WE ARE INNOCENT

World's Most Unfriendly Countries for Tourists

2013-03-19T18:22:00.004+08:00

Ask a traveler where you'll find the most welcoming locals, and you'll likely see a few nations consistently named. For example, you're likely to hear Australia come up a few times. Same with Ireland. And possibly Italy, especially if you're younger than 5 or a blonde.

A new report from the World Economic Forum has ranked 140 nations based on the "attitude of population toward foreign visitors." Here's the short version: If you're visiting Bolivia and in need of directions, you probably won't have as much luck as you would in, say, Iceland.

Answers to the question posed, "How welcome are foreign visitors in your country?" were given a weighted average from 1 -7, 1 = very unwelcome and 7 = very welcome. Turns out Bolivia came in last on the list with a score of 4.1, while Iceland tied for first place with New Zealand, with a 6.8, making Kiwis even friendlier than their neighbors, the Aussies (6.5 and ranking No. 27) who've long had a reputation for being among the world's friendliest.

And where did the good-old USA rank? No. 102, with a score of 6.0. And those friendly Irishmen? They ranked far better: No. 9 on the list, with a score of 6.6.

Top 10

Iceland

New Zealand

Morocco

Macedonia

Austria

Senegal

Portugal

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ireland

Burkina Faso

*Note that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland and Burkina Faso all scored a 6.6. Also scoring a 6.6: Barbados, Canada, Thailand, Mali, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malta, Yemen, Belgium and Rwanda.

Bottom 10

Bolivia

Venezuela

Russian Federation

Kuwait

Latvia

Iran

Pakistan

Slovak Republic

Bulgaria

Mongolia

*Note that Mongolia scored a 5.5, a score also shared by China, Korean and Saudi Arabia.

A Guy's Guide to Body Image

2013-02-02T10:16:00.000+08:00

Al's friend Rachel invited him to go to the lake for the day with her family. Rachel thought Al was fun to be around — plus he was cute. Rachel really hoped he'd say yes.

Al turned Rachel down. He liked Rachel, too, but was self-conscious about taking off his T-shirt. He worried that her family and others at the lake would see what he saw when he looked in the mirror — a scrawny excuse for a man. Al hadn't gone to the pool in more than a year because he was so self-conscious about his appearance.

The Truth About Guys

Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But the reality is that a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. It's a fact — some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance.

You may hear a lot about being a tough guy, but how often do you hear that being a guy is tough? Guys might think that they shouldn't worry about how they look, but body image can be a real problem for them. Unlike girls, guys are less likely to talk to friends and relatives about their bodies and how they're developing. Without support from friends and family, they may develop a negative self-image.

The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

Why Is Body Image Important?

Body image is a person's opinions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. Having a positive body image means feeling pretty satisfied with the way you look, appreciating your body for its capabilities and accepting its imperfections.

Body image is part of someone's total self-image. So how a guy feels about his body can affect how he feels about himself. If he gets too focused on not liking the way he looks, a guy's self-esteem can take a hit and his confidence can slide. (The same thing can happen to girls, too.)

How Puberty Affects Body Image

Although body image is just one part of our self-image, during the teen years, and especially during puberty, it can be easy for a guy's whole self-image to be based on how his body looks. That's because our bodies are changing so much during this time that they can become the main focus of our attention.

A change in your body can be tough to deal with emotionally — mainly because, well, your body is yours and you have become used to it.

Some guys don't feel comfortable in their changing bodies and can feel as if they don't know who they are anymore. Being the only guy whose voice is changing or who's growing body hair (or the only guy who isn't) can also make some guys feel self-conscious for a while.

Some guys go into puberty not feeling too satisfied with their body or appearance to begin with. They may have wrestled with body image even before puberty started (for example, battles with weight or dissatisfaction with height). For them, puberty may add to their insecurities.

It Could Be in Your Genes

It can be tough to balance what you expect to happen to your body with what actually does happen. Lots of guys can have high expectations for puberty, thinking they'll develop quickly or in a certain way.

The best way to approach your own growth and development is to not assume you'll be a certain way. Look at everyone in your family — uncles, grandfathers, and even female relatives — to get an idea of the kinds of options your genes may have in store for you.

When Everyone Else Seems Bigger

Not everyone's body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. It can be tough if all of your friends have already matured physically and are taller and more muscular. Most guys eventually catch up in terms of growth, although some will always be taller or more muscular than others — it's in their genes.

It's natural to observe friends and classmates and notice the different ways they're growing and developing. Guys often compare themselves with other guys in certain settings, and one of the most common is the locker room. Whether at a local gym or getting ready for a game at school, time in the locker room can be daunting for any guy.

Try to keep in mind in these situations that you aren't alone if you feel you don't "measure up." Many guys feel exactly the same way about their own bodies — even those whose physiques you envy. Just knowing that almost everyone else will go through the same thing can make all the difference.

You could try talking to a trusted male adult — maybe a coach, a doctor, a teacher, or your dad. Chances are they went through similar experiences and had some of the same feelings and apprehensions when their bodies were changing.

Picture Perfect?

Guys put enough pressure on themselves, but what about the pressure society puts on them to be perfect?

It used to be that only girls felt the pressure of picture-perfect images, but these days the media emphasis on men's looks creates a sense of pressure for guys, too. And sometimes (actually, many times) that "as-advertised" body is just not attainable. The men you see in those pictures may not even be real. Magazines and ad agencies often alter photographs of models, either by airbrushing the facial and muscular features, or by putting a good-looking face on someone else's buff body.

Building a Better Body Image

So in the face of all the pressure society places on guys — and guys place on themselves — what can you do to fuel a positive body image? Here are some ideas:

Recognize your strengths. Different physical attributes and body types are good for different things — and sometimes the things you did well as a kid can change during puberty. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, flexibility, strength, or coordination leads you to excel at a certain sport. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. Just exploring talents that you feel good about can help your self-esteem and how you think of yourself.

A good body doesn't always translate into athletic success. Too often, the way guys see their body image is closely associated with their performance on a sports field or in the gym. The upside to this is that if you're good at a team sport, you might have a pretty good view of your body. But what if you don't like team sports or you got cut from a team you really wanted to make? In these cases, it helps to look at individual accomplishments.

If you don't like team sports, that's OK. Find another form of physical activity that gets you going. Depending on your interests and where you live, that may be mountain biking, rock climbing, yoga, dancing, or jogging. This will help you stay in shape and help you to appreciate skills you may not have realized you had in a team environment.

If you like team sports but didn't make a particular team, don't let it get you down. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at, not to lament what you aren't best at. Maybe try out for another team — so soccer wasn't for you, but maybe cross-country running will be. Or, continue to practice the sport you were cut from and try again next year. The people around you probably won't remember that you didn't make the team — not being picked is a much bigger deal to you than it was to them.

Look into starting a strength training program. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques don't just happen — they take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet. There's no need to work out obsessively. A healthy routine can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to an hour 3 days a week. Another benefit to working out properly is that it can boost your mood — lifting weights can lift your spirits.

Don't trash your body, respect it! To help improve your view of your body, take care of it. Smoking and other things you know to be harmful will take a toll after a while. Treating yourself well over time results in a healthier, stronger body — and that contributes to a better body image. Practicing good grooming habits — regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, etc. — also can help you build a positive body image.

Be yourself. Your body is just one part of who you are — along with your talent for comedy, a quick wit, or all the other things that make you unique. Your talents, skills, and beliefs are just as much a part of you as the casing they come in. So try not to let minor imperfections take over.

While it's important to have a positive body image, getting too focused on body image and appearance can cause a guy to overlook the other positive parts of himself. If you're like most guys who take care of their bodies and wear clothes that look good, you probably look great to others. You just might not be aware of that if you're too busy being self-critical.

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD

Date reviewed: January 2012

I'm a Guy . . . So How Come I'm Developing Breasts?

2013-02-02T10:10:00.000+08:00

Ah, puberty. It can be a very interesting time in a guy's life, what with all the changes going on. In fact, it seems like every day something on your body grows bigger or hair begins sprouting somewhere. Each day brings a new change or two, and it can sometimes feel like it's hard to keep up.

It doesn't happen to every guy, but one of these changes can be the development of breast tissue. It's called gynecomastia (pronounced: guy-nuh-ko-mas-tee-uh) and it's completely normal — and almost always temporary. So how exactly does a guy happen to develop breast tissue?

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in which breast tissue forms in guys, usually due to normal hormonal changes during puberty. Hormones are chemicals produced by your body's glands. In a guy, hormones produced in the testicles are responsible for the physical changes that begin to take place during puberty — facial hair, muscle development, a deepening of the voice, and the lengthening of the penis, for example. Guys and girls produce both androgens (hormones that help develop and maintain male characteristics) and estrogen (a hormone that is responsible for most female characteristics).

Guys have mostly androgens in their systems, but they also have small amounts of estrogen. In girls, breast growth is caused by high levels of estrogen. Normally, when going through puberty, a guy's production of androgens increases significantly, whereas estrogen production remains low.

However, sometimes guys produce enough estrogen during puberty that some breast tissue develops. Breast tissue growth in guys can appear on one or both sides of the chest, and the breast area can feel tender. This doesn't mean you're turning into a girl or anything. It's just a minor change in your hormones as you begin to grow into adulthood.

How Common Is It?

It's estimated that about half of all males going through puberty experience some degree of gynecomastia in one or both breasts. Gynecomastia is almost always a temporary condition, and it's very unusual for the breasts to stay developed — they will eventually flatten out completely within a few months to a couple of years. It usually goes away on its own and no medical treatment or surgery is needed.

Even though it's just a temporary change for most teens, some guys with gynecomastia feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. Many guys find that wearing loose-fitting shirts helps make the condition less noticeable until the breast tissue shrinks over time. Surgical removal of the breast tissue is an option in some cases. If a guy finds his gynecomastia is bothering him, he can talk to a doctor about it.

Although the most common cause of gynecomastia is puberty, it can sometimes be caused by certain diseases or side effects of some medications. Using illegal drugs such as anabolic steroids, marijuana, or heroin can also disrupt hormonal balance and lead to gynecomastia.

There's also something called pseudogynecomastia (or false gynecomastia). This has nothing to do with puberty or hormones. It's just simply due to the fact that some guys have extra fat in the chest area, making it look like they have breasts. A doctor's exam can tell whether a guy has gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia.

If you're concerned or have any questions about gynecomastia, talk to your doctor. Keep in mind that temporary breast tissue growth in guys is a common part of puberty that will usually go away on its own.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

Date reviewed: April 2010

Is My Penis Normal?

2013-02-02T10:07:00.000+08:00

Just about every guy wonders how he measures up in the "down-there" department at one time or another. Here's the lowdown for any guy who's ever worried about whether his penis is a normal size.

There's a fairly wide range of normal penis sizes — just as there is for every other body part. And just like other parts of the body, how a penis appears at different stages of a guy's life varies quite a bit. You wouldn't expect someone who is 11 years old to look the same as someone who's 19.

