kueytoc

Pamela Anderson calls out Ultra-Orthodox men on fur hats AFP - Monday, November 8 TEL AVIV (AFP) - Former Playboy playmate and "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson says she wants Israel's Ultra-Orthodox men to go topless - by not wearing their traditional fur hats. The Canadian sex symbol, in Israel as a guest judge in the local version of television's "Dancing with the Stars," told reporters on Sunday she had written to Ultra-Orthodox leaders asking them to stop blocking anti-fur legislation. "I have written a letter here to talk about not bringing fur back-and-forth into this country," Anderson said. She sent the letter to Israel's Minister of Religious Services Yakov Margi, who has delayed legislation calling for a total ban on the fur trade in Israel. The Ultra-Orthodox parties oppose a ban because it would affect the wearing of the streimel, a fur-ringed hat traditionally worn by married Ultra-Orthodox men on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. "I urge you to support this historic bill and speak up for the millions of animals who are bludgeoned, electrocuted, and skinned alive for their pelts each year," Anderson wrote in the letter. She also sent the minister a video of animals being killed for their pelts. "Surely you will agree that the ways in which animals suffer and die in the fur trade violates Jewish principles, which strictly prohibit causing unnecessary suffering to animals," she wrote. The streimel is not a religious obligation, but a widely held tradition in which it is worn to honour the sanctity of the Sabbath, holidays and special occasions. It is not worn on a daily basis. While Anderson may be used to having men eager to do her bidding, she will find she is largely unknown in the insular Ultra-Orthodox community, who frown on women wearing immodest clothing and have probably never heard of "Baywatch." Nevertheless, Anderson said representatives of the community had agreed to meet her in a Tel Aviv hotel on November 9 because her schedule did not allow a trip to the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem. Margi's office could not immediately be reached for comment. Anderson, who has become one of the most prominent celebrity animal rights campaigners, praised other efforts to end the fur trade in Israel. "It is wonderful there is no fur farmed here in Israel. It is very progressive and a wonderful example for the rest of the world," she said. Anderson said she hoped her work on behalf of animals would be her main legacy. "I think a lot of time my career has been frivolous and fun and silly. To have been able to incorporate my beliefs and compassion into everything I do has... been inspiring," she said.

Dun forget to add the 'LIONFISH' !!!

AWAS !!! : For those who import live 'GEM$' < Hint...Hint ! > S’pore steps up air cargo security measures By Alicia Wong – November 4th, 2010 Singapore police and package delivery companies have stepped up air cargo security measures in the wake of a series of foiled attacks involving small air cargo parcels. Two packages from Yemen containing explosive devices were found at the Dubai and Britain airports last weekend. Headed for the United States, one of the packages had travelled on two passenger planes in the Middle East, according to media reports. On Wednesday, Greece also had to deal with a wave of parcel bombs being sent to leaders of France, Germany and Italy, and foreign embassies in Athens. Greek authorities have linked the attack to far-left Greek extremists, reported Agence France Presse. Following news of the foiled attacks, the US, Germany, France and Britain have banned cargo shipments from Yemen. Many countries have also stepped up cargo screening. “In light of the recent incident overseas, enhanced measures have been put in place for air cargo flights, and the airport community has been urged to heighten its level of vigilance,” a police spokeswoman told Yahoo! Singapore. The spokeswoman did not elaborate on additional measures, citing operational concerns. The airport police division is in charge of security for the Changi Airport. She added, there is already a “robust screening system to ensure that all persons, bags and cargoes on passenger flights departing Singapore are secure” and all cargo arriving here are also subjected to checks. A spokesman for United States Postal Service, which ships to Singapore, also said, “We’ve responded to the current incidents by suspending acceptance of inbound mail from Yemen, activating teams of postal inspectors to ensure the safety of the mail, and communicating with our employees nationwide.” Postal service provider SingPost has also “stepped up our security measures in tandem with the latest happenings, including issuing reminders to our staff to be more alert,” said a spokesperson. “We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to enhance security measures,” said the spokesperson, noting that SingPost constantly reviews its security measures and works closely with the authorities to ensure its measures are adequate. Last week, two printer cartridges packed with explosives bombs were discovered in Dubai and Britain. They had been sent from Yemen, and had been carried by cargo jets without being discovered. The package bombs were sent through delivery companies FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS). A FedEx spokesman stressed, the FedEx package found in Dubai was not on an aircraft, but was in one of their facilities. The company is cooperating with authorities in the investigations. When asked if the company would enhance its security measures in light of recent events, the spokesman said, “We consistently take appropriate measures to ensure the integrity of our security system.” He declined to disclose security processes, citing confidentiality, but pointed out that FedEx has “multiple layers of complementary procedures and processes that comprise our security system”. On Tuesday, the International Air Transport Association called for more effective equipment, such as an oversized X-ray machine to screen cargo containers carrying airborne freight, to be developed. Officers have admitted, without a tip-off from the Saudi Arabian authorities, the bombs may not have been found, reported the Associated Press. The police urge members of the public “to remain vigilant and be alert in the face of this insidious threat and to report any suspicious persons or behavior”. “For those who have dealings with the airport, we seek your full support and understanding for any inconvenience that could arise as a result of these enhanced security measures,” said the spokeswoman.

