Journal 36 – The richest man in the world
If you think that Bill Gates is still the richest man in the world, you are wrong. A Mexican telecoms tycoon, Carlos Slimi, is the world’s richest person. Carlos Slim, 67, has amassed personal wealth of about 67 billion dollars. More than half of his wealth can be attributed to his 33% holding in mobile phone group America Mobil. It is interesting that on the list published a month ago, Carlos Slim was the third richest man in the world with a fortune of 49 billion dollars, behind Microsoft founder Bill Gates worth 56 billion dollars, and Warren Buffett, worth 52 billion dollars. Slim’s fortune have climbed 19 billion dollars in just 12 months. Carlos Slim is a son of Lebanese immigrants.
Slim’s fortune is in stark contrast of Mexico’s population. In Mexico, the average income per capita is about 7,000 dollars. In this country more than 45% of the population lives in poverty. Slim’s fortune is nearly equal to 8% of Mexico’s GDP. It is unbelievable! Mexico is a big country. Carlos Slim has pledged 4 billion dollars into philanthropic foundation. Gates and Buffett have donated tens of billions of dollars.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Journal 35 – Saudi Arabia’s national government
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy under the Al Saudi ruling family. The king holds executive and legislative powers. He also holds the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: Great Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The king is assisted in running the day-to-day affairs of the government by the Council of Ministers. The king heads the council and serves as a prime minister. He appoints and dismisses the members of the council and he can overrule all their decision.
Saudi Arabia has a Consultative Council. It consists of a chairman and 150 members. A chairman and all members are appointed by the king. The council advises the monarch and can propose legislation. But the monarch makes all final decisions. Saudi Arabia has no written constitution. In 1992 was decided, that the constitution of Saudi Arabia is the Qur’an and Sunnach. They make up the Shari’ah, which is a body of Islamic law. The ulamas, the religions scholars, are responsible for interpreting the Shari’ah and ensuring that Saudi laws follow it.
When I began to read about Saudi Arabia, I was convinced that I don’ know to much about this country. For me, Saudi Arabia is a very interesting exotic country. From times of my high school, the map of the world changed. I learned a geography at high school, and now I have arranged and have completed my knowledge about that a beautiful country.
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy under the Al Saudi ruling family. The king holds executive and legislative powers. He also holds the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: Great Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The king is assisted in running the day-to-day affairs of the government by the Council of Ministers. The king heads the council and serves as a prime minister. He appoints and dismisses the members of the council and he can overrule all their decision.
Saudi Arabia has a Consultative Council. It consists of a chairman and 150 members. A chairman and all members are appointed by the king. The council advises the monarch and can propose legislation. But the monarch makes all final decisions. Saudi Arabia has no written constitution. In 1992 was decided, that the constitution of Saudi Arabia is the Qur’an and Sunnach. They make up the Shari’ah, which is a body of Islamic law. The ulamas, the religions scholars, are responsible for interpreting the Shari’ah and ensuring that Saudi laws follow it.
When I began to read about Saudi Arabia, I was convinced that I don’ know to much about this country. For me, Saudi Arabia is a very interesting exotic country. From times of my high school, the map of the world changed. I learned a geography at high school, and now I have arranged and have completed my knowledge about that a beautiful country.
Journal 34 - Facts in brief about Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a large Middle Eastern nation that ranks as the world’s leading producer of petroleum. Saudi Arabia exports more oil than any other nation. It has made Saudi Arabia a leading economic power in the Middle East.
The country’s official name is Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s capital is Riyadh. A current Saudi Arabia’s population is about 26 million and an area 830 square miles. Saudi Arabic’s currency is Saudi riyal. One hundred halalas equal one riyal.
Saudi Arabia is a large Middle Eastern nation that ranks as the world’s leading producer of petroleum. Saudi Arabia exports more oil than any other nation. It has made Saudi Arabia a leading economic power in the Middle East.