Guys normally develop at different times. Some may start developing as early as 9. Others may not start developing until 15 or even later. The age at which a guy starts to grow varies from person to person. It all depends on when he enters puberty and his hormones start doing their thing.

Growth in penis size is just one part of puberty, which also includes such changes as pubic hair development, testicular growth, muscle development, and a growth spurt. Late starters almost always catch up fine — they just reach full maturity a little later.

Penises come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. These traits are hereditary, like eye color or foot size, and there's nothing you can do to change them. Despite what you may hear or read, no special exercises, supplements, or diets will speed up the development process or change a guy's size.

Also, like his feet, a guy's penis may appear smaller to him just because the perspective is different when he's looking down. And there's a lot less difference in penis size between guys when they get an erection than when their penises are relaxed.

In addition to size, guys also wonder about other aspects of how their penises look, such as whether the skin covering the penis is normal or if it's OK for a guy's penis to hang to the left or right (it is!). If you're concerned about how your penis looks, ask your doctor. Guys who are reaching puberty should have regular testicular exams, so that's a good time to ask your doctor any questions.

Taking a ride on the hormonal roller-coaster means lots of changes — and a lot of common worries — for both guys and girls. Just as guys may wonder about how their penises develop, lots of girls ask the same thing about their breasts.

If you're wondering about your development, don't try to compare yourself to your older brother or your best friend — they're probably at a different stage of development than you are anyway. The important thing to remember is that it's OK to not be a mirror image of the guy at the next urinal.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

Date reviewed: August 2011

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Sex

2013-02-02T10:03:00.000+08:00

Sex – everyone's favourite topic to discuss and disgust. Here are some fun facts to kickstart your imagination or just to get the girly gossips going.

#1 Semen is good mood booster

According to researchers, it seems semen is known to contain "such mood-altering chemicals as estrone and oxytocin, which elevate mood; cortisol, which promotes affection; serotonin, which acts as an antidepressant; and melatonin, which induces sleep." Also, a teaspoon of semen contains approximately 5 calories and over 30 different substances including the above.

#2 Heavier men can last longer

Never has being big brings so much joy. Turkish researchers found that there's a connection between body mass index and male sexual performance. In the yearlong study, it was discovered that heavier men were able to make love for an average of 7.3 minutes while slimmer men only lasted an average of 108 seconds. It seems overweight men had higher levels of the female estradiol hormone which blocks male hormones and delays climax.

#3 Adulterous are the women

Ladies, this is not going to put us in a good light. It seems we are more incline to cheat and commit adultery when we are ovulating. The trigger is because we feel our most feminine during this time of the cycle where our libido is peaked, fertility causes us to strike out and seek the perfect mate. It is also easier for women to achieve orgasm during this period than any other time.

#4 Millions of sex per day

Sex is an activity enjoyed by many, no doubt. But do you know how many exactly? Everyday about 100 million couples around the world have sex. During the course of a woman's reproductive years, she would have sex more than 3,000 times. During an average man's lifetime, he would have ejaculated about 17 litres of semen – that's about half a trillion sperm.

#5 More orgasm = longer lives

Yup, the more orgasm you experience, the longer you'll live. A doctor from the Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic claims that not only will you get to live longer, you may actually feel younger by eight years too. But of course, this is in reference to men. While female orgasms haven't been studied separately, a research is telling us that women who enjoy sex live longer than those who don't.

Men & Women Do See Things Differently

2013-02-02T10:00:00.001+08:00

Credit: Rubylane.com

You've probably shook your head hundreds of times over when it comes to your partner's choice of clothing, shoes and caps. Forgive the clueless fella as research has shown that men and women's brains really do function differently.

While men are more attentive to finer details in moving objects, women are better at differentiating between colours.

So while you may think that pink dress looks lovely, he might not be so conforming.

In the research conducted by City University of New York, the participants were asked to describe the different colours shown to them. All of them had normal 20/20 vision and none were colour blind, a condition which is commonly found in men than in women.

Overall, the men struggled to distinguish between the subtle differences in the shades of yellow, green and blue. They also required a longer wavelength of colour to see shades like how a woman does. This means that if both sexes look at an orange, the fruit will appear redder to the man than to the woman. Similarly, grass would look yellower to a man and greener to a woman.

One reasonable explanation for this lies with the male hormone of testosterone which may affect how their brain processes and makes sense of the vision from their eyes. “We hypothesise that testosterone plays a major role, somehow leading to different connectivities for males and females,” explained Professor Israel Abramov.

One thing though, men were found to be particularly good at detecting fine detail in moving images. This, researchers said could be an indication of what might have made our forefathers such good hunters. Hence, it also explains why watching football or F1 is a favourite hobby of many guys today.

Note to self: never ever ask a man if these colours look good on you or the home you're repainting.

Is It Bad To Eat Late At Night

2013-02-02T09:57:00.001+08:00

It's a mantra that's been whispered in your ear every night when you ask for supper, "Eating late at night makes you fat!"

But does it really?

No, it doesn't, not in a scientific point of view anyway.

A calorie is a calorie, and your body will not discriminate against a calorie that you consumed late in the evening and sentence it to exile in your bulging bottom. The recipe to getting fat is consuming more calories than you burn, and with that in mind, we can begin to understand why people think that eating late at night makes you fat:

- You move less at night than you would during the day, so it's only natural that you will burn fewer calories.

