Protests hit Olympic Torch...

First,it was in London where protesters protesting against China's actions in Tibet tried to disrupt the Olympic torch relay run,and the same incident has happened again this time in Paris.The only difference was that in Paris,police had to cut the Olympic torch relay short Monday amid protests against China's human rights record,French police said.

The torch was scheduled to travel 17 miles,past Paris City Hall,but that stop and others were called off after the protests.The torch made it through about 10 miles of its scheduled journey. It was then driven by bus to its final destination,where it was displayed again during a public ceremony at a stadium.Authorities had to play hide-and-seek with the Olympic torch during much of the route,placing it on a bus at least twice during a sometimes chaotic relay route.I also heard that the fire had to be extinguished by authorities at least five times.The next destination for the relay is in San Francisco,California,where protests has even begin before the torch have reach there.Three protesters scaled the Golden Gate Bridge Monday and unfurled a "Free Tibet" banner.Those who climbed cables from which the bridge is suspended are members of Students for a Free Tibet, said group spokesman.The three were of course arrested then along with four others at the site.China has obviously came out today and condemned the protests,vowing it would not impede the Olympic spirit.

For me personally,I don't really support all this protesting.I am not saying that I am supporting China's actions in Tibet,but disrupting a Olympic torch relay is definitely not a good way of expressing your feelings and anger towards China.For me,sports and politics just doesnt go together very well with one another.Both of them are two completely different things.Why do the people need to disrupt such a historic event and create trouble unneccesarily,I dont understand.But sad to say,China's reputation has taken a huge toll already since the incident in Tibet begun.It is sad that it has come to this state.The Olympics could not have come at a worse time for China.Now I am just starting to have doubts whether the Tibet incident was purposely started because of the upcoming Olympics,nobody knows but even before the Tibet incident,China is already having problems with its human rights issue.I expect more protests to come up in the upcoming relay cities but I really hope when its all done and dusted,the Olympic game could go on as plan and without any major incident.

Farewell Flair....

Alright,I have just finished watching WWE Wrestlemania and if you are a WWE fan like me,then you would have probably knew that HBK defeated Ric Flair at Wrestlemania and as such,Ric Flair had to retire.So right now,I would like to share some of my thoughts about one of wrestling greats.

I started watching Wrestling since the Attitude era,when the likes of The Rock and Stone Cold was still in the business,which is around late 90s.But to be honest with you,I don't really know who Ric Flair wass until the moment the Evolution group was set up ,which made up Triple H,Batista,Randy Orton and Ric Flair himself.This was at the point of time when Batista and Randy Orton wasnt that well known yet.I was a fan of Evolution because for me,they was the good guys until they broke up.Only Randy Orton remain as the good guys.The others including Ric Flair was bad.Thats when I stop supporting him and when I heard Mr McMahon announced a couple of months ago or so that if Ric Flair lose the next match he participate it,he is forced to retire,I was obviously happy.But despite any obstacle that he face,Ric manage to win it and then it came to Wrestlemania when he challenge HBK Shawn Michales for a match which HBK reluctantly accept.I know wrestling is all scripted,so I was wondering to myself,if a person like Ric Flair is going out from the business,then there is no better way than to do it at the grand daddy of all,Wrestlemania,and I was prove right.Ric Flair lost the match to HBK and that was the last match he is going to wrestle in.

As much as I hate to admit it,Ric Flair is a true legend and I think he will be greatly miss.But I think its time for him to retire,he is not up to level that he is able to compete week in and week out anymore.I had the opportunity to watch him wrestling once in real life when I went to the 'Smackdown Tour' in Singapore last year.I can remember that he had to wrestle with Chris Masters and at almost every move he made,everyone would have chanted 'WOOOOO',his trademark chant.Now that he is not in the business anymore,the show will be much more quiter.The thing I like the most about Ric Flair that whenever he is in the ring,he always bring in a lot of energy,whether he is on the mic or he is wrestling,he is just great to watch.I wish the best for him,there is only one Ric Flair in the business,and there will never be another one thats for sure.If you want to see his final time in the ring,then dont miss this week's episode of RAW,Wednesday night,10pm on SuperSports or for the sake of you who dont have SCV,you can simply type in 'Ric Flair Farewell Address' on Youtube and watch it online.

Goodbye Ric,you have been great to watch in the ring,enjoy your life now with your family,and lastly for you and every Ric Flair fan out there,I would like to say......WOOOOOOOO!

Will you go to the distance to have your favourite foods?

A study by Meridian Junior College students showed that 56 per cent of Singaporeans are willing to travel an hour or more to their favourite eateries.The study also found that the eastern part of Singapore is a food-lover's paradise, with the highest concentration of acclaimed eateries in East Coast,Changi Village,Bedok and Geylang.More than 100 people took part in the survey.

I find it interesting that getting to one place to another in Singapore could take more than an hour,unless you are travelling from far away places like Woodlands to Bedok.But anyway back to the topic,I think it is true that the majority of Singaporeans are willing to travel that extra distance to have their favourite food and I agree that most of the good foods are usually found in the East side and I am very lucky to live in the East,as most of you as well,so I dont really have to travel that far to get my favourite foods.When I go to Changi Village,I always must have the famous Nasi Lemak there.There is no better place to have a Nasi Lemak than Changi Village.You dont have to mention the food that can be found at Bedok.I like to have the Mee Rebus at one of the shop at the interchange,I am sure you know which shop I am talking about.And then you have Geylang,another food paradise.Just go to the market and you can find almost everything as well.

I just wonder if the response would be similar if we change the question to 'Will you pay the extra dollar to get good food".Then again,the food doesnt have to taste or look good to fill your stomach right.I am not the kind who likes to eat at big restaurants or anything like it,but I love to eat at Sakura.It might be a bit expensive,but trust me,the food is worth the money you are paying for.I guess that is all I have to say.Singaporeans definitely love their food,we are really bless to have such a wide variety of food here,and some of it is so good that some tourists are coming down to Singapore just to have a bite at it.Do you know of any good eateries in Singapore that you may want to recommend me? Please tell me because I want to try new foods at new places,just make sure its halal.Till next time.

Beyonce and Jay-Z married?

Well,that is the current news that has been going on in the entertainment industry right now.It appears that Jay-Z and Beyonce have finally tied the knot.There was a swirl of activity Friday at Jay-Z Tribeca apartment.Delivery trucks funneled in and out of the building,dropping off silver candelabras and white flowers.A white tent was set up on the roof,and stars including Beyonce's former Destiny's Child bandmates,Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams,along with actress Gwyneth Paltrow,were spotted arriving.A perfect setting for a wedding right?

There was even a swarm of media camped outside the building which was in a state of frenzy,snapping and shouting at any sport-utility vehicle that drove down the street.The Web sites of celebrity magazines People and US Weekly reported the couple married and threw a lavish but small party at the apartment Friday,citing unnamed sources who are friends with the pair.It was also reported that their families had attended the party as well.If I am looking for any news or rumours from Hollywood,then the People magazine is a very reliable source.Rumors circulated all week about the event after a report that the couple had taken out a marriage license in New York.Representatives for Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z however declined to comment on reports ahead of the event.Jay-Z's publicist had no comment Saturday.When people say they have no comment,it usually means yes.It is no secret of course that both Jay-Z and Beyonce has been going on a date for a very long time.The couple,who have apparently been dating for six years,have never publicly acknowledged they are together though.Knowles,26,and Jay-Z,38,whose real name is Shawn Carter,have collaborated on the two songs before which is the "03 Bonnie and Clyde" and "Crazy In Love" and they have probably taken into consideration their relationship with each other before giving the songs a title.

