A Family Portrait

A Family Portrait
Originally uploaded by Edgar Thissen.

A great family portrait!

Flickr Vital Statistics

While Flickr will be down during sometime for maintenance, they have posted some statistics that seem out of this world in their blog and here they are:

• Flickr serve 12,000 photos a second at peak times -- that's 2,654,208,000 bits each and every second (8:20 PM)
• Flickr set an all-time upload record yesterday: 2,070,075 photos in 24 hours! (8:40 PM)
• The Flickrverse has over 8.5 million registered members (9:00 PM)
• Over 10 million unique tags have been added to photos on Flickr (9:20 PM)

automatic load detector

Update:

Looks like some problem linking to this photo. Click on the link above to check it out. Very sorry for the inconvenience.

Another cool abstract for today. Taken from here: vitrine en illumina

Malaysia 4th in Car Ownership for Asia-Pacific

7 in 10 adults aged 18 and above own a car, according to Nielsen Company (M) Sdn Bhd. This is enough to put Malaysia in 4th place, behind New Zealand, South Korea and Australia. However, the “real opportunity” for carmakers lay with India and China, the region's two fastest growing economies.

More from here: Star Online Business "Malaysia ranks 4th in car penetration rate"

buquê de cores

buquê de cores
Originally uploaded by m vitor.

Abstract of an umbrella?

Before Breakfast 61 of 120

Before Breakfast 61 of 120
Originally uploaded by Ojisanjake.

Nice abstract!

White Lions

First there were white alligators, and now white lions. These cubs are not unlike lions, just that they have recessive genes that produced white furs. There are only about 30 while lions in captivity worldwide.

Source: National Geographic Week in Photos

Indonesians and Filipinos Top In Crime Involving Foreigners

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said that 947 criminal cases involving foreign nationals, mainly Indonesians and Filipinos, were reported in the first three months of this year. On rape cases, 24 of the cases involving foreign nationals, 16 were committed by Indonesians, seven by Filipinos and one by a Myanmar.

Filipino and Indonesian nationals also made up the most number of foreigners involved in criminal intimidation and extortion, followed by Vietnamese, Myanmars, Bangladeshis and Thais.

Source: Star Online Nation "Indons and Filipinos top in crime"

Speedy Healing Possible

Another possible advancement in medicine: put gel concentrated with the wounded's own platelets on the wound will speed healing up to 10%! This is according to a study in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

Source: Star Online World "Gel made from patient's blood speeds wound healing"

Miss Japan is Miss Universe 2007

Miss Japan, Riyo Mori is the second Japanese to be crowned Miss Universe. She is a ballet dancer.

Seems like the Miss Universe event this year is full of controversies, from Mexicans booing Miss USA whom also landed on her bottom, to Miss Sweden pulling out because the Swedish people complained that the contest degrades women.

Read more at Reuters "Japan's Mori wins troubled Miss Universe contest"

The Cat with a Big Heart and the 7 Chicks

This one's a little late as Reuters blogged it in conjunction of Mother's Day a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't let it pass just like that. This fierce looking cat called Nimra is one-year old and here you see she is taking care of her own kittens plus 7 orphaned chicks:


Link: Reuters Blog "Some cute chicks for Mother's Day"

Uncontested Incumbent Retains Parti Keadilan Post

As a follow-up to the post on 26 May 2007 "Anwar vs. Wife vs. Deputy", Anwar's wife Dr. Wan Azizah has retained her post as the party's leader uncontested as Anwar and the ex-Deputy Abdul Rahman pulled out of the race.

Earlier, Anwar persuaded members to vote for his wife so that she will continue to be his front for he will lead the party through her.

Source: Star Online Nation "Wan Azizah wins PKR presidency uncontested"

Traders BEWARE!

In an unusual event, a mamak restaurant in Kuala Terengganu was slapped with a RM22,500 fine (maximum fine) for selling a cup of iced Milo for RM1.80, about 20 or 30 sen more than the usual price. This is a nice way of sending warnings to other unscrupulous mamaks that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry means business.

This mamak stall must also have pissed off the officers a great deal to have them confiscating other food stuff and tearing down the signboard! The stall owner(s) have 14 days to settle the fine.

Source: Star Online "RM22,500 fine for sellign Milo at RM1.80"

Cloudy

Cloudy
Originally uploaded by yellowrubberduck.

Dramatic sky with the sun behind the cloud...

Cat Raises Puppies

From Reuters Blog "In the cartoon world, this wouldn't happen":

The cat lost her kitten, and some puppies lost their mother, killed by a car. Then they found each other, and the cat is now raising the puppies.

Make Your Own Star Wars Clips Legally!

Reuters Blog "More remixes at StarWars.com" has highlighted that Lucasfilm will let Star Wars fans to remix Star Wars clips via its official website starwars.com. And what makes it better, it is possible to do the editing and mixing from the web browser without expensive software!

Not sure if you need to register to do this... anyone who have done this please let us know more! Click here for guidelines from the website. :D

Humble Depp

Speaking to the London Daily Telegraph, here are some clippings from our favourite pirate Johnny Depp:

"... the guy who had been bouncing around the film industry for years and years and I'd been lucky if five or 10 people would see my movies."

Regarding taking up the role as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow:

"... pure instinct. I didn't know it was going to be such a huge hit."

"...the luckiest guy in the world to have had such a great experience."

Source: IMDb.com "I Was No Blockbuster Boy"

Teh Tarik PRICE INCREASE!

Star Online Nation "Teh tarik to cost 10 sen more" brings forth to us bad news:

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Teh tarik and other beverages containing condensed milked will cost 10 sen more now in Penang, Kedah and Perak.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president K.K. Sihabutheen said this was enforced recently at all major nasi kandar outlets in the northern states and the price increase, agreed upon by the association’s 150 members, was also for drinks like Milo, coffee and Horlicks.

The rise in the price of condensed milk led to the hike, he said.

“A carton of 48 tins of condensed milk costs RM108.85 compared to RM99.85 a year ago. Our selling price of teh tarik is still low, almost the same as the hawker’s price,” he said.

Sihabutheen said the roti canai price would remain at 60 sen per piece despite the recent the increase in all-purpose wheat flour price.

“We have been selling roti canai at 60 sen for the past 12 years, the cheapest in the country. We only make a profit of one sen as the cost to produce each piece is 59 sen,” he said.

The price of roti telur (roti canai with egg) would also be maintained at RM1.30 following a request by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, he said.

“A 50kg tank of cooking gas has gone up from RM82 to RM145, while a 17kg tin of cooking oil is now RM50 compared to RM33.

“A kilo of margarine is up 30 sen from RM2.20. A kilo of dhal is now RM2.24 compared to RM1.80 previously, while a kilo of spices is up by RM1 from RM8,” he said.

Factories as Prisons

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said that the Malaysian government is looking for empty factories in Pulau Pinang, the Klang Valley and Johor to be converted into temporary prisons to house small-time criminals serving less than six months’ jail term (approximately 7,000 of 42,000 in-mates in the 28 prisons nationwide).

A rehabilitation home for girls in Batu Gajah and a block of the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping will also be converted to prisons by the end of this year.

These measures are done to ease congestions of existing prisons until the long-term plan to build and upgrade all prisons is completed.

Source: Star Online Nation "Government looking for empty factory buildings to house criminals"

Anwar vs. Wife vs. Deputy

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, released from prison in September 2004 was barred from any political post until April next year. However, he has appealed to the Home Ministry and whatever the outcome, will contest in the upcoming Parti Keadilan Rakyat elections. This means he will be contesting against his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the incumbent, and former deputy president Abdul Rahman Othman.

By doing so, Anwar could:

1. Pull out in the last minute and allow for a straight fight between his wife and Abdul Rahman.
2. Contest and win and get disqualified by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), which the party will appeal, stretching the process into months. Then, from April 2008, the party can hold an extraordinary general meeting to get him elected officially.
3. With no. 2 in mind, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail could also pull out in the last minute, allowing Anwar and Abdul Rahman a straight fight.
   

Source: Star Online Nation "Anwar to defy ruling by ROS"

Ice Skating Without Ice @ 1 Utama!*

Could it be true? Is it real? As true and real as this:* Free advertising for 1 Utama. Stoopid me.

