Khamis, 29 November 2012

The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates


U.S. Senate set to consider broader economic sanctions on Iran

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:32 PM PST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is set to consider a broader set of economic sanctions on Iran's energy, port, shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as lawmakers look for new ways to pressure Tehran to stop efforts to enrich uranium to levels that could be used in weapons.

The new package also includes measures to stop the flow of gold from Turkey into Iran, Senate aides confirmed, trade that has helped Tehran manage its economy in the face of Western financial sanctions.

It is the third time in a year that U.S. lawmakers have looked for new ways to cut off revenues they believe fund Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran has said is strictly for civilian purposes.

The sanctions come as the United Nations' nuclear chief said his agency has made no progress in its year-long push to investigate whether Iran has worked on developing an atomic bomb.

Iran's economy has been badly damaged by sanctions by the United States and European Union, but Iran has not slowed its program, said Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who helped craft the new proposal.

"Our message is clear: the window is closing. The time for the waiting game is over," Menendez said on the Senate floor.

The new sanctions were filed as an amendment to an annual defence policy bill. Senators debated other parts of the massive bill late into Thursday night and were expected to consider the Iran sanctions measure on Friday morning.

If accepted, the proposal would become part of the annual defence policy bill, which must be approved by the Senate and House of Representatives before it would be given to President Barack Obama to sign into law.

Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois, who co-authored the package, said in a statement the sanctions would turn up pressure on Iran's government. Kirk and Menendez last year championed new sanctions that curbed Iran's oil exports.

"We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to put crippling pressure on the Iranian government, and passing these new sanctions is absolutely critical to that effort," said Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent, who co-sponsored the new bill.

ENDS 'GAS FOR GOLD'

The package includes measures designed to stop the flow of gold from Turkey to Iran, said Mark Dubowitz, the head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Ankara relies on natural gas from Iran and has been paying for it using lira. Banking sanctions make it difficult for Iran to transfer money.

Tehran has used the lira to buy Turkish gold. Couriers carry the gold to Dubai and from there it is shipped to Iran.

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said earlier on Thursday he was not worried about a "clash with the USA" over the trade. "We are talking with the USA," he said.

The new sanctions would allow purchases of natural gas from Iran only if the buyer holds the payment in an account that Iran can draw on to buy goods or services allowed under the law.

But the draft bill would also explicitly ban sales and transfers of precious metals to Iran.

"After giving Turkey this flexibility, Congress will not be sympathetic to a continuation of a 'gold for gas' scheme," said Dubowitz, who has pushed for stronger sanctions on Iran.

Obama issued an executive order at the end of July authorizing sanctions on anyone who helps the Iranian government acquire U.S. dollars or precious metals, including gold.

"We can't comment on any investigations that may be ongoing," an administration official said.

(Additional reporting by Evrim Ergin in Istanbul; Editing by Sandra Maler and Eric Beech)


Related Stories:
Factbox - Proposed Iran sanctions from U.S. Senate

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

Palestinians win de facto UN recognition of sovereign state

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:30 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the world body to issue its long overdue "birth certificate."

Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City November 30, 2012. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City November 30, 2012. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The U.N. victory for the Palestinians was a diplomatic setback for the United States and Israel, which were joined by only a handful of countries in voting against the move to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations to "non-member state" from "entity," like the Vatican.

Britain called on the United States to use its influence to help break the long impasse in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Washington also called for a revival of direct negotiations.

There were 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions. Three countries did not take part in the vote, held on the 65th anniversary of the adoption of U.N. resolution 181 that partitioned Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Thousands of flag-waving Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip set off fireworks and danced in the streets to celebrate the vote.

The assembly approved the upgrade despite threats by the United States and Israel to punish the Palestinians by withholding funds for the West Bank government. U.N. envoys said Israel might not retaliate harshly against the Palestinians over the vote as long as they do not seek to join the International Criminal Court.

If the Palestinians were to join the ICC, they could file complaints with the court accusing Israel of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious crimes.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the vote "unfortunate and counterproductive," while the Vatican praised the move and called for an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem, something bound to irritate Israel.

The much-anticipated vote came after Abbas denounced Israel from the U.N. podium for its "aggressive policies and the perpetration of war crimes," remarks that elicited a furious response from the Jewish state.

"Sixty-five years ago on this day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and became the birth certificate for Israel," Abbas told the assembly after receiving a standing ovation.

"The General Assembly is called upon today to issue a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly, condemning Abbas' critique of Israel as "hostile and poisonous," and full of "false propaganda.

"These are not the words of a man who wants peace," Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. He reiterated Israeli calls for direct talks with the Palestinians, dismissing Thursday's resolution as "meaningless."

ICC THREAT

A number of Western delegations noted that Thursday's vote should not be interpreted as formal legal recognition of a Palestinian state. Formal recognition of statehood is something that is done bilaterally, not by the United Nations.

Granting Palestinians the title of "non-member observer state" falls short of full U.N. membership - something the Palestinians failed to achieve last year. But it does have important legal implications - it would allow them access to the ICC and other international bodies, should they choose to join.

Abbas did not mention the ICC in his speech. But Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters after the vote that if Israel continued to build illegal settlements, the Palestinians might pursue the ICC route.

"As long as the Israelis are not committing atrocities, are not building settlements, are not violating international law, then we don't see any reason to go anywhere," he said.

"If the Israelis continue with such policy - aggression, settlements, assassinations, attacks, confiscations, building walls - violating international law, then we have no other remedy but really to knock those to other places," Maliki said.

In Washington, a group of four Republican and Democratic senators announced legislation that would close the Palestinian office in Washington unless the Palestinians enter "meaningful negotiations" with Israel, and eliminate all U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority if it turns to the ICC.

"I fear the Palestinian Authority will now be able to use the United Nations as a political club against Israel," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the sponsors.

Abbas led the campaign to win support for the resolution, which followed an eight-day conflict this month between Israel and Islamists in the Gaza Strip, who are pledged to Israel's destruction and oppose a negotiated peace.

The vote highlighted how deeply divided Europe is on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At least 17 European nations voted in favor of the Palestinian resolution, including Austria, France, Italy, Norway and Spain. Abbas had focused his lobbying efforts on Europe, which supplies much of the aid the Palestinian Authority relies on. Britain, Germany and many others chose to abstain.

The traditionally pro-Israel Czech Republic was unique in Europe, joining the United States, Israel, Canada, Panama and the tiny Pacific Island states Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands and Micronesia in voting against the move.

'HOPE SOME REASON WILL PREVAIL'

Peace talks have been stalled for two years, mainly over Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which have expanded despite being deemed illegal by most of the world. There are 4.3 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

After the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice called for the immediate resumption of peace talks.

"The Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and find that little about their lives has changed save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded," she said.

She added that both parties should "avoid any further provocative actions in the region, in New York or elsewhere."

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said he hoped all sides would use the vote to push for new breakthroughs in the peace process.

"I hope there will be no punitive measures," Fayyad told Reuters in Washington, where he was attending a conference.

"I hope that some reason will prevail and the opportunity will be taken to take advantage of what happened today in favor of getting a political process moving," he said.

Britain's U.N. ambassador, Mark Lyall Grant, told reporters it was time for recently re-elected U.S. President Barack Obama to make a new push for peace.

"We believe the window for the two-state solution is closing," he said. "That is why we are encouraging the United States and other key international actors to grasp this opportunity and use the next 12 months as a way to really break through this impasse."

(Additional reporting by Andrew Quinn in Washington, Noah Browning in Ramallah, Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem, Robert Mueller in Prague, Gabriela Baczynska and Reuters bureaux in Europe and elsewhere; Editing by Eric Beech and Peter Cooney)


Related Stories:
Hamas says Gaza conflict, U.N. recognition go together

Palestinians take to streets to cheer U.N. statehood vote
Vatican hails U.N. Palestine vote, wants guarantees for Jerusalem

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

Palestinians win de facto U.N. recognition of sovereign state

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:58 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the world body to issue its long overdue "birth certificate."

Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City November 30, 2012. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City November 30, 2012. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The U.N. victory for the Palestinians was a diplomatic setback for the United States and Israel, which were joined by only a handful of countries in voting against the move to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations to "non-member state" from "entity," like the Vatican.

Britain called on the United States to use its influence to help break the long impasse in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Washington also called for a revival of direct negotiations.

There were 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions. Three countries did not take part in the vote, held on the 65th anniversary of the adoption of U.N. resolution 181 that partitioned Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Thousands of flag-waving Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip set off fireworks and danced in the streets to celebrate the vote.

The assembly approved the upgrade despite threats by the United States and Israel to punish the Palestinians by withholding funds for the West Bank government. U.N. envoys said Israel might not retaliate harshly against the Palestinians over the vote as long as they do not seek to join the International Criminal Court.

If the Palestinians were to join the ICC, they could file complaints with the court accusing Israel of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious crimes.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the vote "unfortunate and counterproductive," while the Vatican praised the move and called for an internationally guaranteed special status for Jerusalem, something bound to irritate Israel.

The much-anticipated vote came after Abbas denounced Israel from the U.N. podium for its "aggressive policies and the perpetration of war crimes," remarks that elicited a furious response from the Jewish state.

"Sixty-five years ago on this day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and became the birth certificate for Israel," Abbas told the assembly after receiving a standing ovation.

"The General Assembly is called upon today to issue a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly, condemning Abbas' critique of Israel as "hostile and poisonous," and full of "false propaganda.

"These are not the words of a man who wants peace," Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. He reiterated Israeli calls for direct talks with the Palestinians, dismissing Thursday's resolution as "meaningless."

ICC THREAT

A number of Western delegations noted that Thursday's vote should not be interpreted as formal legal recognition of a Palestinian state. Formal recognition of statehood is something that is done bilaterally, not by the United Nations.

Granting Palestinians the title of "non-member observer state" falls short of full U.N. membership - something the Palestinians failed to achieve last year. But it does have important legal implications - it would allow them access to the ICC and other international bodies, should they choose to join.

Abbas did not mention the ICC in his speech. But Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters after the vote that if Israel continued to build illegal settlements, the Palestinians might pursue the ICC route.

"As long as the Israelis are not committing atrocities, are not building settlements, are not violating international law, then we don't see any reason to go anywhere," he said.

"If the Israelis continue with such policy - aggression, settlements, assassinations, attacks, confiscations, building walls - violating international law, then we have no other remedy but really to knock those to other places," Maliki said.

In Washington, a group of four Republican and Democratic senators announced legislation that would close the Palestinian office in Washington unless the Palestinians enter "meaningful negotiations" with Israel, and eliminate all U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority if it turns to the ICC.

"I fear the Palestinian Authority will now be able to use the United Nations as a political club against Israel," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the sponsors.

Abbas led the campaign to win support for the resolution, which followed an eight-day conflict this month between Israel and Islamists in the Gaza Strip, who are pledged to Israel's destruction and oppose a negotiated peace.

The vote highlighted how deeply divided Europe is on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At least 17 European nations voted in favour of the Palestinian resolution, including Austria, France, Italy, Norway and Spain. Abbas had focused his lobbying efforts on Europe, which supplies much of the aid the Palestinian Authority relies on. Britain, Germany and many others chose to abstain.

The traditionally pro-Israel Czech Republic was unique in Europe, joining the United States, Israel, Canada, Panama and tiny Pacific Island states likes Nauru, Palau and Micronesia in voting against the move.

'HOPE SOME REASON WILL PREVAIL'

Peace talks have been stalled for two years, mainly over Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which have expanded despite being deemed illegal by most of the world. There are 4.3 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

After the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice called for the immediate resumption of peace talks.

"The Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and find that little about their lives has changed save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded," she said.

She added that both parties should "avoid any further provocative actions in the region, in New York or elsewhere."

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said he hoped all sides would use the vote to push for new breakthroughs in the peace process.

"I hope there will be no punitive measures," Fayyad told Reuters in Washington, where he was attending a conference.

"I hope that some reason will prevail and the opportunity will be taken to take advantage of what happened today in favour of getting a political process moving," he said.

Britain's U.N. ambassador, Mark Lyall Grant, told reporters it was time for recently re-elected U.S. President Barack Obama to make a new push for peace.

"We believe the window for the two-state solution is closing," he said. "That is why we are encouraging the United States and other key international actors to grasp this opportunity and use the next 12 months as a way to really break through this impasse."

