June 2009 India adds 11.75 million phone subscribers in April
Sharp Increase in Swine Flu Cases in Israel, 23 Cases Reported from the Region
June 2009There has been a sharp rise in the number of confirmed cases of A(H1N1) influenza, commonly known as swine flu, in Israel. As of 2 June, 34 cases of the virus had been confirmed; 24 patients have been diagnosed with the disease in the last six days, according to the Health Ministry. Most cases have been among passengers returning to Israel from the USA, Mexico or Canada. However, most of the very recent cases are Israelis infected in Israel by returning passengers who had not been diagnosed with the disease at the airport, according to the Health Ministry's Itamar Grotto, implying that secondary infections had taken place. Israel currently accounts for well over half of all the cases reported in the Middle East. Lebanon reported three cases on 30 May, bringing the number of cases in the Middle East excluding Israel to 23, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) update on 31 May. No cases of A(H1N1) have been diagnosed in Gaza or the West Bank, and no A(H1N1)-related deaths have been reported in the region, WHO said.
The Ministry of Health of Lebanon has reported three confirmed human cases of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus infection on 30 May 2009. The first and second cases are Canadians nationals (a mother and her daughter) who arrived Lebanon one week ago and later the mother developed flue like symptoms. She was suspected and samples taken from her tested positive for influenza A/H1N1 on 29 May 2009 at NAMRU-3 laboratory in Cairo. The daughter also developed symptoms and tested positive on 30 May 2009. Both are receiving treatment and are in stable condition. The third case is a Lebanese male who had flue like symptoms (fever, cough and sore throat) after returning from Spain one week ago. He was among a group of 22 Lebanese who were attending a seminar in an institute where influenza A/H1N1 was later detected. The case was immediately isolated and laboratory confirmed on 30 May 2009. He is receiving treatment and his general condition is stable.At this point we do not have the details on the cases. WHO/EMRO is still waiting for the case summary reports from the Ministry of Health. This brings to 23, the total number of cases of the new influenza A (H1N1) infection reported from three countries (Kuwait = 18, United Arab Emirates = 1, Bahrain =1 and Lebanon = 3) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. There is no related death.
Etisalat to Open Two New Data Centers in UAE
Total overall capacity of 50,000 sq.feet positions Etisalat as largest data centre service provider in the GCC
Dubai, June 2, 2009: Etisalat today announced the opening of 2 new Data Centres in Al Ain and Dubai adding a total of 10,000 sq.feet of premium data centre floor space equipped with the entire spectrum of redundant infrastructure to expand its total commercial hosting capacity to 50,000 sq feet which is the largest in the GCC. With this latest announcement , Etisalat extends its leadership position in the Data Centre Market with a total of 8 Data Centres with high speed fibre connectivity across the UAE and highly available international links through its redundant international fibre network and EMIX(Emirates Internet Exchange).
Etisalat plans to double this capacity and will add 100,000 sq.feet of data centre space in the next three years. The new data centres will serve a rapidly growing customer base from the region looking for a comprehensive service provider to capitalize on the competitive advantages of hosting their IT equipment in a secure, reliable, highly available, and scalable environment at cost effective price points. Etisalat’s data centre customer base is a diverse one and caters to multinationals, government bodies as well as local companies in various key sectors like Insurance, Retail, Manufacturing, Airlines, Banks and Financial institutions.”We are constantly striving to raise the bar in providing quality IT infrastructure outsourcing services for organizations to capitalise on,” said Abdulla Hashim, VP, Business Solutions, Etisalat. Our network of Data centres across three cities in the UAE represents an integral component of our “Infrastructure-as-a-Service” strategy to make hosting a more compelling alternative for organizations vis-à-vis on-premise deployments.”
Moving up the value chain, the focus of the new data centres would be delivery of unmatched value proposition to clients via a prudent and comprehensive portfolio of hosted and fully managed value added services like Managed Servers, Hosted Business Applications, Hosted Security, Storage-as-a-Service, Backup-as-a-Service, Disaster Recovery, and round-the-clock network and security monitoring and management. Etisalat has also been on the cutting edge of hosting technologies by successfully piloting its On-Demand Computing and Virtualization services and intends to launch these commercially by the fourth quarter of this year.
