Jim Paull

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KUALA LUMPUR: Employers wishing to hire foreign workers must first advertise the vacancies on the JobsMalaysia 2.0 portal.

Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran said this in response to a question from Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (PH-Kapar) in Dewan Rakyat today.

Kulasegaran also reminded employers wishing to hire foreign workers that they must comply with the policies set by the government, adding that the policies were applicable to all employers regardless of whether they were local or foreign.

He said foreign workers would only be allowed in certain sectors, sub-sectors and those involving the basic occupational categories.

“The government has imposed strict conditions on employers wishing to hire foreign workers by requiring them to advertise job vacancies on the JobsMalaysia 2.0 portal. This will be a prerequisite for employers before they can apply to hire foreign workers.

“This is to ensure that priority is being given to locals,” he said.

Abdullah Sani had asked the government to state the measures it would take if foreign companies took over local companies and refused to hire local workers.

Kulasegaran explained that the government had set a ratio of local and foreign workers for each sector and sub-sector.

This is to regulate the influx of foreign workers and to ensure locals are not deprived of employment opportunities.

It was reported that statistics released by the Immigration Department, as of May 31, showed a total of 1,781,598 foreign workers were granted work permits in five formal and informal sectors.

Kulasegaran also said previously that the JobsMalaysia 2.0 portal which was launched earlier this month would serve as a one-stop centre to provide job market information to job seekers.

He said statistics showed that active job seekers in the country numbered 241,057, while there were 114,138 job vacancies.

 

Over the weekend the office of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abang Johari, issued a statement, which revealed that a memorandum announced with great pomp as the ‘first deal’ by Sarawak’s state oil company, Petros, in January has now ‘lapsed’.

This newsworthy development was made public in response to an article by Sarawak Report, which the chief minister claimed was an attempt to “smear” Petros, for “reasons best known to Sarawak Report”.

However, the statement raises many more questions than it answers, besides inviting Sarawak Report to explain exactly why it drew attention to the memorandum and to Petros over this matter.  We are more than happy to do so.

This news site is concerned as to the real motives behind an astonishing volte face, just before the last election, when Abang Johari’s state government announced on 6th March a decision to over-turn decades of party policy with regard to the oil and gas reserves of the state, by issuing a direct challenge to the control of Petronas and the federal government over Sarawak’s oil.

As part of the move Johari formally announced the setting up of Petros, a state oil company that would take control of all Sarawak’s oil reserves in future, independent of central government.

Supporters of the move pointed to the lack of validity of the 1974 Petroleum Development Act, which had handed the oil reserves to Petronas, a claim Malaysia’s oil company has sought to gain a legal judgement over.

BN’s apparent agreement was seen as a massive concession by then prime minister Najib Razak, whose position in the run up to the GE14 had become increasingly weak. Harapan leader Dr Mahathir had reached out to his old ally Governor Taib Mahmud, who controls Sarawak’s wider economy and the political leadership of the state, and this concession over oil rights is judged to have been the price exacted by Taib to keep the Sarawak parties within BN. This is how the deal was reported in the Straits Times:

The announcement comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gave assurances that Sarawak’s longstanding demands will be met.
With the general election just around the corner, the Prime Minister is seen to be pulling out all the stops to ensure that the gas-and timber-rich state remains loyal to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government. [March 17th]

Given that BN and its local affiliates had for years doggedly rejected opposition claims to increase royalties from Petronas from 5% to even a miserable 20% this change of stance was an intriguing break with past policy.  So, Sarawakians have every right to know what exactly is going on behind the scenes in the name of restoring the oil rights to the people of the state, given the long record of self-serving decisions by their elected representatives.

Even prior to formally establishing Petros and while the Board of Directors was still seeking a CEO, the ‘100% state owned company’ had already set about pulling together what it advertised as its ‘first deal’ announced in January during what was described as a five day working visit by the chief minister to Oman.

The signing of this memorandum was treated as a centre-piece of the chief minister’s working trip together with a grand signing ceremony with a photo-op provided for the Sarawak newspapers, including all the main players in this much vaunted agreement.

To attend the grand occasion a plane load of Sarawakians had made it over to Oman for the signing of the MOU.  Centre stage, as the photos show, was one Lily Chin, director of the company South Sea Energy (SSE), together with SSE’s ‘executive director’ none other than Tiong Kiong King, the son and successor to Taib Mahmud’s key business crony, the founder of Rimbunan Hijau.

Accompanied by Tiong and overseen by Abang Johari, Ms Lily Chin is featured first signing the MOU and then stridently shaking hands with one Dr Anil Chopra, the Chairman and CEO of the PetroTel Group, which had been selected by Sarawak as its partner to enter into “collaborations” and “explore possibilities of cooperation to develop the downstream sector of oil and gas industries in Sarawak”, according to the announcement.

The announcement further made clear that Lily Chin and South Sea Energy were somehow included in the MOU. However, the exact details of what had been agreed (let alone provisions for it to lapse by July) do not appear to have been expanded upon for the benefit of the public.

So, what was the point of all this grandstanding involving Sarawak’s chief minister; how come the whole arrangement is now lapsed and why was this lapse only made public the day after Sarawak Report pointed to a hidden involvement in the deal by Sarawak’s all-powerful politician Governor Taib Mahmud?

South Sea Energy

Yesterday’s statement by the chief minister’s office has now made clear that the commitment of Petros in the MOU was “merely an understanding to assist should the company intend to invest in Sarawak”.  This paints a considerably different picture to the talk of ‘collaboration’ and ‘cooperation’ in the earlier announcements.

By ‘company’ the statement appears to be refering to “the venture in Oman as alleged in the [Sarawak Report] article”, meaning the joint venture between PetroTel and South Sea Energy.

So, how do SSE’s Lily Chin and her tycoon executive director Tiong Kiong King fit into the picture as co-signatories to the memorandum relating to Sarawak?

What Sarawak Report had established when it drew attention to the deal was that SSE was described as a key joint venture partner in the PetroTel exploration work in Oman, back in March 2016 when the local press reported a $150 million dollar lending deal made to SSE by an Omani bank.

SSE was described a Sarawak company with international experience in oil and gas, however the investment was to be in Oman in an onshore exploration of Block 17 controlled by PetroTel.

It was also significant that there was no sign of Lily Chin or Tiong in this initial joint venture and loan arrangement with PetroTel and the Omani bank. The people present were the Sarawak Governor Taib Mahmud and his son Abu Bekir Taib, described as the ‘Executive Vice-President of South Sea Energy’ (the name of the President was not provided).

The facts would appear to be, therefore, that a company in which the Governor and his family has held extremely recent and yet undeclared interests was now seeking to become the first party to invest in Sarawak’s newly re-appropriated oil fields.

Furthermore, to cement that opportunity, the chief minister of the state (and long-time political underling of Taib) undertook a major five day official visit to Oman to oversee the deal.

If these are the facts, as widely reported, then how come the allegation of a “smear” by Sarawak Report and why the sudden dropping of the plans once this connection had been revealed?

Save Sarawak’s Oil For Sarawakians!

Decades of corruption and asset stripping by the present political leadership of Sarawak should give no confidence whatsoever to local people in the handing of their remaining key asset to the same bunch of kleptocrats.

Taib and his colleagues have all become staggeringly wealthy as a result of occupying political roles in Sarawak, which of itself would be adequate to convict the lot of them of criminal misappropriation of public money were the laws to be properly upheld.

As is its, politically controlled law enforcers have till now expressed themselves willing to accept a ludicrous excuse that Taib can be ‘cleared of wrong-doing’ because he stepped out of the room to allow underlings to sign the contracts that made his fortune.

Much in the same way his former federal boss and protector Najib Razak is attempting to blame the employee, who managed his billion dollar bank accounts for stealing the money he himself spent on buying elections, buying movies, buying diamonds and further stolen luxuries.

It would appear that Lily Chin and Tiong did the honours on the deal for the South Sea Energy deal in this respect.  After all, this private company, which is described as having ‘international experience in the oil and gas industry’ provides zero information on its executive office holders or its operations on its website and is described as ‘dormant’ in the register of companies.

Founded in 2008 it has a million ringgit issued shares, two million ringgit worth of assets and seven million ringgit of liabilities. Its revenue in 2016 was ‘zero’.  The sole apparent purpose of inserting this empty company into a deal involving Sarawak’s oil would appear to be to divert a goodly section of the profits, following that earlier investment in PetroTel.

If things are not as they look, then this is the moment for the chief minister’s office to come out with a fuller statement and further details on the MOU and the agreements involved. The exact role of the Governor’s family needs to be explained.

Meanwhile, much as Sarawak longs to retrieve its oil rights they ought not to be handed to the man who cashed in the entire rainforest of the state, made billions from palm oil concessions and then snatched the lions share of its economy through contracts and mega-projects handed to his own family companies.

Taib and his gang must not be trusted with Sarawak’s oil, which should be put under the control of a transparent and professional body, where contracts are clearly negotiated and profits accounted for down to the last ringgit.

If that alone is not enough to convince any objective onlooker, then remember: it was Taib Mahmud, who together with his uncle negotiated and signed the disgraceful and illegal 1974 Petroleum Development Act, which his present underlings now have the cheek to contest over four decades on.

For all that time Taib as chief minister tolerated that illegal arrangement against the interests of his suffering people, even though he as a lawyer knew full well that it had failed  to have been ratified by his own state parliament.  The reason he tolerated this injustice and allowed Sarawak’s oil to be siphoned out by Petronas was because in return the federal BN government agreed to allow him total impunity to rape the remaining resources of the state. Which he did.

Taib has now taken his opportunity to crusade against the legality of his own law, in order to attempt to profit further.  These are not the actions of a senile old has-been, but the continuing pattern of greed by a family who do not know the meaning of restraint.

The Harapan government and MACC need to investigate Taib for his past misdeeds as well as for the present oil grab, and the people of Sarawak need to hold him and his colleagues to account as soon as possible.

We hope this makes the reasons for our article clear to all.

ISLAMABAD: It began with a audience members asking Pakistani parliamentary candidate Jibran Nasir to declare his religion at a public forum, a request he politely refused on the grounds it is irrelevant.

Later, the mobs started showed up. In the past week, three of Nasir’s public meetings in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, have been disrupted by religious hardliners shouting out and shoving his supporters.

Nasir, a human rights lawyer, is a rare breed in Pakistan: an avowedly secular, progressive candidate in the overwhelmingly Muslim country of 208 million, where most parties appeal to an Islamic vote bank.

His independent candidacy is in stark contrast to the prevailing mood of Pakistan’s campaign, which has seen the rise of new ultra-right Islamist parties campaigning on protecting draconian blasphemy laws and denouncing the persecuted Ahmadi sect.

Liberal and secular-minded Pakistanis say the sheer number of religious party candidates, combined with their ultra-conservative rhetoric, has already shifted the agenda in their direction.

Nasir aims to challenge the prevalent extremist discourse.

“Our campaign is bigger than just my win… What it is symbolising for the people is a change in narrative,” he told Reuters.

“That challenging extremists is possible … not using religion to get votes is possible.”

Since launching his campaign, a number of clerics in Karachi have branded Nasir a blasphemer from the pulpit, a dangerous accusation in Pakistan that can lead to the death penalty, and labeled him an Ahmadi, a sect they consider heretics.

On Saturday, a mob of people chanting slogans associated with the new ultra-Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party, which campaigns under the “death to blasphemers” rallying cry, descended on his public meeting, crowding around Nasir and intimidating his supporters.

“I believe it’s being done in a very organised manner,” Nasir said. “Our politics should be free from compromise, fear, and discrimination.”

Labaik spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi said his party “did not send anyone to do this”, adding that people running in elections should declare their faith.

Nasir gained nationwide prominence in 2014 after staging protests against the Red Mosque, the Islamabad center of a militant network with links to Pakistani Taliban strongholds in the northwest and in neighboring Afghanistan.

The mosque was the site of a military standoff in 2007, but within two years its chief cleric was freed from detention and was once again calling for strict Islamic rule across Pakistan.

The mosque campaign earned Nasir a phone call and death threats from a high-ranking Taliban commander.

“We are doing it for the millions of Pakistanis … who right now are forced to choose amongst the lesser of evils, who are willing to embrace different political leaders with all their biases and religious bigotry,” he said.

“Every day I am carrying on with my mission, they are making a fool of themselves.”

On his way back from a weekend trip to upstate New York, TPG managing editor Alberto Riva noticed his airplane window looked to be a bit, err — broken.

Jokingly — but we imagine also somewhat nervously — he dropped a note in our team’s Slack channel that it might be getting chilly onboard after takeoff as the cold high-altitude outside air would seep in.

Although any worries would be understandable after some recent high-profile incidents with airplane windows, they would also be unwarranted. Here’s why.

Despite its concerning appearance, this window insert, like all others on commercial aircraft, are entirely cosmetic, put in place to make windows more flush against the cabin walls while adding the shade mechanism. The United Express ERJ-145 that Alberto was on could probably go for a cabin update, sure, but it’s completely safe for flight.

Indeed, while airplane windows are made to withstand the strong differences in pressure between the air inside and outside the cabin, the window pane that you rest your head against, and can actually touch, does practically nothing besides provide a movable window shade. The green and gray seal that you see in the window pictured above, however, is extremely important to keep the pressurized cabin in, and the freezing, oyxgen-less outside air, out.

Since the outside air pressure at cruising altitude is much lower than the air pressure inside (which is why you can’t open airplane doors mid-flight), airplane windows are under considerable strain as air on both sides presses up against them. To reduce this stress, most windows on modern aircraft are layered, split into [typically] three separate sections.