- Mindless snacking in front of the television. Actually, it doesn't even matter where you are or when you do it. Stuffing yourself with junk food will make you gain weight.

- Starving yourself and getting home late for dinner can cause you to make poor food choices. You'll also take in bigger portions of food – not because it's late at night, because you're very hungry.

So no, eating at night won't magically turn you into a pig. Rather, it's because of your choice of food and portioning that make the difference. But remember to eat 90 minutes before you go to bed so you don't overwork your body.

Sleep Your Way To Weight Loss

2013-02-02T09:55:00.002+08:00

Over a 10-year period from 1996, the prevalence of obesity among Malaysian adults has escalated by a staggering 250%. That has put us on the top spot where we are the first among Asean countries with the highest number of obese adults. When ranked among Asian Pacific countries, we are in the sixth! That's not something to be proud of. This is worrying as the number has more than tripled over a decade, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006, from 4% in 1996 to 14% in 2006.

Among the many contributing factors, the one that is often overlooked is lack of sleep. Sleep time is often sacrificed when we are too caught up in trying to balance work, family and recreation. According to the Philips Index for Health and Well-being: A Global Perspective Report 2010 which was published last November, among the 800 Malaysian adults who were interviewed, 81% of them said that they did not get enough sleep at night.

We are faced with two parallel trends which is increasing in body mass index (BMI) and decreasing sleep hours. It is no coincidence as many studies have shown the correlation between the two.Study after study shows that lack of sleep (less than seven to nine hours of uninterrupted slumber) is making us pile on the pounds.

A recent research from Uppsala University shows that acute sleep loss (one hour sleep lost than the usual one night of normal sleep) influences the brain region which controls our appetite sensation thus increasing the desire to eat. In modern society where insufficient sleep is a growing problem, this somewhat explains how poor sleep habits can affect people's risk of gaining weight in the long run.

So, reboot and rejuvenate. Get at least seven and eight hours of sleep each night to maintain good health and most importantly to combat obesity. Remember though, napping does not count as it cannot be substitute for night time sleep to prevent obesity.

Forbes World's Most Powerful Women 2012: Top 10

2012-10-01T15:05:00.000+08:00

Angela Merkel has once again topped the list of Forbes' Most Powerful women.

Mrs Merkel was ranked the most powerful woman in the world for the second year in a row in the annual list dominated by politicians, businesswomen and media figures.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, came second, with Dilma Rousseff third, making the top three spots unchanged from last year.

Michelle Obama, who was the most powerful woman on the list two years ago, came seventh.

Here is a list of the Top 10.

01. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

02. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State

03. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil

04. Melinda Gates, Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

05. Jill Abramson, Executive Editor, The New York Times

06. Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress Party

07. Michelle Obama, US First Lady

08. Christine Lagarde, Head of International Monetary Fund

09. Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of Homeland Security

10. Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook

Do you agree with the Forbes list? Who in your opinion is the most powerful woman in the world?

MALE DNA FOUND IN BRAINS OF WOMEN

2012-10-01T14:52:00.002+08:00

If you're a woman who has been pregnant with a male fetus, you may have male DNA permanently in your body, according to a study that found such genetic material in the brains of women.

The study, published in PLoS ONE, is the first description of male microchimerism in the female human brain. Microchimerism is when someone harbors cells that came from a genetically distinct individual. Or, in the immortal words of the Monkees (singing a Neil Diamond penned song), a person can be A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.

The serious side of this is that scientists working at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have linked the phenomenon to autoimmune diseases and cancer, sometimes for better and other times for worse.

Lead author William Chan, who is in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta, conducted the research while working in the lab of J. Lee Nelson, a member of the Center’s Clinical Research Division and a leading international authority on microchimerism.

The scientists believe it is likely that fetal cells frequently cross the human blood-brain barrier and that microchimerism in the brain is relatively common. Until this study, it was not known whether these cells could cross the barrier in humans.

According to a press release issued by the cancer center:

The researchers examined brain autopsy specimens from 59 women who had died between the ages of 32 and 101. Male microchimerism was detected in 63 percent of subjects, was distributed in multiple brain regions and was potentially persistent throughout the human lifespan; the oldest female in whom male fetal DNA was detected in the brain was 94.

Twenty six of the women had no neurological disease and 33 had Alzheimer’s disease. The brains of women with Alzheimer’s had a somewhat lower prevalence of male microchimerism, which appeared in lower concentrations in regions of the brain most affected by the disease. However, the authors noted that the small number of subjects and largely unknown pregnancy history of the women means a link between Alzheimer’s disease and level of male cells of fetal origin cannot be established.

"Currently, the biological significance of harboring male DNA and male cells in the human brain requires further investigation," Chan was quoted as saying in the release.

Prior research does, however, suggest that women who harbor male DNA might be protected against some types of cancer, such as breast cancer, and autoimmune disease, like rheumatoid arthritis. It may, though, increase the risk of other cancers, such as colon cancer.

Many studies suggest that just having a child affects the future health of the mother, and not just because the kid could drive her crazy or, conversely, help to improve her lot in life. At least mothers now know that their sons might not ever fully leave them, even after they move out of the nest.

(Image: Taylor Schlades)

http://news.discovery.com

CROCODILE TURNS BRIGHT ORANGE

2012-10-01T14:47:00.001+08:00

Orange is the new green in crocodile style this season.

Snappy, an 8-foot-2-inch crocodile, is sporting haute-couture orange skin and he's looking fabulous and feeling fine!

But it's not really a fashion statement. It's a result of attacking the water filter of his enclosure at Roaming Reptiles animal park in Australia.

