STORY TO BE TOLD

Nepal teen stands tall as world's shortest man

POKHARA, Nepal (AP) - A Nepalese fruit seller's son with the body of a toddler turned 18 on Thursday and was officially declared the world's shortest man by Guinness record officials.

Khagendra Thapa Magar measured in at 26.4 inches (67 centimeters), displacing the former record holder, Edward Nino Hernandez of Colombia, who measures 27 inches (70 centimeters).

Cheers went up when Magar was handed a world record certificate by Guinness official Marco Frigatti. The ceremony was held in a hotel in Pokhara, Magar's hometown and a popular tourist destination west of Katmandu.

"I can confirm that as of today Khagendra Thapa Magar is officially the shortest man in the world," Frigatti announced as he handed over the certificate.

Magar's family has campaigned for years to get him the crown, but earlier requests to Guinness were rejected because of the possibility he might grow.

"We had to wait till he was 18 and became an adult," Frigatti said.

"We are very proud of our son," said his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar. "We have been finally recognized and our dreams have finally come true."

On Thursday, Magar and his family excitedly welcomed journalists to their home, where Magar jumped on the kitchen table and made tea for the visitors and family members. He also received presents for his 18th birthday and danced to the sound of a toy drum.

Magar, who weighs just over 12 pounds (5.5 kilograms), was tiny even at birth, weighing just 1.3 pounds (600 grams). His father says he has no explanation for why he never grew taller - his younger brother is a normal height for a boy of 13.

Local doctors are stumped, but lack facilities for detailed testing.

Magar's doctor for the past five years says he has the body of a 3-year-old.

"His body structure is like that of a small child and he also thinks and behaves in that manner," Hum Prasad Newpane said.

Magar - who already travels as part of a dancing troupe when he isn't helping his parents in their fruit shop - seems ready for the media spotlight that will accompany his new title.

Next year he is to serve as a government-appointed goodwill ambassador as his nation celebrates Visit Nepal Year.

"I am very happy and excited," he said.

Credits to and source taken from: http://thestar.com.my/news/

Lee Chong Wei has won the men's singles gold in badminton at the Commonwealth Games to defend his title. Lee defeated Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-10, 21-8 in less than 30 minutes Thursday.

World No. 1 Lee wins men's singles gold

NEW DELHI (AP) - Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei won the men's singles gold in badminton at the Commonwealth Games, defeating England's Rajiv Ousep 21-10, 21-8 Thursday to defend the title he won at the last games in Melbourne.

In a controversy marred women's doubles final, India's Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Machimanda beat Sari Shinta Mulia and Yao Lei of Singapore 21-16, 21-19. Yao responded to the loss by smashing her racket on the ground and kicking the mangled remains out of the court.

Ouseph, ranked 16th in the world, was no match for Lee, who wrapped up the match in less than a half hour. He is the first player in the history of Commonwealth Games to win back-to-back men's singles titles.

"There was no competition," said Lee, who is still undergoing treatment for a back injury suffered at the world championships.

"Although I am No. 1 in the world, I couldn't have missed the games because the country needed the medal," added Lee, who will take a two day break before starting preparations for the Asian Games in November.

Lee's victory was cheered by the Indian spectators who did not want England to win any more medals so that India could finish second in the medals tally at the games.

England and India were about level on the last day in terms of gold medals. India's aim ahead of the games was to finish second in the standings, replacing the English.

The controversy in the women's doubles match occurred in the second game when Gutta served with scores level on 18-18.

The Singaporeans claimed that Sari, who was the receiver had held up her hand to signal that she was not ready.

But Gutta went ahead and served an arched lob that fell behind Sari. Chair umpire Ian Spear awarded the point to India despite vociferous protests by the Singaporeans.

The Singaporeans leveled the scores again to 19-19 but the Indians won two straight points to take match.

Gutta claimed Sari had lowered her hand just before she served.

"The umpire was pretty fair. I saw her (Sari's) hand going down and that's why I served," she said. After winning, Gutta broke down in tears.

She said the winning strategy was simple - Machinda, one of the hardest smashers of the shuttle cock in women's badminton would attack and Gutta would play at the net.

The returns from the Singaporeans were "coming right at me and I could finish it easily," she said. "It is unbelievable.

It (the gold medal) was long pending for me. It is rarely that I cry. I am very lucky to have Ashwini as my partner," she said.

The two players are friends off the court and share a passion for shopping and movies, she said.

Malaysia won the mixed doubles gold with Koo Kien Keat and Chin Ee Hui defeating Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England 22-20, 21-12, much to the delight of the Indian crowd.

England lost another chance to win a gold when the Malaysian men's doubles pair of Koo and Tan Boon Heong defeated Andrew Clark and Robertson 21-19, 21-14.

