Commze

Sulim Yamadayev, longtime for of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, was shot and killed at close range outside the busy residential complex in Dubai where he lived. The brazen attack took place Saturday and Yamadayev died in hospital on Monday. Police are calling the shooting “an assassination.”

The former rebel has long opposed Kadyrov. The Kremlim-backed president has imposed Islamic rules on the region and has been consolidating his power. Yamadayev and other foes have accused the security force of torturing and even killing opponents and their families.

Yamadayev left Russia last September after his brother was shot and killed in central Moscow.

Dubai is more famous as a popular tourist destination. All along the beach it’s easy to find a 5 star Dubai hotel or exclusive resort. However, the recent real estate boom also resulted in the building of many residential complexes along the coast. Yamadayev lived in one such building and was assassinated in plain sight in the parking lot of his complex.

Several other Chechen renegades have been assasinated abroad in recent years. The most recent was the shooting of one of Kadyrov’s former bodyguards in January in Vienna.

The artist Chen Wen Hsi was born in Baibong China in 1906. He began his formal art education in 1928 at the Shanghai College of Arts, despite certain family members’ objections. Hsi was soon dissatisfied with the College of Arts and transferred to Xinhuea Fine Art College in Singapore. This decision changed his life, and the direction of his art, leading him to become one of Singapore’s most influential painters. While he was there, he studied under Pan Tianshou, and met artists Chen Jen Hao, Chen Chong Swee and Liu Kang, all of whom became major innovators and art educators. After graduating from Xinhuea he returned to his hometown of Baibong where he was married. He then headed South and taught art at the college at Shantou for approximately one year, where he also founded the Chun Yang Painting Society. He traveled throughout Southeast Asia, returning to Singapore in 1948. He would travel often in order to find inspiration and ideas for his work, though for the remainder of his life he would return to five star Singapore.

Hsi would use Chinese Ink and oil paints in his work. He was part of Singapore’s avant- garde movement and would experiment with style. He painted in multiple settings including nature and landscapes and also painted figures, having been influenced by Cubist and Abstract thought. Hsi focused on patterns he found in his subjects and while he never became as extreme as Western Cubists, he used the style as a basis for his personal vision of expression. His work was softer and showed a particular sensitivity to his subjects, which were oftentimes animals such as the gibbons monkey. He was a respected artist and educator, receiving much recognition in his life. He died in 1992 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, for both his work and his teachings, after his death.

A concert to promote freedom in Zimbabwe will take place next Sunday, March 29th, at the Bassline in Johannesburg, South Africa. Make Some Noise is a festival hopes to build solidarity in the region and maintain awareness of the current crisis in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe, once the home to the most educated population in Africa, has seen a 20 percent drop in school attendance coupled with an epidemic resurgence of cholera deaths. The political situation in the country is at the center of this crisis, with activists being abducted by the state and the government ignores simple health measures.

Organized by the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum and Magamba (a cultural activist network) in partnership with LNM Entertainment, Makes Some Noise hopes to spotlight the problems in Zimbabwe and unite Africans to the cause.

The event is expected to draw performers from around Africa as well as civic and activist organizations, media, and, of course, music fans. The hotels Johannesburg as well as area restaurants and businesses hope to see a much-needed bump in sales from the festival.

The first Make Some Noise was held in Johannesburg in 2007 and last year’s event saw a 50 percent increase in attendance. Organizers are optimistic that this year’s festival will be even more popular and see greater media coverage of the importance of regional solidarity.

Not many companies, countries or cities can say that their economic outlook during these problematic financial times is one of extreme confidence. That, however, is exactly just how the outlook was stated by Aw Kah Peng, the executive chief of the Singaporean Tourism Board. This past February at a convention designed for protecting the tourist sector of the local economy, the Board, in tandem with the government of the city-state have proposed a massive stimulus package of incentives that exceed ninety million dollars, providing deductions, tax relief and financial assistance for the most successful, stable and promising businesses operating in the local tourism and service sectors respectively.

This plan was developed to avoid the loss of jobs, investing in the future and ensuring that those in the Singapore luxury hotels, travel agencies, resorts and other tourist attractions will remain to enjoy not only job security, but sustained growth as well. A comprehensive and pro-active approach was required as globally individuals are tightening their belts and forgoing luxuries such as travel, both for business purposes or for vacationing. Singapore’s reputation as one of the premier destinations for travel has been well cultivated and maintained over the years. Entertainment in the form of festivals and celebrations have brought millions to the city from vacationers and business visitors, and the strong economic sectors of technology, medical research and business practices of the city have attracted many international conventions.

Due to the economic downturn, world-wide travel habits have been adjusted for most of the global population over the last few years, with many people choosing to travel reduced distances for shorter periods at a time. Most people are still needing or wanting to ‘get out of town’ and are still doing so, they merely lack the means to do so on a large scale in the current financial climate. Part of the Tourist Board’s stimulus package is a distinct alteration of the marketing of the local tourism industry, providing incentives for special rates that would make Singapore an attractive option for global travelers again. Corporations from various avenues are joining forces to come up with comprehensive marketing media, as the continued influx of global travelers and tourists benefits all those involved.

