The statistics suggest that Uganda boxer, a former title holder of the prestigious IBF (International Boxing Federation) junior middleweight title Kassim “the Dream” Ouma is very determined and heavily training to regain his universal status. The fact is borne out in Ouma’s middleweight-class technical knocking out of tall Joey Gilbert in the 6th round of his latest fight of September 25th 2010, in Reno in Nevada. Joey Gilbert, though relatively age-advanced in boxing at 35, previously possessed the commendable boxing record of 20 wins (with 15 knockouts) and 2 losses. Gilbert’s defeating by Ouma spelled his first loss by knockout. Here, Ouma captured the vacant and relatively prestigious NABA (North American Boxing Association) in the middleweight division.

Ouma’s training residence is now Riverside in California, roughly 60 miles east of Los Angeles; a far cry from eastern coastal Florida where Ouma was known to prepare for his battles. Ouma now trains at the Capital Punishment Boxing Club. The change in management and training venue partly stems from the need to switch circumstances and location that was encouraged after Ouma lost a succession of fights, not long after capturing the world title. Ouma claims that ever since the move, he has not suffered any “distractions.”

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Canada based Stans Energy Corporation is currently focused on developing mining properties in Kyrgyzstan. The company acquired the mining license for the past-producing Kutessay II rare earth mine in October 2009 and is now gathering and analyzing its historical data. Kutessay II along with the Kyrgyz Chemical Metallurgical Plant (KCMP) was the Soviet Union’s most advanced mining properties at one time. It supplied 80% of the nation’s rare earth metals for 30 years from 1960 to 1991. The mine was shut down in 1991 because of a fall in rare earth prices.

According to 1996 estimates, Kutessay II has over 20 million tonnes of rare earth metals (0.22-0.30% TEM range). This former open pit mine contains reserves of 15 metals that were earlier refined to produce 120 rare earths compounds. KCMP is supported by good infrastructure in terms of a railway line, qualified labor and steady power supply.

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The recent events in Kazakhstan are a wake up call for devotees everywhere. I live in the US, which has a history of religious tolerance and respect for human rights, but in recent years, since 9/11/01 to be specific, there has been a systematic attempt by this federal government to dismantle basic civil rights even here. When you examine the contents of the Patriot Acts, the Military Commissions Act and several other similar laws that have been passed since 9/11/01, it becomes evident that the complete legal framework now exists to support a state of martial law.

The discretion to declare martial law rests entirely in the hands of one man, the president. The Supreme Court or Congress cannot intervene or review the situation for at least 6 months. Needless to say, the civil rights we now take for granted including free speech, religious freedom, and all the rest could not be guaranteed during such a situation. When the president declares martial law such as in the event of a “terrorist” attack, a natural disaster.

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INTRODUCTION
A fundamental appeal of many expeditions is the idea of exploration. Discovering an ancient kingdom, exploring an underground cave system or simply placing a foot where none has gone before. The truth in the twenty-first century is that this is an increasingly rare element – Everest and the Poles, each the holy grail of exploration at some point in history, have all now been reached hundreds of times.

But there are still mountains out there that have never been climbed. Huge mounds of rock that have not had a single human being present on their summit. And you know what? They’re not that hard to find and they’re not always too difficult to climb either.

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