Ahad, 21 April 2013

The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates


Moderate earthquake strikes western Mexico, no major damage

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 08:47 PM PDT

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck western Mexico on Sunday, shaking buildings in the capital, but there were no reports of significant damage or injuries, officials said.

The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.2 off the coast, was centred 33 km (20 miles) northwest of La Union, on the border between Guerrero and Michoacan states, close to the Pacific coast, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

A couple embrace while standing on a street after an earthquake struck in Mexico City April 21, 2013. REUTERS/Claudia Daut

A couple embrace while standing on a street after an earthquake struck in Mexico City April 21, 2013. REUTERS/Claudia Daut

State oil monopoly Pemex said shortly after the quake that the power supply to its Tula refinery was interrupted. Not long after, it reported electricity was coming back on line again.

Pemex said it was unclear if the tremor had caused the break in energy supply at the Tula refinery, Mexico's second biggest. It has a production capacity of 315,000 barrels per day.

A Pemex official could not say whether production had been affected, but added that any loss would be made up.

The quake was felt in Mexico City, about 325 km (200 miles) away from La Union. Buildings shook and residents briefly ran outdoors, but most returned inside shortly afterwards.

Several senior Mexican officials, including Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, said via Twitter there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.

(Reporting by Dave Graham and Adriana Barrera, Editing by Eric Beech)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Hospitalised suspect in Boston bombings awaits charges under guard

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 08:29 PM PDT

BOSTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors prepared criminal charges on Sunday against an ethnic Chechen college student suspected in the deadly Boston Marathon bombings as he lay severely wounded, unable to speak and hospitalised under heavy guard two days after his dramatic capture.

Two-year-old Wesley Brillant of Natick, Massachusetts kneels in front of a memorial to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings near the scene of the blasts on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts, April 21, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

Two-year-old Wesley Brillant of Natick, Massachusetts kneels in front of a memorial to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings near the scene of the blasts on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts, April 21, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, whose tongue was injured in a gunshot to the throat before his arrest, was initially under sedation and incapable of being interviewed by investigators, authorities said. He also had been shot in the leg.

But the ABC and NBC news networks reported late on Sunday that Tsarnaev had regained consciousness and was responding in writing to questions put to him by authorities, who are seeking to determine if the suspects they have identified acted alone.

Much of investigators' attention has focused on a trip to Russia last year by his older brother and fellow suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who is now dead, and whether Chechen separatists or Islamist extremists may have influenced or assisted the siblings.

The two brothers emigrated to the United States a decade ago from Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region in Russia's North Caucasus mountains.

They are accused of planting and setting off two homemade bombs near the crowded finish line of the Boston Marathon last Monday, killing three people and injuring more than 170 others.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died after a gunfight three nights later with police on the streets of Watertown, the Boston suburb where authorities finally cornered his younger brother, ending a massive manhunt that shut down much of greater Boston on Friday.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was found spattered with blood and hiding inside a covered boat parked in a Watertown back yard on Friday evening.

He apparently was hit by gunfire in the shootout that left his brother dead the day before, but it was not clear whether he suffered additional wounds in a final hail of bullets that preceded his capture.

Tsarnaev was shot in the throat, U.S. Senator Dan Coats, a member of the Intelligence Committee, told ABC. A source close to the investigation told Reuters he had damage to his tongue.

INTENSIVE CARE UNDER ARMED GUARD

The suspect was placed under armed guard in the intensive care unit of Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where his brother was pronounced dead early on Friday.

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, the federal prosecutor for the Boston area, was preparing criminal charges, according to Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. It was not clear when charges would be filed. Prosecutors did not plan any news conference or announcements on Sunday.

Whether prosecutors ultimately decide to seek the death penalty if Tsarnaev were convicted hinges on various factors, such as his age, his apparent lack of a prior criminal history and whether he might have information leading to other suspects, legal experts say.

Photographs of the two brothers, allegedly in the act of planting bombs at the Boston Marathon, were circulated by the FBI on Thursday, with an appeal to the public for help in locating the then-unidentified pair.

The suspects surfaced late that night when they allegedly shot a campus police officer to death at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, then hijacked a sport utility vehicle before opening fire and hurling explosives at pursuing law enforcement.

During this confrontation, according to police, a transit cop was badly injured and the older Tsarnaev, walking toward officers and firing until he ran out of ammunition, was tackled by a police sergeant, only to be struck by the SUV as his brother sped away.

The younger Tsarnaev later abandoned the vehicle and vanished, leading authorities to impose a lockdown on the city of Boston and its suburbs before he was found and arrested in Watertown some 20 hours later.

Students returning to campus on Sunday at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was enrolled, recalled seeing him back in the dorm, at class and even working out in the gym a day or two after the bombings before realizing he was suspected in the crime.

Boston's police commissioner said investigators discovered at least four unexploded devices, including one similar to the two pressure cooker bombs detonated at the Boston Marathon.

"I personally believe they were (planning other attacks)," he said Sunday on CBS television's "Face the Nation."

Later on CNN, Davis said he was "confident" the two brothers "were the two major actors in the violence that occurred."

The men's parents, who moved back to southern Russia, have said their sons were framed.

Runners in the London Marathon observed 30 seconds of silence before starting their race on Sunday, while people from the greater Boston area remembered the victims in church services.

"We must be people of reconciliation and not revenge," Roman Catholic Cardinal Sean O'Malley told a packed Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. "The crimes of the two young men must not be justification for violence against Muslims."

In the neighbouring city of Cambridge, police stationed themselves across from a home where various members of the Tsarnaev family had lived, advising bystanders to move on.

Patricia McMillan, who lives two doors down, said she last saw Tamerlan Tsarnaev in the neighbourhood the Wednesday before the bombing, noting he had shaved off his beard and that he was smoking.

TRIP TO RUSSIA

Tamerlan Tsarnaev travelled to Moscow in January 2012 and spent six months in the region, a law enforcement source said.

That trip, combined with Russian interest in Tamerlan communicated to U.S. authorities and an FBI interview of him in 2011, have raised questions whether danger signals were missed.

