UNCONVENTIONAL WORLD RECORDS

So that could mean the Garden of Eden was located several thousand kilometres east of where it’s thought to have been?

Recently, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)’s Centre for Archaeological Research director Associate Prof Dr Mokhtar Saidin was reported to have said that the earliest tools made by humans in Africa went back back a mere 1.6 million years, while the ones found at Bukit Bunuh (literally meaning Kill Hill), Lenggong, Perak in Malaysia went back a staggering 283,000 years earlier i.e. 1.83 million years ago.

Dr Mokhtar at the site. Behind him is a valley created by a meteorite which crashed 1.74 million years ago.

Photo credit

The archaeological site was found in August 2000 and had an area of 4 square kilometres.

No human remains found though, so could this be another hoax perpetrated by those Bigfoot scammers?

Hopefully not, for USM is a respectable institution of higher learning.

Dr Mokhtar added that at least one of the tools was a hand-axe which was then sent to a lab in Tokyo to determine its age.

He also said that with continuing exploration of the area, they hoped to find human remains.

So did modern man sprout out of South East Asia and spread out around the globe, instead of from Africa?

Dr Mokhtar’s answer was a tantalizing: “it’s possible.”

In fact, apparently there are several places where humans existed more than 1.6 million years ago: in Georgia (1.8 – 1.7 million years ago), Sangiran, Java (1.7 – 1.2 million years ago) & Longgupo and Yuanmou in China (1.8 – 1.6 million years ago). So it was a possibility that as a result of the meteor crash, people migrated from Bukit Bunuh to Java.

Adam’s remains in Malaysia?????

Source
The Star, 29 Jan 2009

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Mark this place: a hill in Jalan Baru Selayang-Ulu Yam, about 10km from the Batu Dam in Selangor.

Many people have been coming here for years to collect the so-called healing or miracle water, which originates from a natural spring and flows freely from six PVC pipes on the side of the road.

It’s so popular that traffic jams are not uncommon on the stretch of the road near it.

People of various races and faiths say that the water can cure sickness and restore health, with testimonials spreading around like wildfire. Sicknesses being cured include diabetes, backaches, high blood pressure, arthrities and gout.

Someone having a field day:

Photo credit

And apparently it tastes good too, proponents claim that it tastes cooler, fresher and looks crystal clearl; definitely better than normal piped water.

“A person from a laboratory” reportedly did a test and found that the water “contains a lot of minerals”.

Now that it’s been mentioned by the media, the free ride’s days are surely numbered.

Source
The Star, 29 Jan 2009

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This is a most heartbreaking story.

V. Letchumy, 52 of Kota Tinggi, Johor must be Malaysia’s, or even the world’s most unfortunate person in living memory.

Five years ago (another report said three) her husband died suddenly of a heart attack. They had 4 children together. In one stroke, she became a single mother.

Then on 25th January 2009, all her children, aged 17, 16, 14 and 10 died when they drowned at sea after being swept away by a big wave.

She and the children were on their way to visit a relative when the kids asked for permission to go for a short swim at a nearby beach. She relented because after all, it was the school holidays and that an older person, nephew S. Veerasamy, 22 swam them in the 11am (other reports said 1pm) incident while she waited on the beach.

Veerasamy survived. At the hospital, he was reported to have said:

I feel sad because there were a few other people on the beach, yet not even one came to our aid. If they did, this tragedy could’ve been averted.

As to how the tragedy happened, he was reported to have said:

Upon reaching the beach, all of us went into the water. Not long after that, I came out because my leg felt painful, hence leaving them alone. Suddenly I heard screams for help and then saw them struggling. I immediately jumped in the water to rescue them. I managed to reach Gopi and Ganeswaran’s hands before my grip was broken by a huge wave. After I myself almost drowned and I couldn’t see them anymore, I limped back to the beach.

Letchumy’s younger brother, taxi driver Rajendran, 47 summed it up: “Everyone is in shock. It all happened so suddenly.”

Let’s assist in any way we can.

Source
The Star, 28 Jan 2009
Utusan Malaysia, 27 Jan 2009

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Marko Casalan, 8 of Skopje, Macedonia is the world’s youngest certified computer system administrator, having passed Microsoft exams so as to be awarded the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification, qualifying him to maintain complex corporate computer networks even though he’s still at elementary (primary) school!

Apparently, he’d rather read Implementing and Administering Security rather than a kiddie storybook.

Unsurprisingly, he aspires to be a computer scientist.

A child prodigy, he could already read and write at 2. At school, his favourite subject is maths.

His achievement made him a local celebrity and has even met the Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski.

No prizes for guessing where his IT genes came from: his parents are IT experts and run a computer school.

His spare time is spent browsing internet forums for IT pros discussing complex IT problems.

As for sports, he’s into Thai boxing.

Source
Times Online UK, 16 Jan 09

… would he also refuse promotional pens?

Popularity: 1% [?]

UPDATE 22 Jan 2009

In an “abundance of caution”, on 21st January 2009, President Obama was sworn in for the second time in 2 days, just because of the word “faithfully” which was given out of order in the first ceremony.

The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Roberts, administered the oath again at the White House.

Obama still managed to joke that they decided to do it again because “it was so much fun….” before adding: “[this time] we’re going to do it very slowly.”

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And for the first time ever, a president was sworn into office by a chief justice he voted against confirming: Obama was one of 22 senators who voted against putting Chief Justice John Roberts on the Supreme Court in 2005.

The oath text is very short:

I [name] do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

What Obama said was a bit different, and does not exactly match what’s stated in the Constitution, prompting some to comment that he should re-swear his oath of office, and some even said he’s not a valid president if he doesn’t do so:

I Barak Hussein Obama do solemnly swear that I will [ . . .] execute the Office of President of the United States faithfully, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.

Some said Chief Justice John Roberts botched it (saying that’s because he’s a Bush man for good measure) because he inappropriately paused after saying “I, Barack Hussein Obama” when he should have said, without any inapporpriate pauses, “I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …”

Some said it was Obama who flubbed, because:

He didn’t wait for Roberts to finish saying “I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …” and instead repeated the line “I, Barack Hussein Obama” right after Roberts said it. Hence, Roberts got flustered and screwed up the second sentence. Obama stopped when he realised something was wrong, appearing to give Roberts an opportunity to correct the line. Roberts didn’t say anything then they both talked at the same time, Roberts saying the line correctly this time, while Obama repeated what Roberts said the first (incorrect) time.

MachineLending said Roberts did it ON PURPOSE:

Roberts was obviously trying to get back at Obama for voting against him in the Senate confirmation hearing. First he flubs the first normal pause. Then he mis-speaks the line with the word “faithfully” – trying to besmirch Obama’s faithfullness to the office. Finally he finishes with an accusative “you” in the final declaration. A smear job all the way.

Some said BOTH:

Obama didn’t wait for Roberts to finish the first part. Roberts was supposed to say, “I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …” but Obama cut him off before he could say “do solemnly swear” and instead Obama started repeating prematurely the line, “I, Barack …”. Roberts said, “that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully…” when he SHOULD have said, “that I will execute faithfully the office of president to the United States…”

And literally thousands of other comments if you care to look them up.

Video of the oath taking:

Transcript:

Senator Obama: That’s for you [referring to the platform placed for Chief Justice]

[Cheers]

Chief Justice Roberts: Are you prepared to take the oath, Senator?

Obama: I am.

Roberts: I, Barack Hussein Obama…

[he was cut off before he could finish]

Obama: I Barack [eagerly chiming in before Roberts could complete the first sentence]

[Obama then allowed Roberts to continue]

Roberts [flipping some of the words]: I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully.

Obama: That I will execute … [then stumbled and stared blankly at Roberts]

Roberts: [repeating what he said earlier] … faithfully the office of president of the United States.

Obama: The office of president of the United States faithfully.

…

And will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.

Chief Justice: So help you God?

Senator Obama: So help me God.

Chief Justice: Congratulations, Mr. President.

President Obama: [inaudible]

Chief Justice: … all best wishes.

Anyway, in the end, the mistake didn’t matter at all:

The oath was taken five minutes late, and Obama was already technically president; the Constitution says the term of the incoming president begins at noon on Jan. 20.

Bye bye Bush:

Source
thinkprogress.org
youtube.com
knowthelies.com

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In January 2007 I mentioned that Sabahans are the world’s most inventive name-makers, based on their children’s names listed in school rolls.

Earlier this year I looked at the new list, and be rest assured, the title is still firmly in our grasp.

Here I list the six that I found most interesting and unique.

First off, possibly no other person in the world has this name, I can’t find it even after googling:

Neither this one:

Neither this one: the parents must be huge Ricky Martin fans:

Neither this one:

No prizes for guessing who the parents are fans of, with a name like this:

And this one probably could only exist in Sabah:

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What else could be safer than a car specially designed for the new president of the USA to ride in on his inauguration day?

Enter the Beast, a souped-up in the extreme Cadillac.

It’s reputedly be even better than the one they made for President Bush.

Some said it can withstand a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack – others joked that even an asteroid would fail to destroy it.

Specifications:

Official Name: Cadillac One

Length: 18′

Height: 5′ 10″

Engine: 6.5 litre diesel

Click here to read more

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UPDATE 6th May 2009

The Job went to Ben Southall, 34 of Great Britain. The man from Hampshire defeated 34,000 other hopefuls.

Asked why he thought he won, he said:

I have, over the last six to 10 years, done quite a lot of different things. I haven’t stuck at a single career. I’ve been an event manager. I’ve gone out there and organised my own expedition. I’ve raised lots of money for charity. I do a heck of a lot of things involving fitness, in swimming, in running and I think I’ve just got a broad spectrum of things that appealed to the panel of judges.

I really put myself out as the individual that I am. I’ve been honest as much as I can and I think they like the person they came across. I’m extremely happy. I’m extremely thankful they’ve chosen me because I now get a chance to lap up what Queensland and the [Great] Barrier Reef have got to offer over the next six months.

