picOuts

Is Social Networking Safe?

2010-04-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Do you use a social networking site like Facebook or MySpace? Have you ever considered that danger that site could represent to your identity? Most people don’t. But social networking Websites do present a problem.

This article explains how the danger could be in the gadgets that you place on your site. Gadgets are little mini-applications that give you additional functionality. But if a gadget it created by someone trying to steal identities, it could give them access to your personal information.

Social networking sites aren’t the only ones that use gadgets to add functionality, either. Google’s personalized home page and now even Windows Vista uses gadgets. Use caution when downloading or enabling them, though, because you never know when you might be opening your personal information up for collection.

http://idtheft.about.com/b/2008/05/12/is-social-networking-safe.htm

Facebook seeks to spread its influence across the Internet

2010-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

Facebook rolled out a series of changes in what was pitched as an inevitable evolution in people's relationships, activities and interests melding in online identities that follow them wherever they roam on the Internet.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg outlined his vision of an "open graph" after making a rock star entrance to cheers and applause at the California firm's third annual "f8" developers conference in San Francisco.

"Today, the Web exists as a series of unstructured links between pages," said Zuckerberg, whose social network boasts more than 400 million users around the globe. "The open graph puts people at the center of the Web."

He gave the example of a Facebook member visiting the CNN.com news website, clicking on a story and then seeing an inset box that tells them which of their friends liked the same piece.

Similarly, a Facebook user could go to Internet radio station Pandora or sports-focused ESPN online and automatically share musical tastes or game news with their pals in the world's leading online community.

"Pandora will be able to start playing music from bands you have liked all across the Web," Zuckerberg said.

"It can show you which friends like music similar to what you are listening to then you can click and listen to their collections."

Open graph basically lets any Web page be turned into a de facto Facebook page, he said.

Facebook vice president of engineering Mike Schroepfer said the move could turn websites throughout the Internet into digital age versions of "Cheers," a vintage US television comedy show set in a bar where everyone knows each other.

"It's like Cheers, the bar where everyone knows your name," Schroepfer told AFP. "Or the restaurant where the maitre d' knows your name and that you like window tables. It is an inherently better experience."

Freshly launched tools let developers install Facebook's recently adopted "Like" icons that let people signal interests with a single click and share them automatically with friends at participating websites.

"We are going to make it possible to make those connections, then a lot of neat things become possible," Zuckerberg said. "People can have instantly social and personalized experiences everywhere they go."

Movie website IMDb and technology colossus Microsoft, which owns a minor stake in Facebook, were among some 70 websites that have been testing the new software and have it in place.

Facebook's move has the potential to put the service at the heart of increasingly personalized online experiences, and wrest traffic from other Internet firms vying for people's attention and advertising dollars.

Zuckerberg said Facebook has no plans to use the new developer tools to mine revenue but expects to benefit by strengthening bonds people have to the social networking service.

"The more people use Facebook the stronger the bond," Zuckerberg said.

"We serve ads and that is the business model that is working real well for us," he continued. "Other people are going to make a lot of money from this and that is really good."

While the social network's new tools have the potential to expand Facebook's presence throughout the Internet, it could mean people visit the firm's website less.

"How do we create a world where when we show up anywhere our friends are there?" Facebook vice president Chris Cox asked rhetorically. "Our answer is an open platform and to give these tools to developers."

http://www.physorg.com/news191081381.html

S.Korea completes world's longest seawall

2010-04-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

The 33.9 kilometre (21 mile) Saemangeum seawall encloses 401 square kilometres (160 square miles) of seawater or tidal mudflats, about two thirds the size of Seoul.

"Saemangeum is the largest-ever engineering project in this country and will change the country's landscape," said President Lee Myung-Bak at the televised inauguration.

The government has so far spent 2.9 trillion won (2.6 billion dollars) on the project, which began almost two decades ago but was repeatedly suspended amid a lawsuit by environmentalists.

Another 21 trillion won in state and private spending is envisaged over the next decade to reclaim land, build infrastructure and create giant freshwater reservoirs.

Lee called the structure, which incorporates a road, "the Great Wall on the sea", saying it would become an economic highway for South Korea to reach the world beyond Northeast Asia.

Agriculture minister Chang Tae-Pyong said the project would convert mudflats and shallow tidal waters into a centre for low-carbon, green growth industries, leisure, the environment and agriculture.

The ministry said it replaces the Zuiderzee dyke in the Netherlands, completed in 1933, as the world's longest seawall.

The inauguration of the first phase featured the opening of the road along the top.

The reclamation project was first mooted in the early 1970s and work on the west coast dyke, 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Seoul, began in 1991.

http://www.physorg.com/news191589461.html

iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G

2010-03-31T03:28:00.000-07:00

Take a network with you wherever you go.

iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G offers superfast data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps over 3G cellular networks around the world. It’s perfect when you’re out and about with no access to a Wi-Fi network, because you can still get a fast connection for surfing the web, sending and receiving email, or getting directions. Since iPad seamlessly switches between 3G and even faster Wi-Fi, you always get the best connection available. And with AT&T data plans, you’ll have access to over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, including Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and more.

No-contract 3G service.

In the United States, 3G service is available through a breakthrough deal with AT&T. You choose the amount of data per month you want to buy — 250MB or unlimited. If you choose the 250MB plan, you’ll receive onscreen messages as you get close to your monthly data limit so you can decide whether to turn off 3G or upgrade to the unlimited plan. Best of all, there’s no contract. So if you have a business trip or vacation approaching, just sign up for the month you’ll be traveling and cancel when you get back. You don’t need to visit a store to get 3G service. You can sign up, check your data usage, manage your account, or cancel your service — all from your iPad.

AT&T 3G Data Plans for iPad

Data per month	Price per month
250MB	$14.99
Unlimited	$29.99

Want a girl friend from Male'? and nice girl..

2010-03-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

I just thought about why i have not had a girl friend after i came back to male' and here is the answer for the little research i did.

These are the 3 things you should probably have if you want a girl friend in Male'

1. A Phone - To call her every now and then. To set the date or arrange the place of the date. To be on time. To be there for her when ever she is in need. Send text messages picture messages to her. To take pictures of both of you together (or her pictures mostly) To play music when she feels bored. Send her credit if she's got a pre-paid from your post paid.

2. A Vehicle - A motor cycle. Or a car is more preferable. To take her to the office and bring her home. To take her for a coffee or a dinner. To take her for a ride late at night. Roam around male for two to three times on Bodu Thakurufaanu Magu. Basically to be her taxi driver.

3. Money - Obviously one of the most important thing you got to have if you want a girl friend here in Male'. To impress her and make her go out with you. To buy her presents on birthdays anniversaries and other special occasions. To pay for the coffee, the lunch or the dinner. To pay for the holiday trip to a resort or a foreign country. All in all money will be a part of everything you do with her.

You might survive with a girl friend if you have one or two things mentioned above. But if you do not have any of these three things mentioned above, don't even dream about having a girl friend here in Male'......!!!! OR WAIT... until their mind evolve to want something you've got. (might be something sane next time)

So its like....

Before
Social respect, higher social ranking, high class people like "beyfulhun" "ganduvaru therey saahibun" "fandithaverin" "valeeverin" and "all those shit" Or people who have houses, a fishing boat or people who have a lot of coconut palms maybe.

Now
A car or a motor cycle. An expensive phone. A lot of money.

Later
Maybe more educated people. Degree holders. Phd holders. Professionals. Creative people. Intellectual people. Innovative people. People with a better understanding and a higher IQ level. Or might it not be the chance for a free thinker like me?

original : http://balaabodu.blogspot.com/2007/03/want-girl-friend-from-male.html

Civil Service ge muvazafunge musaara

2010-01-22T01:40:00.000-08:00

Mi dhuvas kolhuga emme gadhayah dhevekey vaahaka akee civil service ge muvazafuge musaaraige vaahaka. Civil service akee minivan mu ah sasaa ekkamaku baaru foruvanee siyaasee verin.

Civil service ge muvazafun mithibenee edhemedhugai fithi baaru vefa. Finance in inzaaru dhenee musaara hadhaa muvazaffa, hama efadhain Civil service comision in ves inzaaru dhenee. meega musaara hadhaa muzafu kuraanee kon kamme kaakuge bahah bolabaaneee. Civil service ge gavidhuge (43 /noonu) gai bunaa gothun vaanama mihaaru Finance aai commision aai dhemedhugai vefai vaa ebas vun nimijje. mikamugai kureege information minister Nasheedh DHI tv gai beyvi interview eh ga vidaalhuvefai vanee " emuvazzafunaa medhu fiyavalhu finance ah neylheyne kamma". Nama ves difance ministry gai hunnavaa civil service ge emme isveriyaa vanee geygai madu kurumma angaa geyya fonuvaalaafa, sababakka vee bodukko musaara thayyaaru kurumma engumun.

Alhugada mauloomaathu libifai vaagothun january mahuge musaara mi faharu hedhee 2 gothashe, kuda koshaai bodukko. Finance in bodukko hadhaafaivaa musaara sheet thah balai nuganna kamma vey.

Solar Eclipse January 2010

2010-01-15T01:21:00.000-08:00

There will be a solar eclipse on 15 January 2010. This will be the first eclipse of 2010 and will be more precisely an annular solar eclipse with an estimated magnitude of 0.9190.

The eclipse will start in Uganda (Africa) and pass through the Indian Ocean to finally move through south India to China. The best spot to view the eclipse will be at Maldives where the duration of the eclipse is expected to last about 11 minutes.
The total eclipse will begin at about 5:13 GMT and ends at 8:59 GMT – The greatest eclipse view is expected at 7:07 GMT. For the sidenote, Mauritius is at GMT+4, so just add 4 hours to the time above to get the time here.

Mifadha meehunna haggu adhabu dheyn vee.

2010-01-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Thofi alhaigen huri (partey), eheri nikamethi beybe (nura isthasi huri) ge jeebah MRF20 (partey athugai e vanee) laakamu hadhaafa beybe athugai huri laari kolhu hifaigen filan ulhunee.

partey police car ah aruvaneee. mi haadhisaa aikee 11 jan 2010 vana dhuvahu medhuru ge vaguthu baazaaru mathee gaihunna sonyhardware fihaara kaireegai hingaafaivaa kamme.

Angler

2010-01-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

10.01.10

2010-01-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Ancient Ships in the Indian Ocean

2010-01-09T00:55:00.000-08:00

http://www.maldivesculture.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=224&Itemid=42

Malaysians protest non-Muslim use of name Allah by online

2010-01-09T00:40:00.000-08:00

The government said on Monday it had filed an appeal against the court ruling amid concerns.

More than 43,000 Malaysians protested online over a court ruling allowing a Catholic paper to use the word "Allah" to describe the Christian God.

A group page on social networking site Facebook was drawing 1,500 new supporters an hour on Monday as last week's court ruling.

The government said on Monday it had filed an appeal against the court ruling amid concerns.

The Facebook page, named in Malay as "Protesting the use of the name Allah by non-Muslims", said that the group was for Muslims who realise that this is propaganda to confuse Muslims now and in future".

The Catholic Church, which publishes a Malay version of its newspaper, The Herald, uses the word "Allah" for the Christian God.

The ruling by the Kuala Lumpur High Court followed a ban by the government on the weekly Herald in January last year over the use of the word "Allah" by Christians.

The government had said that the use of the Arabic word might offend the sensitivities of Muslims who make up 60 percent of Malaysia's 28 million population, while Christians -- including about 800,000 Catholics -- make up about 9.1 percent.

The Herald circulates in Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island where the indigenous Muslim population had been converted to Christianity more than a century ago and where the word has been commonly used in prayer for decades.

David Movies for watch online movies and downloads

2010-01-06T00:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.davidmovie.com/

Health benefits of eating seafood

2010-01-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

Health benefits of eating seafood: it has been suggested that no other food has a greater influence on health and attacking disease than seafood.

There is one piece of nutritional advice that most experts, worldwide, seem to agree upon - "seafood is good for you".

Cold water , deep-sea fish are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids that help protect against many diseases such as cancer , arthritis, high blood pressure, strokes and heart disease.

Seafood contains a specific type of oil that is made up of long chains of molecules called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help suppress the activity of prostaglandins and leukotrienes which can activate various diseases, including blood clots and joint inflammation. Omega-3s also help protect the immune system. Not only is fish oil an anti-inflammatory agent, it also helps to protect the heart against arrhythmias (irregular heart beats). Arrhythmias are recognised as one of the most common triggers of heart attacks.

What are the major advantages of eating seafood that is high in omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3s protect against heart disease:

Studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in fish have reduced rates of heart disease. One British survey studied over two thousand men, all under the age of seventy. All had also suffered one or more heart attacks. The men were divided into four groups. The first group ate a portion of fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines at least twice a week, or ate the equivalent amount of fish oil in capsule form. The second group cut down on their consumption of saturated fats including, butter, cheese, cream. They substituted polyunsaturated fats such as margarine. The third group increased their fibre intake, but did not adjust their normal fat intake. The fourth group did not alter their diet at all. After two years, the group eating the fatty fish diet had 29% fewer deaths from heart attack. By eating no more than 300g of oily fish per week, the men in the first group had reduced their chances of dying from a heart attack by approximately one third.

Omega-3s can help prevent the spread of some cancers:

Tests have shown that eating more oily fish and/or taking fish oil capsules may help prevent the spread of some cancers, in particular, breast cancer. This is partly explained by the fact that fish oil boosts the immune system. This, in turn, helps destroy cancer cells that may not have been removed by surgery. Omega-3s also help curb metastasis.

Omega-3s help relieve inflammatory diseases:

Studies of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have shown that eating a daily portion of 200g of salmon can dramatically reduce symptoms of inflammation, tenderness and swollen joints.

Omega-3s can improve the skin condition of psoriasis sufferers:

Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease which causes redness and itching of the skin, can be significantly reduced in patients taking as little as 1.8g of fish oil per day.

Omega-3s, alone, will not suppress the progress of disease. A delicate balance is required between different types of fatty acids in the diet. Omega-3s need to battle for control with another type of fatty acid called omega-6. Omega-6 type fat is found in foods such as corn, sunflower oil, safflower and meats where the animals have been fed on plant foods. Most Western diets consist of an unhealthy imbalance in favour of omega-6s. An excess of omega-6 leads to the overproduction of prostaglandins and leukotrienes that activate many common diseases. Eating more omega-3s redresses the imbalance. Two servings of fish a week have been recommended as a minimum requirement to restore a healthy balance.

Despite its capacity to halt the progress of certain diseases, most experts claim that the main benefits of eating seafood lie in prevention rather than cure. A regular diet rich in oily fish is likely to protect against the onset of many serious diseases.

Most visited post in 2009.

2010-01-05T02:59:00.000-08:00

Story Behind Aishwarya Rai

http://picouts.blogspot.com/2008/08/story-behind-aishwarya-rai.html

The world's tallest building since 2010.

2010-01-05T00:53:00.000-08:00

Burj Khalifa formerly known as Burj Dubai, is a skyscraper in Dubai, UAE, and is the thallest man-made structure ever built, at 828 m (2,717 ft). Construction began on 21 September 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October 2009 and the building officially opened on 4 January 2010.

Bill Gates Biography

2009-12-30T22:35:00.000-08:00

Full Name : Born William Henry Gates, III,

DOB : October 28, 1955,

B Place : Seattle, Washington.

