Hamida Djandoubi, the last person to be executed by guillotine in France, 10 September 1977

Hamida Djandoubi was the last person to be guillotined in France, at Baumettes Prison in Marseille. He died, headless on 10 September 1977.



The fearsome Guillotine machine!!!





The guillotine is a device used for carrying out executions by decapitation, consists of a tall upright frame from which an angled blade is suspended. This blade is raised with a rope, and the condemned's neck is positioned beneath it. The blade then falls rapidly, severing the head from the body. Death is instant.

Hamida Djandoubi, was a Tunisian immigrant who had been convicted of the torture and murder of 21-year-old Elisabeth Bousquet, his former girlfriend, in Marseille. Marcel Chevalier served as chief executioner.

Born in Tunisia around 1949, in 1968 Djandoubi started living in Marseille and working in a grocery store. He went on to work as a landscaper but had a workplace accident in 1971 that resulted in the loss of two-thirds of his right leg.

In 1973, a 21-year-old woman named Elisabeth Bousquet, whom Djandoubi had met in the hospital while recovering from his amputation, filed a complaint against him, stating that he had tried to force her into prostitution.

After his arrest and eventual release from custody during the spring of 1973, Djandoubi drew two other young girls into his confidence and then forced them to "work" for him.

Djandoubi deserved to be executed that way because in July 1974, he kidnapped Bousquet and took her into his home and in full view of the terrified girls, he beat the woman before stubbing a lit cigarette all over her breasts and genital area.

Djandoubi took her by car to the outskirts of Marseille and strangled her there.

On his return Djandoubi warned the two girls to say nothing of what they had seen. Bousquet's body was discovered in a shed by a boy on 7 July 1974.

One month later, Djandoubi kidnapped another girl who managed to escape and report him to police.

After a lengthy pre-trial process, Djandoubi eventually appeared in court in Aix-en-Provence on charges of torture-murder, rape and premeditated violence on 24 February 1977. His main defence revolved around the supposed effects of the amputation of his leg six years earlier which his lawyer claimed had driven him to a paroxysm of alcohol abuse and violence, turning him into a different man.

On 25 February 1977, he was condemned to death and at 4:40 a.m., 10th September 1977 he was executed by guillotining. He died as a headless man!!!!!

Other hardcore criminals executed by the guillotine in France were two child murderers Christian Ranucci (guillotined on 28 July 1976) and Jérôme Carrein (guillotined on 23 June 1977).

That is the story of Hamida Djandoubi, the last person executed via the fearsome guillotine in France.

Guillotine executions was abolished in France in 1981 following the election of François Mitterrand.

Dato Shake, permata Malaysia di Paris, Perancis

Dato Shake dulu




Dato Shake sekarang bersama anak bujangnya, Amaro hasil perkongsian hidup dengan Datin Milena.






Lagu bahasa Perancis ini Rien N'est Plus Beau que L'amour amat popular di Perancis, sekaligus melonjakkan Dato Shake antara penyanyi paling hebat di Perancis.


Ini juga lagu popular Dato Shake, Tu Sais Je T'Aime

Siapa tidak kenal Dato Shake, kelunakan suaranya dengan lagu mendayu dayu pada awal 80an seperti Umi, Pulanglah, Anugerah dari Kegagalan dan Kau Bungaku serta banyak lagi.

Saya berpeluang menemui Dato Shake atau nama sebenarnya Datuk Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Bakhbereh, di Hotel Legend pada 12 Disember 2011 ketika beliau baru saja tiba dari Paris menerusi penerbangan terus 12 jam ke Kuala Lumpur.

Dato Shake berada di Malaysia atas jemputan CEO Erama Records Datuk Afendi Hamdan yang juga pernah menjadi penyanyi kumpulan tersohor Sabah, D'Atomic Power.

Saya berkesempatan berbual dengan Dato Shake dan dia berkata dia sudah banyak merakamkan album dalam bahasa Perancis. Dia amat fasih berbahasa Perancis, namun tidak lupakan bahasa ibunda, bahasa Malaysia dan susur galurnya di Johor.

Kini, Dato Shake berusia 61 tahun namun tampak masih handsome, kacak dan bergaya.

Dato Shake turut membawa bersama seorang rakannya, anak muda yang juga bekerja di Perancis.

Menurut anak muda itu yang namanya saya sudah lupa, Dato Shake sendiri yang mengazankan bayinya ketika lahir. Wahh... sungguh syahdu.

Menerusi perbualan ringkas saya bersama Dato Shake, menurutnya, dia berhijrah ke Eropah untuk mengembangkan karier seninya pada 1973, destinasi pertamanya ke London sebelum ke Paris, Perancis pada 1976.

Dia menempuh pelbagai onak, ranjau dan rintangan sebelum bergelar penyanyi berjaya dan amat dikenali di Perancis sebagai anak Asia yang menjadi penyanyi popular.