Gaza reconstruction project hit by Israeli sanctions
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is finding it difficult to implement a project to reconstruct the homes of thousands of non-refugees, because it cannot access sufficient quantities of building materials, UNDP programme officer Husam Toubil told IRIN. Of Gaza's total population of 1,416,539, according to the UN Population Fund 1,073,303 are registered as refugees by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The remainder are non-refugees who cannot get assistance from UNRWA so UNDP is trying to assist them. About 13,300 homes/households are registered as recipients for this UNDP aid. Some 1,300 homes which were completely destroyed and 1,000 which sustained major damage (in the 23-day Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip which ended on 18 January 2009) are scheduled for reconstruction, according to Toubil.
UNDP has already given cash handouts to 8,000 families to help them do minor repairs: Some 11,000 of the registered homes sustained minor damage estimated at US$100-5,000, according to UNDP. However, about 3,000 families who are due to receive more substantial UNDP aid have had problems getting the money due to Gaza's liquidity crisis. The UNDP lacks all kinds of building material "primarily cement, steel, aluminium, aggregates, glass and wood to begin reconstruction," said Toubil. "And materials are unavailable on the local market, or too expensive for families trying to repair minor damage."
Thip Mansour, aged 24, his wife and their four-month-old daughter, Fatima, are living with nine other family members in their house which was badly damaged. The UNDP gave Thip, unemployed, 1,200 NIS (shekels; about US$300) to repair his home in Jabalyia. Three rooms of his home and the windows were destroyed when the neighbouring house was targeted by Israeli forces during the offensive. "The money is not enough to rebuild one room, and cement and wood is unavailable or too costly," said Thip. "We covered the windows with plastic sheeting, but it tore apart and now we are using cloth-sheets."
UNDP still awaiting response
Toubil estimates UNDP will require 170,000 tons of aggregates (gravel, sand, etc.) to rebuild totally destroyed houses, and about 20,000 tons of aggregates for partially destroyed houses. In addition, 50,000 tons of cement are needed to rebuild completely destroyed houses and 41,000 tons to rebuild public buildings. The UNDP placed a request in early April via the logistics cluster led by the World Food Programme to bring building materials and equipment into Gaza but is still awaiting a response. Israeli Defence Ministry spokesperson Shlomo Dror said it was difficult for Israel to allow building materials to enter Gaza, since they cannot be sure the materials will not be used for "terrorist activities" by Hamas. Fighting during the offensive destroyed some 4,000 homes and damaged another 40,000. Donor countries have pledged billions of dollars but work on reconstruction cannot start because of the Israeli blockade, said the top UN humanitarian official in OPT, Maxwell Gaylard on 28 May. Meanwhile the tunnels, though an important economic lifeline, are not much use when it comes to large quantities of heavy building materials, and are used for smaller items, like cash. (IRIN)
May 2009 News Opinion Feature investigation Special Reports Editors Choice Picture - Interview Dubai Cutting Taxes And Fees To Lure Investment Amid Slump--Report suggests Billion Pound Property Scandal--US Defense contractor pleads to wire fraud--Oman the best Governed Muslim State in the Gulf:
Iraq minster arrested after plane was turned back midair from Dubai
Iraqi police have arrested the country's former Trade minister Abdul Falah al-Sudani, while he was trying to flee to Dubai.The ex-minister was already at Baghdad airport when a warrant for his arrest was issued but he boarded the scheduled flight to Dubai. Read the Telegraph Report
The Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi
As the world’s eyes follow the development of the Capital Gate tower in Abu Dhabi – which will become the most leaning building on Earth – the international architects RMJM have confirmed that it has successfully reached the critical half-way point. Report from the Architect
Indian Naval Ship foils Piraates in Gulf of Eden
An Indian Naval Ship, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden for anti piracy surveillance and patrol operations foiled a daring piracy attempt on Liberian registered merchant vessel MV Maud on 28 May 09. The Indian warship had earlier commenced an eastbound escort of merchant vessels including MV Maud AM 27 May 09. At about 1250 h on 28 May 09, MV Maud with an Indian Master and nine Indian crew, reported a skiff manned by eight armed personnel approaching her at high speed. The position of the incident was approximately 225 nm east of Aden, the Indian Navy claimed in a statement.
