Hello, Spain and America!

1. You know what's surprising? This is surprising:

That's right. Malaysians only rank 4th in terms of who reads this blog. First come the Americans, then come the Spanish. I think this next one puts it all in context:

Firstly, I think I should highlight that the most visited blog entry is Blackle not Energy Saver, but an Energy User?, which is a referral from the Official Google Blog entry. It seems that everyone's a little bit environmental nowadays, and perhaps with the recent jumps in the Google stock and exciting Google news items, people might also be a bit Google-eyed. This might also explain the 14% viewing from the google.com IP address.

As for Spain, the 5% from uclm.es leads me to think that the university has just given out an assignment on the environmental impact of computers, or some sort of thing like that. Either way, this leads me to say things like:

Hello, Spain! Hello, Google staffers! :D

Thanks to SiteMeter for the statistics. It's amazing what computers can do.

2. You know what's not surprising? This is not surprising:

2007/11/09
NST: Malaysian varsities fail to make top 200 ranking
By : Chok Suat Ling and June Ramli

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian universities are on a slippery slope. None of them made it to the top 200 placing in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings this year.

This poor showing comes on the back of a recent government survey of local public universities which found that none deserved a place in the outstanding category.

Last year, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaya made it to the top 200 in the THES-QS rankings. UKM ranked 185th, up from the 289th spot in 2005, beating well-known universities like University of Minnesota in the United States and University of Reading, Britain. This year, it has fallen to 309th.

Similarly UM, which was ranked among the world's top 100 universities three years ago, was in 169th position in 2005 and tied with University of Reading in the 192nd spot last year. It has dropped to the 246th spot.

Universiti Sains Malaysia has fallen to 307 from 277 last year. UKM and UM vice-chancellors attributed their fall to the new methodology used to calculate rankings this year.

"Even the National University of Singapore (NUS) has dropped to the 33rd spot when it was always within the top 10," Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim said.

"The way I look at it, smaller countries like Malaysia are bound to lose out as THES has introduced new criteria which is peer review and has changed the citation and list of publications."

Rafiah said with more than 3,000 universities getting ranked by THES annually, Malaysian universities had to improve if they wanted to remain on top of the list.

"If we want to compete with some of the top universities in the world, first we have to be in the same league. "Right now, we are not. One way to overcome that is through adequate funding."

She said NUS received an annual funding of S$1.2 billion (RM2.7 billion) a year compared to UM's RM400 million annual budget. University Kebangsaan Ma-laysia vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hassan Shahabuddin said: "We need to improve but we are not doing that fast enough.

"As for international institutions, American and British universities dominate the rankings for the top 100 universities in the world.

In fact, all 10 top universities are from the two countries. Harvard University (US) leads the pack, followed by University of Cambridge (UK), Yale University (US) and Oxford University (UK).

The highest-ranking Asian university is Japan's University of Tokyo.

Besides the NUS in 33rd place, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University is in 69th spot.

The THES-QS rankings began in 2004 and have since attracted a great deal of comment, reaction and feedback. Calculations for the rankings are based on data gathered through peer and recruiter reviews, international faculty ratio, international students ratio, student faculty ratio and citations per faculty.

THES is a newspaper based in London that reports specifically on issues related to higher education while QS, or Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, is an international careers and education specialist.

Meanwhile, the Higher Education Ministry has instructed the vice-chancellors of all public universities to focus on academic reputation as the main strategy to improve.

Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said it was clear that academic reputation based on publications, working paper presentations and academic networking at high impact conventions were the main factors that could help to propel efforts to enhance the quality of Malaysia's higher education system.

"For the past two years, the vice-chancellors have given special attention to the THES rankings and have begun efforts to upgrade local higher learning institutions," he said in response to the THES report.

The THES-QS ranking is available at http://www.topuniversities.com/.

Nope. Not surprising at all.

Way to go, Arnie

Last Updated: Friday, 9 November 2007, 01:00 GMT
BBC: California sues US over car fumes

California is suing the US federal government over its failure to back the state's tough new anti-pollution laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

Two years ago, California passed legislation requiring car-makers to cut vehicle emissions by 30% by 2016.

But for the measure to take effect, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must give its approval.

State governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said there was no legal basis for the EPA to stand in California's way.

An EPA spokeswoman said the agency planned to make a decision on the legislation by the end of December.

If the legal action is successful, 11 other US states have said they will follow California's lead on emissions levels, and five more are considering the move.

'Our future'

California needs the EPA to grant a waiver because the state's legislation seeks to implement stricter standards than imposed those under national law.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Schwarzenegger accused the federal government of "ignoring the will of tens of millions of people" by failing to approve the legislation.

He said: "Our future depends on us taking action on global warming right now.

"There's no legal basis for Washington to stand in our way."

The 16-page lawsuit filed by the state attorney general's office warns that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles are rising more quickly than from any other source.

"The longer the delay in reducing these emissions, the more costly and harmful will be the impact on California," it said.

US car-makers are fighting California's plans to cut emissions levels in the courts.

Industry groups say the proposed standards would raise the cost of vehicles and could force America's embattled car makers into further difficulties.

In April, the US Supreme Court ruled that the EPA, which had challenged the California law, was wrong to say that it did not have the power to regulate exhaust gases from new cars and trucks.

In a separate move, Mr Schwarzenegger last year signed a bill making California the first US state to impose limits on the state's greenhouse gas emissions, with a target of 25% by 2020.

Way to go, Arnold. You know what should have been the title of this new article? "The Terminator terminates pollution". That's what it should have been. Get your act together, BBC. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe...


Last Updated: Wednesday, 7 November 2007, 17:50 GMT
BBC: Vietnam 'thugs' advertised on web
By Nga Pham
BBC Vietnamese service

A group of youngsters who allegedly used a website to offer services including violence and intimidation has been arrested in Vietnam, reports say.

Police in the city of Buon Ma Thuot suspect the gang of several attacks, the Lao Dong
newspaper reported.

The gang apparently offered to "threaten with violence, beat up or even maim people for a negotiable price", the paper claimed.

The police closed the website down and reportedly arrested four people.

The paper said the ringleader and three gang members were caught with knives and
machetes.

Police discovered and promptly shut the gang's website, where "potential customers" were invited to place their orders online.

Lao Dong's reporter, Dang Ba Tien, told the BBC from Buon Ma Thuot that there were 30 youngsters in the gang.

He said: "The internet is becoming more and more popular in Vietnam, but this is the first time it's being used by criminals like a marketing tool.

"Luckily their website was closed down just days after it was launched."

He added that he believed the gang had been active for only a few months.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the internet into Vietnam.

Since then, web usage has grown at an average annual rate of 30% and almost 16 million Vietnamese are currently connected.

Awesome. I've always said that you could find anything on the internet. I haven't? Well I meant to.

What goes on in Melbourne, stays in Melbourne

A couple of days ago, I again received calls from the British empire. It seems that two "people" "forgot" my birthday and were reminded. Quite coincidentally on the same day, and within an hour of each other, the calls came. Is Melbourne behind by 4 days, I wondered?

For those of you in the know, yes, she called me. Yes, I answered. Yes, I was amicable and friendly and a decent human being. No, I still don't trust her. No, I'm not sure there ever will be again. Why? Most of you have been (and still are) in the same position. Don't judge me.

During the sudden flurry of calls (I don't get many calls. 2 is a flurry), The Massager decided to tell me what our friend Kelly got her for her birthday. If you remember what she got Kelly for her birthday last year, it's basically something like that. Which prompted me to come up with a new slogan:

"What goes on in Melbourne, stays in Melbourne."

I don't really think I need to put this to vote with the home team. I think it's quite unanimous.

By the way,

em·pire –noun
1. a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as the former British Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, Byzantine Empire, or Roman
Empire.
2. a government under an emperor or empress.

Source: www.dictionary.com

Humorous News Items

What with all the landslides, floods, suicide bombings and people dying in general, I figured I'd try to lighten your day with some humorous news items such as these:

BBC: UK chooses 'most ludicrous laws'

A little-known law which prohibits people dying while in the Houses of Parliament has been voted the UK's most ludicrous piece of legislation.

Another law which states it is treason to use a postage stamp upside down was placed in second place by those polled by UKTV Gold.

The most absurd international law was judged to be in the US state of Ohio, where it is illegal to get fish drunk.

The 3,931 people asked selected the laws from a shortlist of bizarre rules.

A total of 27% of those questioned thought the law against dying in the Houses of Parliament was the most absurd, while 7% voted for the legislation banning placing postage stamps upside down.

In third place, with 6%, came a law stating that only a clerk in a tropical fish store has permission to be topless in public in Liverpool.

Driving blindfolded Other lesser-known laws making the top 10 included one banning eating mince pies on Christmas Day and another stating it is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour.

Almost half of those asked confessed to breaking the mince pie law, which was brought in by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century.

The unusual international laws on the list included legislation against naming a pig Napoleon in France, driving while wearing a blindfold in Alabama and unmarried women parachuting on a Sunday.

The Law Society last year revealed other bizarre UK laws still in existence on the statute book.

They included a ban on firing a cannon close to a dwelling house (Met Police Act 1839); a ban on the use of any slide upon ice or snow (Town Police Clauses Act 1847); and the prohibition of driving cattle through the streets of London (Metropolitan Streets Act 1867).

The UK's top 10 most ridiculous British laws were listed as:

1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27%)
2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British king or queen's image upside-down (7%)
3. It is illegal for a woman to be topless in Liverpool except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%)
4. Eating mince pies on Christmas Day is banned (5%)
5. If someone knocks on your door in Scotland and requires the use of your toilet, you are required to let them enter (4%)
6. In the UK a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (4%)
7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the King, and the tail of the Queen (3.5%)
8. It is illegal not to tell the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (3%)
9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour (3%)
10. It is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (2%)

Other bizarre foreign laws voted by those polled included:

• In Ohio, it is illegal to get a fish drunk (9%)
• In Indonesia, the penalty for masturbation is decapitation (8%)
• A male doctor in Bahrain can only examine the genitals of a woman in the reflection of a mirror (7%)
• In Switzerland, a man may not relieve himself standing up after 10pm (6%)
• It is illegal to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle in Alabama (6%)
• In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on a Sunday could be jailed (6%)
• Women in Vermont must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth (6%)
• In Milan, it is a legal requirement to smile at all times, except during funerals or hospital visits (5%)
• In France, it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon (4%)

I foresee a sudden rise in the number of tropical fish stores in Liverpool, and a corresponding rise in the number of employed women in tropical fish stores in Liverpool.