Kini dia ada 2 anak kembar hasil perkongsian hidup dengan seorang wanita Perancis. 2 anak kembarnya itu adalah pembuat filem dibawah naungan syarikat sendiri Hypervandals.

Perancis menganguherahkan Dato Shake dengan medal Chevalier des Art & Letre kerana menghargai sumbangan beliau dalam mempromosi bahasa dan kebudayaan Perancis di Asia.

Sehingga kini, Dato Shake sudah merakamkan puluhan lagu dalam bahasa Perancis dan mengadakan konsert di pelbagai negara Eropah. Dato Shake juga sudah ditampilkan di 30 program TV di Eropah, Kanada dan Asia.

France gave Shake the medal Chevalier des Art and Lettre "In the Honor of Art and Letter" as he has promoted the French language and Culture in Asia, where English is the main language. Shake has performed on more than 30 television shows, variety appearances in Europe, Canada and Asia.

Sebelum berpisah di The Mall pada hari bersejarah itu, Dato Shake ada memaklumkan kepada saya untuk mengadakan konsert jelajah Malaysia kerana dia amat merindui peminat tempatan. Katanya kali terakhir dia mengadakan konsert di Malaysia ialah 1986.

Malahan dia juga pernah mengadakan konsert di Sabah.

Kata Dato Shake, selain Paris, dia juga bermastautin di Beverly Hills, California, USA bersama keluarganya.

Semoga terus berjaya Dato Shake. We Malaysians, love you.

Kepercayaan Tahyul membawa Perancis juara Piala Dunia 1998

Kadangkala kepercayaan tahyul membawa tuah kepada pasukan Bolasepak.

Pada Piala Dunia 1998, tuan rumah Perancis muncul juara Piala Dunia buat pertama kalinya setelah menewaskan Brazil 3-0 di Final dengan 2 gol dijaringkan Zinedine Zidane dan 1 lagi oleh Emmanuel Petit.

Dalam setiap perlawanan Perancis sejak perlawanan pertama hingga ke final, ada 1 kemestian yang dilakukan oleh pemainnya iaitu ketua Pasukan Perancis akan mencium kepala botak Penjaga Gol Perancis.

Dalam konteks ini, Ketua Pasukan Perancis Laurent Blanc mencium kepala botak Penjaga Gol Perancis, Fabien Barthez setiap kali sebelum perlawanan bermula.

Dan Akhirnya, Perancis menang dan juara Piala Dunia 1998.

Pada pusingan awal dalam 3 perlawanan peringkat kumpulan, Perancis menang kesemuanya dengan membenam Afrika Selatan 3-0, Arab Saudi 4-0 dan Denmark 2-1.

Kemudiannya menewaskan Paraguay 1-0 di pusingan kedua, membenam Italy 4-3 menerusi penentuan sepakan penalti selepas seri 0-0 di suku akhir dan menumpaskan Croatia 2-1 di Separuh Akhir.

Perancis mengecewakan jutaan peminat Brazil di final dengan kemenangan bergaya 3-0, 2 daripadanya menerusi tandukan Zinedine Zidane hasil sepakan sudut di minit ke 27 dan 45 dan 1 lagi gol minit akhir perlawanan oleh Emannuel Petit di minit ke 93.

Jika Malaysia mahu menang perlawanan di peringkat antarabangsa, perlukan kapten Malaysia mencium kepala Penjaga Gol Malaysia??

Ragbi Piala Dunia 2011, Mampukah New Zealand menewaskan Perancis?

Ahad, 23 Oktober 2011 bersamaan jam 4 petang waktu Malaysia, 2 gergasi ragbi dunia akan berentap di perlawanan akhir untuk merebut gelaran sebagai Juara Ragbi Dunia dan sekaligus menjulang Piala William Web Ellis.



New Zealand adalah kuasa hebat semulajadi Ragbi dan pernah muncul juara Ragbi Piala Dunia pada edisi sulung kejohanan itu pada 1987, menewaskan Perancis, 29-9 di final.

Namun sejak itu, New Zealand yang juga dikenali All Blacks, gagal menjuarai kejohanan berprestij itu.

Sebaliknya Australia menjuarainya sebanyak 2 kali pada 1991 dan 1999. Afrika Selatan juga menjuarainya 2 kali pada 1995 dan 2007. Manakala England menang sekali pada 2007.

Selepas kejohanan 1987, New Zealand pernah ke pentas final sekali pada 1995 tetapi tewas 12-15 kepada Afrika Selatan di final di Afrika Selatan yang menjadi detik bersejarah berakhirnya era Apartheid.

New Zealand juga pernah ke separuh akhir pada Piala Dunia Ragbi 1991, 1999 dan 2003.

Perancis pula pernah ke final 2 kali pada 1987 tetapi tewas 9-29 kepada New Zealand dan sekali lagi pada 1999 tetapi tewas 12-35 kepada Australia.

Selain itu, Perancis pernah mara sehingga ke separuh akhir ragbi Piala Dunia sebanyak 3 kali pada 1995, 2003 dan 2007.

