kueytoc

I taut the shipment is on Fri nite as reported.

Honda adds 437,000 cars to global air bag recall In latest defect woe, Honda adds 437,000 cars to existing global recall over faulty air bags Shino Yuasa, Associated Press Writer TOKYO (AP) -- Honda Motor Co. is adding 437,000 vehicles to its 15-month-old global recall for faulty air bags in the latest quality problem to hit a Japanese automaker. The company will replace the driver's side air bag inflator in the cars because they can deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator to rupture and injure or kill the driver. Japan's No. 2 automaker originally announced the recall to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in November 2008 and the total of number vehicles recalled since then is approaching 1 million. The latest expansion of the air bag recall includes 378,000 cars in the U.S., some 41,000 cars in Canada and 17,000 cars in Japan, Australia and elsewhere in Asia. The North American recall was announced Tuesday and followed Wednesday by the recall in Asia. The recall now affects 952,118 vehicles, including certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans. Honda's announcement comes at a time of increased attention on automotive recalls. Though the problems are unrelated, rival Toyota Motor Corp. is in the process of recalling more than 8 million cars and trucks due to faulty gas pedals. On Tuesday, Toyota said it would recall nearly 440,000 of its flagship 2010 Prius and other hybrids due to a braking glitch. "There is a heightened sensitivity right now to anything to do with recalls," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. Honda said it is aware of 12 incidents linked to the problem -- one death in May 2009 and 11 injuries. The company said it is not aware of any problems happening after July 2009. Honda decided to expand the recall after a company investigation found that more cars might contain defective air bag inflators, made by supplier Takata Corp., based in Tokyo. The problem, the company found, could be traced to a stamping machine that sometimes used insufficient pressure to make the inflators. Honda company decided to recall all vehicles using the compressed inflator propellant produced by that machine, it said in a release. "It took time to come to that conclusion because we had to do many tests," said Natsuno Asanuma, a manager of public relations at Honda in Tokyo. "We have concluded this is the cause." One analyst suggested Toyota's woes may have lowered the bar for recalls, prompting automakers to announce full-fledged recalls for problems that would normally be handled during regular car inspections or service campaigns calling in cars at the owner's convenience. "With Toyota's big problems, Honda probably realized it couldn't avoid a recall in these other models," said Toshirou Yoshinaga, an analyst at Aizawa Securities in Tokyo. But Honda's Asanuma denied Toyota's problems had any impact on Honda's actions, while acknowledging increased consumer sensitivity to safety issues. "We are following the normal procedure, so it doesn't mean customers' feelings changed our attitude," she said. "There are strict regulations regarding recalls." Honda's latest U.S. air bag recall affects certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans. In Japan, the recall covers three models produced in 2001 and 2002, including the Inspire, Saber, Lagreat. The automaker's original announcement to NHTSA in November 2008 involved fewer than 4,000 2001 Accords and Civics. The recall was expanded in July of 2009 to 440,000 vehicles including the 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic, as well as certain 2002 Acura TL sedans. Honda says owners should take their vehicles to dealerships as soon as they are notified by the company in writing. Notification will begin during the month of February. Last month Honda recalled 646,000 Fit hatchbacks worldwide because of a glitch that could cause water to enter the power window mechanism, causing components to overheat. The Fit recall affects 2007-2008 models. The Fit is sold in other countries as the Jazz and City. The recall affects Asia, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and North America. About 140,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S. Associated Press writer Malcolm Foster contributed to this report. Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Scientific: Stichodactyla tapetum Common: Mini Carpet Anemone Origin: Indo Pazifik, Rotes Meer Size: up to 4 cm Temperature: 75.2 °F - 82.4 °F (24°C - 28°C) Food: Cyclops, Plancton, Zooxanthellae / Light Aquarium: 22 gal (~ 100L) degree of difficulty: awfully good Husbandry: Stichodactyla tapetum is also described as Discosoma tapetum, but its scientific name is Stichodactyla tapetum (Hemprich and Ehrenberg in Ehrenberg, 1834). There are several other synonyms too to which I did not enter into. It is often described to keep this small anemone in the lower third of the aquarium and they will prefer moderate to medium flow. Well, I keep this small anemones now for many years and can tell you, do not believe everything that is written, be sure they are looking for HERS place. Sometimes she is just in front of a flow pump, and sometimes you see them hiding in the reef or even "Top on Reef“. Although they are relatively quick increased, I have so far not found any serious damage to corals or invertebrates. Since they (like all Stichodactylas) sting very strong, it may happen that it causes minor damage at the foot of SPS corals. Since Stichodactyla tapetum isn't faithful to a habitat, the SPS corals usually recover very good when the anemone change once again its location. Stichodactyla tapetum feeds as almost all anemones of their zooxanthellae, but take also actively any plankton-food they can catch ". Who will feed plankton therefore do her good. Like all anemones also Stichodactyla tapetum multiply both by laceration (division) as well as sexual reproduction. Each anemone has a clear gender and it was both egg and sperm output observed in the aquarium. Order: Actiniaria Family: Stichodactylidae Genus: Stichodactyla Spezies: Stichodactyla tapetum

Rise in number of statutory rape cases in 2009 Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, February 9 SINGAPORE: Police are concerned about the rise in the number of statutory rape cases. In its annual crime brief, the police said there were 83 statutory rape cases involving females under 14 years of age last year. This was a 36 per cent increase from the 61 cases in 2008. The police said 88 per cent of the offenders were people the victims knew: boyfriends, friends and acquaintances. They said the widespread use of social—networking websites among youths may be one reason why the cases have increased. Such websites may expose youths to situations that lead to statutory rape. Police highlighted two other areas of concern. One is the rise in petty thefts to 20,400 cases, up 2.4 per cent. And the other is the increase in break—ins at HDB flats, and education and care centres. However, the overall crime situation in Singapore remained under control. The number of crime cases dipped about half a per cent to 32,968 cases. There were significant reductions in violent property crimes such as robberies, and miscellaneous crimes such as disorderly behaviour and trespass. CNA/sc

Rise in number of statutory rape cases in 2009 Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, February 9 SINGAPORE: Police are concerned about the rise in the number of statutory rape cases. In its annual crime brief, the police said there were 83 statutory rape cases involving females under 14 years of age last year. This was a 36 per cent increase from the 61 cases in 2008. The police said 88 per cent of the offenders were people the victims knew: boyfriends, friends and acquaintances. They said the widespread use of social—networking websites among youths may be one reason why the cases have increased. Such websites may expose youths to situations that lead to statutory rape. Police highlighted two other areas of concern. One is the rise in petty thefts to 20,400 cases, up 2.4 per cent. And the other is the increase in break—ins at HDB flats, and education and care centres. However, the overall crime situation in Singapore remained under control. The number of crime cases dipped about half a per cent to 32,968 cases. There were significant reductions in violent property crimes such as robberies, and miscellaneous crimes such as disorderly behaviour and trespass. CNA/sc

WOW...fantastic growth & coloration mate. Must pay U a visit soon.

YIPEEE !!!

WAH ï¼ã€‚。。never give chance for moi-moi to buy...Sigh !

Sodomy accuser: Anwar showered me with attention By SEAN YOONG,Associated Press Writer - Friday, February 5 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The young man who accused Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy claimed in court Friday that the Malaysian opposition leader showered him with special attention including offering to sponsor his university education. Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 24, testified on the third day of the trial that Anwar seemed to take an immediate liking to him when they met during the campaign for the March 2008 elections. Saiful was subsequently appointed Anwar's personal aide. "He was a charismatic leader as well as my idol since I was little," he said. Anwar denies that he sodomized Saiful on June 26, 2008, dismissing it as a government conspiracy going right up to Prime Minister Najib Razak to prevent him from dislodging the ruling coalition. Anwar's People's Alliance coalition made huge gains in the 2008 elections and sees itself as coming to power in the next polls, due in 2013. Sodomy, even if consensual, is punishable by up to 20 years in jail in Malaysia. Even a sentence of one year if he is convicted would bar Anwar, 62, from politics for five years from the date of his release from jail. Saiful, a college dropout, said Anwar told him after the elections that he appreciated his help as a volunteer and later gave Saiful his own office despite his lack of qualifications. He said that when he resigned _ a day after the alleged sodomy _ Anwar tried to persuade him to stay. Anwar also offered to pay for his education while continuing to pay his salary. Saiful said Anwar gave him a pair of black slacks as a gift which he had worn on the day of the alleged incident, and later handed to the police as evidence. On Friday, the court examined physical evidence submitted by the prosecution including Saiful's gray underwear and swabs taken during his medical examination. The relevance of the physical evidence wasn't explained publicly, but part of Saiful's testimony was given behind closed doors Thursday because of its graphic nature. Saiful said he went to a private and a government hospital two days after the alleged act. Anwar said his lawyers have advised him not to comment until Saiful has been cross-examined on Monday, but added that "clearly there are major factual errors." Anwar was previously tried for sodomy in 1998 when he was deputy prime minister under then leader Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir fired Anwar during a power struggle, accusing him of sodomizing his family driver. Anwar spent six years in prison from 1998 to 2004 for alleged corruption and sodomy before the sodomy conviction was overturned. Anwar maintains his innocence, insisting he was framed by Mahathir. Mahathir denies that, just as the current prime minister, Najib, denies conspiring against Anwar. Any doubts in the public mind about the fairness of the charge or the trial would boomerang on Najib, whose government is under pressure because of rising religious tensions following recent attacks on churches.

