Show Me Your Sloggi - 2008 Best Bum Competition For every woman (or indeed, man) who stares in the mirror wondering, "Does my bum look big in this?" there's usually another looking confidently at their rear reflection thinking, "My bum looks great in this!"Great behinds come in all shapes and sizes, and for the exhibitionists among us, showing it off in a snug-fitting pair of skinnies may not be enough to sate the appetite. For those craving more recognition for their fine form, why not enter the "Show Me Your sloggi " contest, which is making its way Down Under (no pun intended).The cheeky international lingerie brand, sloggi, is currently on the hunt for the world's most beautiful bottom.Watch the VideoLast year the event attracted more than 30,000 contestants (now that's some stiff competition) and more than 37 million votes were cast. If you think you've got what it takes to be crowned owner of the world's best booty, you can upload your photo into www.sloggi.comTen Aussie finalists will chosen by public vote and will meet with the official judging panel that includes fitness guru Michael Ryan and actress Annalise Braakensiek. One female and one male will be chosen to represent Australia and jetted over to Paris for the grand finale where 31 different countries will be represented.Apart from bragging rights to possessing the world's best behind, the winner will also receive a modelling contract with sloggi, a $25,000 prize , perhaps most importantly, insurance cover for their backside.Main Source: health.ninemsn.com.au var AdBrite_Title_Color = '0000FF'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Background_Color = 'FFFFFF'; var AdBrite_Border_Color = 'CCCCCC'; var AdBrite_URL_Color = '008000';Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Jaime's First Birthday And ZhuaZhou 27th August, 2008 saw our baby turn one year old. We celebrated in a mix of Chinese and Western cultures and 'old and new' traditions. I also took the opportunity to take a well-deserved vacation day away from the office. JAIME ZHENG JIAYANG - BIRTHDAY AGENDA - Visit to the Singapore Zoo- Opening Birthday Presents- ZhuaZhou Ceremony - 抓周- Birthday PartySINGAPORE ZOOAfter a very early start, the day started with a visit to Singapore Zoo at 80 Mandai Lake Road. We've been living here almost two years, and had not previously taken the opportunity to visit what is regarded as one of the world's Top 10 zoos... and it's so close to home at Woodlands.Anyway, we were not disappointed... the variety of animals and size of the park were to amaze us. Singapore should be very proud.Unfortunately, after a very 'sleepless' night due to teething, the birthday boy only enjoyed about 1/3 of the zoo, before sleeping in comfort in his pram (protected from the pouring rain)... Mum and Dad still had a great time though!! :pClick here to view pictures from the Singapore ZooHere is a TV commercial that can also be found on the Zoo's website. OPENING BIRTHDAY PRESENTSOnce we arrived home from the zoo, it was time to madly prepare for the evening's party. But in between the preparations, Jaime opened presents he'd received from his Grandparents in Shanghai, China and Brisbane, Australia.Click here to view pictures of Jaime Opening PresentsZHUAZHOU (抓周) Zhuazhou is regarded as one of the most important customs on a child's first birthday anniversary. As a traditional, long-time custom in China, Zhuazhou is essentially a test where parents place an assortment of articles in front of their child to choose from to determine his or her future inclination and capabilities. The earliest written record of this custom can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). - ChinaCulture.OrgThe articles we chose and meanings we associated with them (some traditional, others are own interpretation):Shoes - represents a TravellerPaint Brush - represents an Artist or WriterSpring Onion - represents a Lawyer (or someone clever and adept in speaking)Orange - represents someone with Good Luck - or getting things with little effortSoftware CD - represents Computers (eg. programming, computer engineering, etc)Book - represents a Scholar or TeacherChopsticks - represents Epicure and also the Food or Restaurant IndustryCalculator - represents a Scientist or EngineerMoney - represents an Entrepenaur or Stock BrokerRubber Stamp - represents a Politician or association with the GovernmentMobile Phone - represents the Telecommunications industry or an Electrical EngineerPocket Knife - represents a Strong Body (eg. Sportsman, the Army or Police Force)Tape Measure - represents an ArchitectBP Monitor - represents a Doctor or Medical related fieldSunglasses - represents a Movie Star or CelebrityWe found that Jaime was probably more interested at first in the video camera recording him - maybe this represents the film industry?? Anway, after a little coercian, he made it clear which items he was not interested in, by throwing them away.The article/s he showed most interest in, were first and foremost the money, then perhaps the orange and finally the shoes (near the end of the selection). From this, we deduced that his future path may be something like this:"A successful entrepenaur who will have much luck and assitance in creating his own business/es, and his dealings will lead to (or include) much global travel."Video of Jaime's ZhuaZhou: Click here to view pictures of Jaime's ZhuaZhouBIRTHDAY PARTYWe finished the day off with a small party and invited our good friends the Yong Family. As well as singing happy birthday in both English and Chinese, we all enjoyed massive amounts of Pizza, Chicken Wings, Lollies and other Munchies... as well as a wonderful ice-cream cake we had delivered from Swensons (mango and stick chocolate flavours).By the end of the night, Jaime was covered head-to-toe in chocolate, and was practically falling asleep with his head in cake. I think he had a great day (and then slept all night)!!!Video of Jaime and his Cake: Click here to view pictures of Jaime, his Cake and FriendsCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Father Goes Bananas And Chops Off Son's Hand Things are much different in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea than what most of us are accustomed to. An innocent family dispute over a bunch of bananas for instance can lead to tragedy. This is exactly what happened this weekend just gone past - A father lopped off his son's hand after a family fight had erupted over a bunch of bananas.The Southern Highlands (SHP) family have since sent the severed hand back to their village for burial, while the 20-year old recovers in the Mendi General Hospital.The victim, Moson Wape, from Seven Kona in the Kagua district SHP, had his lower left hand cut off after his father tried to slash him on the head. The incident occurred Wape intervened in a fight between his father and another son arguing over a bunch of bananas.The father swung his bush knife and chopped off Wape's hand and also slashed his head.Police are investigating. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) And Yet Another Drug Bust At Woodlands Checkpoint Wow - if officers at Woodlands Checkpoint were operating on a 'bonus per bust' scheme, I reckon they'd be getting very rich lately!! We've seen cannabis hidden in pants, the 'consumption frog' contraband cigarettes saga, and now the latest in the border activities in Northern Singapore - Home Team agencies have seized a variety of several drugs with a street value of S$64,600.The 'mixed bag' this time, consisted of 227.9 grammes of heroin, 1.3 grammes of 'Ice', 694 'Erimin-5' tablets and 50 'Ecstasy' tablets, along with digital scales, various drug paraphernalia, and even a stun gun.All three people arrested in this bust were Malaysian - a 26-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman and her 24-year-old male accomplice.Around 10.35am on Saturday, officers inspected a Singapore-registered taxi that was transporting the 26-year-old Malaysian man.In the back passenger seat, they uncovered a black plastic bag containing 690 'Erimin 5' tablets and about 227.9 grammes of heroin.The man quickly came clean and divulged the entire plot to the officers. He was due to deliver the drugs to a Malaysian woman at a taxi stand in Woodlands. His fee for the courier run? - a mere 50 ringgit!!For such a small profit, the man is facing charges of importing a controlled drug. If convicted, he's looking at a minimum five year jail term and five strokes of the cane.About two hours after the first arrest, officers then nabbed the 29-year-old Malaysian woman and her 24-year-old male accomplice at a taxi stand in Woodlands.Uncovered were drug paraphernalia, approximately 0.7 grammes of 'Ice', 50 'Ecstasy' tablets, 1 'Erimin-5' tablet and a stun gun - all hidden in their silver Mitsubishi Gallant.The woman was also carrying three 'Erimin-5' tablets on her person, and the man was found with 0.6 grammes of 'ice'.Once again, they are facing charges of conspiracy to import a controlled drug. If convicted, they will also receieve a minimum 5 years, and the man might get at least five strokes of the cane on top of the jail term. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Singapore Day!! - Celebrate Down Under!! Melbourne, Australia is often regarded as the 'multicultural capital' of the world, and with good reason. Residents from more than 140 nations live side-by-side in Melbourne, which makes it one of the world's most harmonious and culturally diverse communities.To celebrate the thousands of residents, new-Australians, students and visitors from Singapore, Melbourne will be hosting 'SINGAPORE DAY' at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, on 4th October, 2008.SINGAPORE DAY WEBSITESINGAPORE DAY VIDEOSHIGHLIGHTSCome down to Singapore Day with fellow Singaporeans, and display your group identity any way you like! The biggest group to turn up for Singapore Day stands to win attractive prizes!Students no longer come to school to learn from us. Now they learn with us. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has developed a more holistic and engaging classroom environment called SEED (Strategies for Effective Engagement and Development) for Primary School students.So vist us on Singapore Day and let your children (ages 6 to 9) have the SEED experience first hand. Classes begin at 11:30am, 1:30pm & 3:30pm.Explore. Exchange. Be Entertained. That is the vision for the Singapore of the future that is exemplified by Marina Bay.Visit us on Singapore Day and come see for yourself how Singapore is morphing into a city of constant vibrancy and life.Our popular home grown talents will be presenting a whole slew of exciting performances.PROGRAMME MAPHOW TO GET THEREWe have arranged for one of our partners – Best Travel – to assist you in getting to Melbourne from the other Australian cities.Best Travel has more than 20 years of experience in inbound and outbound travel planning, handling both corporate and independent travellers. Based in Melbourne, the company also specialises in organising tours in the Victorian region, Australia.To find out more about their travel packages, click here.Take any of the free City Circle TramsAlight at Flinders Street Station. Walk across the Princess Bridge (St. Kilda Road) over the Yarra River towards Queen Victoria Gardens. Cross Linlithgow Ave into King's Domain where the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located.For more details click here.If you are driving to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the nearby Arts Centre Car Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It offers undercover parking for 850 vehicles.Wheelchair access is available on all levels of the car park.Entry to the Arts Centre Car Park is located on the corner of Sturt & Kavanagh Streets Southbank and is easily accessed from St Kilda Road / Southbank Boulevard, and Alexandra Avenue / City Road. For more details including the parking rates, please click hereTake the train to Flinders Street Station. From the station, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a couple of minutes’ walk down St Kilda Road. The free MelbourneCity Tourist Shuttle runs in a loop through Melbourne's CBD every 15 minutes.Alight at either:(a) Bus Stop 10 on Swan Street Walk across the Swan St. Bridge over the Yarra River. Cross Alexandra Ave and walk into King's Domain Park where the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located, or(b) Bus Stop 1 (near Hamer Hall) on St. Kilda Road Cross to the other side of road and walk down St. Kilda Road towards King's Domain (passing the Floral Clock landmark). Cross Linlithgow Ave into King's Domain where the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located.For more details click here. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Amazing Race Asia 3 - Starring Miss Universe The Amazing Race Asia 3 premieres on AXN (StarHub Ch19) on 11 Sep at 9pm. A special preview entitled "Racers Revealed", will air on 4Sep at 9pm. One of the highlights will be Canadian beauty queen, Natalie Glebova, who won the Miss Universe pageant in 2005.She is not a Thai citizen, but she will be representing the "Land of Smiles" as a contestant in the upcoming third season of the popular reality TV show.26-year-old Natalie has applied to be a permanent resident after marrying Thailand's top tennis player and a former world No9, Paradorn Srichaphan in November last year.After winning the 2005 Miss Universe title (held in Thailand), she went back for work and ended up living here and marrying a Paradorn.Now how does this work? - 27-year-old Paradorn was not even aware that Natalie had applied as a contestant, nor was he aware of the filming that took a month. That's a pretty big secret to keep from your husband.The US version of The Amazing Race is Natalie's favourite TV show, and she signed up with her good friend and former bridesmaid, 25-year-old Pailin Rungratanasunthorn, who won the Miss Earth Thailand competition in 2006.Due to the show's confidentiality clauses, Natalie could only tell Paradorn about her participation two weeks ago, when it was officially announced.So how do you keep such a secret from your life partner?Said Natalie - 'I travel a lot, hosting and presenting TV shows. It's been like this ever since we started dating, so he thought I was just going for work again. He was shocked when he found out (I was on the show). We had a good laugh about it.'At one point during the filming of the Amazing Race Asia 3, Natalie apparently broke down and cried, because she missed her loved ones so much.She said - 'I couldn't communicate with my family and friends. I couldn't even call my mum on her 50th birthday. And I wanted to be home with my husband. I was losing my temper, complaining, wanting to give up, wishing it'd all be over. I was surprised because I'm usually a calm, patient person.'According to Natalie, there were a few challenges that required mental strength, and she believes that she succedded better than any of the the guy teams.She said that it was tough not to look 'worse and worse' as the race progressed, and to maintain personal hygiene. 'I can deal with being tired, hungry and sleepy, but being dirty for me was the hardest - especially when sometimes it was just impossible to shower. Every night I HAVE to wash all my make-up off, floss, brush my teeth. If I don't get to do that, I feel gross about myself'.I for one, cannot wait for this season to start - I am a huge fan of Amazing race Asia - maybe when our baby is a little bigger, Sammi and I may even consider applying ourselves!! :D Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Free Online YouTube-Style Porn Threatens Studios AFTER years of booming sales supported by videotapes, DVDs and the internet, the adult film industry is being challenged by easy video-sharing websites offering explicit content for free."We're dealing with rampant piracy, tons of free content," said Steven Hirsch, co-founder of Vivid, the best-known adult film studio.Vivid once earned 80 per cent of its roughly $100 million a year from DVD sales, but last year that fell to 30 per cent, Mr Hirsch said.The challenge of the internet, a topic of discussion at the biggest adult film expo of the year in Las Vegas last week, has already presented itself to the music and mainstream film industries.Much of the online competition for the US porn world, based largely in southern California, comes from websites like XTube.com which allow users to upload their own videos in a similar format to YouTube.Some of the videos on XTube, based in Toronto, Canada, come from commercial studios while others are posted by amateurs."We're not pirates. We are providing a service that people think they can use to pirate," said Lance Cassidy, one of XTube's founders.The website has 200,000 free videos, typically 30 seconds to two minutes long, and about 1 per cent of visitors buy DVDs or video streams, resulting in millions of dollars of annual revenue, sales director Curtis Potec said. About two thirds of XTube's viewers are gay, Mr Potec said."We've had tons and tons of people tell us this is the future of the adult industry," Mr Potec said."Most of the money is ads, on any site, mainstream or adult."Scott Coffman, president of Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) in North Carolina, says his company started a YouTube-type site a year-and-a-half ago to generate revenue through advertising and drive traffic to pay-per-minute sites.AEBN limits free clips to three minutes. Users make about a quarter of them."They don't convert that well when you give away so much. There is a fine line between giving away something small, a teaser... and giving away the whole thing," Mr Coffman said.He said his company had revenue of about $100 million a year and was facing a lawsuit from Vivid accusing AEBN of piracy.Mr Hirsch of Vivid said he would also sue other video-sharing sites."This industry is going to have to get together and look at these guys that are putting out the stuff for free... so they are going to have to get in line and start paying for it," Mr Hirsch said."If that doesn't happen and we see all of this free content out there, people are not going to be able to afford to produce movies anymore."Videotapes, fewer prosecutions, DVDs and internet advertising has created an unprecedented boom the US adult film industry since the 1980s.Many studios post short clips on internet video-sharing sites as advertising to sell more movies."This is something we constantly discuss in our office. Is it too much," said Garion Hall, chief executive of Abbywinters.com, an Australian-based company.Hall said only one out of 500 viewers clicked over to his site from free clips and of those only one in 50 subscribed.Some adult industry executives say a solution may lie in future distribution deals with big US companies such as AT&T, Verizon Communications, Comcast and Apple.An Apple spokeswoman said the company would not comment if it had held past talks or was interested in distributing adult product.A spokeswoman for Comcast, the largest US cable provider, said the firm offered adult content in its video-on-demand service but said she knew of no talks for mobile adult distribution.Sales of sex films to mobile devices occur in Europe but have yet to take off in the US."We won't make money through adult content," said Verizon Wireless spokesman Ken Muche.AT&T did not comment.Jay Grdina, president of ClubJenna Inc, a division of Playboy, said sharing previews was a mistake."We're getting bitten by our own sword," he said.Grdina, former husband and on-scene partner of Jenna Jameson, one of the industry's most famous porn stars, said he has met companies such as Microsoft and Apple to seek wireless and other distribution deals that could allow easy downloads to devices such as iPods.A spokesman for Microsoft said they were not in talks to distribute adult content."The revenues are massive," Grdina said."(But) the biggest fear is share price: what are the shareholders going to say?"Courtesy of news.com.auCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Dalai Lama Downloads Lead To iTunes Block In China "Songs for Tibet", an album that was offered as a free download to athletes attending the Olympic Games, is being linked to the apparent blocking of Apple's online iTunes Store in China. The athletes were encouraged to listen to the songs on their iPods whilst in Beijing as a act of solidarity with Tibetan people and the non-violent philosophies of their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.It is believed that around 40 athletes have taken up the offer. Mike Wohl, the executive director of "The Art of Peace Foundation" which produced the album, says that some of the downloads were made while the athletes were in Beijing.Mr Wohl is the key man behind the controversial pro-Dalai Lama music download, but he insists that it was never his intention to provoke such a response. The campaign to recruit Olympians was not intended to make a big political statement. "We were trying to do the subtlest of subtle things. I didn't want to get anyone in trouble".The album features popular singers and songwriters such as Sting, Moby, Suzanne Vega and Alanis Morissette. Although most of the songs are re-works or re-mixes of "oldies but goodies", some were written specifically for the project.The album is described as a "vertical integration of the concept of peace" and a celebration of the "philosphy of non-violence that the Dalai Lama champions".MrWohl also said "Our whole point is freedom of expression. We have no political agenda whatsoever".It is important to note that Apple are just a third-party in the controversy, and an "innocent bystander". The album is also available as a paid download on numerous websites including Amazon and Wal-Mart. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) 'Boobs On Bikes' - Won't See This On Orchard Road It was so very difficult finding appropriate pictures and videos for this article to fit with the Singapore conservative society. Over 100,000 workers took time off their busy schedules in Auckland, New Zealand today to witness and enjoy the annual "Boobs on Bikes" parade. The parade featured about one hundred porn stars and drag queens cruising the city's busy main street on motorbikes.As predicted, the crowd was predominately male, most of them trying their hardest for photo opportunities.As is the usual custom, the conservatives did their best to try and have the parade banned, but to no avail. Ironically, it was a female judge who finally ruled that the parade was not "legally offensive".Steve Crow, the self-proclaimed and self-styled "porn king" had already made the decision that he was going to stage the parade with or without a council permit, as part of the "Erotica Expo" event.At one stage, protesters began throwing eggs at the organizer. Around 50 women led the protest march against pornography in front of the parade, but aside from the egg-throwing incident, did little to dampen the crowd's spirits, which was lined six-deep and contained by police.On the egg-throwing, tongue-in-cheek, Mr Crow (who led the parade in a black convertible) said, "I'm glad to see people are exercising their freedom of expression. I told the girls beforehand to keep the jiggling to a minimum and not to do anything that would be deemed offensive".Construction workers were seen watching from building sites and office workers were leaning out of windows, because of the difficulty in obtaining a good vantage point on the street.Judge Nicola Mathers of the Auckland District Court said that the bylaw the council introduced to stop the parade was questionable. "It is not offensive per se for women to be topless. It may be distasteful to some, but in my view the council reference to offensive cannot reasonably apply in these circumstances".I had to be very careful which videos from YouTube I posted on my blog here in Singapore - wanna see 'more'?? Just visit YouTube. Or for full photo galleries, just search for "Boobs on Bikes" on Google. :DCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Drugs Found In Man's Pants At Causeway Ever heard the story of Aretha Franklin getting caught for carrying drugs? She was found to be carrying 100 pounds of crack in the back of her pants... :pIn competition to Ms Franklin, the passenger of a Malaysian taxi entering Singapore was acting too nervous as he approached the Causeway. The suspicious behaviour caught the attention of switched-on immigration officers on Tuesday afternoon.Upon a body search, the 49-year-old Singaporean man was found to be carrying 137.5 grams (about 4oz in the 'old drug weights') of contraband drugs tucked into the front of his pants. The 'green substance' was wrapped in cellophane and was identified as cannabis.According to the accused, he had bought the drugs for 900 ringgit, from a man called "Suhaimi" in a market in Johor Bahru.The accused has claimed that the drug was intended for his personal consumption.The case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for investigations.For illegal importation of this quantity of cannabis, the accused could be jailed between five years and life imprisonment, and be given between five and 15 strokes of the cane. Lucky he wasn't carrying more than 500 grams, or he would be looking at the death penalty!! Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Drunk in Hong Kong - Losing Fingers And Sex With Park Benches Well, it seems that going out drinking in Hong Kong can be frought with danger - of the most bizarre kind. Firstly, get drunk and vomit in a taxi in HK? Then there's a real good chance that the cabbie might just well bite your finger off. Or if you're feeling lonely and horny, why not make love to an inanimate object, only to get yourself embarrassingly stuck to the park bench.These may be stories that could make satirical late night comedy TV, but unbelievably these things actually happened recently. Read on...Taxi Driver Admits Biting Off Aussie Passenger's FingertipThe Hong Kong cabbie bit off the fingertip of a drunken Australian passenger who refused to clean up vomit from the taxi, a court report said today.According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the fingertip was later recovered by police from the vomit and sewn back on.The taxi driver, 54-yearl-old Hui Man-yu, appeared today in court after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm on the passenger, Australian Caleb Chau. He was convicted and sentenced to 160 hours of community service.Hui claimed that he had only wanted Chau to clean up the mess that the passenger had made by vomiting in the taxi. In response, Chau began mocking Hui, spat at him and put him in an armlock, which is when the cabbie bit him."I couldn't breathe or move my head. ... I never meant to hurt him," Chau told the court.The prosecution had claimed the passenger only hit Chau after the bite, but the magistrate said the passenger's account was inconsistent. The court accepted that the trouble in the taxi ride in November last year was initiated by the passenger, rather than the driver.Man Gets Stuck 'Having Sex With Bench'According to all reports, a "lonely and disturbed" Hong Kong man, 42-year-old Le Xing, had to call police to try and free him after his penis got stuck in a park bench he had apparently tried to have sex with.It took four hours for emergency workers to try and free the man after he attempted to use a hole in the exercise bench to masturbate in a deserted park after dark.When it became apparent that he could not be freed, even after having blood drained from his penis, he was eventually taken to hospital with the bench's 2.5-metre-long metal base still attached to him.Doctors said the poor guy was lucky to still have a penis after the embarrassing incident, which was reported in lurid detail by several Chinese-language papers in HK.Photographs showed rescue workers carrying him to an ambulance on the metal sheet, covered in a red blanket.Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Medical Miracle! - Dead Baby Comes Back To Life After 5-Hours! A baby that was born premature was pronounced dead at birth. She then "came back to life" after five hours in a hospital cooler.The baby girl was in a cooler at the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel, and when her father asked to see her body, she miraculously showed signs of life!According to the Deputy Chief of Staff at the hospital, Dr Moshe Daniel: "I've been a doctor for 35 years and this is the first time I've ever seen such a thing happen. This is somewhat of a medical miracle. We've informed the Health Ministry and I guess they'll appoint a commission of inquiry. The hospital will ask for an external investigation of the case."The incident occurred only 5-months into the pregnancy, due to the discovery of internal bleeding of the mother who is aged 26. The embryo at that stage was showing no signs of life.According to hospital officials, an abortion was then conducted, and the baby, weighing 610 grams, was extracted from the mother's womb without a pulse. It was then taken to a laboratory for tests.However, Dr Daniel is still pessimistic as to the baby's chances of survival, "because of just how premature she is, her chances are very slim. Then again, she already saw divine intervention once so you never know. We're doing everything we can for her." Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Bibles Seized At Chinese Airport - Christians Were Fore-Warned! The Christians awaiting the return of their Bibles in China could be waiting a very, very long time. In November of last year, clear warnings were issued by Chinese Government officials, when they announced that athletes who compete in the 2008 Beijing Games would be banned from having Bibles in their Olympic village housing, and even visitors were being warned not to bring more than a single Bible with them when they come to China. According to a report from the Catholic News Agency, Bibles were among the list of "prohibited objects" for athletes at the Beijing housing complexes built for the thousands of athletes participating."According to the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, organizers had cited 'security reasons' and have prohibited athletes from bearing any kind of religious symbol at Olympic facilities," the report said."The Spanish daily La Razon said the rule was one of a number of 'signs of censure and intolerance' towards religious objects, particularly those used by Christians in China," the report said. At the time of the warning in China "five bishops and 15 priests are in prison for opposing the official [government-run] church."SO WHY WOULD THESE FOUR PEOPLE RISK CARRYING 300 BIBLES ACROSS CHINESE BORDERS??The story:ORIGINAL SOURCE: The Washington Times Chinese customs officials confiscated more than 300 Bibles on Sunday from four American Christians who arrived in a southwestern city with plans to distribute them, the group's leader said.The Bibles were taken from the group's checked luggage after they landed at the airport in the city of Kunming, said Pat Klein, head of Vision Beyond Borders.The group, based in Sheridan, Wyo., distributes Bibles and Christian teaching materials around the world to "strengthen the persecuted church," according to its Web site.The group arrived in China on Sunday and had intended to distribute the Bibles to people in the city, Mr. Klein told the AP in a telephone interview while still at the airport."I heard that there's freedom of religion in China, so why is there a problem for us to bring Bibles?" Mr. Klein said. "We had over 300 copies, and customs took all of them from us."The move comes as China hosts the Olympics in Beijing, where false media reports last year said Bibles would be banned from the games. The state-run China Daily reported last month that 10,000 bilingual copies of the Bible would be distributed in the Olympic Village, which houses athletes and media.Bibles are printed under the supervision of the communist government. The officially atheistic country only allows them to be used in government-sanctioned churches and in some big hotels catering to foreigners.A woman who was on duty at Kunming airport's customs office confirmed over the telephone that 315 Bibles were found in the passengers' checked baggage.The officer, who would only give her last name, Xiao, denied confiscating the Bibles. She said authorities were just "taking care" of them and provided no further details.She later said she was not authorized to speak to the media and referred questions to the national customs headquarters in Beijing, which did not answer phones on Sunday."We're not selling them; we give them free to the people," Mr. Klein said. "We didn't come to cause trouble. We just came to bring Bibles to help out the Chinese Christians."The Bibles were printed in Chinese, he said.Mr. Klein said the customs officers had told him that they could each have one Bible for personal use and not more than that. He said the officers had videotaped them and were insisting that they leave the airport."We don't want to go without taking those books. It cost us a lot of money to bring them here," Mr. Klein said. "They're saying that it's illegal to bring the Bibles in and that if we wanted to, we had to apply ahead of time for permission."China faces routine criticism for its human rights violations and its repression of religious freedom. Religious practice is heavily regulated by the Communist Party, with worship allowed only in party-controlled churches, temples and mosques, while those gathering outside face harassment, arrest and terms in labor camps or prison.A Chinese Christian activist was detained Aug. 10, the opening weekend of the Olympics, on his way to a church service attended by President Bush in Beijing. A rights group said later that the activist, Hua Huiqi, a leader of the unofficial Protestant church in Beijing, had escaped from police and was in hiding.Police have denied any involvement in Mr. Hua's disappearance. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) The Singapore Song By Rony Tan If this doesn't bring some goose bumps then there's something wrong. Enjoy!... and for a little fun:Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Foreigners Benefit Singaporeans PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave the reassurance that improving the lives of Singaporeans will always remain the Government's key responsibility, even as he sought to restate why foreign workers and talent are needed to keep the economy more vibrant and diversified.Delivering his National Day Rally speech in Mandarin at the University Cultural Centre on Sunday night, he said without foreign workers, there will not be enough Singapore workers to grow the economy.Contrary to fears of some Singaporeans and feedback from NTUC that foreign workers are taking away jobs from Singaporeans and depressing wages, he said they have instead helped to enlarge the pie.The economy has become more vibrant and diversified because of foreign workers. Without their participation, there will not be enough Singapore workers to grow the economy, he said.PM Lee cited the example of the two upcoming Integrated Resorts (IRs), which will require an additional 20,000 workers.The IRs will not be able to recruit Singaporeans to fill all these positions, he said.In fact, they would not have decided to invest here had Singapore required them to recruit only locals, he explained.In another example, PM Lee said foreign finance specialists will help Singapore to grow its financial centre.London and New York are global financial centres because they draw talent from all over the world, but Tokyo is in a lower league because it does not have the same draw, he added.In comparison with Japan, Singapore's English-speaking workforce gives the republic an added advantage.Foreign workers keep many SMEs in business, by lowering their cost - without them, local workers and SME bosses will also lose their jobs.PM Lee said Singapore's unemployment rate is only 2.3 per cent, which is considered by economists to be full employment.Elderly workers have also found it easier to find employment, he added.SOURCE: AsiaOneNewsCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Top 10 Places To Nude Up California's desert hot springs are one of the world's best places to go au naturel.Photo: Andrew Peacock/Lonely PlanetIn response to the very distrurbing and aesthetically challenged incident in Singapore last week, where a man was caught on camera while swimming nude in the Singapore River, and then parading for all to see, I would refer this person to the following published list.For travelers who really want to strip off in the sun, travel website TripAdvisor has come up with a list of the top 10 resorts where clothing is optional."For travelers, a great vacation is all about escaping. For most that means escaping the confines of their homes, for others, it is best achieved by escaping the confines of their clothes," said TripAdvisor spokeswoman Michele Perry.NB: Reuters had not endorsed this list which was compiled according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors. 1. Au Naturel Club, Riviera Maya, MexicoThis Kantenah Bay Riviera Maya resort makes a clothing-optional vacation a truly luxurious experience. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: "Everyone is just there to relax and enjoy the sun and to unwind. I cannot think of a better place to do all of those things."2. Garden of Eden Resort, Isla Solarte, PanamaTucked away on Panama's Caribbean coast, this pristine island has a laid-back atmosphere. According to a TripAdvisor traveler: "Good food and good company in enchanting surroundings. One can spend a day totally relaxing or exploring the waters and islands nearby."3. Living Waters Spa, Desert Hot Springs, CaliforniaBetween the hot mineral water pools and the luxurious accommodations, Living Waters Spa is the perfect place for total au naturel relaxation in the California sunshine. As one TripAdvisor traveler said: "If you enjoy a clothing-optional environment where you can just completely let go and relax, this place is perfect."4. Terra Cotta Inn, Palm Springs, CaliforniaOnce a celebrity retreat, the Terra Cotta Inn is now a relaxation destination where all visitors are welcome. One TripAdvisor traveler called it: "A place where you can feel totally comfortable shedding your stress, worries, and cares right along with your clothes."5. Caliente Caribe Resort and Spa, Puerto Plata, Dominican RepublicStay clothed on the lush Caribbean grounds if you wish, but undress for a comfortable experience that is naturally delightful. As one TripAdvisor traveler commented: "Watching the stars and moon from the beachside hot tub was one of our most memorable moments."6. Sorobon Beach Resort, BonaireVisitors love the tranquility of this Bonaire haven, with its shallow barrier-protected bay that makes swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling a delight. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: "The total concept of being nude 24/7 was very relaxing. The island is very beautiful and we will be back to this resort next year."7. Cabanas Copal, Tulum, MexicoRelaxing in a seaside Caribbean cabana in the candlelight at this eco-friendly tropical retreat makes it an appealing in-the-buff destination. One TripAdvisor traveler said: "Waking up in paradise inside a beautiful cabana surrounded by the jungle, and looking at the turquoise color of the sea, is priceless!"8. Club Orient Resort, St MartinPristine white beaches and uninhabited nearby islands often leave guests feeling uninhibited at Club Orient in St Martin. As one TripAdvisor traveler put it: "Staying at Club Orient is as close to heaven as you can get without dying! Nudity feels so natural that even first timers have no problem shedding their clothes."9. Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, Negril, JamaicaWhether you dress up for a romantic meal, or really "dress down" at the clothing-optional beach, this couples destination combines high luxury and natural beauty. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: "The beach is beautiful, crystal clear water that is so warm and calm, and they provide floats so you can float all day in paradise."10. Punta Serena, Tenacatita, Mexico Featuring hot tubs overlooking the water, beautiful beaches and a lively bar and pool, this au naturel resort is a Mexican gem. According to a TripAdvisor traveler: "Overall, it was the most relaxing and romantic week we have ever spent at a resort."Reuters Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Racist Or Not? - The Spanish Basketball Team 'Eyes' China The Spanish Olympic Basketball making fun of Asians by pulling their eyes into slits with their forefingers. Is the gesture racist or not? Does it really matter if there is intent to offend, or does it depend on the recipient? This is not the first time that Spanish sport and their sportsmen have come under scrutiny for apparent racist behaviour. One thing is for sure - it was done in very poor taste, and whoever thought of the idea should be looking for a new job.Both the mens and ladies Olympic basketball teams have upset their Chinese hosts and officials by posing for an advertisement whilst making slit-eyed gestures. The advertisement is for a courier company, which is an official sponsor of the Spanish Basketball Federation. The Marca (a sports daily publication and the country's highest-selling newspaper) placed the advertisement on a full page.The advertisement actually features two large photographs - one of the men's team (pictured above), the other of the women's team. Both squads are dressed in full Olympic outfits on a basketball court, with a picture of a Chinese dragon at their feet in centre court. Every player is posing by pulling back the skin on either side of their eyes. The advertisement carries the logo of the sport's governing body.It is very strange that no one involved in the advertisement appears to have considered it inappropriate. Nor have they thought about how it could potentially be interpreted in China and other Asian nations.The offical line from team management and players, is that no offence was intended. Whether the Chinese see it that way or not is a different matter. It is highly likely to provoke more criticism for Spanish sport when it has already been under the spotlight for other misdemeanours. The potential fallout could cause problems for Spain and the Spanish Olympic committee's desire to host the Olympics in Madrid in 2016 or 2020.Not all that long ago, the Spanish became acutely aware of how sensitive racial issues can be, especially internationally. Spanish sport has been placed under severe scrutiny for a number of recent incidents, including the monkey chants aimed at England's black football players by Spanish football fans at a November 2004 friendly international in Madrid. The Spanish football federation was fined by world governing body Fifa for this overt racism. Also, former national team coach Luis Aragones also caused controversy by 'now infamous' remarks about France striker Thierry Henry.Finally, just last year, Spanish Formula One fans targeted British driver Lewis Hamilton during a testing day at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Baby Girl Murdered By Air Steward An air steward has been arrested in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, suspected of being responsible for the murder of a baby girl.Chan Hui Vern, who was just three years of age, was in a coma at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for a week, before passing away on Monday as a direct result of her tragic head injuries.By all accounts, the young girl's 27-year-old mother was at work in a hair salon on 5th August, when she received a call from her boyfriend. He informed her that the girl was having seizures. The mother hurried home to their apartment in Bukit Jalil, only to find her daughter unconscious.Following Chan's death, police arrested the boyfriend, a 25-year-old air steward, and he is suspected of having caused the head trauma to the toddler by assaulting her in a fit of rage.According to Cheras deputy police chief Superintendent, Abdul Rahim Hamzah Othman, police had obtained a seven-day remand order for the air steward to remain in custody while the case is investigated. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Teenagers Selling Illegal Smokes And Drugs In Pasir Ris They may just look like two teenage students hanging around the void deck of Block 429, Pasir Ris Drive 6, but by all accounts their intentions are much more entrepreneurial than academic.They have been frequenting a stone table at the block, wearing everyday shorts and t-shirts and toting common sling bags and haversacks, and seem to be meeting friends in school uniforms.But actually, they have illegal smokes and other items for sale to passers-by.According to sources, their drug of choice on special, are known as 'power pills'. These pills are sold in clear bags.Many residents, including worried parents, have been voicing their concern over the activities of the two youths.One parent said, "I was told hard stuff like Ecstasy and Ketamine are also being sold here. Personally, I have not seen the drugs, but a lot of people talk about it. Once, I sat under the block and was approached by a man in his 20s looking for Su (street name for Subutex). Do I look like a drug dealer?"Also according to residents, this is not the first time such activties have gone on in the area. "There used to be a group of boys who sold cigarettes and sex pills just across the road at the park bench (at Block 444). They disappeared when they were exposed in the newspapers."It is claimed that these teenagers under Block 429 are the same ones. One resident approached them and told them not to do business there, but his requests have gone unheeded.The boys start trading each day at 3pm, and continue with their cut-price deals until around midnight.They buy plastic bags of coffee or tea which they hang at stone the table and sit and talk. Throughout their business hours, others youths sit with them, and sometimes, the two go off for a 'brisk walk' before returning.After being waved down by the 'dealers', a group of four male students was watched while they approached them, but many of them soon disbursed after learning what was on sale.One tired-looking youth who had just bought some of the pills, told investigators from the New Paper, "They won't anyhow sell it to you. If you come with me, I can recommend (you to them). They will sell you Power (pills) cheaper."The yellow pills are being sold for about $40 for 10 pieces. The youth showed the investigators 20 of the pills in a clear bag, and they obtained close-up photographs from a hidden camera.The picture shows that each pill has the letters INF and DMF and the number 15 embossed on it.Advice from the same youth, "Don't take one or two because no kick. Take five or more, and you will feel shiok. It's the same high as Erimin 5, only cheaper."It is believed that the "power pills" could be a depressant similar to Erimin 5, which is a powerful hypnotic drug used to treat people with sleep difficulties.If this is trhs case, the 'power pills' can cause loss of consciousness and difficulties in coordinating bodily functions.The New Paper informed the authorities about the boys' activities.A spokesman for the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said, "Given the possible involvement of illegal drug syndicates, HSA will work with the relevant enforcement agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau and the police to look further into the reports of illegal activities in those areas."The other danger is that even if the pills are not illegal substances, it is still possible that they contain toxic ingredients which is also a very significant danger.WHAT IS ERIMIN 5 (CHEMICAL MAKEUP)?Erimin Nimetazepam is a benzodiazepine originated from Japan it is said to be invented after the chemical nitrazepam was invented in the western countries. It has a faster onset and a shorter half-life compared to Nitrazepam, making it a drug of potential abuse.Nimetazepam is distributed more rapidly in the brain than its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam). The brain concentration of the active metabolites of the former is about twice that of Nitrazepam at 1-hour after oral administration. At least four kinds of reactions is involved in the biotransformation of nimetazepam and its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam) (demethylation at N-1,hydroxylation at C-3, reduction of the nitro group at C-7 to the amino group and subsequent acetylation of the amino group. The 1-N-demethylation of nimetazepam is slow compared with the other three reactions. Nimetazepam is rapidly hydroxylated at C-3, while the 3-hydroxylation of its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam) is very slow. The reduction of the nitro group at C-7 and subsequent acetylation are important routes for the excretion of these drugs.Put simply, Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) can and is being used as a VERY DANGEROUS recreational chemical.ABOUT ERIMIN IN SINGAPOREIt first appeared on the local drug scene some years ago, when more than 90,000 pills were seized. Now, the tranquilliser Erimin-5, or nimetazepam, has become the drug of choice among many abusers. Many of the 793 drug abusers arrested last year were on Erimin-5, according to the CNB’s annual drugs report.Erimin-5 had displaced the previous year's favoured drug, ketamine. Testing for Erimin-5 was begun in January 2004. Although some people still think that Erimin-5 is not detectable, the truth is Nimetazepam is classified under the Benzodiazepine family, and when an accused tests positive from the Instant urine test for benzodiazepines, the urine sample will be taken to the Health Science Authority for analysis of the chemical .According to http://www.erimin.com/, in the streets an Erimin-5 tablet costs between S$6 (RM13.80) and S$8 (RM18.40), while 1g of ketamine costs between S$40 (RM92) and S$50 (RM115).Unlike so-called “party drugs” like Ecstasy and ketamine, Erimin-5 is a depressant and seen as a “soft” drug. It can also be obtained easily compaired to other drugs.In Singapore Erimin is Scheduled under the Misuse of drug act (Chapter 185)It is scheduled under class A which carries a Mandory Jail therm. A trafficker can face up to a maximum of 10 years in prison and 5 Strokes of the cane.A person convicted of illegal possession or consumption of Nimetazepam will face up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or both.FINALLY - Why You Should Never Use Drugs On A Date:Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Highway Crash Claiming 8 Lives Caught on CCTV Raw footage from a spectacular highway crash in Italy. (NO AUDIO)(00:47)Eight confirmed dead in this horrific crash caught on CCTV.Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Date Has Been Set For Ghost Wedding The date has been set - 10th October. Having never attended a 'ghost' wedding before, I'm not really sure how the process works. Will there first need to be a 'ghost' divorce?In all seriousness, the tragedy that occurred at East Coast Park on Monday night, has left two young children without a father - a teenage daughter and a 12-year-old son.The man who drowned, was a Chinese national aged 35-years, and is know just as "Mr Yang". According to his girlfriend, it was his intention for both he and Miss Dang Thi Tho to drown together. Miss Dang is a 25-year-old from Vietnam.Miss Dang had refused to live with Mr Yang, because he was still married, but Mr Yang's wife would not agree to a divorce. Subsequently, Mr Yang believed that the only way to escape the situation and be sure that the two could be together, was for them both to die.However, when Mr Yang attempted the 'murder / suicide', Miss Dang struggled fiercely before losing conciousness. She was the rescued by passers-by. Mr Dang could not be revived and died at the scene.Now this is where the tragedy takes a very strange turn.Miss Dang works as a hairdresser in Vietnam. After the events of Monday night, she said that she does not want to marry anyone else and insists that she will still marry Mr Yang once she returns to Vietnam. She is determined that the wedding will go ahead regardless of whether or not her parents are supportive."Regardless of whether he's alive or dead, I want to always be with him."The wedding date has tentatively been pegged for 10th Oct because that is the date when the couple first met in 2007, when Miss Dang was visiting Singapore.She said that it was Mr Yang's intention to emigrate to Vietnam and set up a joint business with her. Since the affair started, Miss Dang has visited Singapore every few months, and believed that the relationship was based on the mutual attraction, and the fact that Mr Yang praised Vietnamese women for being loyal.While the couple were apart, they racked up international phone bills to the tune of around S$1,000 a month, even though Mr Yang only earned around S$2,000 a month working in the renovation industry. It was Miss Dang's birthday last month, and because Mr Yang had no money, his wish was to sell his blood so he could have enough to buy a gift for his beloved. That was when he first suggested that he would offer his life for her instead.Not long after this, Mr Yang fought with his wife and told her that he and his girlfriend would die together. Miss Dang did not believe that he was actually serious about this.Since the ordeal on Monday night, Miss Dang has had trouble sleeping due to being haunted by constant dreams of the pair together. In the dreams, Mr Yang is too weak to lift his partner, which is something he used to do regularly when he was still alive.Miss Dang became aware that Mr Yang was married, when he came clean about one month after the affair began. After the drowning incident, she spoke to his wife on the phone.Miss Dang said that "his wife didn't scold me. She said it was her husband's fault. She said she would only have agreed to a divorce if he bought her a house, but he couldn't afford it. I did think of ending the relationship but we were so in love we couldn't bear to do it."It is Miss Dang's intention to take Mr Yang's ashes with her to Vietnam, and erect and alter together with pictures of them together. She said that even if she is not allowed to keep his ashes, she will still go ahead with the wedding ceremony, because she believes that she is the only one that Mr Yang loved. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) World's Largest Shipment Of Ecstasy This is better than the best-selling true story 'Underbelly' which became a recent mini-series in Australia that outlines underworld criminal activity across Australia, predominately Melbourne. Some of the true-to-life characters are one and the same in this latest turn of events. Perhaps there will need to be a 'Underbelly II' - I wonder if that one would be banned in Victoria like the first one was?After a year-long Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation, an international drug syndicate was broken yesterday.Some of Australia's most best known and notorious alleged underworld figures were arrested in connection to the seizure in Melbourne of the world's largest shipment of ecstasy. This came as a result of a series of dramatic raids across the Australia.20 people were arrested in total, and eventually 19 of these people were charged with various drug and money laundering offences in relation to the seizure of the 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy from Italy (15 million tablets).The tablets were concealed inside tins of tomato shipped from Italy to Melbourne. The total value of the haul is estimated at $440 million.The alleged mastermind of the drug syndicate is Pasquale Barbaro, who has been pegged as the suspected drug baron and was founder of the Black Uhlans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Other key underworld figures to be arrested include John Higgs and Rob Karam, the latter who is alleged to have used a corrupt network of Melbourne dock and freight workers to assist in getting the drugs across Aussie borders.46-year-old Barbaro, was arrested at his Carlton unit (in Melbourne) along with 37-year-old Sharon Ropa, 37, early on Friday morning. According to the AFP, Barbaro travelled frequently between his home town of Tharbogang, near Griffith in New South Wales, and his unit in Carlton.Mr Barbaro is the son of Francesco "Little Trees" Barbaro. "Little Trees" was brought to the attention the Woodward Royal Commission, during the investigation behind the disappearance of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay back in 1977. He was named as a member of the Griffith-based Calabrian organisation behind the disappearance by the Commission.Pasquale Barbaro boasts a Italian-style mansion in Griffith, was also raided around 6.30am by AFP officers. Another four properties in Griffith were raided around 4am by teams of customs officers with sniffer dogs. Barbaro's father, Francesco had some harsh words with officers at the mansion.When interviewed by The Age Newspaper, Fransesco Barbaro said "I have no idea what's happening. I don't know anything about drugs, leave me alone".A Melbourne fruit and vegetable marketeer, 47-year-old Francesco Madafferi was also arrested and charged. In the 1990s, the Australaian Immigration Department had tried to deport Madafferi, when it was discovered that he had been investigated for the "Mafia Conspiracy" in Calabria.Madafferi, who was charged with trafficking MDMA, was granted bail without appeal when he appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday. Thirteen others who had been charged in relation to the raids were all remanded in custody.Evidence presented to the court included the declaration that there is 187,000 hours of telephone intercept evidence and 3600 hours of listening device recordings. The prosecuter then asked for six months to prepare the case against the accused.According to the AFP, this drug syndicate represents about 60% of all ecstasy that is imported into Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania."This is a major disruption to transnational organised crime, both for this country and abroad... The investigation was the largest ever undertaken by the AFP".Police executed more than 45 search warrants in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands.The ecstasy tablets were first discovered by federal police and customs officers on June 28th, 2007 in a shipment that arrived in Melbourne. The discovery was as a result of intelligence gathered from Australian and European agencies.It was decided at the time not to reveal the raid immediately. The AFP secretly substituted inert pills for the ectasy and carefully resealed each tin. Then they mounted an elaborate surveillance and phone-tapping operation.The Carlton unit was uncovered to be an alleged 'safe house' for the drug syndicate. This breakthrough information came about by listening devices monitored by the AFP.Pasquale Barbaro, who was remanded in custody to appear in court on March 26, was yesterday charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of MDMA (ecstasy), trafficking MDMA, and aiding and abetting the importing of cocaine.The lady arrested with Barbaro (Sharon Ropa) frequented the 'safe house' in Carlton often, travelling between it and her Werribee home. She is also alleged to have been involved in a $9 million money laundering ring along with three other people. The ring was allegedly providing funds for the drug syndicate.Ropa, who was remanded in custody to appear on March 26, faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with laundering money worth more than $1 million, trafficking MDMA, and aiding and abetting the importing of cocaine.On July 24 this year in Melbourne, customs and AFP officials also seized 150 kilograms of cocaine alleged to have been imported by the same syndicate.In the raids of the Griffith masnion property, the AFP also seized $140,000 in cash and a substantial quantity of weapons. Of the others charged and appearing in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court, 24-year-old Mohamed Abdul Nazeer and 34-year-old Tanesh Dias, both of West Footscray and both charged with money laundering, were remanded until February 4. All others are due back in court on March 26.Alan Saric, 34 of Werribee, charged with various drug offences, and Abdul Nazeer are expected to make bail applications early next week.One of the accused who was charged with conspiracy to import MDMA, 61-year-old John Higgs, of Taylors Lakes, has been under investigation by state and federal police for two decades. He remains a suspect in the theft of secret police files detailing the activities of a police informer from the Victorian drug squad offices in 1996.Another Melbourne figure charged with conspiracy to import MDMA, trafficking MDMA, aiding and abetting the importing of cocaine and importing a precursor chemical to manufacture drugs was Rob Karam, an associate of alleged drug baron Tony Mokbel. He was also one of Crown Casino's top 200 gamblers before being banned from the casino by Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon.Other people arrested and charged with various drug offences across four states, include - Saverio Zirilli, 51, of Tharboganag, NSW, Carmelo Falanga, 43, of Bungle Bungle Ranges, SA, Pasquale Sergi, 45, of Griffith, NSW, Gratian Bran, 51, of Cheltenham, Graeme Potter, 50, of Launceston, Severino Scarponi, 39, of Glenside, SA, Antonio Di Pietro, 41, of Nar Nar Goon, Pino Varallo, 39, of Eltham, Dominic Barbaro, 31, of Lake Wyangan, NSW, Tony Sergi, 34, of Sydenham, and Salvatore Agresta, 40, of East Keilor.How Police Checkmated Alleged Drug ChiefsCourtesy of Nick McKenzie of The Age NewspaperCATCHING clever crooks is not unlike a game of chess - you wear down your opponent in the hope of finding a weakness.So it was for Australian Federal Police last year, when intelligence from European and Australian law enforcement agencies suggested that a container shipped from Italy might include more than the tinned tomatoes listed on the customs manifest.When the AFP and customs officers secretly searched the container in Melbourne, they uncovered the largest single shipment of ecstasy ever intercepted by any law enforcement agency in the world: 4.4 tonnes or 15 million pills.But the federal agents had a problem. While they had some intelligence on who was involved, the evidence was not strong enough to sustain criminal charges.The sheer size of the importation pointed to figures who were well-connected, wealthy and with ready access to a large distribution network. It soon emerged that they were also well versed in avoiding police attention; the men hired to unload the cargo were cleanskins with no idea who they were working for or what they had been paid to unload.The AFP agents had two choices: they could declare their hand and call a press conference to trumpet the massive seizure. Or they could mount a slow play, hoping one of their suspects would trip up and give them enough evidence to identify the main players and start tapping phones.Those behind the shipment had a weakness - they owed their European suppliers millions of dollars, money that was meant to be repaid after the drugs were sold locally. No drugs to sell meant a bad debt and a major problem.So the AFP put the press conference on hold. They assigned a team of agents to open each tin of tomatoes, remove the pills and replace them with harmless tablets. Each tin was resealed. Then the AFP waited.Before long, police began to pick up increasing amounts of chatter and activity involving their Australian suspects.The European suppliers were getting impatient, and both they and their Australian counterparts were getting increasingly suspicious.While it was suspected the AFP had substituted the drugs, no one could be sure. Had the suppliers sold them duds? Or were the Australian importers trying to fool the suppliers about a police seizure in order to avoid paying their debt?Meetings were arranged, phone calls made and overseas trips booked. All the while, the AFP watched and, as they found more suspects' phones to tap, listened.A key obstacle for police involved the home addresses of some of the alleged principal organisers. The NSW Riverina town of Griffith - named in the 1979 Woodward Royal Commission as home to members of the Calabrian Mafia, or Honoured Society - was a tough place for surveillance operatives to blend in. Not wanting to blow their agents' cover, the AFP concentrated on monitoring the group's Melbourne activities.Then came the coup de grace. The AFP identified the importation organiser's safe house in Melbourne and, when no one was home, a covert-entry team paid a visit and installed listening devices.At least one further drug shipment was soon uncovered; customs seized 150 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a coffee importation a fortnight ago.Last month, the AFP reviewed the intelligence, phone taps and surveillance files it had gathered during more than a year of watching and waiting.Police had finally gathered enough evidence to allege the involvement of a who's who of organised crime in Australia in a conspiracy to import or distribute drugs. Warrants were secretly issued and, yesterday, the AFP swooped.Checkmate. Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Red Cross Accused Of Gay Discrimination An Australian gay man from Tasmania is accusing the Red Cross of discrimination for refusing to allow him to donate blood.Michael Cain has begun his case in the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in Hobart.Mr Cain launched his fight in 2005 after the Launceston blood collection centre in Tasmania refused his offer to donate blood. The reason for the refusal, he said, was because he had been in a sexual relationship with another man in the previous year.The very strict policy of the Red Cross is to defer such donors for 12 months.Mr Cain says "donors should be screened for the safety of their sexual practices, not the gender of their partners."Mr Cain's lawyer, Peter Tree, told the tribunal it was a straightforward case of direct discrimination against his client on the basis of sexual orientation and lawful sexual activity. He said to screen on the basis of sexual orientation rather than the nature of sexual activity was illogical and medically flawed.The Red Cross are yet to respond to the tribunal with their opening statements - let's see what they come back with. PETE'S OPINIONUnder Australian discrimination laws, I think that the Australian Red Cross actually has a case to answer here. It is well known (and proven) that sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS) are not restricted to the gay community. In fact, globally, the number of heterosexual people becoming infected with HIV as a result of unsafe sex is trending very poorly compared to the trends within the gay community (the alarming statistics are due predominately to available education on sexually transmitted diseases).Also, being gay does not infer promiscuity. Therefore, to place a gay man that may have had one long-term partner for a number of years in a higher-risk category than that of a heterosexual person that may have slept with a dozen different partners leading up to blood donation, does not make sense at all. In fact, it almost makes for a clear-cut discrimination law-suit and victory for the plaintiff.I doubt however, that such a law-suit would stand up in Singapore courts due to the open and accepted discrimination against the gay community of the so-called 'conservative' pocket of society, the Government's stand on homosexuality and homosexual acts, and of course the governing laws (specifically section 377A).Perhaps this is why discrimation of other sorts (racial, religious etc) are covered under the Sedition Act in Singapore as opposed to discrimination laws designed to protect all minorities. var AdBrite_Title_Color = '0000FF'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Background_Color = 'FFFFFF'; var AdBrite_Border_Color = 'CCCCCC'; var AdBrite_URL_Color = '008000';Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore - Online Music Cinema There are so many videos embedded everywhere from all the years of the National Day Parade, that I decided today create an online NDP 'Music Cinema' where all the songs from this year and previous years are easier to access without leaving the same page...My second NDP, and I actually feel quite proud this year. Have the flag in my window, and looking forward to Saturday very much.Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore!!CLICK HERE FOR THE NDP MUSIC CINEMACompliments of Aussie Pete :) Babies in Singapore - Respect Starts In The Home! Today on the Asiaone news website, there is a story that is very close to my heart. I have been following discussions on the topic over time, on online forums and in print media, and to date have remained relatively ‘mum’ on the issue. Up until now!!The article is entitled ‘A Stroller or Battering Ram’, and talks about the ongoing battle between parents and non-parents:“Strolling with a baby stroller is no walk in the park in Singapore.Parents who push their offspring around in the wheeled carriages say Singaporeans are not very understanding if they accidentally bump them. Worse, they cannot be bothered holding the lifts for the baby brigade to manoeuvre into them.On the other hand, pedestrians say that strollers with their cute toy adornments and cooing contents turn into battering rams wielded by parents forcing a path through crowds.”My opinion on this is a very strong one. As the father or an 11-month baby, I am often left bewildered at the lack of respect and understanding of non-parents when moving about in Singapore. I admit that I am sometimes a guilty party that uses my pram as a “Battering Ram”.Some examples of problems faced by parents pushing a pram or stroller that I have observed (some which also relate to the handicapped and the elderly):MRT entry/exit points – there is usually around one widened entry point for every eight or so narrow entry points. These wider access points are clearly marked to give way to prams and wheelchairs, however nearly every time without fail, I have to ‘fight’ my way through with the pram to enter or exit the MRT. This because able-bodied people are too lazy to walk another couple of metres to the entry/exit point designated for them.MRT elevators / escalators – most MRT stations have just one elevator that can accommodate just two (three at the most) combination of prams / wheelchairs / bulky items. There are constant announcements over the MRT PA system, to advise if people have bulky items or feel unwell, that they should use the elevator. However, as a train arrives at a platform, it is like the beginning of the 100mtre sprint at the Olympic Games. The doors open and everyone leaves the starting blocks. Unfortunately, the people who clearly need the use of the elevator – the elderly, the handicapped, parents with babies, cannot move as quickly as the able-bodied people and therefore are the ones who have to wait sometimes two or three elevators before being able to travel to the exit / entry area. The able-bodied people can run so quickly, they should run another few metres to the escalator. This would enable them to leave the concourse quicker than the elevator would otherwise allow. This would also free up the solo elevator for those people who really need it for health and safety reasons.(Aside – also, people who enter the elevator, see people in need heading also to enter, and knowingly depress the ‘close doors’ button in the attempt to make the approaching person/s wait for the elevator to go up and back down again – it is very unlikely that an extra 10 seconds will effect the schedule of the able-bodied person who should really be using the escalator anyway – which would be quicker).Standing for the elderly, handicapped or parents with babies on the MRT / Bus – this issue has been discussed ‘to death’ and there are many people with enough respect to offer their seat when needed by others. However, I was following an article recently on ‘STOMP’ and was absolutely ‘floored’ when reading the overwhelming number of comments criticizing the request for healthy, young people to give up their seats for the needy and frail. The debate got very heated at times, with the focus being on comments such as – “did you not do your NS? – you are so weak, need to sit while holding a baby”; “young people get tired too, not just old people”; “go and catch a taxi”.My take on this one, is that it is clearly a safety issue, not a comfort one. The centre of balance of a person is disrupted with the abrupt stopping and starting of the bus or train, and it becomes easy to fall if one is holding a baby or one is older and somewhat frail. The young folk that are criticizing those requesting them to give up their seat, obviously do not have kids and/or have no respect for anyone other than themselves – no old person or baby in our communities should have their safety put at risk. This comes back to upbringing – it is up to the parents to instill the right values and morals that drive respect for the individual.Finally, the ‘Yellow Arrow Area’ in the middle of the entry to the door of the train at the MRT – without fail, everyday, I witness people who disregard the arrow pointing outwards and stand right in the middle of the access point. This sometimes makes it impossible for those departing the train to exit. This is especially the case for the elderly, handicapped, prams and those with babies trying to exit the train.SUMMARY – In relation to the article on Asiaone – when faced with the above ‘examples’ (which are not exhaustive – eg, does not include things like the ‘footpath battle’ between prams and illegal bicycle riders), I have no hesitation in using my pram as a battering ram.I will personally show respect to those around me, and allow those in need to have priority for amenities built specifically for their purpose, and clearly marked for the same – I will always offer my seat if necessary, never take the elevator if unnecessary, always give way to the needy and frail. I was raised by my parents this way, and I (rightly or wrongly) expect the same respectful behaviour from those around me who share the same transport facilities.Given all the discussion and heated debate I have seen on these topics over the last couple of years, I expect that I will cop flak and abuse from some readers and support from others. Either way, I cannot be swayed on my opinion on this one. Tolerance can sometimes be tough – Singapore has very hefty fines for many seemingly insignificant infractions, so why not start fining people for ignoring obvious signage, and in some cases demonstrating clear disregard for the law.Together we can make Singapore a more caring, respectful and loving place to live!!Compliments of Aussie Pete :) SCAM WARNING - Do Not Buy Tickets For The Olympics From This Website! The slick, professional-looking website has seen numerous customers dishing out a tonne of money, but it looks like they have all been duped. Located at the following URL - http://www.beijingticketing.com, the site boasts of offices in Sydney, London and New York.Word is, that Olympic officials will ask a judge in California on Monday to shut down the website that offers tickets to Beijing Olympics events online. So far, most of the victims out of pocket, are located in Australia, the US and Europe, along with a number of well-known travel agencies.It is believed the offices in the three major cities do not in fact even exist.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has received complaints from hundreds of alleged victims in Australia and the rest of the world who fear they have been duped.Some of the customers have handed over in excess of $US57,000 each for tickets, but to date, have received nothing back.The people behind the website appear to have vanished just days before the opening ceremony in Beijing.The only address on the website leads to an office in Phoenix, Arizona, but desperate fans hoping to travel to Beijing discovered another dead end when they visited the office. The office was empty!!!Also, the phone number on the website just constantly rings out.Texas-based travel agent, Jolanta Sochacka, is one of the scam's biggest victims.Sochacka told today's Los Angeles Times newspaper she purchased $US57,000 worth of tickets for a family of seven but has not sighted the tickets.When Sochacka asked a friend in Phoenix to check out the address, the friend found an empty office and no sign the company ever resided there."I've been in business for 18 years, I'm aware that there's fraud out there," Sochacka told the LA Times. But they looked so legitimate, their website was so elaborate."NOT THE FIRST TIMEThe IOC and the US Olympic Committee (USOC) have previously had success in shutting down another suspected Beijing Olympics ticket website scam.Also, emenating out of Pheonix, a restraining order was issued on 23rd July to close the website URL - http://www.beijing-tickets2008.com.There is a good chance that the FBI will be called in to investigate both of this fraudulent websites and their owners. On Monday, the IOC and USOC will ask a federal judge in San Francisco for an order to shut http://www.beijingticketing.com.Even experts in internet and software development were fooled by the professional and elaborate looking website.David Boctor, a Los Angeles Internet entrepreneur who runs his own online retail store, paid beijingticketing.com $US11,505 for hard-to-get tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony, swimming and diving."If I failed to recognise this internet scam, very few other individuals with less of an e-commerce background would have had a chance," Boctor said.Another computer expert victim - California-based Jonathan Murray, bought and paid for tickets to Olympic equestrian events - each ticket was $US4,950."I work for a fairly large software company, and the team I manage is responsible for dealing with Internet crime," Murray, originally from Britain, told the newspaper. So it was quite amusing to everyone at work that I had been scammed on the internet. The important point I'm making by talking about this is that this was a bloody good scam." Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Pest Controller Eats Bugs and Termites To Survive It seems like the survival techniques of missing Pest Controller cum Gold Prospector, Theo Rosmulder are getting much airplay and attention in the international media. Well, I'm here to tell you that eating bugs in the Australian outback has been going on for years, and we were even taught how to identify what is edible and what is not at an early age (back when I was growing up - perhaps times have changed)... :DAt the bottom of this article is an embedded video courtesy of National Geographic showing bugs being served as 'treats' - "Going to The Candy Shop?"FIRSTLY, THE BACKGROUND ON THE MISSING MANMr Rosmulder, a 52-year-old pest controller from Yarrawonga in Victoria ventured out for a day to search for gold in a very remote area of outbook Western Australia.His adventure turned to an ordeal, and a real life fight for survival, when he disappeared without any food, water, matches or technology such as GPRS equipment.He shivered through four cold nights as searchers in planes, riding motorbikes, and in four-wheel-drives scoured a vast expanse of desert country 400km north of Kalgoorlie, an area known to be strewn with mine shafts and open pits.After real fears for his safety, he was reunited with his wife (Pauline) yesterday after being discovered by an Aborigine from the Mulga Queen Community. He was found 10km from the "Sweet Nell" campsite.According to Mr Rosmulder' duaghter-in-law (Michelle), his knowedge of insects from being a bug-catcher, helped him determine which bugs were safe to eat. She went on to say that "the family was overjoyed at the news".At this point, it's not known whether the Aborigine was tracking him or if he found him by accident. Aborigines have been well acknowledged for two centuries for their uncanny ability to track even in the harshest of environments.Police Sgt Graham Clifford said Mr Rosmulder decided to sit and wait on a rock for three days after realising he was lost."He had seen a number of search planes on a number of occasions and waved at them with his shirt and jeans, but they didn't see him".The Rosmulder family have been prospecting for gold with another Yarrawonga couple since June of this year. The area is extremely popular with gold prospectors, with hundreds of hopefuls visiting each week.Laverton is located on the western edge of the Great Victoria Desert. It was first established as a gold mining town during the gold rush in the 1850s. One California man would like more of us to eat insects. He even addsthem to the ingredients of candy in his candy store.Compliments of Aussie Pete :) Tearful Plea From Mother Of Malaysian Boy Bashed In Australia The mother of a Malaysian student attacked by a group of men in Melbourne's CBD last Friday, leaving him in an induced coma for several days, has broken down in tears while speaking about her son.Kevindra Joseph, 19, was lost and asking a friend for directions on a mobile phone when he was attacked by a group of men in Little Lonsdale Street, near the intersection of Russell Street, about 2.50am, police said today.Click here to view the video The engineering student, who had been in Australia for about a month, was found unconscious on the footpath and spent several days in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He remains in hospital.Police today released images of two men they believe can assist them with their inquiries, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.His mother, Rohini Devi, today made a tearful appeal for information about her son's attack."I believe so much in God and I believe every one of us have God within us and I'm sure some good soul would have seen something that has happened to my son and I want them to come and help me so that this (will) never happen to another child or anybody."She said her son was recovering gradually, but the attack had affected his memory and left him confused."It shouldn't have happened and it shouldn't have happened to anybody," she said. "My son is a very timid kid.""As far as I know, he has never been into any trouble. He is an excellent student and he is my eldest son.""He was so keen in coming to Melbourne because his cousins and all are here and he keeps chatting to me and saying 'I'm very fine here, don't worry about me, I'm loving Melbourne' and he's happy."She said she always thought Melbourne was a safe city, and never expected this.She said her son had apologised for the impact on his family."He becomes very emotional. He starts tearing (up) when he sees me," she said."He said he's so sorry that we have to come all the way here and put us in such a difficult position."Detective Senior Constable Jeff Carrucan, of Melbourne CIU, said it appeared a racial slur was used and that nothing was taken in the attack."The victim was on a mobile phone to a friend getting directions to where he was going in Little Collins Street. He was about to turn left in Russell Street when he actually described to his friend the incident as it was occurring," Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said."Basically he was walking along the street on the phone just saying `a group of men are approaching me' and then `I'm being attacked' to his friend on the phone.""After speaking to doctors at the hospital, it appears as though he's been struck several times to the head and he was just left lying in the street until witnesses have called ambulance after seeing Kevindra lying in the street."Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said it appeared to be a "completely senseless and unprovoked attack", adding four or five men approached and attacked him "for what seems to be no reason whatsoever".Police had been unable to speak with Mr Joseph until this afternoon.Detective Senior Constable Carrucan said Mr Joseph was aware people were following him and was trying to walk away from them.Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or go to www.crimestoppers.com.auSOURCE: The Age NewspaperCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Letter From LTA - ERP And Fare Revisions Not Linked Letter From LTA - ERP And Fare Revisions Not LinkedWe refer to Ms Kwok Shwu Ching's letter 'Why subject buses to ERP?' (my paper, July 18), which suggested that Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) be waived for public buses.The writer said that ERP charges compel public-transport operators to pass on this cost to commuters in the form of fare revisions.We would like to clarify that ERP and public-transport fare revisions are not linked.The objective of ERP is to provide for smooth-flowing roads by managing traffic congestion. It is an equitable system that charges vehicles according to how much they add to congestion, based on the amount of road space they occupy.Public buses are subject to ERP because, like all other road users, they occupy road space and contribute to traffic congestion.Public-transport fares, on the other hand, are capped by a formula based on macro-economic factors, such as national inflation and wage increases, rather than operators' specific costs, such as ERP.Operators would have to manage their costs more efficiently, and cannot simply pass on their costs to commuters.The Government's pro-public transport approach exempts public buses from Certificate-of-Entitlement payments.The road tax for public buses was also reduced substantially by between $3,500 and $3,900 per bus when ERP was introduced in 1998.With effect from July 1, 2008, the annual road tax for public buses has been further reduced by 15 per cent.Mr Geoffrey LimDeputy DirectorMedia RelationsLand Transport AuthoritySOURCE: AsiaOneCompliments of Aussie Pete :) Wii Fit Can Cause Eating Disorders According to childhood obesity experts, Nintendo's Wii Fit game tells healthy kids they are fat, and this could lead to eating disorders and self-esteem problems.The Wii Fit calculates players' fitness levels based on their BMI (body mass index), and advises whether the player is underweight, ideal weight, overweight or obese.The BMI is a statistical measure that calculates a person's optimum weight relative to their height. This can sometimes be ok for adults, but it is not an appropriate measure for children. The BMI measure does not take into account the age of the child or their stage/s of development.The Wii Fit includes a weight-sensitive and motion-sensitive balance board. This can be used for working out, aerobic exercises, balancing activities and even yoga. It comes with more than 40 exercises such as push-ups, step aerobics, snowboarding, jogging, tightrope walking and hula hooping.Nintendo have acknowledged that the BMI calculations in the Wii Fit were based on adult measurements and might not be accurate for children.Childhood and Adolescent weight management experts suggest that a BMI measure is not very ideal for measuring adult fitness, and even moreso for children."Anyone that's even overweight can actually be fit, although the more overweight you are the less likely you are to be fit. But with children they have more fatty tissue at different periods of their life and they have a larger body surface area relative to adults. The BMI is still worked out on height and weight but the age of the child has got to be taken into account."In Britain recently, a father reported that his 10-year-old daughter (who weighs 42 kilograms and maintains an active lifestyle) was "devastated" after Wii Fit told her that she was fat.In another case, an 11 year old weighing 44 kilograms was tol by Wii Fit that she was overweight. Her reaction was to tell her mother that she wanted to go on a diet.It is well known that if someone is told that they are over or underweight when in fact they're not, it can cause self-esteem and image problems (especially for children and girls).NINTENDO'S RESPONSE:According to Heather Murphy of Nintendo, the Wii Fit is "capable of measuring the BMI for people aged between two and 20 but the resulting figures would not be entirely accurate for younger age groups due to varying levels of development, sex and age.""The BMI results will differ depending on an individual's stage of development, so the resulting figures should be used for reference purposes only.""Parents who are concerned that their children will react negatively to one of the four BMI categories should use Wii Fit in such a way that the BMI tracker does not appear on screen." Compliments of Aussie Pete :)