The outdoor pane and the middle one do the heavy lifting: they must balance the low-pressure outside air with the higher-pressure inside air.

To do so, they use a combination of layered plexiglass and airtight seals, and they’re all very important for safe flight. Even that little hole in the window that you’ve probably wondered about before is actually far more important than the interior pane. That tiny hole helps balance — or “equalize” — air pressure between the interior window panes and inward side of the exterior pane, effectively lessening the strain on the windows and also keeping them mostly free from fogging.

So, besides now being able to impress your friends with your cool-headedness should this happen on a future flight, what’s the moral of this story? If your window is coming off like Alberto’s was this morning, you might want to alert the cabin crew or airline as you might be entitled to some form of compensation, but you won’t need to fear for your life.

Jumper's knee might feel like an inconvenience, but it's important to stay off of the knee and let it heal. Wrap the knee and take ibuprofen to reduce the swelling. If other conservative treatments such as elevating the knee or applying an ice pack don't improve your knee, get a medical diagnosis and treatment plan. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy, injections to manage the pain, or surgery. Once your knee has recovered, you can ease into exercises that will strengthen the supportive muscles.

EditSteps

EditResting and Supporting the Knee

1. Rest the knee for at least 24 to 48 hours. Begin to rest the knee as soon as you notice pain or swelling. You'll need to stay off of the knee and let it rest for at least a day or two before you begin to use it again. Avoid playing high-impact sports or training while your knee is inflamed.^[1]
   
   • Most cases of jumper's knee will need several weeks or even months of treatment.
2. Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation. If your knee has swollen or you feel sharp pain, take ibuprofen for the first 24 to 48 hours. Anti-inflammatory medication can reduce swelling and relieve the initial pain.^[2]
   
   • Talk with your doctor about how long you should take ibuprofen to manage the pain.
3. Apply an ice pack while you rest the knee. Press an ice pack or gel pack to your knee to reduce swelling and relive pain. Hold the ice pack over your knee for up to 10 minutes at a time. Do this once every hour until the swelling goes down.^[3]
   
   • If you have chronic jumper's knee, plan on applying an ice pack after exercising.
4. Elevate the knee. If your knee is painful or you're resting it, raise it up. Try stretching out so you can place pillows or cushions underneath your knee. When you elevate your knee, gravity will help move fluid away from the knee, which can reduce swelling.^[4]
   
5. Wrap the knee with a support or strap. Buy a knee strap and wrap it right under your knee. Wrap it several times so it supports the muscle right beneath your kneecap. The wrap will relieve some of the pressure on your muscle, which can relieve pain and make the muscle heal faster.^[5]
   
   • Knee straps are also called infrapatellar straps or Cho-pat straps. You can buy them in most pharmacies or medical supply stores.

EditGetting Medical Treatment

1. Diagnose the severity of your jumper's knee. Your doctor will watch you run, jump, kneel, and move your knee to determine the level of your injury. The doctor will grade your jumper's knee from 1 to 5. Grades 1 and 2 are mild injuries, but grade 5 represents severe and constant pain.^[6]
   
   • The doctor may order an X-ray or MRI before making a diagnosis.
   • The doctor will use the diagnosis to create a treatment plan for your knee. Low level injuries will improve with rest and support, while a more severe diagnosis will need more intensive treatments.
2. Try massage therapy or electrotherapy for mild jumper's knee. Studies show that professional therapies, such as massage or electrotherapy, help knee tendons heal. Ask your doctor if you'd benefit from massage therapy or electrotherapy along with a rehabilitation program.^[7]
   
3. Get Aprotinin injections. If you have severe jumper's knee that isn't feeling better after you've had mild treatments, you might need injections to relieve pressure and inflammation in the knee. The doctor will inject aprotinin directly into the inflamed tendon, which will desensitize the nerves and relieve pain.^[8]
   
4. Consider surgery for severe jumper's knee. If your knee doesn't improve after trying most treatments, the doctor will recommend removing damaged tissue from your knee. The surgeon can repair the tendon and your knee should heal better because blood supply to the knee is improved.^[9]
   
   • In most cases, you can return home soon after the surgery is completed.

EditExercising to Strengthen the Knee

1. Stretch your quadriceps muscles. If your doctor recommends that you exercise as part of a rehabilitation program, you'll probably need to stretch the quadriceps muscles in front of your thighs. Try one of these stretches:^[10]
   
   • Do the hip flexor stretch by putting one knee on the ground and the other foot in front so the knee is bent. Push your hips forward while you keep your back straight.
   • Hold your ankle and pull the leg behind you toward your back. You should feel a gentle stretching in your quadriceps muscles. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and release it.
2. Begin basic strength training. Once your knee no longer feels painful, start simple exercises to contract and relax your quadriceps. Stand or lay down and pull your knee towards your chest. Hold your knee for 5 seconds before you slowly release it. Do 3 sets of 8 repetitions for each knee.^[11]
   
   • You can eventually work up to holding the knee for 10 seconds. Do 4 sets of 12 repetitions for each knee once you feel comfortable.
3. Use a leg extension machine for more strength training. If you're not comfortable with putting weight on the knee while you exercise, sit down and use the leg extension machine. Extend a single leg with light resistance and try to do 3 sets with 10 repetitions when you start out.^[12]
   
   • Work up to 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions once your knee feels stronger.
4. Do eccentric squats on raised heels. Stand against a slanted foam roller or board so your heels are raised up at the back. Slowly squat down and then stand up a little quicker. Put your weight on the good knee instead of the knee that's healing. Do 3 squats 10 times a day when you start out.^[13]
   
   • Work your way up to 3 squats 15 times a day.

EditTips

• Always work with your doctor or physical therapist to determine a specific exercise and rehabilitation program for you.
• If you feel pain or inflammation during any exercise, immediately stop and rest the knee.

EditSources and Citations

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PERTH: A Malaysian tourist was kicked out of Australia today after videos showing “extreme sexual depravity and horrific violence” were found on his phone during a routine baggage check at the Perth airport.

The 43-year-old man, who was not named, arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday when the shocking material was discovered.

He was held in immigration detention and sent home today after his tourist visa was cancelled and his phone confiscated.

Australian Border Force regional commander for Western Australia Mark Wilson said the images were abhorrent and contravened Australian regulations, without going into details of what was depicted.

“Videos depicting extreme sexual depravity and acts of horrific violence are not acceptable in our community and anyone caught engaging in this behaviour risks forfeiting their right to be here,” he said.

Off-the-shoulder tops are often the statement piece of an outfit. Since they're so versatile, you can wear them with anything — pair your off-the-shoulder top with high-waisted jeans and you've got a date night outfit, or wear your off-the-shoulder top with a long skirt if you're going to the office. By choosing a top that complements your figure and is comfortable, you'll be rocking the off-the-shoulder look all year long.

EditSteps

EditChoosing the Right Fit

1. Pick an off-the-shoulder top that fits your height. The length of your off-the-shoulder top should correspond with your height. If you’re on the taller side, you can balance your height out by wearing long tops. If you’re shorter, it’s better to stick to shorter off-the-shoulder tops, or tuck long tops into the front of your pants.^[1]
   
   • Longer tops are ones that can go below the waist of your pants or skirt, or ones that cover your butt when you wear them.
   • Shorter off-the-shoulder tops could be crop tops or any tops that hit the waist of your pants or skirt or go above.
2. Stick to styles that complement your figure. If you have a fuller chest, off-the-shoulder tops that are flowy or streamlined will look best on you. For smaller chests, you’ll be able to pull off form-fitting off-the-shoulder tops. Whichever style is right for you, try it on before making a final decision.^[2]
   
   • For fuller chests, wide shoulders, or a larger build, try out an off-the-shoulder top that flows out from the top as opposed to one that's skin tight. A cold shoulder top — a top with only the shoulders cut out — will also look great.
   • For smaller chests and a more petite form, wear off-the-shoulder tops that show your curves and cling to your skin more. You don't want to look swallowed in fabric, so be careful when looking at flowy tops.
3. Decide on an off-the-shoulder top that allows arm movement. Off-the-shoulder tops can be restrictive when it comes to arm movement — moving around often causes the sleeves to scrunch up on your shoulders. If your top is too tight, you won’t be able to move your arms at all. Look for an off-the-shoulder top that allows you to move your arms and is comfortable.^[3]
   
   • Clear elastic straps, such as the ones on bras, can be sold separately for $5-$10 and are found online. You can use these to attach to your top, if necessary.
4. Find a strapless bra that fits you comfortably. One of the biggest problems people have with off-the-shoulder tops is that they eliminate many of your bra options. If you already have a strapless bra that fits you well, great! You can wear it with your off-the-shoulder tops. If you don’t have a strapless bra, try to find one that’s super comfortable and nude-colored so that you can wear it with almost anything.^[4]
   
   • Many clothing and lingerie stores will help you get fitted for the right strapless bra.

EditCreating a Casual Outfit

1. Wear your top with high-waisted jeans or a skirt for a relaxed look. Choose a soft, breathable off-the-shoulder top and pair it with high-waisted jeans. If you'd rather wear a skirt, choose an off-the-shoulder top that's a little more fitted. Wear shoes such as flats, sandals, or casual boots to complete the look.^[5]
   
   • Frilly, floral, or cropped off-the-shoulder tops look great with high-waisted jeans.
   • If you're wearing a flowy skirt, choosing a top that's form-fitted will help balance out your outfit.
2. Pair your off-the-shoulder top with jean shorts for warm weather. If you're trying to beat the heat, pick out a pair of shorts to wear with your top. If you're wearing a cropped off-the-shoulder top, you could wear high-waisted shorts. For longer tops, tuck the front into your jean shorts to make sure your shorts are seen.^[6]
   
   • Put on a pair of strappy sandals, and your outfit is complete.
3. Throw on a pair of skinny jeans with your top for running errands. You can rock your off-the-shoulder top while shopping for groceries and visiting the bank, too. Pick out a pair of skinny jeans or colorful pants to wear with your top. You can put on your favorite pair of flats or tennis shoes to complete the relaxed outfit.^[7]
   
   • If you have a pair of colorful shoes you'd like to wear, put on black skinny jeans or regular skinny jeans to make the shoes pop with your top.
4. Opt for a bodysuit off-the-shoulder top to wear with skirts. If you want to bare your shoulders while avoiding a loose top, try out a bodysuit. These cling right to your body while the rest of the off-the-shoulder top is styled normally. Since they're form-fitting, these tops are perfect for wearing with flowy skirts.^[8]
   
   • You can also wear this kind of top with jeans to avoid worrying about keeping your shirt tucked in.

EditPutting Together a Dressy Look

1. Select sleek pants or a streamlined skirt for elegant evening attire. You can find many sleek, elegant-looking off-the-shoulder tops that are perfect for a formal event or evening gathering. Choose an off-the-shoulder top in a neutral color, such as black, tan, white, or any other soft tone. You can pair your top with sleek, formal pants or a longer, straight skirt to complete the outfit.^[9]
   
   • Pick out a top that has a bit more length so that you can tuck it into your pants or skirt for a polished look.
2. Pair a statement top with a pair of skinny jeans and heels. Choose a bold top, such as one that has puffy bell sleeves or a bright floral print, and wear it with a pair of dark skinny jeans. Wearing heels with your outfit will take it to a dressier level.^[10]
   
   • Other statement off-the-shoulder tops include bold stripes, bright colors, layers of lace and ruffles, or an off-the-shoulder top that comes as a set with matching pants.^[11]
   • You can choose heels that are bright and match a color in your top, or go with black that goes with everything.
3. Wear cold shoulder tops with business-appropriate pants for a meeting. Cold shoulder tops are tops that have only the shoulders cut out of them, with straps to go on your shoulders and sleeves covering a section of your arms. Cold shoulder tops can be worn anywhere, but since they're modest and elegant, they can be worn at the office as well.^[12]
   
   • Pair your top with sleek business pants and heels or flats.
   • If your top is billowy, choose a pair of pants that aren't billowy to create a balanced outfit.
4. Wear an off-the-shoulder top with matching pants for a bold look. Some off-the-shoulder tops are part of a set, creating a powerful and bold style. Wear a black cropped off-the-shoulder top with black pants and colorful heels to stand out. If you find a patterned off-the-shoulder top that comes with matching pants, try out both to see how the bold look works for you.^[13]
   
5. Accessorize dressy outfits with as few pieces as possible. Since off-the-shoulder tops already draw attention to your neckline, it’s not necessary to wear a lot of accessories. If you do choose to wear a necklace, aim for one that stays close to your neck, such as a choker or short necklace.^[14]
   
   • You can also choose to just wear statement earrings or sunglasses to make your look dressier.

EditSources and Citations

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An iceberg the size of a hill has drifted close to a tiny village on the western coast of Greenland, causing fear that it could swamp the settlement with a tsunami if it calves. The iceberg towers over houses on a promontory in the village of Innaarsuit but it is grounded and has not moved...

When creamy ranch dressing and tangy BBQ sauce join forces, you end up with the perfect marinade (and dipping sauce) for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This isn't a new concept — we're simply passing along a good idea and making it even better.

Our take threads the chicken onto skewers for super-quick broiling (or grilling!) and ease of eating, and the tender chunks of chicken make for a superb dinner or addition to your lunch salad tomorrow.

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Every Wednesday, this YouTube series adds a new music video of a screaming frog saying “It is Wednesday, my dudes.” Wouldn’t one of these Wednesday songs make a better alarm for your Wednesday mornings than “Radar (Default)”? You can make this happen, my dudes.

