While rising government debt is a growing concern in Europe and the United States, Asia’s economies remain remarkably resilient, even buoyant, underscoring how economic might is shifting from West to East.

China has been repaying some of what little foreign debt it owes, even as economists wonder whether Greece will require an international bailout and ask how long the United States can sustain record budget deficits. “We took a pass on the economic crisis,” said Philip S. Carmichael, president of Asian operations at Haier, China’s biggest appliance maker.

Even the Asian economies that have shrunk during the recession, like Malaysia and Cambodia, escaped the worst ravages — with the notable exception of Japan, Asia’s first industrialized country. Because of the Asian financial crisis of 1997, many Asian countries have been more conservative about borrowing and spending over the last decade than Western nations, which went on a debt binge during the good times and continued to increase their borrowing during the recession to try to turn around their economies.

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General Santos, the Philippines — After a day of barbering, Rodolfo Gregorio went to his neighborhood karaoke bar still smelling of talcum powder. Putting aside his glass of Red Horse Extra Strong beer, he grasped a microphone with a habitué’s self-assuredness and briefly stilled the room with the Platters’ “My Prayer.”

Next, he belted out crowd-pleasers by Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. But Mr. Gregorio, 63, a witness to countless fistfights and occasional stabbings erupting from disputes over karaoke singing, did not dare choose one beloved classic: Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way.”

“I used to like ‘My Way,’ but after all the trouble, I stopped singing it,” he said. “You can get killed.”

The authorities do not know exactly how many people have been killed warbling “My Way” in karaoke bars over the years in the Philippines, or how many fatal fights it has fueled. But the news media have recorded at least half a dozen victims in the past decade and includes them in a subcategory of crime dubbed the “My Way Killings.&...... [ Read the rest of this story ]

The Catholic Church in Germany has been shaken in recent days by revelations of a series of sexual abuse cases. Close to 100 priests and members of the laity have been suspected of abuse in recent years. After years of suppression, the wall of silence appears to be crumbling. By SPIEGEL Staff.

This is what it looks like, the document of a conspiracy: 24 pages, with appendix, in Latin, published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican. A "norma interna," or confidential set of guidelines for all bishops, who were required to keep it a secret for all eternity, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

The guidelines, issued in the year of our Lord 1962, address a sensitive subject: sex in the confessional. The Vatican doesn't put it quite that directly, preferring to use more guarded terminology to describe what happens when a priest leads a member of his flock astray before, during or after the confession -- in other words, when he provokes a penitent "toward impure and obscene matters" through "words or signs or nods of the head (or) by touch."

According to the instructions from Rome, the bishops w...... [ Read the rest of this story ]

As we have now carnival season over here in Germany and people go crazy with costumes and parties, I found this interesting article about the history of german carnival.

"The origins of Karneval are so old that spending the final weeks of winter off your face and horny has long since become enmeshed in our very DNA. Some men and women tried to limit this part of human nature to a short period each year and today we call these people Catholics. But back in the day, it was Romans, Egyptians, Celts and, yes, the German tribes that indulged in pagan orgies to mark the passing of the cold season.

But general drunkenness and sexual abandon aside, very few actual pagan traditions have survived the millennia of Christianisation, except one – Karneval has always been the season of satire. The Romans used to play slave and master role-reversal games, an unnerving tradition that survived as long as middle-class people had servants. The idea was that for one day at least, a servant could make sarcastic remarks and escape the rod. This temporary suspension of censorship led to the adoption and development of characters who mocked their social superiors, like the Jec...... [ Read the rest of this story ]

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In the borderlands of Thailand's Golden Triangle, a rugged region known for its drug smuggling and impoverished hill tribes, one man devotes himself to the welfare of the region's children

A former Thai boxer, turned Buddhist monk, Phra Khru Bah Neua Chai Kositto (also known as the Tiger Monk), travels widely on horseback, fearlessly dispensing prayers, health care, education and tough love to villagers far from the protection and support of governments or non-governmental organizations.

With his Golden Horse Temple he's built an orphanage, school and clinic - a haven for the children of the region, who see him as a shaman, father figure and coach.

Stunning cinematography, intimate filmmaking and a compelling story make this film an extraordinary experience of a hidden realm. BUDDHA'S LOST CHILDREN gives the term "grassroots Buddhism" new meaning, and in the end it's the children's journey we share. Their transformation from neglected village boys to self-confident novices.

Director Mark Verkerk gained unprecedented access to film this intimate and dramatic story over the course of a year on location in Thailand. Filmed on high definitio...... [ Read the rest of this story ]

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Replica Rolex models of the latest Baselworld 2010 designs have just been launched on our replica sites. These are the first run of the 2010 models with inner Rolex inscriptions and better bands and cases. Only limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, they are expected to sell out within a month. Browse our shop weatherhigh.com

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"Dont worry about your problems. Let your problems worry about you"

Philippine saying

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Replica Rolex models of the latest Baselworld 2010 designs have just been launched on our replica sites. These are the first run of the 2010 models with inner Rolex inscriptions and better bands and cases. Only limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, they are expected to sell out within a month. Browse our shop weatheropen.com

The harsh winter weather continued to batter Germany on Monday, with more snow in the forecast. Hospitals reported a spike in ice-related injuries and an ice breaker delivered provisions to the Baltic Sea island of Hiddensee, which has been unreachable for weeks.

The ship "Görmitz” broke through the ice to deliver 15 tonnes of food and essentials to people living on the small, car-free island, news agency DDP reported. Another 12 tonnes had already been brought on Sunday. According to captain Horst Behrens, the ship will take time off from its duties escorting freighters through ports in the state of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania to deliver more goods to the island each Friday as needed.

Hiddensee’s supply drama began 11 days ago when the region’s regular ice breaker, the “Vitte,” broke down. Helicopters were initially forced to come to the rescue for the island’s some 1,000 residents until a replacement boat could be found.

Another consequence of the thickening ice crust after five weeks of snow across the country has been numerous injuries, a hospital survey by news agency DPA showed on Monday. Many...... [ Read the rest of this story ]

Do you know how to work smarter? I think one of the key to working smarter is to be able to multi-task especially when you are in a position where you have a lot of things to handle at the same time. Of course, you need to learn how to prioritize and plan but still multi-tasking is inevitable when deadlines are one after another.

How to improve your multi-tasking skill?

to be continued...

"In love, all the contradictions of life abrogate and lose themselves. Only in love unity and togetherness are indistinguishable. Only love is motion and rest in one. Our heart is always restless until it finds love and then finds its peace. Commitment and freedom are no enemy in love. For love is the greatest freedom, and yet the greatest bond."

In you my heart has found peace, freedom, unity, commitment and a everlasting bond. ILYSM!

For lunch in the office I had today a meal, which I prepared yesterday at home. Carrots, potatos and german sausages. Really nice meal during winter time. But now I am tired, after eating so much and would love to have a nap. :-)