Gates began to show an interest in computer programming at the age of 13 at the Lakeside School. He pursued his passion through college. Striking out on his own with his friend and business partner Paul Allen, Gates found himself at the right place at the right time. Through technological innovation, keen business strategy, and aggressive competitive tactics he built the world's largest software business, Microsoft. In the process he became one of the richest men in the world.
Bill Gates grew up in an upper middle-class family with two sisters: Kristianne, who is older, and Libby, who is younger. Their father, William H. Gates, Sr., was a promising, if somewhat shy, law student when he met his future wife, Mary Maxwell. She was an athletic, outgoing student at the University of Washington, actively involved in student affairs and leadership. The Gates family atmosphere was warm and close, and all three children were encouraged to be competitive and strive for excellence. Bill showed early signs of competitiveness when he coordinated family athletic games at their summer house on Puget Sound. He also relished in playing board games (Risk was his favorite) and excelled in Monopoly.
Bill had a very close relationship with his mother, Mary, who after a brief career as a teacher devoted her time to helping raise the children and working on civic affairs and with charities. She also served on several corporate boards, among them First Interstate Bank in Seattle (founded by her grandfather), the United Way, and International Business Machines (IBM). She would often take Bill along on her volunteer work in schools and community organizations.
Bill was a voracious reader as a child, spending many hours pouring over reference books such as the encyclopedia. Around the age of 11 or 12, Bill's parents began to have concerns about his behavior. He was doing well in school, but he seemed bored and withdrawn at times. His parents worried he might become a loner. Though they were strong believers in public education, when Bill turned 13 they enrolled him in Seattle's Lakeside School, an exclusive preparatory school. He blossomed in nearly all his subjects, excelling in math and science, but also doing very well in drama and English.

More : http://www.biography.com/articles/Bill-Gates-9307520?part=0

Mikamma vissnamaa

2009-12-28T23:08:00.000-08:00

Addu link road car akaai cycle ehjehi hingi nurakkaa theri haadhisaagai cyclege fahathugai in 19 ahruge kujjaa ves niyaavejje.

Mi magakee aharaku ethah ekahala nurahkaatheri haadhisaa hingaafaivaa mageh.

Konmme meehaku ves magumathee ehchi dhuvai, hingaa hadhaa iru balaigen, hedhifaivaa gawaidhaa gaanoonna bolabaigen ulhen aadha kuran vejje. Ehen nuvaa kamma vanyaa mifadha ethakke haadhisaa eh fenaane, dheraves libeyne.

Quran ge dhivehi tharujamaain "ithuru" massala eh fenijje

2009-12-25T01:22:00.000-08:00

"3o vana fothuge thereah 29 vana fothuge aayya thah vadhe mahsuni vefai vaakamma shaheem vidhaalhuvi." more http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=91302

Raavikkun manaakuraa bil majileehun beyrukkofi

2009-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Dhivehiraajje gai raavikun manaa kuraa bil majileehuge thalhunum beyru kohlaifi, medhu henveyru dhaairaage menbaru ALI AZIM vidhaalhuvee mifadha bil thakakee dhuruvisney yahoodheenge visnumugai hedhey bil thakkekamma. Raa vikun manaakurumun raajje ah libey anmudhanee dhahve, raajje nikamethive,yahoodheen ge eheetherikamah edhen jehey fadha haalatheh kurimathi vedhaane kamma eyna vidhaalhuvi.

Original artical http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=91020

Seppukoo

2009-12-10T02:12:00.000-08:00

About Seppukoo
"This is the end. My only friend, the end.”
http://www.seppukoo.com/

Our life

2009-12-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Our life

2009-12-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

29th Nov 2009

2009-12-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

Arafaath Duvas

2009-11-27T06:24:00.000-08:00

Black Friday Deals - $200 OFF All Upgrades plus Free Shipping on Alienware Systems‏

2009-11-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

Add Alienware@dellhome.usa.dell.com to your address book to ensure you receive your Alienware emails.

------------------------------------------------------------

* Important Details: Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers. Taxes, shipping, handling and other fees apply. U.S. Dell Home and Home Office/Alienware new purchases only. Dell/Alienware reserves the right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors.

*Offer ends 12/01/09

Free 3 to 5 business days ground shipping

Alienware is located at Alienware Corporate Headquarters, 14591 SW 120th Street, Miami, FL 33186.

Dell is located at One Dell Way, RR-1, Round Rock, TX 78682

EID MUBARAK

2009-11-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

EID MUBARIK TO ALL VISITORS

63- The Hypocrites (Al-Munáfiqün)

2009-08-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.
They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah: truly evil are their deeds.
That is because they believed, then they rejected Faith: So a seal was set on their hearts: therefore they understand not.
When thou lookest at them, their bodies please thee; and when they speak, thou listenest to their words. They are as (worthless as hollow) pieces of timber propped up, (unable to stand on their own). They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of Allah be on them! How are they deluded (away from the Truth)!
And when it is said to them, "Come, the Messenger of Allah will pray for your forgiveness", they turn aside their heads, and thou wouldst see them turning away their faces in arrogance.
It is equal to them whether thou pray for their forgiveness or not. Allah will not forgive them. Truly Allah guides not rebellious transgressors.
They are the ones who say, "Spend nothing on those who are with Allah's Messenger, till they disperse (and quit Madinah)." But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the Hypocrites understand not.
They say, "If we return to Madinah, surely the more honorable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner." But honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not.
O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, surely they are the losers.
And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! Why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".
But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.

http://www.noblequran.info/

Basic Tenets of Islam

2009-08-22T05:24:00.000-07:00

Everyone has some knowledge and convictions about Islam. However, the majority of these convictions have their origins in inadequate or incorrect sources. Actually, what one has to do to know Islam is to study the Qur’an, which comprises the origin and basis of Islam. Based on the information conveyed in the Qur’an, this book gives an account of God’s attributes, our purpose in this world, what we have to do to fulfill this purpose.

For download full book

http://tr1.harunyahya.com/Detail/T/EDCRFV/productId/558/BASIC_TENETS_OF_ISLAM

Maahdhee bayaa roohaani bai himanaigen roadha hifun

2009-08-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Roadha ah thahyaaru vumuge gothun varra muhinmu kamme dheyn jeheyne.

http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=86866

2009-08-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ramaza Mubarak to all.

O,ALLAH!

Shower your Blessings Upon us in this Holy Month Of Ramazan.

Let us spend every second of Ramazan Worshipin Allah.

Allah bless us, and give us good returned on this ramazan.

IMPORTANT HEALTH TIPS

2009-08-09T00:44:00.000-07:00

Answer the phone by left ear.
Don't Take Medicine with cold water & Juice.
Don't Have Huge Meals after 5pm.
Drink more water in the morning, less at night.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm to 6am.
Don't lie down immeditely after taking food or madicine.
When battery is down to last bar, don't answer the phone, as the radiation is 1000 times stronger.

Michael Jackson died (1958-2009)

2009-06-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist and entertainer. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, four of his solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995), while his 1982 Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time.

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era. Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, aged 50, of a suspected cardiac arrest or heart attack. The specific cause of death is yet to be determined.

more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson

TO DAY IS environment DAY

2009-06-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

funny

2009-06-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

Monkeys learn from mistakes: study

2009-05-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO (AFP) -– Monkeys are able to learn from their mistakes and will take risks to potentially win better rewards when playing games, according to a new study.

“This is the first evidence that monkeys, like people, have 'would-have, could-have, should-have' thoughts,” said Ben Hayden, a researcher at the Duke University Medical Center and lead author of the study published in the journal Science.

Hayden and his team trained the monkeys to associate a green square on a computer screen with a “high value” reward and other colors with “low value” treats.

The monkeys then played a game similar to the game show Lets Make a Deal where they had to choose between eight identical white squares. If they found the square which hid the green, they got a bigger serving of juice.

And to test if they were capable of the abstract thought process that allows humans to consider consequences and potential outcomes, they were shown what prizes they missed after receiving the juice. The researchers monitored the neurons in an area of the monkey's brains called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, which plays an important role in decision-making.

They found that the neurons responded in proportion to the value of the reward: the better the prize, the bigger the response.

They also found that the neurons responded in much the same way when the monkeys were shown what rewards they missed.

“It is significant to learn that the neurons have a dual role, because the monkey can only adapt his behavior when he gets information on both of those events, real and missed,” said senior author Michael Platt of Duke University. This function could serve the purpose of helping monkeys make better choices in the future.

“These findings are consistent with the idea that the ACC represents both real and fictive reward outcomes to dynamically guide changes in behavior,” the study concluded.

“Such a mechanism may be crucial in complex social environments, where the behavior of others provides a rich supply of fictive information.”

To measure how this brain function might help monkeys learn, the researchers kept the green square in the same position or moved it to the next position most of the time.

The monkeys appeared to be able to adapt to the pattern because they chose those targets significantly more often than what would have happened by chance. They were also more likely to select a target that was not among the most frequent positions if it had offered a large reward on the previous trial and the monkey had missed it.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=194673

Some of the Best in Istanbul museum AMAZING!!!!

2009-05-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

Tears will fall After reading this mail,......,...,..!!

2009-05-10T04:29:00.000-07:00

READ CAREFULLY

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Class of Quranic Studies. The Mualim had shared about listening to Allah and obeying Allah through intuition. The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Allah still speak to people through intuition?' After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you'll know it was Allah's) Who has directed you. It was about ten o'clock when the Youngman started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'Allah...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.' As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.He shook his head and said out loud, 'Allah is that you?' He didn't get reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into his head.' Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turndown that street.' This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street ..At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, Allah, I will.' He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighbourhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat..'Allah, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay Allah's), if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.' He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep.' What is it?' The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah's) to show me how to get some milk.' His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?' The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that Allah (SWAT) still answers prayers. NOW HERE'S THE TEST....If you believe that Allah (SWT) answers prayers, send this to everyone you REALLY care about!!!!!!!!!If you do not send nothing will happen to you, but if you send you might just be sending someone hope and belief that Allah (SWT) hears our prayers and give hope to those who have already lost faith considering the situation of most people. Sometimes it's the simplest things that Allah (SWT) asks us to do, that enable us to understand His words clearer and better than ever.

SUBHANALLAH!Please listen, and obey! It will bless you and others

ހުޅުކޮޅެއްގެ ނިވަލުގައި ޒިނޭއަށް ފަރުދާވެގެން

2009-05-10T03:52:00.000-07:00

ތަރުޖަމާ: ބިލާލް

ރަސްކަލަކަށް ވަރަށް ރީތި އަންހެން ދަރިޔަކު ލިބިގެންވިއެވެ. މިއަންހެން ކުއްޖާ އެއްފަހަރަކު އޭނާގެ ބައްޕަމެންނާއި އެކީ ޝިކާރަކުރަން ގޮސް އުޅުމުގެ ތެރޭގައި ގެއްލިއްޖެއެވެ. ދެން މިއަންހެން ކުއްޖާ ހިނގަމުން ހިނގަމުން ދަނިކޮށް ފެނުނީ ވަރަށް ނިކަމެތި ޖިފުޓިގަނޑެކެވެ. އެތަނުގެ އެތެރެ ބަލާލިއިރު ވަރަށް ޒުވާން، ފިރިހެން ކުއްޖަކު ނަމާދު ކުރަން ހުއްޓެވެ. ޒުވާނާ ގެ ނަމާދު ނިމެންދެން އަންހެން ކުއްޖާ އެތަނުގައި މަޑުކުރިއެވެ

.
އެ ޒުވާނާއަށް އެއީ ގެއްލިފައިވާ ކުއްޖެއްކަން އެނގުމުން ކާނެ އެއްޗެހީގެ އިތުރަށް، ނިދުމަށްޓަކައި އޭނާގެ އަމިއްލަ އެނދު ވެސް ދިނެވެ. ރޭގަނޑުވުމުން އޭނާ އަނެއްކާވެސް ނަމާދުކުރަންފެށިއެވެ. އަދި ކައިރީގައި އުއްބައްތިއެއް ބެހެއްޓިއެވެ

.
އަނެއް ދުވަހު ރަސްގެފާނުގެ ސިފައިން އެ ކުއްޖާ ހޯދުމަށްފަހު ގަނޑުވަރަށް ގެންދިޔައެވެ. އަންހެން ކުއްޖާ ކަންތައް ހިނގާދިޔަގޮތް ކިޔައިދިނެވެ. އަދި އެ ފިރިހެން ކުއްޖާ އެތަނަށް ހާޒިރުކުރުމަށް އެދުނެވެ. ދެން އެ ޒުވާނާ ގެނައުމުން އެ އަންހެންކުއްޖާ އަށް ދެރަގޮތެއް ހެދިންތޯ ސުވާލުކުރަން ފެށިއެވެ. އަންހެން ކުއްޖާ އޭނާގެ ބައްޕަގެ ގާތުގައި އެ ޒުވާނާގެ ކިބައިން ރޭގަނޑު ހޭދަކުރީ ކިހިނެއްތޯ ސުވާލުކުރުމަށް އެދުނެވެ. ޖަވާބުގައި އޭނާ ނަމާދުކުރީކަމަށް ބުންޏެވެ. އަންހެން ކުއްޖާ އެއީ ތެދެއް ކަމުގައި ބުނުމުގެ ގޮތުން ބޯ ޖަހާލިއެވެ. އެހެނަސް ރޭގައި އުއްބައްތި އަކުން ތިން ފަހަރު މަތީން އަމިއްލަ އަތާއި ކައިރިކޮށް ހޫނުކުރީ ކީއްކުރަންތޯ ސުވާލުކުރުވިއެވެ

.
ދެން އެ ތަޤްވާވެރި ޒުވާނާ ކިޔައިދިނެވެ. "އަހަރެން ނަމާދުކުރަން ހުރި ކަމުގައި ވިޔަސް އިރުއިރު ކޮޅުން އަހަރެންގެ ހިތަށް އަރަމުން ދިޔައީ ﷲ ތަޢާލާ ޙަރާމްކުރެއްވި ޢަމަލަކަށް އަރައިގަތުމަށެވެ. އެހެން ނުވާނީވެސް ކިހިނެއް ހެއްޔެވެ؟ ޖިފުޓި ތެރޭގައި އޮތީ ރީތިކަމުގައި ދެވަނައެއް ނެތް އަންހެން ކުއްޖެކެވެ. އަހަރެން ކޮންމެ ކަމެއް ކުރިޔަސް ހުއްޓުވާނީ ކާކު ހެއްޔެވެ؟ އެކަމަކު އެ ވަސްވާސްތައް އުފެދޭ ކޮންމެ ފަހަރަކު އަހަރެން އަމިއްލަ ނަފުސާއި ސުވާލު ކުރަމެވެ. ނަރައިގެ އަލިފާނަށް ކެތްކުރެވޭނެ ހެއްޔެވެ؟ ދެން އަހަރެން އެ އުއްބައްތި އަތާއި ދިމާކޮށްފައި ކެތްކުރެވޭތޯ ބަލަނީއެވެ. އިސާހިތަކު އަހަރެންނަށް ޖެހުނީ އަތް ދަމައިގަންނާށެވެ. ދެން އަނެއްކާވެސް ނަމާދުކުރަން ފަށަނީއެވެ. އޭގެ ފަހުން އެތައް އިރެއް ވުމުން އަނެއްކާވެސް އެ ވަސްވާސްތައް އާދެއެވެ. މިކަންތައް މުޅި އެރޭ ތިންފަހަރު ހިނގިއެވެ."
********************************

ހަމަކަށަވަރުން މުއުމިނުންނަށް ކާމިޔާބު ލިބިއްޖެއެވެ. އެމީހުންނަކީ އެމީހުންގެ ނަމާދުގައި ﷲ އަށް ބިރުވެތިކަމާއެކު މަޑުމޮޅިވެގެން ތިބޭ މީހުންނެވެ. އަދި، އެމީހުންނަކީ ބޭނުން ނެތް ބަސްތަކާއި ކަންތަކުން އެއްކިބާވެ، ދުރުހެލިވެގެންވާ މީހުންނެވެ. އަދި، އެބައިމީހުންނަކީ ޒަކާތްދިނުމާއި މެދު ކުރާން އޮތްގޮތަށް ކަންތައްކުރާ މީހުންނެވެ. އަދި އެމީހުންނީ އެމީހުންގެ ލަދުވެތި ގުނަވަންތަކަށް ރައްކާތެރިވާ މީހުންނެވެ. އެބައިމީހުންގެ އަނބީން ނުވަތަ އެމީހުންނަށް މިލްކުވެގެންވާ އަޅުންގެ މައްޗަށް މެނުވީއެވެ. ފަހެ "ހަމަކަށަވަރުން އެމީހުންނަކީ މަލާމާތްލިބޭނޭ ބަޔަކު ނޫނެވެ

[1] އަލްމުއުމިނޫން ސޫރަތު އެއްވަނަ އާޔަތުން ފެށިގެން ހަވަނަ އާޔަތުގެ ނިޔަލަށް.

