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Sunday, July 26, 2009
Article: eat dog meat to beat summer heat
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This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: World W36, 26 July 2009
View: Shocked at the way elephants are treated
Sunday July 26, 2009
On July 19, a group of us visited the National Elephant Conservation Centre managed and operated by Perhilitan (Department of National Parks and Wildlife) at Kuala Gandah.While we enjoyed having contact with the elephants and would like to commend the centre for limiting the number of visitors who are allowed to ride on and bathe with the elephants to reduce the stress that the elephants may experience, other things left us saddened and angered.
Bullhooks were used extensively by the handlers on the elephants, even when they were complying with the mahouts' instructions.
One of the members of our group approached a handler and asked him to stop using the bullhook.
For a while, he used the blunt handle of the bullhook to prod the elephant.
Later he used the hook on an elephant again, and sneered at us when we cautioned him not to do so.
One of the elephants we were riding, Abot, had an untreated wound on its head which appeared to have been inflicted by the bullhook, as the mahouts kept tapping the elephants on the head with the heel of the bullhooks.
Another baby elephant, Siput, who was merely having her meal, flinched when a staff member showed her his fist, an indication, perhaps, that fists have been used to cause pain before.
An agency that calls itself a wildlife conservation centre must eliminate cruel actions such as the use of bullhooks, sharp and dangerous implements and chains which are too short and which cause injury.
We urge the management of Perhilitan and the Pahang Tourism Board to look into the matter and treat it with the importance that it deserves.
We would not hesitate to advise our friends against visiting the centre in future if no action is taken to ensure the elephants are handled with respect and compassion.
FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANTS,
Petaling Jaya.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion 26 July 2009
Image: Runaway dog
by Hans Toh Han Chian
Now I know where the love of my life went
This image was taken from: The Star Online: Thumbnails, 25 July 2009
Image: Calling Dr Dolittle
Date : Saturday, 25-July-2009
by Ghoutham DKP
Canine in distress. Please rescue my trapped pet.
This image was taken from: The Star Online: Thumbnails, 25 July 2009
Article: A mini vegetable plot grows in Seri Teratai
Saturday July 25, 2009
By DERRICK VINESH
Seri Teratai care taker Halijah Saad 52 helping chief minister wife's Betty Chew cultivating the mini vegetable garden at Macalister Road. CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng's wife is leading by example in promoting environmental preservation in Penang by cultivating a mini vegetable garden, using organic compost at his official residence of Seri Teratai in Macalister Road, says DAP Wanita head Chong Eng.
Betty Chew Gek Cheng has recently began planting brinjals and chillies using composts made from kitchen waste at the Chief Ministers official residence, Seri Teratai in Macalister Road.
''Chew has also bought a container to make her own compost from kitchen waste. This is a good case of leadership by example that would encourage more households (in Penang) to take the state's environment-friendly promotions seriously,'' she said at the 'Karnival Rumahku Mesra Alam' event at SJK (C) Kim Sen here recently.
Chong Eng also praised the St Anne's Church in Bukit Mertajam for imposing a ban this year on the use of styrofoam utensils within the church premises during the St Annes Novena and Feast celebration.
She said the move showed that more organisations as well as individuals were taking the green theme positively.
''We must start (this environment-conservation effort) somewhere, otherwise we will never be able to take it to the next level.
"Presently, our daily household waste of 1.2 kg per person in Penang is higher than the national average of 0.8 kg,'' she said.
Earlier, when opening the event, Chew said people could save money if they practised the 3Rs environment-friendly concept which is to recycle, reduce and reuse their waste.
''With the current (global) economic slowdown, it would be wise to adopt the 3R environment concept at home, where we can also earn some extra cash from selling recycled items.''
''We can also save money spent on expensive fertilisers and detergents, if we can produce them in our own homes using organic wastes and used cooking oil,'' she said.
