Cut and Run

#53 wasn`t my post, it was inserted by the chowk software even as it messed up my original post

Interactors:

The following cut and paste news item may be of some interest to you.

The Abdus Salam
International Centre
for Theoretical Physics
© 2005
http://www.ictp.it — home > newsICTP News22/12/2004

New Templeton PrizesFiled under: Prizes— editor @ 3:59 pm
The John Templeton Foundation, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, has announced that it will fund five new awards designed to recognize and assist young ’scholar-leaders’ who have vigorously examined the ‘creative interface’ between traditional Islamic culture and modern science. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, has been asked to administer the programme. Each prize will carry a cash award of US$20,000.

“In these difficult times,” says Charles Harper, the John Templeton Foundation’s executive director and senior vice president, “we are pleased to sponsor a series of prizes that we hope will help promising young scholar-leaders better establish themselves as opinion makers within their own countries and regions. We also hope our efforts will help these young scholar-leaders build ties with their peers worldwide.”

“Our aim,” adds Barnaby Marsh, who directs the Foundation’s Venture Philanthropy Strategy and New Programs Development, “is to support scientists engaged in exploring the critically important challenges posed by the intersection of the worlds of science and religion in a critical part of the world.”

The five prizes, to be given annually, include the:
• Abdus Salam Prize for Leadership in Islamic Thought and the Physical Sciences.
• ICTP Prizes (2) for Leadership in Islamic Thought and the Applied Sciences.
• Ahmed Zewail Prize for Leadership in Islamic Thought and the Biological and Chemical Sciences.
• Ahmed Zewail Prize for Leadership in Science and Islamic Life.

Pakistani-born Salam, founding director of the ICTP and Egyptian-born Zewail, professor of chemistry at the California Institute of Technology, are the only two scientists from the Islamic world to have won the Nobel Prize.

“We are delighted that the Templeton Foundation has decided to launch this initiative,” says ICTP director K.R. Sreenivasan, “and we are happy that it has chosen the Centre to implement the programme. The goals of the initiative fit well with the Centre’s expanding agenda to not only assist individual scientists, which it has done so well over the past 40 years, but also to improve the environment for research in their home countries. The ultimate aim is to ensure that science becomes an integral part of the larger agenda for economic and social development not only in the Islamic world but throughout the developing world.”

Candidates will be selected on their ‘demonstrated’ ability to insightfully and sensitively examine the relationship between Islamic culture and modern science both in scholarly and popular writings. The hope is that recipients of the prize will have displayed—and will continue to display—the talent and drive necessary to engage their colleagues and the larger public in exploring this complex issue, especially their colleagues and the public in the Islamic world.

“This initiative,” says Harper, “builds upon several recent exploratory workshops and conferences that the John Templeton Foundation has convened in France and Morocco over the past few years that have focused on religion and science in the Islamic world. Our ultimate objective is to develop a core group of scholars and scientists who can emerge as experts and intellectual trend-setters both within their own countries and regions and throughout the world.”

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15/12/2004
Gabriel Olalere Ajayi (1941-2004)Filed under: General— editor @ 5:22 pm
Gabriel Olalere Ajayi, an ICTP Associate 1992-2004, died on 12 December 2004, in Abuja, Nigeria. He was 63.
Ajayi played an essential role in developing ICTP’s activities for the advancement of information and communication technologies in Nigeria and he lectured regularly at the Centre’s annual schools on digital radio communication. A former professor at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Ajayi was the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. His professional experience covered a wide range of activities in telecommunications, broadcasting and computers, including teaching, training, research and development. His friends at ICTP extend their condolences to his family and colleagues.

Gabriel Olalere Ajayi at ICTP’s 40th Anniversary Conference

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9/12/2004
Strings in NYTFiled under: Science Media— editor @ 11:19 am
A feature article in the New York Times (7 December 2004) has examined the state of string theory 20 years after the concept was first introduced as a theoretical construct depicting the make up of the universe as intertwined strings and not single points. The scientists quoted in the article have been among the most active participants in ICTP high energy research and training activities over the past two decades: former SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies) director Daniele Amati; Dirac Medallists Michael Green (Cambridge), David Gross (Kavli Institute, Santa Barbara), John Schwarz (Caltech) and Edward Witten (Institute of Advanced Study); and course directors Brian Greene (Columbia), Robbert Dijkgraaf (Amsterdam), Juan Maldacena (Institute of Advanced Study) and Cumrun Vafa (Harvard). Of the 24 scientists mentioned in the article, 19 have visited ICTP.