New rule for all assisted reproduction centres By Alicia Wong – November 5th, 2010 All assisted reproduction (AR) centres will now be allowed to only handle one AR related specimen – for instance, sperm, oocyte or embryo – at a time, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced yesterday. This follows the discovery that Thomson Fertility Centre had given a couple the wrong sperm during in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), as reported in The Straits Times (ST) on Wednesday. Checks revealed the baby did not share the same DNA as the father. The ministry suspended Thomson Fertility Centre yesterday, with immediate effect, from conducting all new AR treatments. While a “full investigation” is still underway to identify the cause of the botched IVF treatment, “audits by MOH have revealed some shortcomings in existing processes and practices at TFC that increases the risk of mix-ups occurring,” stated MOH. For instance, a single laboratory personnel could handle more than one specimen at the workstation in the laboratory at a given time, the ministry elaborated. Currently, all three public hospitals’ AR centres process only one AR related specimen at a time. There are another six AR centres, excluding Thomson Fertility Centre. “The centre has been instructed to stop admitting patients for any new AR procedures, including sperm collection and processing,” said MOH. Existing patients should be informed of the botched IVF case and given a choice if they want to continue at the centre or transfer to another centre, added the ministry. And, for patients who have already started their treatment, Thomson Fertility Centre should adopt MOH’s additional recommended processes, including processes only one AR related specimen at a time, said MOH. The centre’s medical director Cheng Li Chang told ST, “’Beyond complying with guidelines already issued, we will implement the additional recommended processes requested.” “While investigations continue, we will provide all possible support to our existing patients, including briefing them on this incident and explaining the options open to them,” said Dr Cheng. He added, “Our patients’ well-being will always be our top priority.” Gleneagles IVF Centre director Christopher Chen told ST the additional requirement for handling one specimen at a time is a precautionary measure that is “common sense”. MOH conducts audits on AR centres every six months to two years. It will be reminding all centres to adhere strictly to the AR directives, on the procedures for the labelling, collection, storage and disposal of specimens, said MOH.

21 Ways to Avoid Job Interview Anxiety Karen Burns, On Wednesday 27 October 2010, 22:24 SGT Career experts often offer helpful tips for reducing job interview anxiety. But you don't want to reduce job interview anxiety; you want to avoid it altogether. Before you say, "But that's impossible!" let's clarify: You don't actually have to eliminate the anxiety. You only have to avoid letting it show. Anxiety is a turn-off. In a job interview, you want to come across as confident, competent, and ready to go to work. Anxiety detracts from the strong, positive impression you want to make. It's also contagious--your jitters can infect and distract your interviewer, making him less able to focus on you. The bottom line: It's okay to feel anxious. It's not okay to display it. How can you prevent yourself from looking nervous? By preparing for the interview. Preparation will boost your confidence and help you make that positive impression. Even if you feel nervous, you won't look it if you're prepared. To put an end to anxiety, follow this preparation checklist: 1. Visit the interview site the day before your interview, so you don't get lost looking for it right before you're supposed to arrive. 2. Arrive at the site 10 or 15 minutes early. Take time to collect yourself, visit the restroom, and sneak one last peek in the mirror to make sure there's no spinach in your teeth. 3. Thoroughly research the company and the position you're seeking within it. This is huge. Read newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Talk with industry insiders. Study the employer's website. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be. 4. When the interview is arranged, try to find out who you'll be talking to. The project manager? An HR manager? If you know who you'll be meeting with, you can better prepare for that conversation. But be flexible. This could change at the last minute. 5. Make sure what you plan to wear is clean, in good condition, fits you properly, and suits the environment where you seek to work. The classic tip is to visit the workplace, check out how people there dress, and then wear something a little nicer. 6. Get enough sleep the night before. If you can't actually sleep, then at least get some rest. 7. Exercise that morning. Feeling better physically translates to feeling better mentally, and exercise helps project energy. 8. Eat breakfast that morning. You'll need the fuel; besides, you don't want your stomach growling mid-interview. Go easy on the caffeine. 9. Make a list of questions to ask the interviewer, and bring them with you. That way you won't draw a blank when asked if you have any questions. 10. Identify your strengths. Practice talking about them. Knowing your worth can make you feel more confident. 11. Identify your weaknesses. Practice ways of talking about them that are honest, yet also put you in the best possible light. 12. Practice talking about why and how you left your last job. The tone you use is important here. Try to keep it positive. 13. Here's a biggie: Practice talking about what you, specifically, can offer this employer. You do this by relating your strengths to what you know about the company's needs. 14. During the interview, focus on your interviewer. Listen carefully. Take notes. Ask questions. Putting your attention on someone other than yourself is a time-tested way to "forget" anxiety. 15. Breathe from your diaphragm. Long, deep breaths, before and during the interview, will steady you. 16. Think of this meeting not as an interrogation, or even as an interview, but as a conversation. You are two people working toward the same goal--filling a need. 17. Remember that you're allowed to think before answering. It's okay to pause for a few seconds before speaking. You can even say, "That's a very interesting question. Let me think about that." 18. Have your references ready, a typed list that you can hand over. Make sure your references know in advance that the potential employer might contact them. 19. Bring a notebook, two pens, extra resumes, business cards (if you have them), and your calendar (in case they want to schedule another interview!). 20. Have a cell phone with you, just in case something unexpected happens that causes you to be late. Traffic does not count as unexpected, so give yourself extra time to travel to the interview site. Don't forget to turn off your phone during the actual interview. 21. Don't schedule anything immediately after the interview. If it goes long, you don't want to have to rush out. Or worse, cut it short. In a way, a job interview is like a theatrical performance, with the proviso that everything you do and say is true. You're putting on a one-man or -woman play, starring your best possible authentic you. With enough preparation, you may not feel anxious at all. Karen Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.

Great interview but No Offer: Why You Didn't Get the Job Lindsay Olson, On Friday 29 October 2010, 22:33 SGT You've had several interviews and haven't landed the perfect job yet. The interviews seem to go well from your perspective, but then, surprisingly, you find yourself without an offer. Here are five reasons that might explain why you didn't get the job: 1. You sounded desperate. Hiring manager and recruiters can tell when someone is genuinely interested in their position or in any position. Knowing as much as you can about the opportunity and asking smart questions during the interview will show the hiring manager you've taken the time to evaluate the opportunity. Companies want to hire people who are passionate about what they do and who want to work with them. You need to be able to articulate what it is about this opportunity and this company that interests you. If you don't, you might seem willing to take anything you are offered--and that's a big turnoff! 2. You didn't sell yourself. Part of your responsibility in the interview is to tell your story. The stories you share will depend on the types of questions you're asked, but it doesn't hurt to anticipate some of those questions and prepare a few stories beforehand. Be specific and detailed in your answers and back up your experience with anecdotes that illustrates how you qualify for the job. Consider using the STAR model: talk about situation, task, action, and results. Even if you don't have a chance to tell these specific stories, the exercise of preparing to tell them, of thinking them through, will make you a more prepared candidate. 3. You oversold yourself. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance--and crossing it is a deal breaker. Stay away from "what's in it for me?" types of questions. Know what you don't know and readily admit your mistakes if asked about them. Flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn are all qualities you want to exude as a confident job seeker. 4. An employee referral or internal candidate popped up. If two candidates have a similar background and one comes with an internal referral, the company is more likely to take the safer path. The employer already has an idea of how an internal candidate will perform in a role based on their experience working together. A referred candidate, too, typically has a working relationship with someone in the company who can attest to his or her work ethic. Companies trust these referrals because they expect their employees to refer only candidates who would reflect well on them. 5. The job specifications changed. This is a common occurrence, especially with newly created positions. As hiring authorities meet potential candidates and hear about their experiences, they sometimes recognize new priorities or goals that relate to the position, which may cause them to shift their hiring focus.

Germany unveils new 'psychic' octopus -- and he's French AFP - Thursday, November 4 BERLIN (AFP) Octopus Paul II, successor to the tentacled tipster that wowed the world with his uncanny knack of correctly predicting World Cup football games, was unveiled amid great fanfare Wednesday in Germany. The new cephalopod, also named Paul in honour of his world-famous predecessor who passed away last week, was lowered gently into his tank in a ceremony carried live on national television. Paul the younger initially appeared more publicity-shy than his media-hungry forerunner, sticking closely to the side walls of the tank as the TV cameras rolled. The aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany, limited the number of photographers allowed into the room, amid hefty interest from around the world. "We got him from near Montpellier" in southern France, an aquarium employee told AFP. However, the German aquarium was keen to downplay the possibility that Paul II will inflict the same pain to bookmakers as Paul I did, to the joy of punters around the world. "No one yet knows whether Paul will be able to follow in his footsteps, or rather, his tentacle steps," aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said in a statement. Paul I shot to fame by defying the odds to predict eight successive games during the recent World Cup in South Africa, including Spain's 1-0 triumph against the Netherlands in the final. For the prediction, two boxes were lowered into the salty soothsayer's tank, each containing a mussel and the flag of the two opposing teams. Watched by a myriad of reporters, Paul would head to one box, wrench open the lid and gobble the tasty morsel, with the box he plumped for being deemed the likely winner. His astonishing ability made him a global media phenomenon. His later predictions were carried live on rolling news channels in Germany. He died peacefully in his sleep aged nearly three on October 26, sparking hundreds of messages of condolence from his 60,000-strong Facebook fan club and some less serious comments. "Paul the octopus is dead. Bet he didn't see that coming," wrote several users on microblogging site Twitter. It is unlikely, however, that around five-month-old Paul II will live to give predictions for the next World Cup in 2014 in Brazil, given that the life expectancy of octopuses in captivity is around three years. Whether he will make the next European championship, in Ukraine and Poland in 2012, is also far from being a safe bet.

Alas !...‘Heartbeat Molester’ arrested By Faris – November 4th, 2010 A man believed to be the “Heartbeat Molester” was arrested by police for his involvement in at least 20 outrage of modesty cases. In its statement, police said that a 47-year-old man was arrested at his home in the Sengkang area. Police have been looking for the suspect since 1999, but he has been able to evade capture due to the age of his victims who were unable to give a proper description. However, last month, police managed to obtain and release images of the man captured for the first time on closed-circuit television (CCTV). A member of the public who saw the published CCTV images tipped off the police. The molester was believed to be back on the prowl after lying low for seven years, and was linked to three cases in Hougang, Punggol and Sengkang in the past two months. Targeting young girls between the age of 8 to 12 years old, his tactic sees him approach his lone victim at void decks or lift lobbies, pretending to ask for directions to a non-existent flat with a made-up unit number. Conversing in either English or Mandarin, he would then ask his victim to lead the way and then bring her to a secluded staircase landing to commit the offence. In some cases, he would pretend he needed to rest and would place the victim’s hand on his chest to “feel” his heartbeat. He would then tell his victim he had a weak heart. Sometimes, he was bold enough to move his victim’s hand down to his other body parts. While investigations are still ongoing, he could be jailed for up to 10 years and caned if found guilty. On a separate incident, police also issued a warning on Wednesday about a “bogus” policeman, who has been outraging the modesty of women by conducting searches on them. The Straits Times reported that between February and October this year, six reports were filed. All the victims said they have been approached by a man in plainclothes at the void deck or corridor claiming to be a police officer. In these cases, the culprit would use different reasons to conduct a search on the victim, claiming among other things, that he was checking for drugs and underage cigarette smoking. He would then use the opportunity to molest them. The victims are aged between 12 and 36, and the incidents took place mostly in Pasir Ris, Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands and Boon Keng. The culprit has also been known to flash fake “police” passes of various colours to bolster his claim of being a police officer. Police have advised the public that the proof of a police officer’s identity is his warrant card. A genuine warrant card will carry identification features such as the police crest, the photo of the officer, his name and identification number. Impersonating a public servant carries a fine and a jail term of up to two years.

Mmmmm...seems like U making some special recipe 'Shrimps Noodle' soup ?

HooHooHooHoo...ray !!!

