A 70-kilogram lion named Boomer on the loose in western Quebec
17 hours ago

MANIWAKI, Que. — A helicopter and a search party wielding a heat-detection device were scouring a Quebec aboriginal reserve in pursuit of a lion on the loose Wednesday.

The 70-kilogram king of the jungle, who goes by the name of Boomer, has been on the lam since he escaped Tuesday night from a house - where he was kept as a man's personal pet. "What we've heard is he left the house," said Melanie Larouche, a spokeswoman for Quebec provincial police.

"He was a domestic pet."

The lion, which is about four feet high, was last spotted beside Highway 105, near Maniwaki, about an hour north of Ottawa.

The animal arrived in Maniwaki two days ago, purchased by a resident of the nearby Kitigan Zibi reserve, Kitigan Zibi police chief Gordon McGregor said.

"It apparently didn't like its accommodations so it broke free from its enclosure or pen," McGregor said.

"We haven't had much word from it since."

The lion's presence in the aboriginal community came as a surprise to everyone.

"At 8 a.m. (Wednesday) I was advised of a lion in the community and I thought to myself, 'What else could go wrong today,"' McGregor said.

"I was stunned."

"Being a male, I think its mane is starting to come out now," McGregor said.

McGregor said police are going door to door with flyers and are asking residents to stay vigilant, stay out of the woods and watch their children closely.

"Apparently the lion is domesticated but there is some concern that its animal instincts might kick in at some point," McGregor said.

Boomer's owner insists the animal is playful and used to humans.

Schools and daycare centres have been advised of the lion's presence in the area. Police have provided extra protection.

The search party of 15 people includes police, provincial wildlife officials, a police helicopter flown in from Montreal, sophisticated heat-detection equipment, and the lion's owner.

Police declined to say whether the man could face legal repercussions for keeping a large beast as his pet.

"He's helping with the search," Larouche said. "For now, we're focusing on the search."

An official at Quebec's Natural Resources Department said in an interview that someone would need a permit to keep such an animal at home.

"We have issued no lion permits in the area," said regional spokeswoman Catherine Rooney.

Oh, must share this with the TDG. Anybody traveling to Mexico these days?

Food shortages may spark war, IMF warns.
Apr 18, 2008 07:43 AM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS – The head of the International Monetary Fund warned Friday that soaring world food prices can have dire consequences, such as toppling governments and even triggering wars.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn told France's Europe-1 radio that the price hikes that set off rioting in Haiti, Egypt and elsewhere were an "extremely serious" problem.

"The planet must tackle it," he said.

The IMF chief said the problem could also threaten democracies, even in countries where governments have done all they could to help the local population. Asked whether the crisis could lead to wars, Strauss-Kahn responded that it was possible.

"When the tension goes above and beyond putting democracy into question, there are risks of war," he said. "History is full of wars that started because of this kind of problem."

Strauss-Kahn was appointed last year to head the IMF. He was a finance minister in the late 1990s in France.

Also on Friday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggested a global partnership among financial institutions, governments and the private sector to tackle the reasons for rising food prices. He also said France is doubling its food aid budget this year to $159 million because 37 countries are experiencing "serious food crises."

Globally, food prices have risen 40 per cent since mid-2007. The increases hit poor people hardest, as food represents as much as 60-80 per cent of consumer spending in developing nations, compared with about 10-20 per cent in industrialized countries, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has said.

I found this BBC news broadcast very disturbing. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/20...

LONDON–Workers responding to neighbours' complaints of a bad smell coming from an apartment in western England discovered a body that lay decomposing on a couch for years while another resident lived there, officials said today.

They know who he is. Watch out, everyone! Including you, bladerunner.
US Authorities want Swami Swindler.

Alleged swindler used prayer to pilfer millions
MISSISSAUGA -- Two men named on Peel Police arrest warrants in the so-called "Swami swindler" case are wanted in cities throughout the United States for allegedly bilking dozens of people out of millions of dollars, the Sun has learned.

Local police began investigating after Paramjit Bhullar of Woodbridge said he forked over $105,000 to someone who promised him a special prayer that would win him a $21-million lottery, only to disappear last month before the prayer was recited.

Since then, police have identified 35 to 40 victims across the GTA, Det.-Const. Michael MacDougall of Peel's fraud squad said yesterday.

Each victim claims they gave a man who called himself Brother Roshan, a so-called spiritual healer, tens of thousands of dollars in cash after he appeared on local multicultural radio stations, wowed them with magic tricks and promised a special prayer for the big win.

After the Sun published stories about the scam earlier this month, a Texas woman called Bhullar saying she was scammed by the same person in 2003, also for $105,000.

Like Bhullar, Kamal Khairah said she went to Brother Roshan after he advertised in the local Indian and Pakistani media as a spiritual healer who could solve life's problems for free, Khairah said from Sugar Land, Tex. yesterday.

Also like Bhullar, she went to the man hoping to solve family problems, but conversations soon alluded to promises of a lotto win if she forked over cash.

After her scammer disappeared in May 2003, Khairah tracked him in media reports throughout the United States, where several victims told similar stories.

"I am asking myself how in the world I could do this," said Khairah. "It has become a joke now. I really don't know, should I laugh or should I cry?"

Different police forces allege the same scam was pulled off in New Jersey in 1997; Sugar Land in 2003; Chicago in 2004; Union City, Calif. in 2006 and, finally, at a Mississauga home on Guildwood Way in 2007.

MacDougall has so far touched base with police in Chicago and Sugar Land, and is in the process of connecting more dots.

Yesterday, a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for Mohammad Umar Ashrafi, 43, who police say posed as Brother Roshan, and Latafat Ali Khan, 36, who also goes by Shair Ali Khan and acted as Ashrafi's "assistant."

Both carry Indian passports issued in Mumbai and are wanted for fraud and laundering proceeds of crime.

CAME HERE IN '97

It appears Ashrafi first arrived in Canada in 1997 via Pearson International Airport, MacDougall said.

