Toshiba quits HD DVD 'format war'

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Toshiba said Tuesday it will no longer manufacture HD DVDs, effectively ending the long-running battle with the rival Blu-ray for a dominant high-definition format

Toshiba said it made the decision to cease developing, manufacturing, and marketing HD DVDs after "recent major changes in the market." It promised to continue offