Lessons for India in China's Infrastructure Build Up FROM BuisnessWeek

"India's highway network, which is supposed to expand by 10,000 kilometers at a cost of US$76 billion over the next five years, was singled out as an example of how Chinese firms can get involved."

Tiger comments on current events by Tiger Woods FROM his website

"But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy."

Toyota Begins Plug-In Prius Production for Test Program by Jansen Ng FROM Daily Tech

" 'This program is a necessary first step in societal preparation, in that it allows us the unique opportunity to inform, educate and prepare customers for the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology," said Irv Miller, Toyota's Group Vice President for Environmental and Public Affairs.' "

Military plan is worrisome by William Gay FROM Times Argus

"President Eisenhower stated in 1961 that '… an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the federal government. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.' "

Congratulations to Kiwi!

Congratulations to Kiwi for being part of the Taiwanese team which won the 2009 Sadler’s Wells Theatre Global Dance Contest!

Check out the video at:

http://www.globaldancecontest.com/index.html

Skyscrapers portend doom by Edwin Heathcote FROM The Financial Times

In light of the news from Dubai, I think it is time to repost this story.

"Super skyscrapers appear to be bad news for the economy."

'The Sheikh's New Clothes?' Dubai's Desert Dream Ends By Stanley Reed FROM BusinessWeek

"Dubai was always a momentum play. Unlike Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi, the hugely wealthy emirate to the West, Sheikh Mohammed had scant oil production to fuel his grandiose ideas"

In China, an easy route to academic glory by Stephen Wong FROM Asia Times Online

"Unlike national pride over China's economic success, the expansion of PhD programs is viewed with suspicion, due to allegations that corruption in the education system has severely compromised academic standards."

Why Counting Blessings Is So Hard for Teenagers by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman FROM Newsweek

"Those who really should be asked to do gratitude exercises are kids low in these qualities —kids who rarely feel excitement, hope, or sunny happiness. In Froh’s experiments, these kids really benefit from ritualized gratitude."

Low doses of radiation can cause heart disease, stroke FROM DNA India

"The team discovered that radiation kills monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the arterial wall, which results in higher levels of monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and leads to cardiovascular disease."

Language after stroke by Julian Siddle FROM BBC Learning English

"He says brain imaging techniques show tonal languages, such as Chinese, make more use of the right side of the brain, whereas the processing for Latin based languages, such as English, tends to occur in the left side. "

One in Four Borrowers Is Underwater by By RUTH SIMON and JAMES R. HAGERTY FROM The Wall Street Journal

"Even recent bargain hunters have been hit: 11% of borrowers who took out mortgages in 2009 already owe more than their home's value."

The secret behind Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile By Richard Alleyne FROM The Telegraph

"The secret behind Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile has been explained by scientists who believe it changes depending on which part of the eye sees it first."

A bank that accepts only women as clients opens in Iraq FROM 3news.com.nz

"An Iraqi bank has opened a branch entirely dedicated to and operated by women in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, south of Baghdad."