(Additional reporting by Andrew Quinn in Washington, Noah Browning in Ramallah, Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem, Robert Mueller in Prague, Gabriela Baczynska and Reuters bureaux in Europe and elsewhere; Editing by Eric Beech and Peter Cooney)


Related Stories:
Hamas says Gaza conflict, U.N. recognition go together

Palestinians take to streets to cheer U.N. statehood vote
Vatican hails U.N. Palestine vote, wants guarantees for Jerusalem

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio


JLo on Red FM

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 02:11 AM PST

It is everything JLo on your favourite radio station today.

YOU will be forgiven for doing a double take when you tune in to Red FM and find "JLo FM" instead. Just for today, Red FM is transformed into a celebration of everything JLo. With the singer's visit here, even Red FM's official website has experienced a makeover.

JLo is spending the morning in the studio with the Red Breakfast team. Call in to talk to the singer and learn what she has to say about stardom.

If that isn't enough to celebrate the Latin queen, JLo FM is also giving out CDs of her latest album every hour throughout the day.

The Red Breakfast Show (Monday to Fridays, 6am-10am) is giving listeners a chance to win two coveted tickets worth RM528 each to watch the dancing queen live in action. Today is the last day for you to take a shot at winning the tickets to JLo's Malaysian concert.

With hits from nine albums under her belt, JLo's Dance Again World Tour is guaranteed to be a once in a lifetime experience complete with awesome dance moves, six costume changes and high energy.

Join JLo FM's event Get Low With JLo to get loud with the star at Studio Lounge, Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, today from 4pm-7pm. The winner of the tickets will be decided at the event with JLo presenting the prize. Don't miss out on the chance to party with the star.

For more information, log on to red.fm. Join the Red FM Malaysia Facebook fan page on facebook.com/redfm.my and follow us on Twitter @iloveredfm.

Red FM is owned and operated by The Star.

> Red FM's station frequencies: Taiping, Kedah, Perlis and Pulau Langkawi: 98.1FM; George Town and Seberang Prai: 107.6FM; Ipoh, Perak: 106.4FM; Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan and Tapah: 104.9FM; Kuantan, Pahang: 91.6FM; Batu Pahat and Malacca: 98.9FM; Johor Baru and Singapore: 92.8FM.

Spine-tingling tales

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 02:09 AM PST

Hong Kong feng shui expert Master Szeto Fat-Ching adapts long-running hit TV series The Unbelievable for a bone-chilling radio drama.

A JOLLY man with a smile for everyone, the cheery Master Szeto Fat-Ching is a strange contrast to the creepy vocation he has come to be known for – ghostbusting.

"I am actually a feng shui sifu (geomancy expert), but after my involvement in TV talk show The Unbelievable, people tend to think of me as a ghostbuster," explained Szeto, who is a prolific writer of books on feng shui, astrology and fortune-telling.

Fondly dubbed the Ghost King of Macau, Szeto is an expert on metaphysics and is a popular TV personality in Hong Kong, where he hosts the creepy reality talk show series The Unbelievable.

Known in Cantonese as Guai Tan (literally meaning strange talk), The Unbelievable is a popular paranormal phenomena programme on Cable TV Hong Kong (CTHK).

The long-running reality talk show dates back to 1996 and has been variously co-hosted by Simon Lui, Si Ming, Spencer Leung, Nelson Cheung, Emily Kwan, Monique Au, Leung Ka-kei, Sammie Yue, Rachel Chen and Natalie Mitchell.

In Malaysia, the show is also enjoying a good following on Ntv7, airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12.45am) and on Thursdays and Fridays (12.30am).

With that, local Chinese radio station 988 and Szeto decided to produce an exciting radio programme based on the cult TV show.

The radio show is also titled The Unbelievable and features several tales from the TV series.

Szeto, who is also chairman of the world's first International Taoist Metaphysics Association, selected five stories from his supernatural reality TV show for the radio drama. Even though it was his first time working on a radio drama, Szeto completed the recording in just three days, on a very packed schedule last month.

"Each story is told in two parts, over a period of 10 days. Recording for the drama is very taxing as the hours are long, but I really enjoyed my time in the studio as I've learnt a lot over these few days," shared Szeto, who loves telling people who ask him for feng shui tips that hard work is imperative for success.

In the 988 recording studio at Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, the drama voice talents gathered around a large table for a script-reading session to rehearse their parts and iron out any kinks in the script.

"I never imagined that my visit here would lead to a collaboration with so many professional radio voice talents. As a newbie to the radio scene, it's all very scary for me. Moreover, the sound effects made it all feel so eerie that I could hardly sleep at night," expressed Szeto, who has also adapted the TV series into movies.

It was getting increasingly colder by the minute when Szeto suddenly turned to me and described a tall man hovering in the far corner of the room occupied by a heavy scarlet sofa.

Checking with 988 deejays, I discovered that the description he gave of the apparition matched that of a drama director who passed away two years ago.

"If you sit there, you will feel very sleepy. But it is all right as he does not mean any harm. It appears that he is here because he is curious about the new show and wants to observe the project's latest developments. With his blessings, I predict that this new show will be a big hit," declared Szeto with a hearty chuckle, as he launched into another tale of his experience with things that go bump in the night.

> The Unbelievable (Guai Tan) haunts the airwaves on 988 starting today at noon. The drama airs on weekdays. 988 is owned and operated by The Star.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

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Clarke 'numb' as press hails masterly Ponting

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:24 PM PST

PERTH (Australia): Australian captain Michael Clarke Friday said Ricky Ponting calling it quits had left him "numb" as the press paid tribute to a batsman they described as the best since Donald Bradman.

Ponting, who turns 38 next month, called time on his 17-year Test career on Thursday, with Friday's clash with South Africa to be his last.

In a column for News Limited newspapers, Clarke said Ponting was one of the greatest players to ever represent Australia.

"To stand in a room at the team hotel with all the players and support staff and listen to Ricky Ponting say this will be his last Test made me feel numb," he wrote.

"Ricky is the last player in the team who began before me. He has been such a huge presence in Australian cricket it's going to feel strange walking out to play Sri Lanka next month without him in the team."

Clarke added that there was far more to Ponting than being the second greatest Test run scorer ever, behind Sachin Tendulkar, with 13,366 ahead of his last Test Friday.

"He did so much the world never saw," he said.

