Sabtu, 29 Disember 2012

The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates


Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 08:04 PM PST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi early on Sunday.

A girl lights candles during a candlelight vigil for a gang rape victim who was assaulted in New Delhi, in Kolkata December 29, 2012. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

A girl lights candles during a candlelight vigil for a gang rape victim who was assaulted in New Delhi, in Kolkata December 29, 2012. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

The unidentified 23-year-old medical student died from her injuries on Saturday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public outrage.

She had suffered brain injuries and massive internal damage in the attack on December 16, and died in hospital in Singapore where she had been taken for treatment.

She and a male friend had been returning home from the cinema, media reports say, when six men on a bus beat them with metal rods and repeatedly raped the woman. The friend survived.

Six suspects were charged with murder after her death.

A Reuters correspondent saw family members who had been with her in Singapore take her body back to their Delhi home in an ambulance with a police escort.

Ruling party leader Sonia Gandhi was seen arriving at the airport when the plane landed and Prime Minister Mannmohan Singh's convoy was also there, the witness said.

The body was later taken to a crematorium and cremated, news channels reported. Media were kept away but a Reuters witness saw the woman's family, New Delhi's chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, and the junior home minister, R P N Singh, coming out of the crematorium.

The outcry over the attack caught the government off-guard. It took a week for Singh to make a statement, infuriating many protesters.

PROTESTS

Issues such as rape, dowry-related deaths and female infanticide rarely enter mainstream political discourse in India.

Analysts say the death of the woman dubbed "Amanat", an Urdu word meaning "treasure", by some Indian media could change that, although it is too early to say whether the protesters calling for government action to better safeguard women can sustain their momentum through to national elections due in 2014.

Protesters have staged peaceful demonstrations in the capital New Delhi and in cities across India in the last few days to keep the pressure on Singh's government to get tougher on crime against women. Last weekend, protesters fought pitched battles with police.

Authorities, worried about the reaction to the news of her death on Saturday, deployed thousands of policemen, closed 10 metro stations and banned vehicles from some main roads in central New Delhi.

Most sex crimes in India go unreported, many offenders go unpunished, and the wheels of justice turn slowly, according to social activists, who say that successive governments have done little to ensure the safety of women.

Commentators and sociologists say the rape has tapped into a deep well of frustration many Indians feel over what they see as weak governance and poor leadership on social issues.

New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among India's major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures. Government data show the number of reported rape cases in India rose by nearly 17 percent between 2007 and 2011.

For a link to the poll, click http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/special-coverage/g20women/

(Additional reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Writing by Louise Ireland; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

Sex, drugs and rock and roll: Australia's other boom

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:25 PM PST

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Forget Australia's mining boom. The nation's strong economy, high currency and wages have made it a magnet for sex, drugs and rock and roll.

A container ship passes in front of the Sydney skyline as it departs from Port Botany terminal February 24, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

A container ship passes in front of the Sydney skyline as it departs from Port Botany terminal February 24, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

Foreign sex workers, drug smugglers and global rock acts are all targeting Australia to cash in on an economy growing at 3.1 percent when other developed nations are struggling to expand at all.

The alternative boom has emerged as Australian average full-time wages hit $72,500 a year, and with the Australian dollar trading stubbornly above parity with the U.S. dollar for the past two years.

That has made Australia even more profitable for fly-in and fly-out rock acts and prostitutes, and especially for drug traffickers who are taking bigger risks with the hope of windfall profits.

"Offshore organised crime syndicates perceive Australia to have a robust economy and to have been less affected by the global financial crisis than other jurisdictions," said Paul Jevtovic, the Australian Crime Commission's executive director of intervention and prevention.

DRUG PROFITS

Australian police made 69,500 illicit drug busts in the year to June 30, 2012, the highest in a decade, and have made record arrests in the first six months of this financial year.

In recent months, police have intercepted drugs hidden in a 20-tonne steamroller and heavy machinery, in a large wooden altar, and they have broken up a drug ring involving smugglers in Australia, Japan and Vietnam.

One of the biggest smuggling operations was a failed bid to bring in more than 200 kg (440 lb) of cocaine across the Pacific Ocean from Ecuador on a 13-metre (40-foot) yacht, found grounded on a small atoll in Tonga with a dead crewman aboard.

Australian police, who work closely with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and authorities throughout Asia and the South Pacific, said the high prices paid in Australia and the strong dollar all helped make the country attractive for smugglers.

Crime statistics show why some are willing to risk up to 20 years in prison.

The Australian Crime Commission, which examines trends and works closely with police agencies, said heroin and MDMA, also known as ecstasy, sell for about eight times more in Australia than in Britain and the United States, though Australia is a much smaller market.

Crime Commission data given to Reuters shows a kilogram of cocaine is worth about $2,400 in Colombia, $12,500 in Mexico, and $33,000 in the United States.

The same kilogram of cocaine is worth $220,000 in Australia.

ROCK REVIVAL

Once a remote destination for big rock acts, Australia has been flooded with talent over the past year and faces a steady stream of musicians, including heritage acts, in 2013.

The strong dollar has made Australia the ideal place to perform for musicians wanting to make money at a time when touring rather than album sales is the main driver of income, with many acts charging a premium in a cashed-up economy.

In the first half of 2013, Australia will see tours by Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Guns N'Roses, Ringo Starr, ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy, the Steve Miller Band, Deep Purple, Santana, Status Quo, Robert Plant, Neil Young, Carole King, Paul Simon and Kiss.

The high ticket prices have upset some fans, who question why an artist like Springsteen charges $220 for a premium ticket in Australia, when the same ticket to the same show in Connecticut in October cost $90.

"You can't tell me it costs more than double per head to stage a concert here in Australia," said music fan Robin Pash, who has just returned from the United States, where he saw Springsteen and a series of acts for what would be considered bargain prices.

Entertainment journalist Jonathon Moran, however, said the higher prices reflected the higher cost in Australia, although Australia's strong dollar did make it more attractive to perform downunder.

"More people want to come here, and Australian audiences are comparatively well off and can afford the tickets," Moran, from Sydney's Sunday Telegraph, told Reuters.

SEX AND THE BOOM

Sex workers are also cashing in on the boom, particularly in remote mining towns, where the world's oldest profession is the latest to adopt fly-in, fly-out work practices. And more overseas sex workers are heading for Australia.

A 2012 report for the government in the most populous state, New South Wales, found a marked rise in the number of female sex workers from Thailand, Korea and China since 2006, with 53 percent of sex workers from Asia and a further 13.5 percent from other non-English-speaking countries.

The report, by the University of New South Wales, found a median hourly rate of A$150 for sex services in Australia's largest city of Sydney, although sex workers can charge double that in remote mining towns full of cashed up men.

In the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in the Western Australia state, the Red House brothel, which has operated since 1934, advertises services starting at A$300 an hour.

Proprietor Bruna Meyers said women in her establishment earned up to A$4,000 a week at a busy time, or about three times the average full-time Australian wage.

"The girls who come here are mainly from over east (eastern Australian states). They come in, sometimes for two or three weeks at a time. Some are just girls who are travelling around the world," Meyers told Reuters.

($1 = 0.9652 Australian dollars)

(Editing by Ron Popeski)

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 05:40 PM PST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A girl lights candles during a candlelight vigil for a gang rape victim who was assaulted in New Delhi, in Kolkata December 29, 2012. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

A girl lights candles during a candlelight vigil for a gang rape victim who was assaulted in New Delhi, in Kolkata December 29, 2012. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

The unidentified 23-year-old medical student died from her injuries on Saturday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public outrage.

She had suffered brain injuries and massive internal damage in the attack on December 16, and died in hospital in Singapore where she had been taken for treatment.

She and a male friend had been returning home from the cinema, media reports say, when six men on a bus beat them with metal rods and repeatedly raped the woman. The friend survived.

Six suspects were charged with murder after her death.

A Reuters correspondent saw family members who had been with her in Singapore take her body back to their Delhi home in an ambulance with a police escort.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's convoy was at the airport when the plane landed and left soon afterwards, the witness said.

The outcry over the attack caught the government off-guard. It took a week for Singh to make a statement, infuriating many protesters.

Issues such as rape, dowry-related deaths and female infanticide rarely enter mainstream political discourse in India.

Analysts say the death of the woman dubbed "Amanat", an Urdu word meaning "treasure", by some Indian media could change that, although it is too early to say whether the protesters calling for government action to better safeguard women can sustain their momentum through to national elections due in 2014.

PROTESTS

Protesters have staged peaceful demonstrations in the capital New Delhi and in cities across India in the last few days to keep the pressure on Singh's government to get tougher on crimes against women. Last weekend protesters fought pitched battles with police.

Authorities, worried about the reaction to the news of her death on Saturday, deployed thousands of policemen, closed 10 metro stations and banned vehicles from some main roads in central New Delhi.

Most sex crimes in India go unreported, many offenders go unpunished, and the wheels of justice turn slowly, according to social activists, who say that successive governments have done little to ensure the safety of women.

Commentators and sociologists say the rape has tapped into a deep well of frustration many Indians feel over what they see as weak governance and poor leadership on social issues.

New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among India's major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures. Government data show the number of reported rape cases in India rose by nearly 17 percent between 2007 and 2011.

For a link to the poll, click http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/special-coverage/g20women/

(Additional reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Writing by Louise Ireland; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Copyright © 2012 Reuters

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The Star Online: Sports

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Greig hailed as 'godfather' of the modern game

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:27 PM PST

SYDNEY: The cricket world on Sunday paid tribute to former England Test skipper and broadcaster Tony Greig, remembering him as "the godfather of modern cricket" due to his influence in shaping the game.

South African-born Greig died Saturday after a heart attack at his Sydney home at the age of 66, as he battled lung cancer diagnosed just two months ago.

The towering Greig was remembered as being instrumental in the formation of late Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series Cricket (WSC) contest staged from 1977-79, which sent shockwaves through the sport.

"It could be argued that Tony Greig was the godfather of modern cricket, the man who believed the game should be entertaining and a little irreverent but always ruthlessly competitive," wrote The Australian's Peter Lalor. "Cricket has lost one of its giants."

Broadcasting doyen Richie Benaud, a former Australian captain who shared the Channel Nine commentary box for decades with Greig, described him as a dynamic cricketer, a fearless thinker and an entertainer.

"I found him a fellow full of courage; that was before he was ill," Benaud said.

"He was full of courage because of many things that had happened to him in his cricket life and his outside life as well. It's one of those things where we know this was inevitable but there's always a sadness when you see a good friend go."

Kerry Packer's son James said Greig "stood shoulder to shoulder with my father at times when it was not always fashionable".

"Together with the backing of other key players and supporters, they forged a brave new age for both cricketers and spectators alike. For that alone, every fan of the game is in Tony Greig's debt.

He added: "But he was much more than that. Our cricket enemy turned our mate; his famous car keys stuck in the pitch to demonstrate its hardness, and his legendary but friendly on-air barneys with the great Bill Lawry."

Former Australian captain Lawry was distraught by the news, describing Greig as "an Englishman with an Australian attitude" whose absence from the commentary box had left a big hole in the game this Australian summer.

"I missed Tony this summer just in the commentary team and now he's gone forever," Lawry said.

"My wife and I are absolutely shattered."

Greig's opposing captain in WSC and fellow Channel Nine commentator, former Australia captain Ian Chappell, spoke of Greig's trademark competitiveness.

"I had enormous respect for Tony as a cricketer," Chappell said. "He was a great optimist as a player and a commentator. You always knew you were in a contest with him - whether playing cricket or over dinner."

Current Australian captain Michael Clarke said the news was upsetting for the Test team.

"I was only speaking with Tony a couple of days ago, so news of his passing is absolutely devastating," Clarke said.

"Personally, he has also been a great mentor for me, providing great advice through the good times and the bad."

Greig played 58 Tests - 14 of them as captain - for his adopted country England between 1972 and 1977, scoring 3,599 runs with eight centuries at 40.43 and capturing 141 wickets at 32.20.

Greig said earlier this year of his life in cricket: "Give your hand to cricket and it will take you on the most fantastic journey, a lifetime journey both on and off the field."

He is survived by his wife, Vivian, and four children.-AFP

Australian to swim Cuba-US without shark cage

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:26 PM PST

SYDNEY: An Australian open-water distance swimmer who has made multiple crossings of the English Channel on Sunday announced an ambitious bid to swim solo from Cuba to the United States without a shark cage.

Chloe McCardel, 27, has twice won the Channel Swimming Association's Sotiraki Cup for the fastest swim by a woman across the strait between England and France - in 2011 and 2012 - and has also won the gruelling Manhattan Island Marathon.

But McCardel has set an even loftier goal for 2013, unveiling plans to swim a daunting 170 kilometres (106 miles) solo and non-stop from Havana in Cuba to Florida's Key West in some 60-70 hours.

If successful she will set a new world record for longest solo unassisted ocean swim, currently held by British-Australian Penny Palfrey for a 108-kilometre swim without shark cage or wetsuit in the Caribbean in 2011.

For the first time in history McCardel hopes to complete the testing Gulf Stream and Florida Straits crossing without the protection of a shark cage, compounding the difficulty of her daring feat.

"It is a great time of year to make this announcement, when so many people are celebrating the New Year and thinking about their own dreams and aspirations for the next 12 months," said McCardel, who conceded her mother would probably "faint" after hearing her plans.

"I really hope I can inspire more people to push their own boundaries or perceived limitations."

American distance swimmer Diana Nyad, 63, was plucked from the water halfway across the same route earlier this year due to storms, hypothermia and jellyfish stings - her fourth attempt at the challenge.

McCardel's June 2013 swim will raise funds for cancer research and support services and she has said no sharks will be harmed "by the conduct of anyone involved during the swim". A conservationist will be on board the support vessel.

She is expected to encounter plenty of the marine predators as well as strong and unpredictable ocean conditions, jellyfish and potentially wild storms.

The Australian will only wear a basic swimming costume and will be banned from touching the boat or another person, or using flippers, a snorkel, wetsuit or any other flotation device.-AFP

Ramdan beats Zulfadli to book a spot in the final

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:05 PM PST

ALOR SETAR: Misbun Ramdan Misbun kept a cool head to secure a place in the men's singles final of the National Grand Prix Finals at the Kedah BA Hall yesterday.

The 21-year-old, the son of former great Datuk Misbun Sidek, surprisingly opted for a calmer approach rather than his usual attacking game to beat former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli 21-13, 21-16.

"I changed my game because it was getting too predictable. I usually go on the offence and if it works, I win. If it doesn't, I'll be too tired to defend," said Ramdan.

"I decided to take the wait-and-see approach against Zulfadli. I found out that I was able to dictate the game better with that approach," he added.

Zulfadli admitted that Ramdan's cool temperament was key to him being victorious.

"He was so cool. I've never seen him that calm in our previous meetings," said Zulfadli.

Ramdan's earlier target was to qualify for the semi-final, which he did so through a challenging group containing top seed Liew Daren, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayup and Tan Kian Meng. All except Kian Meng had two wins in the group stage and Ramdan was declared the group winner based on points countback.

"My target is different now. Since I'm in the final, I've decided to go all the way and win the title. This is my first final in the National Grand Prix Finals and I would like to end it with a nice feeling," said Ramdan.

Ramdan's opponent in the final is Chong Wei Feng, who made short work of last year's finalist Goh Soon Huat 21-10, 21-14.

In the mixed doubles competition, Lim Khim Wah-Vivian Hoo beat Chooi Kah Ming-Lee Meng Yean 21-19, 21-15 to set up a final showdown with Goh V Shem-Soong Fie Choo.

V Shem-Fie Cho were stretched to the limit by Tan Aik Kuang-Lai Pei Jing before winning 22-24, 21-13, 21-18.

RESULTS

Group stage
Men's singles
Group C: Zulfadli Zulkifli (Kul) bt Loh Wei Sheng (Nse) 21-15, 21-10.

Men's doubles
Group A: Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong (Kul-Joh) bt Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi (Pen-Joh) 21-13, 21-12.
Group B: Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han (Pah-Mal) bt Low Juan Shen-Tan Yip Juin (Nse-Pen) 21-18, 21-19.

Women's doubles
Group A: Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho (Sab-Sab) bt Cheah Yee See-Joyce Choong (Pen-Pen) 21-13, 25-23.
Group B: Sannatasah Saniru-Tee Jing Yi (Sab-Pen) bt Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (Kul-Mal) 8-21, 21-18, 21-19.

> Semi-finals
Men's singles: Misbun Ramdan Misbun (Sel) bt Zulfadli Zulkifli (Kul) 21-13, 21-16; Chong Wei Feng (Ked) bt Goh Soon Huat (Mal) 21-10, 21-14.

Women's singles: Lydia Cheah (Kul) bt Yang Li Lian (Sel) 21-17,21-13; Tee Jing Yi (Pen) bt Sannatasah Saniru (Sab) 21-9, 23-21.
Men's doubles: Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han (Pah-Mal) bt Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi (Pen-Joh) 21-16, 24-22.

Women's doubles: Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Choo (Sab-Sab) bt Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (Kul-Mal) 17-21, 21-17, 21-12.

Mixed doubles: Lim Khim Wah-Vivian Hoo (Ked-Kul) bt Chooi Kah Ming-Lee Meng Yean (Pah-Mal) 21-19, 21-15; Goh V Shem- Soong Fie Choo (Kul-Sab) bt Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing (Ked-Pah) 22-24, 21-13, 21-18.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Business

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Entrepreneur launches first Africa-designed smartphone

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:41 PM PST

BRAZZAVILLE: A Congolese inventor has unveiled what he says is the first African-designed smartphone.

Verone Mankou, 27, told AFP that the so-called Elikia, which means "hope" in the local language, went on sale the day before in the Republic of Congo.

Mankou, head of the company VMK, said the Android-powered device was on sale in only in Congo for now, but he planned to launch it in other countries.

The phone was initially due to go on sale in October but its launch was delayed "because of an explosion in demand," he said.

Though the phone is Congolese by design, it is manufactured in China. It costs about 130 euros ($170) - a considerable sum in this central African nation.

The phone has a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 512 megabytes of RAM and a 650-Mhz processor. Its camera is five megapixels, and it also comes with GPS and Bluetooth.

Mankou last year designed what was billed as Africa's first tablet computer.-AFP

Taiwan's Chinatrust in talks to buy Tokyo bank: report

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:30 PM PST

TOKYO: Taiwan's Chinatrust Commercial Bank is in talks to take over a regional Japanese bank in what would be the first such foreign acquisition, a report said Sunday.

The major Taiwanese bank has already told the shareholders of Tokyo Star Bank that it wants to buy a nearly 100-percent stake for about 50 billion yen ($580 million), the business daily Nikkei reported.

Although foreign funds have taken over Japanese banks before, no overseas bank has ever done so, it said.

Tokyo Star's shareholders - including US investment fund Lone Star Funds, Japan's Shinsei Bank and France's Credit Agricole - are due to examine the terms of the proposed takeover early next year, the Nikkei said.

Chinatrust will make a final decision on the takeover price after examining the Tokyo bank's assets.

It has branches in Tokyo and other Asian cities and is looking to increase its international earnings through the takeover, the Nikkei said.

Tokyo Star was bought by Lone Star in 2001 after its predecessor, Tokyo Sowa Bank, went under in 1999.

In 2008 its shares were sold to a Japanese private equity fund. However, the fund struggled to make payments amid difficult business conditions.

Lone Star, Shinsei Bank and other creditors have become de facto shareholders after acquiring collateral shares.

Tokyo Star, which mainly focuses on individual customers through such services as housing loans, had a deposit balance of 2.06 trillion yen and an outstanding loan balance of 1.52 trillion yen as of the end of September, the Nikkei said.-AFP

U.S. judge approves Toyota's $1.1b acceleration deal

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 12:57 AM PST

SAN FRANCISCO: A U.S. judge granted preliminary approval on Friday to Toyota Motor Corp's $1.1 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by consumers who lost value on their cars due to sudden, unintended acceleration.

U.S. District Judge James Selna in Santa Ana, California, scheduled a hearing in June for final approval of the deal, which was announced this week. It provides $500 million in cash for plaintiffs, plus installation of break override systems and a customer support program valued at about $600 million combined.

"Settlement will likely serve the interests of the class members better than litigation," Selna wrote.

Plaintiff lawyer Steve Berman said he was pleased with the favorable comments in Selna's order. Toyota spokeswoman Julie Hamp said the company was gratified by Selna's approval of the settlement, "which will provide value to our customers and provides an extra measure of confidence in their vehicles."

About 16 million Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles sold in the United States spanning the model years 1998 to 2010 are covered by the settlement. Company officials have maintained that the electronic throttle control system was not at fault, instead blaming ill-fitting floor mats and sticky gas pedals.

A study by federal safety officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NASA found no link between reports of unintended acceleration and Toyota's electronic throttle control system.

Toyota, the No. 3 automaker in the U.S. market, admitted no fault in proposing the settlement, one of the largest U.S. mass class-action litigations in the automotive sector. One plaintiff's law firm called it the largest settlement in U.S. history involving auto defects.

However, the deal does not cover wrongful death or injury lawsuits, believed to total more than 300 according to a Toyota filing in June.

Toyota's recall of its vehicles between 2009 and 2011 relating to the unintended acceleration issue hurt its reputation for reliability and safety.

But the automaker's sales were up almost 29 percent in 2012 through November, compared with a 14 percent increase in the industry, and Toyota's share of the U.S. market has risen to 14.4 percent from 12.7 percent in 2011.

In his order on Friday, Selna said the settlement is fair, given the risks of further litigation and the complicated legal rulings he has issued throughout the case.

"Some of these rulings have been favorable to plaintiffs, some have been favorable to Toyota," Selna wrote. "Were the parties to proceed to a fully litigated result, virtually any outcome would face the risk of uncertainty upon appellate review of these rulings."

Selna also approved up to $200 million in attorneys' fees, saying the amount falls within 25 percent of the total settlement which is the benchmark established by appellate law.

The case is In re: Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 10-ml-02151. - Reuters

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

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Western movie character actor Harry Carey Jr. dies at 91

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 07:20 PM PST

LOS ANGELES: Veteran character actor Harry Carey Jr., who appeared in scores of television shows and films including nine of famed movie director John Ford's classic Hollywood Westerns, has died at age 91, his family said on Friday.

Carey, a frequent supporting player in films starring John Wayne, died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday morning in the seaside town of Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by family members, said his daughter, Melinda Carey.

"No cancer or nothing, he just got old," she said of her father, who is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marilyn, and three adult children. Carey's more notable big-screen credits included a co-starring role with John Wayne in Ford's 1948 outlaw film "3 Godfathers," the role of a young calvary officer in Ford's 1949 western "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," also with Wayne, and a turn decades later in a saloon scene in the 1990 sci-fi comedy "Back to the Future Part III."

In all, he made 11 movie appearances with Wayne. Among other Ford-directed films in which Carey appeared were "The Searchers" (1956), "Wagon Master" (1950) and "Rio Grande" (1950). In addition to a prodigious movie career that encompassed more than 90 films, Carey was a fixture on television during an era when westerns proliferated on the small screen, popping up in various character roles on such prime-time hits as "Bonanza," "Gunsmoke" and "Wagon Train" in the 1960s and 1970s.

In the 1950s, he had a recurring role in "The Adventures of Spin and Marty," a series of TV shorts that aired as part of "The Mickey Mouse Club." Carey was born in 1921, the son of silent film star Harry Carey and his wife, Olive, who also was an actress.

The young Carey was raised among cattle and horses on his parents' 1,000-acre (405 hectares) ranch in California's Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles, and he earned the nickname "Dobe" because his hair color was the hue of the ranch's reddish adobe clay.

