tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185936982024-03-26T01:59:10.627-07:00CSF IIjust when MSM thought it was safe to go back in the waterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1149499271776151592006-06-05T02:02:00.000-07:002006-06-05T02:21:11.790-07:00Kill a tiger, wear a clawThe Deccan Chronicle seemed to have forgotten that 'When the buying stops, the killing will too'. See <a href="http://www.fracturedearth.org/?p=155">this</a>.<br /><br />They have since issued a <a href="http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/674/deccantiger0kd.jpg">corrigendum</a> (image taken from the e-paper)Nikhil Pahwahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693281110830585801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1146405979505898552006-04-30T07:04:00.000-07:002006-04-30T07:06:19.516-07:00Almoayyed Group's Official Statement on Engineer's Murder in AfghanistanWith profound grief we confirm receipt of official intimation about the murder of Mr. K. Suryanarayan, a cherished ,dedicated and loyal employee of Almoayed Group. At this moment of grief, we are dumbstruck at the inhumanity and cruelty faced by our colleague and declare him a martyr who has given up his life in his belief of the right to a better life for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. We strongly condemn this heinous act as inhuman and call upon all religions and countries to join us and pray to the Almighty to punish those responsible for this act in this world and beyond.<br /><br />As we grieve, our resolve to continue working towards the betterment of the people and children in Afghanistan remains solid and steadfast and is further strengthened. We shall not let the sacrifice of Mr. Suryanarayan go in vain. We call upon the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh and the President of Afghanistan Mr. Karzai to lead the two nations in furthering brotherhood, respect and love for each other.<br /><br />We are honoured and indebted to Mr. Suryanarayan for his contribution and commitment to the Company and the country he was working in, and his enthusiasm and dedication towards successfully achieving his goals and targets set for him while undertaking his assignment .He has indeed been a role model that will serve as an example for all. To the departed soul, we can only say that he has not left his family behind. We shall ensure the best of education for his children in order to ensure that one day they become what their father was: A man of immense dedication, zeal and commitment towards his belief...<br /><br />As a mark of respect the Head Office in Bahrain and all our international offices will remain closed on Tuesday 2nd May. The Indian office will be closed for 3 days from today. All offices will observe a mourning period of one week. The Company further announces an immediate compensation of Rs 20 lakhs to the family of Mr.Suryanarayan and undertakes to take care of the complete education of his three children.<br /><br />'May the Almighty provide peace to the departed soul, and love to all those on mother Earth.'<br /><br />'In grief, we stand together.'<br /><br />(All at Almoayed Group)Ashish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1146386158572562092006-04-30T01:29:00.000-07:002006-04-30T01:35:58.586-07:00Those Dumb Questions (and stories)Sevanti Ninan's <a href="http://thehoot.org">The Hoot</a> takes apart the Indian TV News Media's tiresome coverage of the Pramod Mahajan crisis in <a href="http://www.thehoot.org/story.asp?storyid=Web5917630252Hoot72646%20PM2084&pn=1">Those Dumb Questions</a>.<br /><br />My favourite is:<br /><br />One reporter demanded to know why a mentally unstable man was given a licence for a revolver. "he is mentally unstable now. When he was given the licence he must have been ok. The police gives the licence after due enquiries. It doesn't go to a mental hospital and give out gun licences."<br /><br />*<br /><br />CNN-IBN did a story on a polling booth in Kerala where only one voter is registered, and how the election commission has to send 6 people every elections, in case he decides to vote. We're told that the 'This one voter has brought the entire Election Commission to his knees.' Yeah, right.<br /><br />Then they tell us about the difficulties that CNN-IBN had to go through to get us the story - walk through leech infested jungles. They show us images of the reporters pulling out leeches and tell us patronisingly that this is what the reporters had to go through to get us that story, and CNN-IBN is a channel that'll do 'Whatever it takes'. Quite a sacrifice, innit?<br /><br />Crossposted <a href="http://mixedbag.blogspot.com/2006/04/those-dumb-questions.html">here</a>.Nikhil Pahwahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03693281110830585801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1146128631272907352006-04-27T02:03:00.000-07:002006-04-27T02:03:51.283-07:00N Ram pays back for the Lanka RatnaFor those few who are unaware of this N Ram the editor of The Hindu was <a href=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/15/stories/2005111517191400.htm target=_blank>awarded Sri Lanka Ratna, the highest civilian award that can be conferred on a foreigner in Srilanka in Nov 2005</a>. This was for "exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to Sri Lanka in particular and\or humanity in general". <br /><br />N Ram has been a consistent supporter of the Srilankan government in its war against Tamil Tigers. This is unlike most of Tamilnadu which harbours a supportive attitude towards the Tamil Eelam struggle. Nothing wrong with that, each one is entitled to his view.