Rabu, 24 April 2013

The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates


U.S. had more tips on Boston suspect; Congress asks questions

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 08:28 PM PDT

By Patricia Zengerle, Samuel P. Jacobs and Mark Hosenball

WASHINGTON/CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence was alerted when one of the Boston bombing suspects travelled to a volatile region of Russia last year, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, raising new questions about the government's handling of the case and how well law enforcement agencies share information and cooperate with one another.

A Boston Marathon bombing survivor (L) visits the site of the first bomb explosion on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

A Boston Marathon bombing survivor (L) visits the site of the first bomb explosion on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

The trip by the suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, to southern Russia has come under scrutiny over whether he became involved with or was influenced by Chechen separatists or Islamic militants there, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Russia, which tipped off the FBI in early 2011 with concerns that Tsarnaev may have been a radical Islamist, made a second, identical request to the CIA in late September of the same year, they said. The FBI interviewed Tsarnaev following the first tip and found no serious threat.

Police say the ethnic Chechen brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev planted and detonated two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, killing three people and injuring 264.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed in a shootout with police four days later, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, was wounded and captured. He is hospitalized in fair condition and charged with two crimes that carry the possibility of the death penalty.

The disclosure of the second warning from the Russians raised questions about whether the CIA and the FBI failed to share the information, even after reforms enacted to prevent information-hoarding following the September 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks.

"That's something that we have to look at," said Senator Dan Coats, a Republican from Indiana and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "That's one of the key things that we have learned and need to work on to make sure it doesn't happen again, and that is simultaneous communication to all the relevant agencies when a warning is posted."

The two bombs in Boston were detonated with the kind of remote device used to control a toy car, U.S. investigators said in a briefing to a House of Representatives panel on Wednesday.

The briefing by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to the House Intelligence Committee revealed that the two brothers apparently became radicalized by anti-U.S. information on the Internet, members of Congress said.

"It looks like they built their bomb based on Inspire magazine and the article said how to build a bomb in mom's kitchen," said Representative Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

The online magazine Inspire, circulated by Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, publishes English-language exhortations to would-be Western jihadists to carry out attacks with whatever means they have at hand. It recently published detailed instructions on how to build homemade devices.

"The younger bomber in whatever type of communication he's using said that's where they got the instruction to build the bomb," Ruppersberger said.

NEW KIND OF THREAT

Authorities say attention has focused on the elder brother as the driving force behind the bombings. As part of the FBI's probe in 2011, his name had been entered into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection database known as TECS.

U.S. officials said that when he left the United States for a six-month stay in Russia in January 2012, the TECS database sent an alert to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multi-agency FBI-led body in Boston.

It remains unclear what investigators did with the information.

Ruppersberger said the FBI went back to the Russians repeatedly seeking more information but got no response.

"They followed through the protocols that were necessary once they got that information, but then they got no other information from the Russians," he said.

Adam Schiff, a California Democrat on the House committee, said he felt the inquiries from the Russians "were appropriately followed up upon."

"Our agencies get thousands and thousands of leads like we did from the Russians," he said, noting that some are efforts by foreign governments to go after political dissidents.

Schiff said the Boston bombings posed a new kind of threat to the United States, "where we're now facing more what Europe has faced, with an alienation of part of the immigration population and self-radicalization.

"That's a different challenge than those that are trained overseas or receive material support from overseas and come here to attack us, and I think that will cause us to do some things differently," he said.

WHO IS MISHA?

The briefing indicated that some of the elder brother's dissatisfaction may have stemmed from the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ruppersberger said.

A man who said he was the brothers' uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, said a man he knew only as Misha had influenced Tamerlan Tsarnaev's deepening interest in Islam.

Standing at the door of his home in Montgomery Village, Maryland, Tsarni said he first heard of Misha, whom he described as of Armenian descent, in 2009.

Misha was "working with Tamerlan, pulling him into Islam, introducing him into Islam in such a way that the guy in a short time quit what he was doing," he said. "He quit boxing, he quit music."

"It seems like, what we heard, Tamerlan had been quite occupied with him," Tsarni said.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has told investigators that he and his brother acted without assistance from any foreign or domestic militant groups, according to members of Congress briefed by law enforcement.

"That basically seems to be the story, but I don't see how we can accept that," Representative Peter King, a New York Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, told CNN.

"It may end up being the truth but ... I don't see why he would be giving up any accomplices he may have or talking about any connections his brother may have had in Chechnya or Russia," King said on Wednesday.

Vice President Joe Biden and law enforcement agents from around the United States attended a memorial at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a university police officer who authorities say was shot dead by the Tsarnaev brothers on Thursday night.

Sean Collier, 26, was killed about five hours after the FBI released pictures of the two suspects, asking for the public's help in tracking them down.

Biden called the prestigious university a symbol of what Islamic extremists oppose.

"You are their worst nightmare," Biden said. "All of these things these perverted jihadis, self-made or organized, all the things they fear."

(Additional reporting by Tabassum Zakaria in Washington and Ian Simpson in Montgomery Village, Maryland; Writing by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Eric Beech)


Related Stories:
Boston bombs were detonated by remote used for toy cars

U.S. was alerted to bombing suspect's travel to Russia
Planning for Boston Marathon security included bombing scenario

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

U.S. judgment on Syrian chemical arms report won't be rushed - Hagel

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:47 PM PDT

CAIRO (Reuters) - Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday the U.S. effort to determine whether Syria has used chemical weapons is a "serious business" that cannot be decided in a rush just because several countries believe evidence supports that conclusion.

"Suspicions are one thing, evidence is another," Hagel told reporters as he wrapped up a visit to Egypt that included talks about Syria and other regional issues.

"I think we have to be very careful here before we make any conclusions (and) draw any conclusions based on real intelligence. That's not at all questioning other nations' intelligence. But the United States relies on its own intelligence."

The United States has warned that any chemical weapons use by Syria, now convulsed by civil war, would cross a "red line" that would trigger some unspecified response.

Hagel rejected suggestions the United States was undermining its credibility by saying it was continuing to assess the issue, even as France, Britain and Israel have concluded evidence suggests chemical arms have been used in Syria's conflict.

A top Israeli military intelligence officer said on Tuesday that evidence supported the conclusion Syrian government forces had used chemical weapons - probably sarin - several times against rebels trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.

The officer's remarks came in the final moments of a three-day visit by Hagel to Israel.

SYRIA SAYS WOULD NOT USE CHEMICAL ARMS

Syria's information minister was quoted as saying on Wednesday that Damascus would not resort to chemical weapons against its own citizens or even in the event of war with its neighbour Israel.

Hagel, who had not previously commented on the Israeli report, said that while he had discussed the Syrian conflict and chemical weapons with Israeli leaders, he had not been given the findings cited by the intelligence officer.

"When I was in Israel they did not give me that assessment. I guess it wasn't complete so I haven't seen the specifics, haven't talked to any Israeli officials, nor have I talked to any of our intelligence officials specifically about it."

U.S. Defence officials said it wasn't immediately clear whether the intelligence report reflected the final conclusions of the Israeli government or simply the Israeli military.

Hagel declined to elaborate on his discussions about Syrian chemical weapons with Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon.

Asked whether the assessments by France, Britain and Israel put pressure on Washington to make a judgment more quickly, Hagel said, "I don't think you judge these kinds of serious matters based on a time line.

"This is serious business and you want to be as sure as you can be on these kind of things, and until I see our intelligence assessments and the results of those, I can't respond any further," he said.

The Syrian government and rebels each accused the other of launching a chemical attack near the embattled city of Aleppo last month.

Syrian authorities last year acknowledged having chemical and biological weapons and said they could be used if foreign countries intervened in the conflict, a threat that elicited strong warnings from Washington and its allies.

(Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Death toll in Bangladesh building collapse rises to 147

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 06:47 PM PDT

DHAKA (Reuters) - The number of people killed by the collapse of a building in Bangladesh's capital rose to 147 overnight and the death toll could climb further because many people are still trapped inside, Dhaka's district police chief told Reuters on Thursday.

"The death toll could go up as many are still trapped under the rubble," Habibur Rahman said, a day after the collapse of the eight-storey building on the outskirts of Dhaka that housed several garment factories.

Rescue workers look for trapped garment workers in the Rana Plaza building which collapsed, in Savar, 30 km (19 miles) outside Dhaka April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj

Rescue workers look for trapped garment workers in the Rana Plaza building which collapsed, in Savar, 30 km (19 miles) outside Dhaka April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj

Officials said on Wednesday more than 1,000 people had been injured in the accident.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Paul Tait)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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The brothers grim

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 06:41 AM PDT

The demon-hunting Winchesters have never had it easy. Season Eight is no different, but there's happiness in store for one of them.

ON the last season of Supernatural, the Winchester brothers went through some really dark times battling the Leviathan, an evil force from purgatory bent on global domination. In that season, too, the brothers experienced a major loss in their already-tough lives – the death of a close friend and mentor.

The brothers eventually found a way to win, but at a terrible cost – Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) and the brothers' guardian angel, Castiel (Misha Collins), ended up in purgatory!

Season Eight picks up some time after that pyrrhic victory, showing in flashback what went down with the separated brothers. During their separation, we learn, Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) actually found happiness (!) and gave up on the hunter's life for a while. With everyone close to him gone, he decided to settle down – complete with a girlfriend and a dog. In short, to see if he could live an ordinary life.

In an interview transcript provided by beTV, Padalecki confirmed that for a significant part of the early season, Sam will lead a normal life – fixing pipes, taking his dog out for walks and having picnics.

The actor said: "For the first time in his life, he was able to walk away unencumbered. Sam finally thought to himself, 'You know what? Everybody I know is dead, so I'm going to leave. I have nothing anchoring me here.' He didn't have a voice in the back of his head saying, 'Find this.' Or, 'My brother is in hell.' He didn't know what happened. He didn't know Dean was in purgatory; he'd just gone, so Sam was able to make a clean break and walk away from hunting."

This is not the first time that Padalecki has been given the chance to explore a somewhat different side of Sam. Most times, he is "Emo Sam" – the more rational brother who also feels a little too much for everyone, since he has decided to take the weight of the world upon his broad shoulders.

In Season Six, the tall actor got to flex another set of acting muscles when he became "Soulless Sam" – a heartless hunter, no thanks to Sam's soul being stuck in hell. Now the actor gets to portray "Happy Sam".

"I'm really excited to see that aspect of Sam this year," he shared.

"This is a hunter who has gone through so much, and now we can see if he will come out the other side. We'll discover if there is hope for Sam, and hunters in general. Will they be able to go out and make it on the other side? It's like getting out of prison after a couple of life sentences, literally life sentences."

According to Padalecki, he's always been interested to see Sam and Dean fleshed out as individuals, even if the show's main focus is the brothers' relationship and their unusual occupation. Season Eight does just that, as it explores how Dean survives in purgatory while Sam does ... ordinary things.

The woman who brings normalcy to Sam's life is Amelia (Liane Balaban), whom Padalecki described as a "lost soul", which the actor felt makes Amelia and Sam kindred souls. Love interests for the main characters have never worked out (they usually die). Will it be any different this time around?

Padalecki replied: "Sam and Amelia's relationship is not at the expense of Sam and Dean's relationship. We'll see what happens, though. We're going to see a lot more of Amelia and I've got really high hopes for the character. She has her own issues, but I don't think she's a demon. I haven't heard yet if she is, anyway. Listen, this show is never going to be a soap opera about Sam and Dean's girlfriends and wives. Don't worry about that. That will never happen.

"Supernatural is a show is about two hunting brothers, but I've always been interested in fleshing out the main characters. They are living, breathing, red-blooded American men and there's a very obvious missing part to their lives. I do think it would (help) the characters if you give them love interests."

Supernatural Season Eight premieres tomorrow night on beTV (Astro Ch 720), with new episodes every Friday at 10.10pm.

Learning curve

Posted: 25 Apr 2013 06:39 AM PDT

He might be an award-winning actor but South Korean star Hyun Bin feels he has so much more to learn.

