THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT !!!

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Cooking anyone ???

'Naked Chef' to debut on Hong Kong Adult Channel

AFP - 22 minutes ago

HONG KONG (AFP) - A Hong Kong adult channel is set to debut a cooking show headlined by a n.u.d.e host who will prepare Cantonese dishes wearing a transparent apron -- an apparent bid to encourage more men to cook.

Host Flora Cheung will start each 30-minute show shopping for fresh ingredients in the city's famous wet markets, undressing once she is back in the privacy of her studio kitchen, the South China Morning Post reported.

Cheung, who admits she has never worked in a restaurant kitchen, said she hopes the risque show will draw more men into the kitchen. The first episode is set to air later this month.

"I have always liked cooking and I thought I should share (the) enjoyment with more people," the 26-year-old told the Post.

"Most men don't like to cook, but I want to get them interested... From shopping to cooking -- it's the whole shebang," Cheung added.

The host promised that her tailor-made, transparent apron won't leave much to the imagination.

"It covers pretty much everything but hides nothing," she was quoted as saying.

Producer Jesse Au told the paper that the show may spawn similar offerings with n.u.d.e hosts cooking up a range of Asian cuisines: "This could be an endless series if it proves popular."

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Expat divorces on the rise in S’pore?

By Angela Lim – February 7th, 2011

It looks like foreign wives living in Singapore will have to keep a closer eye on their husbands considering the recent hike in expatriate divorces here.

According to Singapore divorce lawyers, more foreign men are leaving their wives for Singapore and Asian women, reported My Paper.

Family lawyers have recently found their base of expatriate clients increase from just a handful to nearly 70 per cent of the total number of cases they handle.

Apparently, it’s the men who tend to travel often for work who are most susceptible to cheating.

Lawyers say while there is no specific social setting that breeds infidelity, the third parties involved are mostly air stewardesses, female co-workers and women at nightspots or social events.

Expatriate wives often suspect their husbands are up to no good upon discovering the usual giveaways like a flirtatious message, receipts for expensive gifts, peer reports and now more popularly, Facebook photos.

Many of them would then hire private eyes, who can follow a suspect all the way overseas to expose them.

Lawyers add that it is common to receive private eyes’ reports detailing the men having a wild time partying every night and indulging in romantic dinners with women, even inviting them to their hotel rooms.

Ms Wong Kai Yun, a partner of law firm Chia Wong, revealed she has handled more than 100 cases involving expatriates in the last five years.

She said that many of them were from high net-worth families, with husbands who were posted here to take up managerial positions or directorships in the multinational companies they worked for.

“In some scenarios, both husband and wife held high positions before the man was assigned overseas. The wife gives up her job, relocates with her children to Singapore where, a few years down the road, he is charmed by an Asian woman and wants a divorce,” explained Ms Wong.

The trend of more husbands relocating here because of their jobs appears to coincide with Singapore’s growing pool of Employment Pass holders. This is reflected in the increase from 99,000 in 2007 to 142,000 last year, according to Ministry of Manpower records.

Why do expatriate couples choose to settle their divorces here?

According to Mr Koh Tien Hua, a family lawyer with Harry Elias Partnership, jurisdiction and convenience are the two main reasons couples choose to end their marriages here instead of in their home country.

Lawyers claim that many expatriates come from as far away as Russia and Britain to nearby Asian nations to file for a divorce. These clients are mostly in their mid-30s and older, as one would need to be in a relatively senior position to get an overseas posting, they added.

And ending a marriage here does not come cheap.

Some cases can cost a good five times the usual amount a Housing Board flat-dwelling Singapore couple would have to pay for a divorce. An industry insider added that an expatriate couple can rack up between S$80,000 and S$100,000 in legal fees for extra legwork.

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PCF Kindergarten in Bedok to FINE Late Parents

By Faris – February 8th, 2011

In a measure to stamp out late comers, a PAP Community Foundation (PCF) kindergarten in Bedok will impose a fine on parents who pick up their kids late from class.

The kindergarten located in Block 30, Upper Changi Road said parents have repeatedly picked up their kids late from school, affecting the ability of teachers to take proper lunch or dinner breaks or to attend evening courses.

In a circular to parents last month, the principal of the kindergarten said it will charge parents S$2 for every five minutes that they are late.

While childcare centres are known to have such policies, this practice is uncommon in a kindergarten. The kindergarten first imposed the penalty last May — but for a smaller amount, and only when parents were late for more than 15 minutes.

The kindergarten has had about 10 cases where parents were late by about two to three hours. But a senior kindergarten staff said that, despite the warnings, no fines have been collected so far.

The PAP Community Foundation told MediaCorp that it knows of the situation but leaves operational matters to the kindergartens themselves to decide.

It added that this late charge is specific to the Bedok branch, and is not a PCF-wide policy.

“It is up to the management or principal of the respective PCF centre on whether they would like to implement such system”, said Ms Suriyati, in her 30s and principal of the PCF kindergarten located at Woodlands St 83.

While Ms Suriyati would not impose a fine on parents, she would usually give parents up to three warnings in cases where they are late in picking up their children.

For Ms Lee Mui Ling, 35, principal of the Cashew branch, she told Yahoo! Singapore that her staff would usually call up parents who are late. The office hours in most PCF kindergartens end at 5pm.

“But there are also parents who will call in advance if they are late as sometimes they might be involved in certain circumstances and we understand.”

However, in cases of frequent late comers with some being half an hour late, Ms Lee would usually explain to parents that some of the kindergarten teachers have courses to attend to in the evening or some of her staff have family responsibilities.

Still, both branches said that after being informed, those parents would subsequently turned up being punctual.

For housewife Rozannah Md Shah, 36, whose son is in Primary 3, to fine a parent seems harsh.

“There might be those who are genuinely late because of work or other important reasons, so it might be harsh to fine them.

“But parents should at least take the initiative to inform that they are late so at least teachers will know what time they would arrive, rather than keep on waiting without knowing anything.”

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MEGACHURCH closes losing Childcare Centre

By Alicia Wong – February 9th, 2011

The megachurch that raised $21 million in a day last year is closing one of its businesses because of financial losses.

BrightStar Child Development Centre at Suntec City Mall will be shut down from April, according to a letter distributed on Jan 25 to parents of children attending the preschool and which Yahoo! Singapore obtained a copy of. The centre is one of New Creation Church’s five business entities.

“The centre has been making losses since we started out operations in October 2004 and despite our efforts to try and revive the business, we are still not able to remain viable,” it said. “The management has decided to make the tough decision to close down the centre with effect from 1st April 2011.”

To ensure a “smooth transition” for parents and children, the church said it has arranged for Josiah Montessori City Childcare Centre located at Milenia Walk to absorb the Brightstar students. Parents can choose to send their children there and pay a “special fees package” so the difference in fees is kept to a minimum.

The church’s handling of the matter has left some teachers and parents up in arms.

Why did the church make the announcement at the start of a new term, instead of alerting parents at the end of the school term in December 2010, they questioned. It would be difficult looking for another school as the reputable schools would already be full, they said.

They also wondered why their offer to pay higher school fees was not considered.

Parents declined to be named, citing their concerns of repercussions on their children.

A mother of a K2 boy said, “Parents are really open. We asked what can we do to keep the school open?” She commended the good work of the BrightStar teachers and was worried her son would have difficulty catching up with a new curriculum at Josiah Montessori.

“There’s a social responsibility for those who run education services. They are dealing with education and children, it’s not just a matter of business,” she said.

Josiah Montessori has a different teaching style, parents claimed, and the different operating hours mean they have to rework their schedules.

A mother, whose main concern is whether her child can adapt to a new environment, said, she will have to put off her plans to work full-time to search for another preschool again.

Another mother, in her 30s, felt it was the church’s “social responsibility” to consider the needs of parents, instead of just focusing on business.

She said, parents tried unsuccessfully to petition for the centre to remain open till the end of the year. “New Creation Church is cash rich, don’t they have money to sustain this business?”

The church is the second largest independent church in Singapore. With a 20,000 strong congregation, it is known for having raised massive amounts of money during fund-raisers.

Last year, it raised $21 million in 24 hours. In 2009, it’s congregation gave $19 million when the church was collecting funds for its new $1 billion building complex in Buona Vista.

Madam Guo Lingdi, 48, a Mandarin teacher and supervisor at BrightStar said she offered to take over the running of the centre and asked the management for more time for her to work up a proposal. They rejected her, she said.

According to Mdm Guo, there are 54 children enrolled in the centre. Mdm Guo has been with the centre for nearly six years and has worked in this line for 17 years.

When contacted, New Creation Church declined to respond to media queries. The church uploaded an announcement on its website on Tuesday evening instead.

The church said, it’s council reviewed the centre’s operations and “made an executive decision to close the centre down”.

“Unlike our Daystar Child Development Centres in Holland and Jurong which are Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), BrightStar was not started as a community service, but on a commercial basis. Due to increasing costs and logistics changes, the Council decided that it was no longer viable to continue running the business,” it said.

The two months’ notice period is also in line with guidelines from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, the church added. Parents were given various options, such as a waiver of one month’s school fees and reimbursement of fees paid in advance, cost of enrichment materials bought and insurance premium.

In June last year, New Creation Church deacon Jack Ho briefed members on the church’s five business operations. They are: Daystar Child Development Centre, BrightStar Child Development Centre, Rock Productions, Rock Gifts & Book Centre and Omega Tours & Travel.

He said, the church has gone into business ventures not to make money, but to cater to the needs of its growing congregation of 20,000.

He said, BrightStar served to “meet the needs of parents” working around the Suntec area and could also be used on Sunday for nursery care services.

He added, however, BrightStar is not a VWO because then it would not be able to charge enough to cover its costs, including an expensive rental fee.

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Death of Tycoons Wife traced to Alcohol, Pills Mix

By Faris February 9th, 2011

Taking alcohol with sleeping pills proved fatal for the wife of a Singaporean tycoon, an inquest revealed.

On July 2 last year, Madam Lim Sin Juat, 56, was found lying motionless on the floor of her sons bedroom at Lantana Avenue, off Sixth Avenue. She was the wife of Labroy Marine founder Tan Boy Tee.

Lying near the woman were a bottle of whisky, several blue and pink pills, a glass half-filled with liquor and an empty box of sleeping pills. It was said that Mdm Lim had a habit of taking alcohol with sleeping pills to help her sleep.

She was holding the key to the bedroom and a note was found beside her, but the words were smudged by her vomit.

An autopsy found ethanol in her blood and urine, and midazolam and zolpidem both medications for insomnia in the urine and stomach contents.

The autopsy report stated that the combination of ethanol and drugs is known to be highly lethal and can cause fatal respiratory depression, even when present in low quantities.

The cause of death was due to ethanol and mixed drug poisioning.

At an inquest into her death on Tuesday, a coroners court heard that her relationship with her husband had been strained since 2009, when she found out about his extramarital affair.

In his findings, State Coroner Imran Abdul Hamid said the evidence showed Madam Lim was depressed over the affair. However, the court could not conclusively say if what she did was intended by her to end her own life, or if it was a case where death came by accident.

A police report on Madam Lims death noted she had been unhappy with her husbands attitude towards her on July 1, after his return from a holiday.

A check with the three domestic helpers revealed that most of the time, the deceased would be the one probing and asking questions, and (Mr Tan) would keep quiet and not answer them, it said.

At around 1am on July 2, the maids saw Madam Lim shouting and scolding Mr Tan, who ignored her. He later left with his friend, Mr Tan Hong Kiat, 53.

The men went to the casino at Resorts World Sentosa and did not return home for the night, staying at the Crockfords hotel there. While they were at the casino, Madam Lim sent five text messages to Mr Tan Hong Kiat around 2am to 3am, telling him to inform her husband not to come back in case they quarreled again.

She sent one text message to her husband. It said, Your Malaysian girl is the best. Im useless.

The report said Mr Tan did not pay much attention to the SMS as Madam Lim would always send SMSes of such nature to him whenever she was feeling sore about the affair.

At about 10am on July 2, the maids discovered she had locked herself inside her elder sons room. They called her husband, who returned home with his friend.

Mr Tan Hong Kiat kicked open the door and found her lying on the floor in a crouching position. She was pronounced dead at about 2.30pm.

The husband told police the sleeping tablets were his and had been prescribed by a doctor 10 years ago. He had shared them with his wife, who had insomnia.

Investigations found that although she was clearly unhappy about the affair, she had never mentioned anything or done anything showing suicidal inclinations.

She was also known to have a habit of writing notes to Mr Tan whenever she was upset with him over the affair, and this was their way of communication as they seldom talked to each other after the affair, Inspector John Sia of Clementi police division said in his report.

Mr Tan, 61, now retired, founded Labroy Marine more than 30 years ago. He sold the tug-and-barge operations to Dubais Drydocks World in 2008 for more than US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion), pocketing more than US$700 million. He was ranked 12th in the Forbes list of 40 richest Singaporeans in 2009, and was said to be worth US$650 million then.

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US shop's Valentine's offer: SEX Toys for GUNS

AFP - Wednesday, February 9

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A shop in the US state of Alabama on Tuesday launched a Valentine's Day offer it hopes will trigger a large response in a limp economy: customers can swap their guns for sex toys.

"In today's economy, this is a way of helping people who may feel they can't afford something for Valentine's Day," said Sherri Williams, the owner of the "Pleasures" sex toy shop, where assorted erotica during the next week can be obtained in exchange for cast-off firearms.

"This way, they can take something that's just lying around and swap it for something they can take home and make love, not war with," she told AFP.

A video posted on its website said the shop, housed in an old bank building in Huntsville, "is trading guns off the street for fun between the sheets."

As soon as Pleasures opened its doors on Tuesday, a customer came in and exchanged an Iver Johnson revolver for a $40 gift certificate to be spent in the shop, which stocks everything from s.teamy videos to naughty negligees.

The gun was inspected by licensed gun dealer and gunsmith David Smith, who happens to be Williams' husband.

Guns can be exchanged at Pleasures from Tuesday until February 15, the day after Valentine's Day.

Firearms found to have been stolen or used in a crime will be handed over to the police, while others will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to victims of gun violence, said Williams, who said she is not looking to make money out of the deal.

"I'm in it to help people enjoy Valentine's Day in a tough economy," she said.

"I'm also in it to get guns off the street -- to take them out of the hands of people who would potentially do harm with them, and put them in the hands of collectors."

Williams conceded that the guns could be resold at auction, in which case they might end up back on the streets, but said the effort still is worthwhile.

"We might just change one person's mind," she said.

"You never know, maybe there will be someone who says, 'I've got this gun that I could go rob a liquor store with, or maybe I can get me a blow-up doll for Valentine's Day, instead."

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Premier League - Reina defends Torres Exit

Mon, 07 Feb 19:21:00 2011

Pepe Reina has defended the decision taken by his Liverpool and Spain team mate Fernando Torres to join Chelsea and urged fans of the Anfield club to remember the good times he brought them.

Torres incensed some Liverpool fans with his explanation that he joined Chelsea because he wanted to win trophies and some burned his number nine shirt in protest.

Goalkeeper Reina, who joined Torres at Spain's training base outside Madrid on Monday as they prepare for Wednesday's friendly against Colombia, said there was nothing to be done but wish the striker good luck.

"Football is like that, as players we come and go," Reina was quoted as saying in Spanish media.

"You have to understand his decision, he felt it was a good opportunity to continue developing.

"The club has to look forward and forget Fernando. He is not here anymore and we can't do anything but wish him a lot of luck."

Torres had a miserable debut at home to Liverpool on Sunday, squandering several chances before being substituted in the 66th minute as Chelsea lost 1-0.

One travelling Liverpool fan held up a banner reading: "18 titles, five European Cups -- is Chelsea a bigger club?", while another threw a Liverpool shirt bearing his name on to the Stamford Bridge pitch.

"It's logical that people don't understand it but I think they have to make an effort and remember what he did for the club during these past three and a half years," Reina said.

"He scored a lot of goals, he provided many entertaining afternoons of football and that is what we have to remember, the smile that he put on people's faces in many matches.

"In my case a friend is leaving, it's tough but football is like that.

"Yesterday at (Chelsea) was a bit strange but football has these situations.

"Today you are playing with a team mate and friend and the next you are playing against him but you have to wish him a lot of luck. He is trying to make things work out well for himself."

Reuters

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Premier League - Paper Round: Now Chelsea want Cesc

Tue, 08 Feb 09:29:00 2011

Chelsea showed they can make unlikely transfers come true when they signed Fernando Torres from Liverpool; now The Sun reckons they are going to try and make a move for Arsenal's captain Cesc Fabregas.

The paper claims that the Blues are plotting to 'hijack' Barcelona's plans to sign the midfielder in the summer and could benefit from doubts as to whether Barca can afford the £60 million valuation that has been slapped on Fabregas's head by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

However, even the Sun seems to doubt the credibility of their own sans-source backpage story, admitting: "The biggest obstacle could be his (Fabregas's) reluctance to cross London. A move to Stamford Bridge would be viewed as treason."

Meanwhile, there is a bit more credibility in the same paper's story linking Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a shock move to Manchester United in the summer: in this case they have quotes from the man himself, given to Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

Last month our Armchair Pundit Alex Chick argued that Reina would be the perfect fit for United - but was lambasted by Liverpool fans who argued that their shot-stopper would never leave for their fierce rivals.

However, do these sound like the words of a man who has no interest in a move?

"Yes, well (Edwin) van der Sar will hang up his gloves in the summer so of course they are looking. I can't do anything. I can't say anything logically as I have a contract with Liverpool.

"Of course one likes to fight for titles and be in a team that does that. We always fought to be in the Champions League and try to win the title.

"But unfortunately it hasn't been the case in the last couple of years."

Watch this space for developments on that story.

Going back to Chelsea: according to the Daily Mail, the Blues are hoping to entice former caretaker boss Guus Hiddink back to the club.

However, Chelsea don't see the Dutchman as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti; they instead want the current Turkey boss to take over from sporting director Frank Arnesen, whose contract expires in the summer.

Yesterday's Paper Round listed the various names linked with the West Brom job. Today that of Roy Hodgson seems the strongest among them, with a number of papers saying he is the Baggies' first choice.

However, caretaker Michael Appleton and St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes are also in the running for the job, according to the Independent.

The papers are also full of praise for Kenny Dalglish and how he has transformed Liverpool's fortunes, with the Daily Mirror even going so far as to say he is now on the "brink" of being offered the job on a full-time basis.

And finally: Newcastle's Joey Barton is set to sign a contract extension with the club despite being frustrated by the sale of Andy Carroll (various), while the club could ease their striker problems by signing former Middlesbrough and Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere on a short-term deal (Daily Mail).

[kueytoc]

Bundesliga - Wolfsburg sack McClaren

Mon, 07 Feb 16:34:00 2011

Former England manager Steve McClaren has been sacked by German giants Wolfsburg, ending a disappointing eight-month reign in charge of the former Bundesliga champions.

"VfL have parted ways with Steve McClaren," the club said in a statement. "Pierre Littbarski is taking over."

"We were not convinced any more that we could work with Steve McClaren in a solid way until the end of the season," Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness said.

McClaren joined the Volkswagen-backed team in the summer, weeks after leading Dutch minnows FC Twente to a surprise Eredivisie title.

He has only won five of 21 Bundesliga matches and a 1-0 defeat at Hannover appears to have been the last straw, coming four games after a vote of confidence for the former Middlesbrough manager.

The club lies 12th in the 18-team Bundesliga, one point above the relegation play-off places.

The 2009 champions' latest disappointment came after Brazil midfielder Diego defied team orders by taking a penalty, which he subsequently missed.

The drama added to the belief that McClaren works better with younger, lesser-known players and that he struggles to man-manage top internationals.

In addition to his unprecedented success with Twente, McClaren won the League Cup with Middlesbrough, who he then took to the UEFA Cup final, where they were beaten by Sevilla.

But afterwards he struggled as England manager, failing to qualify for Euro 2008 and replaced by Fabio Capello soon afterwards.

McClaren kept his job at Wolfsburg in January, despite coming under mounting pressure for poor results, with fans initially blaming the board for not adding enough top players to the squad in the summer.

Recent weeks, however, saw fans protest against McClaren, with the poor run continuing despite January signings Patrick Helmes, Tuncay, Koo Ja-cheol and Yohandry Orozco compensating for the sale of Edin Dzeko to Manchester City.

Eurosport

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DRAMA lah !

Premier League - Torres: I will repay Abramovich

Mon, 14 Feb 07:53:00 2011

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has vowed to repay Roman Abramovich's faith in him.

The Blues owner set a new British transfer record when he paid £50 million to take Torres from Liverpool a fortnight ago.

The Spaniard did not make any instant repayments as he disappointed on his debut against his former club, but he has now promised to vindicate the Russian's faith in him.

"As a striker I'm asked for goals so I'll pay in goals. I still haven't seen Roman Abramovich," Torres told The Sun.

"To put so much money down for me speaks of his dreams to keep on making history.

"We want to repay him for this effort," he added.

"I have to pay my debt on the pitch. It's beautiful he paid so much for me."

[kueytoc]

WICKED $$$ !!!

Premier League - Abramovich worth over £11BN

Thu, 17 Feb 13:41:00 2011

Russian authorities have released details of the assets and wealth of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, estimated to be worth more than £11 billion.

Russia's election commission released the details as required for next month's parliamentary election in the Eastern province of Chukotka, where Abramovich is in line to be a parliamentary deputy.

Since the recent economic downturn, Abramovich's wealth is on the rise again as Forbes magazine estimates the oligarch to be Russia's fourth-richest man.

But according to Abramovich's spokesman John Mann, the numbers may not show the full extent of his wealth.

"It is the first time it (Abramovich's wealth) has been published in this format because of the new rules.

"This shows the interest income on his bank deposits. It is not his full income."

Abramovich's fortune is mostly held in companies including Millhouse Capital, Eucla Investments Limited, Primerod International Limited and Chelsea Limited, which owns the Premier League club.

With much of his wealth tied into company investment, the figures released are a fraction of the 44-year-old's oil fortune.

John Mann believes that these figures could put to bed rumours of Abramovich's tax status.

"Perhaps the fact that the Russian properties are listed first will encourage reporters to stop falsely reporting that his principle home is London.

"It will also stop people reporting on properties he has never owned."

Abramovich's declaration of wealth will increase fascination into how he spends his money outside of lavish investments, such as smashing the British transfer fee record by purchasing former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres for £50 million.

Apart from the extensive list of residences in several countries, Abramovich's taste in cars may seem less opulent than expected.

The most luxurious of the vehicles declared is a Mercedes S500L, but a four-year-old Volkswagen Golf fills out his garage.

"He's a sensible guy," said spokesman Mann about the modest collection. "I guess he doesn't want to give that image."

Abramovich's more majestic purchases, such as his four super-yachts and collection of private jets and helicopters, were not disclosed in the report.

The declaration is unlikely to interest the residents and voters from Chukotka, where the average income is estimated at £11,000 a year.

But Abramovich's work while governor of Chukotka between 2000 and 2008 will not go unnoticed, as he spent a reported £2bn on public facilities as part of Putin's attempts to push oligarchs to give back their wealth to society.

Campaigners for greater transparency in Russia, such as Elena Panfilova, head of Transparency International's Moscow bureau, have welcomed the declaration.

"Even if there's a small sliver of light it's already easier to see. We have seen one piece (of his wealth), and hopefully more will appear."

Some highlights of Abramovich's December 2010 declaration of wealth include:

Properties

Seven in Britain, two in the United States, three in France, four in Russia, and one in the Caribbean. Estimated total value of property: £300m

Cars

Seven, notably Mercedes S500L (2010), BMW 760Li (2010), VW Golf (2007). Estimated total value of car collection: £650,000

Cash and shares

£71.78m across 22 separate bank accounts, £25.48m tied up in shares

Ownership

100% of Chelsea Limited (football club estimated worth of £402.19 million), 100% of Lowndes Square Management Company Limited, 100% of Croe France Chateau de la Croe and Eucla Investments Limited, 25% of Primerod International Limited, 100% of Wotton Overseas Holdings Limited, and 100% of Camberley International Investments Limited.

[kueytoc]

Serie A - Gattuso facing lengthy BAN

Wed, 16 Feb 14:44:00 2011

Milan captain Gennaro Gattuso could miss the rest of the European season after UEFA launched an investigation into his attack on Tottenham's assistant manager Joe Jordan.

Milan's 1-0 home defeat to Spurs in the first leg of their last 16 tie, which began with a whimper as Massimiliano Allegri fielded a defensive team, ended with an explosion of frustration from the midfield enforcer as he grabbed Jordan by the throat and tried to headbutt him following a fiery exchange of words.

UEFA will meet on Monday to decide Gattuso's punishment. The former Rangers star has admitted that he is at fault and has said that he is prepared to accept any punishment for the attack, which took place after the final whistle.

"I was nervous. We were both speaking Scottish, something that I learned when I played in his home city of Glasgow, but I can't tell you what we said," said Gattuso, who is married to a Scottish woman.

"I lost control. There is no excuse for what I did. I take my responsibilities for that.

"I didn't want to argue with players and I did it with him, but I was wrong to do what I have done. I will have to await what they decide."

Two years ago Didier Drogba was banned for three European matches with a suspended ban for a fourth match after he hounded a referee following a Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

But with Gattuso having physically attacked Jordan his ban is expected to be longer. Given that he is already suspended for the return clash at White Hart Lane thanks to a yellow card on Tuesday night, the Milan skipper is unlikely to play any further part in this season's Champions League since even a four-match European ban would rule him out until the final.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp branded Gattuso "crazy" following the fiery midfielder's bust-up with his number two.

"I don't know why it all got so silly," Redknapp said. "Gattuso had a flare-up with Joe Jordan. I don't know why. He obviously hasn't done his homework. He could have picked a fight with someone other than Joe.

"He put his head into Joe's face for some reason. It was crazy. He lost his head during the game."

The match was also marred by a "horrendous" tackle by Rossoneri midfielder Mathieu Flamini that left Vedran Corluka on crutches.

Flamini launched a two-footed lunge in the second half of the bad-tempered encounter to end the Croatian defender's participation on the night.

The former Arsenal man escaped with just a booking, but Redknapp did not see it the same way as French referee Stephane Lannoy.

"The tackle from Flamini was a horrendous tackle," Redknapp said. "It was a sending off. He was two or three feet off the floor with two feet. It was a leg-breaking tackle.

"He will have an x-ray tomorrow - I don't think he has broken it but he could have done easily."

The game was settled by Peter Crouch's 80th-minute winner and Redknapp was keen not to allow the double controversy overshadow what was an assured performance from his team, and one which puts them on the brink of the quarter-finals in just their first Champions League campaign.

"It was a great night, a fantastic performance," said Redknapp. "We set out how we wanted to play and the players responded and couldn't have done any more.

"They did exactly what we asked of them tonight. We got a great result, exactly what we deserved."

He added: "We've done half the job. We know they're dangerous. We have the advantage but it's half-time.

"It's still all to play for. It'll be an interesting second leg."

[kueytoc]

Gattuso gets Galliani Support

Thu, 17 Feb 17:52:40 2011

AC Milan managing director Adriano Galliani claims the headbutting incident which saw AC Milan vice-captain Gennaro Gattuso charged with gross unsporting misconduct has been blown out of proportion.

Gattuso headbutted Tottenham coach Joe Jordan after the two sides' Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday. UEFA have announced their control and disciplinary body will discuss the case against the 33-year-old Italian next Monday.

Galliani believes there has been too much focus on the incident, saying: "What he did was an unpleasant episode that was not good, but he was heavily provoked. Of course you should not react like that but do not condemn everything."

He added: "Gattuso has played 104 games in Europe and has been sent off once, in 2003 after a clash with (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, who is now his team-mate.

"In 25 years, since (Silvio) Berlusconi became president of the company, Milan's conduct has been exemplary."

Galliani added: "We are not thinking of stripping the vice-captaincy from Gattuso."

Gattuso's caution in the San Siro match - awarded for a rash challenge on Steven Pienaar after which the Italian repeatedly hit the turf in anger - ensures he will be suspended for the return leg at White Hart Lane on March 9.

That ban is set to be extended when UEFA's control and disciplinary body meet on Monday to discuss the case. UEFA rules stipulate a minimum three-match ban for assault, although the governing body have the power to dole out lengthier suspensions in exceptional cases.

Galliani added: "We will produce our defence tomorrow and ask for Gattuso's behaviour over 104 games to be taken into account, then we'll see what to do after the ruling."

[kueytoc]

Gattuso escapes UEFA assault charge over Jordan incident

Thu, 17 Feb 12:22:00 2011

AC Milan captain Gennaro Gattuso has escaped an assault charge for his headbutt on Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Joe Jordan, UEFA said on Thursday.

A spokesman said the 33-year-old midfielder had been charged with the lesser offence of gross unsporting conduct which, according to UEFA's disciplinary code, carries a "suspension for one competition match or for a specified period".

Gattuso will find out the extent of his punishment on Monday.

The charge of assault carries a minimum three-match ban and European soccer's governing body also has a provision for serious assault which would carry a minimum five-match suspension.

Gattuso has apologised for what he called "inexcusable" behaviour.

The former Italy international grabbed Jordan by the throat and pushed him out by the touchline during the Champions League last-16 first leg at the San Siro which Tottenham won 1-0 on Tuesday.

Gattuso also headbutted the Spurs assistant coach after the final whistle before being pulled away by team mates.

The Milan player has already been banned from the second leg after picking up a yellow card in Tuesday's match.

Former Scotland striker Jordan, with his trademark missing teeth during his playing days, won a reputation as a hard man in spells with Leeds United, Manchester United and AC Milan.

[kueytoc]

1,900 Hondas in S’pore affected by Global Recall

By Kai Fong – February 18th, 2011

Close to 1,900 Honda vehicles sold by Kah Motor are affected by the global recall announced on Thursday, said the official distributor of Honda cars in Singapore.

According to Channel NewsAsia, the figure does not include vehicles sold by parallel importers. The three models affected are Jazz, City and Freed, which were manufactured in the last two years.

Kah Motor said it would start writing to owners immediately. Notification will be given once the car replacements arrive. It added that the replacement of car parts would take about three hours.

The Japanese automaker said on Thursday it was recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles worldwide due to defective parts that could stall the engine and cause problems restarting in certain models.

The latest action comes after the car giant was forced to call back about 1.35 million vehicles in December to repair a headlight defect. It is the latest in a series of recalls to hit Japan’s auto industry.

Honda said defective spring parts had been found in its Freed compact minivan, Fit compact car and City sedan that could deteriorate over time, resulting in abnormal sounds and in the worst case lead to stalling.

Fortunately, no accidents associated with the defect have been reported.

[kueytoc]

You can do MAGIC...!!!

China magic fish trick sparks outrage

AFP News Thu, Feb 17, 2011 6:55 AM EST

A Chinese magician has sparked outrage from animal rights groups with a trick in which he gets goldfish to swim in sync, prompting China's state broadcaster to cancel an encore performance Thursday.

However, a separate regional broadcaster said magician Fu Yandong would perform the controversial trick again on Thursday night -- and reveal its secret so as to silence his critics.

Fu dazzled audiences two weeks ago with the trick and had planned a repeat performance Thursday on a Lunar New Year holiday show on China Central Television (CCTV).

A CCTV spokeswoman told AFP he would not perform on the show, declining to give further details.

Animal rights activists cried foul over the stunt, saying Fu had likely fed the fish magnets -- or implanted them in the fish -- so they could be dragged around their tank from underneath.

They said the trick amounted to animal cruelty.

Fu's agent Liang Ming also was quoted by the China Daily saying he would not perform the trick.

The CCTV gala marks the end of the Lantern Festival, which signifies the conclusion of China's roughly two-week Lunar New Year holiday, the nation's biggest and most important festival.

Fu had been billed as one of the highlights of the Lantern Festival show.

Hundreds of millions of viewers watched Fu perform the trick two weeks earlier on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala, China's most watched programme of the year.

The trick -- which can be seen online at

-- involves six fish in a shallow tank on a covered table, who swim in formation at Fu's command.

Fu has so far refused to reveal the secret.

"My fish," he wrote on his microblog, are "living happily".

But his assurances have failed to quell the controversy.

In an open letter on Monday, 53 Chinese non-governmental organisations urged TV stations not to broadcast Fu's act in the future, and demanded the trick not be repeated during CCTV's Lantern Festival special.

The groups expressed fears the trick could lead to animals being tortured if viewers tried to copy it.

"Fu Yandong, based on the tradition of secrecy in the world of magic, refuses to reveal what lies under his trick. So the public remains unclear whether the fishes' safety is assured," the letter said.

But regional broadcaster Hunan Television, which has booked Fu to perform live for its own Lantern Festival special, said on its website Thursday he would perform the trick on the show and reveal the secret.

...

[kueytoc]

Sexy

anyone ???

Cooking anyone ???

'Naked Chef' to debut on Hong Kong Adult Channel

AFP - 22 minutes ago

HONG KONG (AFP) - – A Hong Kong adult channel is set to debut a cooking show headlined by a n.u.d.e host who will prepare Cantonese dishes wearing a transparent apron -- an apparent bid to encourage more men to cook.

Host Flora Cheung will start each 30-minute show shopping for fresh ingredients in the city's famous wet markets, undressing once she is back in the privacy of her studio kitchen, the South China Morning Post reported.

Cheung, who admits she has never worked in a restaurant kitchen, said she hopes the risque show will draw more men into the kitchen. The first episode is set to air later this month.

"I have always liked cooking and I thought I should share (the) enjoyment with more people," the 26-year-old told the Post.

"Most men don't like to cook, but I want to get them interested... From shopping to cooking -- it's the whole shebang," Cheung added.

The host promised that her tailor-made, transparent apron won't leave much to the imagination.

"It covers pretty much everything but hides nothing," she was quoted as saying.

Producer Jesse Au told the paper that the show may spawn similar offerings with n.u.d.e hosts cooking up a range of Asian cuisines: "This could be an endless series if it proves popular."

[kueytoc]

Back-Side gonna be PAIN-PAIN soonz !!!

SAF captain turned loan-shark runner sentenced to jail, caning

By Faris – February 19th, 2011

An army captain was sentenced to 2 years’ jail and twelve strokes of the cane for working as a loan-shark runner to repay his debts.

Kheng Kok Keong, 34, had pleaded guilty on Monday to four charges of harassment for vandalizing the homes of alleged debtors. Seventeen other charges were taken into consideration by the judge in sentencing.

The father of two children revealed that his first visit to the casino at Resorts World Sentosa last year had got him hooked. As such, he made repeated visits. In the next few months, he went on to lose a small fortune exceeding “five figures”.

“I went to the casino to check out the place out of curiosity but things started (to get out of control) from there and I just couldn’t stop,” he told The Straits Times on Thursday.

After losing $30,000 at roulette, he turned to unlicensed moneylenders. When he could not repay the loans, he was roped in by a creditor — known only as Ah Seng — to harass other debtors.

His jail term was backdated to Oct 16. He had been held in remand after he was arrested at Block 103, Commonwealth Crescent. That night, he had vandalised an eighth-floor unit. He was caught by his victim when he returned to retrieve a pack of cigarettes he had left behind.

By then, he had been on the “job” for four months. From last June, he had vandalised homes by splashing paint on doors, injecting glue into padlocks and keyholes, and scrawling messages on walls.

Before his run-in with the law, Kheng was working as a logistics officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), drawing a monthly salary of $5,000. In his 14 years with the army, he had also served as a peacekeeper in Timor Leste.

He was sacked after he was charged.

According to court documents, he vandalised 21 flats in September and October last year, mainly in Clementi, Commonwealth Crescent, Redhill and Toa Payoh.

Whenever he received an assignment, he would leave his Yishun Avenue 6 flat with his gear of black paint, black permanent marker, superglue and ski mask which he wore to obscure his face.

“Since I borrowed money, and they offered me this option, I just did it,” he said of his decision to be a loan-shark runner. “I wasn’t scared, I just thought that was the only way to repay the amount.”

He earned $2,000 each month for his efforts, all of which went towards paying off his debts.

Before he turned to Ah Seng, he had borrowed smaller sums from friends. But each time, he would go back to the casino hoping to recoup what he had lost. That was how his losses snowballed, he said.

After his arrest, his creditors besieged his flat and threw black paint on the gates, as he had done to his victims. To avoid the harassment, his wife returned to her native Taiwan, taking along their children aged five and seven.

Asked if he regretted his actions, Kheng fell silent. “I have lost contact with her,” he said of his wife. His parents, who were not at the sentencing, had also become estranged from him.

They heard about Kheng’s sentence through his lawyer G. Dinagaran who said, “They said they feel very depressed about the whole situation.”

Those convicted of harassment can be jailed for up to five years and fined between $5,000 and $50,000 on each charge. If property is damaged, they will be given three to six strokes of the cane.

[kueytoc]

Everton end Chelsea's dreams of FA Cup treble

Reuters - 34 minutes ago

By Mike Collett

LONDON - Everton skipper Phil Neville scored the decisive spotkick to give his side a 4-3 penalty shootout win over holders Chelsea after their FA Cup fourth-round replay ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Neville fired past Petr Cech after Ashley Cole had blasted his penalty high and wide as Everton completed a remarkable fightback and ended Chelsea's dreams of becoming the first club for 125 years to win the FA Cup three times in succession.

After the teams fought to a goalless stalemate in 90 minutes of end-to-end soccer, Chelsea took the lead in the last minute of the first period of extra time when Frank Lampard scored with a low volley from eight metres out.

That appeared to be enough to see Chelsea through, but with a minute of extra time remaining Leighton Baines equalised with a left-footed free kick to force the match into a shootout.

Everton trailed 2-0 on penalties after Lampard and Didier Drogba scored from their spotkicks and Baines, who minutes earlier had saved the tie, saw Cech save his penalty.

Phil Jagielka scored to pull Everton back to 2-1, before Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka, taking virtually no run up, had his spotkick saved by Everton keeper Tim Howard and Mikel Arteta scored to make it 2-2.

Michael Essien and Johnny Heitinga scored to make it 3-3 before Cole missed and Neville scored to give Everton their stunning victory and end Chelsea's hopes of emulating Blackburn Rovers, the last team to win the FA Cup three years in a row in 1884, 1885 and 1886.

Lampard, who scored when Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 in the 2009 FA Cup final, lashed in from close range after 104 minutes after Everton failed to clear a cross from substitute Anelka that bounced off Drogba's chest and fell sweetly for the Chelsea midfielder.

Everton thought they had won the match in the last minute of normal time when Cech could only parry a long-range shot from Baines into Marouanne Fellaini's path. Although Fellaini swept the ball home, he was marginally offside in the build-up.

Everton dominated the match for long periods, although Chelsea created more scoring chances, and saved the match with barely a minute to play when Baines perfectly placed his free kick high and wide of the despairing Cech.

Three FA Cup fifth-round ties were going ahead later on Saturday with Premier League Birmingham City facing League One Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City playing League One leaders Brighton and Manchester United meeting minor League Crawley Town at Old Trafford.

[kueytoc]

AP Interview: Malaysia GAY man gets Threats

By SEAN YOONG - Associated Press | AP Tue, Dec 21, 2010 3:06 AM EST

A Muslim gay man in Malaysia says he fears for his safety after speaking about his sexuality in an Internet video that attracted online death threats and accusations by religious authorities that he is insulting Islam.

Azwan Ismail told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday he was taking safety precautions following fierce criticism in this conservative, Muslim-majority country over his clip, which has been viewed more than 140,000 times on YouTube in just six days.

The segment, titled "I'm Gay, I'm OK," features the 32-year-old engineer encouraging other gay Malaysians to be confident in themselves. It is part of a series of interviews posted online by gay rights activists since last week, but Azwan has attracted heavy attention because he is the only one from Malaysia's ethnic Malay Muslim majority so far.

"I don't know what to expect next," Azwan said Tuesday in his first comments to the media after his nearly three-minute clip was posted Dec. 15. Other gay Malaysians featured in the "Independent Sexuality" video campaign so far are mainly ethnic Chinese non-Muslims, who generally face less of a public stigma about homosexuality.

Azwan said he has tried to avoid going out alone or lingering at public places after a few of the 3,000 people who commented on his video issued death threats and many others rebuked him. He has also made his personal details more private on social media websites. Although Azwan's face appears clearly in the video, he declined to be photographed for the AP interview.

Malaysia's Cabinet minister for Islamic affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, voiced concerns over the weekend that gay activists were trying to promote homosexuality. He said officials might take "appropriate action to prevent this from spreading because it would hurt Islam's image."

Harussani Zakaria, one of Malaysia's top Islamic clerics, reportedly said Azwan should have not made such an open declaration that "derided his own dignity and Islam in general."

In the clip, Azwan said it was tough being gay in Malaysia because "religious and cultural factors have defined our lives, telling us who we can be and who we can't."

Azwan did not break any obvious laws by talking in the video, but he said his lawyer friend was checking whether other legal action could be taken against him. Sodomy is punishable by 20 years in prison, though the law is only occasionally enforced. Some states impose fines or jail terms for gay-related actions such as cross-dressing in public.

The video series is inspired by the similar "It Gets Better Project" started in the United States in October in response to a string of gay youth suicides. Several more Malay Muslims are expected to speak in upcoming clips, which are meant to tell young gay Malaysians not to despair about their future.

"My intention was not to insult Islam," Azwan told the AP. "I just wanted to represent gay Malays in this project. I hope these videos will help to create a more open society and more discussion."

Azwan, who has a boyfriend, said he started confiding in others about his sexuality five years ago. He added that he has not broached the subject with his parents, but his brother asked him about it after news of the video surfaced.

[kueytoc]

Change JOBS and expect Higher PAY

By Alicia Wong – February 22nd, 2011

Thinking of changing your job soon? Don’t be afraid to ask for as much as 15 percent more pay.

According to international recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, those who change their jobs this year should expect a 10 to 15 percent increase in pay. And if you have a niche skill set, you could get as much as 25 percent more.

The consultancy launched its annual Global Salary Survey 2011 on Tuesday, wherein it outlined countries’ market conditions and salary levels.

The survey analysed Robert Walters’ permanent, interim and contract placements across countries and industries.

In Singapore, for example, a senior engineer, assistant manager or manager in the engineering industry earned between $65,000 to $130,000 per annum last year. This year, he is expected to earn between $70,000 to $135,000 per annum.

Managing director for Singapore and Malaysia Andrea Ross said that the Singapore market struggled to retain top employees given the abundance of job opportunities last year.

It will likely be the case this year too, she said.

“Companies do have to remain competitive. They cannot assume their brand name is going to attract good talent onboard. They have to be paying benefits and offering training and development,” she said.

As Singapore’s economy boomed in 2010, salary increases for those who switched jobs ranged were between 15 and 20 percent last year, said Ms Ross.

The Singapore economy grew by 14.5 percent last year. The government expects the economy to grow by between 4 and 6 percent this year.

The financial services sector saw the biggest growth last year and is expected to continue with strong hiring this year, said Ms Ross.

If you are interested in rewnewable energy or aviation, this may be a good year for you too.

The consultancy predicted growth in the aviation and aerospace sector, as the Seletar Aerospace Park is expected to be completed in the first half of this year.

There have also been more renewable energy projects focusing particularly on solar, water and wind types of energy implemented within Asia Pacific, noted the consultancy.

Robert Walters manager Andree Mangels said that companies developing green technologies view Singapore as a hub from which they can do business within the region.

For instance, Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) recently opened one of the world’s largest integrated solar production facilities in Tuas. It has 1,500 staff and is still on the look out for others to join the company.

“Demand for such talent (in renewable energy) is very high in Singapore, much higher than what Singapore can offer,” said Mr Mangels. These companies will pay as much as 30 percent more than others, he said.

But for those wanting to enter the semi-conductor industry, the outlook is not as positive. They are taking longer to recover from the financial crisis and hiring was not as bouyant last year, said Ms Ross. She expects hiring for this sector to be slow this year, too.

Other sectors where recruitment was strong last year include the hospitality, fast moving consumer goods, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and oil and gas sectors.

Regionally, greater demand for revenue-generating roles in financial services in Hong Kong and a surge in recruitment in Malaysia due to the implementation of a number of government-initiated are expected.

Salary increases are forecast to be about 10 percent across various industries and roles in China, while top-tier candidates could get a 15 to 30 percent pay raise.

Interested in finding out if you are paid fairly? Robert Walters also launched its Salary Survey iPhone application, which allows you to check how much you should be earning in your current role.

[kueytoc]

Don't see 'EYE to EYE' !!!

What do MM Lee and Dr Mahathir think of each other?

By Faris – February 25th, 2011

“He’s a big frog in a small pond.”

That is what Dr Mahathir Mohamad thinks of Singapore’s founding father, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

In the book ‘Doctor M: Operation Malaysia’, the country’s former leader was also quoted describing Mr Lee as someone who is not satisfied with what he has.

But despite being at loggerheads with Mr Lee for more than 20 years, Dr Mahathir had to admit that Lee “will go down in history as a very remarkable intellectual and a politician at the same time, which is not a very often thing.”

On the other hand, Lee graciously acknowledged Mahathir as an “outstanding” prime minister of Malaysia, adding that the latter educated his people and sent many of them abroad on scholarships and who in turn transformed the country.

“During his premiership of over 20 years, he changed Malaysia from an agricultural, placid society into an industrial, dynamic society,” said Mr Lee as quoted in cover leaf of the same book.

As the author of the book, professor Tom Plate, veteran journalist-turned-academic, was in town, I took the opportunity to have a one-on-one interview with him to talk about the two long-time rivals.

In ‘Doctor M: Operation Malaysia’, Mr Plate chronicled the experiences of Malaysia’s fourth and former premier, someone who was infamous for his disdain of the Western media as well as for his controversial and outspoken views on Israel and the Jews.:

Mr Plate had also written a book on Singapore’s own former long-time premier titled ‘Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew’ which was launched in May last year. The book touches on Lee’s views on issues such as his “authoritarianism”, and reveals details of his personal family life.

The book together with that on Mahathir is part of the ‘Giants of Asia’ series which recounts the stories of some of the brightest but yet also controversial leaders in Asia.

Similarities between LKY and Dr Mahathir?

Describing both ‘Giants of Asia’ as two peas in the proverbial pod, Mr Plate pointed out that they actually have much in common despite their sometimes cold relationship.

In his latest book, Mr Plate said they relish making painful decisions, work out almost daily for their health and profess similar social-Darwinian views.

Apart from that, he noted that Lee and Mahathir are Asian evangelists who consistently and stoutly defend Asian values but are also welcoming towards multinational investments.

“They often lecture their countrymen like schoolmarms, prioritize education and champion a sweltering, non-stop work ethic,” Mr Plate said.

In the interview with Yahoo! Singapore, Mr Plate also highlighted the difference in the intensity of the men.

Comparing Lee to that of the dean of academic studies, the author said that he is extremely articulate, has a penetrating mind and is very careful with his language.

“There is just no sloppiness to Lee Kuan Yew. He is very structured and doesn’t easily go off message when discuss about an issue.”

But you might be surprised that as rigid as Lee might appear to be, Mr Plate said that he has a very good sense of humour. Even Lee himself might agree with this assessment. In the book, Lee acknowledged that while he would not call himself “fun-loving” or “light-hearted”, he is not serious all the time.

“Everyone needs to have a good laugh now and then, to see the funny side of things, and to laugh at himself,” Lee said.

On the other hand, Mahathir was described as a slightly “looser” individual who would often crack jokes. But this, Mr Plate said, is not for the better or worse.

“Because of this, it is easier for one to underestimate the intelligence of Mahathir than Lee Kuan Yew because of the differences in style,” he said. “But Mahathir is nobody’s fool, he is still very sharp even at 85.”

The West can learn from LKY

Talking of Singapore’s founding father alone, Mr Plate had also much to say.

“The West can learn a lot from Lee Kuan Yew,” said the author, who also noted that it might not be feasible to transplant the Singapore system which works for about five million people to a country such as the United States.

Still, he gave Lee credit for the country’s impressive meritocratic system and its public service which “America has lost a little bit”.

Describing Lee as a “global geo-political guru”, he said that the Western media generally thinks of him as a “hard authoritarian”. Perhaps this was borne out of the fact that Singapore has consistently been described as a ‘Nanny state’ and also because of the nation’s strict laws such as caning and the ban on chewing gum.

While he admitted that it was a struggle for the American media to move away from that stereotype now, Mr Plate claimed that there has been an “appreciation” of Lee though it “took too long” for the media to recognize the former leader’s achievements.

Going back to a comparison of the two former premiers, Mr Plate said it is hard to gauge the success of governance of one against the other.

Since both men held power almost during the same time, although Mr Lee became prime minister much earlier and Dr Mahathir stepping down a later date, it is easy for others to rush and compare the achievements and legacies of both these heavyweight champions.

While Singapore might be more successful, Malaysia is roughly five times the size and population of Singapore, Mr Plate said.

“So the control environment is messier. But they are both leaders in their parties, and both are what we used the term in America soft authoritarianism to describe their styles”

When asked what he meant by ‘Giants in Asia’, Mr Plate says, “They are larger than life personalities that by looking and talking to them, that they can illuminate their time and their area of the world and how their area will fit in the rest of the globe. That’s really what it’s about. It’s a way of a magical mystery tour through Asia.”

[kueytoc]

Alamak !...SEOW lah !...Don't shoot 'BIRDS'...Shoot PEOPLE !

Premier League - Ashley Cole 'shoots Student'

Sun, 27 Feb 01:06:00 2011

Chelsea and England full-back Ashley Cole accidentally shot an intern at the club's training ground with a .22 calibre air rifle, according to a report.

The News Of The World reported that Cole was "larking about" with the weapon, which he brought to the state of the art complex at Cobham complete with a muzzle and nightscope, when he discharged it from a distance of five feet.

Tom Cowan, a sports science student at Loughborough University who is on a year's work placement with Chelsea, was in the dressing room when the incident happened last Sunday.

Sources at Chelsea told the News of the World how the student was tended to by Chelsea medical staff and given several days off to recover from the shock.

But his wound had still not healed two days later and he had to be looked at again by medical staff.

Several first team members are said to have witnessed the incident.

The News Of The World said that Cowan was called into a meeting with "deeply worried" Chelsea officials on Wednesday to discuss the accident and a day later the 21-year-old's father held further discussions with the club and demanded to know what action against Cole would be taken.

"It's truly inconceivable that a Premier League footballer could bring a gun to the training ground," a source told the newspaper.

"But Ashley pulled the rifle from a box and started larking about with it in the changing room, not realising it was loaded. It ended up pointed at Tom just five feet away.

"The gun went off with a loud pop and Tom screamed as this lead pellet hit him in the side. It went through his clothing and into his flesh."

Cole is reported to have formally apologised to Cowan after receiving a severe dressing down from the club.

It is not illegal to possess a .22 air rifle without a licence but the incident could be deemed actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

"We never comment on internal matters," Chelsea said in response to the report.

Eurosport

[kueytoc]

Miss World 2007 Zhang ZiLin 张梓琳 : I'll do the N.U.D.E. scene myself

By Sivarasa Sothivadivel Thursday February 24, 2011 06:46 pm PST

24 Feb : Beauty queen and fashion model Zhang Zilin refused a body double and insisted on shooting a N.U.D.E. bathing scene by her own in her feature film debut "Underdog Knight 2" opposite Liu Ye.

Miss China World 2007 and Miss World 2007 representing the People's Republic of China, she was the first Miss World of East Asian origin.

She was reported as saying that she was frankly a little scared of the whole ordeal but ultimately conquered her psychological barrier to complete the N.U.D.E. scene.

Film director Ding Shen offered a body double but Zhang Zilin was quoted as saying: "Nudity is part of the film and in the film, there is great romance with Liu Ye, so I am willing to challenge myself."

She was said to have done a lot of hard work for the movie, actively exchanging views with Liu Ye. As for the kiss itself, it was reported that she saw fear in the eyes of Liu Ye after the passionate performance!

The sultry siren will turn 27 next month and the last known intended general release for "Underdog Knight 2" is in April 2011.

[kueytoc]

Richard Li and Isabella Leong $$$plit up

By Ben Tan Monday February 28, 2011 12:49 am PST

Hong Kong telco tycoon Richard Li, son of Asia's richest man, Li Ka Shing, and former actress Isabella Leong have broken up.

The pair, who were rumored to have secretly married last year, have three sons, two of whom are twin boys that Isabella had given birth to in June.

In a statement to the media, Miss Leong, 22, said: "For 2011, I will be starting over a new page in my life. Richard Li and I have split up.

"We have had wonderful memories of our times together. We plan to bring up our children together, hoping they will grow up happily and in good health. We also hope to have less media pressure and to live our lives in peace."

The 44-year old Li, who is the chairman of Hong Kong's biggest telecommunications provider, PCCW, will reportedly give S$1 billion to his sons, as well as pay a monthly maintenance fee to Miss Leong.

Reports have also said that the former singer-model will also receive cash and kind from Mr Li worth more than S$25 million.

Speculation is rife that the break up stems from Miss Leong's pictures of her and a young man taken at a bar in Canada.

Mr Li's family was also said to have been unhappy with her for posting pictures of her children as well as revealing details of their personal life on Facebook. Miss Leong has since rubbished those reports.

Mr Li could not be reached for comment.