"The Indian warship immediately responded to the distress call and advised the vessel to increase speed and carry out evasive manoeuvres to avoid getting boarded. Simultaneously, the warship launched her helicopter with Marine Commandoes embarked and started closing the distressed vessel at best speed. The helicopter saw two personnel on a ladder attempting to board the vessel from the bow," the statement said. The visibility being low, it was possible that the pirates may not have sighted the warship and the helicopter. The helicopter had to, therefore, resort to firing warning shots to deter the pirates from boarding the ship. The pirates were then observed to disengage from the merchant ship and two pirates who were in the process of climbing the merchant vessel fell into the water. A boarding party from the warship, thereafter, boarded the skiff and confiscated various weapons as well as equipment used by the pirates, it said.
Since, further piracy attacks were possible due to the low visibility prevailing in the area, the warship proceeded with full dispatch to continue with her escort mission, as warships from other countries had arrived on the scene for any follow up action. The three merchant ships are presently being escorted safely through the Gulf of Aden, the Naval statement said.
The Indian warship effectively averted the piracy attempt just in time by prompt and timely action. This has been much appreciated by the owners, crew and officers of the merchant vessel. From available records, it is appreciated that this may be the first instance of a piracy attempt being thwarted when the pirates were actually in the process of boarding a merchant ship.
E-Rumour says $200 Million brand new Airbus A-340-600 aircraft Crash in Predelivery Test
An anti-Arab email rumour is spreading around the world with these pictures of an alleged Ethihad Airways aircraft which was damaged in a pre sale trial at the Airbus yard. "There was an aircraft accident but it did not happen in the manner described in the email. According to a safety article written on November 16, 2007 for Aviation.com the Aircraft did loose control and hit a blast wall and the French air accident investigation authority opened an investigation to rule out pilot error." The alleged accident happened at the Toulouse Blagnac Airport two years ago, but the email is spreading now after the French-UAE friendship is strengthened by the visit of president Nicholas Sarkozy and a number of France UAE joint projects. As usual the western media is blatantly against the development of Arab countries in high tech fields.
The two year old story was reported by Reported Truth and Fiction: "A brand new Airbus A340-600 just painted in Etihad Airways' colors was being readied for delivery in November 2007. The jet was at the manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France and undergoing some pre-delivery tests. It was to be delivered to the Abu Dhabi-based airline the following week. Nine crew members were on board, one of whom was an employee of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, a service provider to Etihad Airways. The nationalities and affiliations of the other crew members have not been revealed." . French investigators found that an Airbus to be delivered to Ethihad Airways crashed during Ground engine tests.
Aviation.com reported on November 7, 2007 that six people were hospitalised following a bizzare accident. "Iin the second serious incident involving Airbus A340-600s in six days, three people remain in hospital after a brand-new Airbus A340-600 due to be delivered to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways next week was severely damaged in a bizarre ground-testing accident," the report said . The report said he incident took place at the Airbus manufacturing complex at Toulouse on November 15, 2007 --almost two years back. The accident occurred when the aircraft's engines were being run up to full power during ground tests in preparation for formal delivery of the aircraft to Etihad Airways on Nov. 21, 2007. The aircraft was one of two new A340-600s due to be delivered to Etihad Airways before the end of the year. The Abu Dhabi airline already has two A340-600s in service -- as well as four ultra-long-range A340-500s -- and ordered a total of eight A340-600s Read the Full Story from Aviation.com
"The brand spanking new Airbus 340-600, the largest passenger airplane ever built, sat in its hangar in Toulouse, France without a single hour of airtime. Enter the Arab flight crew of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) to conduct pre-delivery tests on the ground, such as engine runups, prior to delivery to Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. The ADAT crew taxied the A340-600 to the run-up area. Then they took all four engines to takeoff power with a virtually empty aircraft," the email rumour says. "Not having read the run-up manuals, they had no clue just how light an empty A340-600 really is. The takeoff warning horn was blaring away in the cockpit because they had all 4 engines at full power. The aircraft computers thought they were trying to takeoff but it had not been configured properly (flaps/slats,etc.)," the email adds. "Then one of the ADAT crew decided to pull the circuit breaker on the Ground Proximity Sensor to silence the alarm. This fools the aircraft into thinking it is in the air. The English translation of the French investigators report said many of the 9 crew members were members of Airbus team and that the aircraft was still owned by Airbus. (Read full report)
The computers automatically released all the brakes and set the aircraft rocketing forward. The ADAT crew had no idea that this is a safety feature so that pilots can't land with the brakes on," the email received by Keralamonitor.com said. " Not one member of the seven-man Arab crew was smart enough to throttle back the engines from their max power setting, so the $200 million brand-new aircraft crashed into a blast barrier, totaling it. The extent of injuries to the crew is unknown, for there has been a news blackout in the major media in France and elsewhere. Coverage of the story was deemed insulting to Muslim Arabs," it added. The email goes on to advise Arabs to stick to camels! Undoubtedly, the email is part of a global hate campaign against Arabs and Muslims. (Pictures collected via emails)
Mumbai Terror Links to Oman
A top Oman-based jihad financier was in Mumbai days before the November 2008 terror attacks, raising the possibility that West Asian terror financiiers involvement in the incident. The Hindu quoted Maharashtra police sources saying that the Muscat businessman Ali Abdul Aziz al-Hooti, who was sentenced to life by an Oman court last month for his role in plotting the bombing of offices, hotels and a spa, visited Mumbai between November 10 and 17. The police in Oman and India have determined that al-Hooti had direct links with several key suspects in the attack. Fahim Arshad Ansari, the alleged Lashkar intelligence officer, arranged his transit through Dubai and Oman on his way to a Lashkar camp in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Oman authorities have now discovered that Jassem was the link between al-Hooti and the Lashkar headquarters in Pakistan, the Hindu Report added
Dream Jobs Dwindle for Australian Executives in Dubai
The recent arrest of several Australian executives for corruption and corporate espionage has shattered the dreams of several highly paid Australian executives in the Gulf. The Australian Newspaper reported that the number of Australians monitored and arrested for fraud in the property market and corporate espionage is increasing. The highly paid Australian executives of the biggest construction companies are in jail for fraud. "The most high-profile arrests are those of two former employees of Dubai-based Nakheel, Australians Matt Joyce and Marcus Lee, detained without charges since January. They are alleged to be involved in bribery over the sale of the Waterfront site, now controlled by the Queensland-based Sunland. While these cases are pending, a small number in senior management is concerned about phone tapping and monitoring of their emails, according to industry sources,' the Australian Reported quoting unnamed sources. There are now about 20,000 Australians working in Dubai, lured by wonderful job descriptions and huge salary packages, read the full Report from the Australian.
Nakheel Gets Government Funds, Starts Paying Contractors:Wall Street Journal
At Rs 21 cr, Tharoor richest Kerala candidate
Budget Carrier FlyDubai Unveils First Aircraft
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, Dubai's first low cost carrier revealed the first of flydubai's 50 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft. Sheikh Ahmed said: "For many years the Government of Dubai has recognised the need for a low cost carrier to serve our country. Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that need. "When we placed our order for 50 737-800 NG aircraft from Boeing at Farnborough last year, we said that we would receive the first aircraft in May 2009 and begin flights soon after. Today we are delivering on that promise with the unveiling of our first aircraft, following close on the heels of the announcement of our first flight, which will be on June 1."I am delighted to be here today to witness the unveiling of our first aircraft. This is a tremendous moment for flydubai and for the development of aviation in the region."
The unveiling ceremony revealed the aircraft to a crowd of industry experts, staff and media and gave the first real glimpse of the airline's striking livery. The bright tones of blue and orange, personally selected by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, were chosen to reflect the colours and the coastline of Dubai. The orange reflects the sun, sand and the warmth of the people of Dubai, while the blue reflects the endless blue skies and the sparkling blue seas that Dubai is famous for. Already, flydubai has announced four destinations, Beirut, Amman, Damascus and Alexandria, and there will be more announcements to come in the near future. The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying for the services they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and a generous hand baggage allowance of 10kg. From there, customers are able to select other services at an additional charge. flydubai will operate from an enhanced and modernised Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.