SOUTH Korean actor Hyun Bin seems determined to come across as an earnest performer, rather than just a heart-throb idol.

In an e-mail interview, the 30-year-old harps on the fact that he still has much to learn as an actor and that he hopes to be remembered for his devotion to his craft.

"I want to give acting my all and be remembered as an actor who gave his very best in every project without an ounce of reservation," says the star.

"Whether or not the shows that I do are associated with success or failure in terms of box office or viewer ratings, I want to be known as an actor who has given his very best."

The actor readily admits that he still feels rather dissatisfied with his career thus far. This, despite the fact that he had starred in two hugely popular TV dramas, My Name Is Kim Sam Soon (2005) and Secret Garden (2010).

Both shows scored big ratings, with the first drama, in which he played a restaurant boss, capturing 50.5% of viewers nationwide in South Korea for its last episode.

The second drama, where his character switched bodies with a woman, achieved 35.2% viewer ratings for its finale episode.

He says: "I'm not totally satisfied with my career. But I guess I do not have any regrets. There will be some disappointments with each project, but at least I gave my very best and worked hard to concentrate on each project."

Adds the actor: "Through working on each project, I learn a lot and also grow as an actor. It is through this process that I am able to continue in the business."

What the interview conveniently omitted, however, are any mentions about his personal life or his thoughts on the pressures of getting plastic surgery in image-obsessed Korea. (related questions were e-mailed to the actor but he failed to answer them).

The bachelor once reportedly dated actresses Hwang Ji Hyun, 30, and Song Hye Kyo, 31.

There is also speculation that he has undergone major plastic surgery as his jawline appears to have become sharper over the years.

Out of nearly 20 questions that were sent to him only five were answered, all related to his work.

Born Kim Tae-pyung, the actor had also starred in TV dramas such as Worlds Within (2008), about people working in the broadcasting industry, and gangster drama Friend, Our Legend (2009), where he played a sociopath.

There were other film roles, such as in romance drama A Millionaire's First Love (2006) and the English-language flick Late Autumn (2010), co-starring Chinese actress Tang Wei.

He had won several acting awards, including the Top Excellence Award (Actor) at the 2005 MBC Drama Awards for My Name Is Kim Sam Soon and a Top Excellence Award (Actor) at the 2010 SBS Drama Awards for Secret Garden.

His role in Secret Garden also earned him an Outstanding Korean Actor award at the Seoul International Drama Awards in 2011.

From March 2011 to December last year, he stepped out of the entertainment spotlight to serve Korea's compulsory military service in the Marine Corps.

Since his discharge, there have been reports that he is leaning towards a movie role rather than a TV part to mark his comeback.

Appearing to confirm this, he says: "Compared to TV dramas, movie preparations are longer and I can pace my acting better, so I feel that a movie is better for a comeback project. All this while, there are many sides of me that I have not been able to show as a movie actor yet.

"But it is not because I want to be a movie actor over a TV actor. Movies and TV dramas are two totally different areas and I have separate plans for each." – The Straits Times, Singapore/Asia News Network

Life Inspired channels attention to Thailand

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 04:56 PM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Fans of Life Inspired TV channel can now watch their favourite lifestyle shows in Thailand.

Li TV Holdings launched both its high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) channels this month after signing a three-year carriage agreement with TrueVisions, Thailand's leading cable satellite TV operator.

Thailand is the latest to join Life Inspired's regional stable of Asian territories that include Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

A first in the region, the by-Asians-for-Asians channel showcases the best programmes across the five essential pillars of lifestyle – Food, Home, Wellness, Travel and Style.

Life Inspired general mana­­- ger Anne Chan said the ex­­­­­- pansion into Thailand show- ed the steady growth of the brand and the growing demand for Life Inspired's one-of-a-kind lifestyle brand and compelling programming from audien­­- ces and content distributors alike.

"We are looking forward to continuing the distribution momentum with several other new markets this year.

"We are 100% committed to offering audiences throughout Asia the highest quality of lifestyle infotainment.

"We are thrilled to be wor­-king together with new Pay TV platform operator partners such as TrueVisions to continue the channel's regional success over the coming year," she added.

Life Inspired is available on TrueVisions channel 81 under the Platinum, Super Enter­tainment and Gold Lite packages.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Business

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Verizon eyes roughly US$100bil bid for Verizon Wireless stake

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:18 PM PDT

NEW YORK: Verizon Communications Inc has hired advisers to prepare a possible $100 billion (65 billion pounds) cash and stock bid to take full control of Verizon Wireless from joint venture partner Vodafone Group Plc, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Verizon, which already owns 55 percent of Verizon Wireless, has not put a proposal forward to Vodafone yet but it has hired both banking and legal advisers for a possible bid, the sources said.

Verizon hopes to start discussions with Vodafone soon for a friendly deal but is prepared to take a bid public if the British company does not engage in talks, one of the sources added.

There are no guarantees that Vodafone will be interested in a deal or that any bid will materialize, the sources said.

Over the past decade, Verizon has made little secret of its wish to buy out its British partner from the joint venture, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless carrier. The sources said that Verizon now is ready to push aggressively for a deal.

Verizon, benefiting from record low interest rates as well as its own strong stock price, is confident that the company can raise about $50 billion (32 billion pounds) of bank financing, the sources said. It plans to pay for the rest of the deal with its own shares, they added. The sources asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential.

Verizon's board is expected to discuss details of a potential Verizon Wireless buyout next week at a regularly scheduled meeting being held ahead of the company's annual shareholder meeting, one of the sources said.

Verizon spokesman Bob Varettoni declined to comment, but pointed to the U.S. telephone company's statement earlier this month, in which it said it would be a willing buyer of Vodafone's share of their Verizon Wireless venture.

Analysts have said a sale of Verizon Wireless would enable Vodafone to return cash to shareholders, purchase fixed-line assets in Europe or potentially make the company an attractive takeover target for other telecom giants such as AT&T Inc.

Taking full ownership would give Verizon, which is reliant on the Verizon Wireless operations for growth, a lot more flexibility with the cash generated from the wireless business.

Verizon came close to doing a deal in 2004, when Vodafone tried to buy AT&T Wireless but lost the auction to Cingular. That deal would have allowed Vodafone to bring its brand across the Atlantic and would have required it to sell its 45 percent stake in Verizon Wireless.

Any deal now, if it were to happen, would come at a time when the telecommunications industry has seen a fresh round of consolidation attempts. MetroPCS Communications Inc shareholders voted on Wednesday to approve a merger with No.4 U.S. wireless service provider T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG.

The merger came after Deutsche Telekom's 2011 effort to sell T-Mobile to AT&T for $39 billion got blocked by U.S. antitrust regulators. Verizon would be unlikely to face any similar obstacles in a Verizon Wireless buyout.

Meanwhile, Dish Network Corp, the No.2 U.S. satellite TV provider, last week offered to buy wireless service provider Sprint Nextel Corp for $25.5 billion in cash and stock, challenging a proposed deal between Sprint and Japan's SoftBank Corp.

TAX STRUCTURE

One of the main sticking points to a deal so far has been the perception that Vodafone could incur a tax bill of around $20 billion if it sells its holding, meaning Verizon would have to pay a high price to make it worthwhile for the British company.

But the sources said any deal would be structured in such a way that the eventual tax bill would likely be $5 billion or less. Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said last week that he was extremely confident it could purchase the Vodafone stake without any major tax implications. He did not elaborate on how this would work.

Verizon's shares have risen about 20 percent so far this year as its wireless business has been easily outperforming its smaller colleagues in terms of profitability and customer growth, and amid rising hopes that it will purchase the rest of Verizon Wireless. Investors say the conditions for a deal have improved because of Verizon's strong results, its share price gains, and low interest rates.

Any deal that includes such a large stock component may, though, mean dilution for Verizon Communications shareholders.

So far this year, Vodafone's shares have risen about 23 percent after lagging in the final few months of 2012. The recent gains have been attributed by analysts to hopes that it will sell the stake to Verizon. - Reuters

SIA raises stake in Virgin Australia

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:04 PM PDT

SYDNEY: Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) has lifted its stake in Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd to 19.9%, boosting its influence at the carrier at a time of industry jostling to secure lucrative routes in South-East Asia.

The purchase makes Singapore Airlines the joint largest shareholder in Australia's No. 2 airline, with Air New Zealand also owning a matching stake that is just under the limit allowed before a full takeover must be launched.

Australia's airline industry has been a battleground for global airlines seeking partnerships in recent months, with Qantas Airways Ltd establishing a wide-ranging alliance with Emirates Airlines.

SIA bought an additional 9.9% for A$123mil from Richard Branson's Virgin Group. Branson will retain a 12.4% holding.

A spokesman for the company said it had no plans at this point to further increase its holding. The deal is subject to approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board.

"While it is currently unclear whether Branson is looking for a complete sell down, the transaction moves more of the voting power into the hands of the strategic operating partners," Macquarie Equities analysts said in a note.

"At this point there is no talk of a takeover from any of the parties, however, the interest from the partners does confirm the strength of Virgin Australia's virtual international network going forward, as it attempts to compete effectively with Qantas's new reach given the Emirates deal," they added.

SIA has been keen to establish a stronghold in Australia to secure passenger feed on to its long-haul services. It has added more double decker Airbus A380s and increased frequencies in the Australian market, hoping to capture passengers disenchanted with Qantas' switch from Singapore to Dubai as its new transit hub.

The move comes a day after Virgin received competition regulator approval to buy a controlling stake in Tiger Australia from Singapore Airlines' budget associate, Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. - Reuters

Carlsberg appoints Andersen MD of M’sia, S’pore ops

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:02 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd has appointed Henrik Juel Andersen as managing director overseeing Malaysia and Singapore operations succeeding Soren Ravn who has been appointed as CEO of Carlsberg Greater China effective July 1.

Anderson, 46, is currently the regional CEO of Carlsberg Indochina, a position he has held for the past five years. Ravn and Andersen will be working closely to ensure a smooth transition and handover in Malaysia and Singapore over the next few months.

"He (Anderson) has delivered excellent growth in our Indochina region with revenues and EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) increasing significantly over a five-year period, driven by a strong mix of organic growth and well-executed acquisitions," Carlsberg Malaysia chairman Datuk Lim Say Chong said in a statement.

"I am very confident Andersen can continue the strong growth and good momentum that we have established in Malaysia and Singapore over the last few years. He is one of our most experienced leaders in Asia and will help drive the strategic agenda as well as strong execution going forward, in strong cooperation with our supportive business partners and customers in Malaysia and Singapore," Lim said.

Lim added that Ravn had been "instrumental in leading Carlsberg Malaysia group to three years of continuous strong revenue and profit growth, driven by portfolio brands and premiumisation strategy with a strong focus on profitable growth".

"Our record financial performance, portfolio strategy and a diverse team of top and senior management are testaments of the effective implementation of our strategies with the cooperation of our business partners and customers under the leadership of Ravn.

"The historical high performance of the company's share price also reflects our shareholders' and investors' confidence towards the company. With the strong management team and organisation in place, Carlsberg Malaysia is in a solid position to drive sustainable and profitable growth," Lim said.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Sports

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Wozniacki swept aside by Spanish clay expert

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 06:19 PM PDT

STUTTGART, Germany: Denmark's former world number one Caroline Wozniacki exited the WTA Stuttgart Open on Wednesday, losing 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 to Spanish clay court specialist Carla Suarez in their first round clash.

Wozniacki, seeded seven and a finalist in the tournament in 2011, had only herself to blame after letting a 3-0 lead in the first set slip away to lose in a hard fought tie-break.

However, Suarez, ranked 27th in the world to Wozniacki's 10th, eased through the second set against a demoralised Danish opponent to seal victory on her first match point and claim the scalp of a top-10 ranked player for the sixth time in her career.

Suarez, who has yet to win a WTA event despite reaching four finals, will meet Kazakh player Yaroslava Shvedova, ranked 10 places below her, in the second round.

Fifth-seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic later enjoyed a 7-5, 6-7(0/7), 6-3 win over wild-card Annika Beck, but only after the German put up a tough fight in the second set.

"I still don't feel really good on clay, but it's getting better," said Kvitova.

"It's better than it was in Katowice, but I want to improve more before Madrid.

"It's hard to keep the concentration high after the Fed Cup, but it's always fun to play with the girls," added Kvitova, who was part of the Czech team whose hopes of defending their Fed Cup title disappeared on Monday when they lost to Italy in the semi-finals.

Australia's Samantha Stosur, a finalist here in 2010 en route to reaching the French Open final, crashed out in the first round as she lost in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to former world number one Jelena Jankovic.

"I knew that Sam is a very dangerous opponent, so I am happy to have beaten her," said Jankovic who plays Germany's Sabine Lisicki in Thursday's second round.

"My self confidence is coming back and every win helps."

Stosur was gracious in defeat but reproached herself for a lacklustre performance.

"It was tough after a Fed Cup weekend, but that's not an excuse," she said.

"Jelena played consistently well and it's pretty disappointing to lose.

"I have a few things to improve, but there is a bit of time before the French Open."

In Thursday's second round, top seed Maria Sharapova, who is using Stuttgart as preparation to defend her French Open title, will play Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

Second-seed Li Na of China plays Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia in the other half of the draw. - AFP

A stroll for Lee in New Delhi

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 04:04 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei barely broke sweat en route to cruising into the second round of the India Open badminton championships in New Delhi.

The 30-year-old Chong Wei, who became a father last week, made sure that the sacrifice he was making was worthwhile with a thoroughly dominant performance in beating Ireland's Scott Evans 21-16, 21-5 in just 23 minutes in the first round yesterday.

The win was also the perfect tonic for Chong Wei, following a surprising defeat in the Australian Open earlier this month.

He will next face Japan's Kazumasa Sakai, who defeated Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki 21-16, 18-21, 21-12, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Young Malaysian back-up shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin also pulled through after beating local qualifier Subhankar Dey 21-17, 21-11.

Iskandar was lucky to have earned a free ride into the main draw following world No. 4 Sony Dwi Kuncoro's 11th hour withdrawal.

Iskandar will face either Japan's world junior champion Kento Momota or another Indian shuttler B. Sai Praneeth for a place in the last eight.

National singles coach Tey Seu Bock was happy with the way Chong Wei and Iskandar kick-started their campaigns.

"Chong Wei was at his usual high standard and it was a good start. The shuttle was a bit fast and there weren't too many rallies, but it worked well in his favour," Seu Bock said from New Delhi.

"As for Iskandar, he played very well too. He started off a little nervous but settled down and grew into the game."

In the men's doubles, world No. 2 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong stayed in the hunt for their first title of the year with a strong display against Thailand's Songphon Anugritayawon-Poodchalat Pisit.

The second seeds were too strong for the Thais, winning 21-15, 21-18 to set up a clash against Indian qualifiers Surender Rathee-Neeraj Vashist next.

In the mixed doubles, world No. 5 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying enjoyed a first round bye and will face Japan's Hirokatsu Hashimoto-Miyuki Maeda today.

India Open badminton championships results

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 04:05 PM PDT

FIRST ROUND

Men's singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Scott Evans (Irl) 21-16, 21-5; Kazumasa Sakai (Jpn) bt Wong Wing Ki (Hkg) 21-16, 18-21, 21-12; Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt P. Kashyap (Ind) 13-21, 23-21, 21-18; H.S. Prannoy (Ind) bt Suppanyu Avihingsanon (Tha) 21-17, 22-20; K. Srikanth (Ind) bt Jan OJorgensen (Den) 21-7, 18-21, 21-12; R.M.V. Gurusaidutt (Ind) bt Tommy Sugiarto (Ina) 21-16, 21-17; Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) bt Rajiv Ouseph (Eng) 21-17, 15-21, 21-9; Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka (Ina) bt Chen Yuekun (Chn) 24-22, 19-21, 21-14; Anand Pawar (Ind) bt Takuma Ueda (Jpn) 11-21, 21-13, 21-19; Sourabh Verma (Ind) bt Chetand Anand (Ind) 21-13, 21-8; Kenichi Tago (Jpn) bt Arvind Bhat (Ind) 21-9, 21-9; Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin (Mas) bt Subhankar Dey (Ind) 21-17, 21-11.

Men's doubles: Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan (Chn) bt Raunaq Muradia (US)-Kamaldeep Singh (Ind) 21-14, 21-11; Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech (Tha) bt Tarun Kona-Arun Vishnu (Ind) 21-17, 21-11; Chris Adcock-Andrew Ellis (Eng) bt Srujan Nandaluri-P. Vinay Kumar Reddy (Ind) 21-8, 21-14; Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (Jpn) bt Alwin Francis-V. Diju (Ind) 21-18, 21-14; Surender Rathee-Neeraj Vashist (Ind) bt Jayan James-K. Dilshad (Ind) 17-21, 21-18, 21-16; Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (Mas) bt Songphon Anugritayawon-Poodchalat Pisit (Tha) 21-15, 21-18.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

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Up close and personal with Iron Man 3

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:34 AM PDT

With the release of Iron Man 3, Robert Downey Jr is ready for his close-up.

THE first Iron Man film came out in 2008 and Robert Downey Jr exceeded all expectations of how both hero and man should be portrayed. In that film, he meshed fun and ego into billionaire Tony Stark's personality and gave the man in the iron suit a touch of vulnerability. Iron Man went on to earn more than US$585mil (RM1.7bil) worldwide and made Downey a bankable star.

Since then, Downey has reprised the role in two sequels (Iron Man 3 is scheduled to open in Malaysia on April 26) and in last year's successful superhero film, The Avengers. In a transcript provided by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Malaysia, the 48-year-old star believes that the success of the films are closely related to how tangible the story and the characters are.

Downey says: "On a certain level this stuff is real and it's also kind of feasible technologically. We had a group of talented people and we did something that bridged a gap between the unfeasibility of most superhero genre movies and the kind of movies like James Bond or Mission: Impossible that are grounded in things that we think could happen."

That notion of keeping it real started from the time he put on the low-tech suit back in 2008. He recalls: "Mark 1 was really clunky, but it was a ball. And if you ask some people, they still love that suit."

