Rabu, 2 Januari 2013

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio


Al-Jazeera acquires Gore-founded Current TV group

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 06:03 PM PST

SAN FRANCISCO: Al-Jazeera has acquired Current TV, a struggling cable channel that will give the Qatar-based broadcaster the access to millions of US homes it has long sought, it was confirmed Wednesday.

Terms of the deal for Current, which was founded by US former vice president Al Gore, were not immediately disclosed, but Forbes reported that a possible value of $400 million could net the former politician a tidy $100 million.

The acquisition should also give Al-Jazeera vastly broader visibility in US homes because although Current has been struggling of late it nonetheless is available in 60 million American households, according to its own figures.

"We are proud and pleased that Al-Jazeera, the award-winning international news organization, has bought Current TV," said Gore, the San Francisco-based channel's chairman, and Joel Hyatt, co-founder and CEO, in a statement.

Gore also said Current had proudly offered "thought-provoking commentary" and Emmy and Peabody award-winning programming "to give voice to those who are not typically heard" and "to speak truth to power."

The New York Times reported that Al-Jazeera was expected to create a new channel, "Al-Jazeera America," instead of using its existing English-language vehicle Al-Jazeera English, to capitalize on Current's audience reach.

Hyatt told staff in an email that "Al-Jazeera is planning to invest significantly in building 'Al-Jazeera America,' a network focused on international news for the American audience," the Times report said.

"Al (Gore) and I will both serve on the advisory board of Al-Jazeera America, and we look forward to helping build an important news network," he added, according to the report.

The plan could put the broadcaster financed by the Qatari government into closer competition with CNN and other US news channels, as Al-Jazeera is offered only by a handful of American cable and satellite distributors.

Current Media, founded in 2005, operates Current TV, and reaches households in Britain and the United States. It also operates a youth-focused website Current.com, where users can submit their own content. The channel has won two Emmy Awards and other honors.

It reaches 71 million households worldwide. But The Times said a sale was considered because of low ratings, with an average of just 42,000 people watching the channel last year. - AFP

Adrien Brody and F1 racer Mika Salo team up for off-road adventure

Posted: 03 Jan 2013 12:18 AM PST

Hollywood star Adrien Brody and Finnish former Formula One racer Mika Salo take on the challenge of driving through a jungle in Malaysia.

Imagine this – driving a 4x4 vehicle on a frozen lake in Siberia, Russia, or across the scorching China desert, or tackling the rough terrains of Malaysia's deep forests.

Not many people have the opportunity to take on the paths less travelled.

Now, let's take it further by having a racing professional behind the wheels and a Hollywood star next to him and you will get the new three-part television series – Shell Helix Driven To Extremes.

True to its name, the programme follows the drivers to different parts of the world to take on extreme conditions in a specially modified Nissan Patrol.

The series, commissioned by Discovery Networks, was aimed at showing the audience what the vehicle can do in the intense and stark contrasting conditions.

The vehicle is also filled with different grades of Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic motor oil, depending on the place of filming.

After taking on the freezing cold weather of Siberia and searing Chinese desert, the show's final episode brought the crew to Johor – to take on the wet and rough terrains of the Ulu Sedili jungle, some 90km from Johor Baru.

Over the three days in mid-December, former Formula One driver Mika Salo and Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, famous for his role in Roman Polanski's The Pianist, took on one of the toughest roads in the form of the jungle trail in the state's Mersing district.

The stars attempted to conquer the slippery and muddy trails full of ruts and gullies, fallen trees, swollen rivers and a host of other obstacles before reaching Kampung Peta near the Endau Rompin National Park.

When met at a 4x4 garage in Taman Pelangi Indah, Johor Baru to prepare for the filming, 39-year-old Brody, who had been to Malaysia a few times before, said he was looking forward to his first time to southern Peninsular Malaysia.

The adventurous actor and film producer said that although he was familiar with cars and bikes, it was definitely a new experience for him to explore the rainforest in a 4x4 vehicle.

"That is the exciting thing about not knowing what to expect, you get to enjoy a new adventure and learn new things," he quipped.

Brody, who named nasi goreng kampung as one of his favourite Malaysian foods, said that while growing up in Queens, New York, in the 1990s, he used to fix up cars with his friends to go drag racing with neighbourhood rivals.

"We didn't have much money then for a decent car so we would always buy muscle cars. Some of my friends were very talented so we helped each other with the modifications," he added.

The actor, who tries to be as adventurous as he could and push himself to the limits – he once went diving among sharks at the Aquaria in KLCC – could not say no to the new off-road adventure.

He said that he had heard from the show's producers earlier about an opportunity to work with them but was not available then, but when they reached out for the second time, Brody jumped at the chance.

"Mentally and physically, I may not be entirely prepared and there will be difficult obstacles ahead but there is no point over-thinking about it since I have already signed up for a jungle adventure," he said.

On riding with Salo, the King Kong star said that it was a new experience for both of them.

"Mika is a talented racer and I respect him for that but I don't think he is any more experienced than me in off-road driving so this challenge was like embarking on an unfamiliar territory.

"He is a great guy – lots of fun and has an adventurous outlook on life and I appreciate that, I like being around people like that," he said, adding that the crew was laid-back and easy to work with as well.

Salo, who has had ample experience on the race tracks, said that the part he fears the most about going into the jungle are the snakes. "I have been told there are lots of them in the Ulu Sedili jungle and I am not looking forward to that part," he said with a straight face.

He added that none of them has ever been to the filming site prior to the actual shoot so he had no idea what to expect but placed his trust in the crew to sort any problems out if there are any.

"I am glad that we have an experienced crew and leader because as much as I want to have fun, I don't want to get hurt either," he said.

Like Brody, Salo said that the show was a chance for him to explore something unique and have fun trying new things that he would not do otherwise.

"If not for the show, there is no chance that I would have driven in such extreme conditions," he shared.

Salo, who has been to Penang and the Pangkor Island for holidays with his family, said that he is fine with the Malaysian heat but it is the humidity that usually gets to him.

"I do not know what to expect in the jungle but the humidity and snakes will keep me busy for a while," he said, laughing.

In the Malaysian leg of the show, about 10 crew members were involved in the filming, excluding locals.

The show's chief mechanic Paul Marsh said that the cars were built specially for the show and two identical Nissan Patrols were used for all three episodes, modified with different specifications to suit each climate and condition.

"One was a primary vehicle for the celebrities while the other is a backup vehicle in case the first vehicle has any problems.

"The vehicle has zero electronics, which makes it more reliable as we can easily repair it with simple tools if it breaks down in the middle of the jungle," Marsh explained, adding that no electronics meant that they would not override the engine as well.

He said that for the Malaysia episode, the vehicles were modified with special off-road tyres and snorkel to anticipate the high possibility of the vehicles being submerged in water while filming, which costs between £25,000 and £30,000 (RM123,000 and RM148,000) to make.

Meanwhile, local sports marketing company Total Sports Asia production head David Tully noted that Malaysia has a direct involvement in the show's creation as they provided the logistics and location arrangements for the Johor episode after the producers approached them in October.

"The programme needed a short yet challenging off-road route that could be completed in four days so I suggested the location. We have the garage services, mechanical support and experienced local drivers, guides and suitably equipped support vehicles needed to assist in the filming and experienced staff working the base camp area.

"I feel that the show is a fantastic chance to showcase the real opportunities for adventure and filming in Malaysia for tourists and professional filmmakers alike," said Tully.

Besides that, Tully added that productions like this could and have generated revenue for the locals and various industries.

"You would be surprised that some local 4x4 enthusiasts are among the most skilled and experienced off-roaders in the world, particularly when it comes to driving in the rainforest and jungle conditions," he added.

Salo and The Dark Knight Rises star Tom Hardy starred in the first Shell Helix Driven To Extremes episode (Siberia), where the crew traveled from the coldest city in the world, Yakutsk, along the Kolyma Highway to one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, Oymyakon.

For the following episode, bike racer Neil Hodgson and Superman actor Henry Cavill journeyed though the blistering Hami City in Western China to ride in the Taklimakan Desert or "Desert of Death" during the hottest time of the year.

> Shell Helix Driven To Extremes is scheduled to air in Malaysia sometime in March. For those who cannot wait, exclusive behind-the-scenes content from all three episodes are available on the show's YouTube channel (youtube.com/driventoextremes).

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates


South Korea budgets for sunnier ties with reclusive North

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 07:57 PM PST

[unable to retrieve full-text content]SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea has increased its budget to fund North Korea-related projects this year, government data showed on Thursday, with a new president seeking closer relations due to take office in Seoul and signs of an opening from Pyongyang.


Clinton discharged from hospital, doctors expect full recovery

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:55 PM PST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York hospital on Wednesday after being treated for a blood clot near her brain and her doctors expect her to make a full recovery, the State Department said.

Clinton, who has not been seen in public since December 7, was at New York-Presbyterian Hospital under treatment for a blood clot behind her right ear that stemmed from a concussion she suffered in mid-December, the department said on Sunday.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves New York Presbyterian Hospital with husband, Bill (TOP), and daughter, Chelsea (R), in New York, January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves New York Presbyterian Hospital with husband, Bill (TOP), and daughter, Chelsea (R), in New York, January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

The concussion was the result of an earlier illness, described by the State Department as a stomach virus she had picked up during a trip to Europe that led to dehydration and a fainting spell after she returned to the United States.

"Secretary Clinton was discharged from the hospital this evening. Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery," Philippe Reines, a deputy assistant secretary of state, said in a statement.

Reines said Clinton was "eager to get back to the office."

Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily briefing Clinton had been talking with her staff by telephone and receiving memos.

Clinton also spoke to two foreign officials - the U.N. envoy on Syria and the prime minister of Qatar - on Saturday, the day before the State Department disclosed the blood clot and her stay at the hospital.

In a statement released by the State Department on Monday, Clinton's doctors said she was being treated with blood thinners and would be released from the hospital once the correct dosage had been determined.

