Find out if he’s great in bed – without tearing his clothes off! - Yahoo! Singapore (News)

You’ve locked eyes across the bar, he seems great, but how can you tell if he’s all talk and no action?

Look out for these indicators to find out whether you will be left satisfied...

Go out for dinner – If he scours the menu and chooses the most boring dish on it, you may be in for a dull night in the bedroom. Food is one of life’s pleasures so a man who loves to eat will probably love to have wild sex too. If he’s willing to be adventurous or picks something he’s never tried before, chances are he’ll bring the same spirit to his sex life.

You don’t need to see a six-pack to find out if he’s kinky between the sheets

Really listen – If he speaks in a monotone voice and hardly ever changes his facial expression you may not be in for an exciting night of sex. Men who move their arms, hands and face when they talk are more excitable and enthusiastic making them more likely to wow you in the bedroom.

Look him in the eye – If he doesn’t want to look you in the eye, or looks away nervously every time, he’s either really shy or hiding something. But if he staring at you so much it’s making you uncomfortable, he could be too intense or self-assured. The perfect gentlemen should hold your gaze for a couple of seconds at a time – showing he’s interested and respectful.

Hit the dance floor – Dancing requires rhythm, variety, timing and energy and so does sex! Look out for men who can keep up with the music and don’t take themselves too seriously. Any man who’s parading around with his shirt off doing a replica of Michael Jackson’s Thriller is probably cocky and slightly selfish in the bedroom.

Ask to meet his friends – His friends have probably taught him everything he knows about sex, so find out what they’re like. If his mates are warm, sociable and funny, chances are you man will have the same qualities. If he greets his friends with firm handshakes and full-body hugs it shows he’s not afraid of intimacy. The more comfortable he is with expressing affection, the more loving and attentive he will be in the bedroom.

Look at what seat he chooses – If he chooses the seat opposite you facing a wall he can’t be distracted by people watching – meaning he only has eyes for you! The more he focuses on you, the more he will be able to concentrate on pleasuring you during sex. A man who decides to sit in prime view of the bar may be looking for something or someone else.

Do you have any other tricks for finding out if he’s great in bed? Let us know…

MOM bans maids from cleaning window exteriors unless supervised - Yahoo! Singapore (News)

Measures have been stepped up to prevent risky practices at home. (Photo courtesy of MOM)


With immediate effect, maids will not be allowed to clean the window exteriors of high-rise HDB flats or apartments unless supervised. 

In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Manpower said this new rule will apply to all homes, except for windows that are at the ground level or along common corridors. 

[To ban or not to ban?]

There are two exceptions to the rule: 1) that the employer or adult representative of the employer is physically present to supervise the maid or 2) that window grilles have been installed and are locked at all times during the cleaning process. 

To deter employers from failing to ensure proper safety guidelines are followed, the MOM aims to double the penalties for errant employers from the existing S$5,000 fine and/or six months’ jail to S$10,000 fine and/or 12 months’ jail.

MOM will be sending a circular to all employers of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) on the new safety requirements.

The MOM added that since the start of the year, nine maids have died from work-related falls. Only four were reported in 2011 and eight in 2010. 

Investigations showed that five of the nine who died were related to unsafe window cleaning practices, while two arose from hanging laundry. The other two are pending investigation.

Overhead traffic lights at Victoria Street junction from next week: LTA - Yahoo! Singapore (News)

LTA said that they will be installing overhead traffic lights at the junction off Victoria Street and Rochor Road to increase road safety. (Yahoo! photo/Deborah Choo)

In a bid to improve road safety at the intersection of Victoria Street and Rochor Road, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is bringing forward plans to install overhead traffic lights at the junction as a precautionary measure on Tuesday.

The overhead traffic lights are expected to start operating from early next week, said LTA in a press release. It decided to bring forward the installation process – which was scheduled to begin in 2013 – after receiving feedback and suggestions from the public on how to further improve the road junction.

LTA’s announcement comes after two high-speed crashes occurred at the junction just weeks apart.

On 12 May, a three-vehicle pile-up occurred when a Ferrari beat a red light and slammed into a motorbike and a taxi -- killing three. Exactly two weeks later, a Lexus ran the red light at the exact same spot and crashed into a taxi.

However, LTA said that the overhead traffic lights will result in a narrowing of the pedestrian footpath there until full road reinstatement works – arising from the construction of the Downtown Line – are completed by mid-2013.

“This is a trade-off we have to make to accommodate the additional precautionary measure,” said LTA.

This latest move follows LTA’s announcement last week that they will be synchronising the green phase timing for the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing linking Bugis Junction and Bugis Village, and the lights at the cross-road junction of Victoria Street and Rochor Road.

