Tsunami Hits Samoa Islands

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.0, struck around dawn on Tuesday, as many residents were preparing for work and getting their children ready for school. Over the next 12 hours, 15 smaller quakes rumbled through the Samoan islands region, and 14 more were recorded near Tonga, to the south, according to the United States Geological Survey.Victims of the tsunami that swept across the South Pacific had only minutes to escape the deadly waves and in some cases didn't receive alerts of danger, despite years of work to upgrade early-warning systems across the region.

At least 99 people were killed and dozens left missing by the tsunami, which inundated tourist resorts and local villages after a massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Samoa early Tuesday morning local time. Disaster authorities warned the death toll could rise significantly over the next few days as the full scale of the disaster – much of which occurred in remote areas – is assessed.

Fears of further waves generally abated late in the day as relief workers set about treating victims and recovering bodies that were washing up along the shores. Although small waves were measured as far away as Japan, that country withdrew its tsunami warnings by afternoon and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, which monitors possible tsunami threats in the region and issued its own temporary warnings earlier, didn't raise fresh alerts.

Google starts user testing of Wave

GOOGLE IS TO BEGIN invitation-only trials of its Wave collaboration tool, which has been available as a closed developer test since its introduction in May.

The online collaboration service aims to allow users to share text and media files in a single online space. When the service was first previewed, Google said that Wave was designed to create a new medium for online communication.

Among the first to use the service will be selected developers, Google Apps customers and members of the public who volunteered to take part in the trial. The company noted that, while the service is in a closed trial, users will be asked to recommend others for the service.

"We will ask some of these early users to nominate people they know to receive early invitations. Google Wave is a lot more useful if your friends, family and colleagues have it too," wrote Google engineering manager Lars Rasmussen and group product manager Stephanie Hannon in a blog post.

"If all goes well we will soon be inviting many more to try out Google Wave. "

Developers were said to have approached the creation of Wave as a way to rethink and update current communication methods, such as instant messaging and email.

Guys i’ve registered!! so why wait no more..sign in and enjoy the Big change..

Toyota, Lexus Recall: 3.8 Million Vehicles Recalled Over Floor Mats

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company's largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash.

The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid.

Toyota said it was still working with officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find a remedy to fix the problem and said owners could be notified about the recall as early as next week. Toyota spokesman Irv Miller said until the company finds a fix, owners should take out the removable floor mat on the driver's side and not replace it.

"A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death," Miller said.

It was unclear how many led to crashes but the inquiry was prompted by a highspeed crash in August in California of a Lexus barreling out of control. As the vehicle hit speeds exceeding 120 mph, family members made a frantic 911 call and said the accelerator was stuck and they couldn't stop the vehicle.

Here is the complete list of cars involved, so you can know whether you are affected:

"The recall will affect
2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry,
2005-2010 Toyota Avalon,
2004-2009 Toyota Prius,
2005-2010 Tacoma,
2007-2010Toyota Tundra,
2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and
2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350."

Dropping Kaka Or Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Risk

- Real Madrid Coach Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that leaving either Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka on the bench for any match is a risk as he prepares his team for the clash againstOlympique Marseille on Wednesday evening at the Bernabeu.
The Real Madrid coach chose to name Kaka as a substitute against Tenerife at the weekend and then take the Portuguese star off early.

That decision worked for Kaka as he went on and changed the match, but Ronaldo appeared to be upset by the decision to take him off with just over ten minutes to go.

"I know I will be taking a risk if I leave Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka on the bench, but their talent doesn't detract from all the other players," Pellegrini told a press conference.

"There will come a time when we have to sit them. Not everyone may agree, but the players know it and understand. Every player is responding to what I ask for.

"Rotations aren't a fairness problem. They are done based on performance, minutes played, the opponent. We also decided based on the two and a half hours of training each day.

The new Alienware M15x & M17x Laptops

To Rich Malaysian U can order this Mean Machine via DELL

channel site…order online la…click above picture for the desired version!!

The M15x price start as low as RM 5,999

while

The M17x price start as low as RM 7,299

The price are changed according to ur selected Hardware's configurations…so choose wisely…

The World Population!!

Its Officially declared that the World has A Whopping population of around 6.787 Billion as of 29 September 2009, which is is estimated by the United States Census Bureau.

The world population has been growing continuously since the end of the Black Death around 1400.There were also short term falls at other times due to plague, for example in the mid 17th century.