Let's Rock n' Roll baby...!!!

Any Wrassey wanna 'dance' with MOI ???

Pre-VALENTINE ritual...LOVE is in the 'REEF' !!!

Exotic ACANS shipment !!!...at KITZO MARINE dude.

Resorts World at Sentosa awarded casino licence Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 5 minutes ago SINGAPORE: Resorts World at Sentosa has been awarded its casino licence. It is the first of Singapore’s two integrated resorts to get the go ahead for its casino operations. Although a date has not been confirmed for the opening of the casino at Resorts World, preparations are in full swing. Resorts World Sentosa chairman Lim Kok Thay said: "We are very happy to have received the casino licence. This was made possible by the dedicated team, consultants, contractors and government officials, especially the Casino Regulatory Authority, which worked tirelessly to set up the regulatory framework within a very agressive timeline." Lunar New Year decorations have already been put up at the lobby of the casino. Resorts World staff were in the midst of an orientation when the MediaCorp news team visited. Although the doors remain shut, visitors are excited about the prospect the casino may be opening soon. Some are hoping the casino will be open in time for the Lunar New Year which begins on February 14. While foreigners do not have to pay the US$100 levy before entering the casino, locals will have to do so at this booth. Before arriving at the booth, visitors to the casino will be segregated according to whether they are Singaporeans or overseas guests. The S$6.6 billion integrated resort at Sentosa is opening in phases, starting with its hotels last month. Many are also waiting for the theme park, Universal Studios Singapore to open. Some of the staff at the resort have been busy testing out the amusement rides and more. Andrea Teo, vice president, Entertainment, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "we are in full swing, getting ready for the theme park. We have been testing and commissioning the rides. Some of our people have been experiencing this — going from ride to ride to ride and having a very good time. And we have all been eating at restaurants, trying out the food at very good prices. "We are at various percentages of finishing the different rides and resorts. But I would say that we are on an actually pretty fast track to completely everything. Our hotel opened on the January 20 and since then, we’ve had 90 per cent occupancy. Festive Hotel and Hard Rock have been fully booked. And for Chinese New Year, we are fully booked.†And while casino staff are busy gearing up for the opening day, Singapore’s Police have also been started serving the Exclusion Orders to those with a history of crimes such as those related to drugs and illegal moneylending. So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open. The latest exclusion orders are on top of what the National Council on Problem Gambling has issued. Some 28,000 undischarged bankrupts and those on public assistance have also been banned from entering casinos. CNA/vm

AWAS !!!...this wrassey is well known to 'chomp-chomp' calcium-rich corals.

Nice RICs mate...bought from ???