The 10 Most Amazing Snorkeling Spots

2009-04-30T00:26:00.000-07:00

For some, snorkeling is a passive activity that one might participate in while on vacation or on a cruise. For others, snorkeling is a serious sport. The thrill of finding and then exploring new and uncharted waters is incredible; certainly worth every moment and penny spent in traveling to each destination.We’ve searched the world’s finest waters for the best spots to mingle with aquatic wildlife. If you’re an avid snorkeling fanatic, or even have a budding interest in the sport, grab your gear and head on out to one of these amazing blue destinations. We guarantee you won’t be sorry!

Stingray World, Moorea

Moorea is located within the lagoons of Tahiti. There you will find Stingray World, aptly named because of the incredible population of stingrays found within the shallow waters off of the sandbanks. Your snorkeling experience will have you staring right into the eyes of some of the friendliest stingrays on earth and, if you play your cards right, you’ll get to touch them as they carefully eat squid right out of your hands!

Red Sea, Egypt

Off the coast of Safaga, Egypt you’ll find one of the hottest destinations for both snorkelers and divers. Visitors will travel to Soma Bay where they can trek to the end of the pier for snorkeling and diving adventures. The Red Sea, surprisingly, houses quite a few of the same species you’ll find in the tropics, as well as some more unique ones. Look carefully and you may even see a lionfish!

Bonaire, Caribbean Islands

Off the coast of Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles you’ll find one of the most beautiful snorkeling destinations on earth. The inhabitants of the reef off the shores of Bonaire are protected, as the coastline has been named an official marine park. Here you’ll see a variety of coral species, including elkhorn, brain coral, and even staghorn. Relax and enjoy the view as you watch millions of fish flutter about the reef.

Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has always been an incredibly popular snorkeling destination. Enthusiasts from all over the year travel to Heron Island each year to snorkel and explore the beautiful reefs. Those who prefer to stay on ground will enjoy the resort’s famous reef walk, while those who want to snorkel won’t have to venture far from shore to marvel at the green sea turtles, sting rays, and beautiful aquatic reefs. Prepare to be amazed!

Norman Reef, Australia

Norman Reef, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland, is another popular Great Barrier Reef destination. This reef is only accessible by boat, which will drop you off on a large covered platform complete with a dive shop and restaurant. Snorkeling fans can swim out to the coral shelf to explore the incredible fish and clam species. Those who want to stay dry can visit the underwater observatory!

San Blas Islands, Panama

There are over 365 islands in the archipelago known as San Blas, but visiting these islands is a unique experience. You’ll have to fly in from Panama City, and each day the Kuna Indians who live on the islands will take you to some of the other uninhabited islands for snorkeling and exploration in the incredibly clear waters! Find incredibly discounted Panama hotels.

Huahine, French Polynesia

The island of Huahine in French Polynesia is also referred to as the “Golden Island” because of its incredible and colorful tropical plants. Off the coast of the white sandy beaches you’ll find incredible snorkeling destinations. Simply walk off the beach, or find a boat to take you to some of the outer reefs where you can simply go with the flow and enjoy mingling with the fish.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji Islands

Located on Vanua Levu, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is one of the best destinations for snorkeling and diving (as if the name didn’t give that fact away). Spend your nights in a private bungalow and then spend your days snorkeling off of the pier at the front of the island. A boat is available to take those who would like to explore the waters further out. There aren’t many resorts that will equip guests with flashlights and a guide for an evening snorkeling adventure - an experience you’ll never forget!

Kealakeua Bay, Hawaii

There are dozens of beautiful Hawaiian snorkeling destinations, but Kealakekua Bay off of the Big Island. The only drawback is that it’s difficult to access - you can hike 2.5 miles, kayak, or have a Dive Cruise take you out to the reef. The trip is worth the effort, though - depending on the season, you are more likely than not to see spinner dolphins, humpback whales and more!

La Jolla Cove, California

Believe it or not, you don’t even have to leave the continental United States to go snorkeling. The La Jolla Cove Park in San Diego, California is actually part of an ecological reserve in order to protect the cove’s wildlife. Simply walk off the beach to visit the spectacular varieties of tropical fish, orange garibaldi, smelt, opaleyes, bass, and shovelnose guitarfish, amongst others. There are plenty of incredible caverns and coves to keep you busy at La Jolla.Beginners, advanced snorkelers, and even land lovers are guaranteed a magnificent and unforgettable experience at each of these amazing spots. Mother nature has blessed us with some beautiful wildlife and sceneries - relax and enjoy the experience!

Original post :http://www.zimbio.com/SCUBA+diving/articles/1225/10+Most+Amazing+Snorkeling+Spots

އަވަސް ހަބަރު

2009-04-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

.ތަމަޅަޓައިގަރުން ރާއްޖެއާއި ދިމާއަށް މިސްރާބު ޖަހާފައިވާކަމަށް ހަބަރުލިބިއްޖެ
މިކަމުގެތެދުކަމެއްނޭގެ=
12:02

މީގެ ބޭނުމަކީ ކޮބާ؟

2009-04-24T03:43:00.000-07:00

މިހުރިހާ ފާސްތަކެއް ނުވަތަ ލިޔުން ތަކެއް ހޯދުމުގެ ބޭނުމަކީ ކޮބައިތޯ؟ މިސުވާލަކީ ވަރަށް ކުރީން ސުރެއް އަޅުގަނޑު ހިތުގައި އުފެދިފައިވާ ސުވާލެއް. އަހަރެމެން އަދި މިހާރު މި ކިޔަވާ ކުދިން ވަގުތަކެއް އަދި ފައިސާތަކެއް ދުއްވާލައިގެން މިކުރާކަންތަކުގެ އަގު ސުކޫލް ދައުރު ނިމިމުން އޭގެ އަގުވަޒަން ކުރާނީ ކޮން ބައެއްތޯ؟ އަގެއް އިބަ އޮތްތޯ؟ އެހޭދަކުރި ވަގުތާއި ފައިސާއާއި މިންނެއް ކުރިމަސައްކަތުގެ އަގަކީ އެކަރުދާސްކޮޅުތޯ؟ ކީވެތޯ؟ ވަޒީފާ ދޭ ފަރާތްތަކުން މިއެއްޗިއްސައް އަގުނުދެނީ، އެފަދަފާސްތަކެއް ނެއްކުދިނާ އެކުދިނާ ހަމަހަމަކުރަނީ؟

.އޭނާ މަރުވީ ހުކުރު ނަމާދުގެ ސަޖިދައިގައި އޮއްވައެވެ

2009-04-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

.އޭނާ މަރުވީ ހުކުރު ނަމާދުގެ ސަޖިދައިގައި އޮއްވައެވެ

ތަރުޖަމާ: ނަބީލް

.ހުކުރު ދުވަހުގެ ޢަޞްރު ނަމާދަށްފަހު އަހަރެން ގޭގައި ހުއްޓާ އެކުވެރިޔަކު ފޯނުކޮށްފައި ބުންޏެވެ. 'ޝައިޚް އެވެ
އަހަރެންގެ ވަރަށް ގާތް އަޚަކު މަރުވެއްޖެއެވެ. އަދި އޭނާ މިހާރުވަނީ ހޮސްޕިޓަލުގެ ފިނިކޮޓަރީގައެވެ. ތިބާގެ ކިބައިން
އަހަރެމެން ބޭނުންވަނީ އޭނާ ހިނެވުމާއި ކަފުންކުރުމުގެ ކަންތައް ކުރިއަށް ގެންގޮސްދިނުމެވެ. އެހެންވީމާ މާދަމާ ހެދުނު
ނުވައެއް ޖަހާއިރަށް ހޮސްޕިޓަލަށް އަންނާށެވެ. ގަސްދުކުރެވިފައިވަނީ މެންދުރު ނަމާދަށް ފަހު ކަށުނަމާދު ކުރުމަށެވެ.'
ދެން ޖެހިގެން އައިދުވަހުގައި ކަނޑައެޅިފައިވާ ގަޑިއަށް އަހަރެން ހޮސްޕިޓަލަށް ދިޔައީމެވެ. ހޮސްޕިޓަލުގެ ކައިރީގައި
ވަރަށް މީހުން ގިނައެވެ. އަނެއްކާ ހޮސްޕިޓަލުގައި، އެކަކަށްވުރެ ގިނަމީހުން މަރުވެގެން އުޅެނީބާވައޭ އަހަރެން ހިތަށް
އެރިއެވެ. ހޮސްޕިޓަލުން އަހަރެންނާ އިސްތިޤްބާލުކޮށް މަރުހަބާކީ މަރުވެފައިވާ ޒުވާނާގެ ބޭބެއާއި ބައްޕައެވެ. މަރުވެގެން
މިއުޅެނީ ކިތައް މީހުންތޯ އެމީހުންނާ އަހަރެން ސުވާލުކުރީމެވެ.
ޒުވާނާގެ ބައްޕަ ބުނީ ހަމަ އެންމެ މީހަކު ކަމުގައެވެ. އަދި އެއީ އޭނާގެ ދަރިފުޅުކަމުގައި ވެސް ބުންޏެވެ. 'ދެން
އެހެންވީއިރު މިއީ ކޮންހާ ބައިވަރު މީހުންނެއް؟' އަހަރެން ސުވާލުކުރީމެވެ. ޒުވާނާގެ ބައްޕަ ބުނުއްވީ، އެއެންމެން
އެއްވެގެން އުޅެނީ އޭނާ ދަރިފުޅުގެ ހެޔޮ ނިމުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ކަމުގައެވެ. އޭނާ މަރުވީ ކިހިނަކުންތޯ އަހަރެން ސުވާލުކުރީމެވެ.

ޒުވާނާގެ ބައްޕަ ކިޔައިދިނެވެ. އަހަރެންނެކޭ އެއްފަދައިން އަހަރެންގެ ހުރިހާ ދަރިންވެސް ދިޔައީ އިއްޔެގެ
ހުކުރުނަމާދެށެވެ. އިމާމް ޚުޠުބާ ކިޔާ އަވަދިވުމުން ޤަމަތް ދެވުނެވެ. ދެން ދެވަނަ ރަކްޢަތުގެ ދެވަނަ ސަޖިދައިގައި
އޮއްވާ އަހަރެންގެ ދަރިފުޅުގެ ފުރާނަ މާތްކަލާނގެ ގެންދަވައިފިއެވެ. ހުކުރު ދުވަހުއެވެ. އެކަލާނގެ ގޭތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން
ގެއެއްގައެވެ. ސަޖިދައިގައި އޮއްވައެވެ.
ދެން ތިމަންމެން އޭނާ ހިނެވުމަށްޓަކައި ޤަބުރުސްތާނުގެ ހިނަވާތަނަށް ގެންދިޔައީމެވެ. ތިމަންމެން އެކަމަށް
ތައްޔާރުވަމުން ދަނިކޮށް މިސްކިތުގެ އިމާމް ބުނެފިއެވެ. އޭ ބޭބޭއެވެ. ޒުވާނާ މަރުވީ އަހަރެންގެ މިސްކިތުގައެވެ.
އެހެންވީއިރު އޭނާ ހިނެވުމުގެ ފުރުޞަތު އަހަންނަށް ދީފާނުހެއްޔެވެ؟
ދެން އަހަރެން ބުނީމެވެ. އަހަރެމެން ދެމީހުންނަކީ ހަމަ އެކަކީމުއެވެ. ކުރިއަށް ގެންދާށެވެ. ދެން އިމާމަށް އުނދަގޫ
ވެދާނޭތީ އަހަރެން ބޭރަށް ނުކުމެ ހިނަވާތަނުގެ ދޮރު ކައިރީގައި ހުރީމެވެ. ދެން އިމާމް ހިނަވާ ނިމި ކަފުންކުރަމުން
ގޮސް ޒުވާނާގެ ބޮލާއި މޫނާއި ނިވާކޮށްލެވޭނޭ ގޮތް ނުވެގެން އަހަރެންގެ ގާތުން އެދުނެވެ.
ޒުވާނާ ބައްޕަގެ ވާހަކަ މިހާ ހިސާބަށް ދިއުމުން އަހަރެން ހިތަށް އެރިއެވެ. ޚުތުބާކިޔާ އުޅޭ މިސްކިތެއްގެ އިމާމަކު
އަދި ޤުރްއާންވެސް ހިތުދަސް މީހަކު އަމިއްލައަށް މައްޔިތެއްގެ ހިނެވުމާއި ހަވާލުވެ، ހުރިހާ ކަމެއް ފަސޭހަކަމާއެކު
ކުރުމަށް ފަހު ހަމައެކަނި އޭނާގެ ބޮލާއި މޫނާ ދިމާއަށްވާ ބައި ނިވާކޮށްލުމަށް ނުކުޅެދުންތެރިވީ، މީ އަނެއްކާ ކޮންފަދަ
ކަމެއް ބާވައެވެ.
ދެން އަހަރެންނަށް ބުނެވުނެވެ. ހަމަ ޔަޤީނެވެ. ތިކަމުގައި ފޮރުވިފައިވާ ސިއްރެއް ވެއެވެ. އަވަސްވެގަތުމާ އެކު ޒުވާނާ
ބޭއްވިފައިވާ ތަނަށް ވަނީމެވެ. އަހަރެން ސިއްސައިގެން ދިޔައެވެ. ފެނުނު މަންޒަރުން އަންތަރީސްވިއެވެ.
މަރުވެފައިވާ ޒުވާނާ ވަނީ އުފާވެރިކަމާއެކު ވަރަށް ބޮޑަށް ހިނިތުންވެފައެވެ. ހިނިތުންވުމުގެ ބޮޑުކަމުން އޭނާގެ ދަތްތައް
ވެސް ފެންނާން ހުއްޓެވެ. ދެން އަހަންނަށް ވިސްނުނެވެ. އަސްލުގައި އަހަރެންގެ އެކުވެރި އިމާމް ބޭނުންވީ އެމޫނު
އަހަންނަށް ދައްކާ ނުލައި ނުފޮރުވުމަށެވެ. އާއެކެވެ. މީސްތަކުންނަށް އެމޫނުގައި ޢިބްރަތްތަކެއް ވެއެވެ. ދެން ބޭރުގައި
ތިބި މީހުންނަށް ވެސް ޒުވާނާގެ މޫނު ބަލާލުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު ހުޅުވާލެވުނެވެ.
ބޭރުން ވަން މީހުންގެ ތެރެއިން މީހަކު އަހަންނާ ސުވާލުކުރިއެވެ. އޭ ޝައިޚެއެވެ. މި ޒުވާނާ މިވަނީ މަރުވެފައިކަން
ހަމަޔަޤީންހެއްޔެވެ؟ އަހަރެން ވަގުތުން ބުނީމެވެ. ތިބާއަކަށް އޭނާ މަރުވެފައިވާ ތަނެއް ނުފެނޭހެއްޔެވެ؟ އެމީހާ
ބުންޏެވެ. ނިކަން ބަލާބަލާށެވެ. ޒުވާނާ ހިނިތުންވަނީއެވެ.
އޭގެ އިރުކޮޅެއް ފަހުން އަހަރެން ޒުވާނާގެ މޫނު ނިވާކޮށް ކަފުންކޮށް ނިންމާލީމެވެ. ޒުވާނާ މިސްކިތަށް ގެންދެވުނެވެ.
ޒުވާނާގެ ކަށު ނަމާދަށް އައި މީސްތަކުން ގިނަކަމުން މިސްކިތް ފުރި ބާރުވިއެވެ. ކަށުނަމާދަށް ފަހު ގަބުރުސްތާނަށް
ގެންގޮސް ޒުވާނާ ވަޅުލެވިއްޖެއެވެ.
އަށާވީސް އަހަރުގެ އެޒުވާނާގެ ގާތް މީހަކު ބުނެފައިވެއެވެ. އޭނާގެ ވަޒީފާ ނިންމާފައި ގެއަށް އައުމަށް ފަހު މެންދުރުގެ
ކެއުން ނިމުމާއިއެކު ކަހަލަ ގޮތަކަށް ޢަޞްރު ނަމާދަށް ބަންގި ގޮވައެވެ. ދެން މިސްކިތަށް ނަމާދަށް ގޮސް ކޮންމެ
ދުވަހެއްގައި ވެސް ޢަޞްރު ނަމާދަށް ފަހު މަޣްރިބް ނަމާދު ޖެހެންދެން ޒުވާނާގެ މަސައްކަތަކީ އަހަރެމެންގެ
ދަރިންނަށް ޤުރްއާން ކިޔަވައިދިނުމެވެ. އެޒުވާނާ ވެސް ޤުރްއާން ހިތުދަސްމެއެވެ. ފަހެ ޒުވާނާއަށް އެލިބުނީ ކޮންފަދަ
ރިވެތި ނިމުމެއް ހެއްޔެވެ؟ މާތް ﷲ އަހަރެމެން އެންމެންނަށް ވެސް ހެޔޮ ނިމުމެއް ދެއްވާށިއެވެ. އާމީން.
-ނިމުނީ-
ނޯޓް: މިއީ ސުޢޫދީ ޢަރަބިއްޔާގައި މައްޔިތުން ހިނެވުމުގެ މަސައްކަތްކުރައްވާ الشيخ عباس بتاوي ވިދާޅުވެދެއްވާފައިވާ
ވާހަކައެކެވެ. މިވާހަކަ އެކި ޢިބާރާތްތަކުން ބައެއް ފޮތްފޮތާއި އިންޓަނެޓުގެ ސައިޓުތަކުގައިވެސް ޝާއިޢުކުރެވިފައި ވެއެވެ.

To All muslims

2009-04-24T03:29:00.001-07:00

FW: please foward‏

Please always remember it, don't say "Mosque " ...... say "MASJID ".... Islamic organization found the meaning of "Mosque " ......is....... "Mosquitoes "......... and don't write " Mecca " it means "house of wines " write "MAKKAH " and don't write the NAME of Our Prophet (S.A.W) or your name in short as "MOHD "........... It means " The dog with big mouth " so write "MOHAMMAD " spread this around.

prison break in Maldives part 1

2009-04-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

DPRS: Inmates caused damages costing around Rf50 million to Maafushi Jail

Damages caused to Maafushi Jail by the inmates during Tuesday’s unrest would likely be in excess of Rf50 million, the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation (DPRS) has said.

A senior official of the jail said that the problems had begun around 9:00pm on Tuesday.

“First the inmates broke out of their jail cells and then set fire to the Water Treatment Plant, the power generators, the new jail cells, medical centre, and the new guard house,” the official said.

He said that they were making a detailed report of the damages caused to the jail during the unrest.

The inmates of the jail had on Sunday last week given the Government a 48-hour period in which to send them a figure of authority who could tell them how far ahead the Government was in keeping the pledges they had made during the presidential election.

The Head of the special Police team that was dispatched to control the situation at the jail, Superintendent Hussain Waheed, said that security cameras had captured some footage of the inmates causing damage to areas of the jail. He said that the video footage would be used to find who were responsible for the damage.

“Until we arrived at the jail, it was the security guards at the jail who had controlled the situation using water hoses,” he said. “If not for them the inmates would most likely have tried to escape into the residential areas of the island. If that had happened then the situation would have become even more dangerous that we could imagine.”

Hussain said on Wednesday that it wasn’t clear exactly what had caused the inmates to riot but added that jail officials had been receiving all sorts of threats from the inmates lately.

original: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/26393/DPRS:_Inmates_caused_damages_costing_around_Rf50_million_to_Maafushi_Jail

Merriam-Webster

2009-03-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

Online Search Dictionary,Thesaurus,Spanish-English & Medical more....

HOME PAGE

DICTIONARY

DOWNLOADS

and MORE.......

GAMES

Online Store

Spelling Bee

Visit http://www.merriam-webster.com

50 LIES OF NEW PRESIDENT (ANNI) IN MALDIVES

2009-02-24T02:28:00.000-08:00

Download50 Lies of President Nasheed

President Nasheed (Anni) caught drinking wine on his recent visit to india

2009-01-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

"The Maldives has many anxieties, Nasheed told reporters over a glass of Sula Shiraz, and physical Security is just one of them."

original : http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/aditi-phadnismaldivian-symphony/00/16/344445/

AND MORE...

http://misdd.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/according-to-reports-the-current-minister-for-islamic-affairs-world-not-investigate-nasheed%e2%80%99s-alleged-drinking-reported-in-indian-newspaper-because-he-himself-was-a-drinker-at-body-hithi-islan/

http://misdd.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/we-demand-an-immediate-answer-from-mohamed-nasheed-about-drinking-alcohol-sula-shiraz-we-condemn-our-religious-political-parties-our-local-newspapers-turning-their-back-on-allahislam-by-ignoring-mo/

Coconut

2008-11-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

The Tree of Life

The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. Early Spanish explorers called it coco, which means "monkey face" because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resembles the head and face of a monkey. Nucifera means "nut-bearing."

The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. On many islands coconut is a staple in the diet and provides the majority of the food eaten. Nearly one third of the world's population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Among these cultures the coconut has a long and respected history.

Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life." Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers.

Coconut In Traditional Medicine

People from many diverse cultures, languages, religions, and races scattered around the globe have revered the coconut as a valuable source of both food and medicine. Wherever the coconut palm grows the people have learned of its importance as a effective medicine. For thousands of years coconut products have held a respected and valuable place in local folk medicine.

In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.

Coconut In Modern Medicine

Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:

-Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.

-Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.

-Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.

-Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.

-Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.

-Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.

-Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

-Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.

-Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.

-Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.

-Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.

-Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.

-Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.

-Helps protect against osteoporosis.

-Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.

-Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.

-Improves digestion and bowel function.

-Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.

-Reduces inflammation.

-Supports tissue healing and repair.

-Supports and aids immune system function.

-Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.

-Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.

-Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.

-Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

-Functions as a protective antioxidant.

-Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.

-Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.

-Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.

-Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

-Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).

-Reduces epileptic seizures.

-Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.

-Dissolves kidney stones.

-Helps prevent liver disease.

-Is lower in calories than all other fats.

-Supports thyroid function.

-Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.

-Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.

-Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.

-Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.

-Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

-Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.

-Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.

-Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.

-Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.

-Provides protection form damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation form the sun.

-Helps control dandruff.

-Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.

-Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.

-Is completely non-toxic to humans.

See Research to read some of the published studies regarding the above mentioned uses of coconut products.

Coconut Oil

While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it's the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.

Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth." That's quite a remarkable statement. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?

The difference is in the fat molecule. All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. There are two methods of classifying fatty acids. The first you are probably familiar with, is based on saturation. You have saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. Another system of classification is based on molecular size or length of the carbon chain within each fatty acid. Fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. In this system you have short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).

The vast majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.

The size of the fatty acid is extremely important. Why? Because our bodies respond to and metabolize each fatty acid differently depending on its size. So the physiological effects of MCFA in coconut oil are distinctly different from those of LCFA more commonly found in our foods. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids. Both the saturated and unsaturated fat found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including most all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA.

MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial.

There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.

Copyright © 2004 Coconut Research Center

After hard work.

2008-11-08T03:17:00.000-08:00

After All, He is the new president of Maldives.

MDP demonstration in Male'

Namoona Dhoni under attack by Maldives Coast Guard with Indian Naval Ship 7 - 8 November 2006

Black Friday - 12th August - 16th August 2005

Congradulates Anni

2008-11-08T02:51:00.000-08:00

We congradulates Anni for becomming the new president of Maldives.

Amazing Holes

2008-11-04T02:50:00.000-08:00

Mirny Diamond Mine , Serbia

I'm pretty sure most people have seen this one.
It's an absolute beast and holds the title of largest
open diamond mines in the world. At 525 meters
deep, with a top diameter of 1200 meters, there's
even a no-fly zone above the hole due to a few
helicopters having been sucked in.

Great Blue Hole , Belize

This incredible geographical phenomenon known as a
blue hole is situated 60 miles off the mainland of Belize.
There are numerous blue holes around the world,
but none as stunning as this one.

BinghamCanyon Mine, Utah

This is supposedly the largest man-made excavation on earth. Extraction began in 1863 and still continues today, the pit increasing in size constantly. In its current state the hole is 3/4 miles deep and 2.5 miles wide.

Glory Hole - Monticello Dam, California

A glory hole is used when a dam is at full capacity and water needs to be drained from the reservoir

This is the 'Glory Hole' at Monticello dam, and it's the largest in the world of this type of spillway, its size enabling it to consume 14,400 cubic feet of water every second.

Kimberley Big Hole - South Africa

Apparently the largest ever hand-dug excavation in the world,
this 1097 meter deep mine yielded over 3 tons of diamonds
before being closed in 1914.

Jennifer Lopez Biography

2008-10-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

Born July 24, 1970, in Bronx, New York, Jennifer Lopez is a superstar singer, actress and performer. Jennifer is the middle child of three girls, and grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. Her father is a computer operations manager, and her mother, a kindergarten teacher. As a child, Jennifer always wanted to be a performer, and she started her career by appearing in the chorus of Hinton Battle's "Synchronicity" musical in Japan. She then appeared in "Golden Musicals of Broadway" on a European tour, and later regional productions of "Oklahoma" and "Jesus Christ Superstar".

Jennifer graduated in 1987 from Preston High School, and she enrolled at Baruch College in New York City, but dropped out after one semester. Later, when she read about a scholarship to a dance school in Manhattan, she jumped at the opportunity. Jennifer then landed a role dancing as one of "The Fly Girls" on a production of "In Living Color". She was still living in New York and had to move to LA for the role, but the show's producer Keenan Ivory Wayans advised her she would have more money and more experience if she stuck with the show.

While Jennifer was working on "In Living Color", one of her coworkers husbands was writing and producing Fox's "South Central", and she suggested Jennifer for a part. Jennifer got the recurring role on the show as Lucy, who worked in the co-op market. While the show was short lived, it helped Jennifer get some recognition, and work in two more, but short lived series.

Subsequently, she gained ground in her next film, "The Money Train", with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. Jennifer's next role as Selena, would launch her into the public eye, with her dancing and vocal talent. This led to Jennifer being picked as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. A few more major roles followed with the modern film "Blood and Wine" and "U-Turn", which secured her star status.

In 1998, Jennifer proved that she could hold her own against a powerful leading man when she starred opposite George Clooney in "Out of Sight". Jennifer is the only Latin actress in history to demand a $1 million salary. When she released her album entitled "On the 6", the album was so well received that it bumped Ricky Martin from the top of the charts.

Jennifer Lopez often receives more attention for two things, her behind, and her relationship with controversial Sean "Puffy" Combs. In 1999 she had her body insured for $1 billion, and had her rear protected with a $300 million policy. During a romance with the artist Puff Daddy, Jennifer put out her next album, "J-Lo", which also seems to be successful. Puff Daddy had input with some of the songs on the album, but he and Jennifer have now gone their separate ways.

Spears jury leaves for weekend without verdict

2008-10-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES - The jury in Britney Spears’ trial is taking the weekend to mull whether the pop singer is guilty of driving in California without a valid license.

Jurors left a San Fernando Valley courthouse late Friday afternoon after deliberating the misdemeanor charge for slightly more than two hours. With no verdict reached, the jury of eight women and four men adjourned and were told to return Monday.

Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian declined to say what punishment he would seek if Spears is convicted. She faces up to six months in jail and a fine, though her lack of a prior criminal record means a lighter penalty is likely.

Jurors are weighing whether Spears was required to have a California license when she hit a parked car and left the scene in August 2007. Amerian contended that Spears was ostensibly a Los Angeles resident because she chose to get married here, got divorced here, and her two sons were born at LA-area hospitals.

He acknowledged Friday that it was “extremely rare” for misdemeanor driving without a license cases to go to trial, but said that was Spears’ decision and pursuit of the case was justified.

But he noted the case stemmed from Spears hitting a parked car and leaving the scene of the accident without leaving a note. The case originally included a hit-and-run charge, but Spears settled that count with the car’s owner.

Amerian said Spears rejected two offers for a resolution. Spears’ attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, has said she refused the deals because she didn’t want a criminal record, and plans to appeal if convicted.

Flanagan told jurors that Spears had a valid Louisiana driver’s license at the time of the accident and considered that state home. She takes a homestead exemption on her house there and registered to vote there.

He tried to explain that it would be normal for her to have multiple residences in different states and that she could legally retain her Louisiana license. Jamie Spears testified that his daughter intends to return to Louisiana once she regains custody of her young boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James.

But father Jamie Spears’ appearance allowed Amerian to tell jurors that Spears’ voter registration had lapsed, and that she signed, under penalty of perjury, a document stating she was a California resident when filing for divorce in Los Angeles.

Miracles of Islam

2008-09-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

Which One is better for you

2008-08-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

Apple's iPhone may have been announced first, but Samsung's Ultra Smart F700 seems to be one-up Apple's effort in a few feature categories.

Apple iPhone Samsung F700

Screen                        480x320 at 3.5-inches                    440x240 at 2.78-inches
Resolution
Touchscreen        Yes, With Multitouch                        Yes, With Drag and Drop
Connectivity         Quad-Band GSM                                  Tri-band GSM, HSDPA,
                             (850, 900, 1800, 1900),                   EDGE
                                 EDGE,802.11b/g,
                               Bluetooth 2.0

Camera                   2-megapixel                                        5-megapixel with
                                                                                                   Auto-Focus
Keyboard              Touchscreen/onscreen                     Slide-out qwerty with
                                                                                                   VibeTonz
Email                      HTML Email                                            Unknkown
                                                                                                   (probably not HTML)
Browser                Full HTML Browser                              Full HTML Browser
Codec Support Standard iPod Support                      MPEG4, H.263, H.264, Real
Storage                   4-8GB                                                   Unknown onboard
                                                                                                   + microSD expansion

So it seems like although Samsung's F700 has more megapixels, a little bit more format support, an actual keyboard, and 3G connectivity, the iPhone has it beat on screen size/resolution, HTML Email, storage, widgets, google maps, and push email. Plus, of course, the whole built-in iPod thing.

The story behind Aishwarya Rai

2008-08-09T02:41:00.000-07:00

Aishwarya Rai (born on November 1, 1973), is an Indian actress. She was awarded the Miss World title in 1994. Aishwarya Rai has acted in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and English films. She is currently regarded as one of the biggest names in Bollywood.

Aishwarya Rai debuted in Mani Ratnam's Tamil language film, Iruvar with Mohanlal and Tabu. She played a dual role in the film. She was introduced to Bollywood by Rahul Rawail in the film, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya; the film was a poor performer at the box office. However, her third project, a Tamil-language film, Jeans by S. Shankar was a commercial success and she also played the female lead in Rajeev Menon's Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain which was also a success. She then appeared in popular Bollywood films Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Mohabbatein (2000). In 2002, Rai appeared with Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the lavishly produced Devdas, which was a major box-office success. The film attracted overseas attention as well, receiving a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival and garnering international attention. In 2003, Rai was a member of the jury at Cannes. In 2004, she was chosen by TIME Magazine's Asian Edition as one of Asia's "100 Most Influential People." She was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile on January 2, 2005 - "The Most Beautiful Face in the World." A month later she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, and on April 25, 2005, she was featured on Oprah's "Women Across the Globe" segment. A wax figure of Rai is on display in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum. In the past, Indian actors and actresses were celebrities in Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, but mostly unknown to the rest of the world. Aishwarya is one of the few Indian actresses to have attempted to step into Western territory. Although frequently the subject of gossip column speculation about an imminent Hollywood career, it was only in 2004 that Rai finally acted in a foreign film, when British director Gurinder Chadha hired her to play the heroine in Bride and Prejudice, a Hollywood-funded but Bollywood-influenced version of Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Her next overseas venture, Mistress of Spices, from the novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and directed by Paul Mayeda Berges, was released in the U.K. in April 2006. She played the title role in Umrao Jaan which released on November 3, 2006. The film was a commercial failure but gained her positive reviews for her performance. She played a somewhat negative role in Dhoom 2, a sequel to the 2004 hit Dhoom, was released on November 24, 2006. Dhoom 2 has been a huge hit all over the globe. On January 11, 2007, her film Guru, premiered in Toronto. It is rare for a Bollywood film to premiere in North America.

Aishwarya Rai was born in Mangalore in the state of Karnataka , India to Krishnaraj and Vrinda Rai. A practicing Hindu, Rai has described herself as having "immense faith in God and my friends". When at home she attends the Siddhivinayak Mandir, devoted to Ganesha. In the words of Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya is very "domesticated". She lives in Mumbai with her parents.

Aishwarya began dating Salman Khan, her co-star from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, after the filming of that movie. Their breakup a few years later generated a substantial amount of press attention. Aishwarya said that Salman physically abused her, which she claimed precipitated their parting of ways.

Aishwarya Rai then started dating the then heartthrob of Bollywood cinema, Vivek Oberoi. Vivek openly admitted their relationship when on Koffee with Karan. He also later claimed that Salman had been calling him repeatedly, telling him to stay away from Aishwarya. The relationship eventually started to fall apart as Vivek's career slowed down with no huge success.

Then gossip columnists started to link her with Bollywood celebrity Abhishek Bachchan, son of the unrivalled, immensely popular Bollywood A-lister Amitabh Bachchan. Abhishek has now become quite successful in his own right and who co-starred with her in several films. She was frequently seen in public with him and his family, fueling rumors of an engagement. Finally, on January 14, 2007, Abhishek and Aishwarya officially announced their engagement.

Controversy erupted over the subsequent 'marriage' of Aishwarya with a tree to ward off evil forces and to ensure a safe married life with eventual husband Abhishek.

old National Anthem of Maldives

2008-07-26T04:13:00.000-07:00

Thaana

Text as written in the Thaana script:

ޤައުމީ މިއެކުވެރިކަން މަތީ ތިބެގެން ކުރީމެ ސަލާމ ް

ޤައުމީ ބަހުން ގިނަހެޔޮ ދުޢާ ކުރަމުން ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

ޤައުމީ ނިޝާނަށް ޙުރުމިތާއެކު ބޯލަންބައި ތިބެގެން

އައުދާނަކަން ލިބިގެން އެވާދިދައަށް ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

ނަސްރާ ނަސީބާ ކާމިޔާބުގެ ރަމްޒަކަށް ހިމެނޭ

ފެއްސާ ރަތާއި ހުދާ އެކީފެނުމުން ކުރީމެސަލާމް

ފަޚްރާ ޝަރަފް ގައުމަށް އެހޯދައިދެއްވި ބަތަލުނަށް

ޒިކްރާގެ މަތިވެރި ޅެންތަކުން އަޑުގައި ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

ދިވެހީންގެނަން މޮޅުވުން އެދިތިބެ ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

މިނިވަންކަމާ މަދަނިއްޔަތާ ލިބިގެން މިޢާލަމުގާ

ދިނިގެން ހިތާމަތަކުން ތިބުންއެދިގެން ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

ދީނާއި ވެރިންނަށް ހެޔޮހިތުން ހުރުމަތް އަދާކުރަމުން

ސީދާ ވަފާތެރިކަންމަތީ ތިބެގެން ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

ދައުލަތުގެ އަބުރާ ޢިއްޒަތާ މަތިވެރި އަބަދަށް

އައުދާނަވުން އެދި ހެޔޮދުޢާ ކުރަމުން ކުރީމެ ސަލާމް

Romanized Transliteration

Gaumee mi ekuverikan matee tibegen kureeme salaam,
Gaumee bahun gina hyo du'aa kuramun kureeme salaam.
Gaumee nishaanang hurmataa eku bo lambai tibegen
Audaa nakan libigen e vaa dida-ak kureeme salaam.
Nasraa nasiibaa kaamyaabu-ge ramzakang himenee
Fessaa rataai hudaa ekii fenumun kuriime salaam.
Fakhraa sharaf gavmang e hoodai devvi batalun
Zikraage mativerun lhentakun adugai kuriime salaam.
Dhivehiinge ummay kuri arai silmaa salaamatugai
Dhivehiinge nan mollu vun edai tibegen kuriime salaam.
Minivankamaa madaniyyataa libigen mi 'aalamugai
Dinigen hitaa matakun tibun edigen kuriime salaam.
Dinaai verinnang hyo hitun hurmay adaa kuramun
Siidaa vafaaterikan matii tibegen kuriime salaam.
Davlatuge aburaa 'izzataa mativeri vegen abada'
Audaana vun edi heyo du'aa kuramun kuriime salaam.

Translation

We salute you in this national unity.
We salute you, with many good wishes in the national tongue,
Bowing the head in respect to the national symbol.
We salute the flag that has such might ;
It falls into the sphere of victory, fortune and success
With its green and red and white together, and therefore we salute it.
To those heroes who sought out honour and pride for the nation
We give salute today in auspicious verses of remembrance.
May the nation of the Maldivian Islanders advance under guard and protection
And the name of the Maldivian Islanders become great.
Thus we pledge as we salute.
We wish for their freedom and progress in this world
And for their freedom from sorrows, and thus we salute.
With full respect and heartfelt blessing towards religion and our leaders,
We salute you in uprightness and truth.
May the State ever have auspicious honour and respect.
With good wishes for your continuing might, we salute you.

History of the Maldives

2008-07-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Historical setting

Since very ancient times, the Maldives were ruled by kings (Radun) sultans and occasionally queens (Ranin) sultanas. Historically Maldives has had a strategic importance because of its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. Maldives' nearest neighbors are Sri Lanka and India, both of which have had cultural and economic ties with Maldives for centuries. The Maldives provided the main source of cowrie shells, then used as a currency throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast.

After the 16th century, when European colonial powers took over much of the trade in the Indian Ocean, first the Portuguese, and then the Dutch, and the French occasionally meddled with local politics. However, these interferences ended when the Maldive became a British Protectorate in the 19th century and the Maldivian monarchs were granted a good measure of self-governance.

Maldives gained total independence in 1965. However, the British, continued to maintain an air base on the island of Gan in the southernmost atoll until 1976. The British departure in 1976 at the height of the Cold War almost immediately triggered foreign speculation about the future of the air base. Apparently the Soviet Union made a move to request the use of the base, but the Maldives refused.

The greatest challenge facing the republic in the early 1990s was the need for rapid economic development and modernization, given the country's limited resource base in fishing, agriculture and tourism. Concern was also evident over a projected long-term rise in sea level, which would prove disastrous to the low-lying coral islands. Fortunately in the early 2000s it was found sea level had fallen during preceding decades

Early Age

It is not known when the Maldives were first settled. Comparative studies of the oral record suggest that the first settlers may have been people from the nearest coasts, probably fishermen from the southwest coast of the Indian subcontinent and the western shores of Sri Lanka. This initial settlement must have occurred many millennia ago, as there is a lack of a proper myth relating the human population of the islands.

These first Maldivians didn't leave any archaeological remains. Their buildings were probably built of wood, palm fronds and other perishable materials, which would have quickly decayed in the salt and wind of the tropical climate. Moreover, chiefs or headmen didn't reside in elaborate stone palaces, nor did their religion require the construction of large temples or compounds.

The Buddhist Kingdom of Maldives

Despite being omitted or just mentioned briefly in most history books, the 1,400 year-long Buddhist period has a foundational importance in the history of the Maldives. It was during this period, that the culture of the Maldives, as we now know it, both developed and flourished.

Buddhism probably spread to the Maldives in the third century BC, at the time of the Mauryan emperor Aśoka the Great, when it extended to the regions of Afghanistan and Central Asia, beyond the Mauryas' northwest border, as well as South to the island of Sri Lanka and the Maldive Islands. Serious studies of the archaeological remains of the Maldives began with the work of H. C. P. Bell, a British commissioner of the Ceylon Civil Service. Bell was shipwrecked on the islands in 1879, and returned several times to investigate the ancient Buddhist ruins.

Early scholars like H.C.P. Bell, who resided in Sri Lanka most of his life, claim that Buddhism came to the Maldives from Sri Lanka. Since then, new archaeological discoveries point to Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist influences, which are likely to have come to the islands straight from the Subcontinent. An urn discovered in Maalhos (Ari Atoll) in the 1980s has a Vishvavajra inscribed with Protobengali script. This text was in the same script used in the ancient Buddhist centres of learning in Nalanda and Vikramashila. There is also a small Porites stupa in the Museum where the directional Dhyani Buddhas (Jinas) are etched in its four cardinal points as in the Mahayana tradition. Some coral blocks with fearsome heads of guardians are also displaying Vajrayana Iconography. All these relatively recent archaeological discoveries are today exhibited in a side room of the small National Museum in Male' along with other artifacts.

Buddhist remains have been also found in Minicoy Island, then part of the Maldive Kingdom, by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in the latter half of the 20th century. Among these remains a Buddha head and stone foundations of a Vihara deserve special mention.

Following the Islamic concept that before Islam there was the time of Jahiliya (ignorance), in the history books used by Maldivians the introduction of Islam at the end of the 12th century is considered the cornerstone of the country's history. Islam remains the state religion in the 1990s. And yet the Maldivian language, the first Maldive scripts, the architecture, the ruling institutions, the customs and manners of the Maldivians originated at the time when the Maldives were a Buddhist Kingdom.

Buddhism became the dominant religion in the Maldives and enjoyed royal patronage for many centuries, probably as long as over one thousand and four hundred years. Practically all archaeological remains in the Maldives are from Buddhist stupas and monasteries, and all artifacts found to date display characteristic Buddhist iconography. Buddhist (and Hindu) temples were Mandala shaped, they are oriented according to the four cardinal points, the main gate being towards the east. Even today, many mosques in Maldives face the sun and not Mecca. Since building space and materials were scarce, Maldivians constructed their places of worship on the foundations of previous buildings.

The ancient Buddhist stupas are called "havitta", "hatteli" or "ustubu" by the Maldivians according to the different atolls. These stupas and other archaeological remains, like foundations of Buddhist buildings Vihara, compound walls and stone baths, are found on many islands of the Maldives. They usually lie buried under mounds of sand and covered by vegetation. Local historian Hassan Ahmed Maniku counted as many as 59 islands with Buddhist archaeological sites in a provisional list he published in 1990. The largest monuments of the Buddhist era are in the islands fringing the eastern side of Haddhunmathi Atoll.

In the mid-1980s, the Maldivian government allowed the popular Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, to excavate ancient sites. Despite the clear evidence that all the ancient ruins in Maldives are Buddhist, Heyerdahl claimed that early "sun-worshiping seafarers", called the "Redin", first settled on the islands. Keeping up with his sensationalist style, Heyerdahl argued that 'Redin' were people coming from somewhere else, whereas an ancient Maldivian poem (Fua Mulaku Rashoveshi) says: "Havitta uhe haudahau, Redin taneke hedi ihau". This poem gives us the clue about the name 'Redin'. According to Magieduruge Ibrahim Didi, a learned man from Fua Mulaku, it was merely the name which the converted Maldivians used to refer to their infidel (ghair dīn = 'redin') ancestors after the general conversion from Buddhism to Islam.

It is generally said that the conversion of the Maldives to Islam was peaceful, but historical evidence suggests the contrary. For example, the 12th century copperplates found at Isdhoo Island state that the monks (Sangumanun) from the monastery at that island were brought to Male' and beheaded.

Introduction of Islam

The interest of Middle Eastern peoples in Maldives resulted from its strategic location and its abundant supply of cowrie shells, a form of currency that was widely used throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast since ancient times. Middle Eastern seafarers had just begun to take over the Indian Ocean trade routes in the tenth century A.D. and found Maldives to be an important link in those routes.

The importance of the Arabs as traders in the Indian Ocean by the twelfth century A.D. may partly explain why the last Buddhist king of Maldives converted to Islam in the year 1153 (or 1193, for certain copper plate grants give a later date). The king thereupon adopted the Muslim title and name (in Arabic) of Sultan (besides the old Divehi title of Maha Radun or Ras Kilege or Rasgefānu) Muhammad al Adil, initiating a series of six Islamic dynasties consisting of eighty-four sultans and sultanas that lasted until 1932 when the sultanate became elective.

The person responsible for this conversion was a Sunni Muslim visitor named Abu al Barakat. His venerated tomb now stands on the grounds of Hukuru Mosque, or miski, in the capital of Malé. Built in 1656, this is the oldest mosque in Maldives. Arab interest in Maldives also was reflected in the residence there in the 1340s of the well-known North African traveler Ibn Battutah.

It is worth noticing that compared to the other areas of South Asia, the conversion of the Maldives to Islam happened relatively late. Arab Traders had converted populations in the Malabar coast since the 7th century, and the Arab invader Muhammad Bin Qāsim had converted large swathes of Sind to Islam at about the same time. The Maldives remained a Buddhist kingdom for another five hundred years (perhaps the westernmost Buddhist country) until the conversion to Islam.

Era of colonial powers

Portuguese

In 1558 the Portuguese established a small garrison with a Viador (Viyazoru), or overseer of a trading warehouse in the Maldives, which they administered from their main colony in Goa. It is said that they tried to impose Christianity on the locals. Thus, fifteen years later, a local leader named Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam and his brother organized a popular revolt and drove the Portuguese out of Maldives. This event is now commemorated as National Day, and a small museum and memorial center honor the hero on his home island of Utheemu on South Thiladhummathi Atoll.

Dutch

In the mid-seventeenth century, the Dutch, who had replaced the Portuguese as the dominant power in Ceylon, established hegemony over Maldivian affairs without involving themselves directly in local matters, which were governed according to centuries-old Islamic customs.

However, the British expelled the Dutch from Ceylon in 1796 and included Maldives as a British protected area. The status of Maldives as a British protectorate was officially recorded in an 1887 agreement in which the sultan accepted British influence over Maldivian external relations and defense. The British had no presence, however, on the leading island community of Malé. They left the islanders alone, as had the Dutch, with regard to internal administration to continue to be regulated by Muslim traditional institutions.

British

Britain got entangled with the Maldives as a result of domestic disturbances which targeted the settler community of Bora merchants who were British subjects. Rivalry between two dominant families, the Athireege clan and the Kakaage clan was resolved with former winning the favour of the British authorities in Ceylon, who concluded a Protection Agreement in 1887. During the British era, which lasted until 1965, Maldives continued to be ruled under a succession of sultans. It was a period during which the Sultan's authority and powers were increasingly and decisively taken over by the Chief Minister, much to the chagrin of the British Governor-General who continued to deal with the ineffectual Sultan. Consequently, Britain encouraged the development of a constitutional monarchy, and the first Constitution was proclaimed in 1932. However, the new arrangements favoured neither the aging Sultan nor the wily Chief Minister, but rather a young crop of British-educated reformists. As a result, angry mobs were instigated against the Constitution which was publicly torn up. Maldives remained a British crown protectorate until 1953 when the sultanate was suspended and the First Republic was declared under the short-lived presidency of Muhammad Amin Didi.

This first elected president of the country introduced several reforms. While serving as prime minister during the 1940s, Didi nationalized the fish export industry. As president he is remembered as a reformer of the education system and a promoter of women's rights. Muslim conservatives in Malé eventually ousted his government, and during a riot over food shortages, Didi was beaten by a mob and died on a nearby island.

Beginning in the 1950s, political history in Maldives was largely influenced by the British military presence in the islands. In 1954 the restoration of the sultanate perpetuated the rule of the past. Two years later, the United Kingdom obtained permission to reestablish its wartime airfield on Gan in the southernmost Addu Atoll. Maldives granted the British a 100 year lease on Gan that required them to pay £2,000 a year, as well as some 440,000 square metres on Hitaddu for radio installations.

In 1957, however, the new prime minister, Ibrahim Nasir, called for a review of the agreement in the interest of shortening the lease and increasing the annual payment. But Nasir, who was theoretically responsible to then sultan Muhammad Farid Didi, was challenged in 1959 by a local secessionist movement in the southern atolls that benefited economically from the British presence on Gan. This group cut ties with the Maldives government and formed an independent state with Abdullah Afif as president.

The short-lived state (1959-63), called the United Suvadive Republic, had a combined population of 20,000 inhabitants scattered in the southernmost atolls Huvadu, Addu and Fua Mulaku. In 1962 Nasir sent gunboats from Malé with government police on board to eliminate elements opposed to his rule. One year later the Suvadive republic was scrapped and Abdulla Afif went into exile to the Seychelles, where he died recently.

Meanwhile, in 1960 Maldives allowed the United Kingdom to continue to use both the Gan and the Hitaddu facilities for a thirty-year period, with the payment of £750,000 over the period of 1960 to 1965 for the purpose of Maldives' economic development.

Independence

On July 26, 1965, Maldives gained independence under an agreement signed with United Kingdom. The British government retained the use of the Gan and Hitaddu facilities. In a national referendum in March 1968, Maldivians abolished the sultanate and established a republic.

Nasir

The Second Republic was proclaimed in November 1968 under the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir, who had increasingly dominated the political scene. Under the new constitution, Nasir was elected indirectly to a four-year presidential term by the Majlis (legislature). He appointed Ahmed Zaki as the new prime minister.

In 1973 Nasir was elected to a second term under the constitution as amended in 1972, which extended the presidential term to five years and which also provided for the election of the prime minister by the Majlis. In March 1975, newly elected prime minister Zaki was arrested in a bloodless coup and was banished to a remote atoll. Observers suggested that Zaki was becoming too popular and hence posed a threat to the Nasir faction.

During the 1970s, the economic situation in Maldives suffered a setback when the Sri Lankan market for Maldives' main export of dried fish collapsed. Adding to the problems was the British decision in 1975 to close its airfield on Gan in line with its new policy of abandoning defense commitments east of the Suez Canal. A steep commercial decline followed the evacuation of Gan in March 1976. As a result, the popularity of Nasir's government suffered. Maldives's 20 year period of authoritarian rule under Nasir abruptly ended in 1978 when he fled to Singapore. A subsequent investigation revealed that he had absconded with millions of dollars from the state treasury.

Gayoom

Elected to replace Nasir for a five-year presidential term in 1978 was Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a former university lecturer and Maldivian ambassador to the United Nations (UN). The peaceful election was seen as ushering in a period of political stability and economic development in view of Gayoom's priority to develop the poorer islands. In 1978 Maldives joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Tourism also gained in importance to the local economy, reaching more than 120,000 visitors in 1985. The local populace appeared to benefit from increased tourism and the corresponding increase in foreign contacts involving various development projects.

Despite the popularity of Gayoom, those connected to the former President hired ex-SAS mercenaries in 1980 to carry out a coup to oust him. The attempt was sponsored by Ahmed Naseem, brother-in-law of Nasir and former junior Minister and was supported by a handful of Nasir loyalists. Naseem had objected to the emergence of Gayoom and had vowed to depose him within 6 months. Naseem's disaffection only increased when the parliament began investigating financial irregularities under Nasir as well as the murder of inmates and torture in Villingili Prison in the early 1970s, which implicated his brother-in-law, the erstwhile strongman Abdul Hannan Haleem who was Nasir's Minister for Public Safety.

The small group of mercenaries arrived in the Maldives smuggling their light arms in diving equipment, but did not carry out the mission because Gayoom had been tipped about their arrival and they found that they had been misinformed about the popularity of Gayoom.

In 1983, a local shipping businessman, Reeko Ibrahim Maniku made a bid to win the parliamentary nomination by offering bribes to members of parliament and to High Court judges. Reeko Ibrahim remained in self-imposed exile, returning to Maldives only in 2006 and has since registered a political party, Social Democratic Party.

Despite coup attempts in 1980, 1983, and 1988, Gayoom's popularity remained strong, allowing him to win three more presidential terms. In the 1983, 1988, and 1993 elections, Gayoom received more than 90 % of the vote. Although the government did not allow any legal opposition, Gayoom was opposed in the early 1990s by Islamists (also seen as fundamentalists) who wanted to impose a religious way of life and by some powerful local business leaders.

Whereas the 1980 and 1983 coup attempts against Gayoom's presidency were not considered serious, the third coup attempt in November 1988 alarmed the international community. About 80 armed Tamil mercenaries belonging to PLOTE [1] landed on Malé before dawn aboard speedboats from a freighter. Disguised as visitors, a similar number had already infiltrated Malé earlier. Although the mercenaries quickly gained the nearby airport on Hulule, they failed to capture President Gayoom, who fled from house to house and asked for military intervention from India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi immediately dispatched 1,600 troops by air to restore order in Malé. Less than 12 hours later, Indian paratroopers arrived on Hulele, causing some of the mercenaries to flee toward Sri Lanka in their freighter. Those unable to reach the ship in time were quickly rounded up. Nineteen people reportedly died in the fighting, and several taken hostage also died. Three days later an Indian frigate captured the mercenaries on their freighter near the Sri Lankan coast. In July 1989, a number of the mercenaries were returned to Maldives to stand trial. Gayoom commuted the death sentences passed against them to life imprisonment.

The 1988 coup had been masterminded and sponsored by a few disgruntled businessmen, chiefly Sikka Ahmed Ismail Maniku and Abdulla Luthufi, who were operating a farm in Sri Lanka. Earlier, the two of them had also been caught in an attempt to assassinate Nasir when he was president and had been tried and imprisoned before being released in 1975. The captured mercenaries and their paymasters were put on trial. Sikka Maniku and Luthufee were sentenced to death in 1989, but Gayoom commuted their sentences to life imprisonment. In 1994, Gayoom pardoned and released Sikka Maniku on humanitarian grounds as he had developed cardiovascular complications, and Maniku went into self-imposed exile in Colombo.

Ex-president Nasir denied any involvement in the coup. In fact, in July 1990, President Gayoom officially pardoned Nasir in absentia in recognition of his role in obtaining Maldives' independence.

http://en.wikipedia.org

I The New Lodgers at No. 7 Philibert Place

2008-06-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Contd of (Wednesday, November 28, 2007)

He rose from his seat and went to a corner of the room. He
knelt down, turned back the carpet, lifted a plank, and took
something from beneath it. It was a sword, and, as he came back to
Marco, he drew it out from its sheath. The child's strong, little
body stiffened and drew itself up, his large, deep eyes flashed. He
was to take his oath of allegiance upon a sword as if he were a man.
He did not know that his small hand opened and shut with a fierce
understanding grip because those of his blood had for long centuries
past carried swords and fought with them.

Loristan gave him the big bared weapon, and stood erect before
him.

"Repeat these words after me sentence by sentence!" he
commanded.

And as he spoke them Marco echoed each one loudly and
clearly.

"The sword in my hand--for Samavia!

"The heart in my breast--for Samavia!

"The swiftness of my sight, the thought of my brain, the life of
my life--for Samavia.

"Here grows a man for Samavia.

"God be thanked!"

Then Loristan put his hand on the child's shoulder, and his dark
face looked almost fiercely proud.

"From this hour," he said, "you and I are comrades at arms."

And from that day to the one on which he stood beside the broken
iron railings of No. 7 Philibert Place, Marco had not forgotten for
one hour.

THE END

www.literatureclassics.com

iPhone 3G

2008-06-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

3G Speed. Worldwide.

3G technology gives iPhone fast access to the Internet and email over cellular networks around the world. iPhone 3G also makes it possible to do more in more places: Surf the web, download email, get directions, and watch video — even while you’re on a call.

2008-06-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

World largest, heaviest emerald displayed in HK

2008-06-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

A staff member shows an emerald on display to the public in Hong Kong, southern China, June 13, 2008. This 536-kg emerald, which is 125 cm in length, 55 cm in height and 78 cm in depth, is believed to be one of the largest and heaviest emeralds in the world.

Maldives wins 7th SAFF Championship cup

2008-06-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Maldives won the final of the 7th South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship Saturday night after beating India with 1-0 in Colombo.

It was the first time for the India Ocean archipelago to bag the championship cup since the event started in 1993.

Mukthar Naseer unleashed a powerful shot into India's citadel when the match was into its 88th minute, leaving the defending champion very little time to revenge.

The Maldives' players played well with the presence of Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and thousands of fans from their country.

India won the championship four times in 1993, 1997, 1999 and 2005 while the Maldives emerged runner up in 1997 and 2003.

The winners carried away the SAFF Championship Cup and a purse worth 50,000 U.S. dollars, while the runner-up got 25,000 dollars.

Ali Ashfaag was named as the man of the tournament and Ibrahim Fazeel, who scored three goals, named top scorer.

The championship, starting on June 3, was co-hosted by Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Maldives and India made their way to the final after defeating Sri Lanka and Bhutan respectively Wednesday night.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan also participated in this year's championship.

Skull With Cigarette

2008-06-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

Partial zoom:

Zoomed closer:

Detail at actual print size:

Amazing Mine- check this out

2008-06-07T02:10:00.000-07:00

The amazing world of mining!!!

This is the crystal cave of giants found in the Naica Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico.

These are Selenite crystals (gypsum) and are the largest crystals ever discovered.

They are 1000 feet down in a limestone host rock where they are mining for lead, zinc and silver.

These crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids emanating from the magma chambers below.

Giant Rabbit

2008-06-07T02:03:00.000-07:00

Believe It!!! or Not!!!

2008-06-07T01:37:00.000-07:00

Unborn Baby Footprint, Wow! Amazing!!!!

footprint

2008-06-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

Seenu atoll Gan

2008-06-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

SCHEDULE

2008-05-28T08:01:00.002-07:00

http://www.dhiraagu.com.mv/beta/mobile/images/schedule-poster.jpg

2008-05-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

New Radiant to pay for supporters' misconduct

2008-05-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Male', MALDIVES - New Radiant faces another penalty from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when the governing body decided to fine the club for supporters’ violence in their first AFC cup game this year. Previously the AFC warned New Radiant of supporters’ behavior and asked the club to keep their fans inside the boundary.

No official from New Radiant was available to comment on the matter, but reliable sources confirmed that today the club received the letter from AFC asking to pay a fine of US$ 5,000 for supporters’ misconduct in the opening game.

Frustrated supporters threw bottles onto the field and tried to invade the pitch protesting against the referee’s decision.

Previously in the competition this year, New Radiant was hit by players’ suspension and fine from AFC. Midfielder Adam Shareef, Ahmed Mohamed and Daniel were all victims of AFC’s fine and suspension this year.

New Radiant lost the opening game played against Malaysia’s Perak in Male’ by 3-1. New Radiant took the lead through Daniel in the 8th minute but goals from Caceres and Jamlus Khalid handed Malaysian outfit a remarkable opening in the competition.

New Radiant’s away game against Perak also saw the club went down to 8 men in 45 minutes when Ahmed Mohamed, Sobah Mohamed and Daniel were given the marching orders by Tajikistan referee Orzuev. The match ended 3-0 in favor of Perak.

This year marked the first time Maldivian clubs faced severe AFC suspensions.