It was unclear if he could have had contact with militant Islamist groups in southern Russia's restive Caucasus region.

A group leading an Islamist insurgency against Russia said on Sunday it was not at war with the United States, distancing itself from the Boston bombings.

"We are fighting with Russia, which is responsible not only for the occupation of the Caucasus but for monstrous crimes against Muslims," said a statement from Caucasus Emirate militants operating in Dagestan.

The insurgency is rooted in two separatist wars that Russian troops waged against Chechen separatists following the fall of the Soviet Union.

The brothers spent their early years in a small community of Chechens in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, a mainly Muslim nation of 5.5 million. They moved in 2001 to Dagestan, a southern Russian province where their parents now live.

Neighbours said they noticed nothing unusual about Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who this summer helped his father renovate his first floor apartment in Makhachkala, a bustling city in Dagestan.

"They say he was a fanatic. I didn't see that," said Madina Abdulayeva, 45, who runs a small grocery shop across the pot-holed street where he used to come to chat. "We're all Muslim here. We're all part of Islam. We all pray.

(Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington; Writing by Daniel Trotta and Steve Gorman; Editing by Vicki Allen, Doina Chiacu and Eric Beech)


Related Stories:
FBI's handling of Boston suspect comes under scrutiny

Back at college, suspect called Boston bombs "crazy" - classmate
Prosecutors face tough call on death penalty in Boston case
Boston Marathon case prosecutor known for aggressive record

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Central bank's Merentes named new Venezuela finance minister

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 08:17 PM PDT

CARACAS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro replaced Venezuelan Finance Minister Jorge Giordani on Sunday, appointing central bank chief Nelson Merentes in his place two days after being sworn in as the late Hugo Chavez's successor.

Venezuela's Central Bank President Nelson Merentes arrives at a news conference in Caracas March 19, 2013. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva

Venezuela's Central Bank President Nelson Merentes arrives at a news conference in Caracas March 19, 2013. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva

It will be the third stint as finance minister for Merentes, a mathematician by training who is seen as a more pragmatic economist than his ideologically driven counterpart Giordani, a Marxist academic who was nicknamed "the Monk."

"I've great faith in Nelson Merentes. We've known each other for many years," Maduro said in a nationally televised address.

In his speech, he also confirmed Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, Defence Minister Diego Molero, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua and Vice President Jorge Arreaza in their current roles.

Merentes faces private sector complaints about lack of access to hard currency, persistent shortages of basic goods from flour to medicines, slowing growth, and one of the highest inflation rates in the Americas.

Consumer prices rose 7.9 percent in the first three months of 2013 alone, the central bank said last week.

"We need to control inflation, the speculative factors that influence prices, ensure that there are more domestic products, and an economy that can move," Maduro said.

The economy grew 5.6 percent in 2012, but most private economists expect that to slow this year as the government pares back after heavy state spending last year that was a key driver of the economy and helped the ailing Chavez win re-election.

Meanwhile, annual inflation may head toward 30 percent thanks to a currency devaluation and expanding money supply.

Giordani, who had been finance minister since 2008, was seen as one of the architects of the OPEC nation's complicated system of price and currency controls.

He will now become planning minister, a senior position in the economic Cabinet that Giordani held on and off in Chavez's government.

SEEN AS PRAGMATIC

Merentes, who has been president of the central bank since 2009, completed a PhD. in mathematics in Budapest in 1991 before returning to Venezuela as a university professor.

"I think Merentes' pragmatism is positive. He is one of the best options they have," said financial analyst Henkel Garcia of Econometrica.

Maduro has vowed to continue Chavez's hardline socialism. Ecoanalitica director Asdrubal Oliveros said no one thought the move would lead to a change in Venezuela's leftist model.

"But the weakening of Giordani is positive," Oliveros said.

Voters were showered with state spending in 2012 as Chavez sought re-election, financed in part by billions of dollars in bond issuance and loans from China.

Many private economists expect to see the economy grow by 2 percent or less this year when the administration slows spending, as it normally does after presidential races.

The government maintains growth projections of 6 percent for this year, and Maduro's allies dismiss talk of a slowdown as a politically motivated smear campaign.

A veteran of Venezuela's polarized political scene, Merentes ran a polling organisation in between government jobs that produced data usually favouring Chavez, who died on March 5 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles has refused to recognize Maduro's narrow win in an April 14 election triggered by Chavez's death, and alleges that there were thousands of voting irregularities. He was dismissive of Maduro's new Cabinet.

"Members of the 'for now' government are being announced," Capriles said on Twitter. "Result: more of the same."

(Additional reporting by Marianna Parraga and Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Stacey Joyce and Sandra Maler)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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Listen up

Posted: 22 Apr 2013 03:28 AM PDT

From a Hong Kong pop diva to the latest on the election trail, 988 has a little something for everyone.

HERE are the top five reasons why you should tune in to 988 this week. Morning Up Cases (Monday-Friday, 8am-9am)

The 13th General Election, to be held on May 5, is presumably the country's most intense election since Independence. To both the Ruling Party and the Oppositions, every vote counts. "Jom Balik Undi" is a campaign initiated by Malaysian Netizens to urge fellow registered voters overseas to return home to vote. Find out more about today's political campaign on cyberspace. The Feature (Monday, Tuesday, 9am-10am)

Happy Earth Day everyone! Earth Day, which falls on April 22, marks the anniversary of this environmental movement which started in 1970.

Today, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it one of the largest civic observances in the world. Learn more about our precious Mother Earth in this interview with an experienced geologist.

Morning Up VIP (Wednesday-Friday, 9am-10am)

Hong Kong veteran actor Liu Kai-chi, affectionately known as Uncle Chi, is best known for his poignant "everyday man" supporting roles. The versatile two-time Hong Kong Film Award winner chats with 988 about his many failed attempts to get into actor training classes and more.

Music Gets Crazy (Monday-Friday, 1pm-4pm)

Stars Guide this week features lovely Chinese singer Yisa Yu Ke Wei, veteran Taiwanese singer-songwriter Chris Yu Hong Ming and fellow Taiwanese rock/hip-hop music icon A-Yue (aka Zhang Zhen Yue) .

Music VIP (Monday-Friday, 2pm)

She may be a superstar, but Joey Wong is a down-to-earth person. Off stage, her personal life is full of ups and downs too. The Hong Kong pop diva speaks candidly with 988.

n For more information, log on to 988.com.my. 988 is owned and operated by The Star.

GE13: Sazzy and Aznil in campaign for Najib

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:56 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Popular actress Sazzy Falak and television personality Datuk Aznil Nawawi met their starstruck fans at the Pavilion in Jalan Bukit Bintang – but they were not touting their latest movie or album.

Instead, they were giving out 10,000 free T-shirts and caps and 100,000 pin badges under the Peace. Stability. Progress: Najib For Malaysia campaign under the PM Supporters Fan Club.

Aznil said celebrities could support whoever they wanted, adding that he was backing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Barisan Nasional as the country had grown economically since independence.

"Our campaign is not to put down any other parties.

"We are just here to promote Najib as his supporters," said Aznil, 51.

The former Akademi Fantasia host said he was not too bothered by the thought that coming out in support of Barisan would affect his popularity among his pro-Pakatan fans.

"I want to be liked for my talent. If fans are supporting me based on politics, I think that is rather shallow. But everyone is free to have an opinion," he said.

For Gol & Gincu star Sazzy, 32, her main objective was to encourage people to be interested in politics, adding, however, that "if you ask me, they (Barisan) have done a good job."

The rainy evening weather did little to stop people from forming long queues in front of the shopping mall.

The fans, who were also treated to musical performances by local artistes Altimet, Awi Rafael and Narmi, were then encouraged to put on the items, take photos and upload them to social media websites with the hashtag #najibmypm in show of support.

The designs included Andy Warhol and Shepard Fairey-like illustrations of Najib with slogans like "Najib, My PM, Peace, Stability and Pro­gress".

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The Star Online: Business

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Malaysia's blue chips recover after early fall

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 07:02 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's FBM KLCI rebounded after falling into the red in early trade on Monday, as investors' sentiment was given a boost by the firmer key regional markets led by Japan.

At 9.12am, the KLCI was up 2.45 points to 1,708.73. Turnover was 47.44 million shares valued at RM44.19mil. There were 94 gainers, 80 losers and 117 counters unchanged.

JF Apex Research expects the KLCI to be mildly positive given the optimism in the US but remain below its resistance of 1,717.

Among the blue chips, BAT gained 18 sen to RM62.68, Hong Leong Bank and KL Kepong rose 10 sen to RM14.50 and RM21.76.

Dayang was the top gainer, up 19 sen to RM3.72 with 110,500 shares done. Gas Malaysia rose seven sen to RM2.99 and I-Bhd six sen higher to RM2.26.

However MISC fell 66 sen to RM4.64 with 4.34 million shares done after Petronas failed in its takeover. MISC-CQ lost 13 sen to 21.5 sen.

Public Bank foreign, Genting and UMW fell six sen each to RM16.20, RM16.20 and RM13.26 respectively.

RHB Research cuts TRC Synergy fair value to 52 sen

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 06:32 PM PDT

Published: Monday April 22, 2013 MYT 9:32:00 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Research Institute is reducing TRC Synergy Bhd's financial year 2013 (FY13) ending Dec 31 earnings forecast by 21% to 52 sen from 65 sen.

It said on Monday the lower earnings were to reflect lower progress and margins from the LRT line extension project on the back of temporary work restrictions following a mishap last month.

"We are downgrading FY13 net profit forecast by 21% largely to reflect lower progress and margins from the RM950mil Package A' main contract of the Kelana Jaya LRT Line extension project," it said.

To recap, construction equipment hoisted by a crane at an LRT extension site at Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang fell and crushed two cars, killing one person and wounding another.

Mittal: High labour, energy costs hurt France

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 06:29 PM PDT

PARIS: ArcelorMittal chief executive officer Lakshmi Mittal said he regretted the steel giant was having to permanently close two French blast furnaces but high labour and energy costs kept France at a competitive disadvantage.

Mittal, who has drawn fury in France over the closure of the decades-old furnaces, said that ArcelorMittal had every intention of remaining in the country for the long term, but its export potential was limited by constraints on competitiveness.

"To increase the productivity of our sites in France, we need energy costs to come down, like in the United States and Germany," Mittal said in an interview with the weekly Journal du Dimanche. "In France, labour costs are 20% higher than in Spain and labour laws are still too rigid."

A long battle by trade unions to save the furnaces, which employed 629 people, has turned Florange, the last survivor in a once vibrant steel region in northeast France, into a symbol of industrial decline.

Mittal's comments came as President Francois Hollande is close to passing a reform to loosen labour laws, a first step towards curbing industrial layoffs. But his flagship scheme of using corporate tax rebates to kick-start investment is proving slow to take off.

The furnaces at Florange, built to be near a now-defunct mining industry in the region, now make little economic sense compared with others on the north coast fed by imported steel ore.

Even using that slab for Florange's mills, demand has slumped from carmakers in the region hit by flagging sales.

ArcelorMittal is investing 180 million euros (US$235.47mil) in its remaining hot strip and cold-rolling operations at Florange as it develops high-end products for the auto and packaging industries. It is betting on steel demand rising 3% in 2014 as it recovers from a 9% slump in 2012. - Reuters

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The Star Online: Sports

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McDowell downs Simpson in Heritage playoff

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 05:43 PM PDT

HILTON HEAD (South Carolina): Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell defeated Webb Simpson at the first hole of a sudden-death playoff on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour's Heritage tournament.

McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, defeated the reigning US Open title holder Simpson with a par at the first playoff hole.

McDowell had fired an impressive two-under par 69 at wind-swept Harbour Town Golf Links, marred only by a bogey at the final hole that left him on nine-under 275.

He was joined there by Simpson, who carded an even-par 71 that included three birdies and three bogeys to force the playoff.

England's Luke Donald also posted a 69 to share third place with American Kevin Streelman, who carded a 72 for seven-under 277.

Overnight leader Charley Hoffman struggled in the windy weather and his six-over 77 saw him fall into a tie for sixth place on five-under 279.

McDowell notched his first US PGA Tour of the season.

When they returned to the 18th for the playoff, McDowell shrugged off his regulation bogey at the hole and landed his approach shot some 15 feet from the pin, and then two-putted for par.

Simpson, who missed the green, nearly holed his next shot with his putter from the green, only to see it caught by the wind and roll six feet past.

After McDowell had safely parred, Simpson missed his par attempt coming back.

"I never thought a putt was in more than that one," Simpson said of his first effort. "With a foot to go, it was in." McDowell thought the wind was a factor in Simpson's miss.

"I'm disappointed for Webb," he said. "He hit a great putt up there on this playoff hole - he got a terrific gust of wind."

But McDowell was pleased with his first PGA Tour win of the season - a first for a European on the US circuit in 2013.

"I played nicely all week," he said. "I played great Friday. The putter was cold most of the week and I really got it going today." - AFP

Marquez becomes youngest MotoGP winner

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 05:40 PM PDT

AUSTIN (Texas): Spain's Marc Marquez won the Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday, becoming the youngest rider to win a race in the sport's elite MotoGP series.

The 20-year-old Catalonian, last year's Moto2 world champion, triumphed over his Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, with Yamaha factory rider Jorge Lorenzo in third.

Marquez started from pole position in just his second MotoGP race, and with a time of 43min 42.123sec finished 1.534sec ahead of Pedrosa and 3.381sec in front of Lorenzo, the reigning world champion and winner of the season-opening race in Qatar earlier this month.

Marquez had finished third in Qatar in his first MotoGP start and his qualifying performance on the new Circuit of the Americas made him the series' youngest ever pole winner.

He will go into the next race in Jerez, Spain, in two weeks atop the world championship standings - level with Lorenzo on 41 points but leading as the most recent Grand Prix winner.

Marquez said he had not expected the victory to come so early in his MotoGP career.

"To be third in my first race in Qatar was a dream and now, to take the victory in the second race - that's even better!" he added.

"The race was quite hard, especially in terms of physical condition towards the end, with corners like turn one. I had some problems with the front that I hadn't had in practice, but even with that, I was able to push and keep up a constant rhythm - not so fast, but enough."

Lorenzo, a four-time MotoGP world champion, notched the 100th podium finish of his career - 10 years after posting his first with a win in Brazil in 2003.

"I never thought to get this unbelievable number of podiums so today is a magic day," he said.

Lorenzo said the Yamaha team made progress after qualifying, learning that taking the circuit's hairpin corners in second gear rather than first gave them better acceleration.

It wasn't quite enough to challenge for the win.

"Just a little bit more, maybe two-tenths quicker, and I could have fought with Dani and Marc," he said, offering his congratulations to the young winner.

"He is a phenomenon," Lorenzo said. While Marquez started from pole, it was the more experienced Pedrosa who seized the lead at the start.

LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl shot into second place, but was soon overtaken by Marquez, Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow.

Marquez clung tenaciously to Pedrosa, and made his move past into the lead on the 13th of 21 laps.

Crutchlow, who wasn't among the small group of riders to test at the new circuit before race week, was pleased with fourth, ahead of Germany's Bradl and Italian Valentino Rossi.

Italian Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, Spain's Alvaro Bautista, American Nicky Hayden and Andrea Iannone of Italy rounded out the top 10. Pedrosa congratulated his young teammate.

"It's just a super start to the season," he said. "I'm really happy with my second place and now I'm just trying to get better and better for the next round."

All three of the day's races went to Spanish riders. Nico Terol won the Moto2 race, while Alex Rins won the Moto3 race that was marred by a wreck by Dutch rider Jasper Iwema.

Rins triumphed in a furious five-lap finish after the re-start, while Iwema, who went spectacularly airborne after losing control coming out of a turn, was hospitalized after coming down on his head.

His RW team manager Jarno Janssen said the rider was "OK."

"Jasper refused to go to hospital because he was feeling fine," Janssen said, "but the doctors insisted." - AFP

Sato first Japanese driver to win IndyCar race

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 05:40 PM PDT

LONG BEACH (California): Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar series race on Sunday, delivering a dominant performance to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Sato, who drives the No. 14 car for A.J. Foyt Racing, led 50 of 80 laps on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit and held off American Graham Rahal in a race that ended under caution because of an accident involving Tony Kanaan.

Sato was making his 52nd IndyCar start and his previous best finish was second at Edmonton in 2012.

He had nearly pulled off an upset in the 2012 Indianapolis 500 when he battled Dario Franchitti for the lead and the win on the final lap.

Both drivers made contact, with Sato slamming into the outside wall. He finished 17th, while Franchitti won the Indy 500 for the second time. - AFP

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The Star Online: Nation

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Kedah police deny arresting Anwar look-alike

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 08:12 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Kedah police denied arresting any "clone" of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Kedah CPO Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said they did not come across any individual from Thailand who looked like Anwar.

"Allegations that we detained Anwar's clone is baseless," he said, adding that looking like someone else was not a criminal offence that warranted arrest.

He said this in response to an article on an online portal that claimed that Anwar's clone had returned to Thailand and vowed to return (to Malaysia) to reveal the truth.

PKR's Sungai Acheh candidate Badrul Hisham Shahrin had reportedly claimed that two individuals from Thailand had failed to attend the "Revelation of Anwar clone" ceramah in Permatang Pauh on Friday because the police had arrested them in Kedah.

The ceramah was aimed at clearing Anwar's name following the release of a sex video two years ago showing a man resembling Anwar in compromising positions with a female dubbed the "China doll".

GE13: 70 Beruas DAP members quit to show dissapointment in incumbent Ngeh

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 07:26 AM PDT

SITIAWAN: 70 DAP members in Beruas have quit the party to show their disappointment over incumbent MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham's service to the community.

DAP Changkat Kruing branch chairman G.K. Haridas said those who quit comprised members from his branch, Pantai Remis and Taman Bintang.

He claimed that Ngeh had not done good job serving his constituency, especially those from the Indian community.

"Even state Gerakan chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who is not the Beruas MP, had been serving the local community diligently in the last few years," he told reporters in Pantai Remis Sunday.

Haridas, who had been a DAP member for five years, said they had no intention of joining any political party for now, but would support BN candidates.

When contacted, Ngeh, who is also Perak DAP chairman, said it was the third time Haridas and his supporters had threatened to leave DAP.

"So far, the party has not received any quit letter from them," he said.

When contacted, Ngeh, who is also state DAP chairman, denied the allegation made by Haridas and his supporters.

"My service team and I, who had been serving in our constituency, are offended by such baseless accusation.

"I challenge the group, and even Chang to visit to my office so that I could show them exactly how many local issues we have helped solved," he said.

Ngeh said Haridas and the so-called DAP members' had threatened to leave DAP for the third time.

"However, the party had not received any quit letter from them so far," he said.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

Two university students drown in Maran waterfall

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 06:25 AM PDT

KUANTAN: Two Universiti Malaysia Pahang students were found drowned at the Berkelah Waterfall Recreation Centre near Maran, Sunday evening.

A search and rescue team comprising firemen and divers recovered the bodies of Amer Fahmi Othman and Mohd Kamal Ismail, both 20, about 6pm.

Amer Fahmi was from Penang while Mohd Kamal was from Pasir Gudang, Johor Baru.

The victims were reported missing while taking a dip at the waterfall, about five hours earlier.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Anuar Hassan said the divers found the bodies at the bottom of the waterfall before sending them to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital. - Bernama

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Feast on Gallic treats

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:25 AM PDT

> The Painting (Le Tableau): There are three kinds of figures living in a painting on the wall: the Toupins in full glorious colour; the Pafinis, figures with unfinished bits; and the Reufs, which are fragile sketches that often don't finish what they have to say.

Toupins consider themselves superior to the others and the groups don't mix, so you can imagine what a scandal it is when Ramo, a Toupin, falls in love with Claire, a Pafini.

When a Reuf gets violently stomped to death, and things turn ugly, the couple and Claire's best friend, Lola, are driven to the perimeter of the painting.

In the world outside, they meet characters from other paintings, including the beautiful woman who got her clothes removed with a few strokes of the artist's brush and a self-portrait of the artist who is perpetually unhappy and hates the artist – and perhaps by extension, himself.

In this surreal animated film, a desperate search for the artist then begins, for only he can bridge the "social" gap between the Toupins and the other figures by finishing his works. This magical tale is filled with wonder and wit, is absurd in parts, and is highly imaginative.

> What's In A Name? (Le Prénom): It was meant to be a simple dinner at the apartment of university professor Pierre and his schoolteacher wife Élisabeth.

But add the suave real estate agent brother Vincent, close friend trombonist Claude and a pregnant woman into the equation and all hell breaks loose.

After we are introduced to the characters in quick succession with tongue-in-cheek narration and flashbacks, you will come to understand that this group has had many of such gatherings before.

But this time there is something new: Vincent announces the name he has chosen for his yet-to-be-born son, and the movie quickly erupts into a full-fledged dining room drama.

No one seems to agree with Vincent's outrageous choice of name – Pierre in particular is practically foaming at the mouth – but Vincent has his reasons. From a heated discussion over the baby's name, the evening progresses from jovial camaraderie into one of shocking revelations.

Adapted from a stage play of the same title, the actors clearly have a knack for theatrics, and the dialogue is witty, tight and very funny.

> The Horseman On The Roof (Le Hussard Sur Le Toit): When the cholera epidemic swept across southern France, leaving death and panic in its wake, a man couldn't even drink from a town's fountain without being accused of poisoning it.

Pardi, a young Italian officer on a quest to raise money for the revolution, learns the hard way that comrades might very well turn out to be traitors.

In fleeing from Austrian agents, he stumbles across a fiercely independent Countess (or so she thinks) one rainy evening, and they embark on an adventure across the land.

Based on the 1951 French novel of the same name by Jean Giono, this movie is deeply entrenched in history, but the presentation finds space for some light-hearted banter, bits of comedy and a cute cat.

It is visually stunning, with many sweeping shots of which perhaps the most memorable ones are of stone-walled buildings with light streaming through the windows. (In contrast are the more gritty scenes involving birds of prey who feed on people.)

Set in the 1830s, the film shows the implications of desperation, ignorance and fear in a disease-ridden society.

But above all, it is an exploration of honour, courage and determination in the fight for freedom and offers a long, hard look at morality in times of hardship and uncertainty.

> Beloved (Les Bien-aimés): This is a story that spans four decades, of a mother and her daughter, their lives and loves, and entanglement with many different men.

While working in a Parisian boutique in the 1960s, Madeleine discovers a coveted pair of shoes that leads to her part-time occupation as a prostitute.

Madeleine's daughter, Vera, inherits her propensity for falling in love. Or lust. Or could it be just loneliness?

They invest a fair bit of energy in wondering whether there is room in love for infidelity.

While it is not a full musical, the characters do break into song for some dialogue and narration throughout the movie.

As the story moves from 1960s Paris to modern day London, the tone evolves from being delightfully charming to a bit more morose and unpredictable. The characters are complex, troubled and imperfect, but this is a film that does not judge; it merely presents life as it is.

Living it up with Demi Lovato

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:20 AM PDT

THE last time I met Demi Lovato, it was back in August 2010 in a press event in New York City to plug Camp Rock 2, the Disney movie she was starring in with the Jonas Brothers. Journalists complained she had a bad attitude, showed a lack of interest during interviews and was curt in her answers (to her credit, Lovato cooperated during my interview session, though).