<br /><br />But what distinguishes N Ram is his use of editorial space to blatantly twist facts in favor of the Srilankan Government. Sample his editorial today<br /><br /><blockquote> and behind its(LTTE) attempt to foment anti-Tamil ethnic violence in Trincomalee earlier this month</blockquote><br />The fact is Tamils were killed in various attacks in Trincomalee. But N Ram feels that Tigers orchestrated the attack on their own men so that there will be violence. <br /><br /><blockquote>President Mahinda Rajapakse cannot be blamed if his patience is now wearing a little thin. Following the latest provocation, he ordered air and naval strikes in North-East Sri Lanka. President Rajapakse evidently wanted to send a message that he will not remain a silent onlooker as a terrorist group tries to take out the country's army chief. Still, restraint is the Government's best weapon against the LTTE</blockquote><br /><br />Reading this you can imagine President Mahinda Rajapakse as a benevolent man, trying hard not to fight, but being forced by the LTTE to fight. But the fact is <a href=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4447794.stm target=_blank>he was elected on the basis of his hardline stance against LTTE</a> <br /><br />In a war that has been going on for 30 years both sides would have committed serious mistakes. That is what is war is about, you go to fight against something which you perceive is wrong and end up doing the samething. But according to Mr. Ram there is only one side that is responsible for the mess. And that is LTTE.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I don't support LTTE or anyother organisation. I am aware of the situation in Srilanka only from newsreports. Even this second hand information clearly shows that Mr. Ram is completely biased towards the Srilankan Government.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1144068766350514852006-04-03T05:44:00.000-07:002006-04-03T05:52:46.363-07:00Update # 14 Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThe Prime Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today ordered stringent safety measures following the Thursday night ferry disaster. He called all ministries and relevant bodies to reinforce tough safety procedures and standards to protect lives and property.<br /><br />But most important of all, he also pledged that legal action would be taken against all those proved to be responsible for the boat tragedy.<br /><br />The Interior Minister Shaikh Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, also, reiterated the same point and vowed that all those responsible for the tragedy will be punished - even if they are government organisations.<br /><br />But he was hesitant to point fingers at anyone at this early stage of the investigation but promised that the results will be announced as soon as possible, in the most transparent manner.<br /><br />Shaikh Rashid, who chairs the government investigation committee into the tragedy, said that it has been divided into four sub-committees to look into the incident. The committee will look at the incident from technical, administrative, financial and legal angles.<br /><br />Source: Gulf Daily NewsAshish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1144067760559672812006-04-03T05:33:00.000-07:002006-04-03T05:36:00.573-07:00Update # 13 Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThe Awali Interdenominational Church is holding a memorial service for victims of the Dhow tragedy, tonight, 8pm @ the Rugby Club in Saar.<br /><br />Contact the Church Office for more details.<br />Tel: 17400426<br />Email: office@awalichurch.orgAshish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143981175683533802006-04-02T05:28:00.000-07:002006-04-02T07:18:50.956-07:00Update # 12 Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThis morning's <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com">Gulf Daily News</a> had this big headline that screamed "Death Dhow Illegal". Once again, it raises questions as to how such a dhow could have been allowed to set sail in the first place.<br /><br />You can read the original news item written by Mohammed Al A'Ali <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139753&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29013">here.</a>Ashish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143958408323822942006-04-01T22:06:00.000-08:002006-04-02T05:02:33.480-07:00Update # 11 Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThe following <a href="http://www.atkinsglobal.com/news/25360/bahrain01042.html">press release</a> was posted by WS Atkins on their website. It confirms the tragic loss of 9 of its people following the boat disaster in Bahrain on Thursday night.<br /><br />The nine comprise six members of staff and three relatives/friends, with a further relative/friend missing, presumed dead. A further three Atkins people survived the incident. At this stage, Atkins is able to confirm the details of eight of those who died: <br /><blockquote>Andrew Debrunner <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Resident Engineer</span><br />Basanth Kumar <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Senior Site Electrical Engineer</span><br />Carl Ottewell <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Construction Supervisor</span><br />Jason James Brett <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Assistant Project Manager</span><br />Lucinda Lamb <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wife of Jason Brett</span><br />Sameer Thorat <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Resident Architect</span><br />Sandy Belch (Nee Seeger)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wife of Scott Belch</span><br />Scott Belch <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Assistant Resident Engineer</span></blockquote><br />Keith Clarke, Atkins' CEO, is among senior members of staff who are in Bahrain to support the families and loved ones of those who died. He says: "The past 48 hours have been incredibly difficult for everybody within Atkins and we are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.<br /><br /><blockquote>"The nature of our business means the victims of this tragedy have worked closely with and are known by many across the world. As a result, the number of messages of support and condolence received has been truly staggering and a real comfort to those most affected. We are doing all we can to ensure the bereaved receive as much support as possible and this will continue indefinitely."</blockquote><br /><br />A book of condolence will be placed at the site office in Bahrain, with further copies to be placed at Atkins' offices around the world. Atkins kindly asks members of the media to respect privacy of those affected by the disaster while they grieve.Ashish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143897395105260022006-04-01T04:38:00.000-08:002006-04-02T05:28:17.086-07:00Update # 10 Tourist Ships Sinks in BahrainThe following are the list of people who didn't survive the ferry disaster. These are the official names of the deceased, and there is every likelihood that the 'names' may not tally with the name you are familiar with. I noticed that my friend Samir was given another name. I made necessary corrections while updating this list but felt I had to inform you about this matter just in case you wonder why your loved ones name was not on the list. <br /><br />It was compiled by <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com">Gulf Daily News</a> and the original news item can be accessed <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139654&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29012">here.</a><br /><br /><B>South African:</B> Jimmy Allen, Allan Jeppe, Cathy Judd, Michael Parker Partize, <br /><br /><B>Pakistan:</B> Ammanulah Ahmaddin, wife Farzina and daughter Hina, Furqan Ali Mehaban Ali, <br /><br /><B>British:</B> David Evans, Christopher Langham, Carl Andrew Ottewel, William Patrick Nolan, Andrew Debrunner, Stephen Grady<br /><br /><B>Ireland:</B> Derek James Cunningham, <br /><br /><B>British/ South African:</B> Christopher Braysher, Lawrence Sulman, Lucinda Brayet, Philip Moody, Jason James Brett, <br /><br /><B>Singapore:</B> Foong Szechen, LimSing Wee<br /><br /><B>Germany:</B> Scott Belch <br /><br /><B>Philippines:</B> Norman Belardo, Edwin Felipe Batacan and Quennie Aboboto Dunca<br /><br /><B>Thailand:</B> Orathai Cunningham, Narumon Palawat, <br /><br />A separate list compiled by <a href="http://www.newkerala.com">New Kerala,</a> an online newspaper, posted this statewise breakdown of <B>Indians </B> who perished in this disaster. The original news item can be accessed if you click <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=35288">here.</a><br /><br /><I>Kerala:</I> Sikhil Babu, Abdul Latif Abdul Wahab, Santosh Chakra Puthenpurackal, Kuthyil Mohammad. Majeed, Arby Mathews, Basant Kumar and Siru Arby<br /><br /><I>Tamil Nadu:</I> Saravanan Kumar Murugesan, Chellappan Thirugnam and Muthukumar Murugan<br /><br /><I>Andhra Pradesh:</I> Nag Bhushan Pilla and Mrs. Nag Bhushan Pilla<br /><br /><I>Delhi:</I> Alok Kumar Verma and Mrs. Kirit Verma<br /><br /><I>Bihar:</I> Mohammad Hassnein<br /><br /><I>Goa:</I> Clarence William and Maryan Vyland<br /><br /><I>Karnataka:</I> Sayeed Farooq Syed Ahmed and Mrs. Rabiah Farooq<br /><br /><I>Maharashtra:</I> Samir Suhas Thorat.<br /><br />And finally, here is a list of all nationalities, and includes the number of those who survived as well as perished in the disaster. The list was compiled by <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com">the Gulf Daily News</a> and the original news item can be accessed <a href="http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139654&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29012">here.</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Nationality/ Survivors /Dead<br /><br />Indian 30 21<br />British 9 13<br />South Africa 8 5<br />Singapore 2 4<br />Philippines 5 5<br />Egypt 3<br />Bahraini 3<br />Poland 1<br />Bangladesh 1<br />Pakistan 1 4<br />Nepal 1<br />US 1<br />Sri Lanka 1<br />Thailand 1 2<br />Germany 1<br />Ireland 1<br />South Korea 1<br />Total 67 57</blockquote>Ashish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143901797961922772006-04-01T02:18:00.000-08:002006-04-01T06:31:49.490-08:00Update# 9: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainA few minutes ago, Brian Bruce, the CEO of <a href="http://www.murrob.com/">Murray & Roberts</a> released the following statement on their company website while 3 more employees have been confirmed as dead:<br /><blockquote><p>Last night Murray & Roberts released the names of seven of its ten employees who lost their lives in Bahrain. The families of the deceased have, understandably, expressed their wishes not to be contacted directly and to be shown due respect in this time of grief.<br /><br />The following Murray & Roberts employees who have been confirmed as<br />dead, were all residents in Bahrain:<br /><br /><br />Furqan Ali - Works Superintendent - Pakistan<br />Mohammed Hasnian - Project Engineer - India<br />Mohammed Majeed - Project Accountant -India<br /><br /><a href="http://www.murrob.com/News/bahrain_ferry_tragedy_update_010406.htm">Read More....