Shell fourth-quarter profit dives 75% AFP - Friday, February 5 LONDON (AFP) - – Energy giant Royal Dutch Shell said on Thursday that fourth-quarter adjusted net profit slumped 75 percent due to weak demand in the downturn, adding it would axe 1,000 jobs amid an uncertain outlook. Earnings tumbled to $1.18 billion (851 million euros) in the three months to December, compared with $4.8 billion in the same period of 2008, Shell said in a results statement. For 2009 as a whole, adjusted net profit plunged 69 percent to $9.8 billion. The London-listed energy major said it will axe another 1,000 jobs this year after cutting 5,000 positions over 2009 as it sought to ramp up efficiency. Shell said it has targeted at least $1 billion of cost reductions for 2010, largely from downstream and corporate functions. "Our fourth quarter 2009 results were impacted by the weak global economy," Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser said in the statement. "Oil prices have increased compared to a year ago but gas prices and refining margins have declined sharply because of weaker demand and high industry inventory levels. "We are not assuming that there will be a quick recovery and the outlook for 2010 is uncertain," he said. Production slid two percent during the fourth quarter to 3.331 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Voser said the group was positioning itself for "significant growth" in the years ahead. "We are taking steps to improve our performance, to bridge the company, and our shareholders, into a period of significant growth in the coming years." The group added that it sold around $1.3 billion of non-core downstream assets in 2009. Asset sales would continue this year, with 15 percent of its refining capacity placed under review, it added. Shell cuts jobs after profits plunge AFP - 2 hours 43 minutes ago LONDON (AFP) - – Royal Dutch Shell plans to axe 1,000 more jobs and sell some of its assets owing to an "uncertain" outlook and after annual profits plunged, the British energy giant said Thursday. But the group said it turned a profit in the fourth quarter in response to a major restructuring programme and a modest recovery in crude oil prices. Fourth quarter net profit stood at 1.96 billion dollars after a heavy loss of 2.81 billion dollars in the same period in 2008 when the global downturn slashed worldwide energy demand. For the year net profit tumbled 52 percent to 12.52 billion dollars (9.0 billion euros) compared with 26.28 billion dollars in 2008, Shell said in an earnings statement. "For 2010, we are targeting a further underlying cost reduction of at least 1.0 billion dollars and a reduction of some 1,000 employees," the group announced. Shell said it had cut 5,000 jobs last year as part of a major restructuring that saved more than 2.0 billion dollars. The group's final quarter of 2009, while profitable, was nonetheless "impacted by the weak global economy," Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser said in the earnings release. "Oil prices have increased compared to a year ago but gas prices and refining margins have declined sharply because of weaker demand and high industry inventory levels. "We are not assuming that there will be a quick recovery and the outlook for 2010 is uncertain," he said. Fierce rival BP on Tuesday said it too had returned to profit in the fourth quarter, with net earnings of 4.30 billion dollars thanks to higher oil prices and as it ramped up production and slashed costs. Shell on Thursday said its adjusted net profit, which strips out exceptional items and changes to the value of its oil inventories, slumped 75 percent to 1.18 billion dollars in the fourth quarter. Production slid two percent over the period to 3.33 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Voser said the group was positioning itself for "significant growth" in the years ahead. "We are taking steps to improve our performance, to bridge the company, and our shareholders, into a period of significant growth in the coming years." Shell sold around 1.3 billion dollars of non-core downstream assets in 2009. Asset sales would continue this year, with 15 percent of its refining capacity placed under review. BP recently overtook Royal Dutch Shell to become Europe's biggest energy group by stock market value. Separately on Thursday, Shell said it was investigating a claim from a Nigerian militant group that it had attacked a pipeline operated by the oil giant in the Niger Delta. A previously unheard-of group calling itself the "Niger Delta Reenforcement Team" sent text messages on Thursday claiming to have blown up a major Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline in the early hours of the morning. "We are checking reports claiming an attack on a pipeline at Buguma and can not comment further at this time," a Shell spokesman told AFP in Nigeria. The message from the group also said it was distinct from the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which announced Saturday it was calling off a three-month-old truce with the government. The global oil sector was boosted as oil prices had surged to a record 147 dollars a barrel in July 2008. However, they subsequently plunged under 34 dollars in February 2009 as the global economic downturn hit demand for energy. Prices are currently trading at about 76 dollars per barrel.