"The time he gives his team-mates, the advice he offers, the help he gives you at training, he picks you up when you are down, he gives you a kick up the backside when you need a kick up the backside.

"As a leader I learnt a lot from him. The one thing that sticks in the front of my mind is that Punter always said to me you've got to make sure you're leading from the front and scoring plenty of runs.

"He made it clear that was the easiest way to earn the respect of your team-mates."

The announcement of his retirement was splashed on the front pages of newspapers Friday with The Australian hailing Ponting as "A master of cricket, also a great servant."

"His career was epic in scale and scope as well as in achievement," the newspaper's Gideon Haigh wrote. "So much so that it is tempting to treat his career as a kind of era."

The Sydney Morning Herald said: "He's given all, and Ponting knows it's time" and called him "Australia's supreme batsman in a supreme era, with Neil Harvey and Greg Chappell, one of the best three since Bradman".

The Sydney Daily Telegraph also used 'The Don' as a comparison, declaring on its back page that he was "Best Since Don Bradman".

Tributes also flowed from fellow Australian greats, including Steve Waugh, with Ponting on Friday equalling his former captain's record of 168 Test appearances.

"He was utterly dedicated to improving himself as a cricketer and he was always pretty much the first to training and the last to leave," Waugh recalled in The Australian.

"He never let his intensity slip, especially with his fielding drills. His stats speak for themselves, but it's his attitude that always sticks in my mind." - AFP

NBA: Rondo banned two games for role in fight

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:49 PM PST

NEW YORK: Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was suspended for two games by the NBA on Thursday, a day after he was ejected from a game against the Brooklyn Nets for fighting.

Rondo was deemed the instigator of the brawl, which sent players sprawling into court-side seats as the first half of the clash between the Atlantic Division rivals was winding down.

Rondo took exception to Nets forward Kris Humphries's hard foul on Boston's Kevin Garnett.

Rondo charged at Humphries and swung at him, although the scuffle involved mostly pushing and shoving. No one was injured.

Rondo was thrown out of the game, ending his streak of consecutive contests with double-digit assists at 37.

Garnett was assessed a technical foul, while Humphries and Nets forward Gerald Wallace both received second technical fouls with the result they were also ejected.

Wallace was handed a $35,000 fine on Thursday for escalating the altercation, with Garnett receiving a $25,000 penalty for his involvement. Humphries was not punished by the league for the incident.

"Just a hard foul," Garnett himself said. "I thought the antics after it were a bit extra, but it was a hard foul."

Even Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't seem to think Humphries's initial foul on Garnett was that hard, although he said the fact that it came when Garnett was in the air made it dangerous.

"I thought it was a bad foul because Kevin could've gotten hurt. You know, he's in the air," Rivers said. "He took a bad fall. And so Rondo saw that and probably reacted, and overreacted obviously."

Rivers was more concerned that Rondo and the other Celtics players were by that point frustrated by their own difficulties on the court in a game they ended up losing 95-83.

"We're a soft team right now. We have no toughness," Rivers said. "And that (fighting) stuff's not toughness."

Rondo will miss Friday's home game against Portland and Saturday's contest at Milwaukee. - AFP

Ecclestone blasts Vettel row as 'joke'

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:47 PM PST

LONDON: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday blasted the controversy surrounding world champion Sebastian Vettel's Brazilian Grand Prix overtaking manoeuvre as a "joke".

Ferrari had contacted Formula One's governing body, the FIA, concerning the move by the Red Bull driver during last weekend's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix that won him a third successive title.

There had been speculation that the manoeuvre could have been illegal and, if so, Vettel could have been sanctioned and thereby stripped of his title in favour of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso who missed out on the championship by just three points.

But Formula One ringmaster Ecclestone said it was a shame that the climax to the season had been overshadowed by the row. "It's a shame because everything had gone so well," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"It was a super race, a super championship. Now everyone is talking about this. The problem is that no-one knows what is going on."

Earlier Thursday, the respected Autosport magazine said there was "no doubt" at the FIA that Vettel had overtaken legitimately on lap four of the race because a green flag had already been displayed in the yellow flag sector, allowing drivers to resume passing.

No team had asked for a review of the incident, it added.

"In the rules and regs normally you have to protest," added Ecclestone.

"They (Ferrari) missed that time. Then there is the fact that a green flag was shown, which nobody seems to dispute. It's a complete joke. What they are saying in that letter is wrong. I don't think there needs to be any action taken. It's completely and utterly wrong."

On Wednesday, footage emerged on YouTube which appeared to show Vettel, the youngest triple world champion in history, overtaking Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne under yellow flags.

Overtaking under caution is outlawed and is usually punished with a drive-through penalty.

But in cases where the infringement is not spotted, the sanction is a 20-second penalty handed out retrospectively.

Vettel was sixth in Sunday's rain-lashed race, while double world champion Alonso was second behind McLaren's Jenson Button. Ferrari said they had wanted the FIA to clarify the rules.

"Ferrari asked, by means of a letter, for a clarification from FIA regarding VET's (Vettel's) overtaking move on VER (Vergne) during lap 4 of the Brazilian GP," the Italian team said on its Twitter account @insideferrari.

Vettel's victory had already been overshadowed by claims from Ferrari that Alonso should have been crowned champion, pointing to controversial races in Belgium and Japan to support their argument.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said that Alonso paid a heavy price for first lap exits in Belgium and Japan where he was shunted out of contention by Lotus duo Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen respectively.

The Italian giants had been further aggrieved when Vettel, accused of blocking Alonso in qualifying in Japan before going on to win the race, escaped with just a reprimand.

Vettel refused to get involved in a war of words although he did allude to his rivals' controversial decision in Texas to change the gearbox on Felipe Massa's Ferrari in order to allow Alonso to enjoy a starting advantage on the grid.

"A lot of people tried to play dirty tricks but we did not get distracted by that and kept going our way and all the guys gave a big push right to the end," Vettel said. - AFP

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The Star Online: Business

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Original 'Batman' car, costing seven figures, to hit auction bloc

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:02 PM PST

LOS ANGELES: Want to own your very own Batmobile? The original car from the "Batman" television series is going up for auction and is expected to fetch a seven-figure sum, auctioneers Barrett-Jackson said on Thursday.

The two-seater car was featured in the live-action "Batman" show starring Adam West that aired from 1966 to 1968.

