Mate Choice and the Origin of Menopause

Mate Choice and the Origin of Menopause

Abstract

Human menopause is an unsolved evolutionary puzzle, and relationships among the factors that produced it remain understood poorly. Classic theory, involving a one-sex (female) model of human demography, suggests that genes imparting deleterious effects on post-reproductive survival will accumulate. Thus, a ‘death barrier’ should emerge beyond the maximum age for female reproduction. Under this scenario, few women would experience menopause (decreased fertility with continued survival) because few would survive much longer than they reproduced. However, no death barrier is observed in human populations. Subsequent theoretical research has shown that two-sex models, including male fertility at older ages, avoid the death barrier. Here we use a stochastic, two-sex computational model implemented by computer simulation to show how male mating preference for younger females could lead to the accumulation of mutations deleterious to female fertility and thus produce a menopausal period. Our model requires neither the initial assumption of a decline in older female fertility nor the effects of inclusive fitness through which older, non-reproducing women assist in the reproductive efforts of younger women. Our model helps to explain why such effects, observed in many societies, may be insufficient factors in elucidating the origin of menopause.

Author Summary

The origin and evolution of menopause is understood poorly and explanations remain contentious. Virtually ignored among explanations is the effect that mate choice can exert on an evolving population. We designed and used a computational model and computer simulation to show that male mating preference for younger females in humans could have led to the accumulation of mutations deleterious to female fertility and thereby produced menopause. Our model demonstrates for the first time that neither an assumption of pre-existing diminished fertility in older women nor a requirement of benefits derived from older, non-reproducing women assisting younger women in rearing children is necessary to explain the origin of menopause.



- wong chee tat :)

Study blames men for menopause

Study blames men for menopause

    POSTED: 15 Jun 2013 7:44 AM
   
Men and their preference for younger female mates may have led to the phenomenon of menopause in women, according to a controversial study by Canadian researchers published this week.

WASHINGTON: Men and their preference for younger female mates may have led to the phenomenon of menopause in women, according to a controversial study by Canadian researchers published this week.

"If women were reproducing all along, and there were no preference against older women, women would be reproducing like men are for their whole lives," said evolutionary geneticist Rama Singh, a professor at McMaster University.

Singh said the conventional "grandmother theory," which holds that older women grow infertile so that they can assist the survival of their kin by helping to raise their children's offspring, did not make sense to him.

Instead of age leading to infertility, Singh theorised that the dwindling pool of male mates for older women - because many older men seek to mate with younger women - led to a lack of reproduction that gave rise to menopause.

His work, backed up by computer models, suggests that a male mating preference for younger females could have led to the accumulation of genetic mutations that would harm female fertility and bring on menopause.

The study was published on Thursday in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal PLOS Computational Biology.

But while the assertion raised many eyebrows, not all experts are convinced by Singh, who questioned why menopause appears to be mainly a human phenomenon.

"I cannot agree with the theory put forth," said Steven Goldstein, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at New York University School of Medicine.

"There are other primates who do experience menopause, although life expectancy after menopause is extremely limited," said Goldstein, who was not involved in the research.

"The same was true of humans until roughly the 1850s. In 1850 the average age of menopause was 46 and life expectancy was 50, which more closely parallels that of chimpanzees or gorillas.

Rather, a more accurate explanation would be that scientific advances like water purification and antibiotics have led to much longer lives among humans, he said.

"The cessation of reproductive capabilities in higher primates has always come shortly before the life span ends. It is only the advances of modern society that have women living so very long," he told AFP.

- AFP/fl

- wong chee tat :)

Singapore central bank stands pat as economy shrinks

Singapore central bank stands pat as economy shrinks

    By Wong Siew Ying
    POSTED: 12 Apr 2013 8:31 PM
  
The Monetary Authority of Singapore says it is maintaining a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar, despite the contraction in Singapore's Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of this year.

SINGAPORE: Despite the contraction in Singapore's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of this year, the central bank is leaving its tight monetary policy unchanged.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) says it is maintaining a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar.

"This policy stance is assessed to be appropriate for containing inflationary pressures, anchoring inflation expectations, and facilitating the restructuring of the economy towards sustainable growth," MAS said in its latest half-yearly review of its monetary policy on Friday.

Many economists had expected the MAS to stand pat on its policy.

In the April review of its monetary policy, the MAS said it would continue to allow the Singdollar to appreciate at a modest and gradual pace.