Three months after that press event, Lovato made headlines when she punched a fellow dancer in the face (for ratting her out to her management for partying the night before). She then voluntarily checked herself into rehab for treatment.

A statement released by her rep indicated that Lovato was seeking "medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time. Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help."

Last month, seated before me for a one-on-one interview, was a calm and more relaxed Lovato. She was in Kuala Lumpur to headline the Twin Towers @Live show. Clearly, the 20-year-old has had time to work out her issues. She described that period in her life as "dark" and "tough".

While most stars would have denied a trip to rehab, or have their publicists spin a story about their admission ("exhaustion" is the most popular condition given in statements), I asked Lovato why she was willing to face her demons in public.

"I wanted to make it public so that fans my age or younger can learn from it," Lovato, who was diagnosed with bipolar as well as an eating disorder, said. "I remember when I was struggling (with her eating disorder), I didn't have anyone to look up to in the media because everyone was really, really thin and no one was talking about (this issue).

"The only people talking about their experiences, and this is no disrespect to people doing it, were older women. I needed to hear it from someone who is closer to my age. That's why I felt young people could benefit from what I went through."

Such a mature answer from someone so young, I tell her. Lovato said that since she is in show business, she had no choice but to grow up fast at a young age. "I definitely feel older than I am. When I started working at a young age – I booked my first audition at age seven – and was around crew members and others who were older, I felt comfortable. So, I have always been that kid who preferred the company of adults."

She credits those around her – manager, publicists, makeup artists – with keeping her in line. "If I didn't have the people around me today, I would definitely be acting immature. They'd tell me if I am being bratty. Sometimes you get so busy, and so tired that you don't even realise the things you say, or the way you say it comes out the wrong way."

Luckily for Lovato, her team has been able to orchestrate a comeback for the singer after her stint in rehab. Apart from a hit album, Unbroken, Lovato also signed on to become a judge on The X Factor in which she reportedly received a US$1mil (RM3.04mil) salary.

While the other two judges from The X Factor – L.A. Reid and Britney Spears – have bowed out of the show, Lovato has been picked by Simon Cowell for yet another season. But before she returns to the judging table, she is getting ready to release her fourth album. Simply entitled Demi, its first single, Heart Attack, is already receiving heavy airplay on the airwaves.

"With the (new) album, I have a ton of upbeat songs that are just like Heart Attack. But I also have some pretty emotional songs opening up about things that I haven't really ever talked about. It's a big deal for me," Lovato said in a recent interview, hinting at a more mature album.

But unlike her peers who are going the raunchy route to distance themselves from the Disney image that was cultivated for them, Lovato is a bit more careful with how she positions herself. More so when she is looked up to as a role model by many young fans.

Lovato reasoned: "You can't alienate your existing fans and totally do a 180 and scare them away. What I focus on is to grow with them and not make too scandalous a decision."

The singer is also looking at her career in the long run. Why play all your cards now?

"Say I want to get really sexy for an album and I take off all my clothes now (for the photo shoot), what am I going to do in 10 years. If there's no mystery, where are you going to go in the future?"

So, does that mean Lovato will eventually strip? "Not that I am ever gonna take off all my clothes, I don't have the courage to do that. God bless the women who do," she quickly added.

Well, never say never.

Miley Cyrus just can't shake off her wild streak

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:20 AM PDT

MILEY CYRUS is a bonafide wild child and the former Disney princess is not making any apologies for her raunchy behaviour. The 20-year-old singer/actress is no stranger to controversies and has been prominently featured in the tabloids – from news about her rocky engagement to actor Liam Hemsworth, to her braless endeavours around Hollywood, to her collection of tattoos and more.

Earlier this week, Cyrus made headlines again after a video of her smoking an unknown substance surfaced, causing haters to spew more hate and fans jumping to her defence.

However, Cyrus hasn't always carried the bad girl rep that she does now. She was once a squeaky clean Disney darling who could do no wrong.

In 2006, she made her debut on the Disney Channel as an actress on the hit TV series Hannah Montana – a show about a normal teenage girl with a rock star alter ego.

Cyrus had lived up to her good girl image, garnering adoration from teenagers, and their parents, all over the world – until she grew older, of course.

The first time she "messed up" was in 2007 when several photos of her and a female friend "almost kissing" hit the web.

Then in 2008, more photos of the star in her underwear posing provocatively were leaked online, causing an international furore.

To make matters worse, and stamping her mark as another Disney "troublemaker" (following in the infamous footsteps of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Vanessa Hudgens), she posed almost nude for famed photographer Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Vanity Fair.

Cyrus released a statement regarding the matter: "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about."

But the drama didn't just end there and more of Cyrus' wild ways started to shock the world.

The star, who once swore that she would never smoke (to maintain her singing voice), was seen puffing away on cigarettes and her body became a canvas for numerous tattoos (she currently has 17, and there's no guarantee that there won't be any more).

At 16, she pole-danced at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards for her Party In The USA performance and later that year she also gave movie producer Adam Shankman a lap dance, which was of course recorded and spread on the Internet. A video of her smoking psychoactive plant Salvia divinorum (legal in the state of California) at her 18th birthday party also made its rounds and that made one thing clear – she should get as far away from video cameras as possible.

Cyrus defended herself to Prestige magazine, saying: "I'm not some crazy lady who's gone off the deep end, because I definitely haven't ... Every 18-year-old (teenager) explores sexuality and experiments and tries things. For me there's no reason to change that."

She went out with a few boys – fellow Disney star Nick Jonas and underwear model Justin Gaston – before settling on her The Last Song co-star Hemsworth. They dated for two years before Hemsworth popped the question in 2012. Now, it is rumoured that their relationship is on the rocks and she might be calling off her June wedding.

Her image on and off stage became raunchier – her dresses more revealing, her attitude brazen, and the aura she projects is that of someone who doesn't give a damn about what the world (and haters especially) think about her.

Even her songs took a drastic turn from the usual bubblegum-pop she belted during her Hannah Montana years. They were edgier and darker and definitely more mature than one expected from the teen superstar.