"The Batmobile is true Americana and it's hard to put a dollar figure on something like that," Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of automobile auction house Barrett-Jackson, said in a statement.

"We expect plenty of enthusiasts and fans to come out and wouldn't be surprised if the car sold for multiple millions."

The 1955 Lincoln Futura, of which only one was made, was a hand-built concept car developed by the Ford Motor Co. featuring a bubble top. It was bought in 1965 for $1 by owner George Barris, who customized the 19-foot (5.8-meter) car for the televsion series.

The one-off Futura symbolized space-age design of the 1950s with a push-button transmission and exterior microphones that piped in the sounds of traffic to its occupants.

The car will be auctioned on January 19 in Scottsdale, Arizona, along with Clark Gable's personal 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe sportscar.

It is not uncommon for notable cars in entertainment history to be sold for large sums at auction. The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 used in the James Bond films "Goldfinger" in 1964 and the following year's "Thunderball," fetched $4.6 million at auction in 2010.

 

Analysts call the palm oil market for 2013

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:58 PM PST

NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Following are comments by key analysts at a palm oil industry conference in the Indonesian island of Bali:

JAMES FRY, CHAIRMAN OF LMC INTERNATIONAL

PRICE FORECAST

"As Malaysian Palm Oil Board stocks drop below 1.8 million tonnes by June next year, the European Union premium of crude palm oil over Brent crude should move up towards $200."

"Adding the CPO premium to the Brent crude oil price, we get these EU CPO price forecasts of $1,000 with Brent at $110 a barrel and $865 with Brent at $90 a barrel by next June."

(This translates to Malaysian palm oil futures trading at around 2,530 ringgit per tonne if the mineral oil drops to $90 a barrel, Fry said. And if Brent remains at $110, palm oil futures could hit 2,950 ringgit.)

IMPACT OF CHINA RAISING QUALITY STANDARDS FOR RBD PALM OLEIN

"There are three possible outcomes: more crude palm oil or crude olein imports for refining; more polishing of RBD olein imports; and maybe more fractionation of RBD palm oil imports."

"Palm imports will be high for the next two weeks, and then be slow in January as the application of the new policies is studied. They should settle at a level down slightly from 2012."

UNCERTAINTY OVER CHINA'S EDIBLE OIL IMPORT REFORMS

"The immediate effect of China's announcement about higher quality specifications for RDB olein in January has been to boost imports as buyers try to avoid uncertainties about how it will be applied."

"Will Chinese Customs authorities allow bulk RBD olein imports, as now, but with a requirement that it be polished to meet the tighter specifications?

"Will application of the regulations differ in different regions, i.e., will they apply before/after polishing?

What about the standards applied to RBD palm oil imported for fractionation? Will they be tightened?

In the background, how will the rules on blending of oils for food use and on "gutter oil" affect palm oil?"

TUG OF WAR ON EXPORT, IMPORT TAXES

Palm's role in meeting oil demand in the next few months is affected by new policies round the world."

"Among exporters, Malaysia will match Indonesia's refinery export tax incentives in January. This will boost its share of RBD exports and help to reduce MPOB stocks. This is mildly bullish for CPO prices."

"Among importers: India reacted to Indonesia's tax reforms by lifting RBD olein import tariffs. However, it is China that needs the closest watching, as the changes to its CIQ quality requirements for RBD olein add to the impact of its measures to tighten the rules regarding the labelling of blended oils tighter."

PALM OIL OUTPUT PROSPECTS

"Last year was a remarkably good year for CPO output all over the world, from S.E. Asia to Latin America. This year's output is now benefiting from the good rains in most regions in 2011 and so far this year."

"There is also growing confirmation that, regardless of pressures to slow palm plantings, high prices have been promoting the expansion in palm areas. We can expect growth of 2-3 million tonnes a year in Indonesian CPO output for the next few years."

"Over the next six months, the output of oils from all three major oilseeds will be restricted by poor crops and so CPO is crucial in balancing supply-demand."

THOMAS MIELKE, EDITOR, OIL WORLD

PALM OIL'S DISCOUNT TO SOYOIL

"Palm oil prices are undervalued, I consider the huge discount of $350 to soyoil as not sustainable. It is a matter of time with current surplus in palm oil getting disposed."

SOUTH AMERICAN CROPS

"South American crops are going to be key for prices. September to February 2012/13, global crushing of ten oilseed varieties forecast to suffer an unprecedented drop of 5 million tonnes."

"In contrast, crushing jumped8.4 million tonnes a year ago and 5.8 million tonnes per annum on the average of the past 14 years. The world needs more palm oil to offset these reductions."

"Soybean crushing could be compensated by higher palm oil supplies."

"September/February 2012/13 world soybean supplies down by 24 million tonnes. Little rationing in world soybean consumption so far." - Reuters

 

Maybank Research maintains Carlsberg target price of RM13.50

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:56 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank KE Research is maintaining its target price (TP) of RM13.50 for Carlsberg Malaysia, which is 9.7% above the last traded price of RM12.30.

It said on Friday Carlsberg's nine-month net profit of RM151.2mil (up 17.4% on-year) made up 82% of its and consensus FY12 forecasts.

Maybank KE Research said earnings were seasonally stronger and augmented by increased premium beer sales.

"We maintain our forecasts and discounted cashflow-based TP of RM13.50, implying robust FY13 and FY14 yields of 4.8% and 5.3% respectively," it said.

The research house said Carlsberg reported Q3 net profit of RM61.1mil (up 25.0% on-year, up 61.8% on-quarter).

It said the on-quarter surge was not unexpected, as Q2 has historically tend to be weak on post festive season belt tightening, while this 3Q also benefited from rising sales of premium brews, for example Asahi Super Dry, Kronenbourg and Somersby Cider.

"This took nine-month earnings to 82% of our FY12 forecast, consistent with its seasonal pattern (9M11 earnings made up 84% of full-year profit). No dividend was declared for the quarter (2Q12: 5sen DPS).

"EBIT margins of the Malaysian operations spiked to 18.2% in Q3 versus 11.7% in Q2 as i) Carlsberg enjoyed better average product pricing due to the increase in premium beer sales and ii) Q2 was saddled with advertising and promotional costs during Euro 2012," it said.

