. Since then, Barbados has been extremely lucky and has avoided a hit from the majority of hurricanes, if not all, since Janet.
********************************************************
000
WTNT34 KNHC 161224
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
HURRICANE DEAN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 12A...CORRECTED
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042007
800 AM AST THU AUG 16 2007
...CORRECTED REPEAT SECTION PRESSURE...
...STRENGTHENING DEAN SPEEDS TOWARD THE LESSER ANTILLES...
A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLANDS OF DOMINICA AND ST. LUCIA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.
A HURRICANE WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE ISLANDS OF MARTINIQUE...GUADELOUPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES...SABA...AND ST. EUSTATIUS. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED FOR SOME OF THESE ISLANDS
LATER THIS MORNING.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
********************************************************
Click here to read the remainder of the advisory.
[via National Hurricane Center]
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Stolen: Apple PowerBook G4
An Apple PowerBook G4 was stolen yesterday (in Barbados). The serial number of the unit is: W843839VQRV. If you know something and you feel like squealing and ratting someone out, then contact David at dacpile(at)yahoo.com, his client is willing to "pay to recover it."
On a related note, Ars Technica has an article on software that helps you recover your stolen Mac.
[Thanks for the Ars Technica link Paul]
On a related note, Ars Technica has an article on software that helps you recover your stolen Mac.
[Thanks for the Ars Technica link Paul]
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
1 Billion Chinese Can't Be Wrong, Or Can They?
The total number of human beings alive on the Planet Earth is, as of July 2007, 6.6 billion. Of that 6.6 billion, it is estimated that China's population is around 1.3 billion. China also has the largest number of active troops, estimated at around 2,255,000.
So it was out of pure curiousity that I read The Economist's article on China's "long march to be a superpower." While it may sound a bit silly, the most interesting part of the article, for me, was reading that since the 1980s, China has bought four aircraft-carriers. One of them, the Kiev, was once in the possession of the Soviet Union and is now a tourist attraction!
China was also no. 2 in the world when it came to 2006 oil consumption figures, with first place going to the United States and third place, Japan. According to a 2004 article on the BBC's website, China's rapidly expanding economy has created a huge demand for the fossil fuel.
So it was out of pure curiousity that I read The Economist's article on China's "long march to be a superpower." While it may sound a bit silly, the most interesting part of the article, for me, was reading that since the 1980s, China has bought four aircraft-carriers. One of them, the Kiev, was once in the possession of the Soviet Union and is now a tourist attraction!
China was also no. 2 in the world when it came to 2006 oil consumption figures, with first place going to the United States and third place, Japan. According to a 2004 article on the BBC's website, China's rapidly expanding economy has created a huge demand for the fossil fuel.
6 Million People, 117 Degrees And No Water
"For the past 24 hours, Baghdad has had virtually no running water. Major parts of the city of six million people have lacked running water for six days, while daily high temperatures have ranged from 115 to 120 degrees. The tiny amount of water dripping through the pipes is causing many of those who must drink it to suffer acute intestinal illness.
According to reports, not enough electricity is available to run Baghdad's water pumps. This in a country with vast energy resources."
[via Digg, Signs of the Times News]
Water Crisis
1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water
2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation (2002, UNICEF/WHO JMP 2004)
3 900 children die every day from water borne diseases (WHO 2004)
[via World Water Council]
Bet you're thirsty now, right? Better get a drink before the well runs dry.
According to reports, not enough electricity is available to run Baghdad's water pumps. This in a country with vast energy resources."
[via Digg, Signs of the Times News]
Water Crisis
[via World Water Council]
Bet you're thirsty now, right? Better get a drink before the well runs dry.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
"Two Moons On Aug 27"
This e-mail landed in my Gmail account today:
*********************************************
Subject: Two moons
Subject: *Two moons on 27 August*
*27th Aug the Whole World is waiting for.............*
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August.
It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will
cultivate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth. Be
sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth
has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287 .
Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it
again.
*********************************************
After running it by Google, it turns out that it was true, back in 2003. Furthermore, according to the Urban Legends and Folklore section of About.com, the same e-mail made an appearance back in 2005 and 2006.