When her last album Can't Be Tamed was released, people couldn't help but notice her need to transcend from a young girl into a woman. She was sexual and suggestive, and didn't pretend to be the good girl that Disney Channel had hoped she would stay forever.

"(It) used to be if you're a woman you do not sing about sex, and now if that's not what you're singing about, if that's not your entire image, you won't get played (on radio and TV)," she said on Lifetime's The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet.

"The last season of (Hannah Montana) I put out Can't Be Tamed, which even just the title of that – for a woman to say that she can't be tamed, and of all people in the world, my face saying I can't be tamed, when that's all people really wanted to do – I think that proves how sexist people still really are and judgmental. It's the whole thing of saying 'be sexy, but our way'."

Two years since the release of her last album, Cyrus proves that she is not letting go of her "bad girl" image and perhaps that it's not an image but her actual personality after all.

Her latest single Ashtrays And Heartbreaks with Snoop Lion (Dogg) received rave reviews and the rapper had nothing but high praise for the young star. Of all the people in the world, it seems that the weed-smoking gangsta rapper is the one who actually gets Cyrus for who she really is.

"She's one of the greatest musicians and personalities of all time," he said at the MTV Movie Awards last Sunday night. "People just expect so much from her because they've been watching her whole life from a kid. She's just ready to be an adult and have fun and express herself, and I support her."

Indeed, Cyrus is ready to show that she's an adult now and one thing's for sure, she's not going to let anything or anyone hold her down.

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Dark and delightful stories from the Brothers Grimm

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:02 AM PDT

To celebrate World Book Day on Tuesday, we look at new editions of a timeless collection of stories that writer W.H. Auden hailed as 'among the few indispensable, common-property books upon which Western culture can be founded.'

WHETHER you realise it or not, two brothers from 19th century Germany – Jacob and Wilhelm – have had a lot of influence over the stories you read, hear, watch and share.

If you grew up reading about Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, are a fan of Disney's animated films, follow Once Upon A Time or Grimm on television, or (god forbid!) enjoyed Kristen Stewart's turn as Snow White on the big screen last year, it is all thanks to the Brothers Grimm, probably the most popular collectors of folk and fairy tales.

Their Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children's And Household Tales), better known as Grimm's Fairy Tales, has since been published in various versions and editions, and in my humble opinion, is compulsory reading for any lover of stories, magic and fantasy – and not the least because these dark and often gruesome tales deserve to be read in all their original, disturbing glory.

Two of the most recent collections of the fairy tales, both published last year to coincide with the stories' 200th anniversary, take distinctly different approaches to the material, and depending on your fancies, would both make handsome additions to your bookshelf (and no, I won't blame you for coveting both!).

Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm is a beautiful clothbound edition that is a real visual treat. The classic-looking cover, featuring scenes from several stories and adorned with silver and gold etchings of creeping vines, butterflies, bats and spiders, evokes the darkly fantastical mood of the collection.

The book includes many of the most famous tales associated with the Grimm brothers (though some, like Rapunzel, are inexplicably missing), as well the original illustrations by George Cruikshank. An enthusiastic introduction by German children's author Cornelia Funke also sets the mood nicely: "Oh, she loved these stories, I hear you say. No! I was terrified by them! But they were irresistible, like a dark spell that echoed through my heart, dark and golden at the same time. Maybe that's what all enchantments are like."

What makes this edition particularly worthy of collecting is the fact that six popular illustrators – Oliver Jeffers, Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Emma Chichester Clark, Axel Scheffler and Helen Oxenbury – have each been asked to illustrate their favourite fairy tale in their own unique styles. This is a delightful bonus, but I do wish there was more of it to enjoy. Each artist has done only one illustration, which is inserted into the relevant story, which means there are only six pieces in the 370-page tome.

The stories themselves are in the usual straightforward and simple style, presented supposedly in their original form – according to the preface, "exactly as the Brothers Grimm had written them".

This I have my doubts about though – I'm very sure I have read versions of Ashputtel (as Cinderella is known) where the stepsisters end up having their eyes pecked out by doves, and I know for a fact that the stepmother in Snow-Drop (or Snow White) is punished by having to dance in hot shoes until she drops dead. In this version of the tales, these decidedly awful endings have been toned down quite a bit.

The other collection, penned by none other than Philip Pullman (of His Dark Materials fame), may actually offer an answer to how this "sanitising" could have happened. Grimm Tales: For Young And Old begins with a wonderful introduction by the British author, himself famed for his darkly magical fantasy realms, where he points out how the Grimms (particularly Wilhelm) themselves changed their stories over the years, sometimes toning down the gruesome aspects.

The book features 50 of the Grimms' tales as chosen and written by Pullman, which includes both favourites like Hansel And Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin and Briar Rose (or Sleeping Beauty) as well as more obscure yet equally enjoyable ones such as The Devil With The Three Golden Hairs, Thousandfurs and The Three Snake Leaves.

In his introduction, Pullman highlights the stories' simplicity and use of archetypes to evoke a feeling of familiarity. His aim, he says, is not to produce a personal interpretation or update the settings, but rather, write "a version that was as clear as water". In keeping with the oral tradition of passing these stories on, his guiding question for this book was: "How would I tell this story myself, if I'd heard it told by someone else and wanted to pass it on?"

A brilliant decision, it turns out, because I can think of little else as absorbing as reading the Grimms' fairy tales, told by Pullman. The author keeps to the original stories faithfully, adding only a subtle flair to the writing and a touch of dark humour here and there, particularly to conversations (I love how Cinderella's stepsisters arrive at her derogatory name, settling on it after considering Ashy-face, Sootybottom and Cinderina!). His versions of the rhymes and verses within stories are also more memorable, thanks to his rhythmic writing.

Not one to shy away from the hard truths of life in his own works, Pullman keeps faithfully to the original versions of the stories. Particularly interesting are the short commentaries he inserts after each tale, which range from discussing the psychology behind them to tracing the tale's evolution to humorous observations.