Even late in life, he went by that nickname.

THE JOHN FORD STOCK COMPANY

The family's affiliation with Ford dated back to the director's earliest westerns, with Carey's father appearing in some of Ford's silent films in 1917. During World War Two, the younger Carey worked with Ford on training and propaganda films for the U.S. military.

He went on to become a regular performer, along with his father, in the John Ford Stock Company - actors and crew members who Ford used repeatedly in his films. Carey Jr. was reported to be the last surviving member of Ford's stock company. Carey's first feature collaboration with Ford in "3 Godfathers," playing the Abilene Kid, saw Carey, Wayne and Mexican-born actor Pedro Armendariz co-star as cattle rustlers and bank robbers who care for an orphaned baby boy while dodging the law.

Carey's father starred in the original 1919 version, also directed by Ford. Carey began his association with Wayne in another 1948 release, the classic Howard Hawks Western movie "Red River," which also starred the elder Carey, though father and son had no scenes together. Among Carey's last screen appearances were his turn as a U.S. marshal in the 1993 film "Tombstone," which starred Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell, and a supporting role in the 1997 TV movie "Last Stand at Saber River," which starred Tom Selleck.

The Carey family ranch, which was visited over the years by Wayne and fellow actors William S. Hart and Gary Cooper, has been turned into a Los Angeles County historic park called Tesoro Adobe.

Laurene Weste, city councilwoman in Santa Clarita, said Carey Jr. remains a beloved figure in the area where the family ranch was once so prominent. "He was just a wonderful, loving, kind, down-to-Earth man," she said.- Reuters

Matt Damon tackles 'fracking' issue in the 'Promised Land'

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 05:37 PM PST

LOS ANGELES: The hot-button topic of "fracking" has finally made its way to Hollywood in the new movie "Promised Land," out in U.S. theaters on Friday, with actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski teaming up to further the debate on the energy drilling technique.

The film explores the social impact of hydraulic fracturing drilling technique, or "fracking," which has sparked nation-wide environmental and political battles over its impact on drinking water, U.S. energy use, seismic activity and other areas.

"Promised Land" will see Damon, 42, reunite with director Gus Van Sant for the third time, following their success with 1997 film "Good Will Hunting and 2002's "Gerry."

In their latest film, Damon plays a corporate salesman who goes to a rural U.S. town to buy or lease land on behalf of a gas company looking to drill for oil. He soon faces opposition from a slick environmentalist, played by Krasinski.

In real life, Damon hasn't shied away from getting involved in political and social issues, working with charities and organizations to eradicate AIDS in developing countries, bringing attention to atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, providing safe drinking water and stopping trees from being chopped and used for junk mail.

Yet "Promised Land," which Damon also co-wrote and produced, doesn't take a noticeable stance on "fracking."

The actor would not publicly state his own views, telling Reuters that he didn't think his opinion had "any bearing" on the film. "The point is that the movie should start a conversation.

It's certainly not a pro-fracking movie, but we didn't want to tell people what to think," Damon said. The actor said he and Krasinski never set out to make a socially conscious film, and "fracking" was added in later, as a backdrop to the story.

"It wasn't that we said we wanted to make a movie about 'fracking' as much as we wanted to make a movie about American identity, about real people. We wanted to make a movie about the country today, where we came from, where we are and where we are headed," Damon said.

"'Fracking' was perfect because the stakes are so incredibly high and people are so divided. It asks all the questions about short-term thinking versus long-term thinking."

Hydraulic fracturing entails pumping water laced with chemicals and sand at high pressure into shale rock formations to break them up and unleash hydrocarbons.

Critics worry that "fracking" fluids or hydrocarbons can still leak into water tables from wells, or above ground.

FROM 'ADJUSTMENT BUREAU' TO 'PROMISED LAND'

At first glance, the pairing of Damon with Krasinski may not come across as the perfect fit, as Damon has primarily been associated with longtime friend and collaborator Ben Affleck, both of whom won Oscars for writing "Good Will Hunting."

Damon later become a colleague and friend to a number of key Hollywood players, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt, with whom he co-starred in the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise.

Krasinski, 33, is best known for playing sardonic Jim Halpert on NBC's long-running television series, "The Office," and has had occasional supporting roles in films such as 2008's "Leatherheads."

Damon and Krasinski came together after meeting through Krasinski's wife, Emily Blunt, who co-starred with Damon in the 2011 film "The Adjustment Bureau."

Damon said he and his wife started double-dating with Krasinski and Blunt, through which their collaboration on "Promised Land" came about.

The duo's busy work schedules forced them to moonlight on weekends to make "Promised Land." "John showed up at my house every Saturday at breakfast and we would write all day until dinner," Damon said.

"Then we'd do it again on Sunday. I have four kids so he would come to me."

But Damon's determination to make the film his feature directorial debut fell though when his acting schedule changed, making it impossible to direct "Promised Land," so he turned to Van Sant.

"My first inclination was to send the script to somebody I'd worked with before," he said.

"Gus seemed like the most obvious choice and I realized later that I'd never written anything that anyone else had directed, except Gus. I have a real comfort level with him."

Damon said he has not given up on his dream of directing movies and has his eye on a project at movie studio Warner Bros., which has a deal with Damon and Affleck's joint production company, Pearl Street Films.

With Affleck's third directorial effort "Argo" becoming an awards contender, Damon joked that the film's success can only be a good thing for his own budding directing career. "I now happen to be partnered with the hottest director in Hollywood!" he said, laughing. -Reuters

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Use public transport for Xmas and New Year's eve celebrations Monday

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 07:12 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been advised to use the light rail transit (LRT) and KL Monorail to attend the Malaysian Christmas Open House and the New Year's eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka Monday night.

RapidKL, the operator of the LRT, Monorail and bus services in the Klang Valley, said all three public transit services would be extended until 12.45am while certain stations would remain open until 2am on Tuesday.

