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Malaysian teacher covers African continent on scooter in 42 days Posted: 30 Dec 2013 05:26 AM PST December 30, 2013 The "Malaysia Boleh" spirit has taken a teacher far: in fact, on a record solo expedition around the African continent on a 110cc scooter in 42 days.  Mohammad Lasim Deraman, 47, travelled more than 10,000 kilometres around Africa, beginning at Cape Point on November 15 and moving around to Tanzania, Botswana, Moyale and Zambia before reaching Mount Kenya. The special education teacher at a secondary school in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, said prior to the expedition in Africa, he had been on a motorcycle expedition covering Borneo and Indonesia. "I chose to go to the African continent because of its challenging geographical landscape which is mountainous, with lakes, rivers and desert," he told reporters in George Town today. He said that among the unforgettable experiences during the expedition was when travelling through a desert area from Kipiri Morsi to the Tanzanian border, Naconde. The place is a habitat for wild animals, he said, adding that fearing for his life, he was forced to hitch a ride in a lorry across the desert. Mohammad Lasim, who hails from Kota Baru, Kelantan, said the temperate climate there of between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius enabled him to ride long on his motorcycle, covering an average of 290km a day. He initially planned to go to Nairobi and then to Makkah after arriving in Moyale (a town bordering Ethiopia and Kenya) on the 34th day of the expedition, but was forced to change plans due to a civil war in Nairobi. "I was also advised by the embassy to turn back because of the civil war," he said. On the expedition, Mohammad Lasim said meeting the people there, he realised that many of them had heard of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and were happy when asked to pose for pictures with the Malaysian flag which he had brought along with him. "I also had the opportunity to see how the Zulu people live. They still lead a traditional way of life and live in straw houses. Looking at them made me feel grateful to be living in a progressive and prosperous country," he added. After completing the expedition in Africa, Mohammad Lasim did not immediately come home but sent his scooter to Thailand and went on a three-day expedition in the land of the White Elephant. He then went on to southern Thailand and entered Malaysia through Bukit Kayu Hitam on December 26 before coming here to meet some friends. He said one of the basic things one needed to know before going on a motorcycle expedition alone was to know how to maintain the machine and make minor repairs like changing a punctured tyre. Travelling on a scooter is not only exciting, but also cheap, he added. - Bernama, December 30, 2013.

Oh my aching head – is there really a hangover cure? Posted: 29 Dec 2013 04:38 PM PST December 30, 2013 A few too many? Scientists offer their best bets on curbing the hangover misery. - AFP/Relaxnews pic, December 30, 2013.From burned toast to raw eggs, there is no shortage of "hangover cures" to fix what ails you. Here's the science behind the best remedy for your pounding head and queasy stomach. Chinese researchers suggest chugging a Sprite the morning after. Or if you prefer to skip the sweet stuff, soda water may be a good alternative. How it works is that it helps the body better metabolise alcohol, and in particular, speeds up your ability to process aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is thought to be responsible for the symptoms of a hangover. Interestingly, the scientists found that sipping herbal tea may slow down the process, prolonging your hangover. The results, announced this October, were published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Food and Function. In a separate 2011 study, researchers suggest that your best bet might be a cup of joe and a painkiller. Published in the peer-reviewed online science journal PLoS One, the study revealed that common treatments for hangover headache, such as caffeine and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, block the effects of your hangover. Best solution: drink coffee about four hours after drinking, when acetate levels begin to spike. But don't overdo it, since caffeine works as a diuretic and can further dehydrate your body, making you feel worse. A few other tried-and-true ways to curb the misery is to avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach and load up on carbohydrate-filled snacks to slow down the body's absorption of the alcohol, The Independent reports. Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids the morning after, but avoid greasy, fatty, or spicy foods, which may be tempting but could make you feel worse. What about the infamous "hair of the dog"? A 2011 study published in PLoS One found alcohol to be a poor hangover remedy as it causes greater alcohol dependence. Your best bet? Boiled or poached eggs, whole-grain toast, and a fruit smoothie. - AFP/Relaxnews, December 30, 2013.