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Faheem Hussain RetiresFiled under: General— editor @ 11:17 am
Faheem Hussain, head of ICTP’s Office of External Activities from 1998 to 2004, will retire on 15 December. Born in India and educated in the United Kingdom, Hussain first came to ICTP in June 1970 to attend a summer school in high energy physics. During the 1980s, he became a frequent visitor to the Centre, initially as an Associate and then as a visiting scientist in the High Energy Physics group. In 1990, he was hired as a permanent staff member and given the task of helping to launch the Diploma Programme while continuing his research. He was a representative of ICTP’s staff union for two terms. Hussain will also be remembered for organising weekly cricket matches on the Carso for visitors and staff. Hussain will be relocating to Pakistan to teach physics. He will be missed.

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8/12/2004
Canada’s Science Advisor Visits TriesteFiled under: Visits— editor @ 11:38 am
Arthur J. Carty, the Canadian government’s National Science Advisor, visited Trieste’s scientific institutions on 6 December to discuss possible avenues of international scientific cooperation, especially in nanotechnology. Carty learned about the full range of scientific research in Trieste through a series of presentations that included talks by ICTP director, K.R. Sreenivasan, and AREA Science Park president, Maria Cristina Pedicchio. He also toured the Synchrotron Light Laboratory and the Centre for Molecular Biomedicine in AREA Science Park. The last stop on his day-long tour was ICTP on the Miramare campus.

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2/12/2004
Minister of Science at ICTPFiled under: Visits— editor @ 5:50 pm
Pius Yasebasi Ng’wandu, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Tanzania, met with ICTP officials and staff on 30 November. He was accompanied by his Private Secretary, Sylvester A. Matemu. Discussions focused on ways ICTP could be of even greater help to sub-Saharan Africa. The Minister acknowledged the enormous contribution that ICTP had made to the physics and mathematics communities throughout the region. But he believes that more can be done, especially in areas where science can be put to use to improve the lives of the region’s most impoverished citizens.

Pius Yasebasi Ng’wandu, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Tanzania, and Claudio Tuniz, Special Assistant to the ICTP Director

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ICTP, Iran Ministry Sign MOUFiled under: Visits— editor @ 5:48 pm
Jafar Towfighi Darian, Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology, visited ICTP on 22 November to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centre that calls for (1) the creation of two joint postdoctoral positions cosponsored by ICTP and the Ministry in basic physics and mathematics; (2) the expansion of the existing federation agreement between ICTP and Isfahan University of Technology to include an additional university; and (3) the admission of up to two Ph.D. students each year in a ’sandwich’ programme funded jointly by ICTP and the Ministry. ICTP and the Ministry also agreed to explore the establishment of cooperative regional activities.

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Re: # 51

Don`t worry about me. I have a perfect cover. I use nicks like arjunm, rsridhar and hamidm etc and post hateful anti-Muslim propaganda on the internet to divert people from my my real identity.

#48 by mirmir on December 9, 2005 5:46am PT

So that`s why maulana urstruly can`t go back to Pakiland...He might be picked up and handed over to the feds as an AlQaeda #3..next stop: romania or poland...

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GL10Ak01.html

Badr`s spreading web
By Mahan Abedin

``The recent discovery of a supposedly secret prison allegedly run by elements in the Iraqi Interior Ministry loyal to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), has raised fears of an escalating sectarian conflict in Iraq. Leaving aside the sensational reporting on this incident, there is nothing particularly new or even secret about this development.

Certainly the American authorities in Iraq are not only well aware of aggressive counter-insurgency tactics, but in some cases even oversee them. The timing of the so-called secret prison`s ``discovery`` is also interesting, coming at a time when the US is trying to diminish the influence of the Shi`ite Islamist bloc in the government.