According to population projections, world population will continue to grow until around 2050. The 2008 rate of growth has almost halved since its peak of 2.2% per year, which was reached in 1963. World births have levelled off at about 134 million per year, since their peak at 163-million in the late 1990s, and are expected to remain constant. However, deaths are only around 57 million per year, and are expected to increase to 90 million by the year 2050. Because births outnumber deaths, the world's population is expected to reach about 9 billion by the year 2040.

 
Which Topped by the Mighty China…the list as below..

163 NEW SPECIES FOUND IN MEKONG, IN 2008

Wow…there is still magic while other extinct!

A leopard-like gecko and a fanged frog are among 163 new species discovered last year in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong region, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced Friday. But in its report, "Close Encounters," the environmental group also said that the species are at risk of extinction because of climate change. One of the new species, a tiger-striped pitviper (Cryptelytrops honsonensis), is shown here. They are endemic to Hon Son Island in Rach Gia Bay in the Kien Giang Province of southern Vietnam.

This photo shows one of the more unusual new species discovered in Mekong in 2008: the Khorat big-mouthed frog. The frog (Limnonectes megastomias) has only been found in three isolated and remote locations in a protected area in Thailand. It's fangs protrude from its bottom jawbone and it is known as an opportunistic eater, waiting for prey in streams. It also eats other frogs and insects.

It's easy to see how this lizard got its name. With its cat-like eyes and marbled pattern, it certainly looks like the leopard for which it was named. The Cat Ba leopard gecko (Goniurosaurus catbaensis) is found only in Cat Ba Island National Park in northern Vietnam. Scientists believe the species should be classified as a rare and endangered species.

 


This is another view of the Khorat big-mouthed fanged frog. Scientists believe the frog uses the fangs in combat with other males, as well as to catch prey.

WWF says this wild banana (Musa rubinea) is only known to occur in the Nujiang, Cangyan County in the western Chinese province of Yunnan on the border with Myanmar. Because of its beauty, it is used as an ornamental species in horticulture.

The WWF calls this new species "the reluctant flyer." The Nonggang babbler (Stachyris nonggangensis) was observed walking longer distances than flying. It appeared to use its wings when frightened. It was discovered in the karst rainforest of the Nonggang Natural Reserve, in southern China near the Vietnamese border.

This brightly-colored fish, Odessa barb (Puntius padamya), was located in the wild for the first time in Myanmar in 2008. It first appeared in the aquarium trade in Odessa, Ukraine, for which it was named. The species is named after the Burmese word for ruby (padamya) in reference to the bright red color of males.

 

 

This rough-coated tree frog (Philautus quyeti) was discovered in Vietnam's Truong Son mountain range.

 

 

 

 

This is another view of the wild banana (Musa rubinea) from the western Chinese province of Yunnan.

New MacBooks only weeks away

While we've been hearing about a possible fall update to the iMac line, including Blu-ray options, for a couple of weeks now, the online rumor mill has now consigned itself to expecting new MacBook laptops as well. And not just any laptops, but the mythical, long-awaited, low-cost MacBooks that true believers hope will usher in a new age of Apple-based computing for those who find laptops over $1,000 to be out of reach.

AppleInsider says: "The new models, which appear as if they could make their debut alongside a family of more versatile iMacs in the coming weeks, are expected to arrive as the most affordable notebook offerings in the Macmaker's history." The site adds, "One person familiar with pre-production units indicated to AppleInsider several weeks ago that models awaiting certification were seen in white polycarbonate shells, consistent with the sole $999 model currently available."

Other references around the Web make similar claims, saying a less-expensive version of the polycarbonate MacBook would pave the way for a low-cost touchscreen Apple tablet early next year - but each of these reports ultimately leads back to the original rumor posted by AppleInsider.

Acer A1 Mobile Phone

The Acer A1 smartphone is now available for preorder on retailer Expansys in Europe. The device will sell for € 389.99. Expansys will give discounts on the device is five or more handsets are ordered. An exact ship date for the smartphone is unknown.

The Acer A1 has a Qualcomm 8250 768MHz CPU, runs Android 2.0 donut, and has 256MB of RAM. Other features include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, GPs, Bluetooth, and a 5MP camera.

The battery inside the handset is a 1350mAh unit and the device has up to 300 minutes of talk time with up to 400 hours on standby. The A1 operates on GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz.

Death Toll Hits 100

..in Philippine Flooding,

The death toll from a storm that ravaged the Philippines
over the weekend reached at least 100 on Monday, with many more deaths expected and thousands of Filipinos still trapped in their homes by floodwaters.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council raised the death toll from 86 on Monday afternoon, but officials of the provinces of Batangas and Rizal said there were at least 100 other fatalities. In Rizal Province alone, officials said, 82 residents had died.

The sun shone Monday morning and many Filipinos were happy that their lives were slowly inching back to normal as the floodwaters caused by tropical storm Ketsana began to recede in some areas.

But in Pasig City, one of the hardest-hit Manila suburbs where the heavily silted and polluted Pasig River flows, the floodwater in many communities hardly decreased.

Backstreet Boys back, with new Album

OMG…Backstreet Boys are gettin better with this album eh…Compare to any artist they getting better when their older haha. Well This is it for them..

With the release of their new single "Straight Through My Heart" and the excitement that coursed through the fans when it all happened, it seems that, at least to me, there is some excitement for the new Backstreet Boys album, This is Us, which is due out on October 6.

Song listing from the new album “This is Us”:

  1. Straight Through My Heart (Main Version)

  2. Bigger

  3. Bye Bye Love

  4. All Of Your Life (You Need Love)

  5. If I Knew Then

  6. This Is Us

  7. PDA

  8. Masquerade

  9. She's A Dream

10. Shattered

11. Undone

Get Ur Ticket here for “Michael Jackson's This Is It” in Theaters Oct 28

click here for more info

courtesy from Sony Pictures..

The Way to Comment Your Lecturer!!

 

Guys this video was damn funny la…Its show tat Top student also have their crazy ways of thinking…haha

My Pick: Car of the month, Sept

Introducing, Honda Odyssey 2009…

This car, i’ve explored throughly…all i can say its amazing..

I get to know this car when i had my holiday in Penang last week for Raya break…My cousin’s wife family bought it just few months back, where i enjoyed my destinations and ride all the way in Penang with this awesome car from Honda

 
 
Internally the decor is quite stylish, and as you’d expect, there’s a raft of versatile storage.

Fit and finish is excellent throughout and although the combination of curves, lines, textures and shapes may seem a little dramatic in pictures, after just one sit inside it all makes sense with the practicality of the cabin’s layout quite simply ideal.

Visibility is excellent, and with the “A” pillars thickness reduced by 30 per cent from the previous model, an unhindered vantage through the wide windscreen gives a clear and panoramic view of the road ahead.

The same can’t quite be said for the dashboard however with the positioning of the stereo a little distant from comfortable reach, the glovebox rather small in size and the pale wood-grain accents a little too loud.

Blue and White self-illuminating instrumentation is futuristic but relatively concise, clear and intuitive of function. The white LCD centre display contains odometer, trip meter and trip computer functionality.

Road noise levels have also been greatly improved with wind noise now almost non-existent. A very small amount of road noise is however evident in the upper spec Luxury model on coarse chip roads due to the lower profile tyres.

The cabin also benefits from the “V” design theme with the seating being configured so that each of the seven occupants has a forward-facing view.

This has been achieved by moving the position of the two outer centre-row seats inboard by 25mm and positioning the third-row occupants directly next to one another between the rear wheel arches.

Comfort in the second row has also been improved by increasing head room by 20mm and by repositioning the belt anchor points in to the pillar.

The centre seat now also gains a three-point seat belt to offer Odyssey three-point belts in all seven seating positions.

Third row seating has also been enhanced with more footroom (+40mm) and legroom (+30mm) than before.

Easier entry/egress has also been made possible with the “C” pillar’s thickness reduced by 40mm to now allow a total of 320mm available thoroughfare area.

Additionally, all five rear seats now also feature child seat anchor points.

Up back, thanks to more compact rear suspension and an innovative under-floor structure, the Odyssey offers buyers a low, flat floor that makes loading and unloading of cargo even easier.

A thinner tailgate allows more depth in the cargo compartment meaning the new Odyssey can carry more cargo than ever before, and with a larger aperture, especially in the lower portion, bulky items can be loaded without the need for carpark Tetris.

The 50:50 split third row seat, powered in Luxury model, folds flat in to the floor to increase cargo capacity from 259 to 708-litres, a 15 and 36-litre gain over the previous model respectively.

 

Featuring the same 2.4-litre, DOHC, i-VTEC four-cylinder engine as the third-generation Odyssey, this new model boasts 12 per cent (or 14KW) more power to now produce 132kW at 6500rpm.

This improvement has come thanks to several revisions to the engine which include i-VTEC now being complimented by VTC (variable valve timing control), to ensure optimal response to engine load, a higher compression ratio, reconfigured coolant routing and piston oil jets to provide not only more power, but greater efficiency at the same time.

The exhaust manifold and exhaust gas collection area inside the cylinder head have been combined into a single unit, with a high-thermal resistance catalytic converter positioned directly underneath.

Fuel economy is claimed at 8.9-litres per 100km (ADR combined) and if today’s drive is anything to go by, getting near to this figure shouldn’t prove to hard an ask.

Torque output remains the same at 218Nm at 4500rpm, though with a flatter torque curve, the resulting drive is more versatile and linear than before.

The engine is tuned to run on 91RON unleaded and is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold.  The sequential shift seen on the previous generation Odyssey has now been deleted.

Honda tells us that nearly every component of this transmission has been redesigned – and it shows. Shifts are exceptionally smooth, and with the addition of G-shift control, the transmission now knows when the vehicle is being driven on winding roads and reduces any unnecessary gear shifts accordingly.

Acceleration however isn’t what I’d call brisk, and though it is sufficient for the vehicle’s intended purpose, the additional 5kg and 25kg of the Base and Luxury models respectively is a little evident.

Unfortunately we will have to be content with the four-cylinder’s output with Honda confirming there will be no V6 or diesel option made available.

Rack and pinion type Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (MAE) is now standard across the range, as is a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column (previously tilt only).

The steering is well weighted but does lack somewhat in the feel department. Nonetheless the car points well and is very manoeuvrable at car park speeds with an improved turning circle making parking a cinch.

On the safety front, the 2009 Odyssey now features six airbags as standard across the range and, for the first time, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA – also known as ESP) on both the Base and Luxury model as standard.

Braking features ABS with EBA and EBD on 320mm front and 305mm rear solid discs. It is also equipped with a learning function that automatically adjusts the assist operation threshold in accordance with the driver’s braking habits.

Pricing starts at $43,990 / Rm 236,785 for the Base model and $49,990 / Rm 276,895  for the Luxury model with both models now available.

Specifications:

• Engine: 2354cc DOHC four cylinder (16 valve)
• Power: 132kW @ 6500rpm
• Torque: 218Nm @ 4500rpm
• Induction: Multi-Point
• Transmission: Five Speed Automatic
• Driven Wheels: Front
• Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
• CO2 Emissions: 212g/km
• Fuel Consumption (Urban): 12.1 litres/100km
• Fuel Consumption (Highway): 7.1 litres/100km
• Fuel Consumption (Combined): 8.9 litres/100km
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
• Fuel Type: 91 RON Unleaded
• ANCAP Rating: TBC
• Airbags: Front, Side & Curtain
• Safety: ESP with Traction Control
• Spare Wheel: Space Saver
• Suspension: Independent Double Wishbone (F&R)
• Cargo Capacity: 259 litres (seats up) / 708 litres (seats down)
• Tow Capacity: 1000kg (Braked)
• Turning Circle: 5.8 metres (at body)
• Warranty: 3 year / 100,000km
• Weight: 1645kg (Base) / 1700kg (Luxury)
• Wheels (Alloy): 16-inch (Base) / 17-inch (Luxury)

Wald, Amazing Custom Cars

Frankfurt Auto Show 09: The Most Outrageous Cars

Every two years, the Frankfurt Motor Show brings out the best from each manufacturer — particularly the European contingent. And while there are inevitably a few concepts stretching a bit into the wild side each time around, this year took the cake. From the quest for limitless horsepower to the golden goose of incredible fuel economy, carmakers from around the globe are pushing the boundaries of transportation. Want an all-electric R8? Audi can help you out. How about a Mazda sculpted in the grand style of European pint-sized speedsters? No problem. While you're about as likely to see some of the wildest concepts show up on dealer lots as Ford is to start cranking out flying cars, some of these outrageous designs will soon be rolling into showrooms around the globe.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

If you think this is one bizarre-looking car, remember what your mom told you about beauty being more than skin deep. Push past the underbody lighting and strange lines and you'll find the most appetizing recipe for a green machine we've seen so far. BMW says the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept can kick to 60 mph in around 4.8 seconds, courtesy of a turbodiesel plug-in hybrid drivetrain. All the high-tech, fuel-saving goodies provide this concept with a fuel-economy rating of around 62.6 mpg. Part of both the performance and green rating come courtesy of two electric motors: a 33 horsepower unit mounted between the engine and transmission and an 80 horsepower motor positioned at the front axles.

Audi e-Tron Concept

BMW isn't the only company at Frankfurt looking to prove that green doesn't have to equal boring. Audi pulled the sheet off the e-Tron Concept — a fully electric car based on the mighty R8. The company also wasted no time in showing off a new V10 version of the car with 100 extra horsepower, but the e-Tron uses four electric motors to provide its power. You'd better sit down for the stats on this concept. Audi says the four motors put out a combined 313 horsepower and a jaw-dropping 3,319 lb-ft of torque. We kid you not — 3,319 lb-ft.

Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Ferrari made some big waves in Germany with its new 458 Italia, but corporate cousin Fiat tried to make a Prancing Horse-sized splash of its own. As you may have guessed, Fiat's Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari has fewer ponies under the hood than the Italian-made supercars it hopes to celebrate. The little 500 is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a surprising 180 horsepower, and makes use of an automated manual transmission. Fiat has also thrown in more aggressive body kit and dipped the whole package in Scuderia Red to get most of us as close as we'll ever be to the Ferrari experience.

Peugeot BB1 Concept

If you got a giggle out of Fiat's Ferrari tribute, French automaker Peugeot's BB1 Concept should be a sidesplitter. The company is dead serious when it says the BB1 is the result of a twisted tryst between scooter and car. Supposedly, the concept can seat four people in the same footprint as the smart fortwo. Tiny electric motors at each wheel crank out a minuscule 20 horsepower combined, and batteries are recharged in part by a solar-panel roof. Top speed? Range? Peugeot's not saying, but we can expect figures in the glorified golf-cart zone. Don't expect to see the BB1 taking up spots at your local Starbucks any time soon.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz has been responsible for some beautiful cars in its long history, but the 1950s 300SL coupe takes the cake as one of the most iconic. The company has resurrected the car's gull-wing design with its new SLS AMG supercar. Aside from a unique entry point, the car gets its power from a mighty 6.2-liter V8 engine with 571 horsepower. The eco-minded needn't worry, though. Mercedes says it's already hard at work on an electric version of the car. Given the astronomical torque figures from the Audi e-Tron, we wouldn't be too surprised if the electron-powered SLS turns out to be quicker than the gasoline car.

MINI Coupe Concept

The MINI name celebrated its 50th anniversary recently, and parent company BMW celebrated with two hot new concepts, one of which is a coupe. Whereas MINI has traditionally stuck to what works with its 5-passenger hatch, the new chopped concept allows room for only two. Fewer seats mean fewer pounds in a car that weighs next to nothing already, and BMW says a sharpened suspension and potent 4-cylinder engine make the Coupe Concept quicker than anything that MINI is currently producing. Will we ever see the new MINI on the street? Judging by the concept's overwhelmingly positive reception, we wouldn't be surprised.

Weismann MF5 Roadster

Haven't heard of Weismann? The company is a tiny German manufacturer specializing in pricey sports cars, and the new MF5 roadster is one of the most powerful versions to date. According to the company, a tuned version of BMW's M5-sourced V10 engine puts 507 horsepower to the rear wheels. Thanks to a lightweight design and some special gearing, the car can manage a zero to 60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 192 mph.Of course, a production run of just 55 examples will ensure that only those who can afford the $250,000 price tag will have heard of the company in 10 years.

Tesla Model S Sedan

Tesla secured a sizable loan from the U.S. government to produce its Model S electric sedan, and the company celebrated by unveiling the car in Frankfurt. Harkened as the "people's Tesla," the car should cost around $50,000 after tax incentives and do the zero to 60 mph dash in around 5.5 seconds, the company says. You can opt for one of three battery packs, each with a different range and price tag. How long will it take to top off the cells? That depends on what kind of outlet you use, but the company says juice from an external direct-current supply will put the Model S at 100 percent in 45 minutes.

Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

Mazda is credited with single-handedly returning the roadster to its inexpensive, lightweight roots with the Miata. The world's favorite drop-top just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the Japanese automaker decided to mark the occasion with an exercise in extremes: the MX-5 Superlight Concept. Penned in the same vein as the elegant and simple European speedsters of old, the Superlight sacrifices superfluous hardware like the windshield and retractable top to the gods of speed. An elongated aluminum hood throws in a dash of class, and a host of go-fast goodies accompanies otherwise stock powerplant hardware. Chances of seeing this thing in production are next to nil, but that doesn't stop it from being one of our favorites of the Frankfurt show.

Brabus E V12

Leave it to Brabus, the tuner of all things Mercedes-Benz, to flip the green movement the bird in the grandest style possible. The company has managed to wring a full 788 horsepower from the S65 AMG's 6.3-liter V12 engine. Even more impressive is the lofty 1,047 lb-ft of torque — a figure so large the company limits the actual output to 811 lb-ft to keep the transmission from exploding on acceleration. All of that visceral grunt gets the E V12 to a top speed of 211 mph and helps it click off to 60 mph in four seconds flat. If you have to ask what kind of fuel economy this thing gets, you're at the wrong booth. Oh — the price? $726,980.