"Snappy's pretty territorial and he attacked the filter one day, and a few weeks after that, I noticed he was orange," said owner Tracey Sandstrom in an interview with the Herald Sun.

"It doesn't seem to have affected him at all. He's still got a healthy appetite, is normally aggro and doing everything he always does," said Sandstrom.

A crocodile expert interviewed by the Herald Sun said he believes the croc is in perfect health despite his outrageous new look.

"Our guess is that it is something in the water such as iron or tannins from leaves or some red algae, that oxidises when it dries," Webb said.

Snappy is expected to go back to his normal color eventually.

It seems absolutely fabulous new colors are all the rage in the animal kingdom. Discovery News recently reported on glow-in-the-dark cats.

IMAGE: Snappy, showing off his new look (Alex Coppel/Herald Sun).

http://news.discovery.com

Top 10 Most Expensive Homes in the World Read

2012-08-18T22:35:00.003+08:00

Antilla

– $1,000,000,000

This is it. The one you’ve been waiting for. The grand finale. The one billion dollar home. We give you…Antilla. Located in Mumbai, Antilla challenges pretty much everything you’d expect about “what is possible in a home” and “what is possible for architecture.” The 27-story house features six floors of parking, a health level with a jacuzzi, gym, and “ice room,” a ballroom level (for dancing?) several floors of bedrooms and bathrooms and even a four-story garden — because, yeah, we guess that’s possible.

The architecture is based on an Indian tradition called Vastu Shastra, which is supposed to be conducive to the movement of positive energy. In keeping with this, each floor has not only a unique design, but an entirely unique set of materials and aesthetic design — meaning each room is meant to look like it’s from a different house. Basically, this house has everything — things you can imagine, things you can’t imagine, and things you never thought to imagine but are now imagining because they sound like the greatest thing you’ve ever heard of.

Number 1 Athletes in 2012 by Sport

2012-08-18T20:50:00.002+08:00

Association football

– Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo

Association football is the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 250 million players. The FIFA World Cup is the most widely viewed event in the world and the 1950 match between Uruguay and Brasil holds the attendance record for a team sport (an estimated 210,000 people). Association football has come to symbolize the highest level of athletic achievement and competition. Many people consider Brasilian star Pele to be the best footballer ever. He is the top scorer ever, recording 1281 goals in 1363 games. However, as football has expanded, the game’s strategy has followed. Some feel it is harder to score a goal in 2012 than ever before.

The Athletes

Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona. He is currently only 24 years old, and already recognized as the best soccer player in the world. Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or (World Player of the Year) in both 2010 and 2011, and the Ballon d’Or in 2009. He is one of only two players to win three consecutive MVP Awards, the other being Michel Platini. Lionel is known for his ball handling, unselfish play, trick shots, and incredible accuracy.

In 2012, Messi scored five times in a UEFA Champions League match and finished the season with 60 goals. It was the first time that a player had finished with 60 goals in a European league since Gerd Müller in 1972-73. Messi also holds the goal scoring record for FC Barcelona, with a total of 243 goals. He is the clear favorite to win a fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or in 2012.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Real Madrid. He is one of the highest paid athletes in the world ($400,000 per match), and holds a contract buyout clause of €1 billion. Ronaldo is an incredible goal scorer, and is known for his acrobatic dribbling skills and power. He is a relentless striker, and rarely misses opportunities to score. Behind Messi, Ronaldo is recognized as the best soccer player in the world. In 2008, he won the Ballon d’Or. In 2011-12, Ronaldo scored 56 times in European league play and led La Liga with 42 goals.

http://www.toptenz.net/

Number 1 International Beauties Of 2012

2012-08-18T20:36:00.005+08:00

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is an English model and actress that was born in Plymouth, Devon, England. She grew up on a farm in Tavistock, Devon. Huntington-Whiteley began her modeling career at the age of 16. Since 2006, she has been featured by the American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret. Huntington-Whiteley got her first British Vogue cover in November 2008, alongside Eden Clark and Jourdan Dunn. The following year she received an Elle Style Award for 2009′s “Model of the Year.” In late 2009, she officially became a Victoria’s Secret Angel, modeling for the fashion show in New York City.

In March 2011, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley landed her first solo British Vogue cover. In May she was voted No. 1 in Maxim magazine’s “Hot 100″ list. In the summer of 2011 she was unveiled as the face of Burberry’s newest fragrance, Burberry Body. In May 2010, it was announced that Huntington-Whiteley would become the new female lead in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, released June 29, 2011, replacing Megan Fox. She had previously worked with the film’s director, Michael Bay, on a Victoria’s Secret commercial. Transformers: Dark of the Moon was the second most successful film of 2011 ($1.1 billion), behind only the last Harry Potter movie.

Is She Single?

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley dated Tyrone Wood, the youngest son of musician Ronnie Wood, from August 2007 until October 2009. In April 2010, it was first reported that she was in a relationship with English actor Jason Statham. The match has sparked media attention as Statham is 44-years-old and Huntington-Whiteley is only 24.

http://www.toptenz.net/

New York Panini Shop Serves Alcoholic Sandwiches

2012-08-16T22:38:00.002+08:00

I bet you never thought you’d ever be able to get drunk on sandwiches, yet here we are. The Salumé panini shop in New York City has created the world’s first line of alcoholic sandwiches, infused with different kinds of liquors, like scotch or gin.

