American Chronicle

A Brazilian, Elisa Maia dos Ribeiro has delivered a 14-pound baby. The baby, Isabel Vitoria who was born on the 27^th of August 23 ¼ inches tall and her feet is so large that they extend beyond her crib.

Ecuador’s Maria Esther de Capovilla, considered as the World’s Oldest person by the Guinness World Records died on the 27^th of August at the age of 116 years 11 months.

According to the Guinness, the oldest woman now would be America’s Elizabeth Bolden of Memphis who is 116.

Puerto Rico's Emiliano Mercado Del Toro who is 115 is considered the oldest man by the Guinness.
Another Chronicle & News of interest

Pluto - Walt Disney's reactions

Pluto has recently been shunned as a Planet by the Astronomy community. While it may be of little importance to you, it sure has brought sharp reactions from Walt Disney. Here are the reactions from Walt Disney on Pluto.
"Although we think it's Dopey that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people Grumpy and others just Sleepy, we are not Bashful in saying we would be Happy if Disney's Pluto would join us as an eighth dwarf. We think this is just what the Doc ordered and is nothing to Sneeze at." A statement from the Seven Dwarfs through their friends at the Walt Disney World Resort.

"I think the whole thing is goofy," Disney said through its rep, Mickey Mouse. "Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon."

Pluto, the bloodhound and Mickey Mouse's favorite pal had first been seen onscreen in 1930 in a Disney cartoon 'The Clain Gang'. This was the same year the ninth planet then 'Pluto' had been discovered orbiting the Sun in the Solar System.

Next time your kids are asked to forget Pluto and are not able to do so, don't be surprised.

European scoops with an Asian flavor - The Headlines making waves

In the past week the news that made the headlines are:

i. A dozen men being held for suspicious behavior on board the NorthWest Airlines.

It had easily misled the World to another attempted hijack being averted; then we got the complete picture.
There 12 young men were Garment Exporters from Mumbai who were on their way back from Trinidad & Tobago via Amsterdam. Damn.
The resons for them being taken into custody was their behavior,
moving around the flight and interacting with the rest of their troupe, then fidling with electronics - laptops, cellphones etc. and it was finally when the overzealous Marshalls saw them fidling with plastic bags till they take over.
Now as expected these 12 men were arrested and taken in for interrogation.
As was evident from their family and neighbors in Mumbai, communication in European English wasn't their strength. Therefore the reason for their custody for a couple more days and inaccessibility to their Embassy can be attributed to this chic.
Let me cut short & move to the next headline. This headline shook the Sports World specifically Cricket.

ii. Pakistan Cricket Team being penalised for alleged ball-tampering.

Initial reactions seemed to show that the incidents were a cliche; then came the punches and and the counter-punches.
Here are the facts from the incident:
None of the 'candid' cameras in the stadium caught a glimse of the ball being tampered with; however you shouldn't your conclusions to yourself.
The sequence was - Hair (the umpire) came out twice to the field after tea but the Pakistan Team seemed to have the Tea of a lifetime.
Surely the Pakistan team was hurt by the allegations. Then finally, after much persuation when they turned up on the field, the Umpires didn't show up (must have gone to bed-in Australia it was well past midnight).
So the match had been awarded to opponents England, this inspite of Pakistan dominating the game.
Did this incident prove a bias by the Australian Umpire (who over the yeards did punish all the South Asian Team) or was it just the lack of communication.
Its well-known that Pakistan's skipper Inzy wasn't a Phd in English Literature (consider a euphemism).
His mild English must have kept Hair's words to a minimal. When Hair when to the Pakistan Dressing Room or when Inzy enquired about the reasons for the allegations; it wouldn't have seemed music to the ears.
Conclusion: It does seem to be the lack of sophistication in behavior and communication that has got these Men of Honor into the Soup of Horror.

With these incidents unlikely to be a passe - do follow their stories in the Newspapers

images: HT ePaper

Iron Maiden - A matter of Life & Death

There are only hours left for the release of the Iron Maiden's new album 'A matter of Life and Death'.
Iron Maiden's fans in India can catch the action at the Legends of Rock, Koramangala; Bangalore.
The show - 25th August 2006, 7.30 pm onwards For exclusive invites rush to your closest Landmark, Planet M & Music World stores.
Remember IM is the only Iron that nevers rusts. Now its matter of Life and Death.
Image source -ironmaiden.com

Video Fun - Part of the antiboredom campaign

Source: http://www.youtube.com

Puzzle lovers, here is something for you

Source: http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/

Newspaper reading never felt so good

News on the latest Cricket controversy involving Umpire Darrell Hair & the Pakistan Cricket Team. Interesting views from the British, Pakistani and the Indian Newspapers.
Tribute to the Shehnai Maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan who passed away. Views on how the legend single-handedly took the Shehnai to the World.
Peace, Peace-keepers etc. take centre-stage in Lebanon, while the World applauds. Qatari Emir calls it the first Arab Victory.

Read your favorite News from our Publications Worldwide

When Mozart smiled

Last week we were witness a Western Classical Music concert held in the South Indian metro of Chennai

The above concert had its entire talent from India and the event was managed professionally.
Another news of interest would be its lyrics. All the performances in the concert had its lyrics in Latin, quite literally.
Though new to the audience, they was wholly engrossed and seems to have throughly enjoyed the experience.
The whole affair would have made Mozart smile.

Independence Day - South Asia

Independence day was celebrated across India and Pakistan amidst tight security. The citizens of the countries were reassured on the nation's goals and the safety of its people.

Insights on their

Independence Day Speeches,

Reactions from its People &

Greeting from around the world

are all available on these newspapers

Breaking News from the Horse's mouth

2 days to disaster. Massive Terror plans foiled. A strike than would have plunged a thousand passengers traveling in various flights from UK to the USA into the Atlantic.
Read the stories from UK's top English Daily Trinity Mirror

A nation holds it breath. With Israel penetrating deeper into Lebanese terrority and getting closer to Beirut. A whole nation holds its breath while under seige.
Read the stories from Lebanon's top English Daily The Daily Star

To read the digital replica of your favorite Newspaper Online - Click here

Universal laws to make you feel good

Inspirational messages from Og Madino’s bestseller ‘The greatest salesman in the world’.Every one is born a salesman, trying to influence others and ensuring it favors their position. But these laws seem more universal and a central theme to feeling good.

Here are his 9 laws:

• I will form good habits and become their slave.
• I will greet this day with love in my heart.
• I will persist until I succeed.
• I am nature’s greatest miracle.
• I will live this day as if it is my last.
• Today I will be master of my emotions.
• I will laugh at the world.
• Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold.
• I will act now.

Reflect upon these days and it will surely make you more determined to succeed.

Moon & Mars

With hoax mails circulating on a lifetime event this August 27th, 2006 at around 12.30am- it says that Mars would be the brightest object in the night sky and wold be as big as the size of moon. Therefore it would seem the earth has two moons and the next time it would be seen is in the year 2287.
The above image is of the Moon that directly passes in front of Mars.
Few Mars-Moon stats might clear all doubts of the spectacle ever happeneing,
1. Physically Mars is twice the size of Moon.
2. Importantly its 140 times farther away, so at best it would appear 1/70th as big as moon.
3. On August 27th, 2006 it would be as far from earth as Mars is presently in the other side of the Sun.

So the next time we talk about seeing a giant Mars is when humans colonize Mars.
image source: badastronomy.com

Floating Bed created in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A young Dutch architect has created a floating bed which hovers above the ground through magnetic force and comes with a price tag of 1.2 million euros ($1.54 million).

Janjaap Ruijssenaars took inspiration for the bed -- a sleek black platform, which took six years to develop and can double as a dining table or a plinth -- from the mysterious monolith in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 cult film "2001: A Space Odyssey."

"No matter where you live all architecture is dictated by gravity. I wondered whether you could make an object, a building or a piece of furniture where this is not the case -- where another power actually dictates the image," Ruijssenaars said.

Magnets built into the floor and into the bed itself repel each other, pushing the bed up into the air. Thin steel cables tether the bed in place.

"It is not comfortable at the moment," admits Ruijssenaars, adding it needs cushions and bedclothes before use.

Although people with piercings should have no problem sleeping on the bed, Ruijssenaars advises them against entering the magnetic field between the bed and the floor.

They could find their piercing suddenly tugged toward one of the magnets.
Article & image courtesy - Reuters

For more news read your favorite Newspaper Online

ICCO Global Summit 2006

4-6 October, 2006 at The Grand New Delhi, India
Conference Motto: Forget best practices, think next practises.

The Programme Agenda

Day 1
ICCO Executive Committee meeting
ICCO Board Meeting
PRCAI Matchmaking
Welcome Cocktail Reception

Day 2
Inner Peace
Daybreak Session - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
The New World Economic Order
Inaugural Address - Hon'ble Shri Kamal Nath, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Government of India
Best Practices to Next Practices
Keynote - Yann Risz, COO & Founding Partner, The Next Practice
The Changing Face of India
Next Market - A Panel Discussion
India & China: Capitalising on the Next Opportunities
Next Market - A Panel Discussion
The Changing Face of Communication
A CEO Panel Discussion

Day 3
An Odyssey to the top of Everest
Daybreak Session - Jamling Norgay, son of Tenzing Norgay
Our Role in the New World
Keynote - Harold Burson, Founding Chairman, Burson-Marsteller
Tomorrow’s Public Relations Firm: Capabilities and Services
A CEO Panel Discussion
The Independent Firm: Surviving & Thriving!
A CEO Panel Discussion
Measurement: Our Holy Grail
Next Practice
Talent: Our Greatest Asset
Focus
Connect, Collaborate and Share: Creating Business Impact
Next Practice - A Panel Discussion
The Internet has changed our world: User is in-charge
Next Practice
What do I do when I get back?
Key Learnings - KP Consulting, India

Trying to keep the customer satisfied

An article from agencyfaqs.com talks about how getting up-close and personal with customers is a brilliant strategy. Don't you think survival and growth of a product/service are often attributed to the number of satisfied customers.

Friendship Day (6th Aug)

Time for the Black-Pink bonding

When the bike Bajaj Pulsar came with their punch line – ‘Fear the Black’ it created ripples on the streets - many did fear the black and thought it wiser to go for the Black rage.Black did rule the youth then, especially boys and maybe it still does but then came the TVS Scooty with its Th(P)inking.The Scooty Campaign seems to have got most things right,
Whether the choice of the Chirpy Preity as their Brand Ambassador or making Pink gel with the Girls (metrosexuals may disagree) or most importantly its feather line – ‘Pink ke saath panga nahe’ (Never Challenge Pink)
Now as we near the Friendship Day, Fa thought it ideal to launch their new Ad campaign.Here Fa seemed to have done their homework pretty well – considering their Target Group, Product and the Timing of the Ad.
The particular Ad shows men hoping for black but the lady hope turns in with a pink deo-spray. Not to disappoint the guys, she says tomorrow it will be Black.

Fa makes an effort to bring the Black & Pink closer. And may eventually be successful too. This season the Black-Pink Combo might dominate all the other colors. MJ might start to pen his new song ‘No matter if it were Black or Pink’.

What our favorite Newspapers say

Green or Greed?
Some say the government is creating an environmental vandalism to set up to build proerties.
An article from Trinity Mirror's Birmingham Post

Dinamalar's Chennai City news gives you a birds-eye view of the Southern metro.

Did the Gowda's buy a Bangalore Software Park valued at 36 crores?
Read the Indian Express story

Read 'An open letter to the American president.' on The Daily Star; Lebanon's Premier Newspaper.
Listen to the unheard voices and share your opinions.

Home Loans getting dearer | Maruti hikes prices | Fitch ungrades India | 2nd Green Revolution in Punjab
The above news in available in Deccan Chronicle's Bussiness Chronicle

Enter Hamlet, Exit Dalmiya - Bengal CM
Buddha attacks Dalmiya | Basu atatcks CM
Stories on The Cricket controversy with a not so Bengali(sweet) flavor

News on a 'Movie Marathon.' and 'Footloose in Delhi.'
from the Hindustan Times

More interesting news on PressMart Newspaper network

Blog'in Alive

1. http://problogger.net/ A neat website for regular Bloggers. It gives you an insight on how to earn revenue through your Blogs.
2. Want a free Blog address on face value - here comes http://i.ph. A simple Blog name with your name and an 'i'.
3.http://twit.tv/Here you get to watch display cool podcats. Actually I haven't tried it out but suggest you take a look.

Blog your favorite article from our ePaper

India 3 minutes

Where is the mole. Jaswant Singh just can't find the guy with the mole. Is it for real or just his his figament of imagination. There is going to be more mole stories in the coming weeks.

Jaswant Saab, aap ne yeh kyun kiya? (Jaswant sir, why have you done this?)
His book; 'A Call to Honour having become a bestseller.

People this war has gone to mars, am not talking about the Israeli-Lebanon conflict nor am I talking about the acclaimed Starwars. I'm talking about Media War thats being fought on our Television sets.

When CNN-IBN reveals a story on the beggar mafia caught in an expose what does NDTV do. Well its not difficult to guess; they expose the School admission bribery raquet through their hidden camera.
Now I surely cannot say which one of these was taken first, but the NDTV expose shows that the expose was done something early July (a good one month back). Were they awaiting for the IBN strike.
CNN-IBN has gone step further with their 'IBN Impact' showing one of our MPs talking about it in parliament. However all said and done, this expose on the flipside does serve our national interest.
Now we have a CAB story - how a joyride turns into a rollercoaster. Ganguly whose open support to Dalmiya's opponent proved futile. Infact now his chances even in Bengal Cricket looks grim considering his accusations on Dalmiya. His only savior could be the WB CM who made his animosity of Dalmiya clear by calling him an evil.

But as always Dalmiya this time too had the last laugh and he went short of using the hackneyed cricket phrase "My boys" but he made up by calling Ganguly a kid. So is it now Gone-guly.

For complete stories check what our Newspapers have to say