Iceland Volcanic Ash in Europe.

25 May 2011 - Another Iceland Volcano erupted and the ash in interupting flights in Europe.

Japan's auto industry suffering

AlJazeeraEnglish on May 11, 2011 - The Japanese government says damage from the quake and tsunami could total to more than $300bn.And the nation's car-making giants are also suffering. Toyota saw its quarterly profits fall by 50 per cent, because of damaged plants

UN: Chronic, Non-Communicable Disease Is World's Leading Killer

VOAvideo on May 9, 2011 - Chronic, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are on the rise and are taking a significant toll on the economies of low- and middle-income countries. This is according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

Wildfires continue to rage across UK

itnnews on 3 May 2011 - Hundreds of firefighters have been tackling heathland blazes across the UK, including at the Queen's Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The mythos of Obama and Osama.

With his death, Osama bin Laden's name and story will forever be correlated with that of Barack Obama.

Osama bin Laden's death will forever be linked with Obama's name [GALLO/GETTY]

Obama and Osama. Two names that will henceforth be coupled. The hunter, Obama, is leader of the most powerful and feared nation on earth.

Osama, the hunted, was leader of a borderless state – a non-state actor – and probably the most feared religio-political association of the modern world since the rise of the Ismaili Hashashin assassins between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Obama and Osama may rhyme, but that is not their only correlation.

The Pygmalion syndrome

A Pygmalion resides in both of them. They are, to an extent, sculptors. In turn, these two sculptors, Obama and Osama, are examples of how extraordinary men – when struck by the power of ideas, ideals and dreams, regardless of the cause – go on about sculpting their Galateas – their statues, dummies or puppets.

Each is in love with a statuesque vision, a set of ideals or dreams that they have sought to breathe life into. Otherwise, how can one explain why a man who could have nymphs, Bentleys, yachts, and everything money can buy opts for the "illusionary" – to paraphrase Marx – rewards of the hereafter?

Larbi Sadiki |  2 may 2011 :  read full post

A very Japanese way of things...

Japan's top nuclear man resigns over Fukushima.

RussiaToday on Apr 30, 2011 - A senior nuclear advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister is resigning, alleging the government ignored his safety advice. Toshiso Kosako says the wrong radiation limits were set for schools near the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, endangering the lives of children. The Japanese government denies the claims, insisting it followed expert advice. The plant has been releasing radioactivity since being hit by a earthquake and tsunami in March.