</a></p></blockquote><br /><br />If you require further details or have any information to provide, please get in touch with Brian on +27 (0)11 456 6281 or fax +27 (0)86 637 0113 or email <a href="mailto:clientservice@murrob.com">clientservice@murrob.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143889522363051272006-04-01T01:57:00.000-08:002006-04-01T03:05:22.923-08:00Update# 8: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainMessage from Robin Lamb, the British Ambassador to Bahrain:<br /><br /><blockquote>The <a href="http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/">British Embassy</a> extends<br />its deepest condolences to the families of those missing in the Dhow accident<br />off Muharraq Island on Thursday night. The Embassy is doing all that it can to<br />assist those affected by this tragedy.<br /><br />Anyone wishing to <strong>provide details of those missing</strong> should<br />call the Embassy <strong>on +973 17574100</strong>, the Duty Officer<br />(<strong>during silent hours</strong>) <strong>on +973 39600274</strong>, or for <strong>emotional support +973 39069995</strong> - helpline.<br /><br />In addition to the support line being run for anyone wishing to talk about<br />their experiences, the followingorganisations may be useful in providing further<br />information and support around bereavement and loss:<br /><br />Disaster Action – <a href="http://www.disasteraction.org.uk/">www.disasteraction.org.uk</a><br />Cruse – Bereavement Care – <a href="http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/">www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk</a><br />7th July Assistance Centre – <a href="http://7julyassistance.org.uk/">7julyassistance</a><br /></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143878470977318062006-03-31T23:59:00.000-08:002006-04-01T21:43:30.520-08:00Update # 7 Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThis is a list of survivors that I have received today. Will update more - as and when - I get hold of more information.<br /><br />Filipinos who have survived:<br />Lilia Hermoso<br />Bayani Hermoso<br />Lanette Salgado<br />Segunda Siena<br />Hyacinth Dacay Perez<br />Abigail Silva<br />Pamela Belardo<br /><br />Source:<a href="http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=71276>">INQ7.net</a><br /><br />Bahraini Survivors:<br />Khalil Mirza<br /><br />Indian Survivors:<br />Jaikumar George<br /><br />Source:<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1791987">ABC News</a><br /><br />Singaporean Survivors:<br />Ng Khee Seong<br />Cindy Liau<br /><br />Source:<a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/200895/1/.html">Channel News Asia</a>Ashish Gordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105222512599129308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143850577625921702006-03-31T15:58:00.000-08:002006-03-31T16:16:17.640-08:00Update# 6: Tourist Ship Sinks in Bahrain<span style="font-style: italic;">I was blogging previously </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://stravinskyss.blogspot.com">here,</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> but I've decided to pool efforts at CSF II along with </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://ashishgorde.blogspot.com/">Ashish Gorde</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> who's also in Bahrain and </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://ashishgorde.blogspot.com/2006/03/tragedy-in-high-seas.html">lost a friend</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in Thursday night's boat tragedy. </span><br /><br />Following information on the body count was <a href="http://www.murrayandroberts.co.za/">posted</a> by Murray & Roberts Group Chief Executive Brian Bruce, he's the CEO of the company that is the lead contractor for Bahrain's WTC and whose employees had organized the boat party which has unfortunately been ruined by the tragic aftermath:<br /><br /><blockquote>David Evans - Project Chairman (United Kingdom)<br />Will Nolan - Project Director (United Kingdom)<br />Stephen Grady - Finishes Manager (United Kingdom)<br />Chris Braysher - Commercial Manager (South Africa and United Kingdom)<br />Jimmy Allen - Design Coordinator (South Africa)<br />Lawrence Sulman - Project Engineer (South Africa)<br />Alan Jeppe - Engineering Surveyor (South Africa)<br />Cathy Judd - Partner (South Africa)</blockquote><br />In a statement on the website Bruce has mentioned that the process of engagement with the families of the one Pakistani and two Indian employees is continuing. Murray & Roberts executives have today engaged with the families of the deceased employees from South Africa and United Kingdom and will work with them through this period of tragic loss. The survivors of the tragedy will also be supported as they come to terms with their own experiences and the loss of friends and colleagues.<br /><br />Based on information to hand, <span style="font-weight: bold;">57 people are confirmed as dead. In all, more than 50 senior employees from various companies working on the World Trade Centre Project have been lost.</span> Commenting on the tragedy, Brian said that they have initiated a process that will investigate the decision leading to the choice of event to celebrate the project milestone of structural completion.