Archive for June, 2008
Not What It Seems
SINGAPORE : Taken at face value, “Deception” is a lame-o raunchy psychological thriller with predictable plot twists aplenty (the poster’s tacky tagline “Are you free tonight?” kind of gives that away, doesn’t it?). But viewed more carefully … it’s still lame.
Ewan McGregor plays boring accountant Jonathan McQuarry, who lives a drab life and has a crush on a comely stranger (Michelle Williams, left). Against his better judgement, McQuarry gets seduced by the decadent world of the privileged when suave lawyer Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman) shows up with friendship, US$4,000-bespoke suits and an exclusive sex club membership to offer.
The lonely geek suddenly finds himself having all the sex he can get with women way out of his league and he thinks he’s struck gold. Of course, he’s really a doomed pawn in a malicious ruse - which is to be expected seeing as the movie’s called “Deception”.
Without spoiling the predictable “surprise” twist, let’s just say that nobody in the film is what they seem and there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
If you care, there is a story about desperately lonely souls who find “intimacy without intricacies” in casual sex buried under a mountain of clich s. If you don’t, there’s a delicious cast and a three-second shot of Maggie Q’s derriere to ogle. -
Channel News Asia
Expert Says Sub-Fertility On The Rise, Due To Stress And Other Factors
SINGAPORE: Doctors said more couples are turning up for help when they want to have babies. A fertility expert said that the problem is not infertility but sub-fertility, which is due to the poorer quality of eggs and sperm.
One reason is because more women are postponing having children and science has shown that women’s eggs deteriorate with age, especially for those over 35.
While operations and procedures may help couples, the fertility expert feels there are other factors which need to be addressed such as a decline in sperm quality.
Dr Suresh Nair, Consultant, Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre, said: “We suspect strongly that it has got to do with amount of estrogen that are permeating into the water supply and the use of contraception. And a lot of estrogen gets into our water supply.
He said that estrogen is present in drinking water and processed foods.
Studies have shown that estrogen gets into water systems like the Thames in London through urine which carries traces of estrogen.
Also, poor lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking and stress contribute to lowering egg and sperm quality as do the use of lubricants.
He said that couples, over 35, should seek professional help, if they cannot conceive after six months.
The current total fertility rate stands at 1.08, well below the 2.1 replacement level. - CNA/vm
Channel News Asia
British Judge Orders Arrest Of Sultan Of Brunei’s Brother
LONDON : A British judge on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for the playboy brother of the Sultan of Brunei after he failed to turn up at a court in London.
Prince Jefri Bolkiah, 53, is embroiled in a feud with his brother over allegations that billions of pounds went missing during the prince’s time as finance minister.
Jefri was ordered to attend a hearing on Wednesday at the High Court to defend allegations that he was in contempt of court for breaching the terms of a court order requiring him to hand over three billion pounds (3.8 billion euros, 5.9 billion dollars) in cash and assets to the Brunei Investment Agency.
His lawyer, James Lewis, told judge Peter Smith that his client was in France or Monaco and had declined to attend the hearing, leading Smith to declare the prince in contempt of court.
He issued an arrest warrant which applies to any country in the European Union, and warned that the prince had damaged his chances of being granted bail once he had been detained.
“If he is arrested it will take an advocate of great skill to persuade me that he should have bail,” Smith said.
The court case hinges on claims that he embezzled eight billion pounds from public funds while finance minister.
Jefri claims he has already complied with a court order in 2000 but the Brunei Investment Agency claims he permitted money to taken out of bank accounts which were supposed to be frozen and that he had failed to disclose other assets.
The prince’s principal residence is St John’s Lodge in London’s Regent’s Park, one of the most luxurious properties in Britain. His lavish lifestyle has earned him the nickname the Playboy Prince.
His brother last year celebrated 40 years on the throne. Western diplomats say he is a hard-working ruler in touch with the people. - AFP/de
Channel News Asia