Economists said that apart from fighting inflation, the tight monetary policy will help facilitate economic restructuring.

Credit Suisse's director for non-Japan Asia economics, Robert Prior-Wandesforde, said: "Clearly they are worried about inflation, in particular the tightness of the labour market and the fear that it will lead to higher wage growth and in turn higher inflation. I suspect also that the central bank is trying to force some structuring adjustments in some of these exporting companies - basically, force them further up the value chain into new and more profitable areas."

Some economists say exporters which are not competitive will continue to find the going rough as Singapore's real exchange rate is likely to remain strong.

United Overseas Bank economist Francis Tan said: "Our projection for the (US) dollar-Singdollar at the end of this year is 1.22. However we see that there are some renewed risks in the eurozone. With that, we think that the dollar-Singdollar may possibly go up to 1.26 by the end of the second quarter this year before going on the downward trend towards 1.22 by the end of the year."

Despite the GDP contraction in the first quarter, MAS said the Singapore economy should grow at a modest pace this year, as external demand recovers.

The central bank also cut its inflation forecast for 2013, reflecting weaker price increases in recent months.

Measures to rein in housing costs and car prices should also help keep inflation in check.

For the full year, MAS projects core inflation, which excludes housing and private transportation costs, to come in at 1.5 to 2.5 percent - down from its earlier estimates of 2 to 3 percent.

The headline inflation (CPI-All Items inflation) has also been lowered from 3.5 to 4.5 percent to 3 to 4 percent.

Now that the MAS has downgraded its inflation forecast for the year, some economists say there may be some room for the central bank to loosen its monetary policy in the next review in October.

But a lot will depend on the labour market conditions as well as economic outlook in the latter part of the year.

- CNA/ir

- wong chee tat :)

Playing hard to get, or impossible to get?

January 8, 2013 - 5:00pm

By: 

Bhavna Jagtiani

Jazlyn Koo

What do you do when someone tries to hit on you?
Flirt? Turn your attention elsewhere?
For some Singaporeans, men specifically, they just act completely disinterested.
This is according to a Singapore Management University (SMU) researcher Mr Norman Li, who said they tend to play "impossible to get".
He said: "There tends to be not much indication of interest or if there is, there is too much of an indication."
Mr Li was is one of the co-authors of a study that found that playing hard to get is a dating strategy many men and women adopt to seem more desirable.
The study, reported in the European Journal of Personality, identified 58 strategies commonly used by men and women to play hard to get.
Here are the 10 most popular "strategies" used:
1. Act confident
2. Talk to others
3. Withhold sex
4. Act sarcastic but friendly
5. Superficial conversation
6. Make others work to get them
7. Give accidental physical contact
8. Be unpredictable
9. Keep conversation short
10. Make others chase
While both men and women play this game, women are more likely to play hard to get - and be successful at it too.
Apparently, men who play hard to get run the risk of losing their prospective mate to another man whereas when women do the same, it increases their desirability and encourages men to show a higher level of commitment to them.
Co-author of the study Mr Peter Jonason, who's from the University of Western Sydney, said: "Men can act aloof and withhold contact and even withhold sex to increase a woman's interest in them but there are risks involved because women tend to have a lot of male suitors and often if you deny attention to a particular woman, you might lose out on that mating opportunity."
So, what are the best strategies to entice the opposite sex?
Mr Jonason said: "You have to show interest while simultaneously showing 'Hey I'm really busy, I'm a hot commodity'."
"Eagerness, especially for women, turns people off."
Both professors however, advised applying discretion when using the tactics.
Mr Jonason said: "Playing hard to get can easily degrade into the impression that this person is rude, and admittedly everyone kind of wants someone who wants them too."


- wong chee tat :)

Eight private estates selected for upgrading to provide better facilities

Eight private estates selected for upgrading to provide better facilities
By Monica Kotwani | Posted: 26 December 2012 1830 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of National Development (MND) will spend about S$29 million over the next two years to upgrade and develop the infrastructure in private estates.

Eight private estates have been selected - Goldhill, Mayflower Gardens and Yio Chu Kang Gardens, Cashew and Hazel Park Terrace, Greenleaf, Bartley Neighbourhood, Carmichael, Haig Road, and Limau.

The Ministry said these are the older private estates which have a greater scope for improvement.

Works include landscaping, play and fitness equipment, park furniture and widening of footpaths.