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">For further information, you may reach Brian on +27 (0)11 456 6281 / fax +27 (0)86 637 0113 or email clientservice@murrob.com </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143849217123590712006-03-31T09:20:00.000-08:002006-03-31T15:53:37.126-08:00Update# 5: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainMore hotline numbers are coming in for those who wish to find out more information on missing relatives and friends of the boat tragedy that happened last night here in Bahrain:<br /><br /><blockquote>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Indian embassy</span> has set up two telephone lines - <span style="font-weight: bold;">00973-39280216 (Counsellor H.R Mohi)</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">00973-39745640 (Second secretary R. Ragunathan)</span><br /> <br />Those passengers who have been rescued are being taken to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Salamaniya Medical Complex</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold;">00973-17-255555</span> - and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bahrain Coast Guard</span> can be reached on <span style="font-weight: bold;">00973-39413413</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">00973-17-718888</span>.</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143849044731953042006-03-31T08:26:00.000-08:002006-03-31T15:50:44.733-08:00Update# 4: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainThe following hotline information for tracing relatives and missing persons just came in:<br /><blockquote>British nationals – contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (London) on <span style="font-weight: bold;">020 7008 1500 and ask for the Crisis Unit</span>. All other nationals should contact their respective Embassies in the UK.<br /><br />Enquirers who cannot contact their Embassy directly due to political or personal reasons, can contact the Red Cross international tracing and message service on <span style="font-weight: bold;">0845 053 2004</span>.</blockquote><br />Some more pics from last night's rescue operations:<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00625.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00648.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00556.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00626.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00652.JPG"/><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00554.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00584.JPG" /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />[[my appologies to all the folks who are pulling my rss and xml feed, the previous post had images of 1.4mb eachwhich explains why the feed or page loads very slow]]</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143848987732126732006-03-31T00:11:00.000-08:002006-03-31T16:20:18.443-08:00Update# 3: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainHere are some pics from today morning's relief and rescue operations conducted by the Bahriani Royal Navy and Airforce as well as the Coastguard and US Naval ER Crews, the pics have been captured off witness/amateur video footage and that's the reason they're not quite clear -- my appologies for that. <span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks to Colin at </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://Dictionary.hm">Dictionary.hm</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for providing the bandwidth and space to host these images:</span><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00510.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00525.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00519.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://pics.abrv.org/tragedy/data/media/1/DSC00517.JPG" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143848768539990062006-03-30T20:58:00.000-08:002006-03-31T15:46:08.546-08:00Update #2: Tourist Ship Sinks in BahrainToday morning, the <a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139551&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">Gulf Daily News</a> (GDN) have filed detailed <a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139551&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">reports</a> (<a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139552&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">design of boat in question</a>, <a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139554&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">National Emergency Health coordination,</a> <a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139557&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">search for relatives,</a> <a href="http://gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=139556&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29011">majority of vicitms are asians</a>) into last night's boat tragedy. Their report puts the death toll as 48 with 27 people injured and 63 alive. <a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk">Reuters</a>, however, have <a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-31T063751Z_01_L30763166_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BAHRAIN-SHIP.xml">placed the death toll</a> at 57 and 67 survivors according to an <a href="http://www.AlJazeera.net">Al Jazeera</a> report quoting an Interior Ministry spokesperson. Initial reports that had come out last night from sources on the scene had it that there were 150 people on board, the the GDN have the right figure as 130 people. SAR operations are ongoing by the Bahraini Royal Navy & Airforce, Coastguard patrols and the US Naval Support crews. <br /><br />An AP Wire item states that Bahraini surivior - Khalil Mirza was teh passenger who alerted the Coastguard about the boat capsizing in a call to them from his cell phone. <span style="font-style: italic;">"People were scared in the water," he said. "They were fighting with each other and screaming."