Ahad, 9 Disember 2012

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

0 ulasan 11:18 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

Food agenda: Terra Madre Day

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:38 PM PST

Slow Food proponents will be conducting events on Dec 10. – AFP pic

LOS ANGELES, Dec 10 – Next week Slow Food groups around the world will celebrate the movement with local events.

Terra Madre Day or Slow Food anniversary

December 10

Worldwide

Slow Food groups around the world celebrate the tenets of the movement's philosophies by tucking into local, sustainable and seasonable meals. More than 1,000 events ranging from festivals, protests, workshops and excursions are scheduled worldwide to promote local food traditions around the world.

30th annual Sirha

January 26-30

Lyon, France

Billed as one of the world's largest food and gastronomy trade shows of the year, Sirha is expected to attract 165,000 professionals and 2,200 exhibitors over five days. Highlights of the event include the biennial Bocuse d'Or international cooking competition, known as the Olympics of the food world for its prestige; the World Cuisine Summit, a forum for international leaders to exchange ideas on how to improve food service; and the Coupe du Monde Patisserie Cup, which crowns the world's best pastry chef.

Bocuse d'Or

January 29-30

Lyon

This year, chefs from 24 countries will be competing in the culinary equivalent of the Olympics at one of the most prestigious cooking competitions in the world. The chef to beat is Denmark's Rasmus Kofoed who took home the bragging rights at the last competition in 2011.

Gourmand World Cookbook Fair

February 22 – 24

Paris, France

This year one of the most prestigious international cookbook fairs for trade professionals moves from the edges of the city to the Carrousel du Louvre. As the most international cookbook fair of its kind, this year cookery books from 171 countries will be competing to take home bragging rights and an award. New at the 2013 edition is the World Festival of Wine and Food Television, which will draw TV food producers, broadcasters and food TV celebrities to the show.

Asia's 50 Best Restaurant Awards

Singapore

February 25

The inaugural edition of the Asian version of the World's 50 Best Restaurants from Restaurant magazine takes place in Singapore and will attempt to identify the best eateries across the continent. Given the growing influence the World's 50 Best Restaurant awards has exerted over its short 10-year existence, it's expected the food world will look at the results with great interest.

James Beard Foundation Awards finalists announced

March 18

Charleston, South Carolina

Known as the Oscars of the food world in the US, the James Beard Foundation will announce the finalists for the 2013 awards in categories such as outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, and the best in food journalism. – AFP-Relaxnews

Alpine restaurant to pop up with view on Mont Blanc

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 04:35 PM PST

Accomodating 350 covers inside and 70 on its outside terrace, the establishment will be open until early April during lunch hours. – AFP pic

PARIS, Dec 10 – Starting Dec 21, Alpine tourists in the French department of Haute-Savoie will be able to dine in a pop-up restaurant at the top of Mont d'Arbois, near the resorts of Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc and Megève.

Accomodating 350 covers inside and 70 on its outside terrace, the establishment will be open until early April during lunch hours, with several dinners scheduled for special occasions such as New Year's Eve.

The prestigious Parisian photo studio Harcourt is also involved in the project, offering to take movie star-quality portraits of tourists on location from Dec 26 to 31.

The pop-up restaurant project, dubbed "Untitled (Mont-Blanc)", takes place ahead of the construction of a luxury hotel, set to open in early 2014.

The restaurant will close at the end of the 2012/13 ski season and will reopen for good the following season, ahead of the hotel's grand opening. – AFP-Relaxnews

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

0 ulasan 3:23 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Van Persie strikes late to send United six clear

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:50 AM PST

Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates his goal against Manchester City during their English Premier League soccer match at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, December 9, 2012. — Reuters pic

MANCHESTER, England, Dec 9 — Robin van Persie's stoppage-time free kick snatched a 3-2 victory for Manchester United in a pulsating derby at champions Manchester City to send them six points clear at the top of the Premier League today.

Wayne Rooney put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute against the run of play with a softly struck effort into the bottom left corner before doubling his tally just before the half-hour mark.

City pulled one back through Yaya Toure on 60 minutes before levelling in the 86th minute with Pablo Zabaleta's sweetly struck shot but any thoughts of a draw were short-lived when Van Persie launched a free kick into the bottom left corner.

United's celebrations were marred when defender Rio Ferdinand was left bloodied above his left eye after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

The result ends City's almost two-year unbeaten home run in the league and puts United in the driving seat in the title race with 39 points from 16 matches, while City are on 33. — Reuters

Malaysia draw 1-1 with Thailand in semi-final first leg of AFF Suzuki Cup

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 06:42 AM PST

Malaysia's Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (right) scores their first goal against Thailand during their AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final soccer match in Kuala Lumpur, December 9, 2012. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Malaysia drew 1-1 against Thailand in the semi-final first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here, tonight.

Goal scorers:

MALAYSIA: Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (48th minute)

THAILAND: Teerasil Dangda (79th minute)

Players:

MALAYSIA: Mohd Farizal Marlias, Mahalli Jasuli, Mohd Bunyamin Umar (Muhammad Zubir Mohd Azmi), Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas, Safiq Rahim (captain), Amar Rohidan (Mohd Safee Mohd Sali), Gary Steven Robbat, Baddrol Bakhtiar (S. Kunalan), Azamuddin Mohd Akil, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

THAILAND: Kawin Thamsatchanan, Panupong Wongsa (captain), Theerathon Butmathan, Chonlatit Jantakam, Jakkapan Pornsai, Datsakorn Thonglao (Kirati Keawsombut), Anucha Kitpongsri, Adul Lahsoh (Apipoo Suntornpanavej), Phichitphong Choeichiu, Piyaphon Buntao, Teerasil Dangda.

