The Nobel Prize is an international award given yearly since 1901 for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and for peace. In 1968, the Bank of Sweden instituted the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize.

Pope John Paul II just passed away (April 2nd, 2005). The Pope was a good man, loved by many, as can testify the millions that flocked to Rome to pay him a last tribute.

He will be remembered for a lot of things including the break up of the former Soviet Union and his constant call for love and understanding among all religions.

The Pope and President Ronald Reagan were the main catalysts of the breakup of the communist regime in the Soviet Union, according to many scholars. We still remember that Reagan died just months earlier (June 05, 2004).

The Pope, Just like Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential personalities of the 20th Century. Some are already speculating that the death of the Pope effectively marks the transition to a new century.

African countries are fighting hard to claim the top spots in the world as far as corruption is concerned. The latest Global Corruption Report (2005) from Transparency International, the organization that monitors corruption throughout the world shows that African countries claimed eight spot in the top 20 of the most corrupt countries in the world.

The nineteenth century tale by Danish author Hans Andersen "The Emperor's New Suit" has always fascinated me. This appeal is not borne so much for the irony of the saga as it is for the applicability of this allegory to present day happenings. For the uninitiated, the aforementioned legend goes thus: two swindlers concocted a plan wherein they would weave a new suit for an emperor which was only visible to citizens of noble birth. The ruse being that no such garment was made but only served as a means to accruing compensation in the form of cash and goods at the expense of the emperor' s lust for status. Unfortunately, this tale concludes not with the emperor achieving this quest but rather him making a public spectacle upon being adorned with the "magic" outfit.