What in the News today? #1.7.4 - Don't Ban My Tandoori

CHENNAI: Indian traffickers continue to use ingenous ways to smuggle ketamine out of the country but the authorities are on to their tricks.

Just a day after the Chennai Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle 15kg of ketamine to Malaysia, by stashing them among Hindu idols, the authorities intercepted another consignment also destined for Kuala Lumpur.

The police over there must be a non-ManYoo fan. Should there ban the Tandoori, then I can't work my magic and United can't win!

What in the News today? #1.7.3 - Neurologists Needed

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs more neurologists to overcome limitations in treating diseases such as Parkinson’s.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there should be one neurologist for every 250,000 people, meaning the country needed 112 neurologists. There are now only 50 such specialists.

So, the new graduates .... you know where to flock to?

What in the News today? #1.7.2 - Warning to Fat Health Care Workers!

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has issued its staff with a warning - shape up and lose weight.

Concerned with the rising cases of obesity, the ministry wants its staff to check their weight and has warned them against the dangers of obesity.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he was concerned with the escalating number of obese people in the country, referring to the condition as an “entry point to all sicknesses.”

Luckily I am neither fat nor from Ministry of Health! Does the Ministry of Higher Education have the same directive?

What in the News today? #1.7.1 - Diabetes impact memory!

Failure to control type 2 diabetes may have a long-term impact on the brain, research has suggested.

Severe hypoglycaemic episodes - hypos - occur when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low.

A University of Edinburgh team found they may lead to poorer memory and diminished brain power.

Hypo kills brain cells dude! So don't go round not having lunch you Housemans!

A Heavy Dose of Sports #2.1 - Sunderland v United, 11 May 10pm

Aren't we lucky? Kiko Macheda, a virtual unknown last week did it again. This time scoring a lucky goal deflecting a Michael Carrick shot 46 seconds after coming on. To be fair, it was a game we only deserved to draw. Despite going a goal down early on, Ricky Srbagia's side played to win. The kept on attacking and cold have equalised before the break. United rode their luck and their defensive frailties was once again exposed.

It was a game that we needed to win. Liverpool had stylishly earlier spanked Rovers 4 nil and gone top of the league. The United win brought us back on top with a game to spare, although Liverpool's goal difference are gaining. Chelsea also did not win convincingly. Leading 4 nil against Bolton, Guus Hiddink decided to rest Fat Fwank and the Drog. Bolton scored 3 goals in the final 10 minutes and Chelsea was lucky to hang on.

Arsenal also did well to win but it may be too late to have any bearing on the title challenge. United now have another 10 days before the next Premiership match. They have an important midweek fixture away to Porto, then on Sunday have a trip to Wembley to play Everton in the FA Cup semi. That is not before Chelsea and Liverpool playing each other the day before in the other semifinal fixture. Liverpool will then play Arsenal on Tuesday week, with United hosting Portsmouth the night after.

But the question on everyone's mind is, who is this Kiko Macheda? Born in Rome in 1991, he initially played for local side Lazio. Then came the controversy, or a masterstroke by Alex. Doing his homework like a master, Alex courted his Dad and relocated Mr Macheda Sr to MAnchester with his son. SInce the Italian Law does not permit contract signing before the age of 18, Alex stepped in and offered a professional contract on his 17th birthday. He did well initially in the under-18 then in the reserves. He looks like he has a bright future alongside Danny Welbeck in the United attack.

A Dose of British Affairs #1 - James Bond Got Caught

It's pretty obvious my British influence is thick. Having studied there for 13 years one can't help but to have affinity to the place. In fact every weekdays I will listen to the BBC News Podcast on my way to work, recorded merely 4 hours prior to my morning commutes. I will also look at the BBC RSS Newsfeed, not to mention my undying support to my beloved the red half of Manchester. I even download Chris Moyles' weekly Podcast for good measure.

From my reading, the Police is UK are currently in hot water (again!). One of the senior officer, Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick lost his job yesterday when a piece of paper he was carrying into 10 Downing Street prior to a briefing was inside out. The paparazzi with long lens in front of the Prime Minister residence managed to snap clear photo of a top secret document he has with him.

The paper unfortunately have details of some important intelligence data, to be used to raid a few residence in the North East of England which was suspected of harboring terrorist. As a result, there were frantic phonecalls made to the press the embargo the pictures, and the execution of the raid had to be done the same day.

The next morning, during a live telephone interview, the Mayor of London went to publicly announce that he had accepted the officer's resignation, much to the dismay of the Home Secretary who I thought is in charge of such matters! She must have steam coming out of her ears by then. Will somebody from Bukit Aman resign from such a blunder? Hang on! They either don't brief the ministers or they have their minions carry their papers from them. The thing is, the officer concerned have a long and distinguished career thus far.

Another police incident involved a protestor at the G20 summit in London last week. A newspaper seller on his way back from work was caught in the commotion with protestor and was turning to walk away from the riot police with his hands in his pocket. CCTV footage caught the riot officers striking down the gentleman who later managed to run away. Unfortunately not far from the place, he suffered what suspected as a heart attack and died at the scene. Investigations are now under way to look at the connection between the incident and the death.

A Dose of Current Affairs News #2 - One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now.

