The lurid and violent world of World Wrestling Entertainment, which claims an audience of 50 million worldwide, includes microphone-grabbing diatribes by rival wrestlers, "candid" camera shots from the locker rooms, the ringside connivance of wrestlers' girlfriends, and the dramatic on-screen and ringside presence of WWE owner-impresario Vincent McMahon.

This blue-collar opera, as it has been called, also draws on biblical images and themes, according to Hugh S. Pyper, senior lecturer in biblical studies at the University of Sheffield in England. Pyper says the Bible provides "a ready set of imagery . . . of power, destruction, revenge and judgment. . . . I cannot now read the book of Judges without casting the characters in a WWE extravaganza." He was referring to the Old Testament text focused on idolatry, divine punishments and the story of Samson and Delilah.

On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy Nadel, making Oakland the first city in the U.S. to aim for oil independence by 2020.

Inspired by Sweden, which earlier this year released a landmark national action plan that articulates programs and policy measures that are expected to reduce oil consumption in Sweden by as much as 40-50% by 2020, the City of Oakland hopes to provide a similar model for cities in the U.S. - which is facing an absence of state and federal leadership on sustainable energy policy.

Black fever, also known as kala-azar, is the world's most deadly parasitic disease after malaria. Each year it kills around 500,000 people, who rapidly lose weight and die painfully with swollen livers and spleens. Black fever kills men, women and children indiscriminately but its victims are united by one factor that alone explains why, until now, the disease has been uncontrolled.

Years ago a treatment for black fever was found; however the pharmaceutical companies saw no profit in it simply because all who suffer from black fever are poor. So the drug was shelved.

Now a remarkable new kind of charity, a not-for-profit pharmaceutical company called the Institute for One World Health, has resurrected the shelved drug, paromomyocin, proved its efficacy to the Indian government and, with funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is planning to make it available in the worst affected parts of India. In tests 94.6% of patients treated with Paromomyocin were cured. The drug costs just $10 per patient, less than one-tenth of any available alternative

Kootenay Bay, BC, CANADA
Resting on the shores of Kootenay Lake in the Kootenay Rocky Mountains, Yasodhara Ashram offers year round yoga classes, courses and retreats. Founded in 1963, by Swami Sivananda Radha, the ashram has grown into a flourishing spiritual community. People come from all over the world to study yoga in this unique environment. We offer an opportunity for in-depth self enquiry, and the experience of harmonious community living.