*********************************************
Subject: Two moons
Subject: *Two moons on 27 August*
*27th Aug the Whole World is waiting for.............*
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August.
It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will
cultivate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth. Be
sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth
has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287 .
Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it
again.
*********************************************
After running it by Google, it turns out that it was true, back in 2003. Furthermore, according to the Urban Legends and Folklore section of About.com, the same e-mail made an appearance back in 2005 and 2006.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The Bajan Reporter Celebrates 400th Post!
Ian Bourne, chief cook and bottle washer, over at The Bajan Reporter celebrated his 400th post on July 30.
Covering local as well as Caribbean news and events, Ian also serves up his own brand of opinion and analysis. Besides the obvious title of his 400th post, he barely made much of it and instead published a little exposé (including pictures) on the sad state of handicap parking in Barbados.
I ran into Ian at The Woodpecker Pub a while ago and we had an interesting conversation that covered MSM (main stream media) and bloggers. Ian knows all about MSM. He used to be on Barbados' CBC TV (as an anchor, right Ian? Can't remember...) Ian still works for a Government entity, but in a different capacity.
Ian blogs publically, as in, everyone knows The Bajan Reporter is published by Ian Bourne. No veil of secrecy. Unlike the folks at Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground who have to be extra-special secret when it comes to their real identities. Spend a few hours reading through their blog posts and you'll see what I mean. The topics and issues that BU and BFP cover are a bit more sensitive and risqué (and that's an understatement right there).
That night, I told Ian that he should get his own domain name. Try making a go of the whole thing. He is in a unique position. People know him, he has nothing to hide, nor fear. Provide more local coverage and get good people to contribute their own personal voices or to source news for the outfit. Laws and ethics must not be forgotten. See if you can convince businesses to advertise because this is the way forward, it's the new way.
Citizen journalism is here to stay and you can still keep your day job (or night job). Manage and co-ordinate everything over the Internet. Use Wordpress or Blogger. Setup free e-mail accounts. Have team meetings using IM (instant messaging). It's not easy, but it can be done.
Old school media houses need to realize that the writing's on the wall, or better yet, that the posts are on the blog and must act accordingly. Evolve, or die. Don't take my word for it, have a look at WIRED magazine's article: "To Save Themselves, US Newspapers Put Readers to Work."
Ian, congrats on your 400th post!
Covering local as well as Caribbean news and events, Ian also serves up his own brand of opinion and analysis. Besides the obvious title of his 400th post, he barely made much of it and instead published a little exposé (including pictures) on the sad state of handicap parking in Barbados.
I ran into Ian at The Woodpecker Pub a while ago and we had an interesting conversation that covered MSM (main stream media) and bloggers. Ian knows all about MSM. He used to be on Barbados' CBC TV (as an anchor, right Ian? Can't remember...) Ian still works for a Government entity, but in a different capacity.
Ian blogs publically, as in, everyone knows The Bajan Reporter is published by Ian Bourne. No veil of secrecy. Unlike the folks at Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground who have to be extra-special secret when it comes to their real identities. Spend a few hours reading through their blog posts and you'll see what I mean. The topics and issues that BU and BFP cover are a bit more sensitive and risqué (and that's an understatement right there).
That night, I told Ian that he should get his own domain name. Try making a go of the whole thing. He is in a unique position. People know him, he has nothing to hide, nor fear. Provide more local coverage and get good people to contribute their own personal voices or to source news for the outfit. Laws and ethics must not be forgotten. See if you can convince businesses to advertise because this is the way forward, it's the new way.
Citizen journalism is here to stay and you can still keep your day job (or night job). Manage and co-ordinate everything over the Internet. Use Wordpress or Blogger. Setup free e-mail accounts. Have team meetings using IM (instant messaging). It's not easy, but it can be done.
Old school media houses need to realize that the writing's on the wall, or better yet, that the posts are on the blog and must act accordingly. Evolve, or die. Don't take my word for it, have a look at WIRED magazine's article: "To Save Themselves, US Newspapers Put Readers to Work."
Ian, congrats on your 400th post!
