UNCONVENTIONAL WORLD RECORDS

…that Theresa Kok showed at the Parliament’s lobby.

taken using a handphone.

about 30 secs long.

as reported by yahoo.com

By Souhail Karam, Nov 28

RIYADH (Reuters) - Global cybercrime generated a higher turnover than drug trafficking in 2004 and is set to grow even further with the wider use of technology in developing countries, a top expert said on Monday.

No country is immune from cybercrime, which includes corporate espionage, child pornography, stock manipulation, extortion and piracy, said Valerie McNiven, who advises the U.S. Treasury on cybercrime.

“Last year was the first year that proceeds from cybercrime were greater than proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs, and that was, I believe, over $105 billion,” McNiven told Reuters.

“Cybercrime is moving at such a high speed that law enforcement cannot catch up with it.”

For example, Web sites used by fraudsters for “phishing” — the practice of tricking computer users into revealing their bank details and other personal data — only stayed on the Internet for a maximum of 48 hours, she said.

Asked if there was evidence of links between the funding of terrorism and cybercrime, McNiven said: “There is evidence of links between them. But what’s more important is our refusal or failure to create secure systems, we can do it but it’s an issue of costs.”

McNiven, a former e-finance and e-security specialist for the
World Bank, was speaking in Riyadh on the sidelines of a conference on information security in the banking sector.

Developing countries which lack the virtual financial systems available elsewhere are easier prey for cybercrime perpetrators, who are often idle youths looking for quick gain.

“When you have identity thefts or corruption and manipulation of information there (developing countries), it becomes almost more important because … their systems start getting compromised from the get-go,” she said.

“Another area that begins to expand is human trafficking and pornography because both of these become so much available once you have a communication ability,” McNiven said.

pic and quotes courtesy of soccernet

The greatest ever vs the “2nd greatest ever”. My comment: wot? Best even greater than Maradona, Cruyff, or even Zidane or Platini?

George Best dribbles the ball past Pele in a North American Soccer League game played in 1976. They were well past their prime, but then they never had their chance to lock horns in a top class game at the peak of their powers…

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So what did the legends of the game say?

Pele, regarded by many as the greatest player in history, said: ‘I often mentioned George Best as the best player in Europe. Unfortunately, he has passed away.

‘George Best for me was one of the biggest players in Europe. God bless him,’ he told Sky Sports News.

Argentinian hero Maradona said: ‘George inspired me when I was young. He was flamboyant and exciting and able to inspire his team-mates.

‘I actually think we were very similar players - dribblers who were able to create moments of magic.

‘And I can also relate to what George has been through because of his addiction to alcohol. I was also very sick and close to death in December last year - but I pulled out of it by a miracle,’ Maradona told The Sun.

Dutchman Cruyff, the former Holland international and one of the few players who could stand comparison with Best, described his talent as ‘unique’.

He told Radio Five Live: ‘What he had was unique, you can’t coach it.’

Asked if Best was one of the game’s greatest, Cruyff said: ‘I think if you talk about Europe, you talk about five or six and if you talk about his qualities he’d always be in there.

‘It was a short career but if you go back to the basic qualities he was exceptional.’

“Poco Poco” is a Indonesian line dance which became extremely popular throughout Indonesia in 2001, followed by Malaysia.

I’ve heard about this dance many times before but not until Saturday night (26th Nov) did I hear the song and saw the dance. The song has the same quality as the “Numa Numa Song” and any other million-dollar song - a very big hook. One listen, and you’re converted….

What is amazing about this is that fads usually last at most a few months (remember Macarena?), but “Poco Poco” has an unusual staying power. It’s been around for a few years, and yet still going strong.

Idea: Change the lyrics to Kadazan/Dusun….or Malay…or English..

It is a traditional dance from North Sulawesi of the Minahasa tribe.