The elections scheduled for December 15 are seen as a perfect opportunity by the Americans and their main ally in Iraq, former premier Iyad Allawi, to curtail the electoral clout of SCIRI and other Shi`ite organizations and personalities, including Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi. The ``discovery`` of the secret detention center and the sensational reporting that followed is part of this American-led electoral strategy.

In the security field, though, there are unlikely to be any changes to the way the Shi`ite-dominated security forces conduct the war against the Arab Sunni guerrilla movement and the Salafi-jihadi extremists. However, the events of the past month have highlighted a potentially fatal long-term flaw in the development of new Iraqi security forces, and that is the emergence of two separate security/intelligence structures: one which is entirely overseen by the Americans, and the other entirely led by Shi`ite Islamists with strong ties to Iran.

The Badr Organization

As the Interior Ministry detention center, where about 170 prisoners were being held, was allegedly controlled by elements either belonging to or strongly connected to the Badr Organization, it is worthwhile examining the emergence and evolution of this paramilitary and security organization.``

Re: # 44

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GL10Ae01.html

Why Southeast Asia is turning from US to China
By Tim Shorrock

WASHINGTON - The United States is rapidly losing its influence in the Southeast Asia region to China, thanks to an overly narrow focus on terrorism and a propensity to place bilateral ties above multilateral relationships, according to US and Chinese analysts.

``China makes a point of dealing with Southeast Asia as a region and has a very aggressive ASEAN policy,`` said Catharin Dalpino, an Asia specialist at Georgetown University who served in the Clinton administration. ``This also helps its bilateral relationships with Southeast Asia quite a lot.``

ASEAN is the acronym for the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations that includes Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.

Ref: #42 by bolta_aaina

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GL09Df01.html

Taken for a ride in the `war on terror`
``Pakistan is under constant pressure to keep up its end of the bargain with the US in the ``war on terror``. In return for juicy material rewards, Islamabad has to deliver on a plate al-Qaeda-linked suspects. This it has done with zeal, in quantity if not in quality. Now US intelligence has cottoned on, and is turning away Pakistan`s ``useless`` prisoners.``
Syed Saleem Shahzad

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GL01Ak01.html

What `staying the course` really means
``Far from bringing democracy to Iraq and defeating ``Islamofascism``, the 150,000 US troops there are acting as the Praetorian Guard for a real ``Islamofascist`` regime that is already in power. And if the US ``stays the course`` with its utterly paradoxical and self-defeating strategy, much of the rest of the Middle East is also likely to end up in the hands of theocratic extremists who rule by terror, torture, and armed might.`` - Robert Dreyfuss

Re: # 35 masadi: That is exactly the point, which you are beginning to understand. Arabs were just a ruthless invaders of the Persian empire, stole everything the Persians had and passed in on as merchants.

[You mean to tell me that modern mathematics and its development relies more on the Pythagorean school than the Arabs? Even the basic number system got to the Europeans THROUGH the Arabs, regardless of origin. They are not called Pythagorean numerals but Arabic numerals.] Calling it Arabic numerals or Arabic script shows the extent of their ruthlessness. They were the world`s most ruthless occupiers of the Persian territories, and robbed and pillaged the Persian enlighted history. And that is a fact.

Mathematics started with Paythagoras, a Greek....Persians gave astronomy to the world......And the Arabs became slave merchants....They were always merchants. Giving something innovative to the world requires brains, which they never had and they still do not have. Even God must be surprised that after sending over 124,000 prophets to educate the Arabs they are still not enlightened.

#44

The problem with USA is that its arms lobby is very powerful. To the extent that it controls almost the whole of administration.

Otherwise America and Americans still command a lot of respect in the world..even in Islamic countries. But only if it changes its way and goes to the other countries with the right message of democracy, freedom of tought, liberty, justice and brotherhood. Instead, it prefers to show its muscles every now and then and nobody except the arms lobby benefits from it.