More than 7,000 households in these estates are expected to benefit from the improved facilities when works are completed in three to four years.

Since 2000 when the Estate Upgrading Programme first started, MND has spent S$138 million benefiting more than 34,000 households in 46 private estates.

Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Chairman of the Estate Upgrading Programme Committee, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, said: "There is high demand for upgrading and improvement works from private estates.

"When selecting a site for upgrading, we consider the age and physical condition of the estate, and scope for improvement.

"We are encouraged to see the strong support for our private estate upgrading programmes, which not only create a better living environment but also strengthen community bonding."

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat :)

Demand for rice in China falls with rising affluence

Demand for rice in China falls with rising affluence
By Valarie Tan | Posted: 23 December 2012 2234 hrs
     
JILIN: China may be the world's biggest rice consumer, but some say demand will fall, as its people become more affluent and consume more meat and dairy products.

Nearly 200 million tonnes are produced in China each year.

But as grain processing became more mechanized, the appetite of affluent Chinese has also became more polished.

On average, a person in China is said to consume 90 kilograms of rice each year.

While that number is also the highest in the world right now, it is also expected to decrease over time.

With growing affluence, the Chinese are reportedly supplementing their diet with more dairy products, such as milk and cheese.

Meat and other protein-rich products are almost considered staple food.

Changing dietary patterns have led experts to predict that rice consumption in China will fall by half in the next decade.

A similar trend is already seen in countries like Japan and South Korea.

Despite changing dietary habits, Singapore-based Wilmar International remains positive.

"Those who eat more protein and dairy products will also demand for better quality rice. They're after the consumer-pack premium rice, so it won't affect demand," said Wu Zhihua, rice division director of Wilmar International.

"In recent years, consumer-pack rice has reached a volume of 6 to 7 million tonnes and is growing at 4 to 50 per cent each year."

Wilmar International is already China's largest producer of consumer-pack oil, under the brand Golden Dragon Fish.

Wilmar International has set its sights on growing its market share of consumer-pack rice - which currently stands at five per cent - by investing in better crops.

Mr Wu said: "Our investment here will be bigger than the ones for normal padi. The farmer must be incentivized to grow better crop for every order. While it's a huge investment, the unique grade of harvested crop can be processed into better rice and in turn fetch a higher price in the market."

Demand will also be kept up by another trend, where rural residents switch from wheat to a rice diet.

It is enough to drive up this year's projected rice consumption to over 137 million tons.

- CNA/xq

- wong chee tat :)

Increase in BTO flats stretches contractors' resources

Increase in BTO flats stretches contractors' resources
By Olivia Siong | Posted: 14 December 2012 1903 hrs
 
SINGAPORE: Contractors say resources are being stretched following the move to increase the supply of Build-To-Order flats in the last two years.

But they said this has driven them to be more productive.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said it is also working closely with contractors to ensure that they deliver their projects on time, if not earlier.

More than 27,000 Build-To-Order flats were launched this year - a record for the HDB and also a record number for contractors to build.

And there are some challenges involved.

Mr Derick Pay, Director of Tiong Seng Contractors, said: "With the man-year entitlement cut, especially the shortage of labour and subcontractors, in a way we are being driven to improve our productivity. You don't have enough workers to work to construct the project as per normal construction methods. With that we have to use a system that does not rely on skilled workers, and more so that does not rely on so many workers at all."

For construction to be carried out in this way, mechanisation is being promoted.

For example, only two workers are now needed to operate lifts, making it easier to work at high levels compared to the manpower needed to set up scaffolds or gondolas.

HDB has also encouraged the use of such equipment in its projects tendered since May this year.

A partition wall system to build internal walls is also being used. It makes construction about five times faster than using bricks.

Improving productivity also means making good use of resources. For example, a driveway can be made by using pre-fabricated concrete and each concrete slab can be easily transported to project sites.

This is also part of HDB's effort to get more contractors to adopt more green construction practices.

An automated washing system using recycled water also cuts cleaning time from 20 minutes to just five.

But it's not just about ramping up quantity. HDB said quality can also be assured.

Mr Lim Chuen Huei, Deputy Director of Development and Construction Productivity at HDB, said: "We implemented a stringent quality management system, and working together with the contractors, and we have adopted CONQUAS scoring system that is administrated by BCA. CONQUAS is a measurement of quality for both private and public projects. And we'll continue to ensure a high CONQUAS score."