Referee: Torki Mohsen Ramezanali (Iran) — Bernama

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views

0 ulasan 1:23 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views

Van Persie strikes late to send United six clear

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:50 AM PST

Wayne Rooney put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute against the run of play with a softly struck effort into the bottom left corner before doubling his tally just before the half-hour mark.

United's celebrations were marred when defender Rio Ferdinand was left bloodied above his left eye after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

The result ends City's almost two-year unbeaten home run in the league and puts United in the driving seat in the title race with 39 points from 16 matches, while City are on 33. — Reuters

Russian assembly set for tough response to US rights bill

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:31 AM PST

MOSCOW, Dec 9 — Russia's foreign minister urged parliament on Sunday to agree a tough response to a U.S. law punishing Russian human rights violators, increasing the risk of a chill in relations with Washington.

Moscow announced restrictions on meat imports from the United States on Friday although it denied suggestions it had done so in response to the U.S. Senate's passage a day earlier of the so-called Magnitsky Act.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the parliament should now respond and Alexei Pushkov, a senior parliamentary deputy from President Vladimir Putin's party, said the State Duma lower house would discuss retaliatory measures this week.

"As this is an attempt to interfere in our internal affairs, I would be very interested in a reaction by the state Duma that would be collective, on a multi-party basis and representing all party groups," Lavrov said in televised remarks.

Puskhov, who heads the chamber's foreign affairs committee, said a majority of lawmakers wanted a tough response, calling for visa restrictions on U.S. citizens who have violated human rights. He did not say who this might include or what rights violations they were accused of making.

"The Americans have reminded us about the way Russia is viewed on Capitol Hill," Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to Putin, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

"Stereotypes about our country persist and no one can get rid of them. So the Americans have made an extremely unfriendly move against us."

President Barack Obama, who launched a "reset" in relations with Russia less than four years ago, is likely to sign the Magnitsky legislation, which will test his and Putin's resolve to improve relations since both won elections this year.

The new US legislation would bar visas for Russian officials linked to the 2009 death in custody of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who accused federal investigators of stealing $230 million from the state.

Lavrov told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday that Russia would bar entry for Americans "guilty of crude human rights abuses."

Moscow has also warned it would respond with "asymmetrical" measures. Areas in which the United States wants Russian cooperation most include nuclear arms control and Iran.

Damage may be limited

But there are also signs that Putin, back in the presidency since May, wants to limit the damage to relations with Russia's former Cold War enemy.

Political analysts say the Magnitsky Act will probably not derail Russian assistance on Afghanistan, affect diplomacy aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme, or deepen disputes over U.S. missile defence and the conflict in Syria.

Moscow is trying to ensure its interests are protected in Syria. Despite frequent denials that it is shifting position, Moscow appears to be preparing for when President Bashar al-Assad leaves power.

The Senate approved the "Magnitsky Act" as part of a broader bill to lift a Cold War-era restriction and grant Russia "permanent normal trade relations, " or PNTR.

Despite Russian denials, analysts saw a link between the Magnitsky Act and Moscow's announcement of restrictions on meat imports from several countries, including the United States.

In a joint statement on Saturday, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Russia's new requirement for imported beef and pork to be certified free of ractopamine, a feed additive used in the US meat industry but banned in some other countries, appeared to be a violation of Moscow's obligations to the World Trade Organisation.

The move could potentially make producers from the United States, which exports more than US$500 million (RM1.6 billion) a year worth of beef and pork to Russia, less competitive, giving an advantage to China and the European Union, where ractopamine is banned.

Russia's plant and health regulator, Rosselkhoznadzor, said it had warned over a year ago about the "inadmissibility" of meat with ractopamine to Russia. — Reuters

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

0 ulasan 1:20 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

British astronomer Patrick Moore dead aged 89

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:29 AM PST

LONDON, Dec 9 — Astronomer Patrick Moore, renowned for his work mapping the Moon's surface and for having popularised his subject with the British public, died today at the age of 89, friends and colleagues announced.

The eccentric astronomer, whose research was used by the United States and the Soviets in their space programmes, "passed away peacefully at 12:25 pm (1225 GMT)", at his home in Selsey on the southern English coast, they said in a statement.

British astronomer Patrick Moore in 2003. — AFP/Relaxnews file pic

He had succumbed to an infection, the statement said.

"After a short spell in hospital last week, it was determined that no further treatment would benefit him, and it was his wish to spend his last days in his own home."

Moore had fronted the monthly BBC programme "The Sky At Night" since 1957, making him the world's longest-running presenter of the same television show.

He believed he was the only person to have met Orville Wright, the first man to fly; Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space; and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon.

Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2001 for "services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting".

Besides his skill at explaining the intricacies of the universe, his monocle, wit and idiosyncratic style of speech endeared him to an army of fans spanning the generations.

The statement from his friends said Moore died in the company of close friends and carers and his cat Ptolemy.

"Over the past few years, Patrick, an inspiration to generations of astronomers, fought his way back from many serious spells of illness and continued to work and write at a great rate, but this time his body was too weak to overcome the infection which set in, a few weeks ago," it said.

"He was able to perform on his world record-holding TV programme "The Sky at Night" right up until the most recent episode.

"His executors and close friends plan to fulfil his wishes for a quiet ceremony of interment, but a farewell event is planned for what would have been Patrick's 90th birthday in March 2013."

At the age of eight he was given a 1908 typewriter on which his multitude of books and papers were written throughout his life.

Besides his astronomy, writing and broadcasting, Moore was a skilled xylophone player and a useful cricketer. — AFP/Relaxnews

Barbie, a timeless icon

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 04:31 AM PST

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 — While controversial silhouettes promoting unrealistic body images in the media are the targets of many angry parents, Barbie's plastic perfection remains an undisputed favourite of girls around the world. Ruling the toy realm for 53 years, Mattel's figurehead doll will once again top holiday wish lists and feature under many a Christmas tree in 2012.

"Barbie Photo Fashion"— AFP/Relaxnews

According to Franck Mathais, spokesperson for French toy store chain La Grande Récré, the Barbie Princess and Popstar Tori doll will be a bestseller this year — and so will other new products like the Barbie Photo Fashion doll, who comes with a digital camera to let children change the design on the doll's T-shirt.

A toy star's continual evolution

On March 9, 1959, at the New York International Toy Fair, Ruth Handler presented a doll created for her daughter Barbara, the toy's namesake. Contrasting with the other toys for children of the time and the dominance of baby dolls, the adult-bodied doll made a splash. On the market, she competed with Bild Lilli, her German counterpart, commonly seen as the inspiration for Barbie.

Just a few years after its creation, the doll already showed her capacity of adapting with the times. In 1963, she became an astronaut as a nod to the first time a woman went to space. "Then there was this iconic moment when she became an airplane pilot, which conveyed the idea that women were able to do a man's job," outlines Frédérique Tutt, an NPD Group toy market expert.

Within a few years, the doll's body changed, her résumé grew longer and her voice was (literally) heard. Two years ago, Mattel's doll entered the realm of technology. Barbie was equipped with a camera allowing children to direct their own short videos. "Mattel reinvents the Barbie doll each year to keep on trend," explains Tutt. And therein lies the secret of Barbie's longevity.

A friend for life

Another key factor in Barbie's enduring appeal is that "Barbie follows the evolution of a little girl as she grows up. The whole line was created to fit each age group," notes Tutt. To fit with the evolution of her fans, the little plastic blonde switches jobs. Barbie, a gift suitable for 3-year-olds, dresses as a princess to wow the 4-5 age segment. Then she becomes a role model for the 5-6-year-olds, as she takes care of her little sisters, Skipper and Stacie. Ultimately, she becomes a beauty icon wearing all kinds of outfits, turning the rooms of kids aged 7-8 into fashion runways.

Each year, Mattel delights children with a string of new accessories, lavish houses, camping cars, yachts and trendy clothing. But above all, the brand thinks outside the box to constantly find new doll concepts. Dolls are the really strong performers in the Barbie line, according to Tutt.

A toy for all budgets

Barbie has been lucky enough to wear designer clothes by Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld and Paco Rabanne, but the Barbie line has a wide range of price points. Barbie adapts to all budgets. The lines traditionally start "with a bathing suit Barbie. The smaller the amount of fabric, the lower the price. Then you have the dolls with accessories, and above that, collectible editions," Tutt outlines, adding, "Barbie's strength is her ability to sell all year round."

A hit since the 1960s, Barbie is associated with cherished childhood memories, with many grandmothers and mothers saving their precious dolls for their own offspring. — AFP/Relaxnews

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

0 ulasan 1:13 PTG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

Half a century on, Rolling Stones rock Brooklyn

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 01:13 AM PST

Singer Mick Jagger performs with The Rolling Stones at the Barclays Center in New York, December 8, 2012. — Reuters pic

NEW YORK, Dec 9 — Fifty years since their first London jam sessions, the Rolling Stones kicked off the US leg of a brief anniversary tour with a vibrant show in New York on Saturday that belied their years - wrinkles and nostalgia aside.

Drummers wearing gorilla masks warmed up the crowd packed into Brooklyn's Barclays Center as black-clad women swung their long tresses in rhythm.

Mick Jagger pranced, shimmied and howled his way through the 2-1/2 hour show, pausing to reminisce about the band's history and its first New York concert at Carnegie Hall in 1964.

For a group whose early years were punctuated by quarrels and occasional brushes with the law, the biggest controversy ahead of Saturday's show was the price of seats - up to $800, and as much as 10 times that amount on websites offering last-minute tickets.

In those days, milk was cheaper and "tickets to the Rolling Stones was - well, I'm not going to go there," Jagger acknowledged.

The band's last major tour was in 2007 and the latest reunion almost didn't happen, owing in part to a spat between Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards over comments Richards made about the singer in a 2010 autobiography.

Richards joked in a recent interview: "We can't get divorced - we're doing it for the kids."

A tribute video opened Saturday's proceedings featuring celebrities heaping praise on the band.

"They're great songs to do bad things to," said actor Johnny Depp. "Just how skinny they all are... It really, really pisses me off," said actress Cate Blanchett.

The Stones - average age 68 - ripped through 20 hits that began with "Get Off of My Cloud" and closed with "Sympathy for the Devil" and an encore of "You Can't Always Get What You Want", "Jumping Jack Flash" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".

Women in the crowd opened their arms wide as Jagger, wearing a silver sequined jacket, strutted along the horseshoe-shaped stage for "I Wanna Be Your Man", a Beatles tune. The band was then joined by R&B singer Mary J. Blige for "Gimme Shelter".

"People say 'why do you keep doing this?'" Jagger told the crowd. He thanked fans for buying records and "generally being amazing for the last 50 years."

The Stones started their brief diamond jubilee tour in London and are due to play twice in Newark, New Jersey.

Fans said it could be the last chance for New Yorkers to see the band live.

"It's the only concert I wanted to see before I die," said Lucy Webley, 33. — Reuters

Flu forces La Scala to change opening gala cast

Posted: 08 Dec 2012 10:20 PM PST

Artists perform during Wagner's 'Lohengrin' at La Scala opera house in Milan December 7, 2012. – Reuters pic

MILAN, Dec 9 – Opera house La Scala was forced to change its cast for Richard Wagner's "Lohengrin" hours before the opening gala on Friday after German soprano Anja Harteros and her understudy both fell ill with flu.

The theatre said Annette Dasch will sing the lead female role of Elsa after arriving in Milan overnight, rescuing the biggest night of the year in the world of opera. Dasch has performed the role at the Bayreuth opera festival.

The Milanese theatre has come under fire for choosing Wagner over local hero Giuseppe Verdi to open its season.

With opera lovers around the globe preparing to celebrate the 200th birthday of both composers, born a few months apart in 1813, La Scala has been accused of being unpatriotic at a time when Italy battles a recession some blame on austerity policies driven by Germany.

"La Scala puts Verdi in a corner, preferring the German," wrote il Giornale newspaper owned by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's family and known for its vitriolic attacks on German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Corriere della Sera said there was unease in the orchestra pit over the choice of Wagner in Verdi's musical home and talked of "a blow to national pride in a moment of crisis."

La Scala general manager Stephane Lissner, a Frenchman, has dismissed the controversy as ridiculous.

"There are more serious problems than this Wagner-Verdi derby," he told reporters this week, pointing out that the theatre will stage six works by Wagner against eight by Verdi in the 2012/13 season.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was careful to clarify that he could not attend the gala opening because of pressing state business in Rome rather than deliver a deliberate snub. In a letter to the theatre, he called the row over Wagner "futile" and "pathetic".

Prime Minister Mario Monti, who replaced Berlusconi just over a year ago as Italy flirted with a Greek-style debt crisis, will be in attendance at one of the global social calendar's most glittering events along with five of his ministers.

For some, the debate reflects the storied rivalry between the two great composers and their supporters. When Verdi attended the Italian premiere of Lohengrin in 1871, he scribbled on a copy of the score: "Mediocre impression."

The romantic opera in three acts, generally considered one of Wagner's most accessible, centres on the doomed love between Lohengrin, a noble knight who cannot reveal his identity, and the daughter of the late ruler in the land of Brabant, Elsa.

Wagner specialist Daniel Barenboim conducts the opening night, with German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Lohengrin.

The 234-year old theatre, which is navigating in troubled financial waters, is hoping its glamorous gala will help lure wider audiences and more sponsors. The performance will be broadcast live on television and in cinemas across Europe, Russia and Japan.

Public funds now only cover 40 per cent of the La Scala budget and Lissner warned this week that without money from the private sector the theatre would not be able survive. – Reuters

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

0 ulasan 11:26 PG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

Top international book fairs of 2013

Posted: 08 Dec 2012 07:31 PM PST

A display for Chinese author Mo Yan is seen at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair. — AFP pic

LONDON, Dec 9 ― Next year's major international book fairs will see publishers orienting themselves to a world of readers that use print as well as digital, and one in which Chinese, Indian and South American markets are of growing importance.

New Delhi World Book Fair

February 4 - 10

Pragati Maidan Exhibition Grounds, New Delhi, India

newdelhiworldbookfair.gov.in

Formerly held every two years, the New Delhi World Book Fair marks its annualization in 2013, this year adopting "indigenous voices" as its theme, placing prominence upon folk and tribal literature, and welcoming France as guest of honour. In 2012, 1,300 Indian exhibitors and 30 foreign exhibitors were represented at the event.

Salon du Livre

March 22-25

Porte de Versailles, Paris, France

salondulivreparis.com

The Paris Book Fair boasted 1,200 exhibitors with 40 countries represented at its 2012 edition, having refocused on a shortened exhibition period and now working to accommodate small and first-time exhibitors alongside established players. Guests of honor for 2013 are to be Romania and Barcelona.

London Book Fair

April 15-17

Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, UK

londonbookfair.co.uk

The London Book Fair is the leading spring book event in Europe, with the Frankfurt Fair dominating the second half of the year. While the event spotlights the UK publishing industry ― the second-largest in the world for English-language books ― it also attracts up to 25,000 visitors from 130 countries around the world. Turkey will be the Market Focus at the 2013 fair.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

April 24-29

National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE

adbookfair.com

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, a leading book fair for the Middle Eastern market organized in part by the Frankfurt Book Fair, boasts half a million titles on display and hosts the International Prize for Arabic Fiction and Sheikh Zayed Book Awards. The 2013 focus will be on digital publishing, apps, and technology.

BookExpo America

May 30 - June 1

Javitz Convention Center, New York, NY

bookexpoamerica.com

BookExpo America is the premier book fair in North America and the largest English-language book fair in the world. More than 2,000 exhibitors and 500 authors attended the 2012 event, as well as an estimated 30,000 visitors. Live streaming of select events will return for 2013. The fair began in 1902 with Mark Twain as the featured author; the 2012 program featured Stephen Colbert, Barbara Kingsolver, Zadie Smith, Michael Chabon and Lee Child.

Tokyo International Book Fair

July 4-7

Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan

bookfair.jp

TIBF is the leading book event focusing on the colossal Japanese publishing industry, which is estimated to be the second largest worldwide. Focuses include general fiction, business titles, and manga, as well as Japan's growing e-book market. In 2012, e-books and e-readers became a focus, and the fair welcomed 66,115 visitors from 42 countries.

Hong Kong Book Fair

July 17-23

HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, China

hkbookfair.com

Asia's biggest book fair in terms of visitor numbers, the Hong Kong Book Fair is a cultural phenomenon, attracting huge numbers of visitors with its author autographs, book bargains, and cultural events. The 2012 fair attracted 900,000 visitors despite disruption caused by a typhoon warning; 2013's major exhibit categories include e-books, e-readers and e-learning, as well as children's and teens' books, religious books and stationery alongside the usual fare.

Beijing International Book Fair

August 28 - September 1

New China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, China

bibf.net

The BIBF presents itself as the largest publishing industry event for the Asian market, and one which continues to grow in importance as publishers set their sights on the huge Chinese market with its demand for translated and English-language titles. Over 200,000 industry members and visitors attend the event, which is historically open to the public on the fourth day. The 2013 edition will be the BIBF's second year in a new convention centre, so organizers are predicting an even smoother event.

Frankfurt Book Fair

October 9-13

Messegelände, Frankfurt, Germany

buchmesse.de

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's biggest gathering of publishers and authors. The 2012 fair hosted over 7,300 exhibitors from around 100 countries, attracting 281,753 visitors. Celebrities from the fields of books, video gaming, TV and film are frequently in attendance. Spotlights in 2013 will fall upon children's books, book rights, gastronomy, travel, specialist information, and the Frankfurt Sparks digital initiative platform. Brazil will be guest of honour.

Guadalajara International Book Fair

TBA

Exhibition Center, Guadalajara, Mexico

fil.com.mx

The "FIL" (Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara), usually held in November, is the principal event for Spanish-language publishing worldwide, attracting 660,000 visitors in 2011 and nearly 2,000 publishing houses from 43 countries in the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. Israel is guest of honour in 2013. ― AFP/Relaxnews

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

0 ulasan 3:18 PG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

Najib lancar Kelab Peminat Ah Jib Gor

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 01:10 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Dis — Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini melancarkan Kelab Peminat Ah Jib Gor bagi membolehkan beliau merasai denyut nadi rakyat terutamanya masyarakat Cina di negara ini. Kelab itu dilancarkan di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) melalui 'tele-persidangan' dengan anggota kelab itu di Sekolah Menengah Yu Yuen, Sandakan, Sabah. Najib ketika berinteraksi berkata penubuhan kelab peminatnya di Sandakan itu merupakan testimoni bahawa rakyat termasuk di Sabah meyakini konsep 1Malaysia dan agenda transformasi negara. Beliau berkata kelab tersebut boleh menjadi jambatan komunikasi antara beliau dan rakyat di negara ini termasuk di Sabah dalam memahami perasaan, permintaan dan jangkaan rakyat terhadap kerajaan. "Terima kasih atas keyakinan dan sokongan anda.. Saya percaya kita boleh gunakan talian komunikasi ini untuk bertukar-tukar pandangan dan komen dari semasa ke semasa.

"Saya berpendapat ini adalah sangat positif kerana ia bukan sahaja mewujudkan hubungan yang baik tetapi juga hubungan secara bersemuka antara anda semua dan pemerintah," katanya. Najib berkata beliau berharap kepercayaan rakyat terhadap kerajaan akan berterusan selaras dengan komitmen kerajaan dalam menjadikan transformasi sebagai agenda utama negara. "Kita percaya bahawa kita kerajaan yang kuat, kita boleh memimpin negara ini untuk memenuhi wawasan negara kita dalam menjadi sebuah negara maju sepenuhnya. "Malaysia adalah tanggungjawab kita dan kita mesti berusaha menggalakkan suasana harmoni dan kestabilan di kalangan pelbagai etnik di Malaysia," katanya. Najib juga berkata 1Malaysia bukan slogan semata-mata tetapi merupakan panduan nasional yang merupakan falsafah menyeluruh dan prinsip kepada negara termasuk dasar-dasar dan agenda transformasi.

"1Malaysia adalah tentang 'membentuk', bersatu dan mengharmonikan Malaysia. Ia adalah berdasarkan prinsip keadilan sosial, tentang menjadi adil dan inklusif, dan juga mengenai 'kesederhanaan.. semuanya adalah sebahagian daripada falsafah 1Malaysia. "1Malaysia akan menjadi falsafah menyeluruh kita dan dengan sokongan anda, negara ini akan berubah menjadi sebuah negara pelbagai kaum pertama yang kita semua banggakan," katanya. Terdahulu, sebelum sesi 'tele-persidangan' itu, Perdana Menteri turut berinterasi melalui 'Facebook chatting' dengan warga sekolah tersebut termasuk Penolong Kanan Hong Lean Hwa dan pelajar tingkatan lima, Esther Yap Yuk Lim. Hong mengucapkan terima kasih atas sumbangan RM1 juta kepada sekolah itu ketika lawatan Perdana Menteri pada 20 April lalu dan Najib menjawab "Saya berharap sumbangan ini dapat meningkatkan lagi pencapaian murid-murid di Sekolah Yu Yuan". Najib turut menjawab enam soalan dari Esther termasuk mengenai makanan Cina yang menjadi kegemarannya di mana Najib menjawab beliau suka ikan kukus bersama sos soya dan ketam masak cili masam manis manakala hobinya pula adalah membaca buku dan bersenam.

Najib juga ditanya kerja pertamanya selepas tamat pengajian di sebuah universiti di United Kingdom di mana Najib memberitahu bahawa beliau menyertai perkhidmatan kerajaan sebagai pegawai junior di Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU) sebelum menyertai Bank Negara. Beliau turut berkongsi nilai yang diperlukan untuk berjaya dalam hidup iaitu rajin, integriti dan kreatif selain memberitahu beliau amat sukakan Sabah kerana keindahan alam semulajadi dan eko-pelancongannya. Dalam pada itu, Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Liew Vui Keong yang juga Anggota Parlimen Sandakan berkata Kelab Peminat Ah Jib Gor itu merupakan inisiatif penyokong Perdana Menteri yang terdiri dari badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) di Sandakan. "Mereka ingin menunjukkan sokongan padu kepada Perdana Menteri kerana Perdana Menteri amat prihatin dan dekat dengan hati rakyat. "Kelab peminat ini akan dikembangkan ke Kota Kinabalu, Tawau dan bandar-bandar lain di Sabah dan harap ia akan berkembang di semenanjung juga kerana ia terbuka untuk semua," Liew yang juga Presiden Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP). — Bernama

Dakwaan 300,000 orang India tiada kerakyatan tak benar, kata Najib

Posted: 09 Dec 2012 12:53 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Dis — Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak hari ini berkata dakwaan oleh pembangkang yang mengatakan seramai 300,000 masyarakat kaum India tidak memiliki kerakyatan adalah tidak benar dan tuduhan itu bertujuan memburukkan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).

Menurut Najib, tuduhan tersebut tidak berasas sama sekali malahan pihak pembangkang tidak mempunyai bukti kukuh untuk menyokong tuduhan tersebut.

"Ini (pembangkang) ada pula mengatakan terdapat sebanyak 300,000 masyarakat kaum India yang tidak mendapat kerakyatan sebagai warganegara.

"Mana buktinya? Pembangkang ini pandai tuduh sahaja tapi apabila suruh beri bukti mereka tidak ada," kata pengerusi BN tersebut semasa ucapan pembukaan perhimpuan agung MIC di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra pagi ini.

Najib juga berkata berdasarkan perbincangannya dengan menteri sumber manusia Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, hanya seramai 9,000 sahaja kaum India yang membuat permohonan untuk mendapatkan kerakyatan dan bukannya 300,000 sepertimana yang didakwa oleh pihak pembangkang.

"Saya diberitahu Subramaniam bahawa hanya 9,000 orang sahaja yang memohon untuk mendapatkan kerakyatan.

"Daripada jumlah tersebut, sebanyak 7,000 sudah diberikan kad pengenalan dan sijil kelahiran manakala selebihnya masih lagi dalam proses," terang Najib lagi.

Walaubagaimanapun, Najib sempat menyindir pembangkang dengan mengatakan jika dakwaan itu benar ia pasti sangat baik untuk BN yang boleh menambahkan "deposit tetap" mereka dalam pilihan raya umum ke-13 ini.

"Kalau betul dakwaan itu, ia pasti lebih baik. Pasti kami akan dapat jumlah undi lagi banyak," gurau Najib dihadapan perwakilan MIC.

Baru-baru ini, naib presiden PKR N. Surendran telah memberikan amaran kepada Putrajaya bahawa seramai 300,000 masyarakat India akan berkumpul di hadapan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) jika tidak menyelesaikan isu status kewarganegaraan.

Surendran dalam satu sidang akhbar mengganggarkan 300 ribu orang dari komuniti India sehingga kini dinafikan hak kerakyatan mereka.

Najib sebelum itu menggesa jentera parti MIC untuk memastikan undi kaum India sebagai "deposit tetap" kepada BN dalam pilihan raya umum (PRU) ke-13 yang akan datang.

Perhimpunan yang bermula hari ini dihadiri seramai 1,500 perwakilan dan 2,000 pemerhati itu akan menerima enam resolusi antaranya politik, hal ehwal kerajaan, pendidikan dan sosioekonomi, untuk dibahaskan.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

0 ulasan 3:03 PG Dicatat oleh blog2

Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

Sabotaj ada di mana-mana!

Posted: 08 Dec 2012 04:17 PM PST

9 DIS — Sekarang merupakan musim sabotaj.

Barangkali kerana itulah, perkataan sabotaj menjadi bualan hangat orang ramai sejak kebelakangan ini.

Dari perhimpunan Agung Umno hinggalah ke perhimpunan MCA yang berakhir baru-baru ini, keluar arahan daripada pucuk kepimpinan parti agar pengkhianat parti perlu ditangani.

Nampaknya semua begitu "menyukai" dan jatuh cinta terhadap perkataan sabotaj. Nampaknya juga istilah sabotaj mendatangkan kesan yang begitu mendalam terhadap sesebuah pihak hinggakan arahan sedemikian dikeluarkan.

Mutakhir ini, semua perwakilan parti bukan sahaja diingatkan untuk tidak mensabotaj calon lain bahkan juga usah menikam dari belakang. Malah barisan pemimpin berkenaan digesa untuk berganding bahu dalam menjayakan agenda yang ditetapkan.

Ternyata, sabotaj boleh berlaku di mana-mana sahaja baik di rumah, tempat kerja malah hubungan antara satu sama lain. Ia didorong oleh sikap cemburu, marah mahupun kecewa terhadap seseorang.

Perbuatan sabotaj akan terus berlaku selagi si pelaku menaruh perasaan syak-wasangka dan ketidakpercayaan terhadap musuhnya. Pokoknya, individu yang berkelakuan sedemikian hanya menunjukkan mereka sebenarnya tidak yakin kepada diri mereka sendiri.

Sabotaj boleh hadir dalam pelbagai bentuk. Antaranya, character assassination (pembunuhan watak), penghantaran surat layang dan gosip. Pemilihan taktik ini digemari ramai kerana ia mengundang impak yang maksimum terhadap pihak lawan sama dari segi psikologi mahupun luarannya.

Jika ada antara anda yang berpendapat bahawa sabotaj hanya berlaku di dalam parti-parti politik sahaja, kenyataan tersebut adalah kurang tepat. Realitinya, individu seperti penulis sendiri pernah berhadapan dengan perbuatan sabotaj yang dicetuskan oleh sekumpulan individu tidak bertanggungjawab.

Modus operandi mereka cukup licik. Mereka tidak banyak bercakap sebaliknya hanya mengangguk acapkali diajukan soalan. Kesilapan kecil pula digembar-gemburkan hinggakan menyebabkan ia dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang serius. Terdapat juga kecenderungan oleh pihak berkenaan untuk mencari kesalahan orang lain.

Kepada si pelaku tadi, apakah perlu untuk mensabotaj seseorang? Dimanakah kewajaran untuk berbuat demikian? Apakah mereka mendapat kepuasan dengan mensabotaj pihak lain? Apa dosanya hinggakan individu itu perlu diberi layanan sedemikian rupa?

Pada hemat penulis, mereka yang terlibat dalam amalan sabotaj harus bangkit dan cermin diri melihat bagaimana mereka boleh kembali ke pangkal jalan. Pendek kata, mereka tidak seharusnya membisu dan menganggap masalah sabotaj itu seolah-olah tidak pernah berlaku. Sikap inilah yang akan mengundang masalah kepada sesebuah organisasi.

Sabotaj ada di mana-mana. Kini, terpulanglah kepada kita semua bagaimana untuk menangani masalah tersebut dengan baik. Bagi pihak yang mendalangi sabotaj, mungkin sudah sampai masanya untuk menghentikan niat jahat itu dan melakukan perkara lain.

Soalnya sekarang, apakah mereka sudah bersedia?

* Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis.

Konsep muzik yang pelbagai dan tahap penerimaan kita

Posted: 08 Dec 2012 04:14 PM PST

9 DIS — Saya pernah terlibat beberapa kali untuk membuat persembahan muzik dan nyanyi dalam program muzik yang dianjurkan oleh kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat juga dari pihak NGO.

Salah satu sebabnya kerana album saya yang berjudul Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (DRUR) yang diterbitkan pada tahun 2009 penuh dengan tema politikal dan kemanusiaan.

Peristiwa yang tidak dapat saya lupakan adalah sewaktu program Protes Minyak pada tarikh 6hb julai 2008 di stadium Kelana Jaya di mana berlaku rusuhan dari para penyokong PAS terutamanya yang tidak dapat menerima konsep dan muzik yang bingit dari kumpulan muzik Punk Carburater Dung.

Melihat situasi dan mentaliti para penyokong yang rata-ratanya penyokong PAS petang itu, saya sudah merasakan sesuatu yang tidak diduga akan berlaku bermula bila kumpulan muzik Punk Dum Dum Tak membuat persembahan.

Nampak jelas sikap para penonton yang jelas tidak suka dan berminat dengan cara dan muzik mereka.

Saya juga turut membuat persembahan pada hari tersebut dengan beberapa lagu santai dengan iringan gitar akustik.

Jelas percaturan blogger terkenal Hishamuddin Rais yang terlibat sebagai orang kuat untuk program tersebut nyata silap.

Kemuncaknya penyanyi Carburator Dung Alak dilanyak dengan teruk oleh para penyokong yang ekstrim. Saya hanya mampu melihat dari satu sudut belakang akan kejadian yang bagi saya tidak sepatutnya berlaku.

Dari situ saya mula berfikir sejauh manakah penerimaan mereka-mereka yang di dalam kerajaan Pakatan terutamanya bagi parti PAS dalam menerima konsep muzik yang pelbagai?

Adakah untuk muzik Punk pemuzik perlu memakai baju Melayu berserta kopiah dan membawakan lagu Maher Zen atau Raihan dalam muzik Punk?

Bagi saya apa mesej yang mahu disampaikan itu adalah lebih penting dari penampilan atau konsep muzik yang mahu dipersembahkan.

Pun sewaktu bertemu Alak dan membincangkan hal itu selepas kejadian tersebut, Carburater Dung sebenarnya telah pun mengikut saranan penganjur supaya berpakaian kemas.

Album saya DRUR walaupun di dalamnya penuh dengan elemen dan tema kemanusiaan juga protes namun dari segi penerimaan dan sambutan dari pendengar PAS terutamanya agak dingin.

Dalam beberapa persembahan yang dianjurkan kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) walau jumlah kehadiran penonton mencecah ribuan orang, album saya pernah tidak terjual walau sekeping pun.

Mungkin mereka mahu saya berkopiah atau berjubah sesuai dengan imej Islamik yang indah di luar apabila membuat persembahan atau untuk cover album konsepnya perlu nampak penuh dengan imej Islamik yang cantik di mata.

Membelek cover album DRUR yang bagi mereka mungkin tidak melambangkan imej yang Islamik , peratus keinginan sudah berkurangan sehingga tukang jual puas memberi penerangan dengan lebih detail pun belum tentu terjual album saya itu.

Walau dalam album tersebut terdapat lagu I.S.A yang liriknya ditulis oleh Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Shuhada Memali yang liriknya ditulis oleh Amin Iskandar yang menceritakan tentang trajedi dan peristiwa di Memali, pun itu masih membuatkan mereka berkerut kening tatkala saya menyampaikan lagu tersebut.

Pengalaman tersebut saya alami sewaktu membuat persembahan di sebuah markas PAS di Gombak dalam tahun 2010. Saya pun berfikir saya menyanyikan lagu tentang Memali ini untuk siapa sebenarnya?

Pun masih terdapat beberapa kerat di kalangan orang kuat PAS yang agak terbuka dalam menilai muzik selain muzik nasyid dan mereka ini masih gigih berusaha ke arah itu. Tapi jumlah mereka ini sangat kecil dan agak sukar dan mungkin akan mengambil masa juga untuk mengubah apa yang sudah tertanam di minda para ahli dan penyokong yang taksub.

Dalam hal yang begini, bagi saya kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) lebih bersikap terbuka dalam meraikan apa yang anak-anak muda mahu dan perlukan. Dan mereka akan cuba memahami tanpa terus menghukum, yang bagi saya itulah perkara yang paling penting dan bijak yang telah dan sedang mereka lakukan.

Untuk kita menarik orang muda untuk ke dunia kita, perlulah kita cuba faham dan bergaullah mengikut cara dan acuan mereka, bukan memaksa mereka mengikut cara kita.

Kita boleh katakan mereka terdesak untuk memancing undi anak muda, tapi muzik dan seni selalunya berkesan untuk jangka masa yang panjang dan kita perlu tahu majoriti manusia memang sukakan muzik terutamanya di kalangan anak-anak muda dulu mahupun sekarang.

Baru-baru ini kerajaan Pakatan juga telah menganjurkan program Konsert Bersih juga di stadium Kelana Jaya.

Walau disertai kumpulan muzik otai Blues Gang juga Republic Of Brickfield antaranya, jumlah kehadiran para penonton tidaklah ramai dan kesannya konsert tersebut tidaklah begitu mendapat sambutan dari para penyokong Pakatan khususnya.

Mungkin senarai para artis yang mereka pilih seperti Blues Gang atau Republic of Brickfield populariti mereka tidaklah sehebat kumpulan muzik rock popular seperti Wing, May mahupun Search?

Itu saya tidaklah pasti sangat cuma sering timbul persoalan di benak saya, sejauh manakah penerimaan masyarakat juga penyokong pakatan terutamanya PAS dalam menilai konsep muzik yang pelbagai?

Saya perhatikan hari ini pihak kerajaan Barisan Nasional walau dalam apa cabang seni pun, mereka akan cuba mengambil tahu dan memberi perhatian, seperti program yang dianjurkan oleh rapid KL bersama Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) yang di adakan pada 5hb september lepas.

Program bas percuma "GoKL City Bus" di lokasi yang ditetapkan itu turut menjemput para busker atau pemuzik jalanan termasuk saya bermuzik di lokasi-lokasi terpilih di sekitar ibukota selama 2 minggu.

Juga akan di adakan berbagai program yang melibatkan para busker seperti Busking Festival di KLCC dalam masa terdekat ini. Sebelum ini mereka juga telah mengadakan program Indie Festival yang berlangsung di Dataran Merdeka baru-baru ini. Jelas mereka menunjukkan kesungguhan dalam meraikan dunia anak-anak muda zaman ini.

* Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Ahad, 9 Disember 2012