New US export strategy eyes Asia AFP - Thursday, February 4 WASHINGTON (AFP) - – President Barack Obama will unveil details Thursday of how he plans to double American exports in five years, mainly to rapidly-growing Asia. Obama's strategy to get US companies to pump out exports is aimed at supporting the creation of two million jobs in America, which is still reeling from double digit unemployment that threatens to dampen its economic recovery. "If we just increased our exports to Asia by a percentage point, by a fraction, it would mean hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of jobs here in the United States. And it's easily doable," Obama told Senators from his Democratic party Wednesday. "And that's why we are going to be putting a much bigger emphasis on export promotion over the next several years," he said, a day before his Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, gives details of the export promotion strategy. Obama announced his export-boosting strategy during last week's State of the Union address, saying a National Export Initiative would be launched as part of the move. It would "help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security," he said. China and India are obviously among the top markets to be tapped, officials said. US exports for the first 11 months of last year trundled in at 1.411 trillion dollars compared to 1.827 trillion dollars for the whole of 2008. But despite the deteriorating global economy, exports to the Asia-Pacific region were up more than eight percent in 2008 over the preceding year to 747 billion dollars, figures from the US Trade Representative's office showed. Agriculture exports to the region were 76 billion dollars, a 30 percent increase over the previous year, and services exports grew to 187 billion dollars. The Obama administration believes that as a number of key markets around the world recovered more quickly than the United States from recession, exports to these countries will create good American jobs at home. "Its all about jobs. And if done right, president Obama and I firmly believe that a smart aggressive progressive trade policy of the United States can be a critical part of our overall economic recovery program," said the president's top trade official Ron Kirk. Americans who work in export-sector jobs are now paid up to 18 percent above the average, Kirk's deputy Demetrios Marantis said. "We know that six million Americans owe their jobs to manufacturing exports, and that agricultural and service export jobs mean paychecks for many more," he said. Obama could also boost exports if he pushed Congress to endorse free trade agreements that had already been signed under the former Bush administration. "If the president is serious about wanting to use free trade to help create US jobs and bolster the American economy, it is time for him to get off the sidelines and fight for the passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea," said senior Republican lawmaker Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The Obama administration has been pushing South Korea to give further concessions to US automakers, who have been ailing at home and have struggled to penetrate Asia's fourth largest economy.

Romanian diplomat involved in hit—and—run accident suspended Channel NewsAsia - Friday, February 5 SINGAPORE: The Romanian diplomat who is a suspect in a fatal hit—and—run accident in Singapore has been suspended from his duties by his country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. The announcement was made by the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday morning. This comes after reports said Dr Silviu Ionescu was charged with manslaughter by Romanian authorities on Wednesday. Romanian media reports quoting the general prosecutor’s office said Dr Ionescu faces three charges for manslaughter, for fleeing the scene, and for giving false statements. Dr Ionescu was previously his country’s Charge d’Affaires in Singapore. Singapore Police said that on 15 December 2009, the embassy car driven by Dr Ionescu hit three pedestrians in two separate incidents in Bukit Panjang. One of the pedestrians’, Mr Tong Kok Wai later died. Separately, the coroner’s inquiry will begin in Singapore on March 3. After the incident, Dr Ionescu called police and reported that the car was stolen. It was recovered later that morning, locked and abandoned at Sungei Kadut Avenue. The Romanian embassy tells MediaCorp that the suspension will hold until criminal investigations are complete. CNA/vm

Vroom !...Vroom !...time to 'lubricate' moi 'LOCOMOTIVE'.

New Vortech Battery Backup from EcoTech Marine now made inhouse, not by 3rd party Posted on February 2nd, 2010 by Jake Adams The battery backup for Vortech water pumps has been available as an accessory almost as long as the MP40 has been on the market. However, the first Vortech battery backup was essentially a motorcycle battery in a box that was marketed and produced by IceCap Inc. All has been quiet on the battery backup front for several years until EcoTech announced today that they will be releasing a new, 2nd generation battery backup for Vortech pumps which is now designed and built in-house by EcoTech proper. Some upgraded internals should make the new power pack faster to charge and it should be better at supplying power to the Vortech line of water pumps during a power interruption. The $165 kit will now include two power cables for running more than one vortech pump, or for linking up the batteries in series for increased runtime while powering the Mp10, 20 or 40w Vortechs. The new backup will have a much longer lifespan due to some new charging techniques and from a fresh battery backup you can expect about 24hrs of runtime on an MP40w and just about 3 days from the MP10 and MP20 Vortechs. The battery backup will soon be available from your favorite Vortech vendors and we can expect to get a good look at the new Battery Backup from Ecotech Marine when they come to Denver for ReefStock. Full press release after the break.

Well the LFS which I bought the GEM managed to keep it in a chiller-less holding tank for a month. And I have successfully kept it in moi tanky for more than a year at 26-27C.

In Memorarium of a jolly good fella

Owwww...HULA-HULA...!!!

LCK & CF do bring in the seasonal CATALINAs during their Caribbean shipments. I have seen super-fatty ones last year at CF which several low-profile seasoned reefers grabbed them with much gustos. Here's two precious pics from my collection archives.