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Malaysian producer teams up with Hollywood financier Posted: 30 Dec 2013 02:06 AM PST December 30, 2013 Malaysian filmmaker and producer, Leon Tan, and veteran Hollywood film financier and producer, Greg Coote, have set up a joint-venture, to fill what they see as a missing piece in the industry locally. Tan and Coote set up DragonSlate Sdn Bhd to produce world-class films and television shows locally for the global audience. Speaking to Bernama, Tan said the local film scene was a developing industry, and unlike Hollywood, the expertise and experience in Malaysia needed to be tapped. "(For the time being) all these can be filled by Coote's network from around the world that will join us in making DragonSlate's films here in Malaysia," he said. Tan said DragonSlate would eventually reduce its dependency on foreign skills once it had managed to acquire the necessary skills in the film industry. Training, under the various initiatives by the relevant authorities, such as Multimedia Development Corp, would help Malaysian talents become a skilled workforce, he said. Tan and Coote hold 45% stake each in DragonSlate and the Malaysia Venture Capital Management (MAVCAP) 10%. MAVCAP has invested RM10 million in DragonSlate for the company's development, which will be disbursed gradually in three years. "In filmmaking, it is difficult for independent filmmakers like us to get worldwide (recognition) in order for us to progress, develop ideas, attract directors and talents and even to raise production budget," said Tan. DragonSlate is Coote's initiative in the expanding Asian media development, including Malaysia where he felt the country has a conducive environment to nurture a world-class film and television production hub. "Tan and I met years ago in Los Angeles and he talked with the some passion about the Malaysian community and its film industry while I have spent a large part of my life in the region," said Coote. Coote will co-manage DragonSlate with Tan, who is also chief executive officer of animation/post-production company, Tripod Entertainment Sdn Bhd. Tan was the producer of Malaysia's award-winning 3D stereoscopic animated feature War of the Worlds: Goliath. Based in Los Angeles, Coote has had decade-long career in the film business, most recently as chairman and CEO of Dune Entertainment. During his tenure, Dune Entertainment co-financed over 60 20th Century Fox movies, including James Cameron's Avatar, the highest grossing movie of all time. DragonSlate had already structured a "slate" of international films into production in 2014, he said. "We are looking at 15 to 20 projects. And out of these, two or three of the films may likely start production next year," he said. In the execution of its projects, DragonSlate will actively engage and co-develop the Malaysian ecosystem for world-class fimmaking with other industry players and government initiatives, he said. The initiatives included Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios and Film In Malaysia Incentive Rebates. Tan said the company was receptive to joint-ventures with local production companies to produce movies for global audience. - Bernama, December 30, 2013.

Malaysian producer teams up with Hollywood financier Posted: 29 Dec 2013 11:23 PM PST [unable to retrieve full-text content]Malaysian filmmaker/producer Leon Tan and veteran Hollywood film financier/producer Greg Coote have set up a joint-venture to fill in a missing piece of the industry. Tan and Coote set up DragonSlate Sdn Bhd to produce world-class films and television shows locally for a global audience. Speaking to Bernama, Tan said the local film scene was...

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Kos persekolahan dijangka naik mendadak, ramal Pemuda PAS Posted: 30 Dec 2013 02:59 AM PST December 30, 2013 Disember lalu, Persatuan-Persatuan Bas Sekolah Malaysia telah memberi kata dua kepada kepada Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat sama ada mengumumkan kenaikan kadar baru tambang bas sekolah atau mereka sendiri yang akan menaikkannya sehingga 40%.Ekoran kenaikan harga barang dan perkhidmatan mulai tahun depan, Pemuda PAS menjangka ibu bapa yang mempunyai anak sekolah akan berhadapan dengan cabaran kewangan yang agak kritikal ekoran daripada impak kenaikan harga petrol dan gula beberapa bulan lalu. Naib Ketua Pemuda PAS, Khairil Nizam Khirudin menjangka, harga barangan keperluan seperti makanan dan minuman dijangka akan meningkat secara purata 20% hingga 50%. Rentetan siri kenaikan itu, ia turut memberi kesan rantaian kepada input-input persekolahan, kata beliau dalam satu kenyataan hari ini. Antara