A convoy tour helps holiday makers get the best from their road trip to Malaysia

Jennifer Chen
jennifer@mediacorp.com.sg

Although she has driven in Australia and New Zealand before, Pauline Chan professed to being a coward when it comes to taking her family on a road trip north.

“Malaysia is one of those places I’m not too sure about,” admitted the 48-year-old sales manager. “I don’t want to drive there on my own.”

Yet, as holidays abroad are becoming more expensive for families hit by the economic downturn, an instant getaway provided by a road trip has its appeal.

LADIES, welcome to the world of swishing… a fashion soiree with a difference.

 Swishing is for eco-conscious fashionistas and their cash-strapped sisters who want to keep their wardrobes looking chic in the recession.

 The popularity of the concept soared after ’60ssupermodel Twiggy set up her own version on TV.

 Here’s how it works: Each woman brings at least five items of chic but unloved clothing or fashion accessories to the party.

 Then they go on the prowl to see what’s on offer.

Nicole Kidman arrived at the London premiere of her film Australia wearing a dazzling white dress.

By Urmee Khan

Nicole Kidman braves the cold to sign autographs for fans Photo: AFP

Kidman has said she would be giving up acting soon Photo: GETTY

She appeared on the red carpet with her co star Hugh Jackman. They were joined by Sir Elton John, Twiggy and television presenter Konnie Huq among other celebrities at Leicester Square’s Odeon cinema.

Director, writer and producer Baz Luhrmann was joined by his wife, Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin.

Matthew Clayfield | December 09, 2008

DRAWINGS of The Simpsons characters engaging in sexual acts with one another have resulted in a Sydney man being convicted on child pornography charges.

In the NSW Supreme Court yesterday, judge Michael Adams upheld a decision to convict Alan John McEwan for possessing child pornography after determining that a fictional cartoon character could be considered to “depict a person” under state and commonwealth law.

Justice Adams ruled the word “person” included imaginary or fictional characters and that an unrealistic representation of a figure did not preclude that figure from being a “person”.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - It seems a bad back might be the only thing that can stop the relentless spread of Australia’s poisonous cane toads, which are killing native animals as they hop across the nation, researchers say.

Australia’s army couldn’t stop the cane toads, which number around 200 million. Residents swinging golf clubs failed and so did a campaign to freeze them to death in refrigerators.

But now an Australian scientist says evolution has seen the biggest and fastest cane toads interbreed, resulting in arthritis and bad backs which could slow them down.