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Asparagus is a vegetable that is transformed by hot-and-fast cooking. It's why we love roasted and stir-fried asparagus, and why we fall in love each spring with grilled asparagus. Grilling makes asparagus tender while imparting a delightful char and smoky flavor — but to be honest, grilling asparagus can be tricky. Most asparagus is just wide enough to slip between the grill grates and fall into the fire.

Last summer, I learned the super-simple solution for grilling asparagus that makes them easier to flip and keeps them from falling into the grill: skewers. Threaded together, you can cook five to six skewers at once and transform fresh asparagus into a fast and fancy side with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.

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PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court today disallowed an application by 1MDB’s counsel to discontinue appearing for the state investor in a civil suit.

A three-member bench, chaired by Zainun Ali, instead ordered lawyer Michelle Lai to exhaust other avenues to communicate with 1MDB on her legal firm’s intention to discharge itself.

“You can put up an advertisement as substitute service. If you fail, then file an affidavit (to discharge),” Zainun said.

Lai, who is appearing for legal firm Messrs Tan Hock Chuan & Co, told the bench that the 1MDB management could not be contacted as the premises were closed.

“We could not communicate via fax,” she said.

Justice Aziah Ali, who was a member of the bench, told Lai that 1MDB must be informed first that its lawyers were discharging themselves.

The other member of the bench was Azahar Mohamed.

The court has fixed Aug 13 for case management to know if there is any progress.

The legal firm had appeared for 1MDB in a class action suit brought by 10 opposition youth leaders who sued former prime minister Najib Razak, the Malaysian government and 1MDB for paying US$1.2 billion (RM4.75 billion) to Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

On Jan 9, High Court judge Hue Siew Kheng had dismissed applications by Najib, the government and 1MDB to annul the suit on the grounds that the youth leaders had the legal standing to bring the suit as the payment involved public funds.

The judge also held that the litigants had an arguable case and the matter must go for trial.

Hue said Najib, the government and 1MDB also failed to provide sufficient materials for the court’s consideration to annul the suit since then second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani had said he was very confident state investor 1MDB would win the arbitration case with IPIC.

The youth leaders, who identified themselves as Gerakan Anakmuda Tolak Najib (Ganti), sought a court order that the settlement agreement on May 11, 2016, between IPIC and 1MDB at the London International Court of Arbitration be declared invalid.

On March 26, the Court of Appeal threw out the suit.

A three-man bench chaired by Ahmadi Asnawi said the respondents did not have a legal standing to file the suit against the three appellants.

“There is also no contract between the parties (youth leaders) and the appellant (Najib, government and 1MDB),” he said in allowing the appeal to strike out the suit filed in July.

Ahmadi said the youth leaders could not include the government as a party to the suit as it did not come within the ambit of the Government Proceedings Act.

The youths have filed an appeal in the Federal Court.

 

Court throws out suit against Najib over IPIC payment

Creamy, dreamy sherbet was my favorite frozen treat growing up. The combination of fruit and cream is delightfully refreshing. When working on a watermelon roll recipe, I accidentally discovered the best watermelon sherbet. But that's not even the good part — it only requires two ingredients and a food processor!

Yes, you can turn watermelon into a creamy sherbet with just one other ingredient: sweetened condensed milk.

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Kitchn's Delicious Links column highlights recipes we're excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.

Capers are extremely polarizing. If you like them, you love them, and if you don't, you hate them. I know this because, while I can eat a spoonful of capers straight out of the jar, the first time my now brother-in-law tried my sister's famous caper-quinoa salad, he picked out every briny bugger one by one and sent her a photo of the pile asking, "What are these?" Luckily, this caper snafu did not break them and they are still very happily married. (Maybe this is partly because my brother-in-law is in charge of making dinner?)

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SONKAJÄRVI: Fifty-three men slung their wives or partners over their shoulders and hurtled off on an hour-long race in the small Finnish town of Sonkajärvi on Saturday, as thousands of fans cheered from the stands.

The World Wife-Carrying Championship, now in its 23rd year, draws thousands of visitors to the town of 4,200 and has gained followers across the world.

There are official qualifying competitions in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Estonia. On Saturday, 53 couples from 13 countries joined the competition, organisers said.

The idea of wife-carrying as a competition was inspired by the 19th-century legend of Ronkainen the Robber, who tested aspiring members of his gang by forcing them to carry sacks of grain or live pigs over a similar course.

The championship is also said to stem from an even earlier practice of wife-stealing – leading many present-day contestants to compete with someone else’s wife.

On Saturday, Lithuanian parents of two Vytautas Kirkliauskas and Neringa Kirkliauskienė won the race which involved running, wading through a slippery pool, and getting through an obstacle course. The two defeated six-time world champion Taisto Miettinen, a Finn.

“It’s my wife,” Kirkliauskas shouted happily after the race, “She’s the best.”

The couple first competed in Sonkajärvi in 2005.

Finland, which straddles the Arctic Circle and goes through long, dark winters, is no stranger to strange sports. It has also given the world the world boot-throwing, air-guitar, and mobile phone-throwing competitions, to name just a few.

“I think because we have only three months of light we need to come up with nice stuff to do during the summertime, and we want to show everyone we have a great sense of humor,” said Sanna-Mari Nuutinen, a volunteer at Saturday’s event.

With doctors on hand just in case, ten contestants each held plates heaped with 50 Tabasco chili peppers, racing to be the first to finish off the red-hot chilis.

Tang cleared his plate in just 68 seconds in a contest held in nearly sweltering temperatures weather and as competitors sat in a shallow pool filled with water and three tonnes of floating chilis.

“He finished them at an amazing speed, barely after the emcee had finished speaking,” said Sun Minying, an employee at the theme park, called the Tanhe Ancient City.

The Tabasco pepper has a rank of 30,000-50,000 on the Scoville Heat Scale that measures the piquancy of chilis, which puts it somewhere between a jalapeño and a habanero.

The peppers bobbing in the pool, however, were of a far weaker variety, partly to avoid irritating the contestants’ skin.

Hunan cuisine is marked by its fiery peppers and richly coloured dishes and is considered among China’s eight great food traditions along with Sichuan, Cantonese, and other cuisines.

The festival lasts until the end of August, with a fresh chili-eating contest held daily.

As far as I am concerned, chicken thighs are the best part of the chicken. They're so flavorful and easy to cook that it's virtually impossible to mess them up. You can put them in the oven with just a bit of salt and pepper, or you can go in the other direction entirely and make something extremely rich and creamy.

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KOTA KINABALU: A swarm of bees prevented over 200 passengers including Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau and his delegation from disembarking their plane at the airport here today.

The AirAsia aircraft landed at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport from Miri at about 3.20pm, but passengers waited over 10 minutes before they were allowed to leave the plane.

“The plane stopped in front of the terminal and everyone was getting ready to leave but somehow there was a delay,” said Upko information chief Albert Bingkasan, who was also on the flight.

“Suddenly someone mentioned there were bees outside. And then the pilot announced that they couldn’t open the doors to the plane because there were about 400 to 500 bees outside,” he said.