yang ketara ialah yuran pendaftaran dan bulanan, kadar tambang bas, set pakaian, buku-buku serta alat tulis. Pakej kenaikan ini, katanya, sukar ditampung oleh pendapatan isi rumah semasa memandangkan terdapat beberapa faktor luaran yang berlaku antaranya adalah bencana banjir, sambutan perayaan krismas dan kelewatan pembayaran bonus tahunan yang dijangka pada 2 Januari, 2014 bagi pekerja sektor awam. Awal Disember lalu, Persatuan-Persatuan Bas Sekolah Malaysia (PPBSM) telah memberi kata dua kepada kepada Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) sama ada mengumumkan kenaikan kadar baru tambang bas sekolah atau mereka sendiri yang akan menaikkannya sehingga 40% bagi mengelak menanggung kerugian. Walau bagaimanapun, menurut dapatan sekitar Kuala Lumpur, terdapat pengusaha bas telah menaikkan kadar tambang baru antara 30% hingga 60% bagi tahun 2014 kata Khairil. Beberapa hari sebelum pendaftaran, operator pra sekolah dan sekolah-sekolah turut melakukan semakan baru terhadap bayaran pendaftaran dan yuran bulanan. "Majoriti menaikkan caj perkhidmatan disamping mengenakan beberapa tambahan lain seperti yuran keraian, baju tshirt tambahan dan peralatan alat tulis. Pembayaran wajib terpaksa dibuat bagi memastikan sesi persekolahan baru berjalan lancar," katanya. Sehubungan dengan itu, Pemuda PAS mengemukakan beberapa cadangan untuk dipertimbangkan: 1. Berikutan harga minyak mentah dunia menurut ukuran Dated Brent berlegar sekitar AS$ 108 setong akhir-akhir ini, maka kerajaan wajar mempertimbangkan penurunan harga petrol dan diesel sekarang. 2. SPAD wajar meningkatkan rebat semasa daripada RM10,000 dan skim penggantian komponen bas sekolah bagi mengatasi masalah penggunaan bas sekolah yang telah melebihi 30 tahun. 3. Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Kementerian Pembagunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat dan Kementerian Pendidikan mesti mengawasi kenaikan tidak munasabah terhadap barang-barang keperluan sekolah dan kadar baru bulanan perkhidmatan pra sekolah serta caj pendaftaran di sekolah-sekolah agar tidak terlalu membebankan ibu bapa. Beliau berharap agar tindakan drastik mesti segera dilakukan supaya rakyat terus dipelihara kebajikan disamping dapat meningkatkan kualiti hidup mereka. – 30 Disember, 2013.

KDN beri amaran pihak burukkan mereka kerana gantung The Heat Posted: 30 Dec 2013 02:51 AM PST OLEH MOHD FARHAN DARWIS December 30, 2013 Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) marah dengan tindakan sesetengah pihak yang didakwa cuba memburuk-burukkan kementerian berkenaan di atas tindakan mereka menggantung akhbar mingguan The Heat. Selain itu KDN mengesahkan penggantungan The Heat bukanlah berterusan, sebaliknya hanya sementara. "Kementerian Dalam Negeri memandang berat terhadap tindakan dan cubaan pihak-pihak tertentu yang secara berterusan memburuk-burukkan kerajaan susulan penggantungan permit penerbitan The Heat," kata KDN dalam satu kenyataan petang ini. Dalam kenyataan itu KDN berkata, penggantungan permit berkenaan dibuat sebelum keputusan dibuat selepas pihak KDN meneliti surat tunjuk sebab. "Dimaklumkan bahawa permit penerbitan The Heat adalah digantung sementara sebelum keputusan lanjut diputuskan setelah meneliti jawapan surat tunjuk sebab yang dikemukakan oleh pihak penerbit. "Ia bukanlah satu penggantungan kekal selaras dengan prosedur penguatkuasaan permit penerbitan yang ditetapkan di bawah Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan (AMCP) 1984 (Pindaan 2012)," kata Setiausaha Akhbar Menteri Dalam Dalam Negeri, Brig. Jen. Fadzlette Othman Merican Idris Merican dalam rasmi Facebook mereka hari ini. KDN juga dalam kenyataan itu berkata, pihaknya sedang meneliti jawapan surat tunjuk sebab yang dikemukakan dan akan memberi pertimbangan yang wajar dan adil terhadap penerbitan The Heat dalam masa terdekat tanpa dipengaruhi oleh mana-mana pihak. Spekulasi menyatakan The Heat digantung penerbitan mereka ekoran dakwaan penyiaran artikel berkaitan perbelanjaan boros Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan isterinya Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Ekoran desas-desus berkenaan, KDN dalam kenyataan mereka sebelum ini menegaskan artikel berkenaan bukanlah punca permit mereka digantung, sebaliknya akhbar mingguan itu dikatakan melanggar terma dan syarat penerbitan mereka. Sekumpulan pengamal media juga telah melancarkan kempen menentang tindakan menggantung akhbar mingguan The Heat. Kumpulan yang menggelar diri mereka Gerakan Media Marah yang dianggotai oleh wartawan daripada beberapa organisasi media menggesa pengamal media yang lain untuk turut serta bangkit bersama mempertahankan hak mereka. – 30 Disember, 2013.

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Apakah peniaga turut perjuangkan Turun harga? Posted: 29 Dec 2013 05:13 PM PST December 30, 2013 Penulis adalah seorang jurutera semikonduktor, wartawan freelance, penerbit dan editor buku motivasi yang suka mengikuti perkembangan politik Malaysia Usaha membantah kenaikan harga barang yang diterajui Turun kini semakin mendapat momentum daripada lapisan rakyat yang bergelar konsumer. Bagaimana pula dengan golongan peniaga? Kenaikan harga dua barangan asas iaitu minyak (kos pengangkutan) dan tarif elektrik bermakna golongan peniaga perlu menanggung kos operasi perniagaan (Opex) yang lebih tinggi. Ini ditambah pula desakan daripada para pekerja untuk menaikkan gaji dan memberikan bonus untuk mengharungi tahun 2014 yang lebih mencabar. Apabila kos Opex semakin mahal, para peniaga dan pengusaha akan memilih tenaga kerja yang lebih murah, terutamanya di sektor yang tidak memerlukan tenga kerja mahir. Akibat itu, mereka lebih suka memilih tenaga kerja asing daripada warga tempatan, pertama kerana gaji, kedua ialah kesanggupan bekerja lebih panjang masa berbanding orang tempatan. Fenomena itu sedang berlaku dengan rancak. Lihatlah kebanjiran warga Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia dan Bangladesh yang bekerja di restoran-restoran dan pasaraya-pasaraya tempatan. Keadaan ini menyebabkan pengangguran warga tempatan meningkat. Kebanjiran warga asing juga membawa risiko jenayah dan menjejaskan keamanan kehidupan warga tempatan. Golongan yang berkemampunan daripada tenaga mahir pula jangan menyangka perkara ini tidak akan memberi kesan kepada mereka. Risiko jenayah tidak mengenal warna kulit mahupun darjat kehidupan. Namun begitu, langkah ini terpaksa diambil untuk mengawal kos Opex supaya perniagaan boleh kekal untung. Prinsip orang berniaga ialah mesti untung, dengan sentiasa mengawal merendahkan kos perniagaan dan meningkatkan jualan. Untuk meningkatkan jualan, ada dua cara; pertama ialah meningkatkan jumlah pelanggan dan kedua ialah meningkatkan harga barangan dan servis yang ditawarkan. Pada keadaan ekonomi mencabar, susah untuk para peniaga dan pengusaha meningkatkan jumlah pelanggan. Oleh itu, bagi membolehkan perniagaan boleh bernafas dengan selesa, hampir semua peniaga dan pengusaha akan menaikkan harga jualan barangan mereka. Apa tidaknya, ais batu juga akan naik harga pada 2014! Soalan seterusnya ialah apakah golongan peniaga ini akan menyokong usaha Turun? Andainya Turun berjaya memberikan tekanan kepada kerajaan sehingga menangguhkan keputusan menaikkan tarif elektrik, apakah para pembekal ais batu akan menurunkan harga mereka? Andainya Turun berjaya memberikan tekanan kepada kerajaan sehingga menurunkan harga minyak RON95 sebanyak 10 sen, apakah pengendali bas sekolah akan menurunkan harga tambang mereka? Andainya Turun berjaya mendesak sehingga harga gula diturunkan, apakah air minuman yang dijual di kedai-kedai kopi akan menurunkan harga sebagaimana mereka menaikkan harga ketika harga gula naik? Itu cabaran sebenar kempen Turun yang diterajui dan dikuasai daripada sudut konsumer dan kerajaan semata-mata, tanpa memikirkan penglibatan daripada golongan peniaga dan pengusaha. Bagi golongan peniaga dan pengusaha, bisnes adalah untuk keuntungan, dan oleh sebab itu, soalan yang bakal ditanya daripada mereka ialah sanggupkah siapa-siapa antara kita menerima tiada kenaikan gaji atau pemotongan gaji untuk merendahkan kos Opex perniagaan untuk mengekalkan harga barangan atau servis yang dijual pada harga yang lama? Sudah tentu, ramai yang tidak sudi. Tanpa komitmen daripada para peniaga dan pengusaha untuk tidak menaikkan harga, kempen Turun ini hanya sekadar melepaskan geram pada kerajaan yang boros dan memangsakan rakyat dengan menaikkan kos barangan asas. Pada penghujungnya, rakyat tetap dibebani dengan tahun 2014 yang lebih mahal kerana golongan peniaga dan pengusaha tidak turut sama menurunkan harga masing-masing. Disebabkan itu, Turun (fasa kedua) perlu fokus pada penglibatan para peniaga dan usahawan dengan mengumpulkan golongan ini untuk memberi jaminan untuk tidak menaikkan harga barangan dan servis untuk tempoh tertentu bagi membantu rakyat mengharungi detik mencabar ini. Dalam hal ekonomi, ketiga-tiga pihak – konsumer, peniaga atau usahawan dan kerajaan perlu give-and-take untuk mengekalkan kos kehidupan pada tahap yang berpatutan dengan pendapatan rakyat. Mana-mana pihak yang terlalu pentingkan hak sendiri dan tidak menjaga hak orang lain akan menyebabkan putaran ketidakseimbangan ekonomi berlaku dan akhirnya ketiga-tiga pihak – konsumer, peniaga atau usahawan dan kerajaan rugi dan tiada siapa yang untung. Contohnya, apabila kerajaan bersikap pentingkan diri dan kroni dahulu menaikkan tarif elektrik, tol dan cukai perniagaan secara mendadak, keseimbangan ekonomi negara akan terjejas seperti yang berlaku sekarang di mana para peniaga dan usahawan akan memastikan kos ini ditanggung konsumer, konsumer pula marah pada kerajaan kerana menjadi pemangkin kepada meningkatnya kos kehidupan, dan kerajaan pula salahkan para peniaga dan usahawan menaikkan harga. Ini akan terus berputar sehingga satu keseimbangan baru tercapai, di mana jurang miskin-kaya melebar dan yang kaya terus kaya dan yang miskin merana akan terus miskin merana. Nyawa kerajaan pula bergantung pada dua elemen – iaitu kesedaran rakyat dan kehebatan bantuan seperti BR1M yang akan muncul seperti ubat penahan sakit ketika derita memuncak. Apakah Turun fasa pertama dapat menyedarkan rakyat sehingga menumpulkan senjata BR1M kerajaan, lebih-lebih lagi tanpa komitmen daripada para peniaga dan usahawan? Diharapkan Turun akan berjaya dan terus kekal sebagai pendesak mewakili rakyat terhadap golongan peniaga dan usahawan dan kerajaan BN mahupun PR. – 30 Disember, 2013. * Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

2014 is about living costs and real reforms Posted: 29 Dec 2013 03:19 PM PST December 30, 2013 Ying Hooi is attached with a local university. Her research interests cover the fields of civil society, social movements, protests, political participation, human rights and democratization. As always, the new year brings with it the desire for change. In this final article for 2013, I decided to approach several friends to know what their hopes are for 2014. In general, reducing costs of living and real reforms top their wishes. Ng Wai Kit, a senior executive working with the oil and gas industry, has listed a few wishes, which include increase in government subsidies and removal of the goods and services tax. Unsatisfied with the current government, he wants to see the dissolution of the Parliament to allow another new round of election. Similarly, Melvin Lee, a Malaysian working in Thailand, wishes that there will be no more price hike and that there will be real reforms in Malaysia political system. Several friends in Penang, one of whom is Sean Ong, seek real reforms, less politicking and a more transparent leadership for the sake of Malaysia in the near future. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his second term, has been in a tough battle to regain public confidence in his administration. It is undeniably a tough year ahead for Najib and Barisan Nasional. The old strategy does not work on Malaysians nowadays, especially after 2008 and 2013 polls, as citizens are now generally more politically aware compared to before 2008. The only way is to implement real reforms, such as by employing good governance, combating corruption, increasing administration efficiency, and most importantly, being vigilant in government spending. Nelleisa Omar also raised her concern on the economic hardship, and this is especially pressing for those who live in the cities. I quote, "Since there's a lot of subsidy being pulled out and prices of things increasing, my hope for 2014 is that employers will relook the salary scheme and the government look into ways to make sure the rakyat will be able to sustain themselves. We're all feeling the pinch... So far, I feel lucky to be a Malaysian as I am able to live peacefully, but things could happen if we don't progressively advance ourselves." What she said is true. Citizens are left with no choice but to protest the price hike through the formation of