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><im src="http://gulf-daily-news.com/source/xxix/011/images/Lpic2.jpg"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(first person to be rescued after the boat cpasiized)<br /><br /></span></div><br />The boat had capsized in between the Mina Salman Port and Muharraq which explains why parts of the Sitra Bridge were cordoned off, yesterday. The boat had a capacity for 100 passengers, but there were around 130 on board. It has een said that, most of those who died drowned. The boating trip had been organised by Nass, Murray and Roberts to celebrate the completion of the concrete structure of the <a href="http://bahrainwtc.com">Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC)</a>. Nass, Murray and Roberts are the lead contractors for the BWTC towers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41505000/jpg/_41505992_briefingafp416.jpg" /></span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">(Bahrain's Prime Minister at the scene of the accident monitoring a detailed investigation)</span><br /> </div><br /><br />Nationality count has been <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/03/31/uship.xml&sSheet=/portal/2006/03/31/ixportaltop.html">reported</a> by The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/">Telegraph</a> as 25 Britons, 20 Filipinos, 10 South Africans and 10 Egyptians while Bahrain's Health Minister Nada Haffadh in a statement to Al Jazeera has stated that 30 of the rescued were hospitalised including 17 Indians, four Britons, two South Africans, two Filipinos, and one each from Italy, China, Thailand and Bahrain. The British Embassy has confirmed that British nationals are among those missing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41506000/jpg/_41506002_injuredafp220.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Injured survivors were taken to hospital, but bodies continued to be brought ashore)</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1908417,00.html">News24</a> in South Africa has stated that while 7 South Africans have been found, six others are reported to have been among those who died although initial reports indicated that 13 South African were among the 150 passengers on board. <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=123&art_id=qw1143784441736B216">This report</a> filed by <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/">IOL</a> in South Africa details the scenes of relatives and survivors breaking down the scene last night right after SAR ops had begun.<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41505000/jpg/_41505994_afp_hospital270.jpg" /></span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">(At the Salmainya medical centre in the Bahraini capital, Manama, doctors tried to reassure survivors and worried relatives and friends)<br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile <span style="font-style: italic;">the </span>Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines <a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=34401">have confirmed</a> that of the 20 Filipinos that were aboard the vessel, 3 have been rescued. <br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div> </div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">This just in: the newsreader on 96.fm - radio bahrain has just announced that those who have been rescued now stands at 70 - 11.01 am. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="articletext"><br /><br />1)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> A hot line has been set up by the Interior Ministry for people seeking information about their relatives, friends who were on board, If you're inside Bahrain,</span> please dial 1-777-00000, if you're calling from overseas, please dial<br /> 1-777-00000<br /><br />2) <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For Singaporean nationals, please call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who have set up a hotline at their duty office in Singapore and are assisting those affected by the tragedy on </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6379 8800 / 6379 8855 if you're calling from Singapore and if you're calling from overseas please dial 0065-</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6379-8800 / 0065-6379-8855</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> or email <a href="mailto:mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg">mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="articletext"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143848616222882702006-03-30T11:39:00.000-08:002006-03-31T15:43:36.226-08:00UPDATE#1: Tourist Ship Sinks in Bahrain<div style="text-align: right;">Some reports have the time the incident occured as 8pm while others have it at 9.30pm local time. Both have not been confirmed, also the location has been cited as close to Muhrarraq.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/1600/DSC00504.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/320/DSC00504.