Movie Carnival @ 1 Utama*

* Free advertising for 1 Utama. Bombard me.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport Is ALMOST Disabled Friendly

Star Online Columnists "Hospitable airport" talked to travel agent Antony Leopold about the facilities in KLIA for the disabled. Leopold suffered from poliomyelitis (or more commonly known as polio) at an early age and moves around using crutches and sometimes, the wheelchair.

He spoke of the disabled friendly facilities throughout KLIA such as the abundance of ramps and lifts. The restrooms are also clean and built with the disabled in mind. Public phone booths are also easily reachable by those in wheelchairs. Priorities are also given when boarding flights and help is disembarking.

However, the same were not so true at the parking bays. Though 18 bays are allocated for the disabled, proper signage are not provided and the distance from the exit is not near enough. Leopold also suggested parking fees be waived for the disabled as they are struggling to make a living.

Interesting Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 Press Releases

Here are some press releases (irony, ambition and of course, excuses) by the three console makers based on April's sales (link: Reuters Blog "Console Wars: April Edition"):

First place: Nintendo Wii with 360,000 units, up 39 percent from March.

“The demand has just blown the doors off. We’re chugging along as fast as we can,” said Nintendo marketing chief Perrin Kaplan. ”There is so much attention focused on the three-console race and for us, we look at it in a more macro way with our consoles (Wii plus the DS handheld) together.”

Second place: Microsoft Xbox 360 with 174,000 units, down 13 percent from March.

“We’re right where we want to be, we’re right on plan. The first two years were all about winning the hearts and minds — and pocketbooks — of the hardcore,” said Molly O’Donnell, senior group manager for Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division. “Next, we’ll be reaching out and broadening from there. Heading into holiday three, lots of things are in store.”

Third place: Sony’s PlayStation 3: 82,000 units, down 37 percent from March.

“The PlayStation 3 was obviously a little bit flat during the month. We didn’t have a lot of hardware drivers out during the month, we didn’t have any first-party titles,” said Sony spokesman Dave Karraker. ”But we’ve got a pretty robust library coming for the rest of this year … so I think you’re going to see a real pick-up as these games start coming out.”

The red balloon diaries *3

The red balloon diaries *3
Originally uploaded by cattycamehome.

GASP!

But besides triggering that reaction on me, cattycamehome is making a set of photos in similar style with the red balloons. You can check them out here.

Everyone Wants to be Famous

Reuters was at the Cannes festival and the blog highlighted an interesting trade there. A lot of people with dreams and hope that are not famous actually try with many ways to get to be known during this film festival. One such case is a dude that bluffed his way in by dressing like a security guard.

Perhaps there will be miracles for some of them? It is good to have hope and to dream big.

Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue
Originally uploaded by boopsie.daisy.

A flying pair of lovely shades!

No More Bribes!

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had spoken. No more bribes with the upcoming civil servant pay rise between 7.5% to 35% come 1 July this year:

“If anyone in the force takes a bribe, he or she must be prepared to face the consequences.

“There is no help for anyone as this (taking a bribe) is wrong under the law. We mean business and immediate action will be taken if anyone is caught.”

And of course, a little about himself:

"Based on the number of cases where disciplinary action had been taken, corruption in the force showed a drop since I took over as the IGP.”

From Star Online Nation "No reason to take bribes"

While the IGP is talking about that, the police will also be introducing new methods to counter all these bribery and corruption issues. Though declining to reveal what the new measures are, police integrity department chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Asri Yusoff said one way was to have a special room where complaints will be recorded.

From Star Online Nation "Police to use new methods to fight corruption"

...making bathtime lots of fun...

...making bathtime lots of fun...
Originally uploaded by durango99.

GASP! Is the yellow rubber ducky alright? :O

Statistics: Less Than 0.2% Internet Users Read Political Blogs

Less than 0.2% or approximately 20,000 of Malaysia's 11 million internet users read blogs about politics, according to Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.

More from Star Online TechCentral "Zam: Few people read blogs".

Jump!

Jump!
Originally uploaded by aremac.

A single lonely goose seeing far and beyond? By aremac.