With the advancement on and off screen, Downey finds wearing the iconic suit has gotten easier and easier. "To the point where I can be wearing a pretty significant amount of gear and not be uncomfortable at all for long periods of time. I have much less to complain about, which has left me a little bit confused," he jests. "But it has also helped me to refocus my efforts back again on the story and on my co-stars."

Iron Man 3 sees the industrialist Tony Stark – who decided to not keep his superhero identity a secret – facing yet another enemy who is intent on destroying Stark's seemingly serene world. As seen in the trailer, his home has been blasted and the Iron Man suit is worse for wear. Once again, like when he was captured and kept in a cave, Stark has to rely on his ingenuity and instincts to survive the latest crisis. One of the major themes in this latest film also has Stark finding the answer to a question that has often haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Stark's self-doubt – which he covers with a brashness or jokes – is magnified with the presence of a baddie called the Mandarin, who doesn't believe in heroes.

The Mandarin is played by Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, an actor Downey credits for bringing a lot of strong ideas to the table. Downey describes Kingsley as an actor who "absolutely cut loose and play in a sandbox like an improvisational five-year-old. And I think probably the most fun that I've had shooting the film has been watching what he's done. Coming from me, who prides myself on off-the-cuff stuff, I guess that's saying a lot. So in a way, this movie would not have worked at all and would not be the movie it's going to be if Sir Ben hadn't done what he did."

Downey continues: "(It's) inspiring when you motivate and push each other to say, 'Hey, you know, we can really kind of play here. We don't just have to serve material.' If you have good instincts, that's what you're always left wanting when the movie is done shooting anyway. Speaking of which, Guy Pearce, who plays Killian, has really come out of the gate and I think he is going to remind people why he's one of our great national treasures – on loan from Australia, of course."

Another newcomer to the franchise is director Shane Black (who directed Downey on Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang), taking over from Jon Favreau. (Favreau, however, still makes an appearance as Stark's driver, Happy – one of two guys in Stark's life who doesn't put up with his over-the-top behaviour.)

Downey shares: "Jon and I used to call Shane (Black) and ask him for advice and he would give us these metaphors and sometimes direct comments or whatever, and he would never take a penny for it. One time he asked for a piece of well-done salmon and some blueberries as payment. So we are a bunch of 'weirdos' but we all have the same enthusiasm for the genre.

"Shane has been so instrumental in shaping the action genre and bringing character into this sort of filmmaking that I was surprised and delighted and obviously very much in favour of him directing this. As Jon has moved on into other realms of activity and had his other successes and other experiences, it's interesting to see that now it was Shane and I reaching out to Jon to remind us of where he was heading the ship to begin with. But the great thing about this story is it's dramatic and it's pretty deep and dark at some points, but it also is very quintessentially Shane Black. I love movies where there are things that you've forgotten were even set up that pay off. And by the way, again going back to Jon, that's what Jon and I were always trying to do. We were doing it in a much less organised way and we were a little bit luckier than more planning-oriented writers or directors would be."

> Iron Man 3 opens in cinemas nationwide on April 26.

Win Iron Man 3 movie merchandise

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:32 AM PDT

DON'T miss out on a chance to win Marvel's Iron Man 3 movie merchandise. Just answer three simple questions correctly and e-mail the answer to waltdisneymalaysia@gmail.com under the subject "The Star/Iron Man 3 Contest". Along with the answers, include your full name, IC no, address and contact number. Contest ends May 8, 2013.

The questions are:

1. Who plays the villain in Iron Man 3?

2. When will Iron Man 3 open in Malaysia?

3. Does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Explain in less than 50 words.

Here's what you stand to win:

1st prize x 1

1 x Iron Man 3 messenger bag

1 x Iron Man 3 8gb USB

1 x Iron Man 3 adult t-shirt

1 x Iron Man 3 cap

1 x Iron Man 3 earphone

1 x Iron Man 3 ice cube tray

1 x Iron Man 3 keychain

1 x Iron Man 3 tattoo & sticker

2 x Iron Man book set from Scholastic

1 x Marvel's Iron Man figure from Hasbro

2nd prize x 1

1 x Iron Man 3 sunglasses

1 x Iron Man 3 adult t-shirt

1 x Iron Man 3 cap

1 x Iron Man 3 ice cube tray

1 x Iron Man 3 keychain

1 x Iron Man 3 tattoo & sticker

2 x Iron Man book set from Scholastic

1 x Marvel's Iron Man figure from Hasbro

Consolation prize x 3

1 x Iron Man 3 keychain

1 x Iron Man 3 tattoo & sticker

2 x Iron Man book set from Scholastic

1 x Marvel's Iron Man figure from Hasbro

> Contest is open to all Malaysians except employees of The Star and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Malaysia.

> Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.

> Judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.

Cheaper movie tickets

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:29 AM PDT

SENIOR citizens (55 years and above) and students (with valid student ID) – regardless of whether they are Malaysians or visitors to the country – can now enjoy watching movies at a special rate at all TGV Cinemas. This promotion is valid on weekdays (except public holidays) for movies screened between 12 noon and 6pm.

Gerald V. Dibbayawan, CEO of TGV Cinemas, said: "Going to the movies is a popular pastime today, regardless of age and generation. This is just a simple gesture on our part to continue nurturing the movie-going culture and make this pastime more affordable."

The promotion is one of many surprises which TGV Cinemas is introducing this year. For details on upcoming promotions, log on to www.tgv.com.my or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

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GE13: Ghani confident as battle with Kit Siang looms

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 08:24 AM PDT

GELANG PATAH: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Ghani Othman is not afraid of facing DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang at the polls come voting day.

"I think I have a fair chance," he told reporters after attending a dinner at the community hall in Skudai Wednesday night.

"I've been here serving the people for 18 years now. We've brought about developments which benefit the rakyat as a whole.

"The people will take that into account despite the opposition claims," said Ghani, who is also a member of the Umno supreme council.

Ghani, who has been Johor MB since 1995, said that he would continue reaching out to the people during the remaining campaign period.

He promised to give his all to not just the people of Gelang Patah, but the people of Johor as well.