I’ve covered a few really weird ways to get wasted, like vodka eye-balling or drinking hand-sanitizer, but I never thought I’d be writing about alcoholic sandwiches actually sold by a sandwich shop. At New York’s Salumé panini shop, customers can fill their bellies and get wasted at the same time, and I don’t mean by washing down the food with some beer. This innovative establishment is serving the alcohol inside the sandwich, so you’re sort of eating and drinking at the same time. Their unique menu includes items like prosciutto & gin sandwiches, Surryano ham & rye whiskey or prosciutto & beetroot with scotch, and prices range from $11 for a scotchwich to $18 for the Bulleit bourbon and ham.

It’s not yet clear how much alcohol is actually in the sandwiches, with some sources claiming the booze is “dripped” over the tasty treats, and other saying it’s “poured”. Also, it’s not mentioned if you need to be over 21 to order one of Salumé’s alcoholic sandwiches, especially since the alcohol in the food is not cooked in any way, thus retaining all its strength. One thing is for sure, these things give the word “toast” a whole new meaning. Enjoy!

http://www.odditycentral.com

Top 3 Historically Bad Countries In The Olympics

2012-08-16T22:30:00.003+08:00

1. Monaco (20 Summer Olympics, 8 Winter Olympics)

Monaco started its long march toward being the country competing in the most Olympics without an athletic medal in 1920. The 1920 Summer Olympics were held in Antwerp, Belgium. Monaco’s Julien Médecin did actually win a Bronze Medal in the 1924 Games…for Architecture. The medal was for Town Planning for the Stadium of Monte Carlo. Since art competitions are not counted in the official athletic medal count, Monaco still does not officially have a medal in an athletic competition. The only question now is, what will happen first: Monaco winning an athletic medal, or the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series?

2. San Marino (13 Summer Olympiads, 7 Winter Olympiads)

San Marino first participated in the Summer Olympic Games in 1960 in Rome, Italy. San Marino was somewhat notable for causing a bit of a stir about the United States-led boycott in the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. San Marino supported the boycott, partially. San Marino allowed its athletes to compete, but the San Marino contingent did not compete under their own flag in support of the boycott: they competed under the Olympic flag. They might want to use the Olympic flag more often. Stefano Casali had one of San Marino’s best finishes ever, with a 24th place finish in the 20-kilometer walk.

3. Andorra (10 Summer Olympiads, 10 Winter Olympiads)

Andorra has appeared in every Olympics Games (both Summer and Winter) since 1976. Andorra’s first Olympic appearance was the Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria. While the consistency effort is certainly laudable, the results have certainly been a bit lacking. The lone top-20 finish for any athlete by Andorra came in the 1988 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Vicki Grau finished 19th in the Women’s Slalom. The same year, Grau did not finish the Women’s Giant Slalom. That would be the high-water, or perhaps high-snow, mark.

Top 3 Things China Invented First

2012-08-16T22:22:00.000+08:00

1. Toilet Paper

The classic over versus under debate is much older than previously thought. Its first mention is by official Yan Zhitui in 589 BC, again because the Chinese were ahead of the game when it came to paper manufacturing. Their purpose is stated quite clearly by an Arab visitor in 851 AD, who remarks that the Chinese wipe themselves with paper, while the rest of the world was using water, their hands, wood shavings, lace, or the ever popular Roman “sponge on a stick.” The Chinese even one-upped themselves, and proceeded to perfume their poo paper for the royal family in 1393. (Actual ancient toilet paper not represented in art above.)

2. Restaurant Menu

The biggest reason that the Chinese beat other cultures to the finish line here is because they already had a handle on paper by the time the Song Dynasty rolled around. Due to even ancient China’s expansive populated regions that would trade with each other, hungry merchants could find an abundance of food to eat, but were not familiar with a lot of it. Thus, the menu was born to provide a guide for hungry merchants and foreign travelers. Menus popped up where ever food was sold: temples, brothels, theaters, and tea houses as well as typical food stalls and restaurants.

3. Holistic Health

Even more surprising to me than the invention of the fork, was that Chinese medicine was on to some major health points before their time, such as good health through proper diet. In the 4th century, the royal courts had Imperial Dieticians to guide the royal family down the road to healthy eating. In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing found out through trial and error that certain foods would address symptoms of poor health. Imperial Dietician Hu Sihui published a similar book in 1330 that put together information on healthy diets dating from the 3rd century.

Not only were they proponents of a variable diet, they were also the first endocrinologists, meaning that they were clued in to and could address hormone imbalances before everyone else. In 1110 BC, they were able to extract sex hormones from urine using gypsum and natural soaps like saponin. They could then use these extracted hormones to treat a wide variety of sex hormone issues, from erectile dysfunction to menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).

Top 3 Disgusting Ingredients You’ve Probably Eaten Today

2012-08-16T22:14:00.002+08:00

1. The First Approval Of Viruses As A Food Additive

The Food and Drug Administration approved, six years ago, a cocktail of bacteria-killing viruses to prevent listeriosis. There are about 1600 cases of listeriosis, with 410 deaths per year in the United States.

The special viruses (bacteriophages) are sprayed on poultry products and ready-to-eat meat just before they are packaged. What will happen when listeria develops resistance to the bacteriophages over time?

These viral additives are used to fight potential infections from poor quality meat. Why expose millions of individuals to unnecessary risk for the benefit of so few? What food safety authorities should really do is raise the standards and improve the quality of our food supply. What’s your opinion on the latest food additive?