LRT Routes at Subang

Here are the proposed new Light Rail Transit (LRT) routes in Subang Jaya (expect additions and changes):

1. Extension from Kelana Jaya station to Subang Jaya Komuter Station (near Subang Parade and Carrefour)
2. Between SS14 and SS15 (the college areas)
3. Bandar Sunway
4. Sunway Lagoon
5. USJ 1
6. Between Summit, Mydin and Giant
7. USJ 8
   

Meanwhile, Sunway Group is also considering reviving their monorail project to complement the LRT.

Link: Star Online Metro "Where Subang Jaya folks want their LRT line"

Turkey Likes Bush?

That is a funny image of the American president getting a peck where he deserves. From Reuters Blog here.

ONEEEeeee THOUSAND VIEWS!!!

My Sunflower, Guardian of the Land reached 1,000 views on Flickr! This is a cause of celebration! Thank you to all of you who made it possible!

Tun Dr. Mahathir Out of Cardiac Care Unit

Good news for fans of former prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. He is now out of the Cardiac Care Unit and is resting at the Bunga Raya ward of the National Heart Institute. He will remain there so that doctors could monitor his condition and also to begin cardiac rehabilitation.

Source: Star Online Nation "Dr M out of Cardiac Care Unit"

Chance for Malaysians to be Involved in Beijing Olympics!

If you are Malaysian and you speak both English and Chinese (Mandarin), then you can hope! Check out the good news from this Star Online Nation article:

PUTRAJAYA: If you can speak English and Mandarin and are willing to spend up to 14 days in Beijing next year, then China is looking for you.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said China had expressed its eagerness for Malaysian youths to help out as volunteers at the next summer Olympics in Beijing.

“I had a bilateral meeting with the deputy youth minister from China at an Asean meeting in Singapore recently, and he told me that China wanted to give an opportunity for Malaysians to help out as volunteers during the event.

“In fact, he said that although quite a few countries had indicated their willingness to send over volunteers to participate during the Olympics, China has set a quota of places for us.

“We will be discussing the number of places later,” he told reporters after launching the Junior Chamber International Global Friendship School camp here Monday.

Liow said China had even planned to allow Malaysia to host part of the Olympic torch relay run that was supposed to wind by some countries in Asia before ending in Beijing and that “details were still in discussion.”

“We want to have as many Malaysians as possible to participate in the run,” he said.

Nina Wang's Lifetime Through Fortune Telling

Nina Wang, the eccentric pigtailed billionairess and Asia's richest woman, who died last month of cancer at the age of 69, left all her fortunes to her feng shui master/fortune teller called Chan Chun-chuen (left). Today, our very own feng shui master Joey Yap had her lifetime decoded by using her birth statistics or Bazi in Chinese.

The article published by Star Online Opinion "Nina Wang decoded" provided an interesting read, from how her life brought wealth to her husband but later brought misfortune to him, how she clashed with her father-in-law in a legal tussle for her husband, Teddy Wang's fortunes, why she was eccentric, her business capabilities, and ultimately, how the wealth she inherited brought doom to her.

Photo source: Reuters.com "Dead billionaire leaves all to feng shui master"

posing for all flickr friends

posing for all flickr friends
Originally uploaded by the-father.

the-father caught these sheep posing for the benefits of all flickr friends! Nice!

Fresh Red Tomatoes

Took this photo while vacationing at Cameron Highlands last year. These juicy little tomatoes were washed and were about to be eaten...

"Black Diary"

Malaysia, Hong Kong and China are working on three movies together, the first being a supernatural movie named Black Diary. From Star Online Nation:

Local creative company Evo Pictures Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday with Hong Kong’s Cine Digital Entertainment Ltd and China’s Hang Zhou Cine-Concept Production Co Ltd to produce three motion pictures.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations Datuk Kong Cho Ha witnessed the ceremony.

“Black Diary will definitely give us good exposure and be a learning experience,” said filmmaker Michael Chuah during the press conference at the MSC Malaysia Creative Innovation Centre at Plaza Sentral here.

Evo Pictures will also be holding an audition on May 26 and 27 for actors for their upcoming movie projects. Those interested can contact Evo Pictures at 03-62751632, 012-2068302 or email enquiry@evopictures.com.