'Dude, it's a whale', says boy who rode sea giant AFP - Monday, November 1 SYDNEY (AFP) - An Australian teenager who climbed onto a whale and rode on its back has said he never intended to hurt the animal and had been acting instinctively when he put his arms around the massive sea creature. Sam Matheson, 14, said he was with a friend at Middleton Beach in Albany south of Perth when he saw the animal not far off the Western Australian coast and decided to take a closer look. "I swam out to it and put my arms on it, sort of laid against it for about 20 or 30 seconds. I was out of the water from the waist up," the keen surfer told Perth's Sunday Times. "It was like a leather texture, like a really smooth leather, really soft. It wasn't even scary, it was like, 'Dude, it's a whale'." The teen said the whale, which he estimated to be about 14 metres (46 feet) long, did not even notice him until he laid on it. "Then it lifted up its tail, it went under and it pulled me down at bit, but I was fine and I swam back to the rocks," he said. Matheson said he did not realise that it was illegal or dangerous to swim within 30 metres of a whale and that he now regretted his actions. "If I had known it was illegal I wouldn't have done it," he told the paper. The story of the teen whale rider made headlines after a witness photographed the boy clambering on the southern right whale, prompting officials to warn the public that doing so was illegal and potentially fatal. They said the teenager was lucky to have escaped injury and the incident could easily have ended tragically had he been in the way of a tail slap or breaching action. Matheson was let off with a warning but harassing protected species carries a maximum fine of 10,000 dollars (9,890 US dollars) under environmental laws.

Mmmmm...who are these 'Big Players' ???

Benitez's JINX strikes again !!! Champions League - Bale brilliance gives Spurs famous win Tue, 02 Nov 21:34:00 2010 Gareth Bale was again in inspired form as Tottenham clinched a famous 3-1 win over Internazionale in their Champions League Group D clash at White Hart Lane. Luka Modric produced a majestic run to provide the assist for Rafael van der Vaart to open the scoring in the 18th minute, before the Dutchman had to be withdrawn at half-time with what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring strain. Inter piled forward in an open second half, but a stunning run from the irrepressible Bale gave Peter Crouch a tap in to double Spurs' lead on the hour mark. Samuel Eto'o reduced the deficit 10 minutes from time with a clinical strike, but more brilliance from Bale saw the Welshman provide a perfect assist for substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko to seal a memorable victory for Harry Redknapp's side. Van der Vaart completed a surprise recovery from a hamstring injury, with Tom Huddlestone also returning to take the armband, while both sides made enforced changes in goal from the reverse fixture as Carlo Cudicini and Luca Castellazzi made their bows. Redknapp had emphasised the need for Spurs to make a fast start after the ruthless treatment inflicted upon them by Inter in Milan, and his side took heed of his warning in an electric opening. Eto'o saw a fierce strike brush off the side netting in the eighth minute, but Bale was busy giving Maicon a fearful roasting at the other end, skinning the full back seemingly at will. Tottenham have racked up 15 goals in their last five European games, and that was swiftly increased to 16 in the 18th minute as Modric produced a touch of magic. The Croat swivelled and sped through the Inter half, beating Muntari and drawing two Inter defenders towards him, before sliding an exquisite through ball into the path of the prolific Van der Vaart, who finished with aplomb. It was the Dutchman's sixth goal in 10 appearances for Spurs. Crouch had the entirety of White Hart Lane holding its collective breath as he squandered a glorious chance to double the hosts' lead in the 25th minute: Bale zipped past Maicon yet again and dinked over a delightful cross, but the forward scuffed his shot wide of the far post. But the threat which Inter posed never entirely evaporated, and the Milan-born Cudicini pulled off a magnificent save to preserve his side's slender advantage from Wesley Sneijder's sublime free-kick two minutes from the break. Van der Vaart was forced off at the break after sustaining a recurrence of his hamstring injury, and Jermaine Jenas was introduced at his expense. Inter enjoyed spells of possession, with Spurs able to counter at pace, and one such break saw Alan Hutton drift over a pinpoint delivery which Crouch met with a looping header, but Castellazzi was able to back-peddle frantically and tip over the bar. Maicon simply could not contain Bale, and the Welshman terrorised the right back once more in the 61st minute to get to the byline with a barnstorming run and provide the simplest of finishes for Crouch to double the hosts' lead. Four minutes later, Bale outstripped Jonathan Biabiany, Lucio and Maicon in another thrilling run down the left, only to see the ball drift fractionally out of play as he provided a near-identical assist for Crouch. Rafael Benitez introduced Diego Milito in a desperate bid to arrest his side's slump, but it was his other striker who ensured that it would be a nervy finale as Eto'o left Hutton for dead and picked out the far corner of the net with an unerring finish. Spurs were pushed under the cosh, but Bale showed his prodigious talent once more to streak clear and skin Maicon, then provide a goal on the proverbial platter for substitute Pavlyuchenko with a minute left on the clock. Vociferous roars rang around White Hart Lane as the final whistle sounded, and the famous win lifts Tottenham above Benitez's Inter to the top of Group A, above the Italian giants on goal difference. Dan Quarrell / Eurosport

AIG to repay 36.7 billion dollars of US bailout AFP - Tuesday, November 2 WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Ailing insurer AIG is poised to repay 36.7 billion dollars in government bailout aid after floating its Asian unit AIA and selling another subsidiary, US officials said Monday. American International Group raised 20.5 billion dollars of cash in its initial public offering of pan-Asian insurer AIA Group last week, the Treasury Department said in an update on AIG's taxpayer-funded rescue. In the sale of unit American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) to MetLife, Inc., AIG raised about 16.2 billion dollars, including about 7.2 billion dollars in cash. "This approximately 36.7 billion dollars in aggregate proceeds will be used to fully repay the loan extended to AIG by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) and a substantial amount of the FRBNY's preferred interests in certain AIG subsidiaries," the department said. As part of AIG's restructuring targeted by March 31, 2011, the insurer will draw up to 22 billion dollars in remaining Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds from the Treasury. The money will be used to purchase the New York Fed's preferred interests in the special-purpose vehicles holding AIA and ALICO, and subsequently Treasury will receive those interests. The Treasury said it would own 92.1 percent of AIG after the restructuring, a holding that would be much more valuable than its current cash investment. The stake of 1.66 billion shares of common stock, based on Friday's closing share price, would be worth about 69.5 billion dollars, it said. "This amount significantly exceeds Treasury's current 47.5 billion dollar cash investment in AIG," which is in addition to its investment in the preferred interests. The US government expects to earn a profit on its loans to and investments in AIG after the restructuring, announced a month ago, is completed. "The completion of the restructuring is subject to a number of conditions," the Treasury said. "Nevertheless, the AIA IPO and sale of ALICO reflect the substantial progress that AIG and the USG (US government) have made to date in restructuring the company." AIG, once the world's largest insurer, received more than 180 billion dollars from US taxpayers two years ago to help cover investments that disappeared amid the collapse of a US real-estate bubble.

No more BLUE MONDAY !!! China's 'Sexiest Teacher' is Web Sensation Contributed by Super Schooper Like many pretty young girls, this teacher likes to post her photos online but some netizens wonder if it is appropriate. This long-legged beauty with large eyes, and a sweet face is, to the surprise of some, a primary school language teacher. Zhu Songhua, a 30-year-old primary school teacher became an Internet sensation in China after she appeared on a variety TV show aired on Jiangsu Satellite Television. She appeared in a "Happy Night" programme, for a segment titled "My Teacher is Special". Internet sources report that the teacher from No. 1 Primary School in Jiangsu has been teaching since she graduated from Nantong Normal University, and has won awards in teaching competitions. A colleague said that she loves teaching and is an exceptional teacher. She also does not dress up at work, unlike in her photographs posted online. While the report said she was single, a netizen who claimed to know her commented that she was married. Would you accept a teacher like her ?

Expats Will Rule Singapore – Says Adam Khoo by theAsianparent.com editorial team The Expats Will Rule Singapore I have a prediction. My prediction is that in a couple of years, the expatriates (from China, India, US etc…) will rule Singapore. They will increasing take on more leadership roles of CEOs, directors, heads of organizations, award winners etc… If you observe closely, it is already happening now. This year’s top PSLE (Primary School Leaving Exam) student is a China National. Most of the deans list students and first class honours students in the local universities are foreigners and more and more CEOs, even that of government link corporations are expats. The top players in our National teams are expats. As a Singaporean, I am not complaining. I think that in a meritocratic society like Singapore, it is only fair that the very best get rewarded, no matter their race, religion or nationality. Like Lee Kwan Yew said, I rather these talented and driven people be on our team contributing to our nation than against us from their home country. The question I have been asking is, ‘why are the expats beating the crap out of Singaporeans?’ What I noticed is that these expats have a very important quality that many Singaporeans (especially the new Y generation lack). It is a quality that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers (who came from distant lands) had that turned Singapore from a fishing village to the third richest country in the world (according to GDP per capita). Unfortunately, I fear this quality is soon disappearing from the new generation of Singaporeans. This quality is the HUNGER FOR SUCCESS and the FIGHTING SPIRIT!!! Expats who come here today have the same tremendous HUNGER for success that our grandfathers had. They are willing to sacrifice, work hard and pay the price to succeed. They also believe that no one owes them a living and they have to work hard for themselves. They also bring with them the humility and willingness to learn. Take the case of Qui Biqing, the girl from Qifa Primary school who topped the whole of Singapore in last year’s PSLE with a score of 290. When she came to Singapore 3 years ago from China, she could hardly speak a word of English and didn’t even understand what a thermometer was. Although she was 10 years old, MOE recommended she start at Primary 2 because of her lack of English proficiency. After appealing, she managed to start in Primary 3. While most Singaporeans have a head start of learning English at pre-school at the age of 3-4 years old, she only started at age 10. Despite this handicapped, she had the drive to read continuously and practice her speaking and writing skills, eventually scoring an A-star in English! This hunger and drive can also be seen in the workforce. I hate to say this but in a way, I sometimes think expats create more value than locals. Expats are willing to work long hours, go the extra mile, are fiercely loyal to you and don’t complain so much. They also come alot more qualified and do not ask the moon for the remuneration. Recently, I placed an ad for a marketing executive. Out of 100+ resumes, more than 60% came from expats. While locals fresh grads are asking for $2,500+ per month, I have expats with masters degrees from good universities willing to get less than $2,000! They know that if they can come in and learn and work hard, they will eventually climb up and earn alot more. They are willing to invest in themselves, pay the price for future rewards. Sometimes I wonder how some of the locals are going to compete with this. Of course, this is just a generalization. There ARE definitely some Singaporeans who create lots of value and show fighting spirit. Unfortunately, I have found that more and more young Singaporeans lack this hunger for success. Instead, they like to complain, blame circumstances and wait for others to push them. Some hold on to the attitude that the world owes them a living. I shake my head when I see local kids nowadays complain that they don’t have the latest handphones, branded clothes and games. While I acknowledge that the kids of today are much smarter and well informed than I was at their age (my 4 year old daughter can use my Macbook computer and my iphone), I find that they lack the resilience and tenacity they need to survive in the new economy. Some kids nowadays tend to give up easily once they find that things get tough and demand instant gratification. When they have to work first to get rewards later, many tend to lack the patience to follow through. So, how did this happen? Why is our nation of hardworking, hungry fighters slowly becoming a nation of complaining softies? I think the problem is that life in Singapore has been too good and comfortable. Kids today have never seen hunger, poverty, war and disasters. What makes it worse is that parents nowadays give kids everything they want and over protect them from hardship and failure. Parents often ask me why their kids lack the motivation to study and excel. My answer to them is because they already have everything! Giving someone everything they want is the best way to kill their motivation. What reason is there for them to fight to become the best when they are already given the best from their parents without having to earn it? It reminds me of the cartoon movie MADAGASCAR where Alex the Lion and his animal friends were born and raised in the Central Park Zoo. They were well taken care of and provided with processed food and an artificial jungle. When they escaped to Africa, they found that they could barely survive in the wild with the other animals because they had lots their instincts to fight and hunt for food. They could only dance and sing. I see the same thing in the hundreds of seminars and training programmes I conduct. I see increasing more and more expats attending my Wealth Academy and Patterns of Excellence programme in Singapore. Not surprisingly, they are always the first to grab the microphone to answer and ask questions. While many of the locals come in late and sit at the back. The expats (especially those from India and China) always sit at the front, take notes ferociously and stay back way after the programme is over to ask questions. I feel ashamed sometimes when I ask for volunteers to ask questions, and the Singaporeans keep quiet, while the foreigners fight for the opportunity. For my “I Am Gifted!’ programme for students, I have the privileged to travel and conduct it in seven countries (Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia etc…) and see all students from all over. Is there a big difference in their attitude and behaviour? You bet! Again, I feel really sad that in Singapore, most students who come are usually forced by their parents to come and improve themselves, Some parents even bribe them with computer games and new handphones to attend. During the course, some adopt the ‘I know everything’ attitude and lack the interest to succeed until I kick their butts. It is so different when I go to Malaysia, Indonesia and once in India. The kids there ask their parents to send them to my programme. They clap and cheer enthusiastically when the teachers enter the room and participate so willingly when lessons are on. I still scratch my head and wonder what happened to my fellow Singaporeans to this day. So mark my words, unless the new generation of Singaporeans wake up and get out of their happy over protected bubble and start fighting for their future, the expats (like our great grandfathers) will soon be the rulers of the country. At the rate at which talented and hungry expats are climbing up , our future prime minister may be an Indian or China PR or may even an Ang Moh! http://www.adam-khoo.com/304/the-expats-will-rule-singapore/