Comments

Seems like AFC is jeleous of NRSC. Yet no any other team or refree is beign suspended and teams other than NRSC threre is nothing to pay to AFC. Any ways thanx for NRSC supporters for there behaviour in Peraks match....Keep it up our great supporters. To improve behaviours of supporter i think AFC have to improve themselves first in making decision. it's hardly agreed that NRSC have more supporters than any other team in MALDIVES.....so we may face these problems........we will give support, save our team in deadly moments and try to improve football in all the way........:D
[ latchey... ] posted on: 24 May 2008

I don't know why AFC fine NRSC becoxe of the opening match action... They warn NRCS for that. then why did AFC punished club for that... If NRSC supporters did it again then AFC can punish them.... In my opinion this is harsh punishment... On the same day Maldives club played in Malaysia. Malaysia team Kedah's supporters throw bottles and footwear's on the ground and to referee.. But no action against them. Why? AFC head office in the Malaysia.. they can sea what happen there...
[ ishu ] posted on: 22 May 2008

can you take that new radiant supporters. We have more than 100 fans at victory but we don't throw bottles cos we stay at home most of the matches becos we are afraid that maatey coach might even put anil for goalkeeper.
[ Bandu hassan rasheed ] posted on: 22 May 2008

this is a big problem. I was at the stadium that day. The refereeing was bullshit. The supporters were two lenient. They must actually have made the referee pay for his hideous descisions. The afc has not looked into the refereeing so far in this tournament. This is a big problem. The ASEAN teams are well known for match fixing. See what happened to the victory foreigners.
[ wrr ] posted on: 22 May 2008

Azim, Get your bags packed cause you are flying to Malaysia... AFC is offering you a job because you are thinking far beyond then any one in AFC. They need someone like you who can make more money to AFC.... Who are you to reccommend AFC? Just because you are a supporter of some other club doesn't mean that you have to show how much you hate New radiant on commenting like this for such a hard punishment given to New Radiant. Not only clubs need improvement in Maldivian football, also supporters must improve. It happens everywhere in the world even in europe where football giants like Milan and Manchester Etc.. play they get fines because of their supporters acts. I agree that what new radinat supporters did was wrong and It all happned because of the referees decision that day. Offcourse its a bigshame. Also this is the first time it happned to a maldivian team. When they did this for the first time the supporters did not know that anything like this could happen to them, So let's hope that they learn from thier own mistakes. And we all hope that it will never repeat again from any clubs supporters. Azim, Let me also remind you that there are more bad things happening around the world which is still new for maldivian football or supporters. So be prepared to comment in more friendly manner next time, which all supporters will read and accept your comment as a good tip for improvement to Maldivian football. I hope the supporters of new radinat will behave in the future learning from what they faced by AFC today. So In the end of the day everybody learns from Mistakes.
[ Juventus ] posted on: 22 May 2008

what a shame !!! are these guys playing football... i dont think so... i will recomend AFC to fine them even more around 15000/- us dollars that will be a good amount... AFC you guys are doing your best to make this CUP the best CUP... please NRSC learn and tell your supporters to behave in future... NIYA dont say that you guys only have supporters... other teams also have supporters but they behave like supporters...
[ Azim ] posted on: 22 May 2008

how about the away games of maldivian clubs , which the same type of incidents happened from the home side. what about the AFC's decision on those clubs. any idea????
[ kudeys ] posted on: 22 May 2008

Original - www.maldivesoccer.net

2008-05-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Make a Flowers

2008-05-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

Cryin Gril

2008-03-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

HD DVD or Blu-ray

2008-02-28T00:31:00.000-08:00

Which type of DVD you choose HD or Blu-ray.

2008-02-25T06:44:00.000-08:00

Diego Garcia

2008-02-25T06:33:00.000-08:00

Location map of Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia is an atoll located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, some 1,600 km (1,000 miles) south off India's and Sri Lanka's southern coast. Diego Garcia is the largest atoll by land area of the Chagos Archipelago. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a British overseas territory.

Since the enforced depopulation of Diego Garcia in the years leading up to 1973, it has been used as a military base by the United Kingdom and the United States. Diego Garcia along with Kwajalein and Ascension Island each host one of the three ground antennas to assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System.

Overhead view of Diego Garcia,looking south

The atoll is now covered in luxuriant tropical vegetation, with little sign left of the copra and coconut plantations that once covered it. The island is 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, with a maximum elevation of 6.7 metres (22 ft), and nearly encloses a lagoon some 19 kilometres (12 mi) long and up to 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) wide. Depths in the lagoon extend to 30 metres (98 ft), while numerous coral heads extend toward the surface and form hazards to navigation. Shallow reefs surround the island on the ocean side as well as within the lagoon. The channel and anchorage area are dredged, while the old turning basin can also be used if its depth is sufficient for the ship.

VALENTINE'S DAY - History and Islamic Perspective

2008-02-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

What is it and where did it come from?

Consider Valentine's Day, a day that after dying out a well deserved death in most of Europe (but surviving in Britain and United States) has suddenly started to emerge across a good swath of Muslim countries. Who was Valentine? Why is this day observed? Legends abound, as they do in all such cases, but this much is clear: Valentine's Day began as a pagan ritual started by Romans in the 4th century BCE to honor the god Lupercus. The main attraction of this ritual was a lottery held to distribute young women to young men for "entertainment and pleasure"--until the next year's lottery. Among other equally despicable practices associated with this day was the lashing of young women by two young men, clad only in a bit of goatskin and wielding goatskin thongs, who had been smeared with blood of sacrificial goat s and dogs. A lash of the "sacred" thongs by these "holy men" was believed to make them better able to bear children.

As usual, Christianity tried, without success, to stop the evil celebration of Lupercalia. It first replaced the lottery of the names of women with a lottery of the names of the saints. The idea was that during the following year the young men would emulate the life of the saint whose name they had drawn. (The idea that you can preserve the appearance of a popular evil and yet somehow turn it to serve the purpose of virtue, has survived. Look at all those people who are still trying, helplessly, to use the formats of popular television entertainments to promote good. They might learn something from this bit of history. It failed miserably) Christianity ended up doing in Rome, and elsewhere, as the Romans did. The only success it had was in changing the name from Lupercalia to St. Valentine's Day. It was done in CE 496 by Pope Gelasius, in honor of some Saint Valentine. Th ere are as many as 50 different Valentines in Christian legends. Two of them are more famous, although their lives and characters are also shrouded in mystery. According to one legend, and the one more in line with the true nature of this celebration, St. Valentine was a "lovers'" saint, who had himself fallen in love with his jailer's daughter.

Due to serious troubles that accompanied such lottery, French government banned the practice in 1776. In Italy, Austria, Hungry, and Germany also the ritual vanished over the years. Earlier, it had been banned in England during the 17th century when the Puritans were strong.

However in 1660 Charles II revived it. From there it also reached the New World, where enterprising Yankees spotted a good means of making money. Esther A. Howland, who produced one of the first commercial American Valentine's Day cards called--- what else--- valentines, in the 1840s, sold $5,000 worth--when $5,000 was a lot of money--the first year. The valentine industry has been booming ever since.

The history of Valentine's Day serves as a powerful lesson for Muslims. St. Valentine became a Saint trying to resist free sex. Even though there was an attempt to Christianize it, today St. Valentine's day is gone back to its roots. No one even knows that the Church even tried to ban the St. Valentine's Day. Rather, most people think of romance, cupid and his arrow, which are vestiges of pagan Rome.

Pagan origins of Valentine's Day

The first information about this day is found in pre-Christian Rome, when pagans would celebrate the "Feast of the Wolf" on February 15, also known as the Feast of Lupercalius in honour of Februata Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, Roman god of nature.

On this day, young women would place their names in an urn, from which boys would randomly draw to discover their sexual companion for the day, the year, and sometimes the rest of their lives. These partners exchanged gifts as a sign of affection, and often married.

Christian Influence

When Christianity came onto the scene in Rome, it wanted to replace this feast with something more in line with its ethics and morality. A number of Christians decided to use February 14 for this purpose. This was when the Italian Bishop Valentine was executed by the Roman Emperor Claudius II for conducting secret marriages of military men in the year 270.

Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young, single men, who made up his military. Valentine defied Claudius and performed marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were revealed, Claudius put him to death. Another version of the story says that Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they w ere often beaten and tortured.

Valentine was arrested and sent to the prefect of Rome for this. He found that his attempts to make Valentine renounce his faith were useless, and so recommended he be beaten with clubs, and later beheaded. This took place on February 14, 270.

According to the Catholic encyclopaedia, there are at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom are Christian martyrs of February 14. One of them is described as a priest from Rome (as mentioned above), another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and the third from Africa.

It was in the year 496 that Pope Gelasius officially changed the February 15 Lupercalia festival to the February 14 St. Valentine's Day to give Christian meaning to a pagan festival. The holiday become popular in the United States in the 1800's during the Civil War.

As well, Pope Gelasius ordered a slight change in the lottery for young women that would take place during the pagan festival. Instead of t he names of young women, the box would have the names of saints. Men and women were allowed to draw from the box, and the purpose of this was to copy the ways of the saint they had selected for the rest of the year.

Valentine's Day Customs

A number of the customs connected to Valentine's Day originate in the belief in England and France during the middle Ages, that on February 14, birds began to pair.

Fourteenth and 15th centuries' French and English literatures make indirect references to the practice. Those who chose each other as husband and wife on Valentine's Day apparently called each other their Valentines.

In terms of the Valentine's greeting "Your Valentine" which today you find on a number of Valentine's Day cards, the above-mentioned Roman priest Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself.

While he was in prison awaiting execution, he apparently fell in love with a young girl who would visit him . Before he died, he allegedly wrote her a letter, signed 'From your Valentine,' In terms of the virtually naked, arrow-shooting cupid character, which shoots people with its arrows to make them fall in love, this character is a vestige of Roman pagan times. Cupid was described as the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. You usually find Cupid's picture on Valentine cards and other paraphernalia .

Islamic Perspective

We should avoid anything associated with pagan immoral practices - We do not need to honour or celebrate the death of a Christian "saint" - Islam does not encourage flirting or suggestions of romantic relationships before marriage - Love between families, friends and married people does not need to be celebrated on a day with such un-Islamic origins.

Question: In recent times, celebration of the Valentine Day has spread, particularly among female students. It is a Christ ian celebration, and it is (manifested) with fully red costumes, clothing and shoes, and exchange of red roses. What is the ruling on celebrating this holiday ?

Answer: Celebrating the Valentine Day is not permissible because:
Firstly, it is an innovated holiday that has no basis in the Sharee`ah.
Secondly, it calls to love and passion.
Thirdly, it calls to keeping one's heart busy with nonsense matters which contradict the guidance of the righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them.

So it is not permissible that anything from the signs of that holiday takes place on that day, whether it relates to eating, drinking, clothing, giving gifts, or other than that. It is incumbent upon the Muslim to be proud of his/her religion and that he/she does not blindly follow every crier. May Allah the Exalted protect Muslims from every trial, apparent and hidden, and t hat He give them protection and guidance. Ameen.

Question

Some people celebrate Yawm al-Hubb (Valentine's Day)on February 14 [the second month of the Christian Gregorian calendar] every year by exchanging red roses as gifts. They also dress up in red clothing, and congratulate one another (on this occasion). Some sweet shops produce special sweets - red in colour - and draw hearts upon them. Some shops advertise their goods which are specially related to this day. What is the Islaamic view [concerning the following]: Celebrating this day? Buying from these shops on this day? Selling - by shop-owners who are not celebrating - the things which are used as gifts, to those who are celebrating?

Response

The clear evidence from the Qur.aan and Sunnah - and this is agreed upon by consensus (Ijmaa') of the early generations of the Muslim Ummah - indicates that there are only two 'Eeds in Islaam (days of celebration): 'Eed al-Fitr (after the fast of Ramadhaan) and 'Eed al-Adhaa (after the standing at 'Arafah for pilgrimage).

Every other 'Eed - whether it is to do with a person, group, incident or any other occasion - is an innovated 'Eed. It is not permissible for the Muslim people to participate in it, approve of it, make any show of happiness on its occasion, or assist in it in any way - since this will be transgressing the bounds of Allaah: " ...and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allaah, he has wronged his own self," [Soorah at-Talaaq, Aayah 1]

If we add to th is fabricated 'Eed the fact that it is one of the 'Eeds of the disbelievers, it is sin upon sin. This is because it is Tashabbuh (imitation) of the disbelievers, and a type of Muwaalaat (loyalty) to them. And Allaah has prohibited the believers from imitation of them and having love or loyalty for them in His Mighty Book (Qur.aan). It is also confirmed from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he said: " Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

'Eed al-Hubb (the celebration of Valentine's Day) comes under the category of what has been mentioned here, since it is one of the pagan Christian holidays. Hence it is not permissible for any Muslim, who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, to participate in it, approve of it, or congratulate (anyone on that occasion). On the contrary, it is obligatory to abandon it and stay far away from it - in response to Allaah and His Messenger, and to distance oneself from the anger of Allaah and His punishment.

Additionally, it is forbidden for a Muslim to assist or help in this Valentine's Day, or any other of the forbidden/illegal celebrations in any way whatsoever - whether by food or drink, selling or buying, production, gift-giving, correspondence, announcements, etc. All of these things are considered as co-operating in sin and transgression and disobedience of Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah, the Glorious and Most High, says:
"... and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah! Verily Allaah is severe in punishment," [Soorah al-Maa.idah, Aayah 2]

Likewise, it is obligatory for every Muslim to adhere strictly to the Qur'aan and Sunnah in every situation - especially in times of temptations and corruption. It is incumbent that he/she understand, be aware and be cautioned from falling into the deviations of those whom Allaah is angry with and those who are astray and the immoral people who have no fear of punishment - nor hope of reward - from Allaah, and who give no attention at all to Islaam.

It is necessary for the Muslim to flee to Allaah, the Most High, seeking His Hidaayah (Guidance) and Thabaat (Firmness) upon the Path. Verily, there is no Guide except Allaah, and no One Who can Grant Firmness except Him.

WasSalam.Taken from follwing reffrences.
1. Al- Balagh
2. Fatwa-on-line
3. The Catholic Encyclopedia
4. Catholic Online Saints.
5. http://www.lovestories.com/cupid/history.htm, the History Channel, and wilstar.com and the video Holiday Myths.
6. Soundvision.com

Note: forwarded message attached.
>Adnan Rashid Qazi
>1807 SE Moberly Manor Dr., Apt #14
>Bentonville, AR 72712
>Tele (R) # 1-479-273-0886

Romantic February

2008-02-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

For the people care ....

2008-02-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

Pls dont do this for me....

New Concept Cell Phone is a “Woody”

2008-01-27T02:28:00.001-08:00

A new concept cell phone sports sort-of a throw-back design, and it reminds me of the massive "woody" station wagon that we had when I was a kid because of the old-school wood panel trim. This cell phone was created by designer Seungchan Lee, and it does a good job of blending the old with the new.

This ultra-slim "woody" cell phone may sport the retro wood paneling, but it's definitely not old school on the inside. This smart phone features a large touch-screen display, 3 MP camera, and Bluetooth - it also comes equipped with earphones and an external Bluetooth keypad which is also trimmed in wood.

The size and shape of this phone is very reminiscent of the iPhone. The back of the "woody" features a very cool textured design that is unlike any other cell phone on the market right now. Overall, I kinda like the retro design of this phone, but it really comes down to a matter of taste whether or not you like this it.

Unfortunately, this "woody" is only a concept cell phone right now, and so it's not currently available. I'll keep you posted, though, when and if this one ever hits the market.

Source: YankoDesign

Britney Spears may convert to Islam: reports

2008-01-26T03:29:00.000-08:00

U.S. pop star Britney Spears is allegedly so in love with her new Muslim man she's considering converting to Islam to marry him, British press reports revealed.

Spears, 26, and paparazzi boss Adnan Ghalib, 35, have been together for around two-weeks, sparking huge media attention about her questionable mental health and his real intentions.

The couple claim to be very much in love and the troubled star's friends have reportedly said that she is so in love with him that she plans to marry him and convert to Islam, the UK's News of The World (NOTW) reported.

In a phone call to Ghalib's relatives, who live in the UK city of Birmingham, Spears is reported to have told them, "I love him" and "we're taking care of each other. He's the only one who understands me. It's serious," NOTW revealed.

British press speculated about Ghalib's intentions with The Sun reporting that he has been bragging about how he plotted, for two years, to get close to the star in order to sell his story and make a fortune.

According to NOTW, Ghalib has already offered industry heads topless photos of Spears for a hefty price of an estimated US $ 5 million.

NOTW also revealed that Ghalib's Sunni Muslim family in Birmingham are so horrified by his antics they have disowned him.

One family member told the paper: "His parents are devastated. This week his dad gave him an ultimatum, ‘Give up Britney, or you are dead to me,' which Adnan ignored."

Spears, who was previously believed to be part of the mystic Jewish faith Kabbalah, is said to be talking about plans to fake her own death and move to Pakistan with her new lover, according to The Sun newspaper.

Source:http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/01/13/44165.html

New Diamond-Cut Designed Nokia Prism 7900 Cell Phone

2008-01-26T02:43:00.000-08:00

The Nokia Prism 7900 is a cell phone that is more than just a phone - it's a work of art! This glamorous cell phone with diamond-cut designs and crystal center key was created by Nokia in collaboration with the French creative designer Frederique Daubal.

Good looks is definitely a priority in this cell phone. It's body comes in either a gold/black body or a plain black body. The body of the phone has a unique pattern of angles and shapes that reflects light in various ways, and it gives the phone a sort-of glow to it that you can't find in other cell phones. The body is relatively thin, but still solid-looking, as you can see from the photo.

The front of the Nokia 7900 features a large OLED display. Inside the 7900, you'll find 1GB of included memory for music, video, or photos (it comes with headphones). These phones are also equipped for 3G wireless web browsing at lightning fast speeds as well. The back of these phones sport a 2 MP camera with flash. User's also have the ability to customize the lighting color around the keypad from 49 different colors.

Nokia expects to have these flashy new phones on the market within the next few months. The high price of these phones reflect the glamorous look of them, and it just goes to show that it costs money to look good. Starting prices are expected to be around 375 EUR or about $550.

Source: Nokia

2008-01-26T02:34:00.000-08:00

NASA'S Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this westward view from atop a low plateau where Sprit spent the closing months of 2007. Several bloggers and other enthusiasts have pointed to a tiny structure (red circle) on the Martian surface as a human figure and thus evidence of life on Mars.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell University

A Universe of Man-Made Islands Coming to Dubai?

2008-01-26T02:03:00.000-08:00

The proposed Universe Islands, depicted just under The World Islands

Sunday, on the heels of the completion of a massive project, property development company, Nakheel, unveiled another Dubai mega-project. If given the go ahead, The Universe Islands would add more than 7,500 acres worth of man-made islands to an already crowded coastline.

Apparently ready to jump back into the water only a week after completing their flagship World Islands , Nakheel's new project is expected to take up to 15 years to complete. The new project will go in the space directly between the coast and the World Islands, with Nakheel's Palm Islands sitting on both sides. The location of the Universe has already generated ire from the well-heeled residents of the World Islands, concerned about their views and their ability to access their private islands from the coast.

Environmental concerns also threaten the project. Construction of the World Islands has destroyed coral and, at least temporarily, ruined visibility in the otherwise crystal clear waters surrounding the site. Changes in the waterways may also erode nearby beaches, which are major Dubai tourist attractions.

Of course, with stock markets worldwide sliding and real estate losing its luster this author is not so sure that Nakheel will go ahead with The Universe. While oil-rich Middle Eastern states have profited from record oil prices, one only has to look as far as the last recession in Asia to see just how quickly those oil prices can drop.

Sources: Gulf News , Arabian Business , MSNBC

Report urges study of cell phone health effects

2008-01-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

Could wireless devices harm children or pregnant women, U.S. experts ask

WASHINGTON - Researchers should study more children and pregnant women in trying to figure out if cell phones or other wireless devices could damage health, the U.S. National Research Council advised on Thursday.

A few studies have indicated a possible link between mobile telephone use and brain tumors, although far more show no connection. But because wireless devices have become almost ubiquitous, researchers wants to ensure their safety.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the National Research Council to recommend some future lines of study. The Council, which advises Congress and the federal government on scientific matters, held a meeting of experts including engineers and biologists and has now released the full report.

Most studies have looked only at short-term effects on healthy adults, the report said.

More study needs to be done on multiple, long-term, low-intensity radio frequency (RF) exposure, the report said.

“Measuring the amount of RF energy received by juveniles, children, pregnant women, and fetuses from wireless devices and RF base station antennas could help define exposure ranges for various populations,” the council said in a statement.

“Although it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems,” it added.

“Additionally, Specific Absorption Rates for children are likely to be higher than for adults, because exposure wavelength is closer to the whole-body resonance frequency for shorter individuals.”

The report also notes that children today will experience a longer period of RF field exposure from mobile phones than adults, because they will most likely start using them at an early age.

Researchers should also analyze the different types of antennas for the amount of RF energy they deliver to different parts of the body.

(www.msnbc.msn)

2-cup coffee habit may double miscarriage risk

2008-01-21T02:29:00.000-08:00

Doctors divided on hazards of moderate caffeine consumption in pregnancy

Drinking a couple of cups of coffee a day has long been considered safe during pregnancy, but a new study finds that even this modest amount of caffeine could double a woman’s risk of miscarriage.

Doctors are split on what this means for pregnant women, with some advising avoiding caffeine altogether and others saying buzz-inducing beverages are still safe in moderation.

Previous studies have linked caffeine to an increased risk of miscarriage, but they have focused on higher doses and the connection has been controversial, with some experts arguing that the research didn't account for morning sickness. The nausea and vomiting of morning sickness, caused by elevated hormones, is generally a sign of a reduced risk of miscarriage — and also can lead women to stop drinking their usual coffee or other caffeinated drinks. The concern was that the cutback in caffeine among these women could make it appear caffeine was associated with miscarriage.

To get to the bottom of this puzzle, a team led by Dr. De-Kun Li, a researcher at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif., conducted one of the first studies to take into account morning sickness. They concluded that a daily habit of drinking 200 milligrams of caffeine — the amount typically found in just two cups of coffee — significantly increases the risk of miscarriage.

“If women become pregnant or are actively planning to become pregnant they should probably think about stopping drinking caffeine, at least during the first trimester when most miscarriages occur,” Li said.

“If they really have to drink, they should probably limit it to one cup of coffee per day,” he added.

Coffee, tea and soda pose same risks
The source of caffeine — whether from coffee, tea or sodas — didn't make a difference. But one thing to take into consideration is that a cup of coffee can have varying amounts of caffeine depending on how it is brewed, with some brands containing more of the addictive chemical than others. A tall brewed coffee from Starbucks, for instance, packs 270 mg of caffeine. A tall latte from the chain, however, contains 75 mg.

In the study, published in Monday’s issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li's team interviewed 1,063 women in the San Francisco area who became pregnant between 1996 and 1998 about their caffeine intake. While 164 of the women drank 200 mg of caffeine or more daily, 635 consumed some caffeine but less than 200 mg. The remaining 264 women said they didn’t consume any caffeine.

Overall, 172 of the women suffered a miscarriage. The risk of a miscarriage was more than double in women who consumed 200 mg or more of caffeine, with 25 percent suffering a miscarriage compared to just 12 percent of women who didn't consume caffeine. The low-caffeine drinkers also appeared to have an elevated risk of miscarriage, but this trend wasn't statistically significant, meaning the researchers could not rule out that it was merely due to chance.

2-cup cutoff point
Li said the 200 mg limit can be considered a cutoff point where the miscarriage risk starts to emerge because the median consumption of the high caffeine intake group was 301 mg per day. This means half of these women were drinking less than 301 mg daily, so heavy drinkers were probably not skewing the results.

To determine the impact of morning sickness on the results, Li's team looked separately at women who experienced nausea and vomiting and those who did not. The miscarriage risk remained in both groups as long as their daily caffeine intake rose above 200 mg. In addition, the researchers looked at women who reduced their caffeine consumption during their pregnancy and those that didn’t and found that the miscarriage risk still remained in those consuming 200 mg or more of caffeine per day.

The increased risk remained even after adjusting for other factors that could up the chances of a miscarriage, such as age, previous miscarriage, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Although it's not known for certain how caffeine might trigger a miscarriage, one theory is that it restricts blood flow to the placenta, which could have a detrimental effect on the developing fetus, Li said.

Overall though, caffeine is not a major cause of miscarriage, which occurs in up to 20 percent of known pregnancies. More than 60 percent of these faulty pregnancies are due to chromosomal defects in the fetus that are beyond the mother's control.

Doctors split
Doctors on the frontlines are divided on the risks of caffeine. Dr. Tracy Flanagan, an obstetrician/gynecologist and director of women's health for Northern California at Kaiser Permanente, said that based on the study findings, she will be more emphatic about advising her pregnant patients to cut back on coffee and other caffeinated beverages.

Flanagan said that along with other prenatal advice, such as taking folic acid supplements, no alcohol and no smoking, she would add limiting caffeine intake to no more than the amount in one cup of coffee per day or to cut it out entirely.

But Dr. Katharine O'Connell, a gynecologist at Columbia University, remains unconvinced. She said the study would not be enough to change her advice to patients and doubted it would overturn current recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that moderate caffeine intake during pregnancy is safe (ACOG said it does not comment on individual studies).

“I would tell my patients that two cups of coffee per day should be fine,” O'Connell said.

She noted however that the findings were intriguing because previous studies that have linked caffeine to an increased risk of miscarriage involved much higher amounts — the equivalent to several cups of coffee per day. But the current study suggests the risks begin at a lower amount, so this may warrant further investigation, she said.

Too early for alarm
It's too early to sound the alarm though, according to O'Connell. Larger studies that confirm the miscarriage risk would be necessary before these relatively low amounts of caffeine are considered unhealthy, she said.

Without a final word on the matter, moms-to-be are likely to hear conflicting advice from their doctors and simply decide on their own whether lattes are worth even the slightest chance of a risk.

Tammy Plotkin-Oren, a coffee-lover and mother of three daughters in San Francisco, said giving up java while pregnant is doable and she should know. After her first attempt at pregnancy seven years ago ended in miscarriage, Plotkin-Oren, 35, went cold turkey during subsequent pregnancies.

Although there's no way to know if her 3 to 4 cups of coffee habit per day played a role in the miscarriage, she said she decided to eliminate her intake during her next three pregnancies as part of her overall health plan and each one resulted in a successful birth.

Plotkin-Oren missed the social aspect of meeting friends for coffee and developed headaches from caffeine withdrawal, but overall she found it easy to kick the habit. “It wasn't that hard because I was committed to doing everything I could to ensure a successful pregnancy,” she said.

Steve Mitchell is a science and medicine writer in Washington, D.C. His articles have appeared in a variety of newspapers, magazines and Web sites, including UPI, Reuters Health, The Scientist and WebMD.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

Apple announces ultra-thin laptop

2008-01-19T03:42:00.001-08:00

The computer, which is 0.76 inches (1.93cm) at its thickest point, was unveiled at an event in San Frncisco.

The Apple head also launched online film rentals for iTunes users in the U.S. from almost every major film studio, including Disney and Fox.

""We're dying to get this international as well,"" said Mr. Jobs, saying it would roll-out worldwide later in the year.

Of the laptop, Mr. Jobs said: ""It's an amazing feat of engineering."" It does not have a CD or DVD drive in order to save space. ""It was built to be a wireless machine,"" he added.

The laptop will compete with a range of portable devices, from companies such as Sony, Dell and Asus, which are already building so-called sub-notebooks, designed to be lighter and more mobile.

The machine goes on sale in two weeks and costs from $1,799 in the U.S. (£1,199 in the UK) and comes with either an 80 Gigabyte hard disc drive as standard or 64 Gigabyte solid state drive for an added $999.

This is important because it opens a new front in Apple's battle to be as big in digital video as it is in music.

Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent

Read Rory's thoughts in full Apple worked with chip maker Intel to produce a smaller version of its Core2Duo processor for the laptop.

Movie rentals from the key Hollywood movie studios will be available in the US immediately. Until now customers have had to buy movies outright but now they rent them for up to 30 days, or for 24 hours once viewing has started.

Movie lovers will be able to download films to their computers, and transfer them to the latest iPods and iPhone, in standard and high-definition, for between $3 and $5.

The company also announced it was revamping the Apple TV device so that it can now download content independently of a computer and display it on a widescreen TV.

Mr. Jobs admitted that Apple's first attempt to put online video in the living room had failed.

""

[Apple TV] was designed to be an accessory for iTunes and your computer. ""It is not what people wanted. What people really wanted was movies, movies, movies."" He added: ""We weren't delivering that. We're back: With Apple TV Take Two."" He announced the firm had sold 125 million TV shows and seven million movies via iTunes.

""It's more than everyone else put together, but it didn't meet our expectations,"" said Mr Jobs. ""I think we've got it right this time."" Mr. Jobs also announced a wireless back-up system called Time Capsule, offering a combined wi-fi router and hard drive.

New software for the iPhone was unveiled, including an update to Maps, which can plot the phone owner's spot on a map without using GPS. Apple announced it had sold four million iPhones in the first 200 days on sale, putting it on target to sell 10 million by the end of 2008.

(Source: BBC)

Bloody reality bears no relation to the delusions of this president

2008-01-19T02:54:00.000-08:00

BEIRUT (The Independent) -- Twixt silken sheets -- in a bedroom whose walls are also covered in silk -- and in the very palace of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, President George Bush awakes this morning (Wednesday) to confront a Middle East which bears no relation to the policies of his administration nor the warning which he has been relaying constantly to the kings and emirs and oligarchs of the (Persian) Gulf: that Iran rather than Israel is their enemy.

2008-01-19T01:23:00.000-08:00

Ala

2008-01-05T03:27:00.001-08:00

are you like school?

2008-01-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

Its too cool, I like this..

2008-01-05T03:18:00.000-08:00

I Hat water? bc of this...

2008-01-05T03:15:00.000-08:00

I Hat my dad??

2008-01-05T03:11:00.000-08:00

You want help with that?

2008-01-05T03:09:00.000-08:00

TOP UP

2008-01-05T03:04:00.000-08:00

Benazir Bhutto Assassination Aftermath

2007-12-29T01:56:00.000-08:00

Pakistan's interior ministry say that it was "unaware" of Al-Qaeda claiming a link to Ms Bhutto's killing but said "extremist elements" behind a wave of attacks this year could be responsible.

see more pic : http://news.sky.com/skynews/picture_gallery/picture_gallery