The continued goal for 2009 and beyond is to maintain the growth and the strength of viable and long standing businesses and the continued growth and strength of the state of Singapore as a whole.

Taking the step towards finding a rehab for a loved one or yourself is an extremely difficult decision to make, but it also means that there is help on the horizon. Reaching out to a solid support system for help through this difficult process means that you are moving in a positive direction towards recovery. Drug and alcohol treatment is most successful when therapists, addiction counselors and medical professionals are involved. Although some people who are chemically dependent may think they can fight the disease on their own, the chances of long term recovery without an experienced network of support is very unlikely.

Facilities that treat drug and alcohol addiction range in methods and approach. Drug rehab most commonly involves the 12 Step program because it can be easily followed after a resident leaves rehab. When looking for the appropriate facility to send your loved one, it’s best to search for one that provides foundational healing and personal development coaching. Addiction behaviors are often ingrained in people from childhood; treatments that are most effective involve therapeutic approaches that help addicts unlearn the trained habits they’ve acquired with years of drug use. Many people who enter a long term program have had especially tumultuous histories with drug abuse. Basic social and life management skills have been erased or, in some cases, never even taught to them in the first place.

Long term drug rehab often focuses on giving residents the tools they need to live healthier lives all around. Intensive therapy sessions and structured workshops provide addicts with ongoing, developmental treatment. Residents learn how to become a functioning member of society and contribute to the greater good. Long term rehab not only helps people manage their addiction, but also gives people a second chance at discovering who they are.

Amsterdam is a city of wonder. And outside of the bars, the coffee shops, the “Red Light District” and the five star Amsterdam hotels, there is a rich artistic history. Writers, painters, sculptors and poets travel to this city for inspiration and bit of the life that is worth painting about or writing about or ideas and visions that are sculpted out of stone or set into Bronze. One such poet, not traveling to the city, but born there in 1798, is Isaac da Costa. Costa was born in Amsterdam, lived there and died there at the age of 62. He wrote in Dutch, many poems, papers and essays. He was born into a Jewish family of Portuguese stock, the son of an aristocrat. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was related to a high ranking political economist. Costa love books, loved to learn, and as many parents seeing this tendency in their children, law school was considered his destiny. He spent four years at the Latin school, studying law, and it was during this time he started writing poetry. His math professor at the time took notice and introduced him to a variety of Dutch poets, one of which was Bilderdijk , the most well respected and published of the art form. The two eventually became dear friends, but while he was young he was under the constant supervision of Bilderdijk, per his father’s request. His father wanted to insure his continued and very fine education.

While studying Costa received two PhD.s, one in Law and the other in Philosophy. He then married his cousin, who was a Christian, and soon was baptized into the Christian faith. He was becoming quite known for his writings, and upon the death of his beloved friend and mentor, Bilderdijk , he became known as the next Dutch fine poet. His poems reflected society and religious views, those expanded upon and due to his friendship and his faithful loyalty to that friend. He did write also of Judaism and of Israel , and his writings were so passionate and severe there were many times that censorship threatened to quiet his artistry. He was interested for all of his life, about different religions and while they may not have held the same truths that he held to be true, he always wrote with a sense of respect and awe and dignity. His work has been translated into many different languages and he is well loved and respected to this day as one of the very finest poets, and one of the gentle men, a gentleman of the written and spoken word.

Visitors to Cape Town will find a vibrant and exciting South African city that is both thoroughly modern yet preserves its traditions and heritage. There are numerous historical sites to visit as well as parks, beaches, and modern attractions. All in all, the Cape Town Experience is one that leaves visitors wanting to return again and again.

As the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town is home to the National Parliament and the National Gallery. There are numerous museums, monuments, and examples of the city’s architectural history. Visitors can tour historic neighborhoods and townships or check out specific sites such as the Rhodes Memorial and the Slave Lodge.

In addition to beautiful beaches on the Cape coastline, the city is home to Table Mountain National Park. It encompasses a number of mountains and offers stunning views of Cape Town and the surrounding region as well as the opportunity to see mountain plants, flowers, and wildlife up close and personal.

Since it is a global city, visitors will find a number of first-class restaurants, galleries, clubs, and Cape Town five star hotels to enjoy. There is also a buzzing music scene, wonderful theater, both traditional and modern, as well as film, art, and other performing arts thriving in the city. The city hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year, including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the International Film Festival, and a summer arts celebration.

The city is also a great place for exploring the outdoors. In addition to hiking and other mountain activities, the beaches and coastline of Cape Town offer a wide variety of recreational options. Surfing, kayaking, swimming, and sailing are popular. There are opportunities for deep sea fishing, scuba diving and whale watching further out to sea. Many visitors like to take a helicopter tour of the city or relax on a sunset cruise.