‘I don’t know what I’m defending anymore’ By Ewen Boey – October 30th, 2010 Young Singaporeans like Lim Zi Rui are becoming increasingly disillusioned and they’re not afraid to let it show. The 23-year-old final-year aerospace engineering student was among a 1,000-strong crowd who attended a Ministerial Forum organised on Friday by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Students’ Union. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was the guest-of-honour. During a dialogue session after SM Goh’s main address, Lim stood up and asked if the Minister was aware that many young people no longer felt a sense of ownership in Singapore. “When I was younger, I was very proud of being a Singaporean,” said Lim as reported in The Straits Times. “But that was about five, ten years ago. Five years later, with all the changes in policies and the influx of foreign talent, I really don’t know what I’m defending any more.” He said this was a view that many of the men he served with during National Service also held. “I feel that there is a dilution of the Singapore spirit in youth… We don’t really feel comfortable in our country any more,” he said. Mr Goh replied, “‘This is one early sign of danger… If this is happening, it is very serious.” He went on to ask Mr Lim why he felt disconnected. Mr Lim told SM Goh, ”‘I’m still serving as an officer and I definitely would love to defend Singapore.” But he said the key difference between him and his foreign friends was, “I tell them, this is my country. I can’t just leave here whenever I want to. You can come and play and work here, but I have to stay here.” SM Goh responded by defending the government’s policy of welcoming foreigners. “You want to have a home. Who’s going to build your HDB flat?” said the Minister. Lim replied that due to the inability to afford the sky-high public housing prices, his brother had to call off his engagement. “My brother got engaged, but lost his engagement because he could not afford an HDB flat,” said Lim, who went on to state that his question was not about “integrating foreigners”. “My question was, how are we going to help the younger generation feel a sense of belonging to Singapore? I don’t think it’s about integrating foreigners,” said Lim. “This is your country,” SM Goh replied. “What do you want me to do to make you feel you belong?” “For my part, don’t worry about me,” Mr Lim said. “I will definitely do something, if I can, for Singapore. But I can tell you honestly that the sentiment on the ground is a bit different.” “If this is happening, it is very serious,” said SM Goh. “If the majority feel they don’t belong here, then we have a fundamental problem. Then I would ask myself: What am I doing here? Why should I be working for people who don’t feel they belong over here?” asked SM Goh. Earlier on during the dialogue session, the Minister made the point that the next General Elections, due to be held by February 2012, would be a “watershed” for the future of Singapore from which a “fourth Prime Minister and a core team of younger ministers will emerge”. SM Goh also challenged the young undergrads in his audience to “make a difference to Singapore” by joining local politics.

Maradona eyes UK Premier League coaching role AFP - Saturday, October 30 LONDON (AFP) - – Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has revealed his desire to manage in the English Premier League. Maradona is seeking a new challenge after parting company with the Argentina national side which he lead to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. The former World Cup-winning captain, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday, is now seeking a return to management, and admitted he was attracted by England's top flight. He told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I would like to manage in the Premier League. "It has very good teams, an exceptional level and great players. "The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good coaches. "If any important job comes along I will accept it." Maradona has been linked with a number of posts in recent months, including the Aston Villa job, but insists he was never in the running to accept a role. "I want to make it clear that I didn't offer myself for any job, nor did anyone offer me anything," he said. "But I know I will go back with the national team some day, that is my fate. I'm waiting." Maradona remains bitter about his exit as Argentina head coach after it had seemed his contract would be extended by Argentine Football Association. "They took away the national team from me unfairly," he said. "I don't want to talk about it, it doesn't deserve any words. I am in too good a mood to talk about people who don't deserve my words. "But I do miss the national team."

Tottenham suffer Van der Vaart blow AFP - Sunday, October 31 MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - – Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp labelled Manchester United's second goal "scandalous" as Rafael van der Vaart was ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League match with Inter Milan. Netherlands international Van der Vaart suffered a hamstring injury during his side's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday and will not feature when the European champions visit White Hart Lane. But it was the controversial decision by referee Mark Clattenburg not to disallow Nani's goal, which doubled the lead after Nemanja Vidic had given United the lead, that left Tottenham incensed. Portugal international Nani, who moments earlier thought he should have won a penalty, sealed victory after tapping the ball into the net after Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes had rolled the ball out believing he had been awarded a free-kick. "It was a scandalous decision to give it," said Redknapp. "The referee should have disallowed the goal. How can you give a goal? He's (Nani) handled the ball. "If he handles the ball he should be booked to start with - and it's a free kick. So Gomez has put the ball down for a free kick. "If you look at Darren Fletcher, he's telling Nani to get back into position because he thinks we're going to counter-attack from the free-kick. "Gomes has put the ball down to take a free-kick. It's obvious. Why would he stand there and leave the ball there? "Everyone saw him handball it except the referee. He'll probably say now he did see it. Well if he did, why didn't he book him? It's deliberate handball. What a farcical way to finsh the game." Redknapp must now pick up his players ahead of Inter Milan's visit to London. But he will be without the influential Van der Vaart, who was denied a goal by the woodwork, at Old Trafford. "He's picked up a hamstring injury," added Redknapp. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insisted it was Gomes who was to blame for the controversial goal. "You can look at the referee and you can look at the linesman and blame them, but the goalkeeper should know better," said Ferguson. "He's an experienced keeper and I thought he made a mess of it. "The referee played on because the keeper was in possession of the ball. He went to take a free kick thinking it was a foul, so he's made an error. "It was bizarre. No one knew at the time what was wrong. The goalkeeper was in possession of the ball, he had it in his hands and the next minute it's in the net." Ferguson is now urging his side to "kick on" after their third successive league and cup win. United, who face Turkish champions Bursaspor in the Champions League on Tuesday, are five points behind leaders Chelsea with a quarter of the season gone. "As I said in my programme notes, we have to kick on," added Ferguson. "We can't keep throwing games away. Last Sunday at Stoke when we lost a goal, glavanised ourselves, and won it. "Today we didn't have to worry about it because a two-goal cushion gave us a bit of comfort."

If U wanna dress ya tanky to look elegant this Christmas, get some super-green Elegance Corals with Purple/Pink/Lavender Tip from PINNACLE or IWARNA. Also spotted some neon metallic green Frogspawns & Hammers too. U won't be disappointed.

Nice TANGS & TANK !

United keep reputation intact Mon Oct 25 04:28PM In his latest exclusive interview with Eurosport, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger discusses how important it was for Manchester United to keep hold of Wayne Rooney, and what would have been at stake for the club if he had left. Were you surprised that Wayne Rooney is staying at Manchester United after the media talk? It is a bit surprising because when you say publicly that your player is likely to leave, it means you have accepted the idea that he will do so. A message to say: 'Come around the table, we are ready to sell the player.' So it is a bit surprising that they changed their mind. It seems that United became aware of the consequences for the fans and the atmosphere inside the club if he did leave - especially considering the rise of Manchester City. It would have given them the reputation of being a declining club in comparison to the upwardly-mobile Citizens. Afterwards, they had to take into account the impact signing Rooney to a new contract would have upon them, because it is going to be a big financial change. It means they have let Rooney have what he wants - and they are also going to be in trouble when it comes to renewing the contracts of the other players. So the club's reputation was at stake? When you let everybody know that you allowed your best player to leave at 25 years of age, rather than 30, it means that somehow there are clubs stronger than yours. When you sell a player, you must consider what you are losing; the player himself, of course, but in addition all the consequences for people who follow the club. By that I mean the media, fans, the club's reputation and the indirect effect upon the other top players at the club, who may think: 'If the best players are leaving, what we are going to do now?'. So everyone at the club could start worrying. Could the deal have been done in order to sell him for more money next June? That is a really good question. However, if they sign him to a new contract for five years then sell him in June, it will be worse than if they had let him go now. Were you convinced he was going to leave? Yes, because when the club said they would talk about a transfer, I assumed they were ready to sell him. If he had left, do you think it would only have been for another English club? No, I think he might have moved anywhere in the world. Surely they would have been more open to a foreign club coming in for him than an English one - because the only domestic rival who could afford to buy him was their neighbour. Do you think that he had to leave, considering the public opinion about his problems outside of football? No, because people are focused on what happens on the field. What happens in a player's private life only feeds the scandal pages of the newspapers. If you are 12 years of age, you only look at his performances on the pitch. You like him because he is able to do things you cannot do - and you want to copy him. You don't care about how he is living off the pitch. Can he change the opinion of United fans? Trust me: in this job, the only thing which changes everything is your performance on the pitch. You could be the nicest, most elegant and polite guy in the world off the pitch - but if you are bad on it, everybody is going to hate you. You can be unpleasant off the pitch, but if you are an extraordinary player, people will forgive you anything. It may not be fair, but it is the reality. People pay to see special things, and if you manage to give it to them, they enjoy it. Would you have liked to sign him for Arsenal? We never thought about it because we have enough people able to play up front. Moreover, if Manchester United are not able to pay his contract, Arsenal cannot even think about it. So it means that he will keep scoring against you as he did in the past? No, it doesn't mean he will keep annoying us - it just means that he will keep trying to annoy us. We will try to prevent him. He likes to score against Arsenal. Yes. He is world class player.

Language to blame for Tevez plight - Carlitos' Way Thu Oct 28 09:07AM ED cannot help but think that Carlos Tevez's reported homesickness may have been averted had he bothered to learn English. Fluent English-speaker Roque Santa Cruz spoke of his Manchester City team-mate's desire to be reunited with his family in Buenos Aires, saying he would not be surprised if the Argentina striker moved home soon. Tevez is a player who divides opinion. When a player divides opinion it is either because he is thought of as being bad but actually is not bad, or thought of as being good but is actually not good. In the former category you have the Darren Fletchers of this world, unheralded and often mocked but important to the team, more so for the less obvious attributes such as teamwork and decision-making than for skill or pace. In the latter category you have the entire England team, hyped through qualifiers but - with the exception of the implausibly-hated Ashley Cole - not quite up to the task when it really counts. Tevez is neither underrated not overrated - he is simply very good at football - but he still somehow divides opinion. There is a third category of 'player who divides opinion', a category Tevez comes into. It is the type of player who - when playing for their team - fans genuinely believe is one of them, someone who gives as much for the shirt as they would, working tirelessly on the pitch and wearing his heart on his sleeve. But he is the type of player who - in reality - cares little for his club, the city or even the fans, knowing it is just another richly-rewarding stop-gap in his quest for an early retirement to the beach. Neutrals or fans of other clubs - particularly those he has played for in the past - can often see this. Sometimes, as fans of City's nearest rivals will testify, even the club's own fans will take note. Tevez constantly raises his profile and worth to a club and its fans with his unquestionable behaviour on the pitch. But he always lowers expectations with his behaviour off it, creating drama with experienced, proven coaches, leaving enough uncertainty and speculation to pave the way for his next move. If he is not questioning his use as a secondary striker (as he did at Old Trafford), he is questioning the gaffer's training methods or disappearing off to Argentina (as he has done at Eastlands). Tevez has lived in London and Manchester and, while his clubs past and present boast some Spanish speakers, training-ground and pitch-side instructions will have been bellowed in English. For four-and-a-half years Tevez has been living and working in England, in an English-speaking environment. He is a rich man, who can afford several hours of high-quality lessons each day, and who even has fellow Argentine co-workers offering to help. But he still cannot master the basics of the language. He has admitted as much himself, and recently appeared in an ad for Pepsi using the selling-point that 'this promotion is so easy to explain even Tevez can do it in English'. David Beckham hardly covered himself in Castilian glory but he at least tried - heck, it took him close to a decade to become comfortable speaking English in public. And ED has nothing but contempt for the breed of Costa-dwelling Brits for whom Spanish extends to the demand for a beer with their fish and chips. But Carlos Tevez is not inarticulate and he is certainly not stupid. Interviews in his native tongue are often outspoken and amusing, and he is canny enough to know how to keep fans on side yet maintain enough distance with his club that his inevitable exit is not unexpected. For a Spanish speaker resident in the UK, one year of failing to reach a basic level of a relatively straightforward language such as English can be seen as unfortunate; a second year could be seen as careless; a third year is just downright rude. Tevez has far exceeded that. One cannot help but think that an underlying communication problem may be the root cause of his continued disagreements with his employers, and similarly with his constant craving to return to his homeland. But all the evidence points to the belief that Tevez doesn't care. He was never in it for the long haul, so why bother? --- QUOTE OF THE DAY: "He doubted he was capable of playing in the (Mexican) First Division. We told him he had to be patient, but as a young player he was impatient. I never thought he would make it as a professional. Then he started maturing and, when he was about 15, we saw that change in him. When his goal was to become a professional we supported him" - the father of Javier ‘Chicharito' Hernandez admits that his son almost quit football after he found himself enjoying university more than playing for Chivas reserves.

Anna Nicole Smith boyfriend convicted in drug trial Reuters - Friday, October 29 LOS ANGELES - Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend and a doctor were convicted on Thursday of helping to keep the former Playboy model supplied with painkillers and other prescription drugs before her death. But after a two month trial, a Los Angeles jury acquitted a second doctor on all charges in what was seen by the defense as a victory for physicians who treat patients with chronic pain. Smith's companion and lawyer Howard K. Stern was convicted on two counts of conspiracy for using false names to obtain prescription drugs for his lover, but was acquitted on seven more serious charges. Smith's psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich was convicted on four counts. A January 6 date was set for sentencing, and a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney said the pair could get anything from probation to three years in prison. The three were not charged in the 2007 death of Smith, known as a model, TV star and for marrying an 89-year-old oil billionaire, 63 years older than her, in the 1990s. She died at age 39 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Stern, Eroshevich and physician Sandeep Kapoor had all pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of fraudulently providing drugs and controlled substances to a known addict. Their lawyers argued that Smith needed the drugs for legitimate purposes, including the caesarean birth of her daughter Danielynn in 2006 and the death of her adult son days after. She used fake names to protect her privacy, they said. The jury reached its split verdict after 13 days of deliberations following a trial that saw the judge criticize prosecutors for being overly aggressive and throw out some of the original charges against the trio. Prosecutors said the three conspired to provide the late fashion model and reality TV star with a cocktail of painkillers, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs by writing or seeking prescriptions using several false names. The defense said their clients cared for Smith and would not harm her, and argued she used the drugs to help her sleep and control severe pain. "This is the right result, not just for Kapoor, but for patients everywhere," Kapoor's lawyer Ellyn Garofalo told journalists. "This was a misplaced and ill-conceived prosecution," Garofalo added, saying law enforcement officials should focus their resources on illicit drug pushers who supply pills for nonmedical purposes. Eroshevich told reporters that she had few regrets about helping Smith. "She had a lot of problems. She was a good person and a friend," the psychiatrist said. The investigation was backed by California Attorney General Jerry Brown, running for governor in elections next week. Brown has mounted a tough campaign against prescription drug abuse, and officials in his office helped investigate the 2009 death of Michael Jackson. The singer's personal doctor has been charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson.