My Longkang

Global stock markets are expected to be in a state of uncertainty today as global markets reacted to the sharp losses in China. The US Dow Jones index slumped by 416.02 or 3.29%. At one point it was more than 500 points and London’s FTSE 100 index also posted losses of 2.3%. The Nasdaq index closed down 3.86% at 2,407.87, while the S&P 500 index closed down 3.47% at 1,399.04.

The sell-off in Shanghai was due to fears the government may impose new rules to limit demand for stocks. Foreign companies which are particularly exposed to China have been badly affected

European markets suffered as well as Asian markets including Hong Kong and Japan.

“The sell-off in China continues to have a profound effect on stocks across the board, since the largest unwinding in the Shanghai Composite Index since 1997 leaves investors questioning the sustainability of stock gains everywhere,” said analysts at Briefing.com.

It remains to be seen if this panic selling will spread and continue today or be stemmed by more positive developments especially in Asian markets.

To read more, BBC here

Thestar.com/marketwatch
KL Mart eases on selling pressure
China shares fall nearly 9% and effects may ripple through Asia
Regional sell off
Asian markets tumble
The Edge
Asia round up
SGX Sharp correction hits prices
Heavy losses in volatile trade- HK
Europe round up- stocks slide
Slump hits second day

I came across this article in the BBC . It is potentially a very important article. It details a group’s belief that a a tomb found near Jerusalem approximately 2000 years old could have belonged to Jesus’s family and that he had a son named Judah.

This is potentially very sensitive stuff. I refuse to be drawn into the debate and I will not comment further but my role here is just to share the link with you. The debate in the international arena is already warming up. What is your opinion on this issue? Religious considerations aside, this will the hottest historical relic since umpteen years ago.

To read more, BBC here

I find it incredible that a study by University Kebangsaan Malaysia ( UKM ) has revealed that most high risk girls in an ‘unnamed’ state had experienced sex before. From the 3 month study , UKM’s Children and Youth Psychology specialist Dr Khaidzir Ismail, found that 886 from 887 case studies had experienced it and the study encompassed 20 students with disciplinary problems from particular schools with ages ranging from Form One to Form Five.

Now that the issue is out in the open, we need not to shove it under the carpet but instead to examine ourselves where have we gone wrong that these young girls have deviated from the norms acceptable to our Malaysian society. Read more »

A lot of my friends have been very excited lately with the current developments in the local KLSE. The KLSE is enjoying an unprecedented bull run with volumes above RM3 000 000 000 repeatedly. The composite index has also stayed above 1200 level comfortably and some quarters I wouldn’t expect to invest are rushing to open investment accounts and CDS accounts.

My fundamental principle in investment is to buy when every one is moaning and sell when everyone is clapping. It is impossible to reach the highest level to sell because the market is a volatile place. Sell when you earn and don’t look back. Statistically the build-up began in June 2006 and investors should see an average return of 25% of their investments since then. It closed at 1283.47 on February 23. Read more »

Bengbeng: How are you? I waited for you during the Chinese New Year to visit my home.

40-year-old mother of three : I have been so sadlah. Terlalu sedih ( too sad ) Bengbeng. My nephew he is in Form 5 this year. Every year around CNY is rice harvesting time. On the 4th day of the CNY, my mother, his nenek ( grandma ) was sick and needed to be sent to the hospital. MY nephew was staying with her to help her with the harvest. He wanted to send her but she mati-mati tidak mahu ( refused ) saying she prefers to die at home rather than to die alone in hospital. Read more »

A man was promised he would earn a whole lot of money if he believed and he did believe in the man. He brought RM28000 to a hotel room where certain rituals by a Master Guru were carried out. The money was wrapped in black cloth. After that they all entered the toilet to let the spirits do their business. They were told not to do anything even if they heard any suspicious sounds. Read more »

This morning the lions were in ‘exercise mode’ waiting to take part in a ‘ walk for sight’ charity walkathon. Spirits were high as they all came in sports attire some dressed even to climb Mount Kinabalu

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I had some bloggers with me this morning so I decided to prepare some prawn crackers or keropok. I was amazed they found my cooking style so different. Apparently in KL, they fried it in lots of hot oil in a wok until it expands. They were astounded when I did it my way. I didn’t need to dry it under the sun for a few days as they say they did.

This is a packet of prawn-crackers.

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The normally quiet folk of Sibu who normally have few places to go at night have been going in droves to the fun-fair at the site of the old airport. Entrance is a cool RM2.00 per entry which isn’t really expensive but yours truly did hear some griping about it

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It is every mother’s nightmare. A two-year-old boy fell through the railings along the corridor of their 3rd floor flat in Jalan Selirik, Kapit and fell to the hard ground at 1030 yesterday. The 35-year-old-mother of nine was attending to her youngest child when it happened. The frantic mother Sulau Enchau from Long Singut rushed to the roadside frantically trying to stop passing vehicles but was largely ignored until a Mr. Alau turned up.

The latest I heard from an unconfirmed source is that the child is in serious condition but stable.

Sometimes families from upriver who migrate to the towns to earn a living are new to the urban setting and unaware of the potential dangers for themselves or their families.

To read more, the Borneo Post