As such, this collection stays true to its title; it is indeed for the young and old, and in fact, anyone who enjoys a good story, as told by a masterful storyteller. But more than that, it shows us that we can all be storytellers too. As Pullman puts it: "If you, the reader, want to tell any of the tales in this book, I hope you will feel free to be no more faithful than you want to be.... In fact ... you have a positive duty to make the story your own."

Mishima’s melancholy

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 02:55 AM PDT

The power of literature lies in its ability to touch our emotions like no other form of entertainment.

AS I said in my last column, dear reader, I've been scouring my sources for fiction to read. So I drove into the city. A wrong turn or two later, I found myself in a part of Sydney I was most unfamiliar with. With no GPS, we were officially lost. Petrol was running dangerously low and the car seemed to jerk, threatening to stall any time soon. And I had with me two kids.

But don't panic, mums. After all, we were going to a bookstore!

A couple of lucky turns later, a desolate gas station hove into view. Now we had more than enough petrol and all the time in the world to get lost in before heading towards the bookstore, which turned out to be just a few kilometres away. Chillax, kids. We are chillaxing, mum, my 10-year-old son and five-year-old daughter exclaimed, humming a weird tune.

The radiance on my daughter's face compounded by the mild midday sun is what I call pure beauty and happiness, I mused, and plunged into reminiscing about those days when I had no idea what a beautiful daughter I would be blessed with. Then, strangely, a book came to mind, a book that least epitomises beauty and happiness. One of the darkest books I have ever read, it is called The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion and is by Yukio Mishima (1925-1970). The protagonist's wayward vision of beauty and love remains disturbing and haunting even though it has been two decades since I last read the book as a student.

At last, the magnificent bookstore lay in front of us and we cherished it even more than usual, as our journey had not been without trepidation Рgetting lost and dodging a mad driver before turning into the car park. Once inside, though, we shook off the rigours of the journey and I began hunting for Mishima in the sea of books. I yearned for it just as badly as I yearned for a flat white from the bookstore's caf̩.

Mishima, one of Japan's most renowned 20th century writers, committed suicide at the age of 45 in the same year I was born, 1970. I wonder why. Did he, imbued with the strict code that produces the austerity and self-sacrifice of the concept of Zen, lose control of his own mind, and hence, body? Was his thinking and conceptualisation of the world as dark as that of his protagonists? The book was paid for and now in my hand, and I was instantly overawed by how swiftly time had passed. A feeling of melancholy washed over me, and the bookstore whirled around me. I was transported back in time to when I was a lonely university student during a cold, dark, snowy winter.

The book's lasting impression is made mainly by the protagonist Mizoguchi, a disturbed acolyte at a famous temple that he ended up burning. Afflicted with an ugly face, he becomes a stutterer after seeing his mother having sex with another man in the presence of his sick father.

But his physical attributes are not what makes Mizoguchi haunting. It is his voice. He, hideous though he may be, possesses a gentle voice that makes anything grotesque bearable – even the description of how a drunken American soldier asks him to help him abort the foetus his female companion is carrying. And Mizoguchi "helps". Concerning this, plus a host of other incidents, Mizoguchi speaks with such a submissively gentle tone that readers tend to be drawn in by his enigmatic demeanour rather than repelled by his troubled disposition. I was, but then again I was also naïve then and was duped by Mishima's beautiful poignancy and his translator's exquisite work.

"There is no need to justify my cruelty in clear, smooth words. My taciturnity alone was sufficient to justify every manner of cruelty," says Mizoguchi, disillusioned by the belief that he has been chosen to execute a secretive plan for the world.

If Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is dark and depressing with his themes of suicide, poverty, human manipulation and suspect morality, then Mishima is haunting and exasperating. Dostoevsky is a bottle of wine, the more you read, the better his books get. Mishima, on the other hand, is sake. A quick gulp, which usually how you take sake, scorches your throat – and, if you are duped by its pure colourless outlook, chokes you to death.

Sake is served warm, just as Mizoguchi is in this regard, seemingly pitiful and oblivious. Dostoevsky is cold, reflecting the Russian weather and the brutality of Soviet-style communism.

I left the bookstore in a melancholic frame of mind much affected by the book. That is the power of literature, isn't it? Is that bad? I do not think so. Like any other form of entertainment, or even better, books have that power to affect emotions.

But the bright skies of my home Down Under melted away the inexpressible feelings. Mishima and my own history coalesced though Mishima's is brilliant though mine on its own is nostalgically melancholic.

> Abby Wong breezed through this book, and hopes you, too, will do the same. Share what you think about it with us at star2@thestar.com.my.

Bestsellers

Posted: 21 Apr 2013 02:54 AM PDT

FOR week ending April 14, 2013:

Non-fiction

1.        Limitless: Devotions For A Ridiculously Good Life by Nick Vujicic

2.        Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed

3.        100 Ways To Motivate Others: How Great Leaders Can Produce Insane Results Without Driving People Crazy by Steve Chandler

4.        Syed Mokhtar Albukhary: A Biography by Premilla Mohanlall

5.        Mummy's Little Helper: The Heartrending True Story Of A Young tGirl Secretly Caring For Her Severely Disabled Mother by Casey Watson

6.        Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden

7.        Bossypants by Tina Fey

8.       You Can Read Anyone: Never Be Fooled, Lied To, Or Taken Advantage Of Again by David J. Lieberman

9.        Harry Styles: The Unauthorized Biography by Alice Montgomery

10.       The Magic by Rhonda Byrne

Fiction

1.        Warm Bodies (movie tie-in) by Isaac Marion

2.        The Host (movie tie-in) by Stephenie Meyer

3.        Life Of Pi by Yann Martel

4.        The Time Of My Life by Cecelia Ahern

5.        Best Kept Secret (Clifton Chronicles #3) by Jeffrey Archer

6.        Theodore Boone: The Accused by John Grisham

7.        Manuscript Found In Accra by Paulo Coelho

8.        One Day (movie tie-in) by David Nicholls

9.        In One Person by John Irving

10.       Family Pictures by Jane Green

> Weekly list compiled by MPH Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur; www.mphonline.com.

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