Chaos as plane crash hits one of Africa's largest cities - Yahoo! Singapore (News)

Firefighters work at the scene of the crash of a Dana Airline plane that plunged onto a plot containing a church, a two-storey residential building and a printing shop in Lagos. The plane carrying 153 people plunged into a residential area of Nigeria's largest city, with all those aboard presumed dead



Soldiers disperse onlookers at the scene of the crash of a Dana Airline plane that plunged onto a plot containing a church, a two-storey residential building and a printing shop in Lagos. The plane carrying 153 people from Abuja to Lagos plunged into the Toyin residential area of the Iju Ishaga neighborhood of Nigeria's largest city, with all those aboard presumed dead

Chaos broke out in the densely-populated Lagos neighbourhood where a passenger jet crashed Sunday, as rescue workers faced heavy crowds and aggressive soldiers while trying to access smoldering wreckage.

All 153 people on board the Dana Air flight were presumed dead and more were believed to have been killed on the ground after the plane plowed into the impoverished neighbourhood near the airport in the city of some 15 million.

Thousands of onlookers had partially blocked access to the crash site, prompting soldiers to try to clear the area out. They used rubber whips, their fists and even threw a wood plank at those crowded around.

The strong-arm tactics likely did more harm than good. Looking to evade the troops' aggression, people took off in several directions, trampling their neighbours as they tried to avoid being crushed themselves.

Some locals snaked a fire hose hoisted on their shoulders from a truck parked on the road towards the impact area.

But this effort was also interrupted by the security forces, whose aggression eventually broke up the human chain.

Some reacted by throwing stones at the troops, creating a crossfire of hailing rocks over the narrow street adjacent to the site.

The area also plunged into all-out pandemonium when a helicopter tried to land amid the crowd, kicking up clouds of ash and light debris that again scattered people in various directions.

After the crash, it appeared only a handful of rescue vehicles had managed to fight through the chaos to reach the site.

People in the neighbourhood near the airport are used to seeing planes flying low overhead, but they said it was immediately clear that the Dana Air Boeing MD83 flight was imperiled.

"The pilot was struggling to control it," said Yusuf Babatunde, 26, who mimicked wings recklessly swaying from side to side when asked to describe what the plane looked like as it went down.

The impact caused an immediate fire and sent people running, but they quickly returned, and within hours of the crash the roofs and balconies of the surrounding ramshackle buildings were flooded with those surveying the damage.

Some, according to one 50-year-old resident, sought to gain financially from the disaster.

"The looting started right away," said Tunji Malomo, who told AFP he locked up his nearby bar as soon as he heard news of the crash.

"This is busy, busy area," said Martin Ajebayo, 38, a local who said he witnessed the plane go down.

"People are living there," he added, while gesturing to the area where the plane crashed, which locals said included a printing business, a church and a two or three story residential building.

Rescue workers said several people had been pulled out alive, but few believed there would be many survivors following a high impact crash in a contained, urban area.

"Nobody can rescue them," Gift Onibo, 23, told AFP

5 things you must do before weight loss surgery - Yahoo! Singapore (News)

Weighing the options of weight loss surgery is very important (AFP Photo)

Choosing whether or not to have weight loss surgery is an important decision and has a strong impact on your life, so it is essential that you carefully consider your options before deciding to have any weight loss surgery.

If you are seriously considering bariatric surgery, remember these things:

1. Research the surgery

Find out more about the success and failure rates, whether or not the surgery is reversible, potential complications of having the surgery, possible side effects, and post-operation care.

2. Talk to your doctor

Your doctor will be able to better assess your personal situation and how the surgery may impact your health. If you are deciding on a surgeon for weight loss surgery, try to find out their past success rates and read patient reviews if they are available.

3. Figure out what your insurance will cover

Remember that health insurance coverage for the surgery varies from plan to plan, so find out what your personal health insurance will cover.

4. Get your health checked

Keep in mind that the success rates, complications of surgery and health outcomes of the surgery all depend on your individual situation and health status.

5. Have a post-operation diet plan

If you have decided to take on such surgery, it is essential that you seek your doctor's advice on your post-op dietary plan.

Remember that weight loss surgery is not a definite solution for weight loss and you can gain the weight back if you do not eat properly and exercise after surgery.

Weight loss surgery, as compared to other weight loss methods, is certainly one of the faster ways to reduce the extra pounds on your body, but it does not come without drawbacks. Only you and your doctor can decide on whether or not the surgery is for you. In any case, losing weight can help you feel more confident, give you higher self-esteem, and benefit many aspects of your health.

Have you tried any weight loss surgery? If yes, did you suffer from any complications after the operation? If no, do you see such surgery as an option to losing that extra weight in your body?

Edited by Registered Dietitian Arielle Kamps, M.S., R.D, L.D. Via HealthMatters.sg, a Singapore Health and Fitness blog that aims to help you lose weight, keep fit, and live healthy. Click here to getour free guide "Eat Your Way to Health — Secrets of a Healthy Diet".