About 500 people attended the half-day event organised by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North, 25 July 2009
Article: Amend archaic ordinance, save the poor animals
Saturday July 25, 2009
THE recent deliberate and heartless act of dumping thousands of broiler chicks in the rain at the office of the Johor State Veterinary Services Department as a sign of protest speaks volumes of the type of farmers we have in our country (The Star, July 23).I sympathise with the 100-odd poultry farmers' plight with regards to the alleged discrepancies in an incentive scheme allocation. I am sure the authorities will soon find a way to resolve the issue and ensure all parties are happy in the end.
However, I do condemn the way the protest was carried out by the disgruntled farmers. It shows blatant disregard for animal welfare. The farmers have no respect for the sanctity of lives, even if they are of animals.
The farmers would not have dared to carry out such a cruel protest if the authorities had only acted on the numerous calls by animal lovers and welfare organisations to amend the toothless and outdated 1953 Animal Ordinance. They were urged to impose heavy fines and jail terms for anyone who abuses animals.
As long as the archaic Animal Ordinance on animal cruelty is not amended to meet today's demands and challenges, we will continue to witness, helplessly, more of this kind of protests and animal abuses in the near future.
After all, the maximum fine for anyone who abuses animals according to the existing Animal Ordinance is a mere RM200, and it is indeed "chicken feed" to these farmers.
How many more years will it take to amend the 1953 Animal Ordinance? I don't know what is holding up the amendment, but it is indeed sad to note that after so many years of promises by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) we have yet to see any signs of an amended version.
I appeal to the department's Director-General to shed some light on the status of the amended Animal Ordinance - if any.
S. PARAM,
Ipoh.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion, 25 July 2009
Article: Bagging the fruits of plastic ban
Saturday July 25, 2009
Shanghai Bund by CHOW HOW BAN
IN THE past, foreign-backed supermarkets in China gave away three plastic shopping bags for every 100 yuan worth of goods sold and 1.4 pieces in local supermarkets.
More than a year after a nationwide ban on the distribution of free plastic bags, people have made bringing reusable bags to supermarkets a part of shopping.
Now only 0.6 and 0.56 plastic bag per 100 yuan of sales are provided at foreign and local supermarkets.
Shanghainese Madam Zeng has adopted the new shopping behaviour though there have been concerns whether the elderly could adjust to it.
"Whenever I go to the supermarket, I would make sure I have my own plastic bags. If you throw them away, it will be a waste," she said.
Another middle-aged resident said she planned her shopping trips well and would prepare some reusable bags before heading down to the supermarket.
"If I really wanted an extra plastic bag, I would buy it. But, usually I have my own bag, and it's more environment-friendly."
Another shopper said: "It's a good way to reduce the use of plastic bags. I support it and have already gotten used to bringing my ownbags."
Effective June 1 last year, the Chinese government put a stop to the trend of providing free plastic bags at all supermarkets, department stores, malls and other commercial outlets.
Operators must charge customers for plastic bags and the bags must be durable and be more than 0.025mm thick.
The government's aim is to reduce the amount of non-degradable plastic bags, which eventually end up in landfills and rivers and harm lives.
Parkson China sold about 300,000 plastic bags at its department store on Central Huaihai Road in downtown Shanghai between last June and the end of last month.
"This was a substantial decrease from the number of plastic bags provided before the policy was implemented," said Shanghai Nine Sea Parkson Plaza Co Ltd storemanager Danny Tan.
"You could see more people coming with their own plastic bags, paper bags or reusable bags. They have become more receptive to the policy."
Tan said as there was no double standard for locals and foreigners. The store had to explain to some foreign tourists why they were charged for the bags.
A spokesman of Lotus Supermarket said sales of plastic bags at its outlets around the city had declined about 80% since the ban was implemented.
"Plastic bags have been one of the most serious contributors to pollution, to which every country in the world is attaching growing importance," she said.
According to Tan, Parkson China only made less than a sen from the sale of each plastic bag as its cost has become higher after the authorities set a higher standard on plastic bags.
"The new plastic bags are bio-degradable and must meet the new national standard. There are only certain manufacturers from whom we can get our supply," he said.
"In fact, the government gave us about a year to prepare. All our new plastic bags arrived before June 1 last year and we simply changed our old bags to the new ones."