He landed there again in April 2007 on a vacation visa from India, which police believe was extended several times until April 2008.

"He was able to keep and cover his tracks very well," MacDougall said, adding money was sent back to India through Punjab wire exchanges.

"There is a large East Indian community out in Vancouver. It is a possibility that he's gone that way. It is also a possibility that he's fled back to India," MacDougall said.

Police will seek an extradition order should the suspects be found abroad, he said.

Police records from Union City, Calif., name 16 victims who were scammed out of more than $1.3 million, though officials there say there are more than 50 other victims who don't want to be named and the total could be $4 million.

MacDougall alleges the accused sized up potential victims by checking out their vehicles and inquiring about their jobs.

"The factory workers, he would basically say, 'Yeah, I'll say a prayer for you. Don't come back.' The people who were well-to-do ... these are the people who he would target," he said.

Swami who promised lottery riches
Like magic, an accused scammer has vanished after pulling multimillion-dollar lottery-win predictions out of eggs in exchange for cash, members of the local Hindu community say.

And as Peel Regional Police try to find the so-called Swami Swindler, people who paid between $10,000 and $160,000 to get luck and prayers for big lottery pay-offs are staring at empty bank accounts or scrambling to cover loans they took out,according to Paramjit Bhullar, who lost $105,000.

"Totally, my brain was washed," said a Mississauga taxi driver, who did not want to be identified. "My wife was very happy. Now, I am hiding this," working extra to pay off loans.

"He told me he has 8,000 clients," the cabbie said of Mohammad Roshan Zameer, whom he visited at an Eglinton Ave.-Mavis Rd. home after being offered healings and help for family issues on the 530 AM Punjabi Lehran radio show.

Others who heard the same smooth promises were sworn to secrecy at the house after willingly giving money to Roshan bhai -- "Brother Roshan" in Hindi -- when guidance and healing talk switched to predictions of big Lotto 6/49 winnings.

Several, including Bhullar, said Zameer opened boiled eggs and showed slips of paper with their names on them or lottery tickets predicting they'd win.

"He said, 'Oh, you are lucky,'" said the cabbie, adding his cousin paid $66,000 for a similar promise.

"He told me one guy was very lucky and won $11 million," as Zameer had predicted.

"I thought he was a really helpful guy," the taxi driver said. "He said only one time I would win, then I could help the hospitals and children."

Courier Avtar Singh, who said he re-mortgaged his home to cover $40,000 borrowed in exchange for a promised $20 million, earns only $500 to $600 a week.

Singh said he visited the house "several times."

"He was usually alone," he said of the mystic. "It was a private meeting -- people were waiting, but he told us not to talk to any others."

But when the big days dawned after Christmas and bonanzas failed to materialize, victims found the house vacant and other people with similar tales.

Man falls 47 stories from NY sky Scraper with video

It is interesting to view, but yes a lot of it is baloney though.
PREDICTIONS FOR 2008 (Year of Earth Rat)Tuesday, November 6. 2007Geomacy: A System of Constructing a Predictive Figure According to the Rules of Earch Magic
Predictions for 2008 (Year of Earth Rat)
OVERALL PROJECTION
This is the fifth year of the Lower “8” Cycle of the world. Based on I-Ching, while the period between 1984 and 2043 ( totalling 60 years ) is “Fire-Wind Urn ”, the year 2008 is “Thunder-Earth Yu ”.

I-Ching Analysis
“Thunder-Earth Yu” contains only 1 “Yang” and 5 “Yin ’s ”. This is quite an extreme situation for the dominance of “woman” power. Many women not only would climb to senior corporate but also political positions.

This I-Ching symbol indicates thunder on top of earth. There are 2 “yin’s” covering 1 “yang”, implying that most countries in the world would still to suffer, especially those that had been strong in the past. The world may have to suffer from many wild fires caused by thunder. Inevitably there would be many arguments , battles and wars, especially among southern countries . On the opposite, China would enjoy the power of the uprising “yang” and advances even further in its economies. This may be a year with many activities involving the sun, such as those “black spots”, involving electromagnetic interferences on earth. This may be a record year for single old ladies to re-marry. Marriage involving older women and younger men would continue. The world’s political picture, especially USA and UK, could be very dark, owing to many terrorist attacks.

Flying-Star Analysis
robberies, mugging, pick-pocketing and defrauding. Vulnerable places are such as South Africa, South America, Guangdong. If you live or visit such places, be more cautious. There would be plenty of water problems worldwide, such as flooding. The polar ice will speed up its melting process, thus increasing the water level in the oceans. Low-line islands may be endangered. Mudslides, cracks in high-rise buildings would be commonplace. Old cities may experience more problems with underground water systems. Because this is a year of “Male-Male” connection, there may be problems with the homosexual community, including divorces and murder-suicides. On the bright side, this is a good year for economic recoveries. Many businesses would do well.

Locations and Orientations
Central

The controlling force is the central “1-White”. It causes many extreme phenomena among central countries. In particular, China would climb to another new height in its economic development. Middle East would experience new turmoil, resulting in huge up’s and down’s in the world stock market. Central Canada’s real estate may experience a buyers’ market.

East

This is the “money” centre. Japan would benefit from it. It would try to befriend China, more so than the USA. China’s Shandong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and coastal cities would prosper. Canada’s Maritime Provinces and U.S. eastern states would also do well.

South-East

This is the “joy” center. This is also the future money center. There would be plenty of joyous events such as weddings, promotions and births. However, it is also subject to fires, affecting areas such as Taiwan, Guangdong, Florida, Georgia, Ontario and Scarborough in Canada’s Toronto. Much fire may be caused by thunderstorms or electric wirings.

South

This may be the most exciting center of all. It is both the “triple conflict” and “five yellow” centers. Hence it requires a lot more attention than normal. Southern countries such as South America, South Africa, India and Australia would be rocked either politically or natural disaster. There would be robberies, muggings and contagious illnesses. South-facing houses likewise should pay attention to the security of both people and the premises. A good feng shui practitioner should be able to help.

South-West

This center is somewhat receding. It becomes a center vulnerable to robberies and legal conflicts. Places such as Tibet ( China), Southern California, Southern BC and Alberta ( Canada) could be affected.

West

This is the “arguments” center and is the second worst center this year. It would involve controversies, legal conflicts, wars and battles. It is mostly represented by UK and USA. There would be major happenings in these countries, such as terrorist attacks. In USA, such events may happen even before the federal election, in which a female president should prevail. BC ( Canada) may suffer from any labor problems.

North-West

This is the “sickness” center, especially to do with food. Representative places are such as the North-West Territories ( Canada), North Western China and the Baltic countries in Europe

North

This is the center of change and travel. Even though it is somewhat receding, it is enhanced by the year’s controlling star “1”. Hence finally it would continue to do well. It is represented by both Canada and Russia. Unlike last year, there would be a lot more rainfalls

North-East

This is the “learning” center. It benefits those in analytical businesses. There would many scholars from this center, represented by North-Eastern China, Canada’s Maritime Provinces, and Boston (USA). Likewise, those houses with north-west main entrance would have smart children this year.

Life Chart Analysis
This year is composed of “ earth rat ” year, “wooden tiger” month, “ wooden dog ” day and “ wooden dog ” hour. There are 3 “wood” elements in this combination, resulting in good news concerning land and real estate. The “tiger” and “dog” form an empty connection that causes things to be unstable, especially reflected by the world stock markets. The conflict between an equal number of wood and earth elements makes the world more polarized – between poor and rich, between the western world and the terrorists. Countries which can act as the middle agent to reconcile such situations will prevail – such as China.

Combined Analysis
Businesses
Business involving “fire, earth or wood ” would do well. Those involving “ metal or water ” had to work much harder.

Top of the list is “fire”. It is typified by both high tech and energy sectors. Examples are electronics, computers. Nano technology will become commonplace. Hence Apple Computers will do very well, followed by Black Berry. There would be many business mergers , especially in the hi-tech sector. Many new fast growing hi-tech venture firms would appear . Environmentally sensitive products will come out in big droves.

Real estate is more extreme. It would favor areas in the North but not the South. Hence the Canadian real estate market would still out perform USA South part of cities such as Canada’s Toronto downtown would not do as well its outskirts. However, there would be new tall buildings being built in the downtown core still. Other places such as London, Moscow, and Tokyo would enjoy a surge in their real estate prices.

There would be some kind of breakthroughs in cancer treatments.

Food businesses would do well too, especially those targeting weddings and births.

Gold and Metals would do well in general

Textiles would do well, for the first time in many years, especially those targeting the Beijing Olympics.

Metals businesses may suffer, especially Northern American cars . There would be major layoffs.

Soda Water businesses also would be outperformed by Pure Water.

Travel industry would do well in the north , especially mountainous areas .

Favorable Business (Fire, Earth, Metal)
Those driven by new energy sources
Wind-related businesses, such as windmills
Nuclear plants coming back alive
Electronics and computer/storage media ( such as computer part s , consumer items, mobile phones ) , especially those with Nano technology
Communications and Internet : machines would become smaller and smaller and yet more and more all-encompassing
Securities
Education
Financial
Show business
New building materials
House renovations
Clothing
Food businesses
Real Estate values would become far more selective. While most sectors would somewhat slow down, quality ones would continue to prosper in growing areas such as Toronto, California, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.
Unfavorable Businesses (Wood, Water)
Automobiles
Metals and Machinery
Fishing
Travel / Transportation – there would be more aviation companies running into financial troubles and air accidents
Smuggling
Politics
Female power predominates in this year’s world politics. Many countries may elect female presidents, including the USA. However, controversies would also be abundant. This is not really a good year to head up countries such as the USA or UK. There would also be many “xxx Gate” problems in the world.

Canada would continue to enjoy its political stability. There would not be much change in it leadership or heads of state.

Canada ’s Toronto would continue to suffer financially and would be outperformed by its surrounding cities and towns.

Japan would try to befriend China, resulting in huge economic gains.

South and North Korea would intensify their talk of peace, which eventually would lead to their re-unification.

Taiwan ’s Kuomin Tang would win the election – making it one step closer to re-unification with China.

Hong Kong would do well. Its political picture would be stable. However, controversies would continue, especially those involving female politicians .

UK and USA may have to face another round of terrorist attacks, especially in both the south and west sides of the country.

World Economy
Overall, we are into a good year , especially in the oriental countries such as China and Japan. . People’s living standards would improve. More large corporations would be headed by the female.

The fastest growing country would continue to be China . India may have a setback because of terrorism and natural disasters . The Chinese dollar will appreciate. The Canadian dollar would continue to grow beyond the US dollar . USA’s deficit will balloon even further . Drugs would be a major problem in both USA and Canada.

Countries in South American and Africa would have to endure many natural and human disasters.

Interest rates in North America would continue to be low.

Canadian Economy
Fiscal deficits would be well under control at most levels of governments
Interest rates will stay low and prime rates will fluctuate between 4 - 6 %
Can $ will fluctuate between $0.95 and $1.10 US.
TS X should fluctuate between 14,000 and 16,000 points
Corporations would continue to be leaner and meaner with consolidation and centralized control
Many CEO’s would continue to change, with some corporate heads to be female
Canadian companies would continue to expand into the US and buy out US companies
More US chain companies would buy into the Canadian market
Competition among all businesses will be more fierce than before
Steady economic growth ( 3-4 %)
Unemployment rate to stay low ( 5- 7 %)
World Climate Pattern
The world climates would continue to be unstable, with many more thunder storms. They may in turn many forest fires. The Sun’s black spots may cause much Earth’s interference. Flooding problems would be abundant in both southern and northern countries. Weather pattern would be milder than the past year.

Health
There would be fewer serous illnesses than the past year. Most problems seem to be related to water and air. Hence, the ultimate is to keep your health in check by doing good exercises such as yoga, qigong or Tai Chi .

Projection for the World Stock Markets
February Positive
March: Positive
April: First half of month better than second half
May Positive
June Positive, but with volatility
July Positive
August : Negative
September : Negative
October: Second half of month better than first half
November : First half of month better than second half
December: First half of month better than second half
January (2009): Positive
Conclusion
All things on earth go in cycles – both high and low. By understanding the rules of nature, we can become happier and more successful. I hope these predictions would benefit my readers around the world .

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HOROSCOPE PERSPECTIVES
BOAR | RAT | OX | TIGER | RABBIT | DRAGON | SNAKE | HORSE | SHEEP | MONKEY | ROOSTER | DOG
RAT 1996 1984 1972 1960 1948 1936
There is a “leadership” sign. You would be promoted and favor a powerful position. It is a good time to expand your business as you would be much appreciated by people. However, you are in some conflict with the year. Hence, your money and health signs are weaker than your work. As a result, you should refrain from gambling and speculations.

WORK: You should consider expansion. If you work for other people, you may be promoted. In business, you favor mobile types, such as travel, buying and selling, import/export, trading, insurance, etc. If you work in the government, you should do well. You also favor to be in the entertainment business.

WEALTH: Your regular income is fine. Speculations may cause money draining.

ROMANCE: No much romance this year. Be patient with your spouse of beloved one.
HEALTH: You may have many small illnesses. Pay attention to your liver and kidneys. You may incur accidents as well. You should take time while driving.

Highlights of Rats of Different Years
1996 You are a little lazy, enjoy playing and prone to accidents.
1984 Watch what you say. You fight with people too easily. You may have many romances.
1972 Although you have many romances, most of them may not work out. You are prone to accidents. Beware of conflicts with the law.
1960 You may see some troubles at home. Watch out your family members’ health. Your work is stable and you seem to be able to come out luckily.
1948 Beware of problems with your liver, kidneys and small accidents. Watch your diet. Exercise well.
1936 There is a bleeding sign. Take your time when you move around. Don’t over-work. Take life easy.
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OX 1997 1985 1973 1961 1949 1937
There is a connection between you and the rat year. Financially you should do well. Feel free to invest. You have plenty of lucky signs and opportunities. The male ox tends to do better and more smoothly than the female counterpart.

WORK: You would do particularly well if you work in the government or in a public relations field. If you are a student or in the entertainment business, this is a good year when you can achieve a lot. However, you do not favor speculative businesses. You should be careful about partnership work.

WEALTH: Your regular income is good, especially profits from real estate investments. There is not much speculative income such as gambling.

ROMANCE: The male ox has many romances, while the female ox tends to be meddling along. Beware of troubles caused by extra-marital relations.
HEALTH: You may get sick easily, especially to do with the digestive system. Eat sensibly.

Highlights of Ox of Different Years
1997 You are curious about just anything. You enjoy learning. You are intelligent but prone to accidents. Don’t get carried away when you play.
1985 Your reputation improves. Your studies are good and you do well in your exams. You would be able to help other people. However, there is not much romance.
1973 There may be plenty of problems to do with people. Beware of gossips. Follow through your work by yourself.
1961 There is a new job opportunity. Help is plentiful. Feel free to diversify.
1949 Do not lend money to your friends, lest you should not get it back and even lose your friends. You should exercise more to guard against many small illnesses.
1937 There would be arguments and controversies. Stay your course and do not get disturbed.
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TIGER 1998 1986 1974 1962 1950 1938
There is a dominant “travel” sign in you. You would travel, run around and incur changes. There may be a new position for you or even a new business. However, you suffer from“loneliness” sign. You should focus on your job; avoid places to do with death. Beware of partnership which may cause you many conflicts.

WORK: Your reward is from your hard work. You had to adapt very fast to fast changing conditions. There would be new opportunities for you to grab. You can start a new business or enjoy your promotion at work. Partnership business is not advised.

WEALTH: had to work hard for your money. Speculations and gambling would cost you dearly.
ROMANCE: You would not have too much romance. Be patient with the one you are with now.
HEALTH: You seem to be accident prone, which may even leave behind a mark on you. Watch problems with your lower back. You should do qigong or tai chi.

Highlights of Tiger of Different Years
1998 You become impatient and temperamental. Your over-activity may end up in accidents.
1986 You have a lot of help. Your work is smooth. Outward expansion is good for you. However, beware of words and controversies.
1974 You have a very strong travel or moving sign. Romance is much weaker.
1962 With much help, you can expand your business. Be diligent so that you would not miss those great opportunities.
1950 You may incur many arguments. You seem to be discontented about just anything. So pay attention to your people relations.
1938 Do not lend or borrow money. Keep a good friendship without involving money.
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RABBIT 1999 1987 1975 1963 1951 1939
Rabbits and the Rat are in some kind of conflict. Consequently, beware of legal conflicts and problems with relations. Be patient and humble when dealing with conflicts. Lay low and work hard. You could start a new business. You would still make money this year, especially through real estate investments.

WORK: You would favor businesses to do with real estate or entertainment. Changes are in the works for you.

WEALTH: There is a money sign with you. Business to do with women would be even more profitable.

ROMANCE: It favors the female rabbit, which would enjoy romances and being pursued. The male rabbit may feel lonely and even trapped in a relation mess.

HEALTH: Be careful of overwork. Watch your heart, blood pressure, joints and ligaments.

Highlights of Rabbit of Different Years
1999 You are curious about just anything. You like to shop all kinds of toys and are very playful. You are also prone to accidents.
1987 You have very good relation with the other gender, which may affect your studies. Be careful
1975 If you are single, you would have good romances. If you are married, be careful of extra-marital affairs. You may not favour partnership business. Do not lend or borrow money.
1963 There may be problems among your family members, including illnesses. Beware of arguments and legal problems.
1951 You would be able to avoid many troubles. You would have help. Use your smarts to develop more businesses.
1939 Beware of sickness and accidents. You may spend money out of control. Do not gamble or speculate.
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DRAGON 1988 1976 1964 1952 1940
The dragon connects closely to the rat. Consequently, this is a very lucky year for you. Both money and business would be promising. Even writing exams would be favorable. However, there are also people jealous of you. Be humble.

WORK: You favor import/export, trading, buying and selling types of businesses. If you are a government worker, you would gain more power. If you work in the private sector, your work would be smooth.
WEALTH: You would many money sources, especially in investments such as stocks. You may have to work very hard.

ROMANCE: You have plenty of romances. If you are single, that would be great, otherwise watch out those extra-marital relations.

HEALTH: Beware of accidents that may cause bleeding. Pay more attention to your kidneys and bladder.

Highlights of Dragon of Different Years
2000 You are rebellious, like to fight. Luckily you still do well in school.
1988 You may encounter many false romances. You should focus on your studies instead.
1976 Both work and income are good. There is a chance for breakthrough in your achievements. You would find a lot of help too.
1964 You would gain both fame and financial rewards. Even your authority would greatly improve.
1952 Your income is stable – some coming and some going. Beware of accidents.
1940 This is a stable year for you. You would be happy as long as you are contended with what you have.
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SNAKE 1989 1977 1965 1953 1941
This is a year of power and travel for you. You may have big swings between good and bad events. Watch your old family members’ health. Your investments should fare well.

WORK: You favor businesses with mobility rather than behind the desk. However, most things you want to do would encounter resistance at the beginning.

WEALTH: The harder you work the most money you make. Be careful about sudden losses. Do not get greedy. Be contended. You would be safe that way.

ROMANCE: You would have a very colorful year for romances.
HEALTH: You may be prone to accidents. Stay away from high risk work. Be humble and do fight over small things.

Highlights of Snake of Different Years
1989 You should focus on your studies. Do not gamble or speculate. Both your wealth and romance are weak. Stay from money affairs.
1977 Your work may become quite unstable. Your money may come and go. You should only do short-term investments. Do not change jobs or get into partnership situations.
1965 Your relations would be unstable. Be conservative in your investments. Stay peaceful.
1953 Consider starting a new business. You would have plenty of travels. Your reputation far exceeds your income. Do not gamble or speculate. Watch your old family members’ health.
1941 You would become quite spiritual. You would be able to get out of most troubles.
1929 You tend to worry too much for your descendents. Instead, you should pay more attention to your own health. Take life easy.
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HORSE 1990 1978 1966 1954 1942
You are opposite to the governing sign “rat”. You may lose money easily. You may get into accidents or sicknesses. Beware of arguments, controversies, and legal problems. Hence you should take things easy and drive carefully. Your regular income would be fine, just no gambling or speculations.

WORK: Stay at your job. This is not a good year for you to change jobs. However, if your line of work involves travel, you would do well.
WEALTH: Your regular income is ok. There is not much speculative income. If you gamble, you would lose.

ROMANCE: Your romances are weak. Do not consider marriage this year. Beware of arguments. Try to
HEALTH: Be careful of accidents which may cause bleeding. Pay attention to your heart and blood pressure.

Highlights of Horse of Different Years
1990 You may not be paying enough attention on your studies. Stay focused and avoid temptations.
1978 Most things would be unstable and changeable, including your work and relations. Be patient and keep on your course.
1966 Your money seems to come and go easily. When you do investments, be contended and do not get greedy. Beware of digestive problems in your many social events.
1954 Watch out your relations with people. Be humble and patient.
1942 You may be prone to accidents. Take your time at work. You should also shape yourself up through exercises.
1930 Strengthen your heart. You are prone to strokes. Stay away from alcohol. Do not get stressed out about anything.
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SHEEP 1991 1979 1967 1955 1943
You have a conflict with the rat. It had to do with people relations, including your partners and spouse. However, you do have signs for money, romance and luck. Hence most of the time, you can get out of trouble. Instabilities would be inevitable. Do not become a guarantor for your friends. You may lose them in so doing.

WORK: Your authority sign is dominant. You favor to be in politics. You also favor real estate and entertainment businesses, such as show businesses.

WEALTH: You should refrain from gambling and speculations. Your regular income is not affected.
ROMANCE: This is romantic year but not good for marriage. Your people relations are good.

HEALTH: Watch your heart and blood pressure. Do not overwork. Rest well and do exercises such as tai chi and qigong.

Highlights of Sheep of Different Years
1991 You would do very well in school. Your teachers and elderly are willing to help you.
1979 You would tend to be emotional. Refrain from getting married. Your work is stable but income is weak. Do deal with your friends in terms of money.
1967 There is not much money sign for you. Do not get greedy. Do not gamble. Stay away from legal problems. Be contended, be happy.
1955 You seem to lack energy to fulfill your big dreams. Take it easy. Do not over work. Rest well & exercise well.
1943 There seems to be a lot of arguments. You are not happy about just anyone. Chances are that they are your own problems. Try to appreciate other people’s good points.
1931 You would be impatient, discontented about any happenings around you. Try to increase your self awareness and look after your old age well.
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MONKEY 1992 1980 1968 1956 1944
You connect with the rat very well. Hence this is a lucky year for you. Both your reputation and wealth would do well. If you work for other people, there would be chances for promotion. If you own your business, consider expansion or start a new one. This is also a good year for wedding. Luck seems to be with you this year.

WORK: You would have plenty of ideas. Be gutsy and bring them alive. Both promotions and new business starts are favorable.

WEALTH: It may even seem that money to you. Trust your intuition. Spend some time in your investments.
ROMANCE: If you are single, consider marriage. If you are married, you should love each other even more. Still, be careful so as not to get into extra-marital affairs.

HEALTH: You would be somewhat prone to accidents. Stay away from sharp objects and drive carefully.

Highlights of Monkey of Different Years
1992 Your mind is clear, which helps you a lot in your exams. You may get into accidents in your sports. Be careful.
1980 Your job fares well. Your boss likes you. You would be financially sound. If you are still single, consider marriage.
1968 Do not get into your friends’ troubles, otherwise you not be able to get out. There would be new directions to your work.
1956 Beware of people problems. Be patient. Treat your spouse well before any trouble occurs.
1944 Your health seems to take a down turn. You should plan your retirement now. Spend more time on your exercise.
1932 You tend to overly care for your descendents and even lend them money. This loan may never be paid back to you. You should conserve your wealth. Do not gamble.
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ROOSTER 1993 1981 1969 1957 1945
You have some conflict with the rat. Beware of people relations and problems, especially your subordinates. There would be a good degree of controversies and arguments. Luckily, your romance sign is strong. There would be plenty of partying.

WORK: Although your business would be volatile, the trend is upwards. Your position would improve, possibly resulting in your promotion to management. You favor to be in either the financial or the legal sector. Entertainment business is also favorable for you.

WEALTH: Your reputation out-performs your income. Your income would be unstable. Do not lend money to your friends. Do not gamble.

ROMANCE: Although you have plenty of romance, you do not favor to get married as yet. Watch out your arguments with your beloved one. Stay away from extra-marital relations.

HEALTH: Your health would be stable. Pay attention to your chest, lungs and kidneys.

Highlights of Rooster of Different Years
1993 You would do well in your exams. You would start up your romance cycle, thus causing conflicts with your parents or teachers.
1981 Most things would be unstable and begin with difficulties. However, if you need to study further or to write exams, you would do well.
1969 Your reputation out-performs your income. Stay mobile. The more mobile, the better you would function.
1957 Do not get involved in your friends’ troubles. Do not gamble.
1945 Your health is going downhill. Rest well. Beware of people problems. Get a middle person to help you.
1933 You may get sick or surgery. Do not get too hung up on anything. Take life easy.
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DOG 1994 1982 1970 1958 1946 1934
Be careful about sickness among your older family members. You would feel lonely, without much romance. You must carry out your work yourself. By relying on other people, you may run into trouble. Be conservative. Do not start something new and risky.

WORK: You would a routine job, such as administration, government work. If you own your business, do not expand. If you work for other people, stay in your job.

WEALTH: Your wealth would be stable. There is not much speculative income.

ROMANCE: Your loneliness sign could be quite dominant. Try to invest your time in spiritual endeavors.

HEALTH: You would be prone to accidents. Take your time and drive carefully.

Highlights of Dog of Different Years
1994 You suffer from the loneliness sentiment. You may even like to argue with people. You would be accident prone. Be careful of animals.
1982 You would be motivated to change your job, because you would not be happy just about anything around you. Try to think positively.
1970 You would favor charity work and help other people. Your money sign is weak. Do not gamble.
1958 You would run into a soul mate. Even your boss may like you and give you a promotion.
1946 Your work would be unstable – up’s and down’s. You tend to say the wrong thing at the wrong time a lot. You should keep quiet, listen more and work harder.
1934 You would become quite agitated and cause your own problems. Try to do tai chi or qigong to calm yourself down.
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BOAR 1995 1983 1971 1959 1947 1935
The sun shines on you. If you are a male boar, you would do very well. If you are a female boar, you may incur some up’s and down’s. Nonetheless, your reputation and authority would greatly improve. Your people relations are good. You are romantic. However, you may have many small ailments, especially to do with digestion.

WORK: This is a powerful year for you. Your mind is clear. You should be a planner or expand your business. You favor businesses to do with people, entertainment. You also favor starting up a new business.

WEALTH: Your income stream is strong. If your business has to do with people relations, you would do even better financially.
ROMANCE: You would have plenty of romances. If you are single, you should consider marriage. If you are married, you would be even more loving. Because you attract people to you, be careful not to get carried away.
HEALTH: Be careful of your digestion problems. There may be many small ailments. Rest well and exercise well.

Highlights of Boar of Different Years
1995 Be careful about people problems. You would be prone to accidents. Exercise well but not riskily. Your studies should be good.
1983 You would be very busy. Beware of accidents and problems with food. If you are still single, this is a good marriage year for you.
1971 If you work for other people, you would be promoted. If you own your business, consider expansion. However, you must take on the tasks yourself and not overly relying on other people. Be careful of people problems.
1959 You may involve many arguments. Keep quiet and listen more. Be careful of your personal belongings and your work results. Some people may want to take them away from you.
1947 Watch out your diet and digestion. You may have more small ailments. Your work is good – with many people willing to help you. You would therefore come out with much luck. Your money sign is strong.
1935 Your income and health both turn weaker. Do not gamble or speculate. Watch your diet and exercise well.

I posted her predictions last year. Now once again I will post it. Enjoy!
World Predictions

Tragedy around the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls, a category 5 hurricane wipes out Miami, terrorist attack on the Beijing Olympics plus another terrorist attack on Madrid, Spain, as well as an attack in Chicago. Two planes will collide over JFK Airport in New York, a giant earthquake in Japan, giant snowstorm blankets New York and shuts down the Metropolis for a week, a disease wipes out tulips in Holland, the US will invade Iran, assassination around President Bush, the Empire State Building on fire, a stock market crash, an avalanche in Switzerland, tragedy around a ski lift, wildfires spread to Los Angeles as well as a fire at a Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, a daredevil walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope, and a daredevil will also scale the Eiffel Tower, a giant flood in Venice, Italy, 6 children will be born to a woman in Iowa, USA, a giant rabbit will be found in Surrey, England, and a giant scorpion will be found in the Arizona Desert. Gigantic earthquake will hit Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco and an earthquake will destroy parts of Athens, Greece. An earthquake in Rome.. Moscow on fire. A cure for deafness, a terrorist attack in Berlin, Germany, as well as in Canada, a civil war in Iran, assassination of Government officials in Pakistan, trouble around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, trouble at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, tragedy around the Millennium Wheel in London, England. The earth will move slightly off its’ axis causing some havoc, and another civilization will be found in the Andes. An arrest in the Madeline McCann case. A heat wave in France and England and a dust storm will cause havoc in the state of Oklahoma. A mine disaster in South Africa. Five men will rob a jewelry story in New York with taser guns and a man dressed as a Roman Gladiator will rob banks in Los Angeles. There will be another tsunami to hit Sumatra and a volcano will erupt. A cargo ship will collide with a cruise ship in the Mediterranean killing hundreds, a human embryo will be cloned, and a giant crocodile will devour many people in Southern Florida. A raging fire in Chicago will destroy a large portion of the Old Chicago area and a bridge will collapse in Toronto, Canada. A sex scandal in Washington DC. Two Mississippi River boats collide in the Mississippi River, a transvestite will be a contestant in the Miss USA contest, a biological attack on the United States, robotic pets, the Arch De Triumph in Paris, France, will collapse and there will be many buildings collapse in Mexico City. A subway attack in New York. Nikki also sees the largest Powerball Lottery ever won in the United States will go to a homeless person, another breakthrough in the cure for cancer from a French doctor, assassination attempts on President Chavez of Venezuela, Masaaroff of Pakistan, the Pope, and an assassination around Benito Butto. A gigantic earthquake in Iran, Hillary Clinton has to watch her health, and more nudist colonies will merge when people try to become more natural. Al Gore will run for politics. A terrorist attack in California, Nevada and New York. An arrest will be made n the Jon Benet Ramsey murder. There will be a space tragedy.
Paul
http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/Paul...

Asteroid may collide with Mars
ALICIA CHANG

Associated Press

December 20, 2007 at 10:39 PM EST

LOS ANGELES — Mars could be in for an asteroid hit.

A newly discovered hunk of space rock has a 1 in 75 chance of slamming into the Red Planet on Jan. 30, scientists said Thursday.

“These odds are extremely unusual. We frequently work with really long odds when we track ... threatening asteroids,” said Steve Chesley, an astronomer with the Near Earth Object Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The asteroid, known as 2007 WD5, was discovered in late November and is similar in size to an object that hit remote central Siberia in 1908, unleashing energy equivalent to a 15-megatonne nuclear bomb and wiping out 60 million trees.

Scientists tracking the asteroid, currently halfway between Earth and Mars, initially put the odds of impact at 1 in 350 but increased the chances this week. Scientists expect the odds to diminish again early next month after getting new observations of the asteroid's orbit, Dr. Chesley said.

“We know that it's going to fly by Mars and most likely going to miss, but there's a possibility of an impact,” he said.

If the asteroid does smash into Mars, it will probably hit near the equator close to where the rover Opportunity has been exploring the Martian plains since 2004. The robot is not in danger because it lies outside the impact zone. Speeding at 13 kilometres a second, a collision would carve a hole the size of the famed Meteor Crater in Arizona.

In 2004, fragments of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 smacked into Jupiter, creating a series of overlapping fireballs in space. Astronomers have yet to witness an asteroid impact with another planet.

“Unlike an Earth impact, we're not afraid, but we're excited,” Dr. Chesley said.

Young Chimp Beats College Students
Monday, December 03, 2007 8:04:12 PM
By MALCOLM RITTER
Think you're smarter than a fifth-grader? How about a 5-year-old chimp? Japanese researchers pitted young chimps against human adults in tests of short-term memory, and overall, the chimps won.

That challenges the belief of many people, including many scientists, that "humans are superior to chimpanzees in all cognitive functions," said researcher Tetsuro Matsuzawa of Kyoto University.

"No one can imagine that chimpanzees -- young chimpanzees at the age of 5 -- have a better performance in a memory task than humans," he said in a statement.

Matsuzawa, a pioneer in studying the mental abilities of chimps, said even he was surprised. He and colleague Sana Inoue report the results in Tuesday's issue of the journal Current Biology.

One memory test included three 5-year-old chimps who'd been taught the order of Arabic numerals 1 through 9, and a dozen human volunteers.

They saw nine numbers displayed on a computer screen. When they touched the first number, the other eight turned into white squares. The test was to touch all these squares in the order of the numbers that used to be there.

Results showed that the chimps, while no more accurate than the people, could do this faster.

One chimp, Ayumu, did the best. Researchers included him and nine college students in a second test.

This time, five numbers flashed on the screen only briefly before they were replaced by white squares. The challenge, again, was to touch these squares in the proper sequence.

When the numbers were displayed for about seven-tenths of a second, Ayumu and the college students were both able to do this correctly about 80 percent of the time.

But when the numbers were displayed for just four-tenths or two-tenths of a second, the chimp was the champ. The briefer of those times is too short to allow a look around the screen, and in those tests Ayumu still scored about 80 percent, while humans plunged to 40 percent.

That indicates Ayumu was better at taking in the whole pattern of numbers at a glance, the researchers wrote.

"It's amazing what this chimpanzee is able to do," said Elizabeth Lonsdorf, director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. The center studies the mental abilities of apes, but Lonsdorf didn't participate in the new study.

She admired Ayumu's performance when the numbers flashed only briefly on the screen.

"I just watched the video of that and I can tell you right now, there's no way I can do it," she said. "It's unbelievable. I can't even get the first two (squares)."

What's going on here? Even with six months of training, three students failed to catch up to the three young chimps, Matsuzawa said in an e-mail.

He thinks two factors gave his chimps the edge. For one thing, he believes human ancestors gave up much of this skill over evolutionary time to make room in the brain for gaining language abilities.

The other factor is the youth of Ayumu and his peers. The memory for images that's needed for the tests resembles a skill found in children, but which dissipates with age. In fact, the young chimps performed better than older chimps in the new study. (Ayumu's mom did even worse than the college students).

So the next logical step, Lonsdorf said, is to fix up Ayumu with some real competition on these tests: little kids.

Homeless Vermont man ordered out of shelter after taking job as bell ringer
Published: Thursday, November 29, 2007 | 8:06 PM ET
Canadian Press: John Curran, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BARRE, Vt. - A homeless man thought he was doing some good by standing at a supermarket for 10 hours a day to get shoppers to donate money into a red Salvation Army kettle.

The shelter where Paul Tucker lives doesn't see it that way.

The Good Samaritan Haven ordered him out by Saturday, saying Tucker, 48, is spending his time raising money for the needy instead of finding a place to live or looking for work.

The 20-bed shelter offers emergency housing, clothing and food, and requires clients to leave each day at 7 a.m. to look for housing or go to work, executive director Paul Mascitti said.

The average guest stays 29 days, Mascitti said. Tucker has been there since May.

"If you're not doing anything 10 hours a day, whether it's lounging on a beach or working for the Salvation Army or sitting at a Dunkin' Donuts, you're breaking your contract with us," Mascitti said.

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"I can't see someone saying, 'I'm going to benefit mankind when I haven't taken care of myself."'

The Salvation Army, which runs a soup kitchen he frequents, gave Tucker one of the bell ringer jobs two weeks ago. The gig pays $20 a day for meals.

"He's a sweet man; he'd do anything for anybody," said Capt. Louis Patrick, who runs the local group.

Dressed in a knit Salvation Army cap and wearing a Salvation Army coat, Tucker solicits the donations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. under a sign that reads: "Sharing and Caring. Need Knows No Season."

"It's for generosity, really," he said.

Tucker, who has worked as a painter, a farmer and a maintenance worker at a fast-food restaurant, has been getting well-wishes from shoppers who know of his situation and holds no ill will toward the shelter.

"I don't find fault with them, but I don't feel it's quite right," he said.

Tucker said he isn't sure where he'll go when he clears out of the shelter. There's a hiking camp he's heard about nearby and may go there.

Mascitti, meanwhile, makes no apologies. Rules are rules, he said.

"Here it is, the 'Grinch' time of the year, and this guy is being asked to leave the homeless shelter, no room at the inn. It's an old story," he said.

Board agrees to review British atheist's novels
Panel will evaluate literary, not religious, merits of Pullman book, educator says
JAMES RUSK

From Friday's Globe and Mail

November 23, 2007 at 4:12 AM EST

After a complaint that The Golden Compass, a popular children's fantasy book, was written by a professed atheist, the Halton Catholic District School Board is taking the book off shelves in school libraries while it reviews its suitability for students.

But the religious opinions of award-winning British author Philip Pullman will not be an issue when the book is read and reviewed by a committee of 15 people, who will pass their assessment on to the board for a decision, said Rick MacDonald, the board superintendent of education in charge of curriculum.

"It is the book we look at, not the author," said Mr. MacDonald, who said the board has also removed the other two books in Mr. Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials, from the shelves while they are reviewed by board librarians.

The public attention to The Golden Compass, first published in 1996, has been heightened because a film starring Nicole Kidman based on the novel - the first book of the trilogy - is about to go into distribution.

Mr. Pullman's views on religion are no secret. He said, for instance, in a 2002 question-and-answer session with readers of the newspaper The Guardian, that he saw no evidence for the existence of God.

Queen's University English literature professor Shelley King said the issue of whether the board should take Mr. Pullman's books from the shelf came up yesterday with her third-year class, and she and her students agreed it is a difficult question.

"It depends whether you are more interested in doctrine or in literary excellence. If your choice of reading matter is doctrinally driven, and you are not interested in challenges to received doctrine, then by all means, Pullman is not the man you want kids reading," Dr. King said.

Gordon Davies, head of languages, arts and sciences at the school of continuing education at the University of Toronto, said the school board's action has to be put into context.

It is not asking that the book not be read, sold or lent by a public library, said Dr. Davies, an expert on Catholic education.

"All the school board is saying is that it has a responsibility to provide education within the Catholic faith," Dr. Davies said.

A crowd of about 100 had assembled, their cameras were ready, and many had bouquets in hand, waiting anxiously outside a formidable fence set up by security at Changi Airport for an arriving star. About 50 of them had even come all the way from Malaysia.

But hold on. The Rock who?

This was the reaction of many in the crowd. After all, they weren’t there for the former wrestler-turned-actor, who flew in from Sydney last evening to promote his new movie The Game Plan, which opens in cinemas here on 1 Nov. They were waiting for Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, ‘divine mother’ to her followers, who was on the same plane. Singapore was a transit stop on her way home to India. Yes, there was a barrage of flashes from onlookers when Dwayne Johnson (The Rock’s real name), 35, strode into the Terminal 2 arrival hall. Wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, he walked briskly to his waiting car. He waved when this reporter yelled Rock, but did not slow down. He showed no trace of his vaunted charisma.

One person, Ms N. Nirmala, a government servant in her 50s, knew him only as a celebrity. ‘So many security guards around him, must be something special about him,’ she said.

Another onlooker, Mr Lim Pay Chye, an architect, did know who he was. ‘So skinny - not like the guy I envisaged on TV,’ he said. Was he disappointed? ‘In a wrestling sense, yes, but now that he’s acting, it’s totally different, what he has to look like,’ he said. Mr Chin Siong Chong, 39, an optometrist, was rather less impressed. ‘The Rock looked so serious. After he left, we felt more joyful,’ he said. To be fair, the poor turnout of Rock fans was hardly a sign of unpopularity, since his arrival was not publicised.

But for most of the crowd, seeing a Hollywood leading man in the flesh was just a ‘nice bonus’.

The main event was when Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, a benevolent-looking woman in her 80s,who was pushed out in a wheelchair, a few minutes after the Rock made his exit. Hushed silence took over as devotees crossed the now-open barricades to present her with flowers and ask for blessings. Others held out their hands, as if holding a book, towards her to ‘receive energy’.

Her followers believe that her teachings can help them achieve enlightenment and release spiritual energy or ‘kundalini’.

The distance to the white taxi waiting for her couldn’t have been more than 20m. Yet it took her 15 minutes to reach it as she received her followers patiently. They surrounded her like a swarm of quiet bees. For them, she was the real star.