Namun kini pada ragbi Piala Dunia 2011, tiada lagi kelibat Australia, Afrika Selatan dan England.

Australia atau the Wallabies ditewaskan All Blacks pada separuh akhir dengan keputusan 6-20. Afrika Selatan terlebih dulu dikecewakan Australia pada suku akhir dengan keputusan 11-9 manakala England dikalahkan Perancis di suku akhir, 12-19.

Dalam menuju final ragbi Piala Dunia 2011, New Zealand tidak pernah tewas sebarang perlawanan. Malahan di peringkat kumpulan, New Zealand menewaskan Perancis 37-17.

Manakala Perancis tewas 2 kali kepada Tonga dan New Zealand.

Pada peringkat kumpulan, rekod New Zealand adalah seperti berikut :

New Zealand 41 - 10 Tonga
New Zealand 83 - 7 Japan
New Zealand 37 - 17 France
New Zealand 79 - 15 Canada

Suku Akhir : New Zealand 33 - 10 Argentina

Separuh Akhir : New Zealand 20 - 6 Australia

Keseluruhannya dari 6 perlawanan termasuk suku akhir dan separuh akhir, New Zealand mengutip 293 mata dan hanya melepaskan 65 mata.

Manakala ini pula rekod Perancis dalam Ragbi Piala Dunia 2011 :

France 47 - 21 Japan
France 46 - 19 Canada
France 17 - 37 New Zealand
France 14 - 19 Tonga

Suku Akhir : France 19 - 12 England

Separuh Akhir : France 9 - 8 Wales

Keseluruhannya dari 6 perlawanan setakat ini termasuk suku akhir dan separuh akhir, Perancis memungut 152 mata dan dibolosi 116 kali.

Berdasarkan rekod semasa itu, ternyata New Zealand All Blacks lebih hebat.

Tempikan tarian perang "HAKA" sebelum perlawanan, digeruni lawan.

Selain New Zealand, "HAKA" turut ditempikkan oleh Tonga, Samoa dan Fiji.

Pada Piala Dunia Rugbi 2011 yang dihoskan New Zealand, pasukan All Blacks itu bakal menempik HAKA buat kali terakhir untuk membenam Perancis di final pada 23 Oktober 2011 kelak.

All the Best All Blacks!!!

Usahawan dan Pereka Fesyen Sabah, Datin Rahmahjan Sulaiman Khan menempa nama di Eropah dan Amerika Syarikat

Bermula sebagai hobi, kini mendatangkan hasil amat lumayan dan menembusi pula pasaran Eropah.

Itu kisah seorang usahawan wanita dari Sabah yang kini boleh berbangga apabila rekaan beg tangan dan bajunya, bukan sahaja mendapat sambutan di dalam negeri, malahan juga di eropah..

Individu dimaksudkan, Datin Rahmahjan Sulaiman Khan, 42 tahun, dilahirkan di Sandakan, Sabah.

Beliau kini boleh berbangga sebagai antara pereka fesyen paling berjaya di Malaysia.

Produk beg tangan, jenama J-Khan dan koleksi baju jenama “RJ coutoure” rekaan datin Rahmahjan, bakal menembusi pasaran fesyen di Paris dan juga London, selepas mendapat sambutan di Milan, Itali.

Namun, untuk sampai ke tahap dinikmati sekarang, bukan mudah.

Terpaksa menempuh pelbagai kesulitan.

Datin Rahmahjan, anak seorang pegawai polis, dulunya hidup susah setelah kematian kedua ibu bapa.

Dia terpaksa melakukan pelbagai pekerjaan untuk membiayai persekolahan 3 adik beradiknya.

Namun, minat dalam bidang rekaan fesyen, mengubah nasib keluarga itu.

Dengan kerjasama seorang penjahit pakaian warga Korea, Datin Rahmahjan mula berkecimpung sepenuh masa dalam rekaan fesyen baju sejak 4 tahun lalu dan rekaan beg tangan sejak 3 tahun lalu.

Koleksi pakaian “RJ Coutoure” dan beg tangan jenama “J-Khan”, mendapat sambutan luar dugaan.

Ini kerana fesyen rekaannya unik dan mempunyai tarikan tersendiri, yang sesuai untuk semua acara termasuk casual, sopistikated dan untuk bekerja,

Sekaligus mendorongnya membuka butik di Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur dan Singapura.

Januari 2010, rekaan fesyen baju Datin Rahmahjan, menyertai pertunjukan fesyen Milan di Itali dan mendapat sambutan di kota fesyen itu.

Mac 2011 lalu, koleksi beg tangan J-Khan dan pakaian, diperagakan dalam pertunjukan fesyen di Paris.

Menurut Datin Rahmahjan beliau ada cadangan untuk memasukkan motif tradisional kaum etnik Sabah iaitu Kadazan, Dusun dan Murut dalam beg tangan dan jika diperagakan di Paris, Milan atau London, maka semua orang akan tahu kaum Kadazan, Murut tu berasal dari Sabah.

Kini, koleksi rekaan beg dan fesyen baju rekaan Datin Rahmahjan sudah boleh didapati di Paris, Dubai dan juga Amerika Syarikat.


Ratu Malaysia Universe 2011, Deborah Harry berkata beg tangan rekaan J-Khan mampu
dimiliki dan berkualiti tinggi, rekaannya juga bagus dengan bahan menarik, ini sesuatu yang menarik bagi pereka fesyen Malaysia untuk memperagakan jenama di Paris.



Inilah Pasaraya terkenal London, Harrods



Ketika ini, Datin Rahmahjan mahu memasarkan beg tangan rekaannya di pasaraya Harrods London, jika tiada halangan kelak dan dalam tempoh terdekat.

Jika berjaya, dia rakyat Malaysia kedua selepas Jimmy Choo (pereka kasut antarabangsa) yang berjaya memasarkan produk rekaan mereka di Harrods yang dimiliki jutawan Arab, keluarga Al-Fayed.



Datin Rahmahjan juga aktif sebagai ketua wanita Umno Tenom, Sabah dan sering memberikan bantuan kepada masyarakat di tenom yang memerlukan, termasuk di bulan puasa lalu Ramadhan 1432 Hijrah.

Syabas dan tahniah Datin Rahmahjan, Sabah boleh dan Malaysia boleh.

Malaysian man, charged with the murder of French tourist, Stephanie Foray, 23rd August 2011

The murder of French tourist, Stephanie Foray, shocked Malaysians as killing of foreign tourists are very very rare in Malaysia.






Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, is also home to Tioman, an enchanting island in the South China Sea . The Tioman island is blessed with a beautiful coastline, which offers endless tropical bliss for sun-seekers. However this island also witnessed the brutal death of a young French woman on the night of May 10 2011. Stephanie Foray breathed her last, far away from home. Rest in Peace.

Today, Tuesday 23rd August 2011, a Malaysian trader was charged in the Magistrate's Court in Pekan, Pahang with the murder of French tourist Stephanie Foray.


Asni Omar, the bastard beast from Hell being led by Malaysian Police at the Magistrate Court in Kuantan, Pahang on 23rd August 2011.

The brutal killer, Asni Omar, 36, just nodded when the charge was read before Magistrate Emma Shahriana Ali. No plea was recorded.

Asni is charged with murdering Foray, 30, at an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman between 8 pm on May 10, 2011 and 12 noon on Aug 12, 2011.

It was believed that Foray and the suspect Asni Omar, had been drinking together on the island and she was later killed after refusing his sexual advances, the New Straits Times quoted police sources as saying.

Asni faces the mandatory death sentence by hanging if found guilty under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Emma Shahriana then ordered the case to be transferred to the High Court but did not set any date for the trial to start.

Prosecution is by Deputy Public Prosecutor Amalina Zainal Mokhtar.

Foray, a civil servant from Bour-en-Bresse, France, was reported missing since May 8, 2011.

Before arriving in Malaysia, Foray toured India.

She was reportedly last seen alive on the island on May 8, 2011.

She was said to be among more than 90 passengers who arrived in Tioman by ferry from Mersing and there was no record of her leaving the island, either by sea or by air.

The Malaysian police immediately launched an investigation following a report lodged by her family through the French embassy in Singapore, and found that Foray had gone to Pulau Tioman on May 10, 2011 and had not left the island since.

Further probe into the case led police to the discovery of human skeletal remains buried three metres deep in a cave at Tekek village on Monday, August 8, 2011, almost 3 months after her reported disappearance.

Blood samples have been collected from two family members of Foray to help in identifying the remains of Foray.

Foray's mother and sister arrived at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital morgue in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia on 12 August 2011.

It was learnt that they had flown in to Kuala Lumpur from France on Thursday, 11th August 2011 and reached Kuantan at about 7pm the same day.

Meanwhile the Malaysian police has given the assurance that Pulau Tioman is safe and tourists need not fear threats to their safety and security.

Pahang police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Abdul Ghani added that the murder case of French citizen Stephanie Foray was an isolated case and those responsible will be dealt according to the law.

“Tourists and residents on the island should not worry about their personal safety,” he was reportedly said by the Malaysian media.

Sharifuddin also conveyed his condolences to Foray’s family.

Well condolences to the Foray families, may justice be served swiftly. Rest in Peace Stephanie Foray, the killer has been found and will be ekecuted very soon.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw results in full

The 2014 World Cup Preliminary Draw took place at the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday 30 July 2011.



Brazil's all time World Cup top scorer with 15 goals, Ronaldo is seen taking part in the draw





This is the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 5 times World Cup champion, Brazil will host the 20th World Cup soccer tournament from June 12 to July 13 in 2014.

FIFA.com rounds up the results from the Preliminary Draw which took place at the Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday 30 July 2011.



There are no such things as automatic qualifications for the host, Brazil and World Cup defending champion, Spain.

Instead Brazil (the 5 times champion in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) has to slug it out with 8 other South American countries including arch rival and number 1 nemesis, Argentina (the 1978 and 1986 champion) and Uruguay (the 2 times Champion, 1930 and 1950 World Cup winners and 15 times Copa America Champion including the 2011 edition).

Spain, the 2010 World Cup Champion is pitted in the same group as France, the 1998 champion in the qualification round.


Intercontinental play-offs
Asia – South America
North, Central America and the Caribbean - Oceania


African Zone Draw
Group A: South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic, Somalia or Ethiopia
Group B: Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar
Group C: Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia, Chad or Tanzania
Group D: Ghana, Zambia, Sudan, Lesotho or Burundi
Group E: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe or Congo
Group F: Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles or Kenya, Djibouti or Namibia
Group G: Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Comoros or Mozambique
Group H: Algeria, Mali, Benin, Eritrea or Rwanda
Group I: Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau or Togo, Swaziland or Congo DR
Group J: Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Mauritius or Liberia

From what i can see in the African Zone Draw, minnows teams like Comoros, Mauritius, Uganda, Eritrea, Rwanda, Gabon, Djibouti, Burundi, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia and what more the war-ravaged Somalia have little or no chance at all to advance beyond the qualifications stage. However no African nation has ever win the World Cup.


Instead traditional strong teams like Cameroon (who reached the World Cup Quarter Final in 1990) , Senegal (who reached the Quarter Final in 2002), Ghana (who reached the quaterfinal in 2010), Algeria (who up-setted West Germany in 1982), Egypt (the African Champion), Cote d'Ivoire (who boasts world class players such as Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou), Nigeria (who has many immensely talented world class players such as Nwanko Kanu, Victor Ipkeba, Rasheed Yekini and Daniel Amokachi) and South Africa can all qualify to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.





Asian Zone Draw
Group A: China, Jordan, Iraq, Singapore
Group B: Korea Republic, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon
Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Korea DPR
Group D: Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand
Group E: Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia

In the Asian Zone qualifications stage, traditional power-house teams like Australia, Japan, Korea Republic (who qualified in every World Cup final since 1986), North Korea (who had a disastrous World Cup in 2010), Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar (the 2022 World Cup host) can all qualify to the World Cup final in Brazil. No Asian team has ever win the World Cup.

The best achievement by an Asian team was in the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan where South Korea progressed all the way into the semi final before being beaten 0-1 by Germany, the eventual runners-up. However things might change for Asian teams this time as anything can happen in football. Look at the Japanese female soccer team who created history by becoming the first ever Asian country to win the FIFA Women World Cup in Germany in July 2011.




North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Two)
Group A: El Salvador, Surinam, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic
Group B: Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Bermuda
Group C: Panama, Dominica, Nicaragua, Bahamas
Group D: Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, St Lucia
Group E: Grenada, Guatemala, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize
Group F: Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, US Virgin Islands

The North, Central America and Caribbean Zone always produce zero teams that can advance all the way to the final round of the World Cup. Canada made it to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The rest of the teams in this zone can kiss good bye to their World Cup ambitions, no way can they progress beyond this round.





North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Three)
Group A: USA, Jamaica, Winner of R2 Grp E, Winner of R2 Grp F
Group B: Mexico, Costa Rica, Winner of R2 Grp A, Winner of R2 Grp B
Group C: Honduras, Cuba, Winner of R2 Grp D, Winner of R2 Grp C

This group above are traditionally dominated by none other than USA and Mexico who have qualified to the World Cup, on many occassions. Others would find it very hard to progress beyond this round.





Oceanian Zone Draw
Group A: Vanuatu, New Caledonia, American Samoa/Cook Islands/Samoa or Tonga, Tahiti
Group B: Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea

Only New Zealand can progress from this Oceanian Zone Draw. However in rugby, no teams in the world can beat the likes of New Zealand Fiji, Samoa and Tonga who are all rugby dominance nations. For the record New Zealand qualified to the 1982 World Cup in Spain and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.





European Zone Draw
Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta.
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan.
Group D: Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra.
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland.
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Lichtenstein
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland

The European Zone Draw is very interesting to watch. We have previous World Champions slugging it out among themselves including Italy (the 4 times champion in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), Germany (the 3 times winner in 1954, 1974, 1990), Netherlands (1974, 1978 and 2010 runners-up), England the 1966 champion, France the 1998 champion and 2010 and current champion, Spain.

Look at Group I, 2 World Champions, Spain and France are in the same group.

Let's see what happens then. Thanks for reading. Best Regards and Cheers.

AIRASIA X SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE) SOLUTION

Source : Air Asia Communications

AIRASIA X SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE) SOLUTION

PARIS, France, 22 JUNE 2011, Wednesday : AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian based AirAsia Group signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with Tune Box for the development of an In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution for the airline.

The customised In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution is expected to create a new profitable ancillary stream for AirAsia X and further enhance guests’ in-flight experience.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Azran Osman-Rani, the Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X and Sami El Hadery, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tune Box. The signing ceremony was witnessed by YB. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X, and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. The signing ceremony took place today at the Paris Air Show, France with the attendance of AirAsia X board members, AirAsia senior management and members of the media.

The In-flight Entertainment (IFE) solution concept will be developed to meet the airline’s low cost model (lower capex cost and simpler operations) while offering media content in an innovative way which will further enhance AirAsia X’s services to its guests. The concept will take advantage of existing server hardware on board the AirAsia X aircraft and distribute content to Passenger Electronic Devices (PEDs) using WiFi technology.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said “AirAsia X’s partnership with Tune Box for the new innovative technology and concept of the In-flight entertainment (IFE) system would help us accentuate our ancillary product offerings across our network, while holding true to our business model. This would further elevate the AirAsia X brand to greater heights in all markets we fly to.”

“AirAsia X’s near to long term expansion plans has made it all the more important for us to be at the forefront of innovation. As we grow our network, fleet and operations, AirAsia X remains steadfast to its commitment of offering the best products and services to our guests”.

The proposed new installed system will be lighter weight and use less power than traditional in-seat systems, which would translate to lower fuel burn, efficient cost savings and hassle-free maintenance.

Sami El Hadery, CTO of Tune Box, added “We at Tune Box are very excited to be developing a bespoke IFE and connectivity solution for AirAsia X that will give passengers access to a rich new interactive experience while staying true to Tune and AirAsia X’s mantra of affordability.”

AirAsia is the largest low cost airline group in the Asia-Pacific region and operates an all-Airbus fleet.

In 2010 AirAsia X achieved best-in-class technical reliability rates for its fleet of A330s, surpassing established long-haul carriers in the region, and its continued efforts in providing 5 star value services and innovative product offerings underpins its on-going pursuit of operational quality excellence with its world’s best cost performance.

AirAsia is World’s Best Low Cost Airline for third consecutive year!

Pictures / Articles : Air Asia Communications



PARIS, FRANCE Wednesday 22 JUNE 2011 – AirAsia is the world’s best low-cost airline for the third consecutive year!

In the annual global survey conducted by respected London-based aviation consultants Skytrax, almost 19 million travelers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the World’s Best Low Cost Airline for the third consecutive year. AirAsia came out tops in the independent survey that measures airlines’ product and service standards.

AirAsia Deputy Group CEO Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun accepted the award on behalf of the airline at the ceremony in Paris, France on 22 June 2011.

The award ceremony was held as part of the Paris Air Show. AirAsia was also named Best Low Cost Airline Asia in the same ceremony.





Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said, “We are very humbled by the support that our guests have given to us. AirAsia being voted the best in the world for a third consecutive year proves that our constant efforts to improve and innovate on our products and services are working. This award is very special to all of us at AirAsia as it is voted by travellers, and we are very proud to be the People’s Champion once again.”


“This award is attributed to all AirAsia staff - the Allstars, who are the pillar of AirAsia’s success. We are turning ten this year, and I am sure they would be delighted to know that the passion, dedication, hard work, creativity and commitment that they invest in AirAsia everyday has resulted in the best present we could receive for AirAsia’s tenth birthday – being the world’s best for the third consecutive year,” Fernandes added.

AirAsia remains a popular choice among air travelers with its consumer-friendly products and services, including low fares, a modern fleet, an extensive network and great flight frequencies, convenient booking and payment channels, and choose-your-own features for meals, seats and baggage allowances.

The airline is known for its innovations, popularizing technology-backed travel services such as web and mobile bookings; web, mobile and kiosk check-in services; no admin fees and the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and its blog in communicating with guests in real-time throughout the globe.

AirAsia’s operations are anchored in its mission to democratise travel, encapsulated in its tagline Now everyone can fly.

It has ferried more than 120 million guests to date.

AirAsia has also established itself as the Truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline, with its unmatched connectivity in the region and its “sky bridges” – routes – that link the capitals and communities of Southeast Asia to each other and beyond.

Since its launch as a Low-Cost Carrier in late 2001, AirAsia has grown from 250 employees, two aircraft and one destination to an Asean-wide Group with more than 8,000 employees, 104 aircraft and more than 78 destinations.

AirAsia has been operationally profitable from day one of its launch as a low-cost carrier. Together with its low-cost, long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, the airline now links three continents – Asia, Australia and Europe.



About AirAsia and AirAsia X

AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 160 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe.

Within 9 years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 120 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 104.

The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Sri Lanka and Australia.

This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, India, Australia, Taipei, New Zealand, Tehran, Paris and the UK.

AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for three consecutive years in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Malaysian Airlines, MAS to buy 10 more Boeing 737-800s

LE BOURGET (Paris, France) 21st June 2011 : Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has exercised an option to buy an 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft from Boeing, in a deal said to be worth over US$800 million (RM 2.43 billion).

The national carrier's latest deal means it has now placed 45 firm orders for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said the carrier decided to exercise the option in order to meet market demand .