(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler and Todd Eastham)


Related Stories:
Hillary Clinton discharged from N.Y. hospital - State Department

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Clinton discharged from hospital, doctors expect full recovery

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 04:37 PM PST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York hospital on Wednesday after being treated for a blood clot near her brain and her doctors expect her to make a full recovery, the State Department said.

Clinton, who has not been seen in public since December 7, was at New York-Presbyterian Hospital under treatment for a blood clot behind her right ear that stemmed from a concussion she suffered in mid-December, the department said on Sunday.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves New York Presbyterian Hospital with husband, Bill (TOP), and daughter, Chelsea (R), in New York, January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves New York Presbyterian Hospital with husband, Bill (TOP), and daughter, Chelsea (R), in New York, January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

The concussion was the result of an earlier illness, described by the State Department as a stomach virus she had picked up during a trip to Europe that led to dehydration and a fainting spell after she returned to the United States.

"Secretary Clinton was discharged from the hospital this evening. Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery," Philippe Reines, a deputy assistant secretary of state, said in a statement.

Reines said Clinton was "eager to get back to the office."

Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily briefing Clinton had been talking with her staff by telephone and receiving memos.

Clinton also spoke to two foreign officials - the U.N. envoy on Syria and the prime minister of Qatar - on Saturday, the day before the State Department disclosed the blood clot and her stay at the hospital.

In a statement released by the State Department on Monday, Clinton's doctors said she was being treated with blood thinners and would be released from the hospital once the correct dosage had been determined.

(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler and Todd Eastham)


Related Stories:
Hillary Clinton discharged from N.Y. hospital - State Department

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Sports

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The Star Online: Sports


Tennis: Isner sidelined by knee problem

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 07:32 PM PST

PERTH, Australia: A knee injury forced world number 14 John Isner to withdraw from the Hopman Cup on Thursday, throwing his Australian Open preparations into doubt.

The early season setback for the towering American number one came 11 days ahead of the start of the year's first Grand Slam on January 14 in Melbourne.

Isner, six feet nine inches (2.06 metres) tall, looked restricted in both his singles matches for the United States in the mixed teams event, losing in straight sets to South Africa's Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.

After his loss to Tsonga on Tuesday, Isner conceded his right knee was sore, but said it was not affecting his play and was not a major concern.

"My knee's been bothering me a little bit but it's fine," he said. "It's a little tendonitis or something."

His withdrawal also ends Venus Williams's hopes of joining her sister, Serena, as a Hopman Cup winner, with the United States forfeiting their Group B tie against Spain on Thursday, handing the Spaniards a berth in Saturday's final.-AFP

Pandelela stays focused on new challenges

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:48 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The euphoria of winning the London Olympic bronze medal last year is now but a distant memory for national diver Pandelela Rinong.

Pandelela, who resumed training in Bukit Jalil after enjoying a one-week Christmas break in Kuching, is looking forward to new challenges this year and insisting that she is fully focused on diving.

Pandelela's gutsy comeback to clinch bronze in the women's 10m platform final in London was the country's first Olympic medal in a sport other than badminton and turned her into an instant star.

She has since been showered with incentives and cash rewards but the 19-year-old Sarawakian, who also bagged the Female Olympian of the Year award recently, is determined to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground.

"Nothing has changed for me. I'm still the same Pandelela ... I have to start every competition from zero point and do my very best.

"I'll approach every competition without being too over-confident ... I've always performed better this way," Pandelela said when asked how she would handle the growing expectations since her Olympic exploits.

She has not competed since the Olympics in August. She was supposed to take part in the Asian Swimming Championships in Dubai last November and the Asean University Games in Vientiane the following month.

However, she pulled out of both meets after sustaining an ankle injury.

Pandelela said the injury no longer bothered her and was looking forward to making a comeback to competition in the first leg of the Diving World Series in Beijing from March 15-17.

Pandelela is the only Malaysian to have qualified for this year's Diving World Series, which has expanded to five legs and is only for the top eight divers in the world.

However, her major assignments will be the World University Games in Kazan, Russia, from July 6-17 and the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona from July 19-Aug 4.

"Our focus is more on the World Aquatics Championships but the World University Games is also important to me as it's part of my scholarship commitment.

"It's going to be a taxing July for my team-mates and me but it's something we have to learn to handle," said the refreshed Pandelela, who savoured the rare moment she got to spend Christmas with her family.

"It's been three years since I celebrated Christmas with my family in Sarawak. I enjoyed the break as I don't know if I'll get the chance this year."

Pandelela delivered two silver medals in the individual platform and the synchro with Leong Mun Yee for Malaysia at the last World University Games in Shenzhen two years ago.

She also won a bronze with Mun Yee in the synchro platform at the 2009 world meet in Rome. She was fifth twice in the individual discipline in Rome and Shanghai (2011).

Nicol crushes Hong Kong’s Annie in World Series Finals

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:50 PM PST

PETALING JAYA: Seven-time world champion Nicol David picked up from where she left off last year with a crushing 11-7, 11-4 Group A win over Hong Kong's Annie Au in the World Series Finals at the Queen's Club, London.

The World Series Finals uses a best-of-three format.

Two weeks ago, world No. 1 Nicol steamrolled past the Hong Kong No. 1 in the second round of the Women's World Open in Cayman Islands en route to winning her record seventh world title.

And the 29-year-old Nicol brought out her A game yesterday and Annie could not hold a candle to her.

That brought Nicol's winning streak over Annie in the Women's Squash Association to 10 wins without reply and she is surely well on course to defend her World Series title.

The Penangite next faces home favourite Laura Massaro in the quarter-finals. Nicol had defeated Massaro in the World Open final.

Massaro rebounded well from the Caymans loss to beat the experienced Natalie Grinham of Holland 11-8, 11-8.

Others competing included world No. 2 Raneem El Weleily and world junior champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt, England's Jenny Duncalf and Camile Serme of France.

RESULTS

Women
Group A: Nicol David (Mas) bt Annie Au (Hkg) 11-7, 11-4; Laura Massaro (Eng) bt Natalie Grinham (Hol) 11-8, 11-8.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Business

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KEuro slips, IJM advances on West Coast Expressway project

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 06:05 PM PST

Published: Thursday January 3, 2013 MYT 10:05:00 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of Kumpulan Europlus slipped but IJM Corp climbed on news the joint-venture company West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd (WCE) had sealed the multi-billion-ringgit concession agreement (CA) with the Federal Government.

At 9.50am, KEuro was down five sen to RM1.11. There were 1.24 million shares done valued at between RM1.11 and RM1.16.

However, IJM Corp rose six sen to RM5.11. There were 602,100 shares done at prices ranging from RM5.08 to RM5.15.

On Wednesday, KEuro announced that WCE, in which it holds an 80% stake, had sealed the CA. IJM Corp owns the other 20% stake.

The highway is estimated to cost RM7.07bil. The West Coast Expressway project involves the development of a highway from Banting, Selangor to Taiping, Perak with 233km of toll highway including 40km of highway to be constructed later.

CIMB Equities Research maintains a Trading Buy on IJM Corp at RM5.60.

China December official services PMI rises to 56.1 from 55.6 in November

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:52 PM PST

Published: Thursday January 3, 2013 MYT 9:52:00 AM

BEIJING: China's official purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector rose to a four-month high of 56.1 in December from 55.6 in November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday, adding to signs of a revival in the world's second-largest economy.

A reading above 50 indicates growth is accelerating, while one below 50 indicates it is slowing.

The services sector index follows the bureau's manufacturing PMI, which indicated China's growth was reviving in December, although signs persist that such growth still depends primarily on state-led investment. The official PMI survey matched November's seven-month high of 50.6, the NBS said on Tuesday.

China's fast-growing services industry has so far weathered the global slowdown much better than the factory sector, with the PMI consistently signaling healthy expansion and hitting a 10-month high of 58.0 in March. - Reuters

Naza’s deal with Citroen has come into effect

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:48 PM PST

PETALING JAYA: More French cars are expected to hit Malaysian roads, with Naza Group subsidiary Naza Euro Motors (NEM) as official distributor.

In a statement, Naza said the appointment by French automobile manufacturer Automobiles Citron came into effect on Jan 1, 2013.

"This appointment is another milestone for the Naza Group.

"Citron has a rich heritage of innovation and technology and we are proud to represent a brand with such history and prestige," said Naza Group joint group executive chairman SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin.

He said there was sufficient demand for the brand's products in Malaysia and with the right strategy, the group was confident of realising its full potential in this market.

He said the group will launch a 3S (sales, service and spare parts) outlet in the Klang Valley by the end of February and has plans to launch new Citron 3S centres in both the northern and southern regions in the coming months.

"We have also launched a dedicated call-centre for existing and new Citron customers," he added.

NEM will be introducing several new Citron models to the market with an official website slated to be launched next month.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Nation

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Unisel hostels ordered to close for upgrading

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:48 AM PST

KLANG: Universiti Selangor (Unisel) hostels in Bestari Jaya have been ordered to be closed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Auditor-General's Department pending upgrading work.

The university's vice-chancellor Prof Anuar Ahmad said students who had already registered would be placed in five places near the university.

"Students will be placed at Azalea Court, Bandar Tasik Puteri (girls hostel), Asrama Unisel Kota Puteri, bungalows and semi-detached houses in Bukit Minyak Bestari Jaya, Taman Ilmu Bestari Jaya and Mega-Crystal Resort, Kuala Selangor.

"Each student will have to pay RM200 every month, which includes transportation, utilities and other services," he said in a statement carried in the university's website on Wednesday.

He said students could look for their own accommodation if they wished.

It is learnt that many students and parents were upset over the matter.

State exco in charge of education Dr Halimah Ali is expected to issue a statement on this matter on Thursday.

Syabas expects water supply to resume in a week

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:40 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) expect water supply that affected more than half a million people in 90 areas around the city, will resume fully within a week.

Syabas Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan said the breakdown in two pump houses in Wangsa Maju and Pudu Hulu Baru would be addressed soon but the water distribution process to affected areas would take a week.

"The water distribution process to affected areas after the repair works are carried out will take at least a weak...some times we need to refill the pipes and empty pools," he told a media conference, here on Wednesday.

Ruslan said 40 Syabas water tankers were provided in addition to rented water tankers from the City Hall (DBKL) and private sector, to deliver water to the public.

"I have also met the Selangor government and they have also agreed to send seven water tankers (to provide water supply)," he said.

Syabas has also located 110 static tanks in strategic locations in the vicinity of the affected areas to facilitate the public to obtaining water supply, he added.

Commenting on the breakdown at the pump houses, Ruslan said the damage at the Wangsa Maju pump house occurred on Dec 29, followed by the second breakdown which was detected at 3.15pm on Tuesday.

The water problem worsened when the Pudu Hulu Baru pump house experienced a breakdown on its main switchboard at 1.30pm on Tuesday, believed to be after maintenance work at an electrical substation near Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

Among areas affected are Datuk Keramat City Hall Flat, Jalan Semarak, Kampung Pandan Dalam, Taman Shamelin, Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Desa Pandan, Taman Tenaga, Taman Miharja and Jalan Ampang Hilir.

Taman Muda, Taman Seraya, Taman Bukit Permai, Taman Melur, Taman Teratai, Taman Mega Jaya, Taman Saga and Kampung Cheras Baru.

Kampung Kemensah, Kampung Baru Ampang, Taman Datuk Ahmad Razali, Bukit Indah, Taman Rasmi Jaya, Taman Watan, Wangsa Melawati, Taman Bukit Ampang, Taman Ampang Mewah, Ukay Heights and Beverly Heights. - Bernama

Second RM100 school aid to start Jan 15

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 04:47 AM PST

NILAI: The second RM100 school aid will be paid out starting Jan 15, said Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi on Wednesday.

He said the Ministry had issued a circular on the matter reminding the school authorities to not make any deductions for any Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or other payments.

"The RM100 must be distributed to the students' parents. It's up to them if they want to use the money to pay PTA fees. The school has no right to deduct the money," he told reporters here.

Mohd Puad had earlier visited Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batang Benar, SK Sendayang and Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC) near here in conjunction with the first day of school for the 2013 session on Wednesday.

Apart from the five million students in government schools the RM100 would also be distributed to students in government-aided, private, and religious schools.

The aid was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Finance Minister, in the 2013 Budget for all primary and secondary students, following the first RM100 which was provided in 2012. - Bernama

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Metro: Central

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The Star Online: Metro: Central


Metro watch

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:53 AM PST

GREEN CONCERT

WWF-Malaysia and its Earth Hour partners are inviting Malaysian bands to participate in the inaugural Earth Hour Band Contest to build environmental awareness through music. The contest is open to three to six-person bands comprising Malaysian citizens who have not signed up with any record labels. Interested bands can submit their videos to www.facebook.com/wwfmy on Jan 22 before 5pm. Voting will begin in February and the top five bands with the most votes will participate in the finals during Earth Hour on March 23 at Sunway Pyramid. For details, email contactus@wwf.org.my

TOASTMASTERS MEETING

Open University Malaysia's new Toastmasters Club is organising a New Year Toastmasters meeting on Jan 5 at 3pm, at Theatrette, Block B, Area A, Open University Malaysia, Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The public is invited to join and improve their public speaking skills, witness speeches and evaluations, and even deliver impromptu speeches. For details, call 012-210 2977 / 03-2773 2395 (Arnie) or 012-919 3190 / 03-2773 2760 (Nazrai).

SINGERS WANTED

The Philharmonic Society of Selangor Choir invites singers of all ages to join in the 2013 season. Orientation will be held on Jan 14 and 21 at 7.15pm at Free Space@Kakiseni, L1-35 & 36, Level 1, SS Two Mall, 40 Jalan SS2/72 in Petaling Jaya. Rehearsals are held every Monday, from 8pm to 10pm. For details, call 012-277 8871 (Swee Chin) or email selangor.phil@gmail.com

ELDERLY HEALTH FORUM

Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre Klang (SKSMC) will be organising a public forum on 'Elderly Health Issues' on Jan 19. The programme will be scheduled from 8.30am to 1pm at SKSMC. There will be talks on osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and sleep disorders. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is free but seats are limited. For details, call 03-3373 3636 ext 7313 / 7335 / 7356.

DATA PROTECTION

University of Malaya Malaysian Centre of Regulatory Studies is having a free public talk on Personal Data Protection Act at the Law Faculty in University of Malaya on Jan 2, from 10am to 11am. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP before Jan 18. For details, visit www.facebook.com/UMCoRS

MEDITATION WORKSHOP

Kuala Lumpur Divine Life Society, Sivanadhashram in Jalan Batu Caves will be organising a free meditation workshop daily from 10am to 4pm, from Jan 7 until Jan 17. Admission is free. For details, call 012-323 0398 or SMS 012-212 8936 (Sre).

BLOOD DONATION

The National Blood Bank is holding blood donation drives today at Maybank Berhad, Medan Tuanku Kuala Lumpur (9am to noon) and Nadin Holdings, Ampang Point (10am to 5pm). For details, visit www.pdn.gov.my

New PJ mayor should take heed of people’s needs

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 05:53 AM PST

IN REFERENCE to the announcement of the new Petaling Jaya mayor — Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad — beginning Jan 1, residents of Petaling Jaya are of the opinion that gender does not matter so long as good service is provided to the local community.