Tuesday November 6, 2007
The Star: Ex-Jais officer denies asking for ‘sexual’ bribe

KUALA LUMPUR: A former investigating officer of the Selangor Religious Department (Jais) was charged in a Sessions Court with trying to get a bribe in the form of sexual gratification from a salon worker.

Amiruddin Hassan, 34, who was then Jais Islamic affairs assistant, was said to have attempted to get such a bribe from Hazlin Sulaiman, 43, as an inducement to settle her case.

Hazlin was alleged to have committed an offence under Section 10(a) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995 for causing disgrace to the Islamic religion.

Hazlin was found in a massage parlour’s kitchen in Petaling Jaya during a raid by a Jais enforcement team at 4pm on April 19.

At that time, a 29-year-old woman and a Bangladeshi were also found in the same kitchen.

Hazlin, a single mother, was handed over to Amiruddin, who was the investigating officer handling her case.

Amiruddin was accused of committing the offence at a hotel in Jalan Tambi Pillay at 9.15pm on May 8.

Hazlin, of Kelana Jaya, had lodged a complaint over the matter later that night.

Upon hearing the charge yesterday, Amiruddin, of Klang, uttered “no” and claimed trial.

Under Section 16 of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, a person who is convicted can be sentenced up to 20 years’ jail and fined five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Sessions Court judge Zamri Ibrahim granted bail of RM3,000 in one surety. Amiruddin was unable to post bail.

The judge set Dec 10 for mention pending the appointment of a lawyer for him.

John 8:7 "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

Reuters: Court orders goat thief to say sorry
Tue Nov 6, 2007 9:14am EST

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian woman who stole a pet goat and was involved in slaughtering it in a mock Satanic ritual in a church, was ordered by a court on Monday to apologize to the church and the dead goat's owners.

Tracey Arnold, 26, was drinking with friends at a Friday the 13th party in 2006 when she decided to steal the pet goat named "Maddie" from the front garden of a house in the northern city of Brisbane, local media reported from the court.

The partygoers then broke into a local church, dragging the goat onto a raised platform and killed it in a mock Satanic ritual, reported Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper.

The goat's head was later found by police in the freezer of Arnold's home, along with a camera containing photos of members of the group with the head.

Arnold's lawyer told the Brisbane Magistrates Court that his client did not have a "macabre disposition" but that when she drank alcohol she made poor decisions.

Magistrate John Costello ordered Arnold to apologize in person to the goat's owners and the Bellbowrie Community Church and undergo psychiatric treatment.

Arnold was also ordered to pay A$70 (US$64) in compensation to the goat's owners and $1,535 for damage caused to the church.

Australians. Pfft.

The Star: PM: All to get fair treatment

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia’s diverse communities will continue to be treated fairly via Barisan Nasional's unique power sharing system and by paying attention to the people’s needs, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

“The bottom line is that we will ensure no one community is left behind in the mainstream of development,” the Prime Minister said in his message in conjunction with Parti Bersatu Sabah’s 22nd annual general meeting here this Sunday.

He said PBS members should focus on making the party more progressive so as to further Barisan’s struggles.

He said Malaysians should appreciate the fact that they were able to benefit from the nation’s progress amid peace and stability.

“Our diversity has become one of our strengths and we will become even more successful,” he added.

Abdullah is scheduled to launch the AGM at the Hongkod Koisaan here and later declare open the meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party at the Menara Tun Mustapha during his one-day visit to the state on Sunday.

Love it. "Unique" is right. There's a reason the Chinese are leaving the country in droves, and the Malays aren't staying either. I suspect the only reason the Indians and "dan lain-lain"s haven't left is the lack of funds to do so.

Customer Service Review: Oriental Pearl Restaurant

Business: Restaurant
Location: Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort
Website: http://www.berjayaclubs.com/kiara/food/orientalpearl.cfm

So I went there twice last week, first to order the dim sum for my party, and second to pick up the dim sum for my party.

My first experience was quick, painless and easy, just as it should be. I walked in, told her the situation, and even though the manager that I spoke to was busy, the waitress handled me all by herself. Later on, I realised this was quite a feat, because she didn't speak English very well, and yet still managed to understand me. We reverted to Malay later, but still. The number of times people have pissed me off because they refused to do anything the second I speak English... Anyway, she took my order with a smile and a hot cup of chinese tea for me.

The second experience was even quicker and painlesser. The waitress even called me about 20 minutes before the scheduled pick-up to remind me. Impressive! When I got there, my humongous order was packed and ready to go. I was out of there in five minutes flat, with a waiter out to help me.

Verdict: I was so happy with the service that I gave them a RM20 tip, even though it was take away. People loved the dim sum too, so that didn't hurt.