The stations which will stay open until 2am are Masjid Jamek, Hang Tuah and Bandaraya for the LRT Ampang line; and Kelana Jaya, Bangsar, KL Sentral, Pasar Seni, Dang Wangi, Kampung Baru, KLCC, Masjid Jamek and Ampang Park for the Kelana Jaya line.

"For KL Monorail, the stations are KL Sentral, Hang Tuah, Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Bukit Nanas and Titiwangsa," said RapidKL spokesman Azhar Ghazali in a statement Saturday.

He advised commuters to use their MyRapid Card for their convenience.

In addition to the LRT and KL Monorail extension, RapidKL bus services to certain routes will also be extended, especially the LRT feeder busses.

Details on the routes can be obtained here.

Special Affairs Department (Jasa) spokesman Norazli Noh said the Malaysian Christmas Open House would be held for two hours from 4pm while the 2013 New Year's eve celebration would begin at 8.30pm until midnight.

Meanwhile, the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Komuter service will operate from 6am on Dec 31 to 6am the following day for the convenience of the public celebrating New Year in the city.

Its general manager Mohd Hider Yusoff said KTMB would provide 48 additional trains for the purpose to ensure smooth service for the route between Sungai Gadut and Rawang, as well as Batu Caves and Port Klang.

"KTMB will also have additional personnel to be on duty during the period to ensure passengers' safety and convenience," he told reporters at a wedding ceremony which was held at the Sentul Komuter station here Saturday.

He advised passengers to get return tickets to avoid congestion at the ticket counters.

For enquiries, the public can contact 1-300-88-5862 or the nearest KTM Komuter station. - Bernama

Bkt Setiawangsa landslide: MP had 'always' been concerned about embankment

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:14 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Rompin MP Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis had always been concerned about the safety of the now-collapsed embankment in Bukit Setiawangsa, where he has a home.

"It was built in 1985, I've been living here since the early 80s. I've always been concerned, especially because of its height," he told reporters when leaving the scene on Saturday.

The MP said his home, which is located next to a large bungalow that had split in two, had sustained minor damage including a collapsed gate.

Puncak Setiawangsa residents association assistant chairman Fauziah Jamaluddin said that many of the residents in the area were on holiday, and had not been in their homes when the embankment collapsed on Friday night.

Dr Rais: Abdul Hadi can explain 1981 message over RTM

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 06:05 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang will be allowed to provide an explanation over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) on his "Amanat Haji Hadi" (Haji Hadi's Message), delivered in 1981, which branded Umno members and supporters as infidels, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said.

He said Abdul Hadi would have to apply to the ministry stating the choice of channel to give the explanation.

"RTM can broadcast his statement if the contents are suitable and have news value. However, at the same time, Abdul Hadi should allow others to give their views as well because his message was delivered in 1981," he said after watching a rehearsal of the Malaysia Christmas and New Year 2013 celebration scheduled for Dec 31 at Dataran Merdeka here Saturday.

Dr Rais said the views of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and muftis should be taken into account to determine the status of the message in terms of the faith of Muslims, following Abdul Hadi's branding of Umno members and supporters as infidels.

Abdul Hadi had said earlier Saturday that he was prepared to explain the message if he was given the opportunity to do so live over a local television station. - Bernama

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Plagued by floods

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 05:11 AM PST

Folks in the Kajang and Sepang municipalities will most remember 2012 for being a wet, wet, wet year. Last month's flood in Dengkil is the worst residents have seen in many years while Kajang suffered yet another major flash flood in September after one in May. StarMetro looks back at the tough year that the residents have had.

Kajang is notorious for its flash floods such as the ones that occurred on Sept 4 and May 2 this year.

In a study by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Kajang and Seri Kembangan were identified as hotspots for flash floods, among others.

In Kajang itself, 36 flood-prone areas had been identified including Taman Indah Jaya in Batu 14, Kampung Batu 14 in Hulu Langat, Kampung Batu 20 Sungai Lui and Kampung Batu 16 Dusun Tua.

Flash floods in Kajang were attributed to heavy rain, obstructed drainage and the high number of rivers in the district.

Among the areas, Taman Sungai Segamat was flooded in September, affecting 41 houses.

MPKj engineering department head Md Noor Mahmud, who oversees the flood mitigation task force secretariat, said there were 20 to 30 rivers and streams in Kajang, such as Sungai Jelok, Sungai Ramal, Sungai Segamat and Sungai Semenyih.

"Half of the area is catchment location for the Semenyih and Langat rivers.

"Due to rapid development, we will need to upgrade the existing retention ponds for flood mitigation," he said.

The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) had set up a special task force during the monsoon period and promised to clear the drains as quickly as possible to ensure flashfloods do not recur.

During the state assembly, Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu pointed out that the development at near Sungai Ramal 2 and Sungai Ramal Dalam caused the rivers to overflow and flood the surrounding areas.

"The developer has been issued with notices and fines for not complying to the council rules and regulations," he said.

Saturday Events

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:21 AM PST

BARBIE LIVE SHOW

Catch the first "Barbie-The Princess and The Popstar Live Show" in Malaysia at The Mines, from 2pm and 5pm at Level 3, Centre Court. The live show focuses on Tori, the kind-hearted princess of the magical kingdom of Meribella, who would rather sing and dance than perform her royal duties. When she meets her favourite pop star Keira, the girls discover they have much in common including a magical secret that lets them look like one another and swap places. When the kingdom's magical secret is stolen, their true friendship is tested and they discover that the best thing she can be is herself. The show ends tomorrow.

ISLAMIC ARTWORKS

Take a look at the beauty and richness of Islamic artworks by 25 artists themed "Islamic Impressions in Malaysian Contemporary Art" at Galeri Petronas, Suria KLCC which is on now until Feb 17, 2013. The exhibition titled "Taman Nurani" is an effort to promote greater awareness and understanding of contemporary art development that incorporates Islamic art as its influence. Admission is free. For details, call 03-2051 7770 or 03-2051 9290. Exhibition is open on Tuesdays until Sundays, from 10am to 8pm.

BLESS MALAYSIA

Join in the blessing ceremony for Malaysia at 7pm to 8pm today, organised by Centre For Prana Yoga and Self Transformation at the Indian Cultural Centre, CapSquare Kuala Lumpur. Admission is free. For details, call 012-9742028/ 03-7887 1028 or visit www.pranichealingmalaysia.org.

DOG ADOPTION

Thinking of buying a pet dog? How about adopting one tomorrow at Animal rescue group Second Chance adoption drive cum fundraising event from 11am to 6pm at Level 2, near Digit World, at IOI Mall, Puchong. There will be more than 20 puppies up for adoption including seven Dalmatian cross siblings. The group is urgently raising funds to build a new shelter at Hulu Langat as it will be evicted from its current premises soon. There are more than 250 at the shelter waiting for a home. Those who want to view the dogs at the shelter, call 016-332 3382 (Ho) or 019-293 7217 (Ivy). For details, email info@2ndchance-kennel.com or visit http://www.pawsmission.com. Donations in kinds such as dog kibbles, canned food, bleach and towels are also welcome.

MASK EXHIBITION

A unique exhibition awaits visitors at the National Museum. Currently, "The Mask of the World" exhibition is on every day from 9am until 6pm. It showcases some of the finest collection of ceremonial masks from all over the world. Exhibition ends on March 20, 2013. For details, call 03-2267 1048/ 1049 (Hawa/Ruhafizah) or visit www.jmm.gov.my and Facebook: muzium negara.

FAMA MEETS FANS

Calling all fans of Hong Kong artist, Fama! Get your cameras and autograph books ready because the group will be making an appearance at Concourse Level of Sungei Wang Plaza today for a meet-the-fans session at 5pm. For details, call 03-2148 6109 or www.sungeiwang.com or be a fan at www.facebook.com/sungeiwangplaza for updates on our events and promotions.

SNAP FUN PHOTOS

Admission to the Trick Art Museum at i-City is waived from today until Dec 31, and so is the car parking charges, in conjunction with the Sayangi Selangor Carnival. Bring your family and friends to snap interesting photos and enjoy the City of Digital Lights park attractions in the evening. For details, visit www.bnselangor.org.

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Leading Muslim scholar urges social network users to avoid pitfalls of cyberspace

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 03:18 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: Social network users are advised to properly use social networking websites instead of turning them into avenues or channels to defame or spread false accusations in the cyberspace.

A leading Muslim scholar, Shaykh Ahmad Muhammad Saad Ash-Shafi'ie Al-Azhari Al-Hasani said it would be wiser for them to consider the results from detrimental effects and consequences that false information could bring.

"You are responsible to pause, think and consult knowledgeable sources before spreading news or gossip in the cyber-world," he said in a public lecture at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here on Thursday.

"The Internet itself is not corrupted, it is merely a tool for communication, however it is the inappropriate usage of these tools that sows discord," he said.

Shaykh Ahmad said users must take precautions before re-tweeting their opinions or comments as it could jeopardize the integrity and safety of other parties.

He added that the convenience technology has blessed the cosmopolitan society may turn into a curse if they formulate their thoughts via friends or the internet, as they are vulnerable to corrupt ideologies.

The Islamic Sciences scholar, founder and director of the United Kingdom Ihsan Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies also urged Muslims to focus on believing in divine destiny during his "Living in a Globalised World: Hadith Jibril Experience" public lecture.

"Faith provides comfort and consolation when the public is mesmerized with all the news the media has bombarded them with," he said.

"Society has grown accustom to all the rumours and 'noise' to an extent where it cannot accept reason and wisdom open-mindedly," he said.

Shaykh Ahmad also was concerned about how Islamic verses had lost value and meaning when Muslims have used short forms for them in their text messages.

Blending in with pop art

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 03:18 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: Three friends who are ardent followers of American artist Andy Warhol — a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art that flourished in the 60s and 70s — have taken the bold step of fusing Islamic elements into the genre.

Looking from the artistic viewpoint, the three – Dr Zamir Hilman, Kamarul Akhbar Che Ismail and Kamarulazhan Abdullah – said they do not find it offensive to discard the traditional kufi tradition of Islamic calligraphy to portray the beauty of Islam the pop art way.

"We just want to give a modern twist in the art form," said Dr Zamir, when The Star met the artists at the Creative Market Place, the art and cultural event that was held in conjunction with the just-concluded 8th Islamic Economic Forum here.

Dr Zamir, 28, who graduated from the Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine, together with Kamarul Akhbar, 29, and Kamarulazhan, 30, have set up the Cufica Gallery to showcase their concept of Islamic art.

The gallery at Damansara Ara, near Petaling Jaya, produces modern Islamic art on 100% matte poly-cotton canvas using the giclee printing technique with bold colours ink.

"To most Malays in the region – and to some extent Muslims elsewhere – Islamic calligraphy is done in the kufi tradition. We chose to do it the modern way,'' said Dr Zamir, who is currently attached to a district hospital in Perak.

Partners-in-art Kamarul Akhbar quit his job as a civil engineer and Kamarulazhan left his job as an event planner to run the gallery full time.

Kamarul Akhbar said their art works, ranging from RM119 to RM1,299 a piece, attract many young buyers.

Among their clients are well-known VIPs and celebrities, who include rocker Amy Search, actress Aishah Sinclair, singer Atilia Haron and 8TV executive director Ahmad Izham Omar.

Be positive to speed up healing

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 03:20 PM PST

A RESPECTED psychologist I used to visit in Australia when I was learning my very first unit in psychology used to come up with effortless advice about life, that would stick in my head for years to come. She once told me, "When you are facing any issues in life, first address everything within your control. These are the things we can change about the situation but for the factors beyond your control like the past, or the traffic jam you're in due to a sudden accident on the highway, stop dwelling on the negatives and just accept there's nothing you can do about it, and move on."

This made me wonder how to cope with a skin rash I used to have in my late teens that no miracle cream seemed able to rectify. I also had no apparent control over when I would have a 'break-out'. It could be three times in a year or twice in a week. This used to really worry me, as a budding model because it resembled a heat rash that made my cheeks go red and make-up obviously did not sit well on such a bumpy surface. It didn't do any wonders for my self-esteem either.

