It's all about the news

From BBC: Lions devour man at SA game lodge:

A South African man has been killed and eaten by lions at a game lodge where he worked 150km (90 miles) west of Johannesburg, police say.

Samuel Boosen, 36, was attacked after entering the enclosure on Tuesday where an estimated nine lions were kept.

"Only his spine and skull remained," police spokesman Lesego Metsi told the South Africa Press Association.

Holy crap.

From BBC: The curse of the meddling parent:

Helicopter parents" who "hyperactively intervene" in the lives of their offspring could damage their children's job prospects, a careers expert says.

Parents are increasingly involved in their children's university and even career choices, Liverpool University's head of careers and employability says.

In a blog for the Guardian website, Dr Redmond describes the five different types of "helicopter parents" that now characterise England's higher education system.

They are:

The Agent Having an Agent helicopter parent is like having Max Clifford working for you round the clock-for free. They operate like a footballer's agent: fixing deals, arranging contracts, smoothing out local difficulties. It's the Agent's job to represent his or her client at events which, for whatever reason, the client feels are simply too tedious to attend.

The Banker Accessible online, face-to-face or via a personal hotline, the Banker is unique in the world of financial services for charging no APR, asking few if any questions, expecting no collateral, and being psychologically inclined to say "yes" no matter how illogical or poorly articulated the request. The Banker is also resigned to never seeing loans repaid.

The White Knight Imbued with an almost semi-mythical status, the White Knight parent appears at little to no notice to resolve awkward situations. Once resolved, the White Knight will fade anonymously into the background. Intervention is accomplished silently and with minimum fuss.

The Bodyguard The primary function of the Bodyguard is to protect the client from a range of embarrassing social situations - such as cancelling appointments and soaking up complaints on behalf of their client. Particularly skilled in constructing elaborate excuses. When not protecting life, limb and reputation, doubles up as a chauffeur and personal assistant.

The Black Hawk Named after the military helicopter, and dreaded by teachers and educational administrators, the Black Hawk is unique among helicopter parents due to their willingness to go to any lengths - legal or illegal - to give their offspring a positional advantage over any competition. Particularly lethal when elected to parent-teacher associations.

Terasa.

From BBC: Single trader behind oil record:

The man behind the record rise in oil prices to $100 a barrel was a lone trader, seeking bragging rights and a minute of fame, market watchers say.

A single trader bid up the price by buying a modest lot and then sold it immediately at a loss, they claim.

Selfish bastard. No regard for the world's economy.

From BBC: Tata closes in on Jaguar takeover:

Ford has confirmed that India's Tata Motors will be the likely buyer of its UK-based Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

The US giant said it is now committed to negotiations "at a more detailed level" with Tata over the sale.

India best not screw this up.

From The Star: Probe team visits hotel:

BATU PAHAT: A seven member forensic team from the federal police headquarters visited a four-star hotel here Thursday to investigate the scene where the sex DVD which featured Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek was purportedly filmed.

Heaven forbid they spend their time solving murders and rapes or anything. Seven people? CSI only needs like three.

From The Star: Pay extra for MAS tickets:

PETALING JAYA: Air travellers will have to pay extra when they purchase Malaysia Airlines tickets from travel agents in Malaysia because the national carrier has scrapped commission payment to the agencies under a new marketing plan.

Passengers will have to pay at least 5% of the ticket price but it could be even more if they pay by credit card or the travel agents deliver the ticket.

Yes. That will improve your customer base. Alienate your agents. That's right.