Maybank KE Research said Singapore EBIT margins also rose to 23.7% (versus Q2: 16.7%). Singapore accounted for 27.0% of group EBIT during the quarter.

"Q4 has been seasonally weaker as consumers save up for Chinese New Year, leading to bumper spending in January (CNY 2013 falls on Feb 10).

"However, room for a surprise surge in Q4, 12 earnings remains as we have noticed a considerable spike in Chinese weddings this year (the Dragon year being deemed more auspicious than the Snake year)," it said.

The research house said Carlsberg offers investors a decent three-year earnings CAGR of 13.4%.

It said at the RM13.50 TP, Carlsberg also offered robust FY12 and FY13 yields of 4.8% and 5.3% and implies reasonable PERs of 20.4 times/18.5 times respectively.

"We expect a dividend payout of 98%, well in line with historic norms, which equates to a final FY12 DPS of 55sen," it said.

 

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Rep faces fine over alleged sexist remarks

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:22 PM PST

SHAH ALAM: An assemblyman may end up having RM5,000 docked from his allowance for allegedly making sexist remarks at the state assembly.

Gan Pei Nei (PKR-Rawang) filed the motion against Datuk Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (BN-Batang Kali) for making the alleged remarks during the state assembly last Thursday.

Mohd Isa was said to have told state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong "to remember to take care of your own forest" during the debate.

The following day, Mohd Isa denied that the remarks were sexist in nature, saying he only commented on Wong's work in maintaining the state's forest reserves.

"I did not make any such statement. The Hansard can prove that I did not say it when it is released," he said.

At a press conference at the state assembly lobby yesterday, Gan said a fine was not enough to teach Mohd Isa a lesson and recommended he go for counselling sessions as well.

"A fine will serve to highlight the seriousness of his remarks. Not just a fine, Mohd Isa needs to go for counselling too," she said.

Rodziah Ismail (PKR-Batu Tiga) said it must be made compulsory for Mohd Isa to attend a "crash course" on gender sensitivities.

Wong accused Mohd Isa of interjecting during the debate just to humiliate her.

"At the workplace, it would constitute sexual harassment. But in the Dewan, what he said is protected by privilege," she said.

On Monday, MPs proposed a change to Parliament rules, where Standing Order 36 now reads: "It shall be out of order for Members of the House to use offensive language or make a sexist remark."

However, Selangor state assembly Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim said there was no need to emulate Parliament as members of the House could ask for the offending statement to be retracted or file a motion on the matter.

Chua rubbishes PAS’ findings

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:22 PM PST

SEGAMAT: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has debunked PAS' claims that Pakatan Rakyat is making "inroads" into Johor.

He described the findings of the PAS Research Centre as "spinning and blowing hot air".

"They must be dreaming. This is a political research.

"Which research from a political party will show that it will lose?" he asked.

As for the respondents who allegedly favoured PAS vice-president Salehuddin Ayub over Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Dr Chua dismissed it as a bluff, saying that the locals did not even know Salehuddin.

"All the people here know Ghani Othman," he told reporters after attending a dinner organised by the Jementah Ji Siang Welfare Association on Wednesday.

Dr Chua was asked to comment on an online report claiming that the findings by the centre showed that there were signs of change among voters and Pakatan could win up to seven more parliamentary seats in the next general election.

Presently, Barisan Nasional controls 25 parliamentary seats while Pakatan has one in Johor.

Dr Chua stressed that the Mentri Besar post, if it were held by PAS, would lead to a setback for development in the state.

"The developments of Iskandar Malaysia and the oil and gas project in Penggerang will be affected. They are worth a combined RM150bil and the spin-off gained from these projects will be tremendous," he said.

Dr Chua urged the Chinese in the state to understand that if they supported DAP, it would not be the taikor (head) as the Mentri Besar post would go to PAS.

"Barisan under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has a clear vision to develop the state in the next five years.

"Under Pakatan, there will be a period of uncertainty as until now we do not even know who they will pick as prime minister," he said.

He also pointed out that there was a lot of in-fighting in Pakatan and that they had no direction for growth.

Delegate: Similar to football team, Umno will only field best candidates

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:21 PM PST

KELANTAN delegate Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad likened Umno to the victorious state football team, better known as the Red Warriors, which fields only the best players.

"Umno is like the team as only the best or winnable candidates are fielded," he said.

Just like the Red Warriors, he said the time for favouritism in Umno was over.

"The party president wants the best players who can score goals, the winnable candidates. If we are too old or are no longer winnable, it is okay to be on the sidelines or become the water boy.

"What is most important is we must support the team," he said to laughter from the crowd.

Debating party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's policy speech, Md Alwi also took a swipe at the Kelantan Government for claiming credit for the Red Warriors' success despite not investing anything into it.

"Umno invested a large sum of money every season to build up the team as well as repair the stadiums while PAS did nothing.

"When the team won various tournaments, PAS leaders were the first to claim credit," he said.

Kuala Lumpur delegate Datuk Yahya Mat Ghani said Umno should "market" its leaders more effectively to counter lies spread by the Opposition.

"We must market our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and ministers," he said.

Wanita Umno delegate Dayang Saniah Awang Hamid questioned whether Pakatan Rakyat would allow "freedom of religion" for Muslims if it won the general election.

"We want answers from them. Are they going to allow Muslims who marry someone who is not of the faith the option to follow the religion of their spouse?

"Are we willing to see our children become murtad?" she asked.

She also asked the Opposition to say if an Israeli embassy would be set up in Malaysia should they take over the Federal Government.

Kedah delegate Datuk Othman Aziz said the PAS state government had failed to address environmental issues caused by excessive logging.

Malacca delegate Datuk Hasnoor Sidang Husin said PAS was no longer fighting for Islam, urging its supporters to return to Umno.

"For PAS, its only target is to win Putrajaya.

"It is willing to sack it's own leaders who disagree with it's actions," he said.

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Free Alex Cross Tickets

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 10:41 PM PST

After Washington DC detective Alex Cross is told that a family member has been murdered, he vows to track down the killer. He soon discovers that she was not his first victim and that things are not what they seem.

Catch Alex Cross starring Matthew Fox, Tyler Perry, Jean Reno and Edward Burns in cinemas 6 December.

Thanks to GSC Movies, we have 40 pairs of tickets to give away. All you have to do is print this page and bring it along with you to our redemption table at GSC Mid Valley.

Please see details below. Please also note that tickets will be given on a first come, first served basis. Each person will be given only one pair of tickets. This movie is rated 18.

Redemption Details

Date: 5 December (Wednesday)

Time: 8.00pm until all tickets are picked up

Venue: GSC Mid Valley

Screening Details

Date: 5 December (Wednesday)

Time: 9.00pm

Venue: Hall 1, GSC Mid Valley


Rules & Regulations

1. This redemption is open to all eCentral fans.

2. Print out the contest page and redeem it at the venue given in this article.

3. Each page entitles you to two movie tickets only. Each person is allowed to redeem only once.

4. Tickets are given out on a first come, first served basis.

5. Queue-jumping and reserving places in line during the redemption are strictly prohibited. The organizers reserve the right to refuse tickets to anyone found doing so.

6. Tickets are not exchangeable for cash.

7. This movie is rated 18. Movie ratings will strictly apply for this movie. The organizers reserve the right to refuse entry to the cinema hall to those not within the permitted age limit. No exceptions will be made at any time for any reason.

8. I hereby expressly consent to the collection, collation, use and/or disclosure of all my personal data by Star Publications (M) Berhad for the purposes of the Alex Cross contest.

9. For enquiries, please e-mail ecentralmy@gmail.com

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Metro Watch

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:04 AM PST

BLOOD DONATION

The National Blood Bank is holding blood donation drives today at Micro Precision Sdn Bhd, Cheras (9am-4pm) and Putra World Trade Centre (9am-5pm). For details, visit www.pdn.gov.my.

FREE TALK

Institut Masalah Pembelajaran & Autisme Malaysia (Impian) is organising a free talk for all parents of children with special needs on "Sensory Processing and it's Effect In Learning" and "Nutrition for Children with Special Needs" on Dec 1 at the Impian Centre, No 4 Persiaran Titiwangsa Kuala Lumpur, from 9.30am-1pm. There will also be free dental check-ups and assessment by occupational and speech therapist. For details, call 03-4022 0308/012-617 4035 (Christina).

CHARITY CALENDARS

Shelter Home for Children is having its annual sale of desk-top calendars drawn by the Shelter's residents with the theme Children - Leaders of Tomorrow. Each calendar will be sold at RM10 a piece. For details, call 03-7955 0663 (Roland/Edwin), e-mail jallehshelter@gmail.com or visit www.shelterhome.org.

FUNDRAISER

Viva Palestina Malaysia is having a week-long sale until Dec 2 at Bangsar Shopping Centre to raise fund for their projects in Gaza. Items on sale include T-shirts, scarves, bags as well as cakes, cookies and chocolates at. For details, visit www.vivapalestina-my.org.

DIABETES DAY

Prince Court Medical Centre is hosting a five-day event to create awareness on the risks and dangers of diabetes until Nov 30. Today, between 10am and 11am, there will be a demonstration on how to use an insulin pen and complimentary BP and glucose checks for the first 50 persons and free consultation. To register, call 03-2160 0000 ext 1102 (Shazana), 1369 (Azah) or 1720 (customer relations counter).

HEALTH CARNIVAL

The UiTM medical faculty, in collaboration with MBSA and MPP Zon 22, is organising a health carnival themed "Ayuh Sihat Sebelum Terlambat" to promote awareness on dengue fever and prevention at Dewan MBSA Rafflesia, Section U16, Shah Alam on Dec 1 from 7.30am until 4.30pm. Admission is free.

ART AUCTION PREVIEW

The preview of the Malaysian Modern and Contemporary Art Auction is on until Dec 1 at KL Lifestyle Art Space, 150, Jalan Maarof, Kuala Lumpur. The auction will be held at 1pm on Dec 2, Nusantara Ballroom, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur. For details, call 019-311 1668.

CONCERT SERIES

The Universiti Malaya (UM) Cultural Centre will host a concert series by Swedish duo Möller Mats Möller (flute) and Johannes Möller (guitar). The concert will be held at 8.30pm on Dec 3 at the UM Experimental Theater and the masterclass at 5.30pm on Dec 4 at the UM Cultural Centre. Admission is free or by donation. For details, call 03-79677787 (Faizah).

Boost for athletes

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:04 AM PST

SCHOOLTEACHER Ithnin Mahadi was one of the new scholarship recipients of the Tan Sri Alex Lee Athletes' Education Fund.

Ithnin, a former national hurdler and currently a teacher at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), is pursuing a Masters in Sports Science (sports coaching).

He was thankful to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the Tan Sri Alex Lee Athletes Education Fund for their financial assistance.

"I am already into the second semester at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) . I consider the scholarship as an appreciation and recognition of my contribution to athletics,'' said Ithnin, who is a physical education graduate from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Besides Ithnin, archer Fazli Hisham Fauzi and Tan Hui Tien, from dance sport, were presented with a scholarship worth RM3,000. Fazli Hisham is pursuing a degree in Human Resource while Hui Tien in Nutrition and Dietetics at the UPM and International Medical University (IMU).

The fund will also continue the scholarship grant to five other recipients — Wong Zi Jing (chess), Nabilla Ariffin (squash), Beh Kiang Yao (volleyball), Low Wee Nee (squash) and Nessrine Ariffin (squash).

The OCM had set up the fund in memory of the late Alex, who had served as a vice-president in the OCM, and who died in a scuba diving accident in Papua New Guinea in 1999.

The OCM organises a golf event annually. Funds raised from the event is channelled to the Tan Sri Alex Lee Education Fund.

Organising chairman Datuk Thomas Lee said they were looking into increasing the annual scholarship to each recipient to RM5,000.

"We are pleased with the response from all quarters for the golf event. We would like to help needy athletes with some financial assistance,'' said Lee.

The golf event attracted about 135 participants. The foursome of Datuk Zain Yusof, Low Teck San, Datuk Zulkifli Ismail and Andrew Bryan Perera, representing Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), emerged as the champions with 117 points.

Nestle Products sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong led his teammates — Mohamad Razlan, Ivan Ho and Gilbert Low — to the second spot on 101.

The third place went to the quartet comprising Ou Shian Wei, Sng Seow Wah, Francis Chan and Goh Swee Heng on 100.