At the time, as luck would have it, I was dating a doctor who gave me a cream for it, which unfortunately failed. To his credit, he warned me it might not be effective because he had started to suspect it was a "mood rash". I was dismayed. I had never heard of such a thing. Unfortunately, the cream he gave me could only help the rash to clear up once a 'break-out' occurred but it would not prevent the rash from appearing to begin with. He said stress triggered it off. This was not something I wanted to live with considering my job in the entertainment line.

I asked the wise old psychologist about what I could do about this annoying 'condition' and she smiled, "Well, that's easy. Just be happy so the rash will never appear." I told her I could not possibly guarantee being happy, relaxed and not stressed in life and she nodded adding, "When you are stressed and the rash comes up, stop focusing on it. That will only prolong its presence. Don't give problems so much power. It will have a nasty habit of staying beyond its welcome."

On my next 'break-out', I fully threw myself into applying this theory and recovered in record time. It took less than two days for my skin to clear up as if it never happened. One of the things that used to make it go on for more than a week is worrying about it or getting distressed every time I saw my face in a mirror. It was empowering to not give it too much thought which seemed to make the problem go away much faster.

From a simple matter of a skin rash, I realised how powerful our minds are because the rate of my recovery directly correlated with my attitude toward the matter. In a recent article in the Telegraph, entitled, "Relaxed people heal twice as quickly", scientists discovered the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol reflected the differences in healing speed and this even applied to the healing of wounds. Hence, being relaxed and unstressed seemed to speed up our healing process.

Whenever we feel the grip of stress taking a hold of us, we must remind ourselves that we are not powerless. We are actually wholly responsible for what we think of every day on a constant basis. It's important to monitor our thoughts and be vigilant because stress doesn't just affect our bodies. It can disturb our peace of mind.

Whether the issues facing us are big or small, largely depends on our perception of them. And whatever your perception is becomes your reality. What is perceived as a big deal to you may be of no consequence to someone else. I'm fairly sure a rash on a man's face may not bother him as much as it bothered me as a model starting out because it was affecting my work.

We can move much faster past problems when we do not give them so much negative attention and focus. Have you noticed how just talking to someone repeatedly about a bad experience keeps bringing back the bad feelings that come with it? So, we always have a choice over what we choose to share and what we think about every day. Hence, be careful what you wish for, as the old saying goes because our thoughts have power so why not make them positive thoughts? And if you know anyone who is sick, encourage them to be in a positive, relaxed frame of mind, so that they can expedite their healing.

Jojo Struys is a TV host/producer and health enthusiast. Her positive and empowerment messages can be heard on Lite FM and she's the voice behind the "Letting Go" Guided Relaxation Audio CD. You can catch up with more of Jojo's thoughts on twitter @jojo_struys

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Actress Katie Holmes' Broadway show to close

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 07:22 PM PST

NEW YORK: Actress Katie Holmes' return to Broadway has been cut short, with producers announcing that the play "Dead Accounts" in which she co-stars will close on Jan. 6, nearly two months early.

Holmes, the ex-wife of actor Tom Cruise, played Lorna, a wan, beaten-down woman living with her parents in the five-character play by Theresa Rebeck which opened on Nov. 29 to mostly negative reviews. No reason was given for the play's early closing, but media reports said it was earning only a fraction of its box office potential.

Many reviewers said Holmes acquitted herself alongside a roster of Broadway veterans, who included Tony-winning actor Norbert Leo Butz as the brother who returns to his Midwestern family and unleashes havoc in the comedy.

The New York Daily News said "she throws herself gamely into her second Broadway show ... (but) Holmes' efforts add up to zilch."

Most critics laid blame on an undeveloped, sketchy play by the author of last season's better-received "Seminar." Holmes, 34, reached a high-profile divorce settlement with Cruise last summer.

She lives in New York with her young daughter, Suri. Holmes will co-star in an upcoming film which will be a modernization of Chekhov's "The Seagull" along with Allison Janney and William Hurt.-Reuters

Chile indicts ex-army officers for Victor Jara's death

Posted: 28 Dec 2012 05:30 PM PST

SANTIAGO: A Chilean judge ordered the arrest Friday of eight ex-army officers for the brutal murder of leftist folk singer Victor Jara, killed in 1973 just days after general Augusto Pinochet came to power.

This is the first time a Chilean court has sought to prosecute any suspects in the killing of the pacifist singer - a crime that became emblematic of the bloody Pinochet dictatorship that left more than 3,000 people dead.

Two of the former soldiers were accused of murder, while the others were said to be accomplices, Chilean justice officials said in a statement.

An international arrest warrant was issued for one of the suspects, Pedro Barrientos Nunez, who lives in the United States.

"After bringing together many elements, there comes a time when one must end the investigation and try to move toward a resolution," Judge Miguel Vazquez Plaza told reporters.

Jara family lawyer Nelson Caucoto said he was "quite satisfied" with the decision.

The singer, whose lyrics spoke of love and social protest, became an icon of Latin American popular music with songs like "The Right to Live in Peace," "The Cigarette" and "I remember Amanda."

Jara was married to British dancer Joan Turner, with whom he had two daughters.

He was also a member of Chile's Communist Party and a fervent supporter of the Popular Unity coalition that backed Marxist president Salvador Allende, who came to power by popular vote in 1970.

Jara was arrested the day after the September 11, 1973 coup that installed Pinochet as dictator.

His body was found days later, riddled with 44 machine gun bullets. He had been held, along with around 5,000 other political prisoners, in Santiago's biggest stadium, where he was interrogated, tortured and then killed. He was 40.

Among other horrors, the singer-guitarist's fingers were crushed, broken by rifle butts and boots.

The case was revived in 2009, and Jara's body was exhumed, after a soldier who had been in the stadium after the coup admitted to the shooting - though he later retracted his confession.

In December 2009, thousands of Chileans attended an official funeral for the singer, whose original burial had been conducted by his widow in near-secrecy and almost total anonymity. -AFP

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