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Also there is a misleading report going around to news agencies that there have been 1,200 feared dead, this is not at all true, completely false, because there is a confirmed report that there were only 150 tourists aboard the ferry of which 60 have survived. This incident has now made it to <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/">Wiki News</a>, you may find more details on it <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Tourist_ship_has_possibly_sunk_off_Bahrain">there</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><br />SAR (Search And Rescue) spokersperson on site have confirmed in a statement to CNN Arabia's Correspondent - Caroline Faraj that the capacity on the ferry was 60-70 people at the max and 150 people meant the ferry was overbooked -- this has been cited as one of the reasons behind the disaster.<br /><br />More details are said to follow in an hour. The vessel is a local daily shuttle. No names have been released yet.<br /><br />Officials from the Interior Ministry are at the scene and have begun a full investigation into the ship's sinking, the area around Mina Salman is currently cordoned off, so I'd suggest anyone planning to go there not to do so, use alternative roads instead to go to whever you need to.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/320/DSC00503.jpg" /><br /><br />Majority of the tourists were westerners including locals. Rescue personnel have managed to get most of those who survived to the hospitals, some bodies were seen coming out of the water according to sources at the scene. Majority of the people are still missing, the death toll so far is 44. Focus is currently on search and recue, bare details are being provided to media agencies, not many confirmations of reports that MSM is flinging around.<br /><br /><img src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20060330/capt.xhj10103302219.bahrain_ship_xhj101.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/photo/060330/481/xhj10103302219;_ylt=AjcPtTgkGjti5Enu9QqJabMUewgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA-">[yahoo - pic credits]</a><br /><br /><br />This just came in that 63 people have been rescued, the Ministry of Health, US Naval Support crews and Bahraini Navy and Coast guard are all coordinating the relief efforts and SAR is ongoing. If you have access to CNN International or BBC World TV Channels, I'd suggest you to tune into them because they both are having live phone calls with reporters on the scene and the officials from the Ministry Of Health/Ministry Of Interior.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1143848523998077942006-03-30T10:51:00.000-08:002006-03-31T15:42:04.013-08:00Tourist Ship Sinks in Bahrain [Blogging Live]<p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/1600/DSC00489.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/320/DSC00489.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At approximately 8pm local time here in Bahrain, a ferry sunk near Sitra. It was a boat carrying around 150 tourists - locals and expats alike. There are about 60 people who have said to have survived thought search and recue operations by the Bahraini coast guard and the US navy is continuing as I blog.<br /><br />Here's the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4862948.stm">bbc report</a><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1693/638/320/DSC00493.0.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />I'm posting pics off the CNN broadcast and will have a link to a short interview with a correspondant from Dubai via a google video soon. I'll continue posting updates till we have something online from teh GDN tomorrow. Thanks to <a href="http://Balaspot.blogspot.com">Bala</a> for the heads up on this all the way from New Jersey. Apparenty every other news agency is posting an AP report whcih is making its way around the wires. <a href="http://earth.google.com">Google Earth</a> is being used by some of the news agencies to explore the waters of Bahrain and the location of the incident - here's the <a href="http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=369288">KML file</a> that's being used.<br /><br />cheers!<br /><br /><strong>[NOTE: I'm not a member of main stream media, this is citizen media provided for informational purposes ONLY!] </strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1142008398448561782006-03-28T02:30:00.000-08:002006-03-28T01:46:20.603-08:00Put the news back in the newspaperAn opinion is what I ask. Take a stand. Take sides. Kill the neutral. Kill impartiality. Play one against the other. Kill your darlings. Kill mediocrity. Do anything, but for goodness sake, don't ever kill the newspaper! <br /><br />You see, I grew up with newspapers by my side. I read them like I read my Archie comics. But I no longer like them. I no longer look forward to the act. It's a duty now. Not lust. And that began when you stopped putting news into the newspaper. In its stead, nubile starlets and hefty goons. From Pages 1 to 16. And more. <br /><br />But we've all covered this territory before. And, dare I say it, we'll be covering it again. Again. Again, till somebody finally realises that no news, is in fact, bad news. And that's when newspapers will no more be Archie’s.Ravages/CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652864017812270505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1141322911294459272006-03-02T10:07:00.000-08:002006-03-02T10:21:56.786-08:00seppuku?Doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for this blog. Time to shut it down?zigzacklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16061386367303982262noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1138182165062084652006-01-25T01:33:00.000-08:002006-01-25T01:42:45.076-08:00Shout out for Hossein Derakhshan<div style="text-align: justify;">Iranian-Canadian blogger <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hossein_Derakhshan">Hossein Derakhshan</a> is <a href="http://hoder.com/weblog/archives/014928.shtml">visiting Israel</a> as a citizen journalist and peace activist. For those who haven't heard about him, he paved the path for Iranian bloggers by first posting a How-To on Persian blogging using Blogger's free service. From then on Persian bloggers have literally taken off. He and his Iranian journalist and blogging friends have got into trouble with the authorities time and again for their anti-establishment stance. Last November he was also denied entry into USA because of his blog which was checked right at the USA-Canada border. I believe his blog is currently blocked in Iran.