US singer and actress Whitney Houston dies aged 48

American singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48, her publicist Kristen Foster has said

American singer and actress Whitney Houston has died in Los Angeles at the age of 48.

A spokesman for Houston's family confirmed the news, saying: "Unfortunately, it is true."

Houston was one of the most celebrated female singers of all time, with hits including I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love For You.

But her later career was overshadowed by substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

Police spokesman Mark Rosen told reporters Houston was pronounced dead at 15:55 pm (23:55 GMT) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was staying as a guest.

Fire department personnel and members of hotel security were already attempting resuscitation when police arrived at the scene, he said.

"She has been positively identified by friends and family that were with her at the hotel, and next of kin have already been notified," he added.

The cause of her death remains unclear but Mr Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent".

To read more, please click here: BBC News

New look for the Ringgit from mid 2012; RM20 note to come back!

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ringgit will be sporting a new and exciting look, with the RM20 note making a comeback.

The new banknotes, except for the RM50 note which has been in circulation since 2007, will be in the market beginning mid next year.

The fourth series of the RM50 note was issued in commemoration with Malaysia's 50th Merdeka Day celebration.

The complete new Malaysian currency series - which also include the RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100 banknotes - was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday.

To read more >>>

Steve Jobs Died "Peacefully"

Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple and revolutionized personal computing, died Oct. 5. He suffered from a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs died at age 56 from pancreatic cancer, the company announced Thursday, leaving the technology giant without its visionary. As Patricia Sullivan reported :

Steve Jobs, a co-founder of Apple Inc., who introduced simple, well-designed computers for people who were more interested in what technology could do than in how it was done, died Wednesday (5/10/2011) at age 56.

In a brief statement, Apple announced the death but did not say where he died. Mr. Jobs, who suffered from a rare form of pancreatic cancer and had a liver transplant in 2009, stepped down as Apple’s chief executive on Aug. 24.

An original thinker who helped create the Macintosh, one of the world’s most influential computers, Mr. Jobs also reinvented the portable music player with the iPod, launched the first successful legal method of selling music online with iTunes and reordered the cellphone market with the iPhone. The introduction of the iPad also jump-started the electronic-tablet market, and it now dominates the field.

Read more: Washington Post

Explosion rips through Empire Gallery - The Star Online

SUBANG JAYA: Four people were injured while more than 300 people rescued and evacuated when an explosion occurred at the lower ground floor of the Empire Gallery shopping mall in Subang which houses the food court here early Wednesday.

 Firemen assessing the damage from the explosion.

Firemen from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department also rescued four other people who were trapped at the lower ground floor of the complex.

The injured, including a Nepali security guard and a local, who sustained cuts caused by falling shattered glass, were sent to the hospital for treatment.

In the 3.45am gas-piping explosion, the blast damaged two other floors in the complex. It also caused damages to the adjoining office block and studio apartment.

 The scene at the Empire Shopping complex Wednesday morning.

Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department station chief Mohd Khairi Daud said firemen from Subang Jaya were assisted by their colleagues from PJ and surrounding areas in evacuating the hotel guests, numbering more than 300 people.

Firemen are now checking the structure of the building to ensure its safety.

To read the full story, please click here: The Star Online

20 of the World's Most Iconic Skyscrapers

"The higher the buildings, the lower the morals," said Noël Coward. 

We don't entirely agree. 

In fact, we feel far too much is made of a skyscraper's height, when there's so much more to reflect on. 

With the help of A. Eugene Kohn, founder and chairman of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), one of the world's largest architectural firms, and Michael Greene, KPF Principal, here are 20 skyscrapers that have come to define the mood and character of their cities, and, in some cases, the world. 

Read more: CNN news

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

CUPERTINO, California—August 24, 2011—Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately. 

Read more: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/08/24Steve-Jobs-Resigns-as-CEO-of-Apple.html

Magnitude 6.7 quake rattles northern Japan

 The Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. Photo: Reuters

TOKYO—A magnitude-6.7 earthquake shook northeast Japan on Thursday morning, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake struck around 2151 GMT off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, around 500 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The temblor registered a lower 5 on the Japanese intensity scale in parts of Iwate and Aomori prefectures, and 3 in parts of Fukushima Prefecture, where the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex is located.

A 50-centimeter tsunami warning issued for Iwate Prefecture was later lifted.

To read more, please click here: The Wall Street Journal or CNN video

Newborn Baby Body Found in Sentul

Another dumped baby, this time in Sentul.

The first thing I did in this morning after washing my face was reading newspaper. I felt so angry and disappointed when reading the following news:

The body of a new born baby was found in the parking area near the trash bin at Sentul Utama apartment. According to the police chef, next to the baby was a plastic bag containing the umbilical and placenta. He did not dismiss the possibility of the baby being thrown from a high place based on the serious injuries to the baby's head. Maybe the person wanted to throw the baby into the trash bin but missed the target.

This kind of 'baby dumping' news always been published in the newspaper, as what I see, the causes of baby dumping might be 1) underage pregnancies 2)  However, porn might be the major reason behind baby dumping. 

I still could remember my lecturer told us students this: "If you don't want your baby, please don't ever throw it or kill it, bring it to me and I will give the baby a warm growing environment." 

I have so much thoughts and feelings on this issue. Nowadays, porn is easily accessible and for those underage or naive teens, they just wanted to enjoy the excitement and  they thought it's the social trend. It is not a NO WAY to those couples who are mature enough in thinking as they know the responsibilities. For those teens, please think properly before you act! Please consider carefully about what will be happened in the future, think about the unexpected, take on the responsibility! If you can't get the solution, ask the elder people who can make a rational decision.

Japan earthquake: Before & After

The earth, mother nature has been rumbling and almost along the same fault line last Friday a 8.9 recording on the Richeter Scale (which was corrected to 9.0 yesterday) earthquake happened 24.4km below sea level off the coast of Honshu Island , Japan . The earthquake was followed by a 10m high tsunami that moved inland and was captured by the world's most technology advanced country for the world to see.  

 

Kindly click on the link below, there are some clear satellite images of the areas affected just moments before and after...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Move your cursor to pull the screen over the aerial views of the land below before and as a result after the tsunami wreck.

Japan earthquake: Nuclear blast radiation explained

Tokyo (CNN) -- Another reactor at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant lost its cooling capabilities Monday, a government official said.

The problem was detected in the plant's No. 2 reactor Monday afternoon after an explosion rocked the building containing the plant's No. 3 reactor, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters.

"We think that the hydrogen explosion in (the building housing) reactor No. 3 caused the cooling system of reactor No. 2 to stop working," Edano said.

Water levels were falling and pressure was building up inside the No. 2 reactor, he said, and officials were working on a plan to release gas and also inject seawater into that reactor.

Workers have been injecting seawater in a last-ditch effort to cool down fuel rods and prevent a full meltdown at two other reactors at the plant -- No. 1 and No. 3 -- after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami Friday knocked out the reactors' cooling systems.

Japanese officials have said that they are operating under the presumption that there may be a partial meltdown in the No. 3 and No. 1 nuclear reactors. Authorities have not yet been able to confirm a meltdown, because it is too hot inside the affected reactors to check.

To read more, please click here: CNN News or BBC News

Fukushima, Japan - Nuclear Reactor Explosion

Massive 8.9 Earthquake and Tsunami Damage

Powerful quake, tsunami kills thousands in Japan!

Japan's monumental earthquake is judged the biggest on record for that temblor-prone nation. But the impact isn't contained to one country or region. Quake shock waves powered a tsunami that traveled at the speed of a jumbo jet across the Pacific to rake the California coast and South America. 

The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake unleashed a 23-foot (seven-meter) tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours, many of them more than magnitude 6.0.

 Earthquake-triggered tsunami waves sweep along Iwanuma in northern Japan, March 11, 2011. The magnitude 8.9 earthquake slammed Japan's eastern coast, unleashing a 13-foot tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

 Waves of tsunami hit residences after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture (state), Japan, March 11, 2011.

 Houses are shown in flame while the Natori river floods over the surrounding area by tsunami tidal waves in Natori city, Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, March 11, 2011, after strong earthquakes hit the area.

 Houses and others burn in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, March 11, 2011 after Japan was struck by a strong earthquake off its northeastern coast earlier in the day.

 Sendai Airport is surrounded by waters in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, after a ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coast, March 11, 2011.

 Tsunami swirls near a point in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture after Japan was stuck by a strong earthquake off its northeastern coast March 11, 2011.

Light planes and vehicles sit among the debris after they were swept by a tsunami that struck Sendai airport in northern Japan, March 11, 2011.

A worker inspects a caved-in section of the Joban Motorway near Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, after one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coast, March 11, 2011.

Residents check the damage to a house in Sukagawa city, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 11, 2011. 

 People gather outside Sendai station after a powerful earthquake hit northern, March 11, 2011.

 People take shelter at a temporary evacuation center with no electricity, March 11, 2011, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. 

Japan 8.9 earthquake and tsunami - March 11, 2011

Mayan End Times Prophecy 12-21-2012?

Do you believe in Maya Calendar? Do you really think that the world is going to an end in 2012?

Paul The Psychic Octopus dies

Paul the Octopus, who had a 100% success rate picking World Cup soccer games, has passed away.

He picked teams by selecting an object from one of two boxes that had each country's flag decorated on the front.

"His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself," said Stefan Porwoll of the Oberhausen Sea Life Center in Germany. 

Paul's body is now in cold storage while the aquarium decides "how best to mark his passing."

However, Paul's fans need not despair. The aquarium has already been grooming a successor, to be named Paul like his mentor.

"We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine," said Porwoll.

"While this may seem a curious thing to do for a sea creature, Paul achieved such popularity during his short life that it may be deemed the most appropriate course of action."