"We will focus first on taking the delivery of 35 aircraft up to 2015. The additional 10 will be delivered beyond 2016," he told a news conference after the signing with Boeing at the second day of Paris International Air Show on Tuesday 21st June 2011.

At the signing ceremony, Tengku Azmil represented MAS while Boeing by commercial airplanes vice-president for sales Marlin Dailey.

In 2008, MAS ordered 35 of the Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes, with an option to buy another 20 aircraft. So far, MAS has taken delivery of five 737-800s.

Tengku Azmil said the additional 10 aircraft will support the airline's business transformation strategy.

"Boeing's Next-Generation 737, with its economic advantages, including its unmatched fuel efficiency, is the right airplane to support our business and our customers," he said.

On funding, he said MAS, which currently has low gearing, can use various options such as commercial finance market, Japan leasing market, Exim Bank and Islamic financing.

He said the capital cost will raise with the acquisition of new aircraft but the airline will increase its efficiency and enhance utilisation.

Tengku Azmil said the current 747-800s are used for variety of routes such as domestic short-haul flights and Asean routes.

As the new 747-800s have better range, he said MAS also intends to use the aircraft for some destinations in India and China.

As for the old aircraft, he said they will be phased out, so that by 2015, MAS will have the youngest fleet of aircraft in the region, with an average age of five years.

To another question, he said MAS' subsidiary, Firefly, will start taking over Sibu-Kuala Lumpur route with twice a day flight.

According to Boeing, the 737-800, which can seat from 162 to 189 passengers, is 771kg lighter, can fly 583km farther and 335m higher while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

Malaysia Airlines, with a 64-year history as the national carrier of Malaysia, operates a mixed fleet of short- and long-haul airplanes, including Boeing 747 passenger and freighter, 777, 737-800s and Classic 737 airplanes. The airline flies nearly 45,000 passengers daily to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

Source : NSTP Online 21st June 2011



A nice video inside a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator.

NASIM appoints Angkatan hebat as Peugeot's sole dealership in Sabah

Picture Caption: (From left to right) Datuk Henry Hing, Group Executive Director of Angkatan Hebat, exchanging documents with Dato' Samson Anand George, COO of Nasim, as Datuk Dr Ajaz Ahmad Nabijan, Group Executive Deputy Chairman of Angkatan Hebat, and Datuk Pg.Hassanel Datuk Hj Pg. Tahir, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance in Sabah, look on.This ceremony was held at the Marina Sutera Harbour Resort on 17 Jun 2011

Source : Naza Group Corporate Communications

NASIM APPOINTS ANGKATAN HEBAT AS SOLE DEALERSHIP IN SABAH

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia, has appointed Angkatan Hebat Motor Sdn Bhd as its sole dealership in Sabah.

Nasim signed a letter of appointment with Angkatan Hebat Motor in Kota Kinabalu on 17th June 2011, marking the beginning of a brand new chapter for the Lion brand in the vibrant East Malaysian market.
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Angkatan Hebat Motor is a unit of Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd is the fleet management services provider to the Sabah state government and is also a dealer for several commercial and passenger vehicle brands.

“We are confident our partnership with Angkatan Hebat Motor will pave the way for Peugeot to be a success in the Sabah market.

“With our current range of award-winning models and through Angkatan Hebat Motor’s expertise in this market, we are confident Peugeot will become the top selling European brand here,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, COO of Nasim.

For the remainder of the year, Nasim is targeting to sell 200 units in Sabah and has set a target of achieving a 2 to 3% market share of the passenger car market in the state within three years.

“Angkatan Hebat Motor will look at expanding its Peugeot network in Sabah from next year onwards to a few other cities in the state. Once there are dealerships in these cities, we will be able to achieve our target market share,” added Dato’ Samson.

The appointment of Angkatan Hebat Motor follows the recent launch of the Peugeot Blue Box Malacca and is part of a nationwide expansion exercise.

Angkatan Hebat Motor will open a showroom at the One Borneo Hypermall in Kota Kinabalu and a 2S dealership for after sales services in Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu.

Dato’ Samson said Angkatan Hebat Motor is targeting to launch both the showroom and the 2S dealership by end-July. Besides the outlets in Malacca and Kota Kinabalu, Nasim plans to open 3S centres in Kota Bahru, Balakong, Sungai Petani, Kuantan, Kepong and Seremban.

Once these outlets are launched, Nasim will have 26 outlets nationwide and will be represented in all major markets in the country.

In addition, Nasim will also relocate its flagship Peugeot Blue Box in Glenmarie to a new 82,000 square feet facility in Glenmarie itself to cater to the increasing volume for after sales services. These new outlets will contribute to Nasim’s target of selling 7,000 units this year.

As at end-May, Nasim has sold 2,620 units, which represents a 152% jump from its sales in the same period last year.

Angkatan Hebat Motor will begin a series of two-day road shows in Sabah from June 18 to June 19 2011 at the One Borneo Hypermall in Kota Kinabalu followed Tawau (June 24 to June 25 2011), Lahad Datu (June 28 to June 29 2011) and Sandakan (July 1 and July 2 2011).