Former mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman was popular with the local people due to his consultative apporach with stakeholders.

We look forward to a mayor who will continue to listen to the residents' needs and find speedy solutions for the benefit of the community.

We hope the new mayor will ensure that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will practice an open and transparent management system and uphold good governance in its local administration. The emphasis should be on providing excellent and reliable customer service to stakeholders.

PJ residents want a safe city to live in.

One of the pressing needs is for property owners in PJ to have the freehold status. The new mayor should give this matter top priority and follow up with the Selangor government.

In addition, PJ stakeholders would like to be involved in the planning stage of any development projects instead of having their input sought only after the approval stage.

MBPJ should ensure that any developemnt projects within the city benefit the local community.

Eashvara Lingam

Protem president

Society For Sustainable Development

& Local Governance — Petaling Jaya

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Echoes of Josh Groban

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:10 AM PST

Multi-platinum recording artiste Josh Groban has readied up a diverse spread on his eagerly anticipated sixth studio album.

IT HAS been more than a decade since Josh Groban first entered the mainstream consciousness of many Malaysians when he appeared in an episode of legal comedy-drama Ally McBeal, singing his popular song To Where You Are.

When that episode aired, people were talking about the show – and Groban in particular – for days: Who was this guy? Is he an actor or a singer? Where has that voice been hiding?

All evidence showed that the episode was going to be the start of an amazing career for the singer (he was so popular that the producers brought him back for another episode the next season). That same year, he released his self-titled album – the first of five successful albums which in all have sold over 25 million records.

The story of how he got onto Ally McBeal is already legendary amongst his fans – the Grobanites – and those who have followed his career. At the 1999 Grammy Awards, Groban stood in for Andrea Bocelli in the rehearsals, singing The Prayer with Celine Dion. This led to Rosie O'Donnell booking him to appear on her show the week after. Then came Ally McBeal.

Since then, the 31-year-old has performed with many notable classical performers. There was The Prayer with Charlotte Church at the closing ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics, singing with Sarah Brightman at the 2007 Concert for Diana, as well as a 2008 tribute to Luciano Pavarotti with Bocelli.

Perhaps it was how his career started, these landmark performances or just the nature of his voice that has in many ways pigeon-holed Groban in the minds of many people. While much of his music sits comfortably in the adult contemporary charts (easy listening), Groban has over the years experimented with different sounds within his genre.

"I think I've actually done quite a bit of experimenting with this genre," he said in a recent interview at The Soho Hotel in London. "I think my last album was very broken down – I took out a lot of elements – and was much more like a folk pop kind of record. This record has much more rhythm than I've had in the past."

Groban is referring to his upcoming album – to be released early next month – titled All That Echoes. The album, produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Paramore), features 12 songs, seven of which were co-written by Groban.

The other five are covers, including Stevie Wonder's I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever), Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová's Falling Slowly (the Oscar-winning song from the film Once), and Jimmy Webb's The Moon's A Harsh Mistress. Special guests on the album include Grammy-winning trumpet player Arturo Sandoval on Un Alma Mas and Italian superstar vocalist Laura Pausini on E Ti Prometterò.

Members of the press were treated to a preview of nine tracks from the album at the hotel and for the most part, the songs sounded really fresh despite the fact that they remain well within the genre of music he has made his career out of.

"Staying fresh is really a unique thing to each particular artiste. My idea of staying fresh isn't by saying, 'Oh Kanye's really big right now, I guess I better do a rap song.' It is about keeping things interesting," he opined.

"Every time you make a record, you have the chance to do what you do best, but you also have the chance to really push some boundaries and explore. Sometimes you        p--- off your fans a little bit, and sometimes you go a little too far, but I think better that than bore them. And I think they would much rather go on this journey hit and miss than just be spoonfed the same stuff over and over again."

To make sure this happens, Groban takes a hands-on approach in working on an album ("I'm a control freak!" he confessed). And with the success he's had over the years, he's in a better position to make things happen.

"Obviously, when you sell a certain amount of records, you have doors that are open to you and you can make more phone calls, which is nice (because) when you can have more tools on your tool belt, you can make a more versatile album. At the same time, you still have to use the tools – I will never hand that to someone else," he said.

One wonders if it is that conviction that is the secret to his success. In many ways, Groban has done things the way he wants and has become so successful at it. For one, he deals with his detractors matter-of-factly.

"I can't help if people don't look at the big picture and if they have pre-conceived notion about me based on the voice that I have. There will always be people who are closed minded and I can't change their minds," he shared.

But he also sees music as more organic whole than a sum of various genres. He listens to songs from a variety of genres and has been inspired by talents ranging from Freddie Mercury to Radiohead. He even covered a Linkin Park song. The only difference between songs, he feels, is the genre. For Groban, the energy and the intent may be exactly the same.

"When I hear Freddie Mercury sing a rock note and when I hear Pavarotti singing a high C, I see the same intent, I see the same energy and the same passion and maybe the same exact emotion," he explained. "I view the genres that I am inspired by the same way. I can be thinking the exact same thing that the rocker is thinking off, we just have different ways of singing it. We have different voices, we have different styles but the energy and intent is the same."

Perhaps it is this approach to not pigeon-hole things that has kept the Los Angeles-born singer relevant over the years. His songs may not always appear on the popular charts, but he is firmly established in popular culture, thanks to his side acting career (since Ally McBeal, he has made appearances in other TV shows, including Glee and The Office, as well as in the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love) and numerous appearances on award ceremonies and talk shows. In these live shows, Groban has been able to show a different side of himself – often humourous – including appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show dressed as a character from Avatar, and a video clip of him singing out Kanye West's tweets.

On the subject of tweets, Groban also enjoys the ability of tools on the Internet that helps him keep in touch with the public.

"With the Internet now, you have the opportunity to show all sides of you. You don't have to wait to sit on the couch with Jay Leno, you can just do an interview for an hour with your fans online and tell them exactly who you are, you can tell stupid jokes on Twitter, you can send home movies through YouTube," he shared.

"If you are disgruntled about what your image is, there really is no excuse for that now because there are so many ways to show people who you are."

Many people may have a different impression of him, but over the past decade, and with an upcoming sixth album, one thing is for certain – Josh Groban is no longer just that kid who mesmerised the world with his amazing voice on that TV show.

> Josh Groban's album All That Echoes will be released by Warner Music Malaysia on Feb 5.

Green Day to hit the road in March

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:57 PM PST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The members of Green Day said on Monday they will return to the road in March after the punk rock band canceled its fall club tour and postponed later dates as frontman Billie Joe Armstrong underwent treatment for substance abuse.

"We want to thank everyone for hanging in with us for the last few months," the band members said in a statement on their website. "We are very excited to hit the road and see all of you again, though we regret having to cancel more shows."

Armstrong, lead singer and guitarist for the Grammy-winning rock band, sought substance abuse treatment in September following an angry, guitar-smashing on-stage outburst in Las Vegas. The details of his addiction were never specified.

Armstrong, 40, added to the website posting with a note on Instagram, saying:

"Dear friends ... I just want to thank you all for the love and support you've shown for the past few months. Believe me, it hasn't gone unnoticed and I'm eternally grateful to have such an amazing set of friends and family.

"I'm getting better everyday," he said. "So now, without further ado, the show must go on. We can't wait to get on the road and live out loud! Our passion has only grown stronger."

The tour will begin in Chicago on March 28, with dates in Pittsburgh, New York, Toronto and other cities up through April 12 in Quebec City.

The band said it would announce additional West Coast dates in early 2013.

Tickets for the postponed shows will be honored at the new dates, Green Day said. Tickets for canceled shows will be refunded at the point of purchase.

In November the band moved up the release date of iTré!, part of an ambitious trilogy of albums that marks their first collection of new music since 2009, to December 11 from its original date of January 15, in part to make up for the canceled and postponed dates.

The California-based punk rock band, formed in the late 1980s, has sold more than 65 million records worldwide and won five Grammys, including best alternative album for its 1994 major-label debut, Dookie, and best rock album for American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown.

Rain, Kim Tae-hee come clean about their relationship

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:44 PM PST

KOREA (Reuters) -- Korean pop star Rain and top actress Kim Tae-hee have admitted they are in a romantic relationship.

On the morning of New Year's Day, the news hit the front pages of online portal websites after a news outlet posted several photos of the two getting into a car.

After a few hours, Kim's agency gave out a statement, admitting to the actress`s relationship with the singer.

"It has been a bit over a month since they started seeing each other. Since the two are well-known celebrities, they don't have enough time to meet and have limited places to go. Though their relationship is developing, it is still in its early stages," officials from Kim`s agency explained.

Rain and Kim, both in an open relationship for the first time, are said to have developed feelings for each other since they shot a TV commercial for a social commerce company together in November 2011.

What is catching many people`s attention is they shot to stardom from very different backgrounds. While Rain went through a poverty-stricken childhood, Kim is well- known for her intelligence with a bachelor degree from Seoul National University, one of the top universities in the country.

Rain is currently the focus of suspicion that he is receiving too much vacation time such as regular weekends off and four days off around Christmas.

While a regular enlisted soldier receives 28 days of time off amounting to a maximum 60 days during his two year`s of military duty, Rain, as reported by many Korean media outlets, received 62 days of vacation time and days off from January to October in 2012 alone.

Since the topic of mandatory military service is an extremely sensitive one in Korea, the news of their blossoming romance is being clouded by this allegation regarding Rain.

Rain, 30, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is a big name throughout Asia after he started a solo singing career in 2002. The "Rainism" singer successfully took up acting starting with the hit KBS series Full House opposite actress Song Hye-kyo in 2004.

After his last screen project R2B, he enlisted in Korean army's Defense Media Agency from October 2011 and is set to be discharged in July this year.

Kim, 32, rose to fame after appearing in the SBS TV series Stairway To Heaven alongside Hallyu stars Kwone Sang-woo and Choi Ji-woo in 2003.

She gained further recognition in Japan and throughout Asia after starring in the KBS blockbuster series IRIS in 2009 and is currently revving up for her next small screen project Jang Ok-jeong, Living In Love [translated title].

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Catering to the furry friends

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:18 PM PST

Pet owners gain extra knowledge on care and services available

More than 10,000 pet lovers thronged Danga City Mall for the first ever southern region pets and aquatic exhibition held here recently.

They also brought along their pets to the exhibition, as there were side events such as pet talk, dog show, cat beauty competition, photo contest for pets and puzzle competition for visitors.

Clerk Ler Jia Yin, 20, who brought along her pet dog called Happy said she learned gained some knowledge on taking care of pets.

"It is a good exhibition and I find the pet toilet to be a very unique service, plus there are many people who brought their friendly pets," she said.

Businesswoman Dayana Nurhasssan, 29, said the exhibition was quite good as it was the first of its kind to be held here, however, she suggested more booths supplying livestock and food for smaller pets especially guinea pigs.

"The exhibition only caters for cats and dogs owners but I have a guinea pig and I am looking for food stock for my pet," she said.

Secondary school student Mysha Palpanavan, 14, said that she found good deals for her four-year-old Shih Tzu called Vets.

"The dog show was really interesting and I particularly liked the discounted pet items at the various booths," she said.

The two-day exhibition held on Dec 8 and Dec 9 also saw a cat show conducted by Cat Club Malaysia and Federation International Feline (FIFE) and a dog show conducted by Malaysia Kennel Association (MKA).

Fairs and Events Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Jonathan Kan Thai Kim said they had held similar events in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that the exhibition in Kuala Lumpur was a big hit for the past five years with over 40,000 visitors.

"We hope to organise this event annually here as there are many pet lovers and we are also looking forward to start something similar in Penang as well.

"More than 90 booths was set up for this exhibition, which comprises of pet accessories, food, livestock and others," he said.

Jonathan also said that many exhibitors distributed free pet food samples and conducted activities for the public.

"Such exhibition allows pet owners to know more and the correct way in taking care of their pets," he said.

Ahmad Zari: All hill slope projects in Johor safe from landslides

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:03 PM PST

desiree@thestar.com.my

JOHOR BARU: Residents in Johor need not worry about the usage of unsuitable slope protection methods as all developments here strictly adhere to the regulations set by the authorities.

Local Government, Housing, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahri Jamil said that there were almost no major hill slope projects in the state but assured residents that all existing projects are safe.

"Residents here do not need to fear for landslides due to unsuitable slope protection methods or the usage of shotcrete," he said when contacted.

He added that the authorities regularly kept up to date with the latest regulations when embarking on a project and this was important to ensure the safety of residents.

Ahmad Zahri said that all projects regardless if it was a hill slope project or a normal housing project would have to be approved by the various authorities before they are given the green light.

"The safety of the residents is out highest priority and so we do not cut corners when it comes to ensuring that the meet the regulations set," he said.

It was earlier reported that a landslide occurred at around 10pm last Friday in the posh neighbourhood of Bukit Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur.

The retaining wall or shotcrete method used for the slope holding up six luxary bungalows partially collapsed, destroying one of the bungalows and leaving more than 100 homes and shops in jeopardy.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the shotcrete method was not suitable for hill slope developments.

He said that the retaining wall was built in 1992 but proposal would have never been approved today as new regulations pertaining to retaining walls had been set in 2010.

Generous donors show their support

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 05:04 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: A retired soldier is still performing his civic duty by frequently donating his blood.

Former second warrant officer Nordin Osman, 43, said that he feels happy each time he donated his blood, as it would help others who are in need.

He added that his 64-year-old father is also a regular blood donor.

"My father is still strong despite his old age and he never fails to donate his blood each time if there was a blood donation drive," he said.

Another active donor, Fong Choon Feng, 25, who started to donate blood seven years ago was determined to complete his logbook of blood donation records.

He added that his passion for donating blood started off as a health screening, which he agreed to donate some blood after taking a blood test.

"I hope that my blood is able to save the lives of road accident victims, especially during festive seasons where accidents are most frequent," he said.

Nordin and Fong were among some 200 generous donors who showed their support to the 'Donate Blood and Save Lives' blood donation campaign, which was jointly launched by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Johor Straits View Rotary Club in Sutera Mall recently.

Malaysian Red Crescent Society Johor Baru District blood program organising chairperson Lim Min Um said that the society had collaborated with many NGOs for the blood program since 1975.

"Spreading awareness and reaching out to the community was difficult but we have many volunteers to donate blood, including NGO members, former Red Crescent Society members and the public," he said.

Lim added that the society would key in all donors of each campaign into their database and would send postcards to them after three months from their last donation.

"We had stated the location and date of our upcoming campaigns on the postcards so that donors may choose the location and time that they are most comfortable with," he said.

Commenting on the good deed, Stulang assemblyman Mok Chek Hou who graced the ceremony also thanked the public for their ardent support and donations during his speech.

"To date the Red Crescent Society has collected 3,818 packs of blood, the main source of blood for the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) and we should acknowledge and appreciate the generous blood donors for supporting the campaign," he said.

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