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/paul-the-octopus-dies-62517?cp

Service tax will be increased to 6%

Service tax, which is generally imposed in the food and beverage and hotel industries, will be increased to 6 per cent from 5 per cent previously from next year.

The 2011 Budget revealed that a strong financial position is crucial to ensure the well-being of the nation.

Malaysia Retailer Association president Eddie Chan said. "The rakyat will not be happy with the increase in tax but it won't be felt as badly in the long-term.

Hotel stays will now be slightly more expensive with an extra RM1 for every RM100 spent.

To read more, please click on the link: online news

Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)

Sorry for late updates! I was very busy rushing proposal these few days and that's why I'm like a zombie now.

Do you know or have you ever heard about this programme? I got it so well because I was assigned to this open day to get all the information and related pictures for my company. I was like a 'lonely bee' flying here and there to get more details about what's really going on regarding this programme.

Here's the summary:

PEMANDU organised a workshop, a series of 12 NKEA laboratories were held involving participants from the private and public sectors. They mapped out concrete strategies, plans and initiatives to transform the nation into a high-income economy that is sustainable and inclusive. 

The Economic Transformation Programme is the culmination of a substantial body of the work to transform Malaysia into a high-income economy by 2020, building on the 10th Malaysia Plan, the New Economic Model and the principles of 1Malaysia People First, Performance Now.


What are they going to do about this?

• Prepare our future labour force for a knowledge-based economy by developing e-text books, e-homewok, e-coursework, e-self assessment training, etc.
• Paperless government, replacement of paper achieves with digital achieves management system.
• Host locally and create or unblock new channels such as IPTV, Video on demand, etc.
• A high speed rail system to Singapore in 2 hours.
• Increase the amount of green space essential to improving the city's overall quality of life.
• Pasar malam/ Pasar minggu is outdated! Pasar Karavan with special designed vehicle to conduct day to day operation is the new ones!
• There are a lot more... you may visit the existing website: www.pemandu.gov.my/

Hall 4, Level 4

 Refreshment

 

 The lab member was giving further explanation to the participants.

 The Road Map for Malaysia: Greater KL

 I was able to capture his picture...hehehe...

Paul the Octopus invited to Spanish Festival

O Carballino, a town situated in the north-western Galicia region in Spain, has awarded the octopus with Honorary Citizenship and requested its owners in Germany to allow the ‘psychic’ creature to attend their annual Octopus Festival as the Guest of Honour this year.

Carlos Montes, the mayor of O Carballino, said they hoped the eight-legged oracle who predicted Spain’s World Cup triumph would be allowed by the aquarium staff at Sea Life in Oberhuasen, Germany to travel to their festival on August 8.

There has also been news about several Galician businessmen collecting 30,000 euros to make an offer to buy the amazing ‘soccer pundit’ octopus.

The oracle creature gained worldwide recognition with his flawless predictions at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2010, getting eight out of eight correct: seven Germany games, including the third place match, as well as the final of the tournament.

Paul has also become immensely popular in Spain for he correctly picked the Spanish to lift the trophy. Even Spanish maestro and scorer of the winning goal against the Dutch in the final, Andres Iniesta, was witnessed holding a plastic octopus during celebrations in Madrid on Monday.

In spite of all of this, it might not be the best thing for Paul to travel to these parts of Spain. Octopus is considered a real delicacy there, especially in Galicia, where boiled octopus served finely sliced with paprika, olive oil and boiled potatoes is the speciality.

Fiesta Iniesta! Spain Celebrate World Cup 2010

Spain have thrown the fiesta to to end all fiestas as the entire country celebrated La Furia Roja's world conquest in South Africa.

Some have partied for 24 hours straight, from the second the final whistle went, to the moment the open-top bus parade ended at the Puente del Rey in Madrid and the festivities continued on an open stage.

 
The freighter carrying the 2010 world champions touched down in Madrid's Barajas Airport at around 1330 CET and the party immediately began for the staff and the crowd who gathered at the airport as they welcomed home captain Iker Casillas and coach Vicente del Bosque, the World Cup trophy and the entire squad with chants of "Campeones! Campeones! Ole ole ole!"

Iker Casillas lifts the World Cup trophy on the team's parade in Madrid

 Thousands of supporters wait for the arrival of the Spain team

Fans cool off at the Bridge Rey with the help of a hose

Spanish fans get into the party spirit

 

 

 Over one million fans were thought to be lining the streets of the Spanish capital

 

 The Spanish Eagle Patrol (Patrulla Aguila) create the nation's flag

 

The team passes in front of Madrids' Royal Palace

 

 

Hero: Match-winner Andres Iniesta is carried aloft by his team-mates

Te quiero, España !

(I Love You, Spain)

Paul the Octopus Given Trophy

No more World Cup, no more octopus oracle. Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs -- all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final -- is going to retire. 

The octopus which successfully predicted the outcome of several World Cup matches has been presented with his own trophy.

Octopus Paul swims in front of a mock World Cup trophy in his tank at Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, on July 12. Paul was given a trophy full of mussels to honor his perfect predictions throughout the World Cup tournament.