KM Interview -- Reji Jacob, Managing Director, JRG Securities
JRG is a premier brokerage firm in India operating in major stock exchanges and commodity markets. In Dubai, it is a leading player in the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange through its joint venture JRG Metals and Commodities DMCC. Regi Jacob, Managing Director, JRG and director, JRG metals and Commodities DMCC speaks about stock and commodity markets, the Satyam controversy and future of commodity trading.--Full Text
GEMS Education Gets South African School Project
D
ubai, UAE; May 25, 2009: GEMS Education, part of Sunney Varkey Group, has been selected by the Gauteng Province Department of Education, South Africa to undertake a school improvement partnership project in 25 schools. The Group which started with a small school in Dubai has expanded worldwide in managing schools and providing consultancy services. Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman, GEMS Education said: "For GEMS and its School Improvement Partnership (SIP) programme, this represents the most important step into Africa to date. Over time, this will lead to the establishment of significant relationships with other African countries.""This is a massive declaration of confidence in GEMS to undertake significant work in a growing and developing democracy. It is also a testament to the track record that GEMS/SIP has developed in countries like the United States, the UAE and Qatar," Varkey added. Margaret Corcoran, Senior Director, SIP programme, GEMS Education said: "GEMS is honoured that Gauteng Province has chosen us as preferred partner to implement their education reform agenda. The baseline study by SIP will assist in developing a real strategy for change and will focus on the conditions in Gauteng Schools, the structural, legislative framework and statutory requirements that govern schools, including the performance management systems, academic improvement plans and the critical success factors for the partnership."The consultancy services that SIP will provide Gauteng Province include a commitment to creating strong partnership, dependence and stability; a belief in the power of strategic and inclusive change management processes; a respect for culture and heritage and a belief in collaboration and cooperation.
Food prices will rise again, says report
JOHANNESBURG, 26 May 2009 (IRIN) - Food prices will rise again by 2015, when economies are expected to have recovered from the global recession, pushing up demand once more, says a recent UN report. 2008 is seen as the year of food crises, prompted in part by high fuel prices, but these started declining as the global recession got underway in late 2008 and eventually returned to 2006 levels, though food prices in many developing countries are still higher than they were then.
"This has been a temporary respite," said the report, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia and the Pacific, by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Citing the International Energy Agency's Energy Outlook 2008, which projected that the price of crude oil would average US$100 per barrel in the 2008-2015 period, and rise again to $120 in 2030, the report predicted that "food prices will rise again, too", partly because of resurgent demand, but also as a result of threats to sustainable agriculture, including climate change. The report warned that unless farmers looked at ways to produce food more efficiently, the food security outlook would be "bleak"; sustainable agriculture involved stewardship of both natural and human resources - maintaining, regenerating or enhancing the natural environment, and ensuring the health of producers by offering them a decent income and working conditions.
Land degradation, brought on partly by over-intensive cultivation, and the use of mineral fertilisers to feed a growing population, was one of the biggest threats to agriculture. From 1992 to 2002, countries such as India, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam increased their use of mineral fertilisers by as much as 90 percent, the ESCAP report noted.
In South and South-East Asia, around 74 percent of agricultural land has been severely affected by wind or water erosion, or chemical pollution. "If this process continues at its current rate over the next 50 years, crop output in northeastern China could fall by as much as 40 percent," the authors estimated. The problems are particularly severe in Central Asia, said the ESCAP report: in Kazakhstan alone, around 66 percent of the total land area has been desertified. Over-intensive livestock-keeping has also put pressure on rangeland.
Forests provide critical ecosystem services to the agricultural sector, including pollination and watershed protection, and support to river fisheries. Between 1990 and 2005, deforestation accelerated in the Russian Federation, Cambodia, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea, partly prompted by the high fuel price crisis, which drove poor people to take more wood from the forests. Water resources are also drying up, partly as a result of greater pressure being placed on agriculture by the increased demand for food. Globally, 15 percent to 35 percent of total water withdrawals for irrigated agriculture are estimated to be unsustainable - "that is, the use of water exceeds the renewable supply," the report commented. In Asia and the Pacific region, this intensive withdrawal has depleted aquifers, particularly in South Asia and China, and has even reduced the flow of major waterways like the Ganges and Yellow rivers.
