Rabu, 14 Ogos 2013

The Star Online: Metro: Sunday Metro

0 ulasan 11:06 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Metro: Sunday Metro

Show and tell with style
‘Upskirt’ offender charged in court
Convicted murderer escapes gallows

Show and tell with style

Posted:

GUIDES at Singapore's main tourist attractions are to be trained on how to show and tell in a lively and fun fashion in the face of stiffer competition from abroad.

It is the first such training for them and other workers in the attractions industry, which is bracing for a slowdown after 10 years of unprecedented growth.

Similarly, the courses are a first too: tailor-made for industry workers by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in partnership with the Association of Singapore Attrac-tions (ASA).

The first course on how to deliver animated tours will start today and last for three days.

It is part of a series of modules in the programme, aptly called ACT, the acronym for Attractions Con-textualised Training.

Industry players like Chiang Zhan Xiang feel it is overdue.

Said Chiang, business development director of Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom on Sentosa: "There are more free-and-easy travellers who come by word of mouth. They will pay money for a good experience and we need to give them that."

The training is especially urgent for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), said WDA tourism division director Janice Foo.

"The attractions sector is people-oriented and SMEs, employing fewer workers, find it difficult to customise training for their staff," she said.

"Skills such as communication, interaction and programme delivery are imperative to enable them to perform well in their job and leave tourists with a good impression of Singapore's attractions."

Agreeing, director of the Singapore Philatelic Museum, Tresnawati Prihadi, said: "Visitors now have higher expectations as they have seen places elsewhere."

It also plays a pivotal role in drawing tourists to Singapore's shores, helping the tourism industry contribute 4% to the country's gross domestic product.

From 2002 to last year, new attractions, such as the two integrated resorts and the Formula One night race, helped boost visitor arrivals, which grew at a compound annual rate of 6.6%.

But in the following 10 years, this rate is expected to slow, ranging between 3 and 4%.

Part of the reason is intensified competition from abroad. New integrated resorts will spring up soon in Macau and South Korea, Bangkok plans to hold an F1 night race by 2015, and Universal Studios theme parks are set to open in South Korea and Shanghai.

To meet the challenge, the ACT programme will introduce classes on such topics such as diction and story-telling in the next few months. Courses for supervisors are also in the pipeline.

Still, Gladys Loo, who manages mini-golf course LilliPutt in East Coast Park, will not send any of her four full-time workers for the training.

"Each staffer lasts only a year. If we send them, we have to re-do everything when they leave."

Chiang, however, plans to send all 26 full-time employees for the training. "They now learn on the job. The training will improve their skills and make our attraction more enticing. It also helps to retain staff." — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

‘Upskirt’ offender charged in court

Posted:

A 36-year-old man who allegedly tucked his cellphone into the laces of his shoe to capture "upskirt'' video recordings of more than 200 women was charged.

Be Keng Hoon, a technical officer, is said to have committed 264 charges of intruding into the privacy of women between October 2011 and Aug 14, 2012.

Except for the first charge which says that the offence occurred at ION shopping mall on Aug 14, 2012, the locations and identities of the women in the rest of the charges are unknown.

Be, who has no lawyer, will be back in court on Aug 29.

If convicted, he could be jailed for up to one year and/or fined on each charge. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Convicted murderer escapes gallows

Posted:

A 29-year-old Malaysian man who bashed a Chinese national to death while robbing him has become the second convicted murderer here to be sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

He was also given 24 strokes of the cane.

Jabing Kho's case had been sent back to the High Court for re-sentencing following changes to the law this year which give judges the option of handing down a life imprisonment for certain categories of murder.

He had been convicted in 2010 and his appeal dismissed in 2011. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star eCentral: Movie Buzz

0 ulasan 9:18 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star eCentral: Movie Buzz

Coming soon: The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Posted:

Ben Stiller is set to release his new movie on Christmas Day.

Actor Ben Stiller directs and stars in this adventure/comedy/fantasy film which revolves around, well, Walter Mitty.

Walter is a guy with great imagination, hence he lives a full life daydreaming about all the adventures he may have. Working as a timid photo processor at Life magazine, he just lets his uneventful life go by ... that is, until his job is put on the line!

Now, Walter must do something about his boring life for real. He does, of course, and ends up haivng a global adventure more extraordinary than he could have ever dreamed.

The film is scheduled to open on Christmas Day (Dec 25) and also stars Kristen Wiig (pic above, with Stiller) and Shirley MacLaine.

Reviving the film industry

Posted:

Pakistan will send an entry to the Oscars for the first time in nearly 50 years as its struggling film industry shows signs of revival, the country's first Oscar winner said last week.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who in 2012 became the first Pakistani to claim Hollywood's most coveted gong for co-directing a documentary about victims of acid attacks, will head up the national committee charged with selecting Pakistan's entry.

Pakistan has previously submitted just two motion pictures for Oscar consideration.