And HDB hopes to increase productivity by 20 per cent by 2020.

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat :)

Pre-trial conference for ex-SMRT bus drivers set for 19 Dec

Pre-trial conference for ex-SMRT bus drivers set for 19 Dec
By Sara Grosse | Posted: 12 December 2012 1417 hrs

SINGAPORE: The four ex-SMRT bus drivers from China charged with instigating an illegal strike in late November were back in court on Wednesday.

Their lawyers told the court that they need more time to take full instructions from their clients as the men were only released on bail on 6 December.

The four lawyers are acting for the former SMRT bus drivers on a pro-bono basis.

Mr Peter Low, whose client He Jun Ling faces two charges, said two of the lawyers involved in the case were approached by a non-governmental organization here.

A pre-trial conference date for 19 December has been set.

But lawyers said this is not an indication that their clients will claim trial.

There are three options on the table at the moment - to claim trial, plead guilty, or make representations to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) to reduce the charges.

A pre-trial conference will also ensure that the judge has more time to consider the specific needs of each case and administer directions.

The drivers are out on bail and their passports have been impounded.

The remaining two drivers - Gao Yue Qiang is being represented by Ms Tan Wen Hsien from Rajah and Tann while Wang Xian Jie is being represented by Mr Derek Kang from Rodyk and Davidson.

He is out on bail of S$20,000 while the rest are out on bail of S$10,000 each. Their passports have been impounded.

- CNA/ck

- wong chee tat :)

Protest by HK trade unions over SMRT strike "highly regrettable", says NTUC chief

Protest by HK trade unions over SMRT strike "highly regrettable", says NTUC chief
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 06 December 2012 1536 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: Labour chief Lim Swee Say said on Thursday the protest by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) over the illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China is highly regrettable.

Mr Lim was speaking on the sidelines of the Labour Movement Workplan Seminar on Thursday.

Some 20 members of the HKCTU held a protest outside the Singapore Consulate in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The confederation had said Singapore did not respect the basic rights of workers who go on strike.

It also accused Singapore of not conforming to equal remuneration for its workers.

The union called on the Singapore government to reinstate the 29 drivers who were repatriated, and to drop the charges against the five who were detained.

Mr Lim, who is Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that it is highly inappropriate for unions of other countries to dictate what another country should do.

Mr Lim said: "We, as a labour movement, NTUC, we will not dictate what Hong Kong, the government or trade unions should do because why? We should respect that each country has its own different circumstances.

"All workers regardless of nationalities must respect the law of the land. I'm sure in Hong Kong, they expect their workers to follow the law of their land as well."

He urged management, union and workers to strengthen communications and pertnerships to ensure that workers are treated fairly.

Mr Lim added that the strike could have been avoided.

He added: "If the management can respect and recognise the role of the union and when the union and management work together with the workers, I think it's a much better way in ensuring we can take care of the interest of the workers, business, and thereby able to serve the public commuters better."

On a separate issue, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, who is chairman of the Migrant Workers' Centre, said more help will be given to the 89 workers who were injured in the Jurong shipyard rig accident.

Besides counselling sessions, they will also be given a free phone set with a prepaid phonecard to enable them to contact their loved ones.

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat ;)

Public transport fare review to take into account bus drivers' wage increase

Public transport fare review to take into account bus drivers' wage increase
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 06 December 2012 1626 hrs

SINGAPORE: Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Thursday public transport fare review, due next year, will take into account the need to raise bus drivers' wages.

Mr Lui was speaking for the first time in the aftermath of the illegal strike by bus drivers from China last week, and said public transport cost increases over the years have outpaced fare adjustments.

He was trying out the route of a new service on Thursday under the government's billion-dollar Bus Service Enhancement Programme.

Mr Lui said the 34 Chinese bus drivers out of work from SMRT due to the strike make up only about 0.5 per cent of the total pool of 8,000-odd drivers.

Therefore, the impact on bus enhancements should be minimal.

What's of concern, however, is the lingering effect of the strike on recruitment and retention of bus drivers, and Mr Lui said the government is watching this carefully.

Looking at public transport fare adjustments of past years, Mr Lui said while fares have increased by 0.3 per cent, costs in fuel and wages for instance have gone up by 30 per cent.

He said the fare review committee recognises this "significant mismatch".

Mr Lui said: "Any fare adjustment will allow the two operators to have more resources, in time to come, to make further salary adjustments to their drivers. We recognise that the drivers need to be paid more. (The) question is, where is that money coming from?