10 Tips for Easy Weight Loss Written By Gloria Tsang, RD - Health Castle.com

You do not need to finish and clean off the plate every time. You can simply ask to take home the leftover.

Tip 4: Do not Skip Meals

Eating small frequent meals help to balance your calorie intake throughout the day and also keeps your blood sugar level balanced. Instead of eating 3 big meals, try to eat 5 - 6 smaller meals throughout the day.

Tip 5: Go for wholesome fresh foods

Purchase fresh foods and avoid highly processed foods. In my book Go UnDiet, I called out highly processed foods (I call them HPFs in short) as the real culprit of obesity, not meat or carb. HPFs and fast foods are often higher in sodium and fat content. Many people we spoke to are amazed that they can easily lose weight by packing a home-cooked lunch to work instead of eating out.

Tip 6: Don't be overly-restrictive

Everyone has his or her favorite treats. Simply allow yourself a little indulgence, but watch out for the frequency and the quantity. Having a small treat once in a while can be rewarding to your weight loss experience. Cutting too much of your favorite treats usually lead to an early relapse.

Tip 7: Understand Food Claims and Labels

A product labeled with a fat-free claim does not mean that it is low in calories. Similarly a product labelled as low-sugar or low-carb does not mean it is low in fat or calories. Always read the nutrition label on the packaging.

Tip 8: Watch for the sugary drinks

Juices, soda, cream & sugar in your coffee or tea all add up. Opt for drinking mostly water in a day. In addition to providing hydration to your body, it will also help you feel full. In my book, Go UnDiet, I reviewed various drinks sold widely commercially.  I found that some drinks, like milkshakes, are calorie-bombs with over 1000 calories!

Tip 9: Keep a food journal

Keeping a food journal helps you pin point your eating pattern and will enable you to easily modify it. If possible, have your Registered Dietitian review your journal.

Tip 10: Exercise, period

Most authorities recommend 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity a day to stay healthy. Also try adding weight-bearing exercises at least 2 times a week. This will help burn some of the unwanted calories.

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Macho is SO last season from Cosmopolitan - Yahoo! Singapore (Entertainment)

A new study confirms what we’ve known all along. Women want men who care more about them than their protein shake. Sarah Kwong gives a little whoop

The first giveaway was when clompy Nike Air trainers disappeared from our streets, and Converse classics appeared. The second clue was simply Becks in a sarong. The next sign came in the form of photo captions; namely the words ‘hot’ and ‘swoon’ printed underneath pictures of Jack Whitehall and Russell Brand. And before long, it was official: metrosexual was in, macho was out.

A new American study has found that women would rather have a man with a good heart and the ability to provide, than a man with a Platinum gym membership and a default ‘fight’ setting.

WHY BAD BOYS ARE RUBBISH

Having chosen boyfriends who are relatively tricep-free, this, in my opinion, is great news. No more pretending, begrudgingly, that I think Daniel Craig is gorgeous, when really, his thighs remind me of Terminator-stylie robotic drumsticks. No longer will women think that hugging Jason Statham will be like hugging any normal man. (NB: I’m sure he’s very nice, and he has got the gorgeous Rosie H-W on his arm, but his chest is like an iron door.) And I imagine men everywhere are giving a huge sigh of relief, too. They won’t have to pretend they spend their free time eating steak, lifting dumbbells and shouting commands at their female housemates, when really, they’re just watching Planet Earth and eating a Caeser salad in their pyjama bottoms.

But wait, Ryan Gosling, the universal figure of perfection and the litmus test for all men from now on, is macho, right? Well, not really. So he might save passing stranger’s lives, and break up street brawls, but he’s more brains than braun, as demonstrated by his impeccable choices; from his romance withEva Mendes to his film roles. Similarly, Ryan Reynolds might put on a great gun show, but it seems that his sense of humour is more impressive than what’s going on under his shirt.

WHAT FALLING IN LOVE DOES TO YOUR BODY

Even the guys who are partial to a camo muscle tank top are becoming less ‘bar ruckus’ and more ‘perfumed hand creams’. No one can deny that Mark Wright is a ‘lad’, with his flashy convertible and slang words a-plenty, but he spends the same amount of time gussying up as the girls, and more importantly, shows his mum and his gran a lot of love and respect, which is a big tick in most women’s books.

Scientists at the University of Tenneesee say that back in the day, a ‘sexual revolution’ occurred when men who had no chance of winning a fight, decided to try providing food and love, instead. Females soon realised that they preferred being looked after and started forming long-term relationships.

Most women I know would definitely take a cuddle and a compliment over a wink and a free drink. All of those in favour of the new man, say I!