India: Tea Capital of the World
Business FeatureThe tea industry in India is about 179 years old. India being the largest producer as well as the largest consumer of black tea in the world, tea has become one of the most important commercial crops of the country. The commercial production of tea started in India in the late 1830s, before which, the tea plant was growing wild in the jungles of north east Assam. The Government has been making concerted efforts to push the Indian tea to the forefront of the plantation sector. India obtained Geographical Indication (GI) registrations for Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri tea. A geographical indication is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (eg. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.The Indian tea logo being registered as a certification mark is a testimony to the quality it offers in terms of a leisure drink.
The Indian tea is exported world wide. Some of the major importers of Indian tea include Russia, UK, USA, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Poland, Germany, Afghanistan et al. Apart from India, other countries that produce tea are China, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and others of such likes. There are distinct tea growing regions in India which are geographically separated, thereby, producing entirely different varieties of tea in terms of aroma and flavour. These regions include Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri.
Darjeeling – Nestling in the foothills of the snow-covered Himalayan range, Darjeeling is home to this exclusive tea. The cool and moist climate, the soil, the rainfall and the sloping terrain all combine to give Darjeeling tea its unique “Muscatel” flavor. The combination of natural factors that give Darjeeling tea its unique distinction is not found anywhere else in the world. The tea has over the years acquired the reputation of being the “Champagne of Teas.” Assam – The land of the Tiger and the one-horned Rhino, Assam ensures a phenomenal tea growth here. These teas offer rich, full-bodied, bright tea liquor. For those who favor a bright, strong cup of tea, Assam is “your cup of tea.” Niligiri – The Blue Mountains or the Nilgiris are situated in South India. They are a picturesque range of undulating hilly landscapes where tea is grown. The climatic conditions favor the fine, elegant flavor and brisk liquor of Nilgiri teas. If you like a fragrant tea with good body and superlative flavour, Nilgiri should be the one for you.
Health Benefits
Studies, across the world, have shown that consuming green tea may help lower the risk of certain cancers and heart diseases, as well as weight loss and protection against Alzheimers. Tea contains caffeine and tannin that gives it tanginess, its scintillating aroma and flavor. It also relieves fatigue and aids lucidity of thoughts and digestion. Studies in China and Japan have shown that tea promotes longer life. The very fact that, Japanese smokers have only half the lung cancer rate as American smokers substantiates the above stated theory.
New discoveries about the health benefits of tea have pushed the beverage to the forefront. Its antioxidants, lower cholesterol levels improve cardiovascular health and help protect against some cancers. Some believe its flavonoids may inhibit the growth of plaque on teeth. Flavonoids, an active ingredient of tea, are natural vitamin like compounds. They make blood cells called platelets less prone to clotting, and act as antioxidants, which subdues the free radicals responsible for arterial damage. Tea helps prevent tooth decay as it contains a solid dose of fluoride. Earlier studies on black tea have shown that it can be effective against heart and liver diseases. Properties in green and black tea called antioxidants are thought to be active agents against skin cancer. In the past 10 to 15 years, a growing body of research has shown that foods and vitamins with a strong anti-oxidant effect may reduce the risk of many diseases, including ageing.
Whenever someone mentions the word “tea”, normally people will just treat it as a kind of beverage drunk by elderly, or perhaps, it may be a source of inspiration to those poets as well. Tea has been one of the most popular drinks throughout ages and we could find tea-related products everywhere. For instance, scrumptious green tea cake, green tea ice-cream, iced lemon tea, etc, can easily be found in most shops or supermarkets. All these types of food you take in every day are indeed few of the typical examples of tea products. One thing is certain: more and more people each day are enjoying tea, perhaps not necessarily for the health benefits, but for the taste and refreshment. The health benefits crammed in these minuscule green leaves are indisputable. In the coming years, tea will surely make its impact on the health industry.