The most popular accompanying song is “Poco Poco”, composed by Arie Sapulette with Yopie Latul on vocals. It is sung in Manado language.

a lo-fi mp3 is available at http://www.wilta.org/Indonesia_poco_poco.mp3.

lyrics with translation in Indonesian language and dance steps (rudy version):
orig source: http://www.curriculumsupport.nsw.edu.au/languages/index.cfm?u=2&i=18

forget sukiyaki (way overplayed, just like GNR’s “sweet child…”). or even Rimi Natsukawa’s gorgeous rendition of “shima uta”, bettering the most popular version by The Boom. No, not even the best of X-Japan or Kiroro can beat this!

lyrics in romaji and english translation at lyricsplayground.com

First heard in early 2001.

Tsuyoshi “Japanese Bruce Springsteen” Nagabuchi’s (or is it Itsuki Hiroshi?) 1985 (1988?) classic. He wrote and sung this song.

According to this link, Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi was born in Kagoshima on 7 September 1956. He has released a lot of CDs, Videos and books. He debuted on 5 October 1978 with the single “Junrenka”. After that he has released many CDs. Moreover, he appeared in some movies (for example, “Kazoku Game”, “Oyako Game”, etc). And he wrote several books (for example, Kimi wa Guitar no Gen wo Kitta Koto ga Aru ka, Tonbo, etc).

according to another online profile, he was arrested for possessing marijuana in 1995.

and no, not even my current western fave James Blunt’s “you’re beautiful” is more beautiful than this.

Abstract:

Adrian Wong is a medical student who created a website for PC hardware enthusiasts. Here he chronicles his experiences in scaling his eqpt to cope with user demand. From tripod.com free webspace in 1998 to a dedicated server setup (costing several hundred RM per month) 1000GB guaranteed b/w per month.

pic courtesy of bbc.co.uk

I was expecting famous Bollywood stars like Mr Bachan to be richer than the rest, but NOT this rich, considering that India’s GDP at USD3000+ is 3 times lower than that of Malaysia (USD10K+).

Min RM4.3 million for an ad slot?

RM860,000 per day for making a movie?

That still sounds like peanuts when compared to A-List Hollywood stars who can earn in excess of RM80 million PER movie, but we’re talking about a country less developed than Malaysia here.

Eat your heart out Yusof Haslam or whoever the top movie-industry figure in Malaysia is!

——————
as reported by thestar.

Bollywood star living like a maharajah

BOLLYWOOD movie idol Amitabh Bachan lives the life of a maharajah, said a report in Tamil Nesan.

He has two houses, one of which reportedly costs RM137mil, and 11 imported cars, including a bullet proof Lexus.

The building materials for the floors of the houses were imported from Italy while the toiletry fittings were from France and Germany.

His wardrobe is filled with suits made from Italian and French materials and the buttons on his coats were bought from England.

His luxurious lifestyle is attributed to the high salary he receives from acting.

For an advertising slot, he reportedly gets between Rs50mil and Rs120mil (RM4.3mil and RM10mil.)

He gets Rs100mil (RM8.6mil) for a 10-day movie shoot.

At 64, Bachan is still actively involved in modelling and acting in movies and dramas.

pic courtesy of thestar.com.my

as reported by thestar, the 21-yr-old Sabahan is Miss Malaysia Tourism 2005. Alas, I believe it’s still inferior to Miss Malaysia/Universe or Miss Malaysia/World titles.

Apparently, in 2004 she emerged runnerup in Sabah for the same title, represented the state along with champion Annie Lee, and returned home empty-handed. Obviously, this year she returned with a vengeance.

