‘I want a margarita!’ says pregnant Oscar nominee Keira Knightley |
- ‘I want a margarita!’ says pregnant Oscar nominee Keira Knightley
- As divisions deepen, fear and silence stalk Libya
- PM urges all to stay safe on the road during CNY
- In CNY message, Muhyiddin says Malaysia a shining example of racial harmony
- Putin visits Hungary’s Orban despite East-West Ukraine tension
- Bukit Bintang City Centre: UDA needs to open up on Ecoworld deal — Arman Siddiqi
| ‘I want a margarita!’ says pregnant Oscar nominee Keira Knightley Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:50 AM PST
The 29-year-old actress and her Klaxons star husband James Righton are expecting their first baby together. Although Keira is thrilled about impending motherhood, some aspects of having a baby have been tougher than she thought — namely awards season. "I can't drink. I'm up for an Oscar and I can't drink at the Oscars," she laughed to US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. "I went to the doctor — you have to get lots of doctor checkups when you're pregnant — and she asked if I had any questions. And I said, 'Yes! When can I drink!? Please! I just want a margarita.'" Making things even tougher for the brunette star is that her husband isn't supporting her by abstaining too. In fact, he has gone entirely the other way and decided to help her out by guzzling drinks for both of them. "My husband's having a great time. I'm eating for two and he's drinking for two," Keira explained. "There's a lot of free champagne so he thinks because I'm not drinking the free champagne he has to. So all of it." Although Keira has been busy attending awards events, she's still finding time to prepare for her new arrival. She is yet to confirm whether she's having a girl or boy, although it seems she'd rather have a daughter after getting some tips from well-meaning individuals. "Somebody said to me the other day the problem with boys is — sorry this is horrible — but when you're changing their nappies you can get the wee in your face," she stated, as the audience giggled. "Yeah you see? I've got a lot of people nodding at me, but I never knew that before so it was terrifying." The actress scored a best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in The Imitation Game. — Cover Media  |
| As divisions deepen, fear and silence stalk Libya Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:39 AM PST
But as in the days of Muammar Gaddafi, many residents prefer to avoid talking politics in Tripoli, where a self-declared government has ruled since an armed faction called Libya Dawn seized the capital by expelling its rivals in August. Across Libya to the east, where the internationally recognised government operates and a former general is battling Islamist militants, many Libyans are just as wary, fearing any criticism will see them branded as traitors or worse. The oil-producing nation is now effectively split in two with the internationally recognised Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni confined to the east since losing control of Tripoli and a rival administration controlling the capital and its surroundings. Both governments are backed by former rebel brigades who united to topple Gaddafi in 2011 but have since turned their guns on each other as Libya slides toward a wider civil war. The heavily armed groups have been fighting on different fronts for territory and control of oil ports. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and 400,000 displaced inside Libya since the summer, according to the United Nations. With the country polarized between the two rival factions who dismiss each other as traitors, terrorists or war criminals, many Libyans explain that, as in the Gaddafi era, it's best to say little and avoid trouble. "I keep politics at home," said an entrepreneur who gave his name as Mahmoud. Like other Tripoli residents interviewed he preferred not to use his full name for fear of reprisals. "You don't want to get into trouble criticising the government or armed groups," he said, sitting with family members in the large reception room of their Tripoli home. "In Libya the political atmosphere is now you are with me or against me." Diplomats and foreign companies have mostly pulled out of Tripoli since the summer when Dawn forces battled rival armed groups to drive them out of the city in weeks of rocket fire and shelling that destroyed the airport. Human rights activists, journalists and supporters of Thinni or of an armed group from Zintan, which was expelled by Dawn, have fled the capital after facing threats or attacks, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have said. Rights groups have also documented similar cases in the east, where Thinni has allied himself with Khalifa Haftar, a former general who has used war planes to attack civil airports in his self-declared battle against Islamists. Fearing for their security, supporters of Libya Dawn have escaped to Tripoli from Benghazi and other eastern cities where they say they faced persecution. "I didn't feel comfortable any longer," said a journalist who was based in Benghazi until September. "You can't criticise Haftar or you get framed as an Islamist." Political graffiti With people avoiding talking about politics, the debate in Tripoli has shifted to walls, where both sides attack each other with graffiti—a legacy from the 2011 uprising against Gaddafi when scared residents sprayed slogans at night. "No to Karama", is written on one wall, referring to Haftar's campaign against Islamists. Someone else has overwritten the "no" and added "yes". Yet another spray-can artist added "Libya Dawn" next to "Haftar". Focus points for Karama graffiti are the central district of Fashlum and the Tajoura suburb, areas which revolted early against Gaddafi. But there is also no shortage of graffiti supporting Libya Dawn or Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Ansar al-Sharia, which is branded a terrorist organisation by Washington. Tripoli's new rulers are trying hard to show that life is normal, inviting foreign journalists to visit. Some African and Asian diplomats have returned though they avoid dealing in public with the non-recognised government. Some foreign businessmen stayed, but there is little activity as money transfers out of Libya are very difficult. The central bank is trying to conserve its depleted dollar reserves due to a loss of oil revenues because of the fighting. "I have little to do those days," said Mohamed, head of a company which helped foreign investors with their paperwork. Adding to a sense of isolation is the departure of foreign airlines—the few foreign connections run by Libyan carriers are booked out for weeks. More foreigners left last month after gunmen stormed the luxury Corinthia hotel, killing nine people including an American and a Frenchman. The hotel had been the main venue for delegations still visiting Tripoli. The other main hotels, the Rixos and Radisson Blu, had already closed. Police have shown a more robust presence in Tripoli since the attack, but many residents prefer to stay home at night with shops closing early and people staying off the streets. "I don't go out much at night any more to visit my friends," said a Libyan government employee. "Either I sleep at a friend's place or I leave very early." — AFP |
| PM urges all to stay safe on the road during CNY Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:33 AM PST
"Those of you who will be returning home for Chinese New Year and the holidays, be careful on the roads so that you arrive safely at your destinations," he said his in a Twitter posting. Chinese New Year this falls on February 19 and 20 (this Thursday and Friday). — Bernama |
| In CNY message, Muhyiddin says Malaysia a shining example of racial harmony Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:21 AM PST
However, the Deputy Prime Minister said, the government was aware there were still factions which made unreasonable demands aimed at disrupting harmony. "They are actually the thorns in the flesh to the development of a Malaysian race. Their aim is solely to disrupt racial harmony in Malaysia and to satisfy their short-term political objectives," he said. Muhyiddin said this in his Chinese New Year message issued by his office today. He said he was confident Malaysians understood the value of the harmony and stability enjoyed by the country all this time. The Deputy Prime Minister urged the public, regardless of race and religion, to pledge to preserve racial harmony and unity through increased awareness and a fresh commitment. "The formula for national stability and harmony which has been used all this time must not only be defended, but also be intensified in the process of racial integration. "There are more benefits for all of us to be obtained from stability and harmony," he stressed. Muhyiddin said the formula which had been used by previous and present leaders in managing the differences between the races was key to the country's prosperity. "The peaceful and perfect lives of the people has been a major pre-requisite which has brought success and progress in Malaysia today," he said. Wishing Malaysian Chinese a Happy Chinese New Year, Muhyiddin said the obvious harmony seen during the festival was a reflection of how a plural nation like Malaysia was far more special and successful compared to other countries. He said what was even more interesting and unique was the harmonious atmosphere in Malaysia seen during festive seasons with the practise of visiting each other and the open house concept. — Bernama |
| Putin visits Hungary’s Orban despite East-West Ukraine tension Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:14 AM PST
Though Putin can count on some support in Bulgaria, Slovakia, Greece and Italy, Orban is unquestionably his closest ally despite gaining prominence as a strong anti-Russian and anti-communist leader in the last days of communism in the 80s. Fears that tough-talking Orban is increasingly cosying up to Putin threw some 2,000 people into the street yesterday evening to protest against the Russian leader's first visit to Budapest since 2006, "We resent Orban making a fool of Hungary by inviting Putin here to do secret deals while there is a war next door in Ukraine," Marton Gulyas, one of the organisers, told AFP. Shunned by most European leaders in recent months due to events in Ukraine and rights issues in Russia, Putin flies in for a few hours in Budapest to lay wreaths to fallen soldiers and discuss gas supply and nuclear energy deals. "This trip is clearly more important for Putin than for Orban," analyst Andras Racz of the Finish Institute for International Affairs told AFP. "Putin can demonstrate to other Western countries that he has an ally who is an EU and NATO member, that EU unity is not that strong after all," he added The analyst said Hungary's allies are worried that as a NATO member it is strengthening its alliance with Russia in spite of the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. Hungary supported EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine in the past year, but has been vocal about their negative impact. Last year, Orban said the bloc had "shot itself in the foot" by damaging commercial relations with Moscow. Putin might put pressure on Orban to stall further European sanctions. "Putin could ask Orban to work against EU sanctions. He wants to make sure Hungary stays on track," Andras Deak, energy policy expert from the Institute of World Economics, told AFP. Putin's trip follows a visit by Orban to Moscow last year and comes as Russia is due to finance the expansion of Hungary's sole nuclear plant with a €10 billion-euro (RM40.8 billion) loan. On the agenda of the talks today too are a new flexible long-term gas supply agreement with Russia, as the previous one expires this year, and the signing of bilateral pacts touching on health care, education and regional cooperation. Hungary's Foreign Minister Pater Szijjarto over the weekend called Putin's visit decisive for the country's energy security. But the anti-Putin protesters on the streets of Budapest remain concerned. "I lived most of my life under communist rule, I don't want this country to fall under Russian influence again," said 67-year-old protestor Maria Toth, who was behind a banner reading: "Putin Nyet (No)! Europe Yes!" — AFP |
| Bukit Bintang City Centre: UDA needs to open up on Ecoworld deal — Arman Siddiqi Posted: 17 Feb 2015 04:05 AM PST
The project called Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) where the Pudu Prison once stood is projected to have a GDV of RM8 to RM10 billion. One of the main questions that UDA has to answer is whether the appointment of Ecoworld was done above board and that no hanky-panky dealings took place prior to the decision. UDA called for an open tender in September 2013 for proposals to develop the former Pudu Prison land. However, the tender was then called off in early 2014 without any explanation. The word on the ground at that time was that Ecoworld has been chosen to partner UDA to develop the prime land, even though Johari tried his level best to deny the appointment of Ecoworld at that time but the stink was too unbearable. Ecoworld did not even take part in the tender and yet they were awarded the project through the backdoor "Malaysia-Boleh" style. The brief in the tender was for UDA to hold a minimum of 51 per cent of the project. Any developer bidding for the project also has to build a significant portion of affordable homes within the project. In 2010 to 2011, UDA signed a deal with a China GLC – Everbright International Construction in a deal that would have seen UDA receiving some RM2 billion in cash upfront as well as profit staggered during the course of the project. However, the recent UDA-Ecoworld-EPF JV deal will only see UDA netting some RM1 billion in development rights sold to the JV company. The returns from the project have reduced by almost half, which makes the deal with Ecoworld not as attractive as the Everbright deal. It is imperative that the Ministry of Finance institute some form of review on the deal to ensure that all proper procedures were adhered to. If indeed Ecoworld did not participate in the tender, it is important that all the tenderers are allowed to propose a new bid in the same business model of the Ecoworld deal. This will ensure that integrity, fair play and transparency take precedence, which also shows the seriousness of the government in combatting corruption and rent-seeking. As the project is located in a very prime location with a GDV that is almost RM10 billion, UDA needs to ensure that the deal will benefit UDA in the long run rather than just a short term gain. The role of EPF also needs to be scrutinised in this mega-billion deal. It is known that EPF is cash rich and the rumour mill has it that EPF will bankroll the project, whilst Ecoworld drives the project. This will make UDA the sleeping partner, EPF the financier and Ecoworld the driver as well as reaping the most profit with the least investment. If UDA truly wanted to make sure that they are getting their money's worth from the prime strategic land, they could have always partnered another GLC like SP Setia or UEM to ensure maximum profit. However, the deal with Ecoworld seems like another way to ensure that rent seeking patronage deal lives on. UDA receiving RM1 billion (RM1,183 per square foot) is a paltry sum compared to what it would have received if it put the land on open tender. In May 2014, Tropicana sold their land on Jalan Bukit Bintang for RM448.4 million or RM3,280 psf which makes the Ecoworld deal at RM1,183 a very modest figure. UDA could have easily gotten RM2,000 psf or a total of RM1.7 billion for the land if it sells on open tender with an extra RM700 million compared to the Ecoworld deal. The Finance Ministry and the Public Accounts Committee need to review this deal and make known the whole process that took place, from the open tender that was cancelled and the whole deal with Ecoworld to be made known publicly. Something is rotten in Johari Ghani-led UDA and the public demands answers. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online. |
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