"So we need to see the relationship between any fare adjustment, wage increase, and any other forms of government support that we might be required to give to the operators."

Mr Lui said it is difficult to wean dependence off foreign bus drivers as Singaporeans may not want to take up the job.

So salary adjustments, at least, will make the occupation more attractive to locals.

He said previous salary adjustments have helped to increase the recruitment of drivers, both local and foreign.

When asked whether SMRT should face any penalty as a result of the strike, Mr Lui said the operator will be evaluated according to quality of service standards.

Impact on bus services as a result of the two-day strike will be taken into account.

Mr Lui said he also spoke to SMRT's Chief Executive Desmond Kuek on the strike, and said the organisation needs to improve in many areas.

He said Mr Kuek needs to be given time to turn things around.

From December 16, two new SBS Transit bus services will start plying under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme.

Service 50, which will start service on December 16, will cover Ang Mo Kio, Yio Chu Kang, Sengkang and Punggol.

Express Service 513 will start on December 17, connecting residents of Tampines to the Central Business District. This service only runs during the morning and evening peak period on weekdays.

In addition, four new bus services will be added to the bus network in the first quarter of 2013.

Three of them come under the government's enhancement programme, while the other is a trunk service by SBS Transit at its own cost.

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat :)

搞上别家女佣　好爸爸跪地认错

04/12/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
 

 
女强人说，搞上“模范丈夫”的女佣，声称丧夫。（图／读者提供）

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抵不住别家女佣色诱，好爸爸变出轨男，被女佣缠住1年才逃出魔掌醒悟，向妻儿4人跪地认错，相拥痛哭！
都说“男儿膝下有黄金”，“流血流汗不流泪”，但这个父亲却放下尊严，孩子为此心软。
妻子原要离婚，但孩子们为父求情，要求宽恕。
这一幕于上周三（28日）晚上，在东北部一个家庭上演。两夫妻过后接受《联合晚报》专访，警惕国人珍惜婚姻。
这对夫妻，男的是51岁销售员，是亲友眼中的模范丈夫，每天载送妻子上下班，20年如一日。女的49岁，是一家大公司老板的得力助手，可说是女强人。
车震误按妻手机，奸情直播48秒；丈夫提分手，女佣以死威胁。完整报道，请翻阅04.12.2012《联合晚报》。




- wong chee tat :)

S'poreans turn to social media for travel & food products: report

S'poreans turn to social media for travel & food products: report
Posted: 05 December 2012 1107 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: A new report showed that social media is playing an increasing role in influencing Singaporean consumers' purchasing decisions, when it comes to food and travel.

The latest annual global Nielson Social Media Report showed that when it comes to choosing a restaurant (68 per cent) or a food and beverage product (67 per cent), more than two thirds of Singaporeans turn to social media websites or online reviews.

Nearly seven in 10 (67 per cent) also said they'd choose travel related products based on positive recommendations shared online.

The food, beverage, leisure and entertainment categories were also the most discussed products via social networking in Singapore, in the past year.

A third of Singaporeans post comments online about brands, at least once a week. And they're the most mobile compared to respondents from other countries.

Across the globe, Singapore has the highest usage of social media via mobile phone.

Seven in 10 consumers (70 per cent) here log on to social media via their mobile phone. The figure is 23 percentage points higher than the global average of 47 per cent.

Managing director of Nielsen for Singapore and Malaysia, Joan Koh, said: "With the increasing relevance and engagement levels of social media, we are now able to see a direct correlation between positive social media sentiment and actual intent to purchase products and services, especially for those operating in the food and beverage, travel and entertainment sectors.

"Social media represents a huge opportunity for brands to gain positive favour with consumers and savvy marketers can harness the growing influence of social media to impact business."

Compared to Singaporean consumers, those from the region said the top three categories where purchasing decision is most influenced by social media are - electronics (75 per cent), entertainment (74 per cent) and clothing (74 per cent).

- CNA/ck

- wong chee tat :)

More Asian companies turning to bond market

More Asian companies turning to bond market
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 20 November 2012 2116 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: More Asian companies are turning to the bond market for a cheaper source of long-term financing.

This following rising liquidity in the region as major central banks in the United States, Europe and Japan undertake quantitative easing measures.

Bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, have increased some 55 percent from US$461 billion in the first 10 months of 2011 to US$706 billion till end of October this year.

