Category: misc/personal

Earthquake jolts northern Pakistan

According to seismic department, the magnitude of the quake was 6.3 on the Richter scale and its epicentre was somewhere in Hindukush mountains. The tremors lasted 14 to 15 seconds. The tremors were felt in Gilgit, Chitral, Skardu, Abbottabad, Swat, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Mansehra, Peshawar, Kohat, Nowshera, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sarai Alamgir. No loss of life reported so far. Full report.

Learning to Laugh: The New Yorker

i love kataria’s idea of laughter yoga – what a great way to be human, together!

This week in the magazine, Raffi Khatchadourian writes about Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder and relentless promoter of Laughter Yoga. (Subscribers can read the full text; others can buy access to the issue via the digital edition.) In this video, Khatchadourian visits a seminar on Laughter Yoga led by Dr. Kataria, who claims that the technique is a potential cure for mental and physical ailments of all kinds. More here.

Airplane Crash In Pakistan Kills 152 People Aboard

worst plane crash ever in pakistan.

Anguished relatives sought the remains of loved ones killed in Pakistan’s worst-ever plane crash, some grieving at a hospital collecting bodies Thursday and others joining the recovery effort at the hillside crash site laden by heavy rain and mud.

The Airbus A321 plane operated by Pakistani carrier Airblue crashed into hills overlooking Islamabad during stormy weather Wednesday, killing all 152 people aboard. Aircraft pieces, bodies and belongings were scattered over the heavily forested slopes. Full article.

Death to the Mullet: Iran bans the Mullet

iran gets it right – let’s ban the mullet here as well!

So you know how you’re always perennially praying that some official legal entity will make the mullet illegal? Well, Iran recently sent shock waves to its country’s thriving country western fan base when the Culture Ministry officially banned certain men’s hairstyles, including the mullet. More here.

To be a Sufi…

To be a Sufi, forget the past, put it all away
Turn a brand new page, rescue your being from yesterday
Become a child of the present age, of youth, of wisdom
Never leave this bountiful moment, this eternal day.

~ Maulana Rumi

World’s Most Peaceful Countries: Global Peace Index

“The United States fared distinctly less well, coming in at 85th on the list, which placed us below both Cuba (72nd) and China (80th). The GPI also lists the world’s most violent country as Iraq, followed by Somalia, Afghanistan, Sudan and Pakistan.” – not surprised about the usa not being that peaceful. many of the “most violent” countries on the list also owe much to the usa. wish there was a pre and post 9/11 list. american actions in the world have triggered much violence. Full article.