<br /></div><br />A fine journalist not afraid to speak his mind and one who's clearly influential over the Iranian cultural landscape, Hossein says:<br /><blockquote>"<span style="font-size:85%;">As a citizen journalist, I'm going to show my 20,000 daily Iranian readers what Israel really looks like and how people live there. The Islamic Republic has long portrayed Israel as an evil state, with a consensual political agenda of killing every single man and woman who prays to Allah, including Iranians..."<br /><br />"...As a peace activist, I'm going to show the Israelis that the vast majority of Iranians do not identify with Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric, despite what it looks like from the outside.<br /><br />I'm going to tell them how any kind of violent action against Iran would only harm the young people who are gradually reforming the system and how the radicals would benefit from such situation.<br /><br />During my visit, I'm going to blog in both English and Persian, take a lot of pictures and record numerous video and audio reports and make a few podcasts.</span>"</blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I've followed his blog for quite sometime and I'm eagerly looking forward to his output from Israel. If you feel the same, you too can make your own little contributions by Paypal or simply spread the word. [<a href="http://hoder.com/weblog/archives/014928.shtml">Link</a>]</div>Suhailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07003909838593766176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1136698987366251542006-01-07T21:27:00.000-08:002006-01-07T21:43:07.380-08:00Stoned...A front page article in the Daily News in Sri Lanka recently carried this headline, broken at the exact same point in the sentence:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Policemen on drugs</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">raid stoned</span></blockquote>So here's the real story, at least what I figured out from reading the bloody article with the headline: <span style="font-style: italic;">A bunch of cops went into a slum area to bust some people for heroine possession. The people in the slum got mad at the cops and threw stones at them.</span><br /><br />But let's see what else this headline could mean. The possibilities are endless.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> A bunch of policemen who were on a drug-raid had been smoking a joint.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2</span>. A bunch of policemen on drugs raided some people smoking a joint.<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>and my favourite...<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />3</span>. A bunch of policemen on drugs went on a raid while smoking a joint.<br /><br />Brilliant bit of headlining I thought. Would make anyone read the article :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1135939481841935882005-12-30T02:39:00.000-08:002005-12-30T02:44:56.983-08:00Blogsmsmblogsmsmblogsmsm...forget itDon't newspapers have blogs? It seems like the easiest thing to have. It seems like something people will enjoy having. It seems like something newspapers that have an online focus ought to have. And that explains why newspapers do not have their own blogs; well, at least, most newspapers. Will the Indian newspapers ever become powerful online entities? Newspapers abroad are losing audiences offline and finding more audiences online. Will the Indian media go the same way? A lot of intelligent people don't think so. These intelligent people believe the Indian newspaper audiences are not destined to go the way newspaper audiences in the West have. Or are they? If not, why? The way we see it blogs are going to become the next newspapers. In which case, what's the big difference between the two? Even more so, considering what blogs seem to aspire for is pretty much the same thing any media aspires for: more eyeballs. Confusing and muddle-headed, eh? For sure. Kinda like the media scene, we think.Subramaniam Avinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07854755090851944419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18593698.post-1135488636651771102005-12-24T21:27:00.000-08:002005-12-24T21:31:50.706-08:00Isn't all media marketing?If media is a means to disseminate a particular point of view, all media is marketing. Right? Yes. In which case, what makes some media 'good marketing' and others 'bad'? Or is the problem with MSM not the fact that it is, like other media, a marketing channel more than much else but the fact that...umm, I'm not sure. We militate against MSM because it is a marketing channel or because it is a 'bad marketing' channel? Weird question, eh? Stupid question, eh? Non-question, eh? Feel free to ignore it. We're just trying to understand what the problem with MSM exactly is. Thank you for indulging us.Subramaniam Avinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07854755090851944419noreply@blogger.com1