Looking ahead, rising investor demand for safe assets will boost the Asian bond market further.

Debt financing through corporate bonds has been mostly popular among companies in South Korea and Japan.

Analysts said the trend has now caught on with Southeast Asian firms.

Bond issuance in local currency has grown 26 per cent in Indonesia and over 18 percent in the Philippines and Singapore in the second quarter of 2012 year-on-year.

And among the big players are companies in the energy, transportation, and real estate sectors.

Big issues include Genting Singapore's S$1.8 billion perpetual bonds at 5.125 percent, as well as several notes by OCBC and DBS.

Adam McCabe, Senior Portfolio Manager, Asian Fixed Income, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia, said: "From an investor's perspective, Southeast Asia has a very mature market relative to some of the more immature and developing markets. If you look at Singapore particularly, the sovereign rating is triple A. That is one of the very few triple A rated sovereign in the world."

With growing economic uncertainty, analysts said more investors are turning to safe assets like bonds.

Rising inflation is also a concern as investments in risky assets may yield negative real returns after adjusting for inflation.

Lenny Feder, Group Head of Wholesale Banking Management Group at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "People are risk-adversity these days. So, they have a lot of money sitting in cash. Cash in the bank account isn't earning very much at all. So, on a relative basis, a bond may be a more attractive investment. But, in addition, if you are going to invest in bonds globally, then will you rather be investing in Asia where there is a lot of growth potential versus the West, where there is less?"

Islamic bonds are now becoming popular as well in the region.

These bonds that do not pay coupon interest are likely to be in hot demand by cash-rich Middle Eastern investors.

Such bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, jumped 17 percent to US$17 billion in the first 10 months of 2012.

Sean Chang, Head of Asian Debt Investment at Baring Asset Management (Asia), said: "The yield differentiate in this region is still attractive and not mentioning currency wise, the outlook is also very positive. With the much better fundamentals in this part of the region, we saw Indonesia got upgraded earlier this year."

Singapore-listed Golden Agri-Resources has recently raised US$490 million from selling five-year Islamic medium-term notes, called sukuk.

- CNA/de


- wong chee tat :)

Foxconn unable to meet iPhone 5 demand

Foxconn unable to meet iPhone 5 demand
Posted: 08 November 2012 1259 hrs
     
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Foxconn has admitted that it cannot meet strong demand for Apple's new iPhone 5 due to difficulties in building the gadget, as investors grow concerned about the US giant's future earnings.

"We can't really fulfil Apple's requests. Our shipments are insufficient... given the huge market demand," Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou told reporters late Wednesday.

He added that the design of the iPhone 5, of which five million were sold over its launch weekend in September, has made production difficult, but did not elaborate.

He declined to say whether Foxconn plans to outsource some of the iPhone orders to other makers.

The iPhone has been a huge driver of Apple's phenomenal profits, along with the iPad, both of which are made by Foxconn which also manufactures products for other firms such as Nokia, Intel and Sony.

Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said on October 25 that demand for the iPhone 5 continued to outstrip supply, but that it was working hard to catch up.

Last month the firm, which is based in Cupertino, California, said net profit in the July-September quarter climbed to US$8.2 billion thanks to a 58 per cent jump in sales of its phones and a 26 per cent rise in tablet sales.

But Apple's shares have fallen in recent weeks owing to concerns it may not be able to meet demand in the near future, as well as increased competition from rivals including Samsung.

Mars Hsu, an analyst at Grand Cathay Securities, said Apple's main worry was in product innovation, as the new iPad and iPad Mini did not appear to be very different from competitors' gadgets.

Apple has also faced much criticism since the launch of the iPhone 5, following a number of problems.

It was forced to apologise soon after the phone's launch because of its glitch-ridden maps application in the new operating system, which led the firm to urge customers to use rival apps while improvements were made.

The company is also undergoing a management overhaul and last month announced the executive in charge of Maps, Siri and other software in the iPhone is leaving as part of a shakeup.

Taiwan-based Foxconn is the world's largest contract electronics maker and assembles products for Apple, Sony and Nokia, among others in its factories in China.

The company has come under the spotlight after suicides and labour unrest at its Chinese plants in recent years, which activists have blamed on tough working conditions, prompting calls for better treatment of staff.

Foxconn employs more than one million workers in China, roughly half of them based in its main facility in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong.

- AFP/ck/jc


- wong chee tat :)