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News

09/09/2012 21:51

Iraq bombings back in the headlines

Over 200 people have been injured and 73 reported dead after a string of attacks against Iraqi security forces across the country. Violence which struck 11 cities across Iraq is believed to be Al-Qaeda forces, also known as the Islamic state of Iraq, trying to undermine the...

09/09/2012 13:04

Libor fixing settlement looms for RBS

After the public lynching of Barclays over Libor rate fixing, RBS is the next bank to step up to the gallows. The 82% British government owned bank is estimated to settle between £200 and £300 million on par with the landmark fine imposed on Barclays. See previous article 'A Liborias...

09/09/2012 12:50

Glencore & Xstrata deal all but over

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair stepped in to broker an 11th hour revival between commodities giant Glencore and Xstrata. Glencore, which currently owns 34% in Xstrata, presented an improved bid of 3.05 of it's shares for each of Xstrata's - up from 2.8 shares. The initial deal had been...

31/08/2012 08:45

Medical Breakthrough with single dose cure for Malaria

The University of Cape Town's science department are thought to have found a single dose cure for Malaria. Malaria is a protozoan parasite transmitted by mosquitos which invades the red blood cells causing chills, fevers and sweats. It is estimated that 655,000 people died of Malaria in 2010....

30/08/2012 08:19

Botswana and South Africa geared for improving business relationships

Yesterday Africa’s powerhouse of business South Africa met with the most politically stable country in Africa, Botswana, to agree on boosting trade and investment between the two countries. The neighbouring countries had over 100 representatives discussing opportunities in the...

22/08/2012 09:33

Ebola outbreak claims 10 in the Congo

Following the death of 14 people in Western Uganda the Ebola virus has claimed an additional 10 lives in Congo. The World Health Organisation advises that these are separate cases and not linked. With no known cure at this time Ebola is an aggressive fast spreading hemorrhagic virus that...

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To the light hearted and open minded...

On a Flight from London to Nairobi, I was enthralled to find myself in a 4 hour discussion about Sufism with the gentleman sitting next to me. A convivial chap, adorned in traditional dress, he proceeded to educate me as to the origin of the term "Philosophy".

Many moons ago the Sufis travelled the world acquiring vast amounts of knowledge across numerous areas in a quest for self-actualization. This wealth of knowledge allowed the Sufis to purify their inner self by enhancing their persona with praiseworthy traits. In turn these praiseworthy traits would enlighten the Sufis with the presence of the Divine. According to my newly acquired acquaintance, the term Philo in Greek means: 'the love of'. And 'sophy' derived from Sufi. In other words Philosophy originates from the love and acknowledgement of the Sufis belief for continuously acquiring wisdom.

Regardless of the validity of this story it has always stuck in my mind. Much like the Sufi's, this blog is an indication of my desire for acquiring and sharing various amounts of information both conforming to and transcending the mainstream norms. I am not claiming to be an expert on the matters, just to document interesting facts and anecdotes as best I understand them. I hope this serves you well…please feel free to share your thoughts or ideas.

Contact

Andrew Harrison Chinn andy_harrison@hotmail.co.uk

World Politics

05/09/2012 12:45

'Weather' to manipulate the outcome.

A bellowing shriek of laughter hangs in the air as ominously dark clouds begin to flood the sky at an alarming rate. A crack of lightning ensues and Dr Sinister-Villain swivels around in his chair whilst addressing his moustache with thumb and index finger. ‘Weather is not in God’s...

22/07/2012 18:08

Unhealthy Side of Foreign Aid

The camera swings from a shot of desolate baron land and pans in on a pot-bellied skeleton of a human being. The flies hang like a childrens mobile around the face of this barely human corpse. Dramatic music feeds into the baritone voice of a major celebrity appealing for just £1 a month...

18/07/2012 23:07

The Other Side of Piracy

As 200 Tons of Schonner whips through the water, the bellows from the vessel approach like an oncoming steam train. The strings of a Hans Zimmer symphony gently starts to phase in as the square sails cloud the skyline. Most westerners would be forgiven for thinking that this is...

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Business & Finance

11/09/2012 10:45

Turning Water into Oil

Over the course of this year much drought has spread across the globe minimising yields in food production and inflating prices for an already stretched global economy. With the world population estimated to increase by 2 Billion to 9 Billion over the next 40 years demand for...

07/09/2012 12:18

Rock n Roll Accounting

A gentleman walks into a hospital and sees two doctors down on their hands and knees in one of the flower beds. He goes over and asks whether he can help. "No," replies one of the doctors. "We're about to do a heart transplant on an accountant and we're looking for a suitable...

21/08/2012 09:20

Panacea or Prescription: Will pharmaceuticals embrace healthcare reforms

Imagine a world where diabetes, multiple sclerosis and autism can be cured through the simple manipulation of bacteria in ones body. Not only will this cure previously thought incurable illnesses but it will revolutionise the way that we look at medicine. Pharmaceuticals will no longer...

18/07/2012 16:21

The Future of Marketing.

With the revolution in social networking websites and the ease for consumers to globally disseminate information at the click of the button, it is no wonder that the dynamism of Marketing is changing. It is in our nature to enjoy social interactions among friends and strangers alike,...

18/07/2012 00:28

A Liborias Task

The most recent scandal to hit the front pages sees Barclays bank taking it's turn to be dragged through the mud in relation to the rigged fixing of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). But how could this happen and what does this actually mean for the average joe on the street....

16/07/2012 13:25

Are Newspapers Becoming Obsolete?

With the dissemination of easily accessible real time information on a second for second basis, one may be forgiven for considering the news in the morning papers as outdated. Weekly Newspapers have to find more innovative ways to improve the bottom line by enticing readers (loyal and potential) to...

Lifestyle & Arts

17/09/2012 18:30

Mathemagic: The Tale of Jakow Trachtenberg

Whilst attending a wedding in a country manor in Essex, England an acquaintance of mine from India (a liquidity trader at Citibank by trade) nonchalantly dropped into passing conversation the term Trachtenberg mathematical modelling. A few questions later this intriguing statement was...