Tangau, his wife and more than 10 other people in his delegation were returning from the 12th joint Gawai-Kaamatan celebration held by the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Miri yesterday.

According to Bingkasan, baggage handlers were also careful not to approach the plane.

“The airport ground staff then managed to position the aerobridge in a way to minimise the gap between the door to the plane before we were all allowed to leave.

“We could see a swarm of bees on the tail of the plane when we reached the terminal. Thankfully everyone was safe,” he said.

Two boats packed with tourists traveling off the coast of Thailand’s resort island Phuket capsized on Thursday after being hit by 16-foot waves. At least 33 people were reported dead in the shipwreck, with 23 more reported missing.

The boats were leaving an area of the island popular for snorkeling when the incident occurred. One of the boats involved was the Phoenix PC Diving, a double-decker cruise liner that was ferrying 105 passengers, 93 of which were tourists from China. The ship’s captain was able to save some people by lowering life boats and urging passengers to put on life jackets as the ship was rocked by the tall waves.

A second boat, called Serenita, also sank in the rough seas off Phuket on Thursday. But all 42 passengers on that vessel were rescued, authorities said. Serenita was sailing off of Koh Mai Thon — a small resort island located off the coast of Phuket. 

Both boats set sail Thursday, ignoring severe weather alerts for the region.

Officials were operating search parties into Friday night. So far, 33 bodies have been recovered, but there is still no sign of the 23 people that have been reported as missing. 

Divers were sent to search for any human remains in the vestiges of the Phoenix PC Diving boat, which now sits about 120 feet below the water’s surface. Officials are also continuing the search operations by air using helicopters to sweep the area where the ship sank.

“Police investigators said most of the tourists were wearing life jackets,” Governor of Phuket, Noraphat Plothong, said on Friday. He added that he hoped some might be still be alive.

H/T: New York Times

Featured image of the shipwreck survivors on lifeboats by the Royal Thai Navy via Facebook.

Like Trader Joe's, Costco, and Target, IKEA has its own cult following. And even infrequent IKEA shoppers have probably heard of the RÅSKOG Utility Cart and the BILLY Bookcase. But for every one of those super-popular products, there are a dozen lesser-known ones. So we polled our readers, loyal IKEA shoppers, to dig up some of the best, most underrated products. This way, there's less pressure on you when you're wandering through that snake-like maze.

Here are 12 of the best hidden gems at IKEA, according to our readers.

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HNA co-founder and chairman fell off a cliff in France yesterday and died while photos were taken.

HNA owns Hainan Airlines, Radisson hotels, 30% stake in NH hotels (Spanish chain) and 25% stake in Hilton.

Here’s an excerpt from WSJ (access their piece here):

HNA said Mr. Wang, 57 years old, died unexpectedly Tuesday after an accidental fall. He was accompanied by a few colleagues from HNA during the sightseeing trip in Provence, a person close to the company said.

Mr. Wang was visiting a cliff-side church in Bonnieux, a village in the Vaucluse department of France’s southeast, according to a French police official. He stood on a wall meant to keep people from falling off the cliff and asked a friend to take a photo of him, the official said. Mr. Wang then fell over the side of the cliff, about 10-15 meters, and died at the scene, the official added.

Conclusion

First when I saw this news yesterday, I thought that there might be foul play involved because HNA was going through some difficulties as of late and selling off assets. Not sure if this will accelerate the process.

Seems that taking photos around European sights is dangerous this year for tourists as many have fallen while taking selfies.

Dear Salty: My wife and I were recently shopping in a neighboring city with our 2-year-old. It was getting to be midafternoon when a thunderstorm started, and we hadn’t yet had lunch.

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Remember those sun-dried tomatoes lurking in the back of your pantry? Isn't there a hunk of goat cheese somewhere in the fridge? Now's the time to grab both of those ingredients because together they make this creamy, dreamy weeknight pasta that's proudly all frills and no fuss.

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When you smother chopped chicken breast, crispy potatoes, and tender broccoli in a sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce, you know you've got something good on your hands. This one-pan dinner perfection is a dream for busy weeknights, or nights when you just don't want to cause much of a stir in the kitchen.

Here's how it comes together: Toss everything on a sheet pan, roast until the vegetables are caramelized and the chicken is tender, then pile the mix into shallow bowls to catch the sauce. There's no need for a side dish — this is a complete meal as-is. Just gather everyone around the table, grab forks and napkins, and dig in.

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If the produce section were a high-school yearbook, I'd award mushrooms "Most Reliable." Mushrooms are always there for you, whether as a delicious stand-in or accompaniment to meat. I particularly love them when cooked in the blazing heat of the grill, where they become tender and caramelized. In fact, when glazed in a garlicky, buttery marinade, the humble vegetable has a fighting chance at "Most Popular."

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In this land of abundance, the choice of drinks popular with Malaysians is just as varied as the food we happily eat.

But while we tend to blame the food we consume for weight gain, we tend to ignore that the drinks we love are just as much to blame, especially if we consume sweetened drinks on a daily basis.

The information about the calorie content in the following drinks was obtained from www.myfitnesspal.com.

Iced Milo: 414 calories

This is what is found in a 200ml glass of iced Milo with a generous helping of condensed milk. The enhanced versions of Milo Tabur and Milo Dinosaur will definitely pack more of a punch and an unwanted number of calories. Omit the condensed milk and sugar, and the calorie count will go right down.

Soya cincau: 300 calories

Based on a 500ml glass, this is quite a lot to drink by yourself. However, even drinking half the amount is packed with plenty of calories you most definitely do not need.

Fruit juices: 280 calories

This particular calorie count is based on a glass of watermelon juice. Remember this may vary especially at food stalls as vendors tend to add spoonfuls of sugar water to sweeten already sweet fruits.

Teh tarik: 237 calories

Teh tarik to nasi lemak is what Robin is to Batman – a trusty sidekick. This calorie count is based on one small glass of teh tarik.

Iced Nescafe: 215 calories

This is what’s lurking in a glass iced Nescafe with two tablespoons of condensed milk. However, your local mamak may be even more generous, so beware! “Kurang manis” – or even better “kosong” is the way to go.

Cafe latte: 160 calories

The drink of the millennials. Based on a Grande sized Cafe latte. Look at how many calories the milk alone packs. Might be best to go black from now.

Air sirap bandung: 150 calories

This is calculated based on one regular glass of sugared water with condensed milk.

Beer: 142 calories

This reading is based on a can of Heineken. It’s similar to what you get in a can of Coke.

Coca-cola: 140 calories

This is based on a 330ml can. Other fizzy drinks like Sprite, F&N Orange, Kickapoo and even 100Plus contain similar levels of calories.

Cendol: 140 calories

This is for a small bowl of cendol. We have not even begun to talk about the big bowls usually served in restaurants, or even durian cendol. Pair it with rojak and you get a rather shocking mountain of calories.

The recommended calorie intake for the average male is 2,500 per day, and 2,000 for women. This is conventional wisdom but there are new schools of thought that advocate for less than these amounts.

But the general consensus is that to lose weight, input (food intake) must be less than output (exercise, basal metabolism).

PRO-TIP: You can see that sugar and condensed milk adds to the calorie count. Try omitting these when making your own drinks and you should see a massive difference.

 

 

 

DoctorOnCall is Malaysia’s first online clinic that allows chat, phone, and video calls directly with a registered Malaysian doctor at www.doctoroncall.com.my

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained here with other sources, and review all information with your physician. Please do not disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment because of something you have read here. FMT is not responsible and liable for any damage caused through information obtained here.

 

Travelers are attracted to the Bahamas for a number of reasons, like the archipelago’s electric-blue waters and close proximity to the eastern coast of the US, or the staggering new Baha Mar resort complex in Nassau. For some, though, it’s the pigs.

In the Exumas (a region of the Bahamas composed of some 365 islands and cays), there is a stretch of sand known as Big Major Cay, and it’s uninhabited save for a population of feral pigs. One of the most popular attractions in the entire Caribbean nation, swimming with these photogenic swine is no simple side trip. Even travelers based in the Exumas need to devote at least one full day to see the Bahamian swimming pigs. And this is just one key thing to know before booking a tour to Big Major Cay.

Getting there

Because I was based at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, I caught one of the early-morning flights to George Town (GGT), the capital of the Exumas, the day of my tour. It was a 40-minute puddle jump from Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) on a Bahamasair twin turboprop. My flight left promptly at 8:40am and landed at 9:20am. It was like the tour had already begun, thanks to the stunning views below. 

More untamed than the expertly manicured island I had been staying on, George Town (on Great Exuma) felt almost primitive when I stepped onto the tarmac. Less than 25 yards away on the other side of a chainlink fence, Jedi (pronounced Jeh-dee), the boat captain from Coastline Adventures, was right where he said he would be, wearing a bright orange shirt. I climbed into his air-conditioned bus along with a handful of other passengers, and we set off to pick up the remaining guests, who were staying at hotels on Great Exuma.

I stepped onto the wooden dock and joined the single-file line to drop my sandals into a bucket while boarding the 35-foot Marlin. I claimed my seat up front, where I had an unobstructed view, slathered on sunscreen and watched as Jedi and his first mate, Liz, revved up the engine and pulled us away from the dock.

Sandbar snack break

We dropped anchor at the stunning Pipe Cay sandbar that looked and felt like a shallow pile of talcum powder. Lemon shark pups swam close to my feet.

Jedi stepped off the boat and pounded a number of conch he’d caught with a mallet, revealing briny, white meat. Liz added the chopped conch to diced peppers, onions and a touch of mango for sweetness, and the group dug into bowls of the resultant conch salad.

Swimming with nurse sharks

It was already well into the afternoon by the time we reached our next stop on the tour, Compass Cay, a busy marina where dozens of nurse sharks swarmed beneath a marina. A mandatory $10 docking fee was required the minute you stepped off the boat, whether you swam or not. It wasn’t included in the tour price, and you needed cash.

I found a spot to sit on the edge of the dock and dangled my feet over the edge — as close as I’m ever going to get to full-grown sharks of any kind. Several other travelers jumped in, the first a woman on our tour with a GoPro in her hand. Before she’d even let go of the dock steps, a shark had already snatched the camera from her hand, nipping her finger in the process. Everyone yelped in shock, and Liz quickly wrapped the woman’s finger with a bandage. Most of the guests jumped back in the water, and someone found the camera at the bottom of the marina.

Other boats pulled up, and in a matter of minutes there were roughly 25 tourists crowded together in the 4-foot-deep water, bobbing alongside the sharks. Everyone was snapping selfies and feeding the sharks fish scraps handed out on the dock.

One tour member began pulling sharks out of the water for a photo op, and I couldn’t help but cringe. There is something about interacting with the sharks in this way — even passively swimming with them — that feels unsettling, like we’ve commercialized these wild animals in pursuit of a great picture.

Part of what struck me was that neither the dockmaster nor the tour guides ever offered visitors guidance on how to behave in the water. Save for a few signs warning guests not to feed the sharks anything but fish scraps, no one seemed to care what anyone did once they were in the water.

I later read a story claiming the marina owner brought them in years ago. Nurse sharks are considered one of the most docile species of shark, so it didn’t take long for the unaggressive animals to begin luring travelers. (The sharks are even named.) As daytrippers have become more aggressive, though, the animals, too, seem to be acting out in response.

Playing with pigs

Finally, it was time to swim with the pigs. When we dropped anchor in the shallows of Big Major Cay, it was way past lunchtime, and most of the pigs were passed out under a thatched hut on the beach. One huge male swam toward our boat immediately, though, its round, pink snout rising out of the water like a periscope. He was quickly banging himself against the side of our boat, demanding to be fed.

“Hold out your hands to show them you don’t have any food, and they’ll retreat,” Jedi said.

Liz also warned us not to turn our backs on any of them: Some are feisty enough to bite your behind if they think you’re not feeding them.

There are a few different legends about how the feral pigs first arrived on this uninhabited island, but most point to human intervention, whether you believe it was pirates, Spaniards or a businessman who dropped them off in the 1990s. It wasn’t long before the island earned its reputation as the “authentic” home of Pig Beach and boat tours started coming in droves.

On the day we visited, we barely stayed at Big Major Cay for 15 minutes before it was time to move on. It was disappointing, but, truthfully, once you’ve taken a round or two of obligatory photographs and fed the swine a few scraps of bread, there’s not much else to do. After all, who wants to hang out longer than necessary in the same water where feral pigs are freely pooping and peeing? Let’s put it this way: A lot of the marketing materials depict happy children snorkeling with swimming piglets. I can’t imagine anyone sticking their face in that cloudy water.

During my trip, I saw a grown man straddle a large pig as if to ride him and tourists hold a squealing piglet for photos. I asked Jedi about official guidelines on how to interact with the pigs, but he shrugged and said there were none that he knew of.

Last year, several pigs were found dead at this beach, their bellies filled with sand. Some critics believe the pigs ingest too much sand during feedings with humans, causing them to get sick, but no other deaths have been reported since. The changing climate may also be to blame.

According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the number of tour operators that can visit the cay per day is limited, and the pigs are on a “restricted” diet. “Visitors,” the ministry explained, “should use their best judgement when interacting with pigs.”

After the tour, I spoke with the manager of Coastline Adventures, Glenroy Smith, who told me explicitly that it’s not recommended to “handle the animals” and travelers are “[advised to use caution] when touching or picking them up.”

Bahamian buffet

Around 3:00pm, we pulled up to a dock for lunch at Black Point Island. A slew of stingrays, nurse sharks and needlefish were swimming underneath. We set out on foot for a few blocks to Deshamon’s Restaurant, a colorful wooden cottage where a Bahamian buffet was set out.