The RM26,000 Durian Feast

The durian feast that prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong had cost a whopping RM26,000. These 200 durians were specially flown in via helicopter from Pulau Pinang. Ouch?

Source: Star Online Nation "Durian feast flown in from Penang"

Another Malaysian World's First: Orang Utan Cataract Removal Operation

An orang utan named Aman (peace in English), had successfully underwent an operation removing cataracts from both his eyes at the Matang Wildlife Centre, Kuching, Sarawak. Aman had had cataracts for the past 10 years. Despite a successful operation, it was not known how much vision will he regain.

Source: Star Online Nation "Orang utan eye op a success"

Tun Dr. Mahathir Diagnosed

From Star Online Nation:

Dr M diagnosed with lung congestion

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been diagnosed with lung congestion associated with a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and chest infection (basal bronchitis) by the attending consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Nasir Muda.

Dr Nasir concluded his condition after a thorough examination.

Dr Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Tuesday after having breathing difficulties while in Langkawi.

A statement released by IJN said that Dr Mahathir’s medication had been tapered down as he continued to show positive response to chest physiotherapy and light exercise.

He will remain at the cardiac care unit for continuous monitoring and treatment.

White Alligator

This is Dinah, an albino alligator who could only live under the a heat lamp because its skin is too sensitive to be under the sun. Dinah is one of 30 real American albino alligators. Check out the link below to know more.

Link: National Geographic Photo in the News: Albino Alligator Makes Zoo Debut

Hot, Hot, HOT DAYS!

Star Online Nation "More hot days ahead" reported that more hot days are expected because the South-West Monsoon arrived early this year. Technically speaking, during this monsoon period, the atmosphere will become more stable, reducing chances for clouds to form. However, July will see a drop in temperature, all the way till the end of this year. Well, that is gives us something to look forward to amidst the current fiery temperature!

More Updates On Tun Dr. Mahathir's Condition

The former Malaysian prime minister was admitted to the Langkawi Hospital Intensive Care Unit yesterday (Monday, 14 May 2007) due to difficulty in breathing. He was transferred to the National Heart Institute today for further treatment. Doctors were saying he had been responding well to treatment.

Links: Star Online Nation "Dr Mahathir to be admitted to IJN for further treatment"

WTD 214

So painful for the budding photographer... like me. :PSource: What The Duck

Former Prime Minister In Hospital

Clipped from Star Online Nation "Dr M admitted to Langkawi Hospital after breathing difficulties":

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to the Langkawi Hospital Intensive Care Unit (Unit) at 3.50pm today.

The former Prime Minister was taken to hospital after he complained of breathing difficulties.

"His condition is stable but he is being kept for observation," said aide Sufi Yusof.

He said it was up to the doctors to determine how long Dr Mahathir would be kept in hospital.

Alcohol Research

Something interesting from insane.com:

Hands and Feet

What do you make of these two separate images from FILE Magazine? These were both posted up one after another and their 'similarities' make them irresistible for me not to post:

Hindsight

Chicken Feet

Toronto Financial District (#7)

Toronto Financial District (#7)
Originally uploaded by Christopher Chan.

This is a massive one! WOW! Night shot of Toronto's financial district by Christopher Chan.

Malaysia's SMART Tunnel Open For Public Beta Testing on Monday

That is right. This amazingly expensive but highly regarded internationally RM1.93 billion (previously reported as RM1.6 billion) mega project will be open to us, the public, to drive through from this coming Monday, 14 May 2007. Since it is "beta" testing, no toll will be imposed, but one month later, after you get used to this route, get ready to fork out as yet an undisclosed toll rate.

Source: Star Online Central "Smart highway and tunnel opens to traffic on Monday"
Previously on this blog here.

Trailer and 10 Cars Pile-Up

Clipped from Star Online Nation "Trailer and 10 cars in pile-up but no one’s killed":

SEREMBAN: It was like a scene from some Hollywood movie. On a dark, wet morning, a trailer skidded onto the wrong side of the road, panicking 10 car drivers in its path.

Some cars slammed into each other, some landed in a ditch, one burst into flames and a driver of a Proton Tiara was pinned to his seat.