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Adele's '21' tops 10 million sales mark in the US

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:01 AM PST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British singer and Grammy darling Adele reached the 10 million sales mark in the United States on Wednesday with her heartbreak album 21 becoming the first British woman to reach the milestone, Nielsen SoundScan said.

21, released in February 2011, produced the hits Someone Like You and Rolling In The Deep and became the top-selling album of 2011. Earlier this year, Adele swept the Grammy Awards with six, including song, record and album of the year.

21 became the third album to cross 10 million in 2012, along with Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory and Usher's Confessions. But it is the only album to reach the milestone in less than two years in the last decade, Nielsen said.

"What an incredible honor," Adele said in a statement. "A huge, huge thank you to my American fans for embracing this record on such a massive level."

21 will receive the diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, marking its 10 million milestone, joining the ranks of albums by artists such as Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Madonna.

"Adele's unique talent is a gift to music fans, and her success is certainly cause for a celebration of Diamond magnitude," Cary Sherman, RIAA's chairman & CEO, said in a statement.

Adele, 24, is enjoying the success of her latest single Skyfall, the official theme song for the James Bond film of the same name. It has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. The singer also gave birth to her first child earlier this year.

On the Billboard 200 chart this week, R&B star Rihanna scored her first No. 1 album with Unapologetic, selling 238,000 copies.

She held off new entries from American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, who landed at No. 4 with his debut album The World From The Side Of The Moon, and country-rock singer Kid Rock, who rounded out the top five with his latest album Rebel Soul.

From 'Animal' to 'Warrior', Ke$ha talks about her latest release

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 11:59 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop star Ke$ha made a name for herself with infectious dance-pop hits but the singer-songwriter is stepping out of her Auto-Tune comfort zone on Warrior, out this week in the United States.

Ke$ha, 25, stormed the charts with hit songs about drinking, partying and having a good time, such as TiK ToK and Your Love Is my Drug from her 2010 platinum-selling album Animal.

Ke$ha talked with Reuters about the pressures of following up the success of her first album and responding to her critics.

Did you feel additional pressure while working on this album after the success of your debut, Animal?

Everybody keeps asking me about pressure, and I think a lot of other people maybe are feeling pressure about this record, but I just want to make a good record. If I sat around trying to make a number one record, I'd just be too consumed with that. I just want to make an awesome, kick-a** record that I love and that my fans love.

Was there anything that you weren't happy with on the first album and that you wanted to change for the second?

I just wanted to make sure my entire personality was presented more accurately. I feel like people really got to know the super-wild side of me but then sometimes a more vulnerable side. I didn't really feel comfortable expressing it. So this time I kind of forced myself to express a little bit more vulnerability, less Auto-Tune, less vocal trickery. It's a little more raw.

You received a lot of criticism for your use of Auto-Tune, masking your true singing voice. Was that a valid criticism for you, when many others use it?

I remember having this conversation with my producer, and him saying, 'We're using a lot of vocal tricks,' and I said, 'People will get to know me as my career goes on, I just want it to sound really weird and cool and clubby right now, and super electronic.' I made a conscious decision to use Auto-Tune for effect, as ear candy, and vocoders and chop up my words.

This time around, I have heard so many different people say I can't sing, it's quite frankly irritating, so I ... made a five-song acoustic EP (Deconstructed, out on December 4) that's kind of like my middle finger to all those people who said I couldn't sing, and there's more of my voice on this record. You know, haters are going to hate, you just have to do what you want to do.

Talk us through some of the collaborations on Warrior. There's quite a variety, such as with Iggy Pop and Ben Folds.

Ben Folds is a friend of mine. He gave me a giant glitter grand piano that's in my house, so that one was natural. The Flaming Lips was probably surprising for a lot of people because we're two super-different genres of music but we had the most fun and we made so many songs, it was super insane. We're like best friends, we text everyday now, so that kind of came naturally. The one that I really have been working on for years was a collaboration with Iggy Pop. He's one of my favorite musicians and artists of all time, so that was super exciting for me, because I respect him so much.

You've written tracks for Kelly Clarkson and Britney Spears, and you've written all the songs for Warrior. What did you want to bring out in your lyrics this time round?

I definitely wanted to maintain the irreverence, because that's why my fans like me. It's because I'm super honest, not always PG rated ... but I didn't want to let the haters somehow cramp my style or get the best of me, so I maintain my irreverence ... I also really wanted to show the other side of my personality, which kind of is more nerve-wracking to show people, being a real person and the vulnerable side of my personality and voice. So there are tracks on this record that are super vulnerable and were hard even to write. I had to force myself to sit down and write these songs.

You've carved a distinctive image and also just launched your latest collaboration with Baby-G watches. How do you want to evolve your career in the future?

I think that with this record, I really wanted to show that there are no rules or boundaries in art, at all, like I sing and I can use crazy Auto-Tune vocoders and I can rap and I can do a song with Iggy Pop. You can do all these things that make sense. You don't have to just be one thing, like, you don't adhere to any sort of stereotype or any boundaries or any rules, so for me it's really fun to break down these boundaries.

You came in at the forefront of the electronic dance music explosion in the pop charts two years ago. Why do you think EDM is doing so well?

Dancing is one of the ways we, as adult human beings, still get to play and it's socially acceptable. Little kids play all the time, but as we grow up, we're supposed to just not play anymore, so our version of that is going out and dancing, and I think it's one way people are still visceral and animal-like.

Mary J. Blige sued for defaulting on US$2mil loan

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:35 PM PST

REUTERS - R&B star Mary J. Blige was hit with a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging the Grammy winner and her husband defaulted on a US$2.2 million bank loan.

According to court documents filed in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Signature Bank is seeking to recoup the original loan plus US$58,000 in interest.

Blige, 41, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and her husband Martin Isaacs took out the loan in October 2011 and defaulted in July 2012, the suit alleges.

Blige's publicist declined comment on the lawsuit. The singer's attorney did not immediately return a request to comment.

The lawsuit also names Blige's production company, Mary Jane Productions Inc.

The lawsuit is the latest financial headache for the New York City native. The Family Affair singer's charity, The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now Inc, was accused earlier in this year of mishandling funds and cheating scholarship students.

Blige acknowledged the problems in a June interview.

"The lives of young women are at stake," the singer told Reuters when asked about the allegations. "I feel what they feel. I don't want them to suffer. I promised them something and I'm gonna deliver. Period."

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