Before this, Southall had worked as a tour guide in South Africa, charity fundrasier. His application video showed images of him riding an ostrich, scuba diving, running a marathon and kissing a giraffe.

There were 16 finalists, who all spent 4 days on the island for the final leg of the selection process, in which they had to:
(i) snorkel
(ii) participate in a barbecue party
(iii) spend time at a spa
(iv) demonstrate their blogging abilities
(v) take swimming tests
(vi) sit through in-person interviews.

He starts work on 1st July 2009, and won’t be alone since he plans to bring his Canadian girlfriend along.

Some scandals to hit the contest since its announcement in January 2009:

(i) many applicants were angry because they could not submit their videos due to the contest website crumbling under the weight of too many visitors.
(ii) The tourism department had to admit that it created a video “application” that showed a woman being tattooed expressing her love of the Great Barrier Reef.
(iii) A finalist was kicked out when it was found out that she had connections to the adult entertainment industry.
(iv) Someone claiming to be Osama bin Laden submitted an application via a video on youtube.

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This has been described as the best job in the world, and it’s open for applications.

Tourism officials in Australia want somebody to work as “caretaker” on Hamilton Island, a tropical island, the largest inhabited island among the Whitsunday Islands, located just off the Queensland Coast, part of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

Why is it the best job in the world?

For starters, it’s a beauty, with good weather all year round: blue skies, crystal water and pure sands.

Click here to read more

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Outgoing US president George W Bush hosted an extraordinary event at the White House on Wednesday 7th January 2009: a lunch for only all living US presidents to attend and no one else.

Meaning only the members of the world’s most exclusive club were allowed in for the reunion of sorts: a mere five of them:

(i) Democrat Jimmy Carter (1977-81)
(ii) Republican George HW Bush (1989-93)
(iii) Democrat Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
(iv) Republican George W Bush (2001-2009)
(v) Democrat Barack Obama (2009- )

I think many people would be willing to pay big money to be included in this group photo at the Oval Office, taken before they had lunch:

Video:

Click here to see the video

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Dr Adolf Merckle, 75 of Germany was one of the richest people in the world, ranked number 94 by Forbes in 2008 at USD9.2 billion.

His family business controlled a number of German companies, including pharmaceutical company Ratiopharm and cement maker Heidelberg Cement.

He had 100,000 employees and boasted an annual sale of USD41 billion.

He was awarded his country’s highest award, the Bundesverdienstkreuz, in 2005.

He was said to enjoy skiing and mountain climbing.

So it seems he had achieved everything a man could ever hope for in life.

But no, life then threw him a curve ball which even a seasoned businessman of his stature could not handle.

He became severely depressed when his business empire ran into trouble in the ongoing global economic crisis: losing more than half a billion US dollars in 2008 due to “wrong-way bets on Volkswagen shares.”

He killed himself on 5th January 2009 when he apparently allowed himself to be run over by a train. His body was found on the tracks about 7.30 pm, only 300 meters from his house. A suicide note was found, its contents not revealed.

His family issued the following statement:

Adolf Merckle lived and worked for his family and his firms. The distress to his firms caused by the financial crisis and the related uncertainties of recent weeks, along with the helplessness of no longer being able to act, broke the passionate family businessman, and he ended his life.

He left behind his wife and 4 children.

Source
The BBC, 6th Jan 2009

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UPDATE 1 Feb 2009

People have not learnt. The BBC reported that at least 15 people have died in a fire at a bar in China, believed caused by fireworks started by a group of people celebrating a birthday.

At least 20 people others injured, 3 seriously.

UPDATE 4th January 2009

Main shareholder of the club, Thai-Chinese Wisuth Setsawat cried as he apologised to the families of victims.

Death toll: 62
Injured: about 250, 30 critical
Number of people inside during incident: up to 1,000
Operator of club: White & Brothers Co.
Club owner: Suriya Ritrabue

When fire broke out, the club plunged into darkness (no emergency lights) & the burning ceiling collapsed.

Club did not have police permit to operate. An application sent 5 years ago was not approved because “the building wasn’t ready”, but still it opened because of a court appeal and even now, the courts has not issued a ruling.

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This is possibly the worst disaster related to new year revelry ever recorded since 1956′s 124 deaths at Yahiko Shrine, Niigata, Japan.

More than 60 clubbers, mostly Thais with some foreigners have been confirmed dead at Santika, an upscale Bangkok nightspot when fire reportedly started around 12.30am, 1st January 2009 when the band set off fireworks / pyrotechnics which set ablaze a curtain located on the ceiling which then rapidly spread. Still others said it was caused by an electrical fault.

Having said that, the general consensus was that the blame fell squarely on the nightclub’s management, because:
- there were none, or at least insufficient fire exits
- there was no sprinkler system

The deaths were caused by either fire, smoke inhalation or being trampled upon.

Witnesses described shocking scenes of people with their hairs and clothes on fire desperately trying to escape.

Santika before fire:

Santika after fire:

Click here to read the rest of the post

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