#43 right on again! Back in the 1950s, C. Wright Mills, American Sociologist, wrote about the Military Metaphysic- the military definition of reality deeply espoused by the US power elite, based upon the transformation of its economy post world war 2 into a ``permanent war economy`. See this http://war.asadi.org

You are right on about China as well, look at the Neo-Cons of the Project for the New American Century, authors of the Iraq war, people like Rumsfeld and they are at it about China now. The CIA translated a Chinese book titled ``Unrestricted Warfare`` written by a couple of Chinese colonels and they are using that in a typical FOX NEWS manner to suggest that China is going to wage an Al-Qaida style war on the US, some are even linking it to 9/11 ! All throughout this war nonsense of the US elite, the U.S. ``elephant`` under ``permanent threat`` by ``ants``, human suffering becomes a mere background noise, legitimized by slogans of democracy and freedom. These criminals, and criminals they are by any definition of the word- have perfected the art of ``polite`` killing and their cheerleaders on here like behram1 talk about ``enlightenment`` even as they justify their barbarism clothed in moral symbols. Keep up these fantastic posts, we must challenge their military metaphysic and their lies or we become part of the same drift to the coming ``human hell`` (as C. W. Mills put it).

USA rests on the premise that wars and conflicts elsewhere in the world benefit it. It gained enormously after WW-II. Then it had the god-sent foe in the form of USSR and it continued to battle it in Europe, Afganistan etc. for four decades. Now it is at loggerheads with Islam. You can mind my words that for another two-three decades it will keep on grappling with this real or imaginary foe. After that, China will be ready. It is will then lock horns with China for another three-four decades. Then it will catch hold of some other chicken.

That way this American Century will pass off peacefully.

Re: # 38

The picture, particularly at Afganistan/Pakistan border is so tricky that it defies any kind of logic. Osama is alive, Taliban is regrouping etc. One thing could be that Prez.Musharaff is playing a double game which many would like to believe. But I dont think he can dare double-cross the US on whose his survival depends. The second could be that Musharaff is not in full control..may be his own establishment down the line is helping these elements..which is quite likely. And the third could, which is gaining more credance as the time passes, is that this all Al-qaida business is a hoax. It existed one time, no doubt but now it does not exist anymore. Its ghost is being kept alive to justify the US presence in the region and further expansion in the Middle-east in future.

Re: # 30

Even after four years of the best men, best soldiers, best armaments, best equipments and what have you, these supposedly few men living in caves are still roaming the mountains in their ``chappals`` is something difficult to digest.

They might be existing at one point of time, but they are no more now. Only their ghosts are being kept alive to continue an imaginary war which only benefits a few arm merchants.

Re: # 29

good one.

#36, what you state has NOTHING to do with the facts; it’s just based on the ``holy`` picture of the US that you’ve come to accept, based upon indoctrination by the corporate media, the great “American Celebration” that they are busy with 24/7, which has nothing to do with the facts or reality. It was General Tommy Franks, the commander of the invasion who said ``We don’t do body counts,`` - that is the fact. When the US fires dozens of cruise missiles (more than 40) into the heart of the city in order to ``assassinate`` Saddam- that does not amount to premeditated mass murder of civilians in your estimate? Or when it knowingly drops 4, 2000 lb bunker busters on a civilian restaurant in the heart of a civilian neighborhood to kill Saddam based on flimsy intelligence, that is somehow more ``holy`` than a suicide bomber blowing himself up. No they both are criminals, the suicide bombers however are ``lower level`` criminals than those sitting in the Whitehouse, the ``higher`` criminals. Remember Madeline Albright said that the half a million Iraqi children killed directly as a result of the sanctions in Iraq was a price that was ``worth it``; or should I remind you of cancer rates that have gone up 700% since the first Gulf War due to Depleted Uranium used by the US in its armaments. Or should I tell you about the slaughter of thousands of fleeing civilians on the ``highway of death`` during the first Gulf War? Or the fact that according to research carried out by John Hopkins University, Columbia University and Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, over 100,000 civilians have been killed in Iraq, with the vast majority of them having died in US air strikes and not as a result of suicide bombings! These my friend, are the cold hard facts!

Your and behram1`s comparison of the Arabs armies vs. the Persian empire, and the ``rag tag`` as behram1 puts it, so called Al-Qaeda- a creation of the CIA, vs. a US that spends more on its military than what the rest of the world combined spends simply doesn’t hold, it is simply nonsense.