The anticipated New Cabinet Lineup is finally announced today. I am sure everyone can find the list in the media, but a few points were noted.

First of all, I would like to personally congratulate my senior from MRSM Terendak, Datuk Razali Ibrahim. He was made the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister. When I was talking to my colleague at work earlier about the news, everyone was telling me to give it up. I am no longer a youth, and I am useless a sports! I was also pleasantly surprised that Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon was made a Minister. As politicians go, I thought he is OK, or least better than most .... Ooops! I overstepped the mark did I, being a Malay from Penang and all!

The juicy topic that's going to be hotly debated at the mamaks from tonight would be the non-selection of Khairy Jamaluddin. Not only that, his VP in Pemuda was made a Deputy Minister. Puteri UMNO Head, Rosnah Shirlin selected as Deputy, while the newly elected Wanita UMNO Head was made a Full Minister. To add insult, the candidate who lost the fight against KJ for the Pemuda post is a Deputy Minister now. Clever political manouver by Najib?

I am really to read the blogs and forums in the next few days to hear what others think. Should Mukhriz be picked to fill one of the empty post in Majlis Tertinggi UMNO, then the sign is clear about what Najib's intentions are. This is gonna be fun!

A Dose of Haematology News #1 - Spinal DCE-MRI to Prognosticate AML

The article of the week that I am interested to discuss is from the National Taiwan University Hospital. It was a collaborative study from a group of Haemato-Oncologists and Radiologists. Previously, the main method of early prognostication in AML involves bone marrow examinations, either to detect early marrow reduction in disease load or the presenting cytogenetics.

The group's paper published in Blood last week highlighted their experience using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to detect the degree of angiogenesis in bone marrow tissue. The reduction in angiogenesis can then be translated to favourable outcome. A total of 78 subjects were recruited, ranging from all FAB subgroups of AML, including M3. The investigators perform the a baseline and a post-induction MRI on the subjects' T11 and sacral spinal bodies.

A reduction in update correlates with favourable outcome independent of age and karyotypes. 

A Dose of Current Affairs News #1 - The Three By-Elections

We were treated to a unique by-election last night. First the DUN in Batang Ai, right at the edge of Sarawak Indonesia border. It was held by a BN candidate but the competition is not straight forward. Pitted against the Barisan candidate is a former DUN who has switched allegiance to the opposition. He decided not to contest the last election on the Opposition ticket, but I guess the temptation is too strong this time. He did not get through. Barisan won by a bigger majority than last.

The next talking point is the Bukit Selambau DUN. Won initially by an independent candidate in the last election who then joined PKR, he resigned amid some scandal which is still unclear right now. The contest is a record of MIC vs PKR (both Indians candidates), plus a grand total of 13 independents. It is in an area of Malay majority and less than 30% Indians. PKR won with an even bigger majority.

Next stop, Bukit Gantang Parliamentary Seat. The ousted Perak MB tried his luck, and won big time. Now this is a major blow for UMNO, because if the Rakyat is really keen on BN to rule Perak, they certainly did not show it. The media was trying to tie the losses to Najib, but it is far to early to accuse him as being non-effectual. Difficult to put a blame on him who took over for only five days at the back of Tun Abdullah rule of 5 years and 5 months. UMNO have to reexamine themselves here.

However, those were not the news that I am that much interested in. I am more concerned about two things. First, the new Cabinet to be named tomorrow lunchtime. The second, the five Members of the Majlis Tertinggi UMNO that Najib need to select as UMNO President. The UMNO seats will indicate which direction Najib is trying to steer UMNO too. I feel that this is an even more difficult decision to make because for that, he has to please his fan-base! Will Mahyuddin be the next DPM? Or will he select a non-Malay? I don't think that will happen this fast! We shall wait to see how 1Malaysia shapes up. Najib has to do something as since the tsunami of March 8th 2008, the results of the by-elections has not shown that the Rakyat is switching back to support BN, at least not in Semenanjung

A Heavy Dose of Sports #1.2 - United v Villa, Sunday 11pm

After a decidedly shaky two weeks, an International break can work for or against you. The best way to beat a losing run is to play football games, but at the same time it can also be a good time for regeneration. United have a home tie on Sunday against Villa who have been in less than a good form lately as well. We have to shake ourselves off of the two defeats. Worst still the sending off from the games means suspensions for Vidic, Scholes and Rooney. What we need to do is score first and try to kill the game early. We may have a problem in attack, with Rooney suspended, Dimi injured and Tevez just touching down after a bruising 6-1 defeat playing for Argentina.

The bottom line is, we still got a solitary game in hand with a single point advantage. Should we win and Liverpool losing to Fulham at Craven Cottage, we will once again open a potential seven points gap. Other important fixtures will be Arsenal entertaining ManCiteh and Chelski away to Newcastle.

Update on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 8:14AM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Damn Liverpool managed to score at the last minute to go top of EPL by 2 points. United however still have a couple of games in hand. Chelsea is a point behind United after spoiling Alan Shearer return into football by beating the Geordies 2 nil.

Update on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 1:02AM by Haris Abdul Rahman

ManYoo Veron top - check. Tanddori from NZ - check. United win - check. Dramatic win - check. MacHeda - who?