Remembrance Diamonds

Patrick Baert writes about Algordanza, a company in the eastern Swiss canton of Graubuenden, which offers a service to turn ashes into precious stones for a fee + other viewpoints @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080707/lf_afp/lifestyleswitzerlanddeathoffbeat_080707043441

Useful link:
www.algordanza.org

Nelson Mandela's Lessons On Leadership

Richard Stengel's article on Mandela: His 8 Lessons of Leadership @ http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1821467,00.html was brilliant. I guess one could apply the lessons in business as well.

- Courage is not the absence of fear — it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
- Lead from the front — but don't leave your base behind.
- Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.
- Know your enemy — and learn about his favorite sport.
- Keep your friends close — and your rivals even closer.
- Appearances matter — and remember to smile.
- Nothing is black or white.
- Quitting is leading too.

World Bank Report On Biofuels

The contents of the World Bank's draft internal report on the link between biofuels and food prices have been widely reported in newspapers, blog and media. According to the report the drive for biofuels by American and European governments has pushed up food prices by 75% + crop-derived fuels have been the ultimate cause of food riots, starvation and high prices around the world.

(via Guardian) PDF of World Bank biofuels report.

Useful link:
www.worldbank.org

Midnights Children

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie has been judged the best ever winner of the Booker prize, on the 40th anniversary of the prestigious literary prize.

Useful link:
www.themanbookerprize.com

I have read the book. It's brilliant.

Art Auction Update

Souren Melikian writes about an extraordinary auction conducted by Henry Wyndham, chairman of Sotheby's Europe + the high quality pictures + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/11/arts/melik11.4-300831.php

Temporary South African Pain Relief

Chaim Even Zohar writes about Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) equity partner issues + the regulatory mess + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

World's Best City Award

Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, has been voted by Travel + Leisure as the world's best city for 2008.

Useful link:
www.travelandleisure.com

Very delighted!

Framing A Century

Framing a Century -- Master Photographers (1840–1940): The exhibition (June 3–September 1, 2008) tells the story of photography's first 100 years through the work of key figures who helped shape the aesthetic and expressive course of the medium: Gustave Le Gray, Roger Fenton, Carleton Watkins, William Henry Fox Talbot, Julia Margaret Cameron, Nadar, Édouard Baldus, Charles Marville, Eugène Atget, Walker Evans, Man Ray, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Brassaï. The presentation of 10 to 12 iconic works by each of these artists conveys a broad sense of their contributions to photography. Many of the works are drawn from the Museum's 2005 acquisition of the Gilman Collection.

Useful link:
www.metmuseum.org

A must-visit.