The victory gave Malaysia a record 11 golds, beating its previous best games performance of 10 golds when it hosted the 1998 edition at Kuala Lumpur.

Credits to & source taken from: http://thestar.com.my/

Photos of someone I know




A simple post for the day - Photos of Fiona taken on October 9, 2010 before going to the ballroom of Heritage Hotel


The backdrop in the ballroom of Heritage Hotel. It was also the dance competition finale hence the theme.

After the special event took a photo of someone whom I also know (who also went for her Prom Night in Tower Regency Hotel

More on: http://howlifegoes.blogspot.com/

Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes with AirAsia’s 100 millionth passenger, Irma Dewi from Indonesia.

AirAsia flies 100 millionth passenger, says Thai AirAsia plans share offer by 3Q 2011

PETALING JAYA: Thai AirAsia, which is 49% owned by AirAsia Bhd, plans to list on Thai bourse latest by the third quarter of next year, said Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Biljlveld.

“We hope to list by the end of the second quarter or by the third quarter of next year,” he told reporters yesterday at AirAsia’s celebration for its 100 millionth passenger flown.

Tassapon said the company was preparing for the listing and had not decided on the structure of its proposed initial public offering.

While Thai AirAsia has spoken with the Thai regulator, it has yet to file for a listing or decide on an underwriter.

“Our target will be to have a market capitalisation of some US$500mil to US$550mil (with the listing). But we will decide later on what portion of shares will be up for offer,” he said.

Tassapon said the fund-raising plan to strengthen its financial position would help the airline finance its own planes.

“We currently have 19 planes and will have about 40 in the next three to five years,” he added.

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said it was unlikely that the low-cost carrier would use aerobridges at the new permanent low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT).

“What would be best is to have some aerobridges in case it rains and we can pay as we utilise it,” he said.

AirAsia has resisted using aerobridges at the temporary LCCT as it seeks to maintain a 25-minute turnaround time and low operating cost.

However, AirAsia utilises aerobridges at international airports. Local airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) charges RM85 for an aerobridge per flight (one way).

Fernandes maintains that using aerobridges may eat into the airline’s turnaround time, especially with the LCCT being the central hub for the departure of its flights.

“When you have many planes departing in a tight time frame and factoring in the push back of aircraft, using aerobridges can affect the turnaround time,” he said.

He added that AirAsia was currently discussing with MAHB to work out a more attractive scheme that would allow the airline to pass on savings to passengers. “We are trying to get more incentives to cover the next five to 10 years as the airline continues to grow,” he said.

On its financial performance, Fernandes said AirAsia saw a strong third quarter, driven by higher passenger volume, and expects AirAsia to see its best fourth quarter ever.

“Our load factor has been very strong. For the first two weeks of October, it has been about 80%,” he said.

Meanwhile, a decision on the quantum of a dividend payout will be made once the airline’s financial year ends in December, as the AirAsia board deliberates on a proposed dividend policy in its next meeting.

Credits to & sources and picture taken from: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/

11 hurt as school floor caves in
By EMBUN MAJID and TAN EE LOO
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

ALOR SETAR: Ten Year Four pupils and their teacher went crashing when a huge part of the cement floor of their classroom gave way.

They fell some 0.7m together with tables and chairs, in the mishap which occurred at about 11am at SK Gunung here yesterday.

They were pulled out of the rubble by other teachers who rushed to their aid.

The five boys and five girls were sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital where they received outpatient treatment for cuts and bruises.

It is learnt that 30 pupils from Class 4D Amanah were attending a religious lesson at the time.

The classroom was in a 50-year-old single-storey structure built on stilts.

The building, previously used as a storeroom, was renovated in 2007 to house two classrooms for religious and music lessons.

Sources said the contractor involved did not remove the original wooden flooring but only placed a layer of cement over it.

One of the students, Muhammad Aska Mohd Johari, said he was standing by his table when he felt the floor shaking.

“Ten of us and our religious teacher tumbled. We panicked when we got tangled with chairs and tables.

“I heard a friend running outside the classroom to call for help,” said Muhammad Aska, who had scratches on his arms.

Another student, Filza Nadirah Idris, said she was sitting when she had a “sinking feeling.”

“It felt like I was flying and suddenly a table was on top of me. I cried because my knees hurt,” she said when met at the hospital.

Filza said the incident occurred when the religious class was about to end at 11am.

Headmistress Azizah Ali refused to comment while Kedah Education Department director Shahidan Abdul Rahman could not be reached.

Alor Setar Fire and Rescue Department acting chief Md Noor Daud said 17 firemen rushed to the scene to help.

“We are inspecting the structure of the building and investigating the cause of the incident,” he said.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said initial findings showed that soil erosion could have caused the mishap.

He said the school would not be closed but the affected building had been sealed for safety reasons.

Credits to & sources and pictures taken from: http://thestar.com.my/news/