In 1959, Jago Hua Savera was submitted by director A. J. Kardar and in 1963, the film Ghunghat was submitted by director Khawaja Khurshid Anwar. But neither film secured an Oscar nomination, Chinoy said.

"We are seeking films that represent the best of Pakistani cinema and will aptly represent our country in the heavily contested Best Foreign Language Film category," Chinoy told AFP.

"We are inviting and encouraging all Pakistani filmmakers to submit their entries and are looking forward to positive feedback and support from our film and arts industry in this regard," she added.

The country's lone Oscar winner said Pakistan's film industry was going through a period of revival after decades of struggling.

"The Pakistani film industry is slowly experiencing a resurgence; Pakistanis are going back to the cinema, new theatres are being built, and more students are opting for a career in the arts," she said.

"Over the past two years, we have seen a significant rise in the number and nature of films being produced locally, from independent art films to blockbuster song and dance thrillers," she added.

Chinoy said Pakistani filmmakers continue to struggle with resources as a paucity of modern filmmaking equipment. Independent movies, or those with subject matter that diverge from the mainstream, have little commercial viability. Pakistan also lacks the academic institutions to teach people the art and craft of modern filmmaking, she said.

"Just like any other enterprise, our material is also subject to demand and supply, and thus, I hope that an increased demand results in a renewed interest from potential financiers and academic institutions as well," Chinoy said.

"It may take time but I have no doubt that the film industry will prosper if nurtured properly." — AFP Relaxnews

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: World Updates

0 ulasan 9:17 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: World Updates

Japan visits to war shrine likely to anger Asian neighbours
Indonesian anti-graft agency arrests head of energy regulator
Central African Republic on brink of collapse - U.N.

Japan visits to war shrine likely to anger Asian neighbours

Posted:

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to a controversial shrine for war dead on Thursday - the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two - but did not visit in person in an effort to avoid inflaming tensions with Asian neighbours.

However, at least two cabinet ministers publicly paid their respects at Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, which is likely to anger South Korea and China and risks undermining tentative diplomatic overtures to Beijing.

"I asked my special aide ... to make the offering on my behalf with a feeling of gratitude and respect for those who fought and gave their precious lives for their country," Abe told reporters at the prime minister's office.

"As for when I might go to Yasukuni Shrine, or whether I will go or not, I will not say as this should not become a political or diplomatic issue," he said after his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) aide conveyed the offering in the name of "Shinzo Abe, LDP leader."

Chinese state media reported the country's military would conduct live fire drills for four days from Thursday in the East China Sea, though not close to Japan. Some Japanese media speculated this was timed to coincide with the Yasukuni visits.

Visits to the shrine by top politicians have outraged Beijing and Seoul in the past because the shrine honours 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal, along with war dead.

"Can you imagine what the world would think of Germany if they paid homage to Nazi boss Hitler?" retired Chinese Major General Luo Yuan, one of China's most outspoken military figures, wrote in the influential tabloid the Global Times.

Japanese conservatives say it is only natural to honour the war dead and deny that doing so at Yasukuni glorifies the war.

That leaves Abe treading a fine line between trying to mend ties with neighbours and appealing to his conservative backers.

"Paying homage to the war dead is a purely domestic matter and it's not for other countries to criticize us or intervene in these matters, Keiji Furuya, a minister whose portfolios include the national public safety commission, said after paying his respects at the shrine in central Tokyo.

Internal affairs minister Yoshitaka Shindo also visited the shrine as did a group of 89 lawmakers, including LDP policy chief Sanae Takaichi and aides to another 101 MPs.

MIXED SIGNALS

Bitter memories of Japan's past militarism run deep in China and South Korea. Despite close economic ties and recent calls by Abe for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan's relations with its neighbours remain fraught because of territorial feuds and disputes over wartime history.

"Japanese leaders should show their courageous leadership to heal wounds of the past so that both countries can develop as a true cooperative partner," South Korean President Park Geun-hye said in a speech in Seoul marking the anniversary of the end of Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the peninsula.

Speaking later at a memorial service in Tokyo, Abe said: "We will carve out the nation's future that is full of hope, while facing history with humility and deeply engraving lessons to be learnt in our minds."

Crowds of Japanese, including pensioners and schoolchildren, streamed through the shrine complex after it opened around dawn.

"My father died during the war, so I come here every year to pray for him and for the people who sacrificed their lives for the country," said Mariko Matsuda, 70. "It's a great shame that Prime Minister Abe won't visit the shrine today."

Tokyo hoped that if Abe stayed away, it could send a signal to China of his desire to ease tensions and help pave the way for a summit.

Beijing has made clear, though, that it will look askance at visits by Japanese political leaders in whatever form.

A dispute over rival claims to uninhabited islands in the East China Sea intensified last September after the previous Japanese government bought the isles from a Japanese citizen.

Feuding over the islands and wartime history, combined with regional rivalry and mutual mistrust, suggest that a summit is unlikely any time soon, officials involved in behind-the-scenes talks between Beijing and Tokyo told Reuters.

Visits to Yasukuni by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during his 2001-2006 term sent Sino-Japanese ties into a chill.

The deeply conservative Abe thawed relations by staying away from the shrine during his short first term as prime minister, but later said he regretted not paying his respects as premier and made a visit after becoming LDP leader last September.

Abe's agenda of bolstering the military and easing the limits of the pacifist post-war constitution on Japan's armed forces as a prelude to revising the U.S.-drafted charter have raised concerns in China, while Japan is worried about Beijing's military build-up and its maritime ambitions.

(This story has been refiled to add the word "an" in the lead para)

(Additional reporting by Elaine Lies, Cheng Leng and Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo, Ben Blanchard in Beijing and Jane Chung in Seoul; Writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Richard Pullin, John Mair and Ron Popeski)

Indonesian anti-graft agency arrests head of energy regulator

Posted:

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's anti-graft agency on Wednesday arrested the head of the energy regulator to probe allegations he took more than half a million dollars from an oil firm, piling more uncertainty on energy policy in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

The arrest is a new blow to Indonesia's attempts to attract more investment from international energy companies, several of which have threatened to scale back operations due to uncertainty about the investment environment.

The former OPEC member's oil output is declining, and the country has faced criticism for unclear regulations and complaints about a nationalist stance on resources.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Agency (KPK) said SKKMigas Chairman Rudi Rubiandini had been caught taking around $400,000 (257,616 pounds) in a black brief case and ownership documents for a BMW motorcycle from the owner of Singapore-based Kernel Oil, Simon Tanjaya. An additional $190,000 was found in the chairman's residence, KPK spokesman Johan Budi said.

KPK said it was the biggest cash seizure by the agency in its 10-year history.

Kernel Oil officials in Singapore and Indonesia declined to comment, while Rubiandini could not be reached for comment.

The firm buys crude from Indonesia's SKKMigas and then sells it to international markets. It also supplies oil products to Indonesia.

Finance Minister Chatib Basri told Reuters that while the government was committed to zero tolerance of corruption the case did send a "bad signal to investors."

Some oil company officials were also shocked by the news.

"This industry is already tough to deal with and it shouldn't be weighed down by this sort of scandal," said an official at a foreign oil firm with operations in Indonesia.

The oil and gas sector is politically crucial, accounting for about a fifth of Indonesia's government revenue.

Indonesia was once self-sufficient in oil and gas but has been struggling for years to attract investment to halt declining output from a peak of around 1.6 million barrels per day in 1995. Indonesia produced an average 831,000 bpd in the first half this year.

LATEST HIGH-PROFILE GRAFT SCANDAL

Rubiandini was appointed in January to head SKKMigas after the independent industry regulator BPMigas was declared unconstitutional. Some experts say the motivation was to gain greater control over the sector after SKKMigas was placed within the energy ministry.

SKKMigas denied the arrest would damage Indonesia's oil operations. The agency has existing contracts with oil majors including BP Plc, Chevron and Exxon Mobil.

"Operations will continue to run. There is no impact," Biantoro said. "For now, with the vacuum in the top post, there are no crucial issues that need to be decided upon."

Energy Minister Jero Wacik said Rubiandini has been temporarily suspended as SKKMigas chairman and would be replaced by Vice Chairman Johanes Widjonarko.

The SKKMigas chairman is the latest high-profile government official to be accused of corruption in Indonesia.

KPK in December named Youth and Sports Minister Andi Alfian Mallarangeng as a corruption suspect, while senior police official Djoko Susilo is currently on trial for money laundering.

While foreign investment continues to pour into the resource-rich country, there are growing concerns that rampant corruption and an incompetent bureaucracy could throttle growth and see that investment turned away.

(Additional reporting by Nilufar Rizki and Kanupryia Kapoor in Jakarta and Rujun Shen in Singapore; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Ed Davies)

Central African Republic on brink of collapse - U.N.

Posted:

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Central African Republic is on the brink of collapse and the crisis is threatening to spread beyond its borders, senior U.N. officials said on Wednesday as they urged the Security Council to help fund and support an African Union peacekeeping force.

The landlocked former French colony - one of the poorest places on earth - has been plunged into chaos since the Seleka rebels seized power from President Francois Bozize four months ago, triggering a humanitarian crisis in the heart of Africa.

The African Union this month rolled an existing 1,100-strong regional peacekeeping mission, known as MICOPAX, into a new, larger AU peacekeeping force. The number of troops will be more than tripled to 3,600 and the force has an AU mandate to protect civilians, help stabilize the country and restore government.

"The African Union has requested financial, logistical and technical support. We have recommended to the council to provide this support. We have also recommended to better adapt the U.N. (political) mission to the current situation," U.N. envoy to the Central African Republic, retired Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, said.

The African Union and United Nations plan to send experts to the Central African Republic shortly to assess exactly what was needed and U.N. diplomats said that on the basis of those reports the Security Council would respond with a resolution.

Gaye and U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic both signalled to the Security Council that the AU force would not be enough to combat the crisis in the Central African Republic, which borders six other states.

"A much larger and nationally more diversified force is needed to provide security and protect the population," Simonovic said. "Such a force would also prevent foreign rebel groups, such as the Lord's Resistance Army or Islamist extremist groups, from finding a safe haven in the country."

'TOTAL BREAKDOWN'

The U.N. Security Council said in a statement after Wednesday's meeting that it was willing "to consider all potential options to stabilize the Central African Republic (CAR)."

"The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the security situation in CAR, characterized by a total breakdown in law and order, and the absence of the rule of law," the statement said.

"They stressed that the armed conflict and crisis in CAR pose a serious threat to the stability of the CAR and the region," it said.

U.N. aid chief Valerie Amos told the council the Central African Republic was at risk of becoming a failed state.

She said every one of the country's 4.6 million people - half of whom are children - had been affected by the crisis. About 1.6 million of them are in dire need of assistance. More than 206,000 people have been internally displaced and nearly 60,000 have fled to neighbouring countries.

"It is critical for the continued safety of humanitarian operations that the AU mission has the funds and logistical support to operate effectively," Amos told the 15-member Security Council.

"The failure to act now could not only prolong and exacerbate the appalling conditions the people of the Central African Republic have had to endure, but could also see the crisis spread beyond its borders and throughout a region already facing enormous challenges," she said.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star eCentral: Movie Reviews

0 ulasan 9:10 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star eCentral: Movie Reviews

Coming soon: The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Posted:

Ben Stiller is set to release his new movie on Christmas Day.

Actor Ben Stiller directs and stars in this adventure/comedy/fantasy film which revolves around, well, Walter Mitty.

Now, Walter must do something about his boring life for real. He does, of course, and ends up haivng a global adventure more extraordinary than he could have ever dreamed.

The film is scheduled to open on Christmas Day (Dec 25) and also stars Kristen Wiig (pic above, with Stiller) and Shirley MacLaine.

Reviving the film industry

Posted:

Pakistan will send an entry to the Oscars for the first time in nearly 50 years as its struggling film industry shows signs of revival, the country's first Oscar winner said last week.

Pakistan has previously submitted just two motion pictures for Oscar consideration.

"We are seeking films that represent the best of Pakistani cinema and will aptly represent our country in the heavily contested Best Foreign Language Film category," Chinoy told AFP.

"We are inviting and encouraging all Pakistani filmmakers to submit their entries and are looking forward to positive feedback and support from our film and arts industry in this regard," she added.

The country's lone Oscar winner said Pakistan's film industry was going through a period of revival after decades of struggling.

"Over the past two years, we have seen a significant rise in the number and nature of films being produced locally, from independent art films to blockbuster song and dance thrillers," she added.

"It may take time but I have no doubt that the film industry will prosper if nurtured properly." — AFP Relaxnews

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

0 ulasan 9:03 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Return of 'Homeland'

Posted:

Homeland reveals a trailer for its upcoming third season.

Showtime has released the first trailer for the upcoming season of its captivating political thriller Homeland, which will air in the United States from Sept 29.

After an award-winning second season that was watched by nearly two million viewers in the US, Homeland is in the news again this week, more than a month before its much-anticipated return to the airwaves.

Viewers who followed the escapades of Brody, Carrie and Saul over the past two seasons will be reunited with the characters, now in serious crisis.

Forced to flee after an attack that destroyed the CIA headquarters, Brody will wear a closely shaved head while on the lam.

For their part, Carrie and Saul will take to the witness stand during hearings over the devastating events that concluded the second season.

Homeland will pick up where it left off from Sept 29 on Showtime in the US. Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin will all be back for 12 episodes. — AFP Relaxnews

Mary Lynn Rajskub returns to 24

Posted:

MARY Lynn Rajkub will once again slip into the role of the analyst Chloe O'Brian for the miniseries 24: Live Another Day, expected out on Fox in the US next year.

Featured in seasons three to eight of 24, the actress will join Kiefer Sutherland on screen for 12 new episodes of the show in the form of a miniseries, where a new terrorist threat will bring Jack Bauer and Chloe out of retirement.

Nerdy and somewhat awkward, but highly effective, Chloe remains Jack's most trusted ally.

24: Live Another Day will air on Fox in the spring of 2014.

The screenplay sets the miniseries several years after the eighth season of 24, aired in 2010.

The show's principle of real-time storytelling will remain, but in a slightly compressed version: the 24-hour day is now condensed into 12 episodes instead of 24.

Jack Bauer's comeback will rely on the expertise of Howard Gordon, executive producer throughout the run of 24.

The screenwriter and producer is also behind another hit action TV series currently airing, Homeland. — AFP Relaxnews

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Business

0 ulasan 7:27 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Business

Support Line
Malaysia’s KLCI slips in early trade, MAS most active
Star posts RM28.5mil net profit for Q2

Support Line

Posted:

COASTAL Contacts lost one sen to RM2.82 on extended range-bound consolidation. Based on the daily chart, a push above the immediate resistance of RM2.94 is likely to send prices up to challenge the all-time peak of RM3.16 and, thereafter, explore unknown territory. Strong support is seen at the RM2.53-level.

SUMATEC Resources hit a high of 60.5 sen, the best level since February 2008. Technically, the prevailing trend is firmly bullish, implying more scaling in the pipeline. Solid support is pegged at the 14-day simple moving average of 43 sen. To the upside, a clear breakout of the 60-63 sen range may propel prices to the RM1.14-RM1.20 band in the medium term.

SUPERMAX Corp touched a near three-year high of RM2.44 in early session before reversing owing to apparent profit-taking activity. For now, the topping out sign of the stochastic at the overbought area suggests correction in the short term, but it is viewed as an opportunity. Concrete support and heavy resistance are envisaged at the RM2.24-RM2.26 and RM2.47-RM2.50 ranges respectively.

The comments above do not represent a recommendation to buy or sell.

Malaysia’s KLCI slips in early trade, MAS most active

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's FBM KLCI extended its losses in early Thursday trade in the absence of strong catalysts to spur buying interest, as the early weakness reflected the weaker Asian markets.

The weakening ringgit after Fitch Rating's move to downgrade the outlook for Malaysia on concerns about a widening fiscal deficit also saw investors staying on the sidelines.

Reuters reported Asian stocks got off to a weak start on Thursday, as uncertainty on when the US Federal Reserve may start to pare back its stimulus offset any cheer from a brighter economic picture in Europe.

The US dollar was also on the defensive, mainly hamstrung by the lack of clarity around the Fed's stimulus plans in the coming months, said the wire report.

At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI was down 2.28 points to 1,791.45 at 9.10am. Turnover was 144.39 million shares valued at RM49.35mil. There were 92 gainers, 123 losers and 129 counters unchanged.

Ibraco fell the most, down 33 sen to RM1.51 with 15,500 shares done.

Among the plantations, United Plantations fell 32 sen to RM26 with 100 shares done while PPB Group lost eight sen to RM14.80.

HL Bank lost eight sen to RM4.10 and Maybank six sen to RM10.44. Insurer Takaful lost 19 sen to RM9.30 on profit taking.

MMHE fell eight sen to RM4.10. CIMB Equities Research maintained its target price of RM4 for MMHE.

The research house sees a better second half of 2013 for MMHE after its first half results were at 36% of full-year forecast and 38% of consensus.

MAS was the most active with 16.61 million shares done, shedding 0.5 sen to 33.5 sen.

Faber was again in the spotlight, rising six sen to RM2.60.

Star posts RM28.5mil net profit for Q2

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR: Star Publications (M) Bhd posted a net profit of RM28.5mil for the second quarter ended June 30 and declared a first interim dividend of six sen per share.

In the second quarter, the media group's revenue increased to RM251.32mil compared with RM220.62mil in the preceding quarter ended March 31. Earnings per share for the quarter stood at 3.87 sen.

For the first six months, the group posted a net profit of RM54.6mil or 7.4 sen earnings per share. Revenue was lower at RM471.9mil for the period against RM529.4mil a year ago, mainly due to fewer projects completed in the current period by Cityneon and lower advertising revenue for the first half of the year.

"In the media sector, advertising expenditure has remained soft but is expected to gradually pick up in the second half of this year as sentiment improves with the seasonality effect," Star Publications commented on its prospects for the current year.

"The media related segments of the group, such as the print, new media, broadcasting and television will continue their efforts in growing the advertising revenue and to offer wider advertising platforms to its clients."

It also said that in the events and exhibition business segment, Cityneon is expected to turn around its business in 2013 as a result of significant cost savings. Its sales order book stands at S$93mil to date, of which 70% is expected to be realised this financial year.

I.Star Ideas Factory (Perfect Livin'), meanwhile would continue its efforts to grow its revenue and profits by organising more events in 2013 compared to 2012.

"The company and board of directors expect the business environment in the media industry to remain highly challenging in 2013, and will do its best to ensure satisfactory performance for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2013," it said.

In reviewing its performance, Star Publications said print revenue for the first half declined to RM356.54mil from RM381.46mil a year ago mainly due to lower advertising revenue. New Media revenue decreased by 23.2% to RM11.42mil in the first six months. Overall, pre-tax profit for print and new media fell by 20.5% to RM85.33mil in the first half.

Its radio broadcasting segment's revenue decreased 5.4% to RM24.69mil from RM26.11mil due to lower airtime revenue. Higher advertising and promotion for the branding of RedFM and 988's radio stations as well as Capital FM's first year anniversary have caused the segment to suffer a loss before tax of RM3.48mil in the first half.

In addition, its event, exhibition, interior and thematic division which comprises Cityneon and Perfect Livin' saw its revenue decreased to RM72.26mil mainly due to fewer projects completed in the current period by Cityneon. Perfect Livin' recorded revenue amounted to RM12.73mil in the first six months.

Revenue from Li TV Holdings Ltd increased to RM3.13mil in the first six months compared with RM3.1mil posted a year ago. However, due to high marketing and staff costs, it recorded a pre-tax loss of RM3.72mil in the current period under review.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

0 ulasan 3:30 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

True Blood Drinks & Bites

Posted:

THERE isn't a great deal of cocktail drinking on True Blood, the HBO series set in the vampire- and werewolf-infested town of Bon Temps. The vampires drink blood, or the synthetic version that gives the series its name. The humans drink mostly beer and the occasional spirit, as when Sam Merlotte caught his cook, Lafayette, drinking "the good tequila" after-hours in one episode.

Which means the cocktails in True Blood Drinks & Bites, a novelty book released to coincide with the new season, are created (by recipe developer Dawn Yanagihara) mostly for fan fun and don't necessarily reflect the drinking choices of series protagonist Sookie Stackhouse and friends. (The book is credited to Alan Ball, the show's creator and executive producer; Gianna Sobol, associated producer; and Benjamin Hayes, writers' assistant.)

The slim volume is heavy with the colour red – blood red. Nearly every drink is red or close to red, a hue imparted by an impressive range of ingredients: raspberries, blood oranges, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, grenadine, cherry juice, Campari and sweet red vermouth. (The gin-based MoonGoddess, coloured by green chartreuse, is a notable exception to the theme.)

Plenty of non-alcoholic punches and such are offered up along with the cocktails.

With lots of stills from the show, quotes from characters ("I tell you what, I am sick and tired of waiting around to get strangled," Sookie says) and groan-inducing recipe names such as Arti-Choked-to-Death Dip (really?), the book is more campy curiosity than cookbook. Still, it might make a funny hostess gift for a True Blood viewing party. Maybe present it with a batch of Dead Red Cupcakes. – Chicago Tribune/McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

0 ulasan 3:16 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

Coming soon: The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Posted:

Ben Stiller is set to release his new movie on Christmas Day.

Actor Ben Stiller directs and stars in this adventure/comedy/fantasy film which revolves around, well, Walter Mitty.

Now, Walter must do something about his boring life for real. He does, of course, and ends up haivng a global adventure more extraordinary than he could have ever dreamed.

The film is scheduled to open on Christmas Day (Dec 25) and also stars Kristen Wiig (pic above, with Stiller) and Shirley MacLaine.

Reviving the film industry

Posted:

Pakistan will send an entry to the Oscars for the first time in nearly 50 years as its struggling film industry shows signs of revival, the country's first Oscar winner said last week.

Pakistan has previously submitted just two motion pictures for Oscar consideration.

"We are seeking films that represent the best of Pakistani cinema and will aptly represent our country in the heavily contested Best Foreign Language Film category," Chinoy told AFP.

"We are inviting and encouraging all Pakistani filmmakers to submit their entries and are looking forward to positive feedback and support from our film and arts industry in this regard," she added.

The country's lone Oscar winner said Pakistan's film industry was going through a period of revival after decades of struggling.

"Over the past two years, we have seen a significant rise in the number and nature of films being produced locally, from independent art films to blockbuster song and dance thrillers," she added.

"It may take time but I have no doubt that the film industry will prosper if nurtured properly." — AFP Relaxnews

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Nation

0 ulasan 3:13 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Nation

Woman escapes kidnap bid in Bangsar
Top 50 bidders picked for final stage of contest
Gangsters fish at schools

Woman escapes kidnap bid in Bangsar

Posted:

PETALING JAYA: Walking along a main road in Bangsar during broad daylight, the last thing Tina (name changed) expected was to be grabbed from behind with a knife held to her neck.

The traumatised 28-year-old legal adviser said she was approaching the junction of the Jalan Maarof traffic lights near the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque when she was attacked at 6pm last Friday.

"I could feel the knife although I couldn't see it under my collar. I fought him off with both hands while screaming at him," she said, adding that her attacker, who looked foreign, had been in a grey Toyota Vios.

Her case, described as an attempted kidnapping, was posted on the Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign Facebook page and was shared 531 times as of 6pm yesterday.

She said her attacker had not attempted to grab her handphone or handbag and he and his accomplice had made an illegal U-turn and sped off towards the city centre after the failed kidnapping attempt.

Shockingly, Tina said no one had really tried to help her although several cars stopped at the red light.

A couple in a black Toyota Alphard finally came to her assistance and took her to the Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, as well as calling a policeman to record her statement there.

They told her they had made a U-turn after spotting the incident from the other side of the road.

"When I asked the police to check for CCTV footage of the car, I was informed the CCTV was under the jurisdiction of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and that it wasn't working," she said, adding that her case was now being followed up by a CID officer.

Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign founder Mark, who only wants to be known by his first name, said there were more than 40,000 followers on the page.

The 39-year-old businessman said his team would verify the crime incidents they heard about, including checking for police reports and speaking with the source of the stories, before sharing it on the page.

Top 50 bidders picked for final stage of contest

Posted:

PETALING JAYA: Tabulation for the highest bidders for prizes under the final fourth series of The Star's Bid & Win promotion has been completed.

The highest bidders for each prize will soon be contacted by the promotion management agency and they will be required to answer a question related to the contest.

If their answers are correct, they will then be given two days to submit the correct amount of original Star Points.

Present for the tabulation process were Star Publications (M) Bhd internal audit executive Cynthia Ann Marion, Nasim Sdn Bhd marketing and communications executive Leong Ee Mun and Alliance Bank group internal audit vice-president Tan Sze Mei.

They later signed off a list verifying the top 50 bidders for prizes in the series.

These names will then be verified against the human resources data of The Star, Alliance Bank, the Naza Group and other agencies involved.

Based on the number of bids received for this series, the popular prizes were the iPad Mini 64GB 4G, the Samsung Galaxy S4, Xbox 360 Slim 4GB, the iMAC 21.5" 2.7GHz and the Merdeka grand prize of two Peugeot 408 Turbo cars.

The Star's Bid & Win promotion is held in conjunction with the 56th Merdeka celebrations.

For this final fourth series, the total number of special prizes were also increased from the usual 10 to 56 – to commemorate the nation's 56th year of independence – while all Alliance Bank deposit account holders were entitled to a bonus 10,000 Star Points.

Alliance Bank and Naza Group of Companies' subsidiary Nasim are the partners of the promotion.

Gangsters fish at schools

Posted:

PETALING JAYA: Despite gangs preying on students in their "recruitment drive", it is fortunate that not all of those who are approached succumb to their overtures.

One student, Raj*, said he had been asked numerous times since he was in Form Two but he managed to refuse gang members every time.

"After school ended, one or two former students would be waiting outside the compound, scouting for those who could be 'useful'," he said.

Due to his physical size, Raj said gang members had told him he would be an asset to them.

"I politely told them I had to concentrate on my studies and make my parents proud," he said.

However, he said some of his friends fell into the circle and subsequently their studies suffered.

Another student, Gerald*, who is now pursuing a college diploma, said he was threatened by gang members who tried to force him to join them during his school days.

"They said that they would protect me from Malay and Chinese gangs if I paid them protection money," said Gerald, adding that they also wanted him to help them recruit others.

When he turned down their requests, the gang members made threats about harming his family.

"I wasn't afraid because of my father (who was a policeman). I felt protected all the time," he said.

One teacher from Ipoh was aware of the situation but she said the authorities could not do anything as these activities happened outside of the school compound and after school hours.

"Some students are good at keeping a low profile in school so that they do not become the target of a disciplinary query," she said.

She said there was no telling who would be targeted by the gangs.

"The main factor is home influence. Students who have a solid family foundation, a good religious background and are focused are able to reject the gangs," she said.

She claimed that many students these days lacked parental supervision and were easily influenced by their peers.

However, there can be no escaping the gangs sometimes.

The teacher spoke of one student who was happy to be part of a gang as he could make money easily.

She had spoken to him and asked him to leave the gang.

"He told me that his father was part of the gang and that he could never quit," she said.

(*Names have been changed to protect their identity.)

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Metro: Central

0 ulasan 1:35 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Metro: Central

Survivor returns with ashes

Posted:

SONG Seoung Hwan, who watched his family die in last week's road tragedy on the Central Expressway, is alive today only because he was at the side of the car jacking it up.

That act saved his life when a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) ploughed into his parents, his sister and her boyfriend, who were standing at the rear of the Toyota Wish at 4am last Friday.

The 30-year-old Korean said at Changi Airport last night: "My mum was thrown about 30m to 40m away.

"My dad and sister lay right in front of the wheels of the MPV."

Song, a professional golfer based in China, returned to South Korea yesterday with his family's ashes. But that horrific split second in which he lost his family continues to haunt him.

"I turned around and I saw the car speeding towards us and hit us," he recounted with trembling lips.

"I was unhurt. I don't know why."

At the time of the accident, Song was kneeling on the right side of the car, which had suffered a punctured tyre.

It was pulled over on the chevron area when the MPV slammed into them.

His sister Jamie Song Jisoo, 24, his father Song Jung Woo, 56, and mother Kim Mee Kyung, 54, were killed at the scene of the accident.

Jamie's boyfriend, Singaporean Amron Ayoub, 23, died later in hospital.

He had been taking the family to the airport.

According to Song, Amron was trying to retrieve the spare tyre from the car boot when he was struck by the MPV.

Song said: "On the day of the accident, I told Amron, 'You are a second brother to me'."

The last time he saw Amron alive, the Singaporean was being taken away in an ambulance.

Another ambulance ferried the MPV driver, who complained of chest pains, said Song.

The MPV driver was later arrested for dangerous driving causing death and has since been released on bail. Police said investigations are ongoing.

Yesterday morning, mourners flew in from Korea for the funeral of Jamie and her parents.

About 100 relatives and friends came to pay their respects.

Amron's family, who had buried him last Friday, also attended the funeral at Mandai Crematorium.

They sobbed loudly as the covers of the three coffins were lifted for them to take a final look.

Song, his brother Jihwan, 28, and their relatives went from his father's coffin on the left to his mother's, then his sister's.

They spoke to the deceased in Korean and wept as they reached out to touch their faces and kissed them goodbye for the last time.

A hat was placed in the father's coffin, and some clothes and cards were placed in Jamie's.

The Song brothers had to be restrained to allow the bodies to be cremated.

After composing himself, the older brother said he would return for the outcome of police investigations and to attend any court hearing.

"It is not over yet," he vowed. "I will be back." — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Firm launches in-flight prayer app for Muslims

Posted:

A SINGAPORE-based company has launched an iPhone app alerting Muslims when to pray and in which direction they should face even when they're 10,000m in the air.

Travellers input the flight details and are provided with prayer times during their journey, as well as the direction of the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

Crescentrating, a firm that gives "halal" or Islam-compliant ratings to hotels and other travel-related establishments, plans to make the free app, called Crescent Trips, available to Android smartphones within months, chief executive Fazal Bahardeen said.

The app also includes audio clips of prayers Muslims – required to pray five times daily at certain hours – recite when they travel. — AFP

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health

0 ulasan 11:35 PG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health

What is breakbone fever?

Posted:

Some may call it breakbone fever, but we all know it as dengue fever.

MY daughter was recently diagnosed with dengue fever. She had a fever and a rash, and when we took her to the doctor, he sent us to the hospital because he said she had to be hospitalised. She is warded now and has been put on a drip. Is dengue fever dangerous?

Yes, dengue fever can be dangerous because of the possibility of bleeding. That is why your daughter is being warded in the hospital. There is no cure, and the only care is supportive. There is no vaccine for it either.

Dengue fever is actually caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by the mosquito called Aedes, primarily Aedes aegypti.

Generally, the virus is called the dengue virus. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus, so it's possible to get dengue fever four times in your lifetime.

The good thing is that once you suffer a particular subtype of dengue, you are immune to that subtype for the rest of your life. (With only three more subtypes to go.)

Dengue is also called "breakbone fever" or "dandy fever", because the aches in the bones of the patients can be very severe. The word "dandy" came about because in the past, slaves in Honduras were in such pain that their posture and gait were altered. In fact, Honduras is in a state of emergency right now over a dengue outbreak which killed several people.

Dengue fever can affect anyone, but it tends to be more severe in people whose immune systems are compromised in any way, such as those with AIDS, or who are on chemotherapy.

How would I know if I have dengue fever?

The usual form of dengue fever (without bleeding) happens around five to eight days (but can be up to two weeks) after you get bitten by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus.

Then you get headache and chills. The pain is classically concentrated behind your eyes, but this is not necessarily always so. You can also experience backache.

Your joints and legs ache all over during the first few hours. After that, the fever spikes. It can be very high (around 40 degrees Celsius), and you will feel very ill. For some reason, your heart rate is low for the fever, and you can experience low blood pressure.

Your eyes become very red, and a pink rash starts to appear on your face (can also manifest as flushing). This soon disappears. Your lymph nodes in your neck and groin are often swollen.

After two to four days, your body temperature drops, and you experience a lot of sweating. You feel relatively well for a day or so, and you think it's over. But it isn't.

You can have another spike of fever, followed by a red (rosy) rash that covers your entire body (except for your face).

How can dengue fever make me bleed?

The more severe type of dengue (haemorrhagic fever) may manifest with petechiae, which are small red blotches of bleeding under your skin. You can have bleeding in your nose and gums, and also easy bruising. Your stools may even be black because of bleeding, and you can cough or spit out blood. There may be inflammation of your heart and lungs, as well as abdominal pain.

This is the type of dengue that can be very dangerous and can progress to an even more severe form of dengue fever: dengue shock syndrome.

The death rate in dengue hemorrhagic fever is around 2.5%.

What happens to me once I'm hospitalised with dengue fever?

Your blood work will be taken. In particular, the doctor will be monitoring (and in some occasions twice a day if it's very serious) your platelet count daily.

Platelets are the blood factors that stop bleeding.

You feel extremely dehydrated when you have dengue fever, and you may feel thirsty all the time. So the doctor may connect you to an intravenous drip to ensure you are well-hydrated.

There are no antivirals to be given for dengue, and you can't take medicines like Tamiflu either. So the hospital staff will just observe you, and the moment your platelet counts climb up and you are better, you may be discharged to go home to recuperate.

How long will I really take to recover?

Most patients stay in hospital for a few days, and then they are discharged home to recuperate.

The acute phase of the disease (with fever and body as well as joint aches) usually lasts for one or two weeks. You may actually take several weeks to recover because there is usually residual weakness. In general, you can go back to school or work in three weeks.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health advice, computers and entertainment. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 14 Ogos 2013