Swedish-Israel tension on 'organ harvest article invovling palestinians' continues

After the publication of an article related to an organ harvesting racket reportedly, done by the Israeli defense forces in a Swedish News daily named Aftonbladet by journalist Donald Boström, the political atmosphere between Sweden and Israel has been strained, with Israeli politicians calling on the Swedish government to condemn the publication. Initially the Swedish Ambassador to Israel Elisabeth Borsiin Bonnier condemned the incident, but Stockholm the capital of Sweden, distanced itself from the issue citing press freedom in the country. But there is uproar among the Israeli Politicians accusing Sweden of supporting anti-Semitic lobby in Sweden.

The controversy took a new turn now, when Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said he has discussed with his Swedish counterpart ironing out a resolution denouncing anti-Semitic culture at an EU foreign ministers meet in Stockholm, Sweden, which is now the rotating president of the EU for six months.

But later on the Swedish FM Carl Bildt farcically denied about discussing the issue at all with the Italian Minister. Italy:EU should condemn the aftonbladet article.

Aftonbladet's organ harvesting allegations are ludicrous from a medical perspective, writes Johns Hopkins medical school lecturer Andrea Meyerhoff, who also argues that Sweden has missed an opportunity to "reject anti-Semitism and reaffirm principles of good journalism." -

1.An excerpt from the article in TheLocal.

"Bildt did the math: no one gains political points from pleasing Israel"

2. Another article by David Stavrou.

Stockholm prepared to enforce smoking ban next year.

Employees of the city of Stockholm are going to face a smoking ban. The capital city of Sweden is going to enforce a smoking ban upon its 45,000 employees.

It is said that the smoking related illness and other sickness holidays are costing the government some $367 million per annum. The law which is not yet introduced, will be formally launched from 1st of May next year in all probability as the ruling government is supportive of the idea and is very much likely to vote for the ban according to the Swedish television channel SVT.

In a survey done by a local organization found out that at least 64 or more municipalities are interested on the ban out of 290 city councils in the state of Sweden.

Now Smokers will be able to enjoy smoking cigarette in the un-paid lunch hour only. Well, it seems quitting smoking is the best option under the circumstances, I don't know what type of fine the government will enforce if someone breaks the ban, that will be interesting to watch.

Halal cosmetics offer new beauty twist to Muslim faithful

And now for Muslim faithfuls a whole new range of Halal Cosmetics, the religion of Islam prohibits using of pork materials or Alcohol in any of daily needs like perfumes or cosmetics, but a Canadian entrepreneur took the lead in launching a company just to cater to the this select band of customers and potential of the market is huge, considering the demand for such type of products in the Middle-East and other countries.

H1N1 battle: No side effects in the flu shot

H1N1 is mesmerizing around the world, but some reports are encouraging as there are reported to be no side effects as of yet and the immunization program in the US, clinical trials on Adults has begun on Aug 7 and on children on Wednesday. Later on the shots will be tested on pregnant women too, large swathes of population has been effected by the flu, at least 550 deaths in US is reported to be from the Virus, but the real number is definitely higher, the flu is expected to peak when the winter sets in and schools are specially advised to keep the sick children out and make the healthier ones wash their hands regularly.

Though some strains of the flu were found in two Turkey's, doctors said that is not a cause for worry as it is not lethal and there were no adverse effects in the birds, H5N1, bird flu was lethal and made the culling important.

Many countries in southern hemisphere are bracing for the winter season as it results in a normal flu season due to colder and drier temperatures, people are advised to stay clean and eat a healthy diet and there is no need to be worried. Hopefully the new shot will soon provide the desired results and could be efficient as far as the results indicate. But it is too short a period for any clinical trial of a vaccine to be commended secure with no side effects.

NY times story

Netbooks set to dominate the market

Nokia is planning to develop netbooks, a laptop device designed to support the basic Internet access features and executing other applications.

Nokia netbooks are using Windows and Intel's atom processor which are most commonly used in these types of editions of Netbooks, already in the market are Austek, the pioneer, as well as laptop HP and Dell.



Netbooks are well sutiable for Site Engineers and Business people on the move for daily basic needs, giving them a smart and easy access of a feel of a laptop at a very low cost and weight. The market for Netbooks is expanding fast when compared to the PC and mobile sales. It is reported that there will be 127 % increase to over 26 million units from 2008. No wonder why Nokia is entering this segment despite margins being very less.

Nokia's Version of Netbook

A Look Inside Venezuela's Beauty Factory

World's Oceans warmest on record.

Though this summer was very wet in the recent years but still we have some warmer oceans, Is it a sign to worry about ?

Hoax call puts a businessman behind bars !

How many times we have heard about a late passenger making a hoax call to stop a flight from taking off, I have gone through these set of stories many times and literally there is no end to this, and I wonder how come people stoop to such a level, this time the passenger happens to be an Indian businessman, who was caught in a traffic snarl, here's the link to that story , at a time when India is at a heightened security alert owing to its independence day celebrations and security inputs.

India Super Star Shah Rukh Khan detained for two hours at US customs and security check

India's Super Sensational Movie star Shah Rukh Khan, heart throb of a billion people is reported to be detained at the US Customs and Security at the Immigration counter at Newark Airport in the US for well over two hours, where he was on a visit to participate in a cultural programme to celebrate India's 63 Indpendence day on an invitation from a US based Indian Community organisation, probably when his name 'khan' popped up onto the screen that irked a particular official as khan himself was pointing out ' that this particular officer wasn't bothered about, when I told him I am a movie star from India and let him make a call' , the authorities made the star lined into the regular frisking and searching of all the documents and baggage despite everything being in order and he says this is not the first time that he faced such a situation particularly in the US.



The story continues to make headlines in the Indian media, where now the Country's top executive officer on internal security affairs also making a statement that it looks like US overdid SRK's questioning and cautioned that the matter is going to be taken up with the US authorities regarding frisking of Indian nationals of high stature, also recently former Indian President APJ Abdul kalam was also frisked in India by the continental airlines which later apologised for the act.

Michael Phelps with an invalid driver's license !

Michael Phelps, the Olympic gold medalist, involved in a driving accident a few days back is said to have been driving with an invalid license, I hope the swimming star gets over it soon. The star has the license to swim but unfortunately he is caught on the wrong foot. Probably driving isn't his forte ;).

Swimming, a good sport.

Swimming is a beautiful sport. Though I am not a big time swimmer, but really likes to Swim more and more, quite often I catch cold. One of the reasons for this was, until I found out on a forum, I may be swimming in cold water and moving to a cold place while wet, both the suggestions held out to be true until I got proved myself and thanks to one listener who took time to point me out, sometimes we're lost in our daily lives, we don't give importance to some important but silly things like the ones to take precautions while Swimming.



Few days back I started swimming in a lake, water seemed to be OK but later on I saw my skin colour changing fast I stopped. It was a bit cold but OK to swim, now I swim in the pool. Natural waters are good to Swim, they have got their own taste and you feel one with the nature, like wise on the beaches and at the sea, you ride against the tides its so funny and exhilarating.

It's so interesting to see people Swim, everyone has got their own style and rhythm, like the faces.

But sometimes it is dangerous when someone doesn't know swimming, accidents happen in no time, my suggestion would be to take it seriously to learn swimming, you could be a life saver too.

Usain Bolt at Berlin Championships 2009

Usain Bolt eyeing to make it big at the World Athletics championships in Berlin.