BusinessWeek, 1 July 2009
Fat in the USA: Obesity Is Rising
Adult obesity rose in 23 states last year, a new study finds; almost one-third of kids are overweight as well
By Catherine ArnstAmericans are getting fatter, portending massive costs for the health-care system in general and Medicare in particular. Adult obesity rates increased in 23 U.S. states last year and did not fall in a single state, an annual survey released on July 1 found. Adult obesity rates now exceed 25% in 31 states, up from 28 states last year and 19 the year before that.
The problem appears destined to continue worsening, too, the report indicates. Among children 10-17, about 30% are overweight or obese in 30 states, says the survey, which also examined youth this time around. Study after study has found that overweight children are more likely to become obese as adults, and obese children are almost certain to remain that way. “There is a huge wave of obese adults coming that will bankrupt us as a nation unless we get this under control now,” said Dr. James S. Marks, senior vice-president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Malaysiakini, 3 July 2009
More bad news - exports plunge 30% in May
Malaysia’s exports slumped 29.7 percent in May from a year earlier, hitting their lowest level since 2001 with demand evaporating, according to official data released today.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a statement that exports plunged to RM42.95 billion year-on-year while imports fell 27.8 percent.
Total trade from January to May was worth RM360.78 billion, a decrease of 25.3 percent from a year earlier, but Malaysia did manage to record a trade surplus of RM10.02 billion for May.
The Best of the Best wins another award again - The Telly Award for Best Corporate Image. Watch the video here.
For best viewing, let the video buffer first.
If Pakatan cannot hang together, I am afraid they may end up hanging by themselves and they appear to be doing a pretty good job in it.
The unity talks, PAS & UMNO intellectual “intercourse“, MPSP and PKR Johari, Kedah crisis, Kpg Buah Pala … the list never seem to end. They seem to be enjoying bashing each other in the open and the publicities that come along.
I don’t know about you but my confidence with this screwed-up Pasikat (knotty in Hokkien) has dipped a few notches.
James Arthur Ray reminds us that “Nothing has any meaning except for the meaning we give to it” with this beautiful Tribute to Michael Jackson.
I was shocked! And I’m sure you were too, hearing about Michael Jackson’s death. But the more I thought about it… I really wasn’t that shocked.
Already the news is recounting the many controversies of his turbulent life. Michael changed the world of music as much if not more than any other performer. Still to this day, even in the midst of his recent disappointing music sales, he’s considered to be the “King of Pop.”
I remember watching the video for “Thriller” in utter amazement when it was released. Never before had there been anything even close to that, and try as hard as I may, I never could figure out how to do that darn moonwalk.
Very few people could understand Michael’s enigmatic life, and I’m not suggesting that I was unique in that regard. However, what I do understand is that Michael, when considered in the field of those who are highly creative throughout history, was not really that unusual.
Big, big joke.
900 cops & FRU along with water cannon and FRU trucks stood guard as over some 3,500 people who turned up for the DAP’s 43rd anniversary dinner in Klang last night.
If only some of these personnel were deployed to Shah Alam yesterday, a rape could have been prevented.
If only some of these personnel were deployed to Penang, this Korean couple would not have fallen victim to snatch thieves.
12 more minutes before the day is done & here’s wishing all fathers a Happy Father’s Day.
My kids bought me a simple dinner at Asia Cafe and gave me a card that says,
Dear Papa,
You are the super duper 1000% best! WE LOVE U!
From: KC, KM & Mummy :-)
Malaysiakini, 18 June 2009
Nation’s economic indicators worsen
Malaysia’s manufacturing sales, which are a key driver of the economy, sank 26.2 percent in April from a year earlier, according to official data released today.
The government’s statistics department attributed the sharp fall to the poor performance of the iron and steel sector and the computer industry amid lower demand due to the global economic slowdown.
The number of people employed in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for about a third of Malaysia’s gross domestic product, fell 7.7 percent from the same period a year ago, the department said.
Revised March manufacturing figures showed sales were down 25.6 percent year-on-year.
