Omagh executive is top leader

AN Omagh-born BT executive has been named as one of the Young Global Leaders of 2008 by the World Economic Forum. Aaron McCormack, chief executive officer of BT Conferencing, is among a distinguished list of young leaders who are being recognized for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute through inspirational leadership.

He is named alongside: tennis champion Steffi Graf who is the founder and chairperson of Children of Tomorrow; Larry Page the co-founder of Google; and Shakira Mebarak, singer and manager of Pies Descalzos Foundation. Aaron said: "I am delighted to have been chosen to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders and to be able to join BT's activities with the World Economic Forum.

"I firmly believe this group can have a significant impact on issues that concern all of us – economic development, globalisation, the environment – and I look forward to playing a key role in the global discussions on these topics." Aaron, who is currently based in the US, became CEO of BT Conferencing in early 2006 and has executive responsibility for BT's audio/video conferencing division.

news source : http://www.newsletter.co.uk/

Shakira is finally comfortable with her body

Washington: After years of anxiety over the size of her breasts, Shakira is now happy with her body.

The Latina superstar has revealed that she was never comfortable with her small boobs.

In fact, the Columbian singer had even joked about her twin assets saying they could be "confused with mountains" in her breakthrough single 'Whenever, Wherever'.

But now the 'Hips Don't Lie' singer has said that a big butt rather than big boobs is more important in Latin culture.

"I used to worry about my breast size, but I've finally accepted myself for who I am. Besides, a big butt is more important in Latin culture," Contactmusic quoted Shakira, as saying.

news source : http://www.dailyindia.com/

USA women reach goal

By CASSANDRA TAYLOR
Sports Reporter

South Alabama secured a first-round home game in the Sun Belt Conference women's tournament with a 55-50 win over New Orleans Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center. Shakira Nettles scored a career-high 22 points for the Jags (18-10, 9-8).

"It's a tremendous relief to know that we don't have to make any travel arrangements," South Alabama coach Rick Pietri said. "Now, the only preference I have is to get as high a seed as we can. ... As we sit here today, we're sitting at No. 6 with the potential, with a little help, of moving up to No. 5."

The first-round Sun Belt tournament games will be played on campus sites Wednesday. Afterward, the tournament proper will be staged at the Mitchell Center March 8-11. The Jags jumped to a 21-9 lead, with Nettles scoring 10 of the points. "We knew how big this game was for the opening round of the tournament as well as positioning overall," Nettles said. "Defensively, we had a lot of energy, and as for my game, I just had fun."

Pietri praised Nettles' performance. "Shakira had a great night," he said. "She was the primary defender on (New Orleans' leading scorer) Le'Della English and managed to hold her to only 9 points. "Offensively, she made plays for us and finished plays around the goal." South Alabama led 34-27 at halftime and built a 12-point lead before the Privateers closed the gap.

"I thought at times we looked really good," Pietri said. "For the most part, we were able to turn turnovers into points. We also made some really good reads in the half-court offense." UNO (12-16, 6-11) got 13 points from Brittany Helms. South Alabama completes its regular season at Florida International on Saturday.

news source : http://www.al.com/sports/

Shakira's Boob Power

Some peeps' gravitas can be found in their heads, or even perhaps their legs. For Shakira, it's her jugglies that wield the greatest authority. Or her booby carriers, to be more precise. We recently brought you news of Shakira auctioning off her 2007 Oral Fixation tour wardrobe on eBay's Giving Work website.

Well, the bidding jungle is now well under way, with one suggestible fan shelling out a whooping £1,500 for Shakira's bra. You wouldn't catch us forking out that kinda money for a bosom holder, or even a more tempting item come to that - say, Brad Pitt's underpants?

Anyway, we digress. Shakira, who famously sang the words, "lucky that my breasts are small and humble, so you don't confuse them with mountains", has now discovered her rack ain't so retiring after all. Its money-swilling power says it all.

Still, everything goes to a good cause The Shakira auction, in aid of her Bare Feet Foundation which aims to build a school in her native Columbia, has so far raised £30,700 It's due to end this Sunday, with guitars among the items still up for bidding.

news source : http://showbiz.sky.com/

Quirky facts: Hospitality

* In order to make Shakira's stay comfortable, the Grand Hyatt imported berries from Australia, papayas from Hawaii and peaches from Dubai. The Colombian singer's suite was also decorated with white lilies and exotic plants from Jakarta.

* Hotel Taj Palace and Tower added black linings to the curtains in pop icon Madonna's suite to block out extra light.

* In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. In old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell, "Mind your pints and quarters." Hence, the phrase, 'mind your Ps and Qs.'

* Ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toasted bread into wine to wish one another good health. Hence, the phrase 'let's toast to this.'

news source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Less Che, more Shakira

HAVANA -- Young Cubans frustrated by a regimented and austere life under socialism see little hope of change under the team of old guard revolutionaries who have taken over following Fidel Castro's retirement as president.

Seventy per cent of Cuba's 11 million people were born after Castro's 1959 revolution. The younger ones dream of travelling abroad and want access to the Internet, iPods, trendy clothes, music and films.

Many were disappointed when Raul Castro, a 76-year-old army general, succeeded his ailing brother Sunday as Cuba's first new leader in almost half a century, and other elderly communists were appointed top key posts.

"This is a dynastic succession. Everyone is so disappointed," said Virginia, a teacher who quit her state job earning $19 a month to work as a nanny. Raul Castro's appointment as president was no surprise, but the new leadership team is more rigid -- and older -- than many young Cubans expected, or would like to see.

Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, a 77-year-old hardliner who fought with the Castro brothers in their guerrilla army in the 1950s, was named as Cuba's new deputy leader. Carlos Lage, 56, who pushed market reforms in the 1990s and is respected by foreign business people, had been expected to take the job but he was passed over.

Young people are tired of poor salaries and food shortages, and feel constrained by a system that offers few opportunities to own nice homes, cars and other consumer goods. Some saw Lage as a leader who might help modernize Cuba. "It should have been Carlos Lage. He has many good ideas. We should be rejuvenating," 20-year-old sociology student Maidolys said Monday as she hitched a ride to classes.

Fidel Castro's government built up the mythology of his 1959 revolution, celebrating the anniversary of important battles and exhorting people to be like Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the late Argentine guerrilla who fought with the Castros. But this has diminishing appeal to a younger generation that wants less Che and more Shakira.

"To them, change means not just better living conditions but the opportunity of freedom, the opportunity to live like the rest of the world does," said Andy Gomez of the Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies in Miami.

NO IPODS, NO YAHOO

Even among university students who believe in the socialist system, especially the advances in education and health care, its failings have fueled impatience. At a town-hall meeting last month, computing students peppered the head of the country's legislature, Ricardo Alarcon, with uncomfortable questions, including why their access to Google and Yahoo sites was blocked.

One asked why a Cuban must work two or three days to buy a toothbrush. Raul Castro has fomented debate on the state's shortcomings and what needs fixing since taking over as acting president when his brother fell ill in July 2006. He has raised hopes of modest economic reforms but will move slowly and also vows to continue communist rule. In his first speech as president Sunday, he said he would move to lift some restrictions soon but gave no details.

news source : http://www.canada.com/