Miraculously, no one was killed in the 7.45am incident near Taman Bukit Mas on a rain-soaked Jalan Seremban-Tampin here yesterday.

...the trailer driver could have fallen asleep resulting in the vehicle veering in the direction of the oncoming cars before landing in a nearby drain.

The incident caused a huge jam during the morning rush hour.

Dos (pas) sciés

Dos (pas) sciés
Originally uploaded by mmarsupilami.

Wow! An interesting mystery by mmarsupilami. Anyone can help to ID whose art of work is this?

...a leaf on the wind....

...a leaf on the wind....
Originally uploaded by RCastro.

Something colourful for a sleepy afternoon by RCastro.

The Delicate Reach of Nature

The Delicate Reach of Nature
Originally uploaded by jeffclow.

Nice hibiscus macro by jeffclow! It is Malaysia's national flower.

tuesday morning blues.......

tuesday morning blues.......
Originally uploaded by hb19.

Cool blue abstract and without any image manipulation! Good job, hb19!

Super Bright Supernova

Wow, check this artist's impression of a star 240 million light-years (the number of years light takes to travel to earth!!!) away that had exploded/gone supernova. If this happened in our own galaxy, it will be visible during the day and provide enough light to read a book in the night (gasp!).

For a more in-depth read, check it out at National Geographic News " 'Brightest Supernova Ever' Reveals New Kind of Star Death".

What HR Personnel Are Perceived As...

Here is an image I posted up in the 67 blog... my opinion of the dark side of Human Resource personnels... do you agree?

KLM Annual Charity Tulip Sale

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be holding a tulip sale at Sungei Wang Plaza Concourse this Saturday, 12 May 2007 from 11am. Funds raised in this event will be used to purchase urgently needed equipment at the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Selayang.

Source: KLM website via Jeff Ooi's Screenshots blog
Photo above from KLM website.

♫ YO Yo yo, there's no place like a green penthouse... so i told the genie i wanted to be well hung. ^o^ ♫

♫ YO Yo yo, there's no place like a green penthouse... so i told the genie i wanted to be well hung. ^o^ ♫
Originally uploaded by bocavermelha-l.b..

Wow! Really cool frog photo by bocavermelha-l.b.

Adopt-A-Pet

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) @ Jalan Kolam Air, Ampang Jaya, Selangor (tel: 03-4256-5312/4253-5279) is running a campaign to encourage people to adopt stray pets that are currently in its shelters. SPCA is open EVERYDAY from 9am to 4pm. For more information, check out this article from New Straits Times.

Help for I am Lost in Bras

I can't help it. I had to read this article when I saw it: New Straits Times "When is a bra not a bra?". Being very curious, I started reading and I was lost after the third paragraph. I got really kind of blur, so I went and read from the beginning again. Did I miss anything? How did bras became cheese and wine?

Could anyone out there help? Does "bra" mean cheese in Italian? Or was the author trying to make the whole beginning of the article interesting by attracting the reader with bras? Please explain, someone!

Thanks in advance,
IonBuck O:P

Finally, Something Bad About Green Tea

And also proof that taking too much of anything is not good, even though it is healthy stuff. NewScientist.com's "Green tea can be harmful in large quantities" refers to a compilation of studies done by State University of New Jersey. While polyphenols in green tea could prevent heart disease and cancer, it can, at the same time, damage the liver and kidney.

But fear not, anything less than 10 cups a day is fine. However, those taking supplements should cut down as a single pill could contain up to FIFTY times the polyphenol in a single cup of green tea. Studies have shown that people suffer from liver toxicity after overdose of these supplements. These symptoms stop when the supplements stopped only to resume again once these people started taking the supplements again.

So... beware!

World's Tallest Pagoda

Located alongside the ancient Tianning Temple, a Buddhist complex from the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 to 907) at Changzhou, China, this wooden pagoda is 154 meters tall, 15 meters taller than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza.

Read more at National Geographic Photo in the News

Panda Exploit!

Star Online World Updates "Beijing's pandas work overtime for holiday crowds" reported that these really awesome and cute animals were required to work an extra 30 minutes to cater for a surge in zoo visitors. Hope the zookeepers and staffs are taking extra care of these cute animals with temperatures surging above 30 degrees Celcius.