various movements, for example, the Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun). However, more often, the protestors are labelled traitors, which is a false perception. In his early 20s, Hanifamie, a local university student from Kota Belud, Sabah hopes for a more thorough developmental plan for the country, and for the government to emphasise the developmental issues in the rural areas, not merely focusing in the big cities. While Naim Muktee, a recent masters graduate, wishes to see a more comprehensive development for youth in terms of religious education, economic capability and knowledge know-how. He also touches on the financial burden that is increasingly difficult, especially for the young generation. I quote, "I wish the current government could protect and improve the peoples' economic ability to make them feel safe and protected." Facing the public pressure on economic hardship, Najib said the people should not think his government as "insensitive". Rather, the public is asked to bear with the rising costs, arguing that the move is necessary in order to maintain economic stability. Such explanation reflects the key problem of the current administration, that there is no comprehensive and careful study on the consequences of certain policies before they are introduced to the public. Historically, economic trouble is not always followed by social unrest in the country. However, in recent times, there is a shift in such a trend. Economic hardship, which includes the wide gap of income-inequality and the erosion of trust in the government of the day, is an indicator that 2014 will be even worse for the BN if they are still adamant to listen to public discontent. The phrase, "topple the government" is now a common term in Malaysia politics. If events in 2013 are any indication, we can expect to hear this phrase even more often in 2014. It has been a roller-coaster year for Malaysia. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a Happy New Year. Good luck, Malaysia! - December 30, 2013. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

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Will 2014 mark the tipping point for gratuities? Posted: 29 Dec 2013 07:16 PM PST December 30, 2013 The culture of tipping will come under increased scrutiny in 2014, says a trendspotting report. - AFP/Relaxnews pic, December 30, 2013.In 2014, look for the ongoing dialogue on North American tipping culture to reach a tipping point, as both restaurateurs and patrons consider putting the practice on the chopping block. It's one of several  predictions out of a trendspotting report from consultants at Andrew Freeman & Co., which forecasts that the restaurant industry hasn't heard the last of the subject which got big-name US chefs like Tom Colicchio and David Chang to weigh in on the divisive issue this year. As one of the big restaurant stories of 2013, the subject reached the proverbial tipping point with the publication of a frank Slate.com article that called the practice of adding 20% gratuity to restaurant bills an "abomination". "Tipping is a repugnant custom," wrote Brian Palmer, Slate's "chief explainer". "It's bad for consumers and terrible for workers. It perpetuates racism." Some restaurants have abolished the tipping practice, opting instead to compensate staff with salaries, or add a service charge to every bill, points out the Freeman report. Look out for dialogue to continue in 2014 and for the North American gratuity model to undergo scrutiny. In other restaurant trends, 2014 is set to be the "year of the brasserie" as diners "clamour" for casual sophistication and steak frites. And finally, under the header "Gilded Chopsticks", Freeman consultants predict that more and more chefs and restaurateurs will bring Asian cuisine into the fine dining world and into upscale dining rooms. One of the best examples provided is the Hakkasan franchise, a Michelin-ranked restaurant that offers high-end Chinese cuisine and is rapidly expanding around the world. In New York, Jungsik also turns Korean cuisine into haute dining. - AFP/Relaxnews, December 30, 2013.

German growers push into craft beer market with new hops Posted: 29 Dec 2013 04:05 PM PST December 30, 2013 Monika and Gisela Hansen, daughters of the brewery Meinel, pose with so-called Holladiebierfee'. - AFP/Relaxnews pic, December 30, 2013.In a microbrewery in a trendy Berlin neighbourhood, Thorsten Schoppe, one of a wave of beer-makers using new German ingredients to create non-traditional brews, pours hop pellets into a copper vat. "We only use four ingredients, and that's one of them," said Schoppe, as the faintly sour scent of beer begins to emanate from the boiling water and malt, "so they're important." German small-batch brewers like Schoppe have increasingly used so-called "flavour hops" to impart notes of orange, grapefruit or peach while still following the country's cherished 16th century purity law, which restricts other flavourings. Until recently, Schoppe had to import special hops from the US, where craft brews have an established niche in the market. This year, German growers, moving to capitalise on growing demand, harvested the country's first commercial-sized batch of newly developed flavour hop varieties. "It really amazes people what kind of special flavours you can bring to a beer even within the Reinheitsgebot," the purity law, said Schoppe, who brews a double India pale ale with a citrus aroma under his Schoppe Braeu label. "Some people don't believe you if you say this is all natural, they think you must have added some flavours," said Schoppe. Sebastian Hiersick, 35, a cook in Berlin, is a whisky drinker who generally doesn't like "normal German beer". "It's either too hoppy, too malty, or too carbonated," Hiersick said. After starting to work at a restaurant that sells German craft beers, he developed a taste for those with fruity undertones. "When it's hot out, or in the summer, they are really nice to drink. They are very drinkable, it's like juice or lemonade," Hiersick said. Colleague Magdalen Reskin, 29, who likes chocolate bock, a dark brew, agrees. "I like them because they don't taste like beer," she said. Hops, fresh or dried and processed into pellets, traditionally gave beer its bitter taste. Hop breeder Anton Lutz began developing the new German varieties in 2006, when he stopped throwing out seedlings with "fruity" aromas and started breeding them on purpose. Working out of the Hop Research Centre in Huell, a tiny village 60 kilometres north of Munich, Lutz pollinated female flowers from a popular US hop variety, called Cascade, with pollen from male plants from traditional German hops. The idea, said Lutz, was to combine citrusy North American hop flavours with traditional local hops to create a flavour that is "hoppy and fruity, not only fruity". "German beer drinkers expect beers that are not so extreme, so we needed something a little bit softer," Lutz said. The four new breeds, including one called "Mandarina Bavaria", are described as having notes of "distinct honeydew melon" and "strong tangerine and citrus". Local growers are starting cautiously: by the end of 2013, 150 hectares, less than 1% of Germany's hop fields, will be planted with the new varieties. "We don't want the whole beer-drinking culture in Germany to change," Lutz said. "We want to open up beer to new markets, not convince people to change their tastes." Germany's beer purity law, introduced in Bavaria in 1516 and adopted nationwide in 1906, dictates that only water, malt, hops and yeast, and no flavourings or preservatives, may be used to make beer. The law has contributed to a beer culture more heavily focused on tradition and quality than innovation, and the new hop varieties were initially met with scepticism. "The classic German beer drinker was almost alarmed, they said 'We don't want juice, we want beer'," said Elisabeth Seigner, head of hop breeding research at the Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture. Now, demand for the new hops exceeds supply, Seigner said. With a local version of flavour hops available, larger, more traditional breweries are beginning to try them. Meinel Brewery, in the small Bavarian town of Hof, has been family-owned since its founding in 1731. About half of the beer brewed there is still Pilsner. In 2010, however, brew-master Gisela Meinel-Hansen and three local women brewers started making two limited-edition seasonal versions of "Holladiebierfee", sold in champagne bottles. "We have a goal, we want to bring women to beer. This beer is our ambassador," Meinel-Hansen said. This winter's nut-brown chocolate porter, with flavours of coffee and red berry, uses the new "Mandarina Bavaria". Even traditional Hofbraeu, whose Munich beer hall is a tourist favourite, now brews a beer with German flavour hops. As beer consumption declines, the new varieties allow German hop growers to capitalise on brewers' experimentation. "Three, four, five years ago it was a completely different opinion from brewer to brewer," said Lutz. "Now, I think all brewers and hop growers think we need all the varieties." - AFP/Relaxnews, December 30, 2013.

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Schumacher in ‘critical’ condition Posted: 29 Dec 2013 02:49 PM PST December 30, 2013 A helicopter stands outside the CHU Nord hospital in Grenoble, French Alps, where retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is reported to be hospitalised after a ski accident, yesterday. - Reuters pic, December 30, 2013.Retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is in "critical" condition following a fall while skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel, his agent said yesterday. The 44-year-old German was taken to hospital in Grenoble and placed under the care of Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spine injury expert. "He suffered head trauma with coma that needed prompt neurosurgical treatment," Schumacher's agent said in a statement late in the evening, which a hospital official read to reporters. "He remains in a critical condition." A hospital official declined to give more details but said more information would be given out today. Schumacher is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with a record 91 race victories. He won his titles with Benetton and Ferrari. He left the sport last year after a three-year comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006. He lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children. - Reuters, December 30, 2013.

Soldado spot on as Spurs rout Stoke Posted: 29 Dec 2013 02:45 PM PST December 30, 2013 Tottenham Hotspur's Roberto Soldado (right) shoots and scores a penalty against Stoke City during their English Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London, yesterday. - Reuters pic, December 30, 2013.A Roberto Soldado penalty and fine second-half strikes from Mousa Dembele and Aaron Lennon helped Tottenham beat Stoke 3-0 and record their first Premier League home victory in more than two months yesterday. The win was also a first for Tim Sherwood in his capacity as Andre Villas-Boas's permanent successor and lifted Tottenham above Newcastle, who had lost at home to Arsenal earlier in the day, into seventh place. Villas-Boas had been fired after spending that topped the £100 million (RM541.3 million) mark resulted in a trickle of goals, but this was the second time in three matches under Sherwood that Tottenham had scored three, while it was also their first Premier League clean sheet in nine attempts. Sherwood, who favours an attacking formation featuring two strikers, made five changes to the side held 1-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, with Dembele, Kyle Naughton, Zeki Fryers, Paulinho and Aaron Lennon replacing Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Lewis Holtby, Nacer Chadli and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Stoke had to alter the side following a 5-1 thrashing at Newcastle that saw Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson sent off. In came Andy Wilkinson and ex-Spur Wilson Palacios, with Stephen Ireland displacing Charlie Adam. Fryers, making his first Premier League start, was fortunate not to be penalised when he appeared to haul Jon Walters to the ground as the Stoke man bore down on the Spurs box in the opening exchanges. Tottenham threatened when Lennon crossed for Emmanuel Adebayor, whose scuffed shot fell perfectly for Christian Eriksen, however the Dane, taken by surprise, could only poke straight at the goalkeeper. The hosts continued to attack but Soldado, given a sight of goal by Paulinho's flick, couldn't hit the target. Stoke were convinced they should have been awarded a penalty when Oussama Assaidi was sent tumbling at full pelt by Michael Dawson, yet referee Kevin Friend once again ruled the challenge as legal. Soldado, having seen an enticing cross taken off his head by Ryan Shawcross, was on the end of the next one but his glancing header dropped just wide. A breakthrough was coming and Adebayor made it happen by chesting down Soldado's pass and launching an acrobatic shot that was blocked by Shawcross's raised arm. Soldado made no mistake from the resulting penalty in the 37th minute. Paulinho began the second period by firing a good chance over before Adam, on for Ireland, was only just wide with a free-kick from distance at the other end. Then a move began by Dembele saw Lennon set up Soldado, only for the Spain striker to scuff his shot straight at Sorensen, who also did well to save a low drive from Eriksen. Stoke were finding possession hard to come by, let alone chances, and were sunk by Tottenham's second in the 65th minute, a low shot from the edge of the box by Dembele following a series of defender-fooling twists and turns. Lennon's first goal since March arrived four minutes later, a well-struck, angled drive into the top corner from the right of the box when Erik Pieters, his marker, appeared to be expecting a cross. Substitute Erik Lamela was denied a fourth by Sorensen as Spurs tried to finish with a flourish. - AFP, December 30, 2013.

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More dads pitching in with child care, says US survey Posted: 28 Dec 2013 05:19 PM PST December 29, 2013 A new US survey finds that fathers are spending more time with their children. - AFP pic, December 29, 2013.More US fathers are rolling up their sleeves to change diapers and read bedtime stories to their children, a government survey finds. Released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the survey involved more than 10,000 American men, with results finding that more men are getting involved in domestic life and child care, from math tutoring to bath time. Findings showed that fathers with children younger than five helped bathe, diaper, and dress their kids several times a week. More than 90% of dads ate meals with their kids a few times a week, and 66% tucked them into bed with a book several times a week. Practically all fathers who lived with their children under five played with them. Among them, 81% played with them daily, and 18% played with them several times a week. Plus dads give themselves a pat on the back: almost 90% said that they thought they were doing at least a good job of parenting. And this is positive news for both moms and kids, since prior research has found the men who are involved in their children's lives and daily care have happier, more satisfying marriages while also strengthening bonds with their kids. - AFP Relaxnews, December 29, 2013.

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