For me,I am not a big fan of Jay-Z nor Beyonce.But I have heard Beyonce songs many time before,as for Jay-Z,none because I am not into hip hop.If you look at their age difference,its very far apart and if you look at Beyonce,she is very pretty and you would probably argue that she deserve someone better looking than Jay-Z.I guess when you are looking for a partner,looks and age difference should not be a factor.It is the heart that counts.If they are fated to be together,then so be it.I just hope it won't be a short period affair,as have been happening for many Hollywood stars who married one another.Other than that,I have nothing much to add.If you are a Beyonce or Jay-Z fan,please share with me your views regarding this issue.Are you happy because you think both of them are a perfect couple or are you disappointed because of reason like Jay-Z is too old for Beyonce? Tell me.Till then,have a good day.

Do you really have to drink 8 glasses of water per day?

I am sure you have heard the phrase many times before that drinking eight glasses of water a day will do good for you.However,according to a new study,there is no evidence whatsoever that support that notion and in fact,drinking enough to quench your thirst is already sufficient for the body's needs.

"Just drink when you are thirsty," was the advice from a study published Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.Doctors from the University of Pennsylvania said "there is simply a lack of evidence in general" that everyone should drink the recommended 1.5 litres of water a day.The researchers there had examined the theory that drinking more water helped the kidneys flush more toxins from the body and they found out that it is not really true,but instead,drinking more water "tends to reduce the ability of the kidney to function as a filter." Another misconception that people have on drinking more water is that it is an ideal aid to those who want to lose weight.There is however no clinical study that proves it really works.There is no denial though that it help dieters feel full.

For me,I don't really believe that our body needs at least eight glasses of water per day.So there is no limitation on how many glasses of water I drink each day.I drink it when I feel like drinking.Thankfully this research has proven that we does not neccessarily need to drink eight glasses of water per day.I also find it interesting about the kidneys part.I didn't know that drinking too much water could reduce the ability of the kidney to funtion as a filter.That is not good definitely.I also dont know anything about how drinking too much water can help you lose weight.I think it is because of the perception that when you drink too much water,you feel full easily instead of having to eat all kinds of mostly unhealthy food which makes you fat,but if you just drink the water,it does not really have a damaging impact on your body as compared to eating unhealthy food.I am sure you know that drinking more water will make you feel you are full easily,I always have this problem when I am eating spicy food.It will come to a point when I can no longer continue eating.You also have to take into consideration that if you drink too much,you will pee more as well,but that is your own business I dont really want to know.

Anyway,back to the topic,now that you know you only need to drink water when neccessary,you don't have to stick to your normal eight glasses per day routine anymore,which is good because you can save the water too.

What is causing the delay in Zimbabwe?

That is the question that has been going on in everyone's mind since the African country went to the polls last weekend.The election is being contested by current Zimbabwe President,Robert Mugabe of ZANU-PF who has been ruling the country for 28 long years,against opposition party MDC leader,Morgan Tsvangirai as well as Mugabe's former finance minister.It has almost been a week now but no official winner as been name yet.

The MDC party however has declared on Wednesday,that Morgan Tsvangirai is the outright winner,saying he took 50.3 percent of the almost 2.4 million votes.Well,that seems to be the general view of the Zimbabwean currently.The state-run newspaper reported Wednesday that Mugabe and Tsvangirai will compete in a presidential runoff because neither candidate garnered more than 50 percent of the vote.According to another state-run newspaper,The Herald,the elections for parliament's lower house came down to a "photo finish," with MDC taking 99 seats and ZANU-PF 97.Now in the last election,it only took less than 24 hours to announce a winner,but the result was of course being suspected of being rigged by the Mugabe's people.Many are saying that the delays in annoucing the result is because Mugabe is once again trying to change things to suit him better,but the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said Thursday it has postponed releasing results from elections for the Senate,parliament's upper house. The government blames the delays in announcing results on logistics,noting that four elections were held simultaneously.Their Deputy Information Minister however,Bright Matonga has said the law gives the government until Friday to release the results.

