China-Africa Summit 2006

China has pledged to double its aid to Africa and provide $5bn in loans and credits over the next three years as announced in a summit attended by nearly 50 African heads of state and ministers. The 3 days summit is focusing on business with more than 2,000 deals under discussion (WOW!).
China's drive to buy African oil and other commodities has led to a big increase in two-way trade, worth $42bn (£22bn) in 2005 with China importing 38 million tonnes of crude oil from the continent in 2005 and has made major investments in oil and gas projects in countries including Kenya, Angola and Nigeria. China needs Africa's ample/rich supplies of natural resources and raw materials to fuel its surging economy and in return, invests in African roads, railways and other infrastructure.
Often, Chinese money is funding projects that western investors had deemed too risky (source: BBC News & China Daily). When you are in Sudan, you could numerous number of people from China itself. China government-owned companies were already in Sudan since 1990s.

Five countries in the Africa continent, namely Gambia, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Swaziland and Sao Tome have formal links with Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway renegade province rather than an independent state. China has said that the five countries are welcome to send observers to the Sino-African summit, though they remain ineligible to join in the Sino-African strategic economic partnership as long as they continue to recognise Taiwan.
Tags: China, Africa, Business, Summit, Trade

Ironman Triathlon

If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii recently. To get to the starting line in Kona, you must either be very lucky and get yourself a spot through the lottery, or very talented, and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world. Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,793 succeeded.

That means 1,793 "lucky" people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer ... 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain. If you don't complete the course within 17 hours, you will be considered as "Did Not Finish". After all the gruelling swim/cycling/running and you are considered DNF????????? This is crazy indeed! But I really marvel at all this tough guys/ladies, real strong determination.

Men's results:
1. Normann Stadler of Germany (Time: 08:11:56)
2. Chris McCormack of Australia (Time: 08:13:07)
3. Faris Al-Sultan of Germany (Time: 08:19:04)
.......... Malaysia's sole qualifier, Wong Ah Thiam, finished at no. 349 with a time of 09:57.

Women's results:
1. Michellie Jones of USA (Time: 09:18:31)
2. Desiree Ficker of USA (Time: 09:24:02)
3. Lisa Bentley of Canada (Time: 09:25:18)
Tags: Sports, Ironman, Triathlon, Kona

Saucy Jokes

Two men met while both where looking for their lost wives.
1st: How yours look like?
2nd: She is 5"7, 36-24-36, Fair, Black eyes. What about yours?
1st: Forget mine. Lets find yours!!
**********
Husband asks , "Do u know the meaning of WIFE??" Without Information Fighting Everytime" Wife replies," No, It means ,"With Idiot For Ever !!!"
**********
Women asked man who is traveling with six children, all these kids are yours???
No, I work in a condom factory & these are customer complaints.
**********
Mother to her teenage daughter: I think this is the right time we should talk about sex. Daughter (excitingly): Sure mom, tell me what do you want to know. Mother Faints...
Tags: Jokes, Funny, Humor

Moral Of The Story

the moral of this story says alot...................
A pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again, and it won again.
The local newspaper read: PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day, the local newspaper headline read: BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS.

This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent.
The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.

The Bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.

This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES...HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
The Bishop was buried the next day....

The moral of the story is....Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery...and even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life..... You'll be a lot happier and live longer!
Tags: Jokes, Funny, Moral, Humor, Ass, Donkey

Those On Top

A man in a hot air balloon realized that he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted."Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.

"The woman below replied. "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 50 and 51 degrees north latitude and between 114 and 115 degrees west longitude."

"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist. "I am," replied the woman. "How did you know?" "Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information. The fact is, I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip.

"The woman below responded, "You must be in management." "I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is, you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, you've managed to make it my fault!!"
Tags: Jokes, Funny, Management, Engineer, Hot Air Balloon, Humor

Airliner Race!

Drift done by an airplane??
Tags: Airline, YouTube, Video, Funny, Humor

Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF)

The MIGF, which starts today and ends on 29 Nov. The festival is aimed at promoting the country's best local chefs and their versatility. Among the participating restaurants are
Iketeru in Hilton Kuala Lumpur,
Lafite in Shangri-La Hotel, Dynasty in Renaissance Kuala Lumpur, Hanabi Japanese Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur,
Tamarind Springs in Kuala Lumpur,
Eest and Prego at the Westin Kuala Lumpur (both restaurants are indeed marvellous) and
The Olive in Genting Hotel (my favourite restaurant too). For full restaurant listing, click here.

Three Michelin Stars – German Chef Volker Drkosch, French Chef Joel Antunes and Spanish Ramon Freixa Reira – will be serving up a storm at The Olive in Genting. Just like the Academy Awards which are given to stars in the movie industry, those who receive Michelin Stars from the Michelin Guide signifies that their restaurants embody excellence in all aspects of their dining experience, from the quality of the cuisine to the ambience, service and attention to detail. Michelin Stars are considered the most influential and consequently most prized accolade in the culinary world. Always my dream too, to be become a Food Inspector under the Michelin Guide's guidance. In conjunction with the festival, a 3-day Epicure Malaysia Fair will be held from 17 to 19 Nov at the Sime Darby Convention Centre. Next year, the festival would be an even bigger affair with more restaurants coming on board in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
Tags: Food, MIGF, Restaurant, Fine Dining, Malaysia, Michelin Stars, Iketeru, Hilton, Lafite, Shangri-La Hotel, Dynasty, Renaissance, Hanabi Japanese Restaurant, Tamarind Springs, Eest, Prego, Westin, The Olive, Genting Hotel, Epicure Malaysia Fair, Kuala Lumpur