We happily filled paper plates with fried grouper, barbecue ribs, yellow rice with diced veggies, and fresh fruit and red velvet cake. For $24, the homemade buffet lunch was a decent deal for the Bahamas, where prices tend to be quite high.

Visiting the rock iguanas 

Once we were back in the boat, Jedi pointed out Musha Cay, the luxurious private island owned by magician David Copperfield and frequented by celebs like Johnny Depp and Oprah Winfrey. (Copperfield’s isle rents for a reported $57,000 per night.) Shortly after, we slowed down in front of the island owned by country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Our last stop of the tour was Bitter Guana Cay, where rock iguanas lounged like miniature dinosaurs on the beach’s rocky shoreline. It felt like a shrunken, toy-sized version of “Jurassic Park.” As we slipped off the boat into the lukewarm waters, Jedi handed us lettuce and, once again, we fell into what had clearly become a routine: Offer food, snap pictures, vacillate between delight and fear, take more pictures and leave.

When the boat returned to the dock at the end of the day, the waters had begun to take on a golden sunset glow. The breeze was calm, the mercury hovered around 85 degrees and we were surrounded by some of the world’s most compelling natural beauty.

It’s a shame the animals we encountered on this tour aren’t better guarded from tourists who behave badly. Because in many ways, it offers a compelling introduction to the creatures inhabiting the Exumas’ many cays — and there’s no better way to explore the region than by boat, whether or not you decide to splash around with the swimming swine. But ultimately, this is a widely popular tourist attraction that many travelers will book during a trip to the Bahamas.

If swimming with pigs and nurse sharks — and sunbathing with rock iguanas — has been on your travel bucket list since you got your first passport, just remember to be a responsible, thoughtful traveler. Be conscientious about what the animals can and cannot eat (the ministry, for example, recommends only fruits and vegetables including carrots, lettuce, watermelon and apples for the pigs) and kind to the animals that call the Bahamas home.

Fast facts

Tour operator: Coastline Adventures, but several other companies run nearly identical tours. Some tour operators do offer half-day tours, but be sure to ask if they visit Big Major Cay — there are, in fact, other “pig beaches” that have popped up in the Exumas, and you will rarely reach the original on a short excursion.

Cost: $210 per person, including transfers to and from the airport or your hotel, snorkel equipment, unlimited Bahama Mamas, soft drinks and conch salad. Other, less expensive tour operators require you to make your own way to the boat launch.

When to go: Tours run all year. If swimming with the pigs is the highlight of your visit, ask for one that goes to Big Major Cay in the morning, when they’re more active.

Prep tips: Pack plenty of sunscreen and a towel, and bring cash for the shark encounter, lunch and tips. About $50 should easily cover you for the day. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, these tours are best suited for travelers 12 and up.

The Points Guy has comprehensive coverage of the Baha Mar resort and the Bahamas — read all our stories here.

Interest in working out while on the road is on the rise — but not all travelers have access to a gym. And according to a 2017 study from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, though 46% of hotel guests have every intention of using a fitness center during their stay, only 22% follow through.

Fortunately, you can increase the likelihood of sticking to an exercise and wellness routine by showing up prepared.

The Points Guy spoke with Daniel Giordano, co-founder of Bespoke Treatments Physical Therapy in New York City (a company that’s worked with everyone from frequent flying CEOs to Olympic athletes), about easy equipment-free exercises you can do in your hotel room.

With this seven-step routine, Giordano promises you’ll “get your heart rate through the roof and burn calories” during your next hotel room workout.

For each of these exercises, don’t worry too much about the number of repetitions. Instead, Giordano suggested, “set a timer and do interval training.”

Start with 30 or 45 seconds on, doing as many reps as you can in the time given, and then take a 15-second break. Run through all seven exercises once, and repeat the series two more times.

In roughly 15 minutes, Giordano said, you can “go back and sit by the pool.”

“With this type of routine, you’re hitting aerobic and anaerobic,” he added. “It’s a fully-body, high-intensity cardiovascular workout.”

Though all of these exercises can be done without any equipment, Giordano does recommend packing a few tools in your suitcase.

What to pack

“I ask [my clients] to travel with a [compact] foam roller or mobility tool.” Giordano recommends the The Stick. Like a foam roller, The Stick (from $28) is used to release knots from muscles, while also improving circulation.

Giordano is also a fan of RockBalls (from $20) — a more targeted mobility tool that “breaks up adhesions” and “relieves [pain].”

Finally, toss a TheraBand resistance loop (from $6) into your suitcase, which can be used to increase the difficulty of most exercises listed below.

The exercises

Bridges

This foundation exercise, Giordano explained, focuses on strengthening the posterior chain (including the gluteus maximums, erector spine muscles and hamstrings, among others). If you can do a simple bridge, kick the exercise into high gear by getting up on your toes. “It gets the calves to fire,” Giordano explained.

Mountain Climbers

Start in a neutral plank position on your hands and toes — and be sure to “lift from your abdominals, not your hip flexors,” Giordano said. Pull your knees to your chest one at a time, keeping your pelvis tucked and butt slightly lifted. “Make it harder,” said Giordano, “by doing cross-body mountain climbers.”

Plank

After you’ve finished the set of mountain climbers, hold a plank — either on your hands or elbows. According to Giordano, the straight-arm version is slightly more challenging, because it incorporates the shoulders. But if you have any shoulder pain, go to your elbows, making sure your shoulders are depressed and retracted.

Burpees

After a 15-second break, It’s time for burpees. This intense full-body movement starts in a standing position with your feet should-width apart. Jump through a squat into a push-up position, and lower yourself all the way down to the floor. Push back up from the floor into a plank, and jump back into a squat before standing up straight.

“If you are having pain and you can’t get all the way down to the ground, an alternative movement is a squat thrust,” Giordano said. Like a burpee without a push-up, simply jump from a squat into a plank, and back into a squat.

Squats and Squat Jumps

In a squat, Giordano explained, “you’re pushing through your heels from your butt.” To make sure you’re working your glutes, and not leaning forward (which can put pressure on your knees) check that you can wiggle your toes while you’re in the bottom of the squat. Move through as many as you can during the interval before moving into squat jumps.

Don’t worry about bothering your neighbors with your squat jumps. “You don’t want to hear yourself land. You want to be soft — land like a ninja.”

Keep a bend in the knees and focus on moving through a squat into a jump upward with a soft landing. Even if you only do five squat jumps, Giordano said, you’ll elevate your heart rate.

Side Plank Push-Up

The final exercise in this routine is a push-up that moves into a side plank. To execute a side plank push-up, simply rotate through a push-up between every side plank. “If that’s too easy,” Giordano said, “you can do [the exercise] with a resistance band.”

Looking for more ways to stay fit on the road? Check out our illustrated guides to exercising and stretching on a plane — yes, even in economy — and getting a solid workout in the hotel swimming pool.