Currently, his opponent DAP adviser Lim is in East Malaysia for a two-day trip that will see him speak in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Mas Gading.

The 72-year-old Gelang Patah candidate has said previously he believes Ghani has the home ground advantage.

In Gelang Patah, just 25km from Johor Baru, Chinese make up 52% of the electorate, while Malays and Indians sit at 34% and 12% respectively.

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

Lower prices spark gold rush in Kelantan

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 08:17 AM PDT

KOTA BARU: Jewellery shops here have experienced an increase in business after the price of gold dropped by almost 10% since last week.

The price for the 916 gold is said to have dropped to RM380 per 2.7gm, from RM420 per 2.7gm previously.

A survey by Bernama found people patronising the jewellery shops as early as 9am, some even waiting along the five-foot way for the shops to open.

An assistant at the Kedai Emas Wan Hassan Wan Omar, Wan Ahmad Salihan Wan Mohd Zaki, 18, said there was a rush to buy gold after news of the drop in price was reported in the media.

"Our shop is now open until 7pm, from 5.30pm normally," he added.

Rozilawati Sallehuddin, 41, said she considered buying gold as an investment.

"When the price goes up, we can sell it. Sometimes, the price can double," she added.

Nik Mahani Nik Abdullah, 55, said she preferred buying Kelantan gold because it was unique and of better quality.

She said she normally looks for new designs to buy.

"If I don't like the designs that are available, I will get a custom-made one. Although it is more expensive, it is worth it. The satisfaction is there," she added. - Bernama

Cops to set up mobile police station at Bukit Gasing

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:59 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Security at the Bukit Gasing recreation and leisure centre will be enhanced with the setting up of a mobile police station on Saturday.

Bukit Gasing was where a female jogger met a violent end at the hands of knife-wielding robbers last Saturday.

The mobile police station will be manned for two periods daily, from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 7pm.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed said the mobile police station was the result of an accord reached by the police and representatives of resident associations in Petaling Jaya.

He said the aim of the accord was to check crime in the area and safeguard the public.

As an immediate precaution, police has stationed uniformed and plain-clothes policemen at the location to ensure the security of the public, Arjunaidi said.

Meanwhile, he urged the community residing in the vicinity of Bukit Gasing to register as volunteers to help police check criminal activities.

On April 20, Ong Ai Sam, 52, and her daughter, aged 17, were confronted by two robbers who were riding a motorcycle when the former were returning home after jogging in Bukit Gasing.

Ong, who told her daughter to make a run for it, was stabbed six times by one of the two men. She collapsed in a pool of blood.

She was confirmed dead upon arrival at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

The police have detained four teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, to facilitate investigations into the murder.

The suspects were picked up in separate raids at the Sri Medan Flats and Bukit Gasing Flats here early yesterday. - Bernama

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

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Living the arts

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 05:48 PM PDT

The Kakiseni Festival 2013 gets off to a flying start in an attempt to bring arts to the masses.

ARTS enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that a 10-day arts carnival of sorts is currently taking place in and around the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur area.

The inaugural Kakiseni Festival 2013, which kicked off on April 22, includes theatre shows, musical performances, buskers, street parades, visual art installations, forum discussion and free workshops. Organised by arts management portal Kakiseni, there is some form of art or creative expression for all ages to indulge in – from traditional repertoires to avant-garde works.

Stage impresarios Moo Siew Keh and Ben Cutler are joining hands to curate several stage plays with theatrical tragedies depicted by renowned stage actors. Local music acts such as Aseana Percussion Unit, Reza Salleh, Froya, Bihzhu, Couple, Arabyrd, Rhythm In Bronze and many others will be gracing the sidewalks and stages daily with music collectives Moonshine and The Wknd.

Visual artists displaying their works include Stephen Menon, Liu Cheng Hua, Donald Abraham and Louise Low. The 12 art installations will be exhibited and presented through the eyes of curator Sharmin Parameswaran of Interpr8 Art Space.

If you want to know how the arts industry functions, do join in the Kata Tindak Seni (Art Talk Action) on April 29, a series of forums which features performing arts professionals, experts, critics and art makers from Malaysia and within the region. It aims to create discussions and actions that will raise the state of the performing arts industry in Malaysia.

The forum topics are The Role And Purpose Of An Arts Council, Art And The Creative Economy – Good Business? and Audiences For Arts: Outreach And Engagement.

Among the workshops being held is the puppetry and movement by Sun Son Theatre of Taiwan. Founded in 1998, the ensemble has developed a unique theatrical performing style that successfully synchronises physical movements with vocals and hymn. The workshop will be conducted in Mandarin, and a Mandarin-English interpreter will be provided for the event.

One of the main highlights of the festival is when the arts hit the streets on April 28. There will be a 30-minute performance by the renowned Odin Teatret of Denmark to kick things off, and then a massive street parade through Jalan Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur.

The group will be performing Ode To Progress. Odin Teatret has created 74 performances, performed in 63 countries and in different social contexts. In the course of these experiences, a specific Odin culture has grown, founded on cultural diversity and the practice of "barter".

Odin's actors present themselves through their work to a particular milieu, which in return, replies with songs, music and dances from its own local culture. The barter is an exchange of cultural manifestations and offers an insight into the other's forms of expression.

Leading the parade will be drumming ensemble Hands Percussion. It needs no introduction, having made a mark for its award-winning performances. Joining in the fray are local Butoh trailblazers Nyoba Kan, international street performers like fire-breathing acrobats from Spanish circus troupe En La Lona, clowns, massive theatre puppets (there's a 9m long dragon) and others!

En La Lona will also be conducting a circus workshop and all you need are three balls for juggling to participate.

The festival will lead up to the 10th annual Boh Cameronian Arts Awards, honouring the best in the performing arts industry. The event will take place at Pavilion's Centre Court on May 1.

Kakiseni head Low Ngai Yuen said, "We want to keep reminding everyone of the values of the arts – in creating new experiences, allowing creative expressions and as an important tool in breaking down boundaries. It brings people together.

"We are also promoting arts as a functional form for business solutions so all the programmes throughout the 10 days will be brought to the attention of private companies' decision makers."

> All the festival events are free, but since places are limited for workshops and certain performances, reservations are required. For the full schedule, visit festival.kakiseni.com.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Metro: Central

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Metro watch

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 04:10 AM PDT

LAY-BY CLOSURE

The Ladang Bikam Lay-by (Southbound) at KM347.40 on the North-South Expressway (NSE) will be temporarily closed from today until June 26 for pavement maintenance works. Drivers are advised to utilise the Tapah RSA at KM331.6 or the Behrang Lay-by at KM 382.8. For information, contact the PLUSline at 1800 880 000.

HIGHWAY CLOSURE

The SMART Highway will be closed to traffic today from 11pm till 6am tomorrow to facilitate routine maintenance to the motorway tunnel system. For enquiries, contact the SMART Helpline at 1300 887 188.

ROAD CLOSURE

Parts of Jalan Damansara heading towards Bangsar will be closed to traffic from 9pm to 6am daily until April 30. For details, call 012-564 9371 (Munusamy).

WIM ANNIVERSARY

The Women's Institute of Management (WIM) will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on May 14 at One World Hotel, Bandar Utama. Among the highlights of the evening is the launching of the WIM Azah Aziz Gallery of Traditional Malay Costumes, stamps and postcards and entertainments such as a magic show, fashion show and jewellery show. To buy table or seats, contact Elaine Loh or Mazlinda at 03-7725 0268 / 7725 0288 or email lyc@wimnet.org.my.

PAY YOUR BILLS

Petaling Jaya City Council (MPBJ) will be opening its EZ-Pay mobile counter from 10am to 3pm throughout this month. It offers services such as checking and paying assessment tax, compounds and other council-related bills, as well as lodging council-related complaints. It will be located at PJU 10, Damansara Damai (near McDonald's and Shell Station) from tomorrow until April 28. For details, call 03-7954 2020.

MARKET CLOSED

In conjunction with GE13, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council will close the Puchong Indah morning market on May 5 as voting will take place at MPSJ Multipurpose hall in Puchong Indah. All traders are not allowed to trade on May 5 here. For details, call 03-8026 4489.

HEALTH EXPO

The Health & Fitness Sports Expo 2013 will make its debut on April 26 to 28 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC, Hall 5) from 10.30am to 9pm (Fri & Sat) and from 10.30am to 8pm (Sun). There will be a great array of valuable exhibits offering latest in fitness, martial arts, diet, nutrition and supplement, strength, wellness, health care, active gear, golf, apparel, equipment, water sports and other outdoor adventure. Admission is free. For details, email expo@harenet.com.my or contact 03-9132 9888.

CONSECRATION CEREMONY

The newly constructed Sri Shakti Temple in Bukit Rotan is having its grand consecration ceremony tomorrow from 10am to 11.30am. For details, call 012 3282829 or visit www.projectshakti.org

A break from tough training

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 04:10 AM PDT

THE persistent evening drizzle disrupted the first coaching clinic of the season for the AND1 Streetball Challenge in the Kota Kemuning Oncidium outdoor basketball court recently.

It was a rare occasion for veteran coach Sue Teck Hua visiting the Kota Kemuning Basketball Academy's training centre in an effort to drum up support for the opening leg of the three-on-three basketball event at the IOI Mall in Puchong this Sunday.

Although the coach showed up and the trainees were prepared for their usual evening training session, the wet conditions prevented them from going through their paces.

Teck Hua, 59, said he came up with a plan to introduce agility exercises and share basic three-on-three tactics with the keen teenagers in the brief 90-minute session.

"It was a wise decision not to conduct the session. It was too risky because of the slippery court surface.

"They might fall ill and pick up injuries training under such unfriendly conditions.

"It is important that they stay in good shape to face the hectic competition schedule ahead," he added.

Instead, Teck Hua offered his words of wisdom to inspire the budding cagers in opting for the right approaches in training to scale greater heights.

Teoh Wei Han from SJK (C) Chung Hua, Klang said it was a change when the coach decided they should take a break from training.

"Personally, I am exhausted after competing in the Selangor schools district meet this morning. It was an opportunity for us to recover," he added.

Recently, the 12-year-old Wei Han showed his promise when he captured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in his age-group at a junior tournament.

And the Year Six pupil hopes to continue to display his potential joining the fun in the streetball series this season.

Currently, the youngsters from the centre, comprising mainly students from SMK Kota Kemuning, are going through the paces under the tutelage of former national junior boys' cager Ray Yio four times a week.

For Teck Hua, he took the chance to catch up with his former student Ray.

The 26-year-old Ray was under Teck Hua's care when he was part of the Selangor line-up in several national junior tournaments.

"It is great to see that he (Ray) is doing well in guiding the young trainees at the centre and contributing to the development of the game at the grassroots," said Teck Hua.

For the upcoming streetball challenge, the hosts have offered a Kobe Bryant basketball each to the first 100 teams to sign up for the first leg.

Ray said they were fielding 10 teams to feature under the centre's banner at the challenge.

The hosts are expecting a total of 300 teams to join the fray in six categories — boys' Under-13, boys' Under-15, boys' Under-18, girls' Under-18, men's Under-21 and men's Under-25 — at the opening leg of the five-leg series this season.

Besides the opening leg, they are visiting another new territory for the third leg scheduled for the East Coast Mall in Kuantan, Pahang on July 6.

The three other legs are at Sutera Mall, Johor (June 16), Penang Times Square (Sept 14) and Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur (Oct 20).

AND1 STREETBALL CHALLENGE

OPENING LEG

Venue: IOI Mall, Puchong

Date: April 28

Categories (six): Boys' Under-13, Boys' Under-15, Boys' Under-18, Girls' Under-18, Men's Under-21 and Men's Under-25

Prizes: Basketball products and goodies for the top four teams in each category.

Partners

- Official beverage: Milo

- Official media: StarMetro

- Official radio: One FM

- Sanctioned by: Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA)

Enquiries: 03-9173 1066; 012-358 5911 (Wong); 017-657 0082 (Ahmad)

Website: www.and1malaysia.blogspot.com

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my
 

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