The cars that will be featured at the road show will be the 207, 308 Turbo, 3008 and the new RCZ coupe.

Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.

The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810.

Malaysia's AirAsia X buys 3 more Airbus planes

Source : Air Asia Communications





KUALA LUMPUR, 28 FEBRUARY 2011 :

AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian based AirAsia Group has signed a firm contract for 3 new A330-200s with an option for 2 more, which brings the airline’s total order to 28 A330’s.

Scheduled for delivery from 2014, the aircraft will be operated on the carrier's expanding network, offering low fare service to destinations in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

AirAsia X has ordered the 238 tonne increased take-off weight version of the A330-200, which is capable of flying non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to Europe.

The airline will configure the aircraft in a two class layout with 24 Premium flatbeds and 264 Economy seats.

The agreement was signed by Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, the Chairman of AirAsia X and Dr. Kiran Rao, Airbus Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

It was witnessed by The Honourable Datuk Seri Dr, Chua Soi Lek, Dato' Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, Founder of AirAsia X and Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X.

The signing ceremony took place on Monday, 28th February 2011 at the Westin Kuala Lumpur with the attendance of AirAsia X’s business partners and members of the media.

Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X said :

“This order reflects our positive outlook for the long haul low cost market out of Asia and the investment valued at RM1.5 billion would contribute significantly to the Prime Minister’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) targets, specifically in realising the Prime Minister’s strategy of prioritising direct flights to strategic and important markets. This would ensure Malaysia achieves its tourism targets in 2020.”

“With its low fuel burn, spacious cabin and extended range, the A330-200 will further improve our fuel efficiency and carbon emissions and strengthen our position as having the world’s lowest unit cost, enabling more people to fly further at lower cost than ever before," concluded Azran.

"This latest order from AirAsia X underscores the position of the A330 as the most efficient aircraft in its class flying today," said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus. "The A330's low operating costs, range capability and proven reliability make it the clear winner for airlines flying in the growing long haul budget market."


AirAsia is the largest low cost airline group in the Asia-Pacific region and operates an all-Airbus fleet. Altogether, the group has now ordered over 200 aircraft from Airbus, including 175 single aisle A320s, 28 A330s and 10 A350 XWBs.

The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used wide body aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and over 700 are currently flying with almost 90 operators worldwide.

World Cup 2010 - if France played in that manners against Uruguay, they will never win the world cup

Uruguay's defender Maximiliano Pereira (L) and France's striker Franck Ribery eye the ball during the Group A first round 2010 World Cup football match Uruguay vs. France on June 11, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town.




France's striker Nicolas Anelka (L) and Uruguay's defender Mauricio Victorino head the ball during the Group A first round 2010 World Cup football match Uruguay vs. France on June 11, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town.


Les Bleus can forget to ever win the 2010 World Cup if they played like some 3rd world country during the 0-0 draw against Uruguay in the Group A match on June 11, 2010.

It was dissapointing for Les Bleus fans, but not for me because i am a Brazilian fan!!

During the disastrous 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, France, the then defending champion started very badly, losing 0-1 to Senegal, before drawing 0-0 with Uruguay and lost to Denmark 0-2 in the final game.

France - the then reigning World Cup champion, exited the 2002 world cup without scoring a goal, earning just 1 point!!! Even the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet could not save the Muskeeters - Les Miserables!!!

In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, France also started badly, drawing 0-0 with Switzerland and 1-1 with South Korea in the first 2 matches. They only earned their tickets to the knock out round after dismantling lowly Togo 2-0. The rest was history, in the knock out stage, France trounced Spain 3-1, Brazil 1-0 and Portugal 1-0 before losing 3-5 on penalties to Italy after the score was deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.

In the current 2010 world cup in South Africa, France drew 0-0 with their old 2002 nemesis - Uruguay. Remember France also drew 0-0 with Uruguay in the disastrous 2002 world cup. Will history repeat itself?? Les Bleus will be Les Miserables...

Priest punches mourner!!!!

Priest punches who??? did what????

This shocking incident happened in Toulouse, France, on Thursday, 1 April 2010.

The priest not only turned up drunk to preside over a funeral, but also punched one of the mourners!!!!

The incident prompted a French Catholic bishop to apologise.

'Father Bonaventure (Ouedraogo) ... arrived at the funeral in a state that was not compatible with his ministry,' said archbishop Robert Le Gall in a statement. 'I again offer my apologies to the family.'

Relatives of the deceased described how they told the priest, who is from the west African state Burkina Faso, that they did not want him to preside over the funeral held on Tuesday near the south-western city of Toulouse.

They then prevented him from getting back into his car because he was too drunk to drive, said Gerard Tillier, the brother of the deceased woman.

The priest fell to the ground and when a man tried to help him to his feet, he punched him in the face, said Mr Tillier.

'A priest who hits his parishioners, that's a new one, and who turns up drunk, let's not even talk about it!' he said.

Source - AFP