The country’s official name is Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s capital is Riyadh. A current Saudi Arabia’s population is about 26 million and an area 830 square miles. Saudi Arabic’s currency is Saudi riyal. One hundred halalas equal one riyal.
Journal 33 - International Kissing Day
Today is July 6, 2007. Do you know that the whole progressive world celebrates International Kissing Day? I think that it is a good idea to celebrate this holiday. We all are human beings under one God. We should respect and love each other. We are very busy and sometimes we don’t have an enough time to reflect about our life. I consider that in our life dominates a rational attitude and lack of emotionality. Where is our civilization going? Who knows it? We have more questions than answers, but to express a good question isn’t easy too.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Journal 32 - The Saudi Arabia's King rescued the Polish twins
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah visited Warsaw in the previous week. It was the Saudi King the first visit in Poland. The king met Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski and Science Minister Michal Sewerynski.
Polish officials have talked about the economic cooperation and fighting with organized crime. Parts have signed of bilateral agreements. Poland and Saudi Arabia established ties in 1995. It was 6 years after the fall of communism in Poland.
King Abdullah is very popular in Poland. In 2005, the king, in these times a prince, funded an operation to separate Polish conjoined twins Daria and Olga Kolach who were joined at the spine, intestines, urinary systems and sexual organs. The operation was performed by team of 50 Saudi surgeons and nurses in Riyadh. The costs of the surgery and transportation were about 1,5 million dollars.
The twins are in rehabilitation still; they learn to walk without assistance. Doctors predict that they have a chance of living normal lives.
Polish officials have talked about the economic cooperation and fighting with organized crime. Parts have signed of bilateral agreements. Poland and Saudi Arabia established ties in 1995. It was 6 years after the fall of communism in Poland.
King Abdullah is very popular in Poland. In 2005, the king, in these times a prince, funded an operation to separate Polish conjoined twins Daria and Olga Kolach who were joined at the spine, intestines, urinary systems and sexual organs. The operation was performed by team of 50 Saudi surgeons and nurses in Riyadh. The costs of the surgery and transportation were about 1,5 million dollars.
The twins are in rehabilitation still; they learn to walk without assistance. Doctors predict that they have a chance of living normal lives.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Journal 31 - Russian President V. Putin arrived to the USA
Today, July 1, 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived afternoon at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, for two days of meetings with President W. Bush.
The two leaders are not scheduled to hold a news conference during this visit. They don’t expect to make any major announcements following from the talks. They will talk about the U.S. proposal to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe (the Czech Republic, Poland). Putin offered to make a Soviet-era radar installation in Azerbaijan the former Soviet Republic, now an independent country.
Leaders will discuss about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Bush’s concerns that Russia is abandoning democratic reform.
The American political establishment critically valued this summit.
The two leaders are not scheduled to hold a news conference during this visit. They don’t expect to make any major announcements following from the talks. They will talk about the U.S. proposal to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe (the Czech Republic, Poland). Putin offered to make a Soviet-era radar installation in Azerbaijan the former Soviet Republic, now an independent country.
Leaders will discuss about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Bush’s concerns that Russia is abandoning democratic reform.
The American political establishment critically valued this summit.
Journal 30 - My ask to Anita regarding to the methodology
Hi Anita,
I am not sure that I have used correctly the phrase “English teaching methodology” in my previous journal.
If the answer is positive, I would like to ask you to point me some publications from this area, only titles. I will try to buy or borrow from library some books. I am convinced that you have studied English teaching methodology very carefully because you are an excellent teacher.
I ask you about it because I am not sure that I can explain in the library what kinds of books I look for.
Thank you in advance.
Have a nice evening,
Stefan
I am not sure that I have used correctly the phrase “English teaching methodology” in my previous journal.
If the answer is positive, I would like to ask you to point me some publications from this area, only titles. I will try to buy or borrow from library some books. I am convinced that you have studied English teaching methodology very carefully because you are an excellent teacher.
I ask you about it because I am not sure that I can explain in the library what kinds of books I look for.
Thank you in advance.
Have a nice evening,
Stefan
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