Lets look at the current situation.Mugabe who was prime minister before taking the presidential post in 1987,has been in power since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain 28 years ago.But being the President for a very long time does not mean that he is doing a good job.The country is suffering.Many of the people are living on the streets and suffering from poverty and many of them are trying to run away from the country in search for a better living.A lot of past election was also suspected of being rigged to be in Mugabe's favor.A year after the last presidential election,which the MDC alleges was stolen,,the government charged Tsvangirai with treason.He was acquitted.The MDC accused Mugabe of trying to eliminate him as a challenger.But he has come back again this time to show that he is not giving up so easily.So what happens now? If both Mugabe and Tsvangirai are unable to get the majority vote to be the next president,they might face each other this time in the presidential run-off.I honestly think that Tsvangirai has won the election and Mugabe is just trying to delay the announcement of the result so that he could plan something to change the situation.In fact yesterday,Zimbabwean government forces has began cracking down on the main opposition party.Four journalists unaccredited by the Zimbabwean government were taken away.Tendai Biti, secretary-general for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change,said his party's offices in another Harare hotel,were also raided by Zimbabwean forces.

I understand if the Zimbabwean forces is going to raid the journalists hotels,but the government has clearly stated that foreign journalists are ban from reporting in the country.But to raid the opposition party hotels will only raise more suspicion that Mugabe is trying to do anything he can to stay in power despite what the result is.I just hope that the election result will be announced as soon as possible and in a fair manner.The Zimbabwean has suffered too much under Mugabe's rule.If they want to have a change,then Mugabe should listen to them and step down as the President.If he still wants to stay in power everytime,then I do not think there is a need for an election anymore.I would expect more developments in the next few days to come,and hopefully positive developments.

*The report is taken from CNN.

More S'porean youths unaware of smoking risks: HPB

A recent survey by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has shown that nearly one in five youths in Singapore agree smoking is not harmful.What is more worrying is the fact that 71 per cent of those surveyed also feel they can stop smoking anytime they want.That is a shocking result as far as I am concern.

The survey also indicated while just nine per cent of young people aged 13 to 16 smoked,another common misconception is that lighting up is a cool act that "a lot of young people are doing".Analyses also found out that social network plays a huge role in advocating youths to pick up their first cigarette.59 per cent of youth smokers polled have at least one parent who smokes,while only 34 per cent of non-smokers have smoking parents.95 per cent of youth smokers have close friends who smoke,while only 34 per cent of non-smokers could say the same.All of this statistics is very worrying.Frankly speaking,I dont smoke and will never smoke,I also do not have a smoking parents,but I have a smoking brother unfortunately.I think the fact that more youths today are thinking that smoking is harmless is due more to them being ignorant to the dangers instead of the reason that they do not know the harmful effect of smoking.If anti-smoking messages through the media,or anti-smoking activities in schools do not work,then the only way that will stop them from smoking is when they get some disease or something as a result from smoking.

Anyway,for the sake of you who are smoking but claim that you do not know the harmful effect of it,I am going to tell you some of them now.If you smoke,you may be struck by lung cancer.Smoking is involved in 85% of all lung cancer deaths,and it is incurable.You may also get heart disease.Cigarette smoking accounts for 30% of all heart disease deaths.The carbon monoxide in the cigarette smoke increases the amount of cholesterol clogging the arteries.Cigarette smoking is also the major cause of cancer of the lips,tongue,salivary glands and mouth,among others.If that does not scares you,then I have nothing else to say.I am not forcing you to stop smoking,you may smoke all you want,its your life afterall.But try not to smoke when there are people around you.Do you know that for non-smokers who are exposed regularly to second hand smoke,their risk of getting lung cancer are increased? And if smoke near to infant and children,they may get an increased frequency of respiratory infections.So I will leave the decision for you to make.

Lastly for all of you who wants to quit smoking,you may want to call the HPB Smoking Quitline at 1800-438-2000.It provides smokers and their loved ones with advice on how to quit smoking and how to help someone quit.I know it is not an easy process,it takes time.But good things will come to those who are patient enough.As for those who are planning to smoke,I encourage you not to.I have nothing agaisnt smokers,I know some of my friend smoke,but I am in no position to tell them to stop it.I just want to give some useful advice that might help you thats all.So please dont take what I said to heart.Till next time,take care and stay healthy.

*The report is taken from ChannelNewsAsia.