2. Insect Filth, Mold, Rodent Filth, Maggots

The US Food and Drug Administration condones a certain percentage of natural contaminants in the food supply chain. Here’s how many of these yummy-nummies to expect in your food:

All spice, ground: average of 30 or more insect fragments / 10g; 1 or more rodent hairs / 10g

Berries: average mold count is 60% or more; average of 4 or more larvae per 500 g; 10 or more whole insects or equivalent per 500 g.

Frozen broccoli: 60 or more aphids and/or thrips and/or mites per 100 g.

Chocolate: 60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams; 1 or more rodent hairs per 100 grams; (when six 100-gram subsamples are examined)

Macaroni and noodle products: 225 insect fragments or more / 225g

Canned and dried mushrooms: 20 or more maggots of any size / 100g; 75 mites / 100g

Peanut butter: 30 or more insect fragments / 100g; 1 or more rodent hairs / 100g

Tomato juice: 10 or more fly eggs / 100g; 5 or more fly eggs and 1 or more maggots / 100g; average mold count in 6 subsamples is 24%.

Tomato paste: 30 or more fly eggs / 100g; 15 or more fly eggs and 1 or more maggots / 100g; 2 or more maggots /100g in a minimum of 12 subsamples.

Source

Some products may have natural contaminants, others not. Unfortunately, the European Union does not regulate the amount of filth or mold in food; it has explicitly exempted the above listed “ingredients” from regulation.

Don’t misunderstand me, entomophagy is not gross. The benefits of eating insects are overwhelming, but there’s a very big difference between eating processed remnants of bugs and rats, and consuming healthy & edible insects that are rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins.

3. Cellulose

Cellulose comes in a variety of forms – powdered cellulose (E460ii), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC or E460i) or cellulose gum – each with a specific use. The odorless and tasteless powdered cellulose is sourced from either bamboo or cotton-based plant material. Often labeled as high-fiber or reduced fat, the “miracle” ingredient may be used in the following foods: cheese, yogurt, ice cream, processed fruits, vegetables, cereals, pre-cooked pasta, and bakery wares.

Dan Inman, director of R&D at J. Rettenmaier USA, said that manufacturers add cellulose to their products because it acts as an extender, reducing breakage and providing structure. Food producers from all over the world save almost 30% in ingredient costs by going for cellulose as a filler or thickener. Powdered cellulose can replace as much as 50% of the fat in some biscuits, cakes and cookies.

Sara Lee, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, Dole, KFC, Nestle and Kraft Foods are some of the many brands that put wood in our food. Safe or not, it’s disturbingly unnatural to have cellulose in aliments. No wonder food doesn’t taste anymore as it used to.

The Funniest Fans at the Olympics London 2012

2012-08-15T08:01:00.005+08:00

Prince Harry at the Olympics was rakish, funny, but still a statesman

2012-08-15T07:46:00.003+08:00

When Prince Harry became the official Royal to close the 2012 London Olympics on August 12, 2012, he stepped into a new, and even more visible, statesman-like role. While Kate, Princess Anne and Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence looked on, it was 27-year-old Harry who was center stage. Fans who watched the Olympics are now reconsidering the man who is third in line to the throne, the "spare," if you prefer to call him, in the "heir and a spare" pair of princes.

Prince Harry and British rower Constantine Louloudis watch Beach Volleyball Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Statesman Harry at Closing Ceremony with IOC president Jacques Rogge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with athletes at Team GB House Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with Gold medal winning rower Sophie Hosking Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

British cyclist Laura Trott (L) watches Beach Volleyball with Prince Harry on Day 12 Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Prince Harry shakes hands with LOCOG Chair Lord Sebastian Coe Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Carole Coe, Prince Harry and Peter Phillips enjoy the atmosphere as they watch the Track Cycling Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Prince Harry, Peter Phillips and former Prime Minister John Major (front)at Track Cycling on Day 11 Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Catherine,Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry during Day 6 - with his tech toys Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron l Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Harry (L) watches the evening session on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Prince Harry talks with athletes including Great Britain's Jessica Ennis (3rd from R) during a visit to the Team GB accommodation Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, and Prince Harry at Show Jumping Eventing Equestrian Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

LOCOG Chair Lord Sebastian Coe (L), and Prince Harry - cool look in shades, yes? At Eventing Cross Country Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The perfect statesman - with the President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia Credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Re-Ranking the Top 10 NBA Players in the World, Post-Olympics Edition

2012-08-15T07:12:00.002+08:00

By Stephen Babb (Featured Columnist)

LeBron James entered the Summer Olympics as the presumptive best player in the world, but can we say the same eight games later?

Of course, these games aren't a perfect barometer for ranking talent.

Minutes are scarce by NBA standards, roles are unique and there's no question that guys playing for a team like Spain or Argentina have a greater opportunity to shine than James Harden, Andre Iguodala or Anthony Davis. The United States' depth translates into a pretty good 12th man.

For that matter, some of the NBA's best and brightest didn't even show up for the games.

But, with the season drawing ever closer, now is as good a time as any to take a look forward and rank the NBA's best based on their 2011-12 performances and, where applicable, what they accomplished at the Summer Olympics.

These rankings say a bit about who you'd want on your team and the impact each guy makes on every game, but they also take into account skill and overall ability. And yes, that means it's a bit guard-heavy given the current state of the league's big men.

Of course, everyone has a slightly different measure by which they define the best, and that's perfectly alright.

That said, here's one look at how the league's 10 best currently stack up.

http://bleacherreport.com

Woman Addicted to Mayonnaise Will Use It for Everything. And I Mean Everything!

2012-08-09T21:52:00.001+08:00

Philippa Garfield, from London, England, loves mayonnaise so much she will eat it with pretty much anything, and even wash her hair with it.

