"Wake Me Up When September Ends"

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass

seven years has gone so fast

wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again falling from the stars

drenched in my pain again

becoming who we are

as my memory rests

but never forgets what I lost

wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

ring out the bells again

like we did when spring began

wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again falling from the stars

drenched in my pain again

becoming who we are

as my memory rests

but never forgets what I lost

wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and passed

the innocent can never last

wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass

twenty years has gone so fast

wake me up when September ends

wake me up when September ends

 wake me up when September ends

Raja Petra vows to die in silence if re-arrested

Rebel blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has vowed to die in silence as a sign of protest if he is re-arrested on what many believe are politically motivated grounds. His pledge came as a court was due to rule whether he is to return to prison under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA),

Raja Petra, who has risen to prominence as a pro-opposition blogger, was arrested on 12 September after accusations lodged by several religious groups who claim that he offended Islam in an article published on 8 August.

He was released on 7 November last year but the government has appealed the court decision and a verdict is expected on Tuesday (today –ed.).

“I shall no longer open my mouth or utter one word during my detention. I shall maintain the silence of a mute person. I shall not sign any documents of the so many documents that they make you sign when under detention," he said.

"My signature is not going to be placed on a single shred of paper,” he wrote in his blog, ‘Malaysia Today’ acknowledging that the move could have dire consequences.

”I shall refuse all medical treatment and visits to the hospital. I shall refuse to accept any food and water supplied by the authorities.

"I shall refuse to leave my cell or to meet any of the prison authorities. In short, I shall shut myself out from the world and keep to my own world of my eight feet square cell.

“This action will mean I shall survive at the most seven to eight days,” he added.

Raja Petra blamed deputy prime minister Najib Razak for his arrest and for what he calls his political persecution.

Najib has been among Raja Petra’s main targets in his blog.

In his most controversial article “Let’s Send Altantuya’s Murderers to Hell”, published on 25 April, Raja Petra said that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were involved in the killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Translator and former model, the Mongolia-born Shaariibuu, 28, was shot twice in the head, and her body was blown up with explosives, in a jungle outside Kuala Lumpur in October, 2006.

“I am totally sure that Najib (Razak) is involved. And at the very least, he should be investigated,” Raja Petra told Adnkronos International (AKI).

““I am aware that I have raised the stakes with this article and I am prepared to go all the way,” he added.

Najib has denied any involvement in the case and has sworn at a mosque that he never met Shaariibuu. He has also denied any involvement in the arrest of Raja Petra.

The ISA was inherited by Malaysia after it gained independence from Britain in 1957. In essence, it allows for the arrest of any person without the need for trial in certain circumstances. – AKI via DSAI

George Clooney smitten by Fatima Bhutto

Hollywood's most eligible bachelor may be about to be taken off the market - by a member of Pakistan's greatest political dynasty.

George Clooney is known for dating cocktail waitresses, actresses and models - and is famous for betting on his own bachelorhood.

Fatima Bhutto is the niece of slain Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - a 'brainy foreign beauty' 21 years younger than the actor, who is 47.

Fatima Bhutto is a poet and journalist who lives with her brother and stepmother in Karachi. – DM pix

But an American report that, despite the odds, the pair are embroiled in a secret affair, has thrown all of Pakistan into a frenzy.

The National Enquirer claimed Clooney is smitten by the 26-year-old Bhutto, an outspoken poet and journalist who lives with her brother and step-mother in a Karachi suburb.

'George has courted her by phone and email, and arranged to meet her abroad when their schedules allowed,' a friend of the actor's told the Enquirer.

'Now he wants her to spend time with him in Hollywood.

'He's still out there with his usual assortment of eye candy hanging from his arm.

But George insists those days could be coming to an end if Fatima wants to take their relationship to the next level.'

But the eye candy and the long distance may not be the biggest stumbling block that Clooney faces in his quest to get the girl.

Fatima Bhutto was also said to believe their age differences made any relationship 'impractical'.

She was educated at New York's prestigious Columbia University and well aware of Clooney's heart throb status before they met, the newspaper reported.

'But she didn't take his advances seriously because she thought their age difference would make a serious relationship impractical,' it claimed.

However Clooney's profound interest in world affairs - which has often carried him into the political realm - may provide him and Bhutto with some common ground.

Fatima is reported to be contesting her late aunt's former seat in the Larkana constituency in the next elections.

She is also a prominent intellectual who has published a book of poetry, The Whispers of the Desert, and a memoir of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

And her journalist background - she often writes newspaper columns criticizing Pakistan's government - will strike a chord with Clooney, whose father Nick Clooney is a famous newspaper reporter and politician in the United States. – DM via NST

‘Anu Dalam Botol’: She is courting trouble

Writer-producer Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman (pix) is going to produce a film on a subject so taboo that it may well be banned by the National Censorship Board.

Yet, the feisty director said she would fight tooth and nail to get Anu Dalam Botol made and released.

(Anu is colloquial Malay for the male genital.)

"The film will be based on a true story of a friend," said Raja Azmi.
"I want to get it made because I don't want others to suffer like him."

The film tells the story of a homosexual who decides to cut off his private part to show his love for his lover. The private part was kept in a bottle.

Unfortunately, his lover wants him as a man, not a woman, and they break up. When the unlucky man later falls in love with a woman, he regrets losing his manhood.

"My message is simple -- don't do stupid things for love."

The project, scheduled to roll in April, is considered too "hot" to handle by two actors who were offered the part - Anuar Zain and Aaron Aziz. They declined the offer.

Anuar declined because he was not ready to act again after Bintang Hati in 2004, which was a box office failure.

Aaron turned it down upon advice by a men's skin care product company, for which he is the spokesperson.

"The actors I've short-listed for the two leading roles will come for a closed-door casting session on Feb 24.

"I'm confident of finding my two same-sex lovers."

Raja Azmi said the film would feature several intimate scenes, including kissing.

Among the actors on her short-list are Jehan Miskin, Ashraf Muslim, Awal Ashari (pix), Remy Ishak and Iqram Dinzly.

But will the film get past the National Censorship Board, which banned Hollywood's Brokeback Mountain, an award-winning film about two gay cowboys because it was deemed unsuitable for Malaysian audiences?

The board also banned Bukak Api, an independent film directed by Osman Ali about a group of transvestites, made in 2000.

"I don't want to worry about censorship now. I want to make the film and tell the story," said Raja Azmi. – NST

Rihanna postpones Friday's concert

R&B star Rihanna postponed a concert in Malaysia's capital, organisers said Tuesday, after pulling out of the recent Grammy awards following an allegation of domestic violence involving her boyfriend.

The Malaysian organisers, Pineapple Concerts, said the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles had told them Friday's concert would be rescheduled.

It did not refer to the alleged assault, but said that "in light of recent events involving Rihanna", a new date would be set within two weeks.

Rihanna's Concert in Kuala Lumpur Postponed

Organizers have confirmed that Rihanna's concert in Kuala Lumpur (Friday, 02/13/09 –ed.) will be rescheduled due to recent events involving the singer.

According Razman Razali, Managing Director of Pineapple Concerts Sdn Bhd, a new date for the event will be confirmed two weeks from now.

Pineapple also confirmed that the concert has not been cancelled merely postponed, advising ticket buyers to hold on to their tickets and wait for a future announcement regarding the replacement date.

"We sincerely regret this unavoidable shift in schedule and apologise to the fans for any inconvenience caused."

The singer, who reportedly was attacked by boyfriend Chris Brown, also pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday evening.

19 year-old performer Chris Brown handed himself in to police custody after the incident. According to a USA Today article, Brown was released after posting $50,000 bail on a felony charge of suspicion of making criminal threats.

The bad publicity has already cost Brown a lucrative deal with Wrigley's Doublemint gum, to promote its product in an upcoming commercial campaign, which the company has suspended.

Good Love Gone Bad : For more on Chris and Rihanna, click here. -- Johanan Sen, MSN - Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Malaysia's conservative Islamic party PAS had called for Rihanna's performance, part of the "Good Girl Gone Bad" tour, to be banned because her outfits were too sexy.

The 20-year-old Barbados-born singer had been due to perform early in the Grammy Awards on Sunday before organizers abruptly announced her withdrawal just before the event.

A Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman neither confirmed nor denied that Rihanna was the victim in an alleged domestic violence incident on Sunday involving her boyfriend, singer-songwriter Chris Brown. – Agence France-Presse - 2/10/2009 10:24 AM GMT

Yusuf Islam writes musical, Moonshadow

Yusuf Islam - formerly known as Cat Stevens - has written a musical featuring his classic tracks.

'Moonshadow' - which features classic songs from the artist, formerly known as Cat Stevens, including 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Wild World' - debuts in Northampton this July, and if successful it will have a run in London's West End.

Original 'Mamma Mia!' cast member Siobhan McCarthy is singing previews from the show as part of the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Awards, hosted by comic actors James Cordon and Sheridan Smith, at the Prince of Wales Theatre on February 15.

Yusuf, 60, recently revealed he is recording a new studio album with his old label Island Records, which released his acclaimed albums 'Teaser and The Firecat' and 'Tea For The Tillerman'.

Last month, the singer released cover version for charity of George Harrison's 'The Day The World Gets Round' - with long-time Beatles associate Klaus Voorman.

Yusuf said: 'George was also more responsible than any other artist for initiating pop music's movement to aid people and countries stricken by war and calamities. His 'Concert For Bangladesh' was the first of its kind. I hope this song will help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices and start to change our foolish ways.' – Bang via MSN

Be the first to know, Microsoft-backed celebrity news website unveiled

Microsoft plunged into the crowded field of online entertainment and celebrity news on Thursday, taking the wraps off a new website known as Wonderwall.

Wonderwall.com is a joint venture between MSN, the Internet arm of the US software giant, and BermanBraun Interactive, a media company based in Santa Monica, California.

"Wonderwall offers people an engaging and visually dynamic perspective on the day's hottest pop culture stories, personalities and trends," MSN and BermanBraun said in a statement.

The main feature of Wonderwall.com is a nearly full-screen wall of pictures with links to stories, photo galleries and video.

The wall can be scrolled horizontally, an experience MSN and BermanBraun likened to "flipping through a favorite magazine."

The site features a feed of the latest celebrity news and categories such as "Top Celebs" and "LOL Pics," the "funniest photos of celebs from around the Web."

"Wonderwall offers a clever, thought-provoking and amusing voice to fans of celebrity and is a great addition to MSN's portfolio of entertainment content," said Rob Bennett, general manager of network programming for MSN.

Entertainment and celebrity news are among the most popular subjects for Web surfers and Wonderwall will be competing for audience with sites such as TMZ.com, people.com and perezhilton.com, to name just a few. -- Agence France-Presse - 2/5/2009 6:56 PM GMT

Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, releases song for Gaza ~ Malaysiakini

Singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, released on Sunday a charity song whose proceeds will go towards assisting Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

The new recording of the song 'The day the world gets round', originally recorded by George Harrison, features Yusuf on vocals and Klaus Voorman, known to many as the fifth Beatle, on bass.

The song can be downloaded online at different rates and its proceeds will go towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Save the Children to aid children and families in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA said in a statement.

Yusuf said on his website he hoped the recording will "help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices."

As Cat Stevens, Islam, now 59, recorded several major hits in the late 1960s and 1970s. He converted to Islam at the height of his fame in 1977, devoting himself to education and philanthropy.

Israel's 22-day offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory, which ended on January 18, killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, medics say. It also left widespread destruction.

UNRWA said the song can be purchased online at http://www.jamalrecords.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home -- Agence France-Presse - 1/26/2009 3:21 PM GMT

Rihanna too sexy for Malaysiakini

Malaysia's conservative Islamic party has called for R&B sensation Rihanna to be banned from performing here next month, saying her outfits are too sexy, a report said Wednesday.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic party (PAS), which has mounted protests against the United States over its support of Israel, said that concertgoers would also contribute to an outflow of local currency to the United States.

"Whether Rihanna realises it or not, we know that the taxes she has paid also contributed to the war in Gaza," Kamaruzaman Mohamad, a PAS youth wing leader, told the Star daily.

Kamaruzaman said that the show planned for February 13, part of Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" tour, would be an insult to Asian values as she often performed suggestively and wore skimpy outfits.

The event was "akin to insulting Eastern culture, belittling local artistes, internationally causing losses to the country's economy and supporting Israel's war policy, which is supported by America," he said.

Kamaruzaman urged authorities who issue concert permits in Muslim-majority Malaysia to reject the organiser's application.

The concert's sponsor told the daily that Rihanna has agreed to follow local regulations for her performance but did not give details.

US singer Beyonce scrapped a planned concert in Malaysia last year due to fears of protests, while Gwen Stefani went ahead with a performance but was forced to cover up after complaints about her outfits.

PAS also mounted protests against Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne's concert last year after failing to have it banned, saying her performance would weaken the younger generation "morally and mentally." -- Agence France-Presse - 1/21/2009 4:11 AM GMT

PAS bantah konsert Rihanna 13 Februari

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia:
Dewan Pemuda PAS membantah penganjuran konsert Rihanna Live in Kuala Lumpur pada 13 Februari ini atas alasan ia tidak sesuai dengan budaya tempatan dan sentimen menghormati rakyat Palestin.

Ketua Pemuda PAS Wilayah Persekutuan, Kamaruzaman Mohamad berkata, pihaknya akan menghantar memorandum bantahan dalam tempoh terdekat kepada syarikat telekomunikasi tempatan, Celcom (M) Berhad yang menaja penganjuran konsert tersebut.

KETUA Pegawai Eksekutif Celcom, Datuk Seri Shazali Ramly pada sidang akhbar berhubung penajaan penganjuran konsert "Rihanna Live in Kuala Lumpur" di ibu negara semalam. - foto The Star oleh LOW LAY PHON

"Penganjuran konsert ini menunjukkan Celcom tidak sensitif dengan budaya ketimuran kerana keperibadian penyanyi tersebut boleh merosakkan akhlak masyarakat di negera kita khusunya golongan remaja," katanya kepada mStar Online.

Tambah beliau, tingkah laku serta cara berpakaian penyanyi antarabangsa itu sangat bertentangan dengan gaya hidup timur dan amalan umat Islam.

"Dalam konsert-konsertnya sebelum ini beliau mempamerkan aksi yang cukup tidak elok dengan budaya kita serta boleh melalaikan," kata beliau.

Selain itu menurutnya, bantahan tersebut juga berasaskan kepada perkembangan terkini apabila rakyat disaran supaya memboikot produk-produk Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang selama ini menjadi sekutu kepada kekejaman Israel ke atas rakyat Palestin.

"Kita perlu boikot bukan sahaja produk malah artis-artis mereka bagi mengelakkan pengaliran wang ke AS.

"Kita sibuk menderma untuk tabung kemanusiaan Palestin, tapi pada yang sama kita sumbangkan duit untuk konsert Rihanna yang secara tak langsung menyumbang kepada kekayaan AS yang akhirnya digunakan untuk kepentingan Israel," katanya.

Jelas Kamaruzaman, pihaknya sebelum ini pernah mengadakan perbincangan dengan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) yang meluluskan permit penganjuran konsert tersebut.

"Kita sudah bincang dan mengemukakan surat bantahan kepada DBKL, tapi tiada sebarang reaksi positif, jadi nampaknya kita teruskan usaha bagi membantah penganjurannya dengan berjumpa dengan pihak pengurusan Celcom pula," katanya.

Bagaimanapun beliau berkata bantahan konsert tersebut bukan bererti PAS mengamalkan sikap antihiburan.

"Kita bukanlah antihiburan, tapi kalau hiburan atau konsert yang dianjurkan itu bertentangan dengan tuntutan Islam serta boleh merosakkan akhlak, kita tetap akan bantah.

"Kalau dianjurkan konsert yang mengikut lunas Islam, sudah pasti kita akan menyokong," katanya lagi. -- Oleh ARIFFUDDIN ISHAK, mstar - Rabu Januari 21, 2009

Tom Cruise says he dreams of killing Hitler

US actor Tom Cruise said on Sunday he had always dreamt of killing Adolf Hitler, revealing one of his motives for starring in his latest film featuring a plot to murder the Nazi leader.

In "Valkyrie" the 46-year-old plays the role of Colonel Stauffenberg, a German officer plotting to kill Hitler during World War II.

"I've always wanted to kill Hitler. I hate that guy," said Cruise, who was born 17 years after Hitler's death.

"Studying Stauffenberg and his life, I came to greatly admire him... Although the story takes place during World War II, I found the story ageless," he told a news conference in Seoul, where he was promoting the new Hollywood film.

He described making "Valkyrie" as a "very powerful experience" which he hoped his performance would communicate to the audience.

"Valkyrie" arrives in Asia on Thursday, opening in South Korean cinemas, director Bryan Singer said.

"We chose (South) Korea as the first Asian country to release the movie because it's an extraordinary rising market for both local and international films," Singer told the conference, sitting alongside Cruise.

Cruise took part in a hand-printing ceremony in front of some 500 fans in South Korea on Saturday.

One of the most popular Hollywood stars here, he has visited three times before to promote "Interview with the Vampire," "Mission Impossible 2," and "Vanilla Sky." -- Agence France-Presse - 1/18/2009 9:44 AM GMT

So Tom Cruise's aficionados [pr: af-fish-yo-nah-dos] in Malaysia, let's wait and watch this movie... yeah!

Indie time: Sundance mixes stars, newcomers, fans

PARK CITY, Jan 15 —
The Sundance Film Festival resumes its duties as a great equaliser of the cinema world.

This is where complete unknowns can suddenly find themselves sought-after talent among Hollywood distributors. This is where marquee talent such as Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Chris Rock turn up in thoughtful, non-studio flicks. And it’s where eager audiences get to grill stars and filmmakers about the creative process during question-and-answer sessions after screenings.

Overseen by Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, the festival is the nation’s top showcase for independent film. The 11-day festival includes 118 feature-length films and 96 shorts.

Opening the festival tonight is director Adam Elliot’s “Mary and Max”, a clay-animation tale about a pen-pal friendship between an 8-year-old Australian girl (voiced by Toni Collette) and an obese middle-aged New Yorker (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Filmmakers say one of the festival’s big lures is rubbing elbows with fans who brave the cold, snow and mob scene of Sundance to see something different than what they’ll find at their local multiplex.

“That’s the best thing about going to a festival, especially Sundance,” said Bobcat Goldthwait, writer-director of the dark Sundance comedy “World’s Greatest Dad,” starring Robin Williams. “I feel like I’m a rich guy who pays money to go to one of those fantasy baseball camps and gets to play baseball with the pros. That’s what it’s like for me.”

“The Office” co-star John Krasinski makes his directing debut with the comedy “Brief Interviews With Hideous Men”; Rock plays host for the documentary “Good Hair” exploring African-American hairstyles; and Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan star in the melodrama “The Greatest”.

Brosnan and Sarandon in a scene from Shana Feste’s, ‘The Greatest’, one of the films in competition at the Sundance Film Festival. — AP pic

Other big-name entries include Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke in Antoine Fuqua’s cop drama “Brooklyn’s Finest,” Uma Thurman in the domestic tale “Motherhood”, Kevin Spacey as analyst to Hollywood A-listers in “Shrink” and William Hurt and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the apartheid story “Endgame”.

Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore said key themes this time are “romance and activism”.

Sundance is heavy on cautionary environmental stories, among them the dolphin tale “The Cove”, the oil-pollution chronicle “Crude” and the earthy ecology study “Dirt! The Movie”.

“What you see is people going out and making stories not just identifying problems and documenting what that is, but trying to identify solutions,” Gilmore said. “The environmental work you see these days doesn’t end with a description of the crisis we’re in. It ends with a description of what you can do to help us get out of this crisis.”

On the romantic side, Sundance offers quirky stories of passion and affection, including “Don’t Let Me Drown”, a teen love story set in the aftermath of the Sept 11attacks; “Peter and Vandy”, chronicling a couple’s relationship from hopeful start through slow deterioration; and “Humpday”, a tale of old buddies who attempt a “work of art” — an amateur porn flick of straight guys having sex with each other.

Jim Carrey appears in his first Sundance film with one of those romances, “I Love You Phillip Morris”, playing a gay con man who meets the love of his life (Ewan McGregor) in prison.

“It’s just such a goodhearted, sweet, beautiful, really funny movie. It dares to be romantic,” Carrey said, adding a dig at Utah’s Mormon church over its involvement in the passage of California’s gay marriage ban. “I just think it’s a perfect movie for these days, and I’m just so glad it’s premiering there. First of all, it’s in Utah, which is kind of poignant after Proposition 8.” — AP via the Malaysian Insider

Revealed: Zhang Ziyi in St Barts w/ her Israeli VC fiancé Viv Nevo

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi has always had a love-hate relationship with her countrymen.

The 29-year-old "Memoirs of a Geisha" star scores pride in Chinese hearts with her international fame, yet her Westernised ways rile the same fans, who often berate her for turning her back on her roots.

The tensions went into overdrive on Monday, when topless pictures of Ziyi frolicking on the beach with her Israeli venture capitalist fiancé Viv Nevo were splashed across the Internet.

Paparazzi photograhers snapped the couple, on vacation on the ultra-exclusive Caribbean island of St Barts, getting touchy-feely with each other.

The pictures say it all: Ziyi and her beau were obviously enjoying a private moment, at a place where they thought they had all to themselves.

Yet the debate rages on: Was the media once again overly intrusive, or do the couple have no one to blame but themselves for not safeguarding their own privacy? – MORE PIXS here

Kate Winslet Bersinar di 2009

PESONA Kate Winslet tampaknya kian bersinar di 2009. Terbukti, banyak majalah internasional yang sudah mengantre ingin merangkai cerita kisah suksesnya di dunia hiburan.

Majalah Elle, misalnya. Menurut The Sun, Kamis, (1/1/2009), pemeran utama film "Titanic" ini menerima tawaran menjadi model sampul depan majalah Elle, Februari mendatang.

Hanya saja, Anda jangan berharap bisa melihatnya tampil vulgar tanpa mengenakan busana. Pasalnya, pose Kate kali ini lebih bercitra seksi dan elegan dengan busana yang memeluk tubuh.

Selain itu, Kate tidak hanya mengumbar sensualitas dalam deretan foto-foto menarik di majalah Elle. Dia juga meladeni interviu yang mengupas soal kehidupan pribadi hingga proses menantang di balik film "The Readers".

Wow, seru! -- okezone.com - 1/1/2009 1:58 AM Local Time

I'm a Tiger - Angelina Jolie

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Sahara festival opens with camel races, desert dog hunting

The 41st International Sahara Festival opened here (DOUZ, Tunisia) Thursday with camel races, desert dog hunting and Saharan music launching four days of cultural events with participants from around the world.

Horsemen parade during the opening of the Sahara International Festival in Douz, south-western Tunisia. The 41st International Sahara Festival opened with camel races, desert dog hunting and Saharan music launching four days of cultural events with participants from around the world.

More than 75,000 people attended the opening ceremony led by Tunisian Tourism Minister Khelil Lajimi in the southern city of Douz, a desert oasis at the edge of the Sahara.

Participants from France, Italy, Japan and several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are taking part in the festivities.

The first day of the festival included Saharan folk dances and exhibits of desert medicinal plants as well as dates and handcraft.

The programme includes an international conference on cultural and nature tourism in the Sahara, a poetry contest and safaris.

The festival was created 98 years ago. At the time, it only featured camel races. – AFP - Friday, December 26 via Yahoo!

Just too long, mate!

AUSTRALIA Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, David Gulpilil, David Ngoombujarra, Brandon Walters
FIRST and foremost, make sure you are mentally well-rested for this movie as it is one long journey — almost three hours!

Australia, an epic romantic action adventure, is set on the brink of World War II.

It revolves around English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels to Australia in search of her husband whom she believes is cheating on her.

During her journey through the breathtaking yet unforgiving terrain of Outback Australia, Sarah meets a rough cattleman, only known as “the drover” (Hugh Jackman), with whom she often finds herself at odds.

When a young orphan called Nullah (Brandon Walters), a half-aboriginal, half-Caucasian boy loses his mother, Sarah happily assumes the role.

Later, Sarah reluctantly joins forces with the drover to save Faraway Downs, the land which she inherited.

He helps her drive 1,500 cattle across Australia.

As if that isn’t enough, the Japanese, who had earlier attacked Pearl Harbour, attack Darwin.

War, cattle, action, adventure, love and romance... it seems that this movie has too much going on at times.

It is ambitious but we don’t think it will go down in movie history as a classic as it lacks a strong thread to hold it together.

Sure, there are great moments, for instance, the mass exodus of cattle stampeding through the beautiful yet brutal landscape, which is simply phenomenal, but there are also scenes which seem to have been borrowed from archives, such as the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

nst pix: Jackman (left) and Kidman are the pull factors for Australia.

Despite its shortcomings, it has its pull factors, namely, its cinematography, Kidman (right) and Jackman.

Having two famous Australian faces who have had a string of box-office hits does help.

Kidman’s portrayal of Sarah is probably her best work yet.

Even in her worst state, Sarah is a sight to behold. A pretty face compounded by a strong talent makes for a winning combination.

The scene involving her mothering Nullah is reminiscent of the late Princess Diana hugging leprosy patients. Simply moving and poignant.

With Jackman, his rugged good looks would make anyone want to be rescued by him.

There is also good chemistry between Kidman and Jackman and this help save an otherwise average outing.

Walters passes with flying colours as Nullah. He represents the child of an interracial society in which he is not accepted by any. One feels that this could be a story on its own.

All said, Australia is not a bad film. It is just way too long. -- By : Shuib Taib , NST’s Life & Times

However, “Watch this because I said so. Ha,” said Syahida Kamarudin here.

Ahoy, Jack Sparrow fans!

PIRATES of the Caribbean fans should tune in to Star Movies as the channel is showcasing the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy this month.

Catch the first offering, Dead Man’s Chest, on Sunday (today -ed.) and At World’s End on Dec 28, both at 10pm.

On New Year’s Eve, Star Movies is going full steam ahead with a special Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy Marathon whereby all three movies will be aired back-to-back from 6.30pm.

It begins with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl at 6.30pm, followed by the Oscar-winning sequel Dead Man’s Chest at 9pm; and concluding with At World’s End, at 11.30pm.

In Curse of the Black Pearl, roguish Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, has gained a reputation as a conman and villain.

But when the Governor’s beautiful and spirited daughter Elizabeth (played by Kiera Knightley), is kidnapped by the wily Captain Barbossa, her would-be suitor Will Turner, played by Orlanda Bloom, teams up with Jack to help rescue her.

But Jack has his own reasons for hunting down Barbossa and his cursed crew — they’ve stolen his beloved ship, The Black Pearl, and he wants it back.

Jack then returns in blockbuster sequel Dead Man’s Chest which ranks as the third most successful film in Hollywood history.

As Will and Elizabeth prepare to exchange vows, their wedding plans hit rough waters when they’re arrested for helping Jack escape.

Meanwhile, Jack faces a prison term after he reneges on a deal with Davy Jones (played by Bill Nighy), the captain of the terrifying ghost ship, Flying Dutchman.

In a bid to save his life, Jack reunites with Will and Elizabeth, and enlists help from his one-time nemesis, Captain Barbossa.

And in At World’s End, Will, Elizabeth and Captain Barbossa embark on a desperate quest to save Jack from a monstrous sea creature controlled by Davy Jones.

To complete their mission, they must travel to Singapore to confront Chinese pirate Captain Sao Feng (played by Chow Yun-fat) and sail into treacherous waters to sink the Flying Dutchman.

Meanwhile, the East India Trading Co., led by Lord Beckett (played by Tom Hollander) is trying to end piracy once and for all.

Catch the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy over Astro Channel 413. — Compiled by Sharmila Billot

Pirates of the Caribbean contest: IF you’re a feisty Pirates of the Caribbean fan, here’s your chance to win mini treasure chest sets worth RM200 each.

In conjunction with Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy, Star Movies is giving away 20 mini treasure chests.

All you have to do is say what you would do if you were a swashbuckling pirate in not more than 25 words.

E-mail your entries to: starmovies@sg.startv.com before Dec 31.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained. -- NST's Life & Times

Awie ambil tindakan UU ke atas Presiden Pekida

Penyayi dan pelakon popular tanah air, Awie atau nama sebenarnya Ahmad Azhar Othman, 40, membuat laporan polis dan akan mengambil tindakan mahkamah berhubung dakwaan mengatakan dia menjadi ketua kumpulan samseng ala kongsi gelap yang dinamakan Dragon.

Awie yang berpangkat Ayahanda dalam Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida) menafikan sepenuhnya bahawa dia menjadi ketua samseng dalam pertubuhan tersebut.

Menurut Awie, laporan polis tersebut dibuat di Balai Polis Kota Bharu, Kelantan, kira-kira jam 7:30 petang Ahad lalu kerana menganggap laporan yang dikeluarkan sebuah akhbar tempatan itu adalah fitnah yang keterlaluan ke atas dirinya.

“Dalam akhbar tersebut, Presiden Pekida, Jamaluddin Yusof melontarkan fitnah dan tohmahan ke atas diri saya yang terang-terang melabelkan saya sebagai seorang yang berbahaya.

“Saya juga terkilan dengan kenyataan beliau yang mengatakan saya mengambil wang RM3,600 daripada pengikut jika hendak bai'ah (angkat sumpah),” katanya dalam sidang media semalam.

Tambahnya, peguamnya akan mengambil tindakan di mahkamah sivil terhadap Presiden Pekida dan kepada mereka yang mensensasikan berita tersebut.

Menurut peguamnya, Md Yunos Shariff, undang-undang sivil diambil untuk membersihkan semula nama anak guamannya, manakala laporan polis dibuat untuk jenayah fitnah.

Menurut Yunos, pihaknya akan berurusan dengan pihak berkuasa dan kes tersebut dimaklumkan akan disiasat mengikut Seksyen 499 Kanun Keseksaan, dibaca bersama Seksyen 500 Kanun Keseksaan.

“Kita dalam proses penyediaan dokumen-dokumen berkaitan termasuk mengumpul segala bukti untuk menfailkan kes di mahkamah, selewat-lewatnya bulan ini,” katanya.

Turut hadir dalam sidang media tersebut adalah Pengerusi Pekida Putrajaya, Datuk Sri Jaafar Shaari dan Pengerusi Pekida Wangsa Maju, Datuk Malek Ranting yang sebelum ini dipecat daripada Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Pekida. – teks: Sinar Harian Sabtu 20 Disember 2008 (versi cetak m.s. N17), foto: murai.com

In case Malaysiakini Readers missed tis… Philippines naked run

Thirty nine fraternity students joined in the annual naked run Tuesday which turned out to be a protest against recent moves by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's allies in Congress to effect charter change which they claim will extend Arroyo's term beyond 2010.

Pix: A naked member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity gives a red rose to a student as they run naked around the Palma Hall building in the fraternity's annual naked run dubbed "The Oblation Run" at the University of the Philippines, the country's premier university, Tuesday Dec. 16, 2008 at Manila's Quezon city.

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