Meanwhile, Beijing's famous roast duck restaurant almost 20,000 of ducks for the first three days of the season.

IMG_2177 Yellow Fluff 2

IMG_2177 Yellow Fluff 2
Originally uploaded by bigkyle28.

A very cute yellow fluffy duckling (?) by bigkyle28.

Nuclear?

Originally uploaded by strelitzia.

Wow... looks so nuclear. So attractive yet so bad for the environment. :(

Student Caugt Recording Spider-Man 3!

Cinema security caught a student recording the movie with his cellphone. He was later handed over to police. Upon inspection, the student had already recorded more than an hour of the movie! Looks like cinemas are equipped with CCTVs these days. So no more recording and no hanky-panky business in there! And yet... there are still pirated movies around... hmmm...

Source: Star Online Nation with the same title.

MBPJ Councillors Equipped with Sony DSC-N2 Digital Cameras

I would not argue the fact that it is beneficial to equip councillors with digital cameras which they can use to snap photos of problems and conveniently and quickly e-mail to the enforcers for quick actions. However, I do not understand why a Sony DSC-N2... a camera with 10 megapixels, touch screen that allows editing of the photos as well as some other "fun" features, slideshow with music, etc... Wouldn't a more down-to-earth low to mid-range camera be more suitable?

More so after what is being commented by the councillors themselves about how basic their requirements and usage are from the link below. Unless, of course, the councillors do make use of the "fun" features to further enhance their points through the photos... The article ends with this, so... ok...:

“The public may misconstrue this, but the council's intention is genuine.”

Source of story from Star Online Central "The focus is on the problems in Petaling Jaya"
Photo from imaging-resource DSC-N2 review

building blocks.........???

building blocks.........???
Originally uploaded by hb19.

Here is something RED and something abstract for your attention by hb19.

Angry PM

Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is angry over the two burst pipe issues, one at the immigration building and the other at the Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperative Ministry building. He came up with two interesting comments:

I feel ashamed. These are new buildings and there are problems. There must be something wrong.

Maintainence is very important. I have said this many times but these people, as long as nothing happens, they don’t care.

Source: nstonline "CHECK ALL BUILDINGS : Abdullah outraged new buildings have defects"

Many Types and Purposes of Loans...

A lady borrowed from a loan shark RM500 to purchase ingredients for her laksa stall and not for gambling or anything. Unable to pay, she borrowed from other loan sharks to pay up her earlier loan... she did this multiple times and recently ended up with a debt of RM10,000. She had been harassed to the point of changing from a hawker to become a cleaner. The loan sharks even threatened to kidnap her daughter.

Meanwhile, a nasi lemak seller got a RM8,000 loan which was supposedly for his business through Perak Small and Petty Traders Association but had used it to renovate his house. The association chairman Datuk Omar Ahmad had an outburst about Malay traders: When we provide them with loans, they don’t pay back. When they get to rent a stall (from the local authority) at RM160 a month, they lease it to others for RM300.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Abdul Raman Sulaiman also had this to say: I am not degrading Malay traders but there are 41 loan facilities now to help them. Chinese traders don’t enjoy loan facilities such as Tekun but they prevail and succeed in their undertakings. Malay traders must think out of the box if they wanted to succeed.

Read more from Star Online Nation "RM500 loan now RM10,000 debt" and "Slammed for poor attitude", respectively.

Take me to the Hilton (wide)

Take me to the Hilton (wide)
Originally uploaded by maapu.

Check out this very serene, clean and relaxing place... Hilton Maldives by maapu. Wow!

Spouses for Malaysian Muslims

Yahoo! Malaysia and MuslimMatrimonial.com have teamed up to provide a free online service for Malaysian Muslims to look for spouses. Check it out from Yahoo! Malaysia's link here. Even a mufti from Perlis commended that site saying it will be useful for Muslims to look for life partners whereas another corporate communications manager said that she would prefer the natural way, through friends or by chance.

Muslim marriages have increased from 91,990 in 2000 to 110,951 in 2005, according to Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

Read more from Star Online Techcentral "Look for a spouse in cyberspace".