We’ve featured some pretty weird addictions here on Oddity Central, from the guy addicted to sausages, to the woman who loved drinking her own urine, but Philippa Garfield takes things to a whole other level. While mayo might not be the strangest thing a person can become addicted to, it’s the way she uses it that makes her story really bizarre. Although she loves eating mayo and pours it over anything she eats, and even in her morning coffee, Philippa also uses the fatty condiment as a cheap moisturizer and conditioner for her hair. She also sees it as the perfect alternative to shaving cream.

Photo: Wikimedia

The Diagonal View video doesn’t reveal how Philippa Garfield first got addicted to mayo, but it makes it very clear she likes the stuff a little too much. She apparently eats it with everything, even desserts which I find pretty disgusting. The smell of her hair after a mayonnaise shower isn’t very appealing, either.

http://www.odditycentral.com

Two Malaysians among McDonald’s Olympic crew

2012-08-07T19:54:00.000+08:00

More than 2,000 of McDonald’s best-of-the-best crew and managers will serve the world’s best athletes, coaches, media and spectators at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Crew members from around the globe were selected for being the very best at what they do – just like the Olympic athletes themselves.

The Malaysian McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew are Aruni Hamzah, 27, from the McDonald’s restaurant in Telok Chempedak, Kuantan and Zulhilmi Jamal, 22, from the Plentong restaurant in Johor.

They were chosen based on their outstanding leadership, performance and ability to deliver the highest level of service to customers, proving their mettle as the best crew trainers in Malaysia backed by their extensive restaurant operations knowledge and outstanding service skills.

“Our crew members are the heart and soul of our company and we are proud to recognize employees who consistently demonstrate best-in-class customer service. The McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew program provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Olympic Games and is just one example of the opportunities we offer our employees,” said Sarah Casanova, Managing Director of McDonald’s Malaysia and Regional Manager of McDonald’s Malaysia and Singapore.

These top-performing employees will serve McDonald’s quality food in one of four restaurants onsite at the Games – inside the Olympic Village, the Main Press Center, and two at the Olympic Park. They will also have the chance to meet Olympic athletes, attend Olympic sporting events, participate in casual sport activities in the Royal Parks, visit cultural sites in London and connect with their international peers.

Aruni is excited to be among the world’s best known athletes in London and is looking forward to experiencing a different work environment. “It is a great honour to be representing Malaysia at the Olympic Games in London as part of the McDonald’s team,” said Aruni, who joined McDonald’s in 2005.

“Serving the world’s most accomplished athletes and meeting crew members from around the world will be an experience that I am really looking forward to,” added Zulhilmi, who joined McDonald’s in 2010.

http://www.thesundaily.my

Samsung launches its super-size Galaxy Note

2012-08-07T19:41:00.002+08:00

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics said today it had launched a super-size version of its Galaxy Note smartphone, the latest salvo in its battle with Apple for the multi-billion-dollar handheld market.

The Galaxy Note 10.1, which went on sale yesterday in Germany and the United Arab Emirates, is almost twice as wide as its predecessor and is almost the size of a tablet.

The release comes as Samsung tries to make inroads in the tablet computer market, which is dominated by Apple’s iPad, while the two electronics giants are also engaged in a bitter court battle over patent infringements.

The firm said the new Note would be officially released in the US on Aug 15 and sometime next week in Britain and South Korea.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 – powered by Google’s Android software – features a touchscreen which is 10.1-inches (25.6 centimetres) measured diagonally, considerably wider than the 5.3-inch screen of the previous Note.

Like its predecessor, it comes with a stylus called the “S pen” to write notes or draw on the screen. The new version allows users to split the screen in half to view two programs at once.

The new device is equipped with a quad-core processor that allows users to run multiple applications at a faster speed than the previous version, which had a dual-core processor.

“The advanced technology and features included in Galaxy Note 10.1 give users the power to produce, create and customise communications,” JK Shin, the chief of Samsung’s mobile unit, said in a statement.

Samsung – the world’s largest smartphone maker by shipments – in November introduced the first version of its Galaxy Note, a device positioned between the firm’s flagship Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab tablet computers.

“Size-wise, the new product (Galaxy Note 10.1) is nearly a tablet PC,” another Samsung spokesman told AFP.

Samsung and Apple are embroiled in legal battles in 10 countries worldwide over patents for smartphones and tablet computers.

At an ongoing major hearing in San Jose, California, Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion after accusing the Korean firm of infringing designs and other patents.

Samsung denies this and counter-charges that Apple infringed its patents for wireless communication.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Malaysia Airlines Takes Delivery of its 75th Boeing 737

2012-08-07T19:36:00.001+08:00

Malaysia Airlines has taken delivery of its 75th Boeing 737.

The airplane, a 737-800, is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.

The aircraft comes with the 787 Dreamliner-inspired Boeing Sky Interior, which features larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, larger window reveals and LED lighting to enhance the sense of spaciousness.

Malaysia Airlines was the Asia launch customer for the Boeing Sky Interior in October 2010.

“The 737 has been an amazing airplane for our airline,” said Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines. “When we took off on our own as Malaysia’s national airline on 1 October 1972, our inaugural jet flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore was operated using the 737. Since then this aircraft has been a very reliable workhorse for both our domestic and regional operations. We continue to be impressed by the 737’s consistent reliability, unmatched economics and innovation in passenger comfort.”

Malaysia Airlines took delivery of its first 737 in 1972 and has operated the 737-200, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500 and 737-800.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com