The plastic bags are sold for 0.20 yuan (10 sen), 0.30 yuan and 0.40 yuan depending on the size.
From time to time, the department store also gives away environmentally friendly bags.
Tan said the authorities would conduct spot checks at department stores regularly and those who failed to meet the required standards on plastic bags would be fined.
Between March and last month the State Administration of Industry and Commerce collected over two million yuan (RM1.04mil) in fines from errant stores.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has launched various programmes to educate plastic manufacturers on environment conservation.
In Henan province, six companies were ordered to cease production of sub-standard plastic bags while 46 others were being investigated for violation of the new regulations.
From July 7, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region followed in the central government's footsteps and implemented its own ban on plastic bags.
Xinhua agency quoted the China Chain Store and Franchise Associations as saying that the use of plastic bags in the retail industry had decreased by an average of 66% and the number of plastic bags had reduced to about 40 billion — from 50 billion in 2006 and 60 billion in 2007.
Supermarket operators do not see a drop in sales because of the policy.
Neither have they experienced any problem in selling plastic bags at a price lower than cost, its secretary-general Pei Liang said.
Despite the milestone progress, the authorities still face problems of enforcing the plastic bag ruling across all commercial places.
Wetmarkets, fruit stalls, bakeries and restaurants still provide plastic bags without charge.
Shoppers say that fish, poultry, vegetables, bread and other foodstuff must be put in plastic bags and it will be impossible for them to pack such items in cloth bags.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion, 25 July 2009
Article: PM: Green tech to be the new driver for economic growth
Saturday July 25, 2009
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN
BANGI: The National Green Technology Policy is set to play an important role in charting the country's development where green technology will be the new driver for economic growth.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the policy would include the setting up of a legislative and regulatory framework that would support development of green technologies and promote a culture of resource use optimisation.
The policy seeks to promote low-carbon technology and ensure sustainable development while conserving the natural environment and resources.
He said green technology offered opportunities and potential in economic regeneration, innovation, wealth creation and high-paying job opportunities.
"It can create a revolutionary impact on our lives and reduce Malaysia's carbon footprint while enhancing environmental sustainability," he said during the roll-out of the policy yesterday.
Najib also opened the green energy office of the Malaysia Energy Centre head office here.
He added that the policy would create opportunities for new green businesses, including the manufacturing of "green products".
The five objectives include decreasing energy consumption while enhancing economic development and facilitatating growth of the green technology industry and enhancing its contribution to the national economy.
It also seeks to increase innovation in green technology development and enhance Malaysia's green technology competitiveness globally besides ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
The policy will also enhance public education and awareness about green technology and encourage its use in everyone's daily lives.
A Green Technology Council will also be established to facilitate the role of stakeholders for the successful implementation of the green technology roadmap.
It will be chaired by Najib and, alternately, by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
At a press conference later, Najib said the Government was studying incentives for the private sector that adopts green technology.
On promoting solar energy usage, Najib said the equipment needed to do so was expensive, but that the Government would continue its development.
On plans to set up a nuclear power plant in Malaysia, Najib said nuclear energy was not considered to be against green technology as long as it was deemed safe.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation, 25 July 2009
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Article: first panda cub via artificial conception
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This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: World W36, 25 July 2009
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Article: Snake stops state assembly proceedings
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Article: spain seeks help to fight lethal blaze
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Image: Insect Pizza
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Image: Sheep Project
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Article: Students to the rescue
Friday July 24, 2009
MOST of us were shocked by the headlines about the dogs from Pulau Ketam, Selangor, that were abandoned on an unoccupied island in late April.
However, the island has no fresh water sources, very little solid ground for the dogs to rest on being a swampy marsh, and no food. The dogs were basically left there to die a slow and painful death.
While the public outburst seem to have died down, many people are still thanklessly working to save the many dogs that are still stranded there.
Joining the cause is a bunch of KDU College students who will be holding a charity event tomorrow from 10am to 9pm, to support the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other organisations that have worked to help save the poor pooches.
Called RAVE 2 SAVE (with RAVE standing for Rescue Animals Via Entertainment), the event is headed by the KDU PR Class of 2009 and will feature a bazaar, variety of performances, car show, petting zoo and much more.
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KDU students getting involved in helping dogs who were dumped on uninhabited islands by Pulau Ketam residents. |
"We were inspired to support the Pulau Ketam cause because we felt that there hasn't been enough energy directed there. Only a select few are willing to give a hand," said Jody Wong, one of the organisers of RAVE 2 SAVE.
Even though the event is part of a college assignment for the student organisers, Jody says the only reason they chose this cause for the assignment was because it was something close to their hearts.
Jody herself has three dogs at home, and she's had many other pets in the past.
"I've seen a genuine sense of compassion in my teammates. They have even sacrificed their leisure time on the weekends to go help in Pulau Ketam. Some have been working with the animals at various places after that. There was even a litter of puppies that was brought back by my teammates," Jody explained.
Though the main goal of the event is to raise funds to support the continuing work being done in the Pulau Ketam area and animal shelters, Jody says they also hope to create awareness among the public about the continued struggles faced by the dogs and those trying to help them.
"We have been to the islands with the SPCA and found that many people are apprehensive about helping because it costs a lot. It's a tourist area," she said.
"That's why we're also hoping to help raise awareness among the younger generations and be an information hub to the public. We want to show and provide different avenues to those who want to help but don't know how."
The event will also serve to help redeem the image of Malaysia as Jody says many of the international students in her college have also been shocked by the cruelty.
"At first it seemed like no one really knew about it, but as we were doing promotions and fundraising we found that many of those who hearing about it for the first time were shocked and angry at those responsible," she revealed.
"The cruelty has really shocked us all. Many international students said that they have never heard of anything like this happening in their countries before. They were dumbfounded really."
To achieve all that, the organisers have made sure that the entertainment and activities on the day are able to pull in as many people as possible.
"Those who come may expect a day of shopping, entertainment and a good time especially. By just being there, they would have already contributed to the cause, which is why we want to bring them the best so that it is a win-win situation.
There is a RM5 entry fee, which will be channeled to the SPCA.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Rage: Stories: Campus: Campus News 24 July 2009
Article: Bigger cash carrot for Kenyir Monster
Wednesday July 22, 2009
By R.S.N. MURALI
HULU TERENGGANU: More cold hard cash may be offered to anglers who net the Kenyir Monster - Arapaima Gigas - alive before Aug 15.
The State Government is mulling the possibility of increasing the quantum of reward to almost three fold.
The current reward is RM10,000 for each of the freshwater species from South America that is caught and handed over to the state Fisheries Department to be relocated to Kemaman Zoo.
Sturdy net: Terengganu Fisheries Department staff using the 13" inch net to look for the giant fish during the operation in Kenyir Lake. Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the state government was contemplating to double or even triple the rewards, considering the complexity in netting such a gigantic fish.
"I was told that anglers from Europe and Australia were also interested to join the fray and we decided to make it more interesting by raising the stake," he told the StarMetro here, yesterday.
Asked whether the deadline would be extended, Ahmad said he would consider it when the time came.
"So far none had been successful in netting the fish, probably due to its size," he said.
The fish - dubbed the Kenyir Monster by locals here, created quite a stir after the death of two men on June 17 allegedly linked to the fish.
The possible existence of this fish in the biggest man-made lake in South-East Asia was reported in The Star the following day.
Based on findings by biologists, giant Arapaima Gigas is near extinct even in the Amazon River and its tributaries in South America.
The longest Arapaima Gigas sighted in the last two decades was slightly over two metres, whereas the Kenyir Monster is said to be about 4.5m.
In a related development, the state Fisheries Department launched a massive hunt for the giant fish in Kenyir yesterday.
Department director Abdul Munir Mohd Nawi said his men were working closely with National and Wildlife Department to tranquillise the fish when it was caught.
This, he said, had to be done due to its size.
He added that biologists from the department had laid traps to capture the fish.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: South & East 22 July 2009
Article: French PM blames army blunder for summer wildfire
Friday July 24, 2009
MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Thursday condemned the army for sparking a raging brush fire near the southern city of Marseille with a firing exercise, and forcing hundreds to flee their homes.
About 500 firefighters supported by helicopters and waterbombing aircraft battled the fire for much of Wednesday and Thursday night as it raged over an 8-km (5-mile) front, burning some 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres) of scrubland.
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French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (R) speaks with a fireman next to Marseille's Mayor Jean-Claude (C) as he visited a fire brigade field operation center after a fire raged in Marseille, southern France, July 23, 2009. (REUTERS/Philippe Laurenson) |
The blaze, which was fanned by dry hot winds and high temperatures, was apparently set off by a firing exercise that used tracer ammunition, against regulations.
"This fire was clearly set off by a serious professional error," Fillon told reporters on a visit to the area.
The incident is the second public embarrassment of its kind for the army in just over a year. In June last year, a soldier wounded 17 people when he fired live ammunition instead of blanks during a combat simulation display.
"It's incredible that these exercises could have been conducted in 32 degree temperatures and with these strong winds," the mayor of Marseille, Jean-Claude Gadin, told France Info radio. "It was stupidity that could have become criminal stupidity."
One elderly person and a firefighter were taken to hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and more than 1,000 houses were under surveillance, officials said.
The fire was under control by Thursday afternoon but was still being watched closely by firefighters.
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
This article was taken from: The Star Online: World Updates 24 July 2009
Image: Durian pooch-er
Date : Friday, 24-July-2009
by Millie Mok
This dog is trying to get at the king of fruits.
This image was taken from: The Star Online: Thumbnails 24 July 2009
Article: solar eclipse draws excitement
This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: World W37, 23 July 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Article: All for cleaner rivers
Thursday July 23, 2009
By JEREMY TAN
ONE million Effective Microorganisms (EM) mudballs will be thrown into polluted rivers in Penang on Aug 8 in a move to resuscitate aquatic life.
State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said the production of the one million mudballs would set a world record.
"We need to save our environment together, both the government and the people.
"Our efforts will definitely bring a change to the world we all share," she said after taking part in a workshop which produced over 20,000 mudballs at the Penang Municipal Youth Park.
Participants making EM mudballs at the workshop. Almost 300 people from governmental bodies, organisations and the private sector took part in the workshop.
It was a joint effort by the state government, EM technology consultancy Em AdminS and supplying company Jamof Sdn Bhd.
The workshop was part of the 'A Million Apologies to Mother Earth' bio-remedial campaign, aimed at producing one million mudballs to clean up Penang's rivers.
To date, over 600,000 EM mudballs have been produced in previous workshops.
EM AdminS chief administrator Soo Lee Choo said that an earlier effort at Sungai Kelian in December 2008 dramatically improved the water quality of the river, lifeless at the time.
Six months after the EM mudballs were used, fish could be seen in the water.
The Effective Mircoorganism technology uses naturally occuring, beneficial micro-organisms such as photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts which are able to purify and revive nature. It is currently in use in over 130 countries.
Developed by University of Ryukyus professor Dr Teruo Higa, EM has a wide range of applications such as water and sewage purification, improving recycled water and solving sanitary problems.
It is also widely used in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and food production.
EM mudballs are made from ordinary clay, EM Activated Solution (EMAS) and rice bran with a small quantity of molasses.
To make them, dry clay is mixed with 10% to 20% rice bran, while the EMAS is mixed with molasses at a ratio of 10:1.
Both mixtures are then mixed together and thoroughly kneaded and formed into mudballs the size of tennis balls. After drying for about a week, the mudballs are ready for use.
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 23 July 2009
Article: Solar eclipse shrouds parts of Asia in darkness(update)
Published: Wednesday July 22, 2009 MYT 8:54:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 22, 2009 MYT 3:32:40 PM
Adds video, more pictures, one dead in stampede etc 
TAREGNA (India): The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia into near-darkness after dawn, as millions watched the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon Wednesday.
A woman was killed in a stampede at the Ganges river in India, where devout Hindus had gathered for the eclipse.
Millions of others, gripped by fear, shuttered themselves indoors.
India abounds in superstitions and fables based on Hindu mythology, one of which says an eclipse is caused when a dragon-demon swallows the sun, while another myth is that sun rays during an eclipse can harm unborn children.
Thick cloud cover over India and China obscured the sun when the eclipse began at dawn.
But the clouds parted in several Indian cities minutes before the total eclipse took place at 6:24 a.m. (0054 GMT; 8:54 p.m. EDT) before moving to Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China.
The eclipse - caused when the moon moves directly between the sun and the earth, covering it completely to cast a shadow on earth - lasted almost 4 minutes in India.
In some parts of Asia it lasted as long as 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
In Beijing, a thick blanket of grayish smog blotted out the sky and virtually obscured all high-rises in the downtown area of the Chinese capital.
In coastal Shanghai, eclipse watchers were disappointed by a light drizzle in the morning.
Dozens of people had gathered at one hotel rooftop with telescopes and special glasses. But as the sky darkened fully for about five minutes, watchers became excited again.
Holding a big green umbrella and wearing special glasses, Song Chun Yun was prepared to celebrate the occasion in a new white dress.
"Although the rain came, I don't want to screw up the mood. I want to enjoy the special day," she said before dancing and singing in the rain with her two sisters.
"I don't want to wait until the next 300 years to see this again."
In Bangladesh too, people came out in droves.
"It's a rare moment, I never thought I would see this in my life," said Abdullah Sayeed, a college student who traveled to Panchagarh town from the capital Dhaka to view it.
He said cars in the town needed to use headlights as "night darkness has fallen suddenly."
People hugged each other and some blew whistles when the eclipse began, he said. One of the best views, shown live on several television channels, appeared to be in the Indian town of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, sacred to devout Hindus.
Thousands of Hindus took a dip in keeping with the ancient belief that bathing in the river at Varanasi, especially on special occasions, cleanses one's sins.
The eclipse was seen there for 3 minutes and 48 seconds.
But the gathering was marred by tragedy when a 65-year-old woman was killed and six people injured in a stampede at one of the river's banks where about 2,500 people had gathered, said police spokesman Surendra Srivastava.
He said it is not clear how the stampede started.
The eclipse - visible only in Asia - is the longest such eclipse since July 11, 1991, when a total eclipse lasting 6 minutes, 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America.
There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132.
A 10-member team of scientists from the premier Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore and the Indian air force filmed the eclipse from an aircraft.
Scientists had said the Indian village of Taregna would have the clearest view, where thousands of scientists, nature enthusiasts and students gathered a day in advance.
But thick clouds and overnight rains provided no spectacle, just a cloudy darkness.
"It was still a unique experience with morning turning into night for more than three minutes," said Amitabh Pande, a scientist with India's Science Popularization Association of Communicators and Educators, in Taregna.
Still, the rain was welcomed by many in this agricultural area which has seen scant rainfall this monsoon season.
"It would have been nice to see the solar eclipse but the rain is far more important for us," said Ram Naresh Yadav, a farmer.
Millions across India shunned the sight and stayed indoors.
Even in regions where the eclipse was not visible, pregnant women were advised to stay behind curtains over a belief that the sun's invisible rays would harm the fetus and the baby would be born with disfigurations, birthmarks or a congenital defect.
"My mother and aunts have called and told me stay in a darkened room with the curtains closed, lie in bed and chant prayers," said Krati Jain, 24, who is expecting her first child, said in New Delhi.
In the northern Indian state of Punjab, authorities ordered schools to begin an hour late to prevent children from venturing out and gazing at the sun.
Others saw a business opportunity: one travel agency in India scheduled a charter flight to watch the eclipse by air, with seats facing the sun selling at a premium.
At a Buddhist temple in the Thai capital Bangkok, dozens of monks led a mass prayer at a Buddhist temple to ward off what they said would be ill effects of a solar eclipse.
"The eclipse is bad omen for the country," said Pinyo Pongjaroen, a prominent astrologer.
"We are praying to boost the fortune of the country." - AP
On the Net:
Eclipses Online: http://www.eclipse.org.uk/
Mr. Eclipse: http://mreclipse.com/
This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 22 July 2009
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