What the Heck?! Thread (Closed)

[shen]

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Sex is the topic of debate in China once again after a sexologist was pelted with feces at the Guangzhou sex expo. Sex is still a taboo subject for many in the country and some accuse sexologists of being degenerates that damage public morality. But sexologists have called for greater dialogue about sex, and have said that the traditional attitude towards sex is slowing the improvement of human rights in China.

 

[solarz]

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I believe this marks the beginning of a Russian invasion of China. Obviously, Putin has personally trained an army of Siberian Tiger Spetsnaz, and these are just the recon force. Note that the Chinese authorities have detected two tigers entering Chinese borders, but so far only one has been accounted for. Where is the other one? Is he (or her) even now making its way toward Beijing?

It looks like the Central Government may have no choice but to accelerate its Kung Fu Panda program...

 

[Equation]

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I believe this marks the beginning of a Russian invasion of China. Obviously, Putin has personally trained an army of Siberian Tiger Spetsnaz, and these are just the recon force. Note that the Chinese authorities have detected two tigers entering Chinese borders, but so far only one has been accounted for. Where is the other one? Is he (or her) even now making its way toward Beijing?

It looks like the Central Government may have no choice but to accelerate its Kung Fu Panda program...

Tiger is just being himself. One can't expect him to go on a vegan diet, that's not their nature.

 

[broadsword]

Something to warm the cockles of your heart.

Millionaire Chinese businessman bulldozes run down huts in village where he grew up and builds luxury flats for residents instead... for free

Xiong Shuihua paid for wooden huts he grew up in to be knocked down
Tycoon then spent millions replacing them with luxury flats for residents
He has housed 72 families to repay them for their kindness in his youth
A further 18 families who were particularly kind will be given villas to live in
Elderly and low paid residents will also be given three meals a day for free
Flats constructed in Xiongkeng village in the city of Xinyu, southern China

By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

26 November 2014

A millionaire Chinese businessman has bulldozed the wooden huts and muddy roads where he grew up - and built luxury homes for the people who lived there.

Xiong Shuihua was born in Xiongkeng village in the city of Xinyu, southern China and said that his family had always been well looked after and supported by residents in his childhood.

So when the 54-year-old ended up making millions in the steel industry he decided to repay the favour - for free.
A millionaire Chinese businessman has bulldozed the wooden huts and muddy roads where he grew up - and built luxury homes for the people who lived there

Xiong Shuihua was born in Xiongkeng village in the city of Xinyu, southern China and said that his family had always been well looked after and supported by residents in his childhood

After making his millions, the business tycoon decided to return to the village and give everybody a place of their own to live. The 54-year-old even promised three meals a day to the older residents and people on a low income to make sure they could get by.

Five years ago, the area was run down and many lived in basic homes.

But the area has been transformed in recent years and now 72 families are enjoying life in luxury new flats.

Meanwhile, 18 families, who were particularly kind to the businessman, were given villas of their own in a project costing close to £4million.

Xiong Shuihua said he could afford the development as he had 'earned more money than I knew what to do with'

The multimillionaire made his money first of all in the construction industry and later by getting involved in the steel trade.

He said: 'I earned more money than I knew what to do with, and I didn't want to forget my roots.

'I always pay my debts, and wanted to make sure the people who helped me when I was younger and my family were paid back.'

Elderly local Qiong Chu, 75, said: 'I remember his parents. They were kind-hearted people who cared very much for others, and it's great that their son has inherited that kindness.'

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[kwaigonegin]

Alessandra Rancan of Brazil competes in the South American Pole Dance Championship in Buenos Aires
Picture: REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian


I will now get back to bottling my Malbec

I want to move to buenos aires!

 

[broadsword]

I want to move to buenos aires!

I know, only to tango.

 

[Miragedriver]

I want to move to buenos aires!

Come on over any time my friend. Check out the video at:

Participants competing in the Argentina and South American Pole Championship show off their moves downtown Buenos Aires

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I will now get back to bottling my Malbec

 

[SteelBird]

This man claims to be 179 years old. "My grandson died several year ago. The death has turned his back to me."

 

[broadsword]

NY Times has been barking up the wrong tree.

OECD report reveals $14m average bribe in company deals

Examination of 400 deals shows 57% of bribes were paid to win public procurement contracts, with most bribe payers and takers from wealthy countries

The Guardian, Tuesday 2 December 2014 13.37 GMT

OECD bribes report OECD report reveals bribes paid out were worth 35% of the average profit on a deal. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

The full scale of corruption involving multinational companies has been revealed by the west’s leading thinktank in a study that found most bribes were paid in developed countries and with the full knowledge of senior management.

The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said its examination of 400 deals over the past 15 years had shown the average bribe was worth almost $14m (£8.9m) – typically 11% of the value of the transaction.

Bribes were usually paid to win contracts from state-owned or controlled companies in the west, rather than in the developing world, and most bribe payers and takers were from wealthy countries, the 34-nation OECD said.

“Most international bribes are paid by large companies, usually with the knowledge of senior management,” the study said. It added that the sums handed out in bribes were worth 34.5% of the average profit on a transaction, but the complexity and concealed nature of many deals meant its findings revealed only “the tip of the iceberg”.

The OECD’s foreign bribery report looked at cases across the world involving companies or individuals from the 41 signatory countries to the OECD anti-bribery convention that were involved in bribing foreign public officials. The cases took place between February 1999, when the convention came into force, and June 2014.

Almost two-thirds of cases occurred in just four sectors: the extractive industries (19%); construction (15%); transportation and storage (15%); and information and communication (10%). More than a quarter of the bribes were promised or given to employees of state-owned companies and a further 11% involved customs officials. Heads of state and ministers were bribed in 5% of cases but received 11% of total bribes.

In most cases (57%) bribes were paid to win public procurement contracts, followed by clearance of customs (6%) and attempts to gain preferential tax treatment (6%).

In 41% of cases management-level employees paid or authorised the bribe, whereas the company CEO was involved in 12% of cases. Intermediaries were involved in three out of four cases.

“Corruption undermines growth and development. The corrupt must be brought to justice,” said OECD secretary-general Angel Gurría. “The prevention of business crime should be at the centre of corporate governance. At the same time, public procurement needs to become synonymous with integrity, transparency and accountability.”

The report revealed it now takes seven years to conclude corruption cases compared with two years in 1999. “This may reflect the increasing sophistication of bribers, the complexity for law enforcement agencies to investigate cases in several countries or that companies and individuals are less willing to settle than in the past.”

The OECD added: “Governments around the world should strengthen sanctions, make settlements public and reinforce protection of whistleblowers as part of greater efforts to tackle bribery and corruption. The overwhelming use of intermediaries also demonstrates the need for more effective due diligence and oversight of corporate compliance programmes, and for company executives to lead by example in fighting foreign bribery.”

 

[Miragedriver]

New 'species' have been created by an enterprising artist who has merged photos of animals together in this series of pictures. Californian Sarah Derememer, 25, started making hybrid animals as a way to improve her photoshop skills. Now she's produced a set of completely new creatures by merging the cutest members of the animal world with the most ferocious. Above, a birboon: cross between a baboon and a sparrow
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Laughing Hamstyna: cross between a hyena and a hamster
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Sleepy Pirdy: cross between a seal and a blue tit
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Cross between a white tiger and a monkey
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Cross between a tapir and a shark
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Cross between a chipmunk and a sparrow
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters

Cross between a hairless cat and a pig
Picture: Sarah DeRemer / Caters



I will now get back to bottling my Malbec