I was told they even have branches/meetings in Sabah, malaysia.

http://www.intrena.com/

I haven’t got the time to delve in the detail but usually first impressions are sufficient:
- multiple spelling mistakes : do not inspire confidence
- the purported ebooks valued at RM30 (each or not i am not sure but couldn’t care less to find out) have titles which would not look out of place in quack hell (or heaven, depending on which way you look at it)
- much more emphasis on recruiting, while the product is usually something so bad, so low-quality that you’d never even bother to look twice. In other words, the product seems merely like an afterthought. Compare with established MLM companies like Cosway, Amway and Elken - they have a proven set of products.
- vehemently denies to be a get rick quick/pyramid scheme, offering the usual excuse that they do have a product to sell [the more vehemently they protest, the more suspicious i will become]
- the meetings (”being rich will make you free”, excitedly shouting and cheering people’s monetary achievements) totally contradict with my set of values.
- remember Jaspat (late 90s, had a laughable set of “products” but everybody was blinded by the money, “office” at a shop near Donggongon), Vision2000 (early 90s, had meetings at SEDCO KK, water filters) etc? They threatened legal action to anyone who dared to question their legitimacy, even to the point of boasting about the number of lawyers at their disposal. They dropped VVIP’s names who purportedly endorsed their company and “products”. Then they disappeared without trace…

Note that I did not say that you will not make money by joining this. But I would only join if my conscience is clear and after reading [read it for the first time years ago] and rereading Dean Van Druff’s classic article “What’s wrong with MLM” and people’s comments on the article at webraw.com.

Working smart is important but so is patience and hard work.

Smelly ‘Corpse Plant’ Drawing Crowds

From yahoo!

WASHINGTON - Its scent has drawn comparisons to garbage and spoiled meat, but that isn’t stopping crowds from flocking to see and smell � an unusual plant in bloom at

The titan arum plant, nicknamed “corpse plant” for its rank smell, is attracting thousands of visitors during the day or two it remains in bloom.

“It’s quite spectacular: the color and the form and the strong odor,” said John Kress, chairman of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History’s botany department, which owns the plant. “I think that’s what most people come to see. Or smell.”

The long, conical bloom of the titan arum is believed to be the largest flower that doesn’t grow on a tree. It has been known to grow 12 feet high in its native habitat on the island of Sumatra.

her story on the star online “A �celebrity� at 14, she is now fighting for a normal life”

By XANDRIA OOI

AT a glance, 30-year old Poesy Liang looks to be at the peak of her life and career. In reality the extraordinarily talented interior designer is in pain. She has Intradural Thoracic Meningioma, a tumour steadily growing in her spinal cord.Sad is her story, especially for a girl whose life began to soar when she was only 14 years old.

Chosen to be the Levi�s 501 Girl as she began her teenage years, Poesy propelled to greater heights as a television commercial talent, singer, professional MC, VJ for the RIM Chart Show on NTV7 and writer. Her credits did not end there.

Poesy practising her calligraphy, a skill she picked up when she was still a child.
She went on to become a motivational speaker for a multi-level marketing company, a marketing manager, futures trader, then completed her diploma in architecture, did an MBA degree, studied law, and finally set up her own interior design practice.

Then, her health got in the way.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/11/16/central/12600599&sec=central

…after 500 years, that’s rather tough to prove. And the unexpected regalia turning up after being dug up smells worse than fishy.

——————
KUALA LUMPUR: A 48-year-old man who proclaimed himself the Sultan of Malacca at a so-called investiture ceremony here on Monday night is willing to take the matter to court to stake his claim to the state�s �throne�.

Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah has evidence, and the regal artefacts, to prove the claim, said Azri Safian, who identified himself as the alleged ruler�s organising secretary.

�He is serious about being installed as the 44th sultan of Malacca,� Azri told reporters at Raja Noor Jan�s purported ceremonial hall in Gombak here yesterday.

More than 500 guests attended the �investiture� ceremony at a community hall in Taman Melati, where 150 people were also bestowed honorific titles.

Two of the four wives of the property businessman, who has given himself the title Sultan Ahmad Shah, accompanied him at the Istiadat Watikah Gelar Adan Kesultanan Melaka ceremony, which came ahead of the Rulers Conference in Malacca on Nov 21.

Azri said Raja Noor Jan had claimed he was a descendant of the last known Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511).

He said Raja Noor Jan would hand over his documents for the rulers to discuss at their meeting. Another ceremonial gathering would be held on Nov 19 in Malacca, he added.

�We have the regalia, like two keris, a silver buckle, a royal crown and brooches from ancient Malacca and authenticated by the Museum and Antiquities Department,� he said.

Letters and profiles relating to the claim had been sent to the Rulers Council, the Yang di Pertuan Agong and the Sultan of Perak as well as the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Malacca.

�These items are proof to be presented to the Rulers Council,� he said. � So far, we have not received any response.�

The Museum and Antiquities Department had authenticated the sultan�s genealogy, Azri said, adding that this further proved his claim.

Azri said the �sultan� had not pursued his claims until the regal instruments unexpectedly turned up two months ago.

�The sultan received some signs from his ancestors on the whereabouts of the regalia and, with the help of a pawang (traditional soothsayer) the artefacts were dug up from a place in Malacca,� he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/11/16/nation/12602983&sec=nation

As reported on yahoo.com, winning number: 2-4-5-40-48; Mega Ball 7.

unfortunately, only available in US…

38 is a bad age for sportspersons. And 27 is a bad age for musicians: think Joplin, Morrisson, Hendrix, Cobain.

Others who died at age 38: Mokhtar Dahari, Florence Griffith-Joyner.

———————————-

MINNEAPOLIS - A World Wrestling Entertainment star was found dead in his hotel room Sunday in Minneapolis, where he was scheduled to appear that evening in a WWE show.

Eduardo Gory Guerrero, 38, didn’t respond to a wake-up call Sunday morning, authorities said. His nephew, fellow WWE wrestler Chavo Guerrero, and hotel security at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center forced their way into the room and found him.

There were no apparent signs of foul play, police said. An autopsy was planned to determine how Guerrero died.

His nephew said Guerrero was open about past drug and alcohol abuse but had been sober for four years. Guerrero was married and had three children.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051114/ap_on_en_tv/obit_guerrero

Creative Zen Micro? Creative Zen Sleek? Creative Zen Micro Photo?
the iriver? the Rio Carbon?

hard disk based? flash based?

5GB? 6GB? 30GB? 60GB?

decisions…decisions…

ref
http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/5002/xmas2005.html

If it can happen to the most advanced country in Asia…

———————————–

A computer systems failure closed down stock trading at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) for most of Tuesday, the worst disruption ever for Asia’s largest bourse.

…affected all cash stocks of more than 2,300 issues and convertible bonds on the world’s second-biggest market, worth some $4 trillion.

A TSE official said the suspension was caused by a problem in trading system software developed by electronics maker Fujitsu Ltd. and the bourse had no back-up solution for such software problems.

…unsure whether Fujitsu was entirely at fault, but it might consider claiming compensation for damages from the company depending on the outcome of investigations…

Yet another case of “really frust menonggeng”, this time in Bandar Sunway:

The STAR - Tuesday October 25, 2005

Rejection too much for student

A CLOSE friend of a college student in Petaling Jaya sensed something was amiss when an SMS came in that read, “see u again.”

The friend rushed to the girl’s 10th floor apartment in Bandar Sunway to alert her parents. However, they could not save the 19-year-old girl from plunging to the ground below.

The Indonesian student, identified as Ivonne D. Junaidi, survived the fall in the Friday incident but ruptured her ribs and broke her legs.

She was now in critical condition at the Ampang Puteri Hospital, Kosmo! reported.

Her parents found in Ivonne’s room a note apologising for her action and requesting them not to tell her ex-boyfriend about the matter.

Relating events that led to the fall, Subang Jaya police chief Muhammad Fuad Talib said the girl was depressed after her boyfriend decided to migrate to Australia with his parents.

Ivonne, who studies at the same private college with the boy, had wanted him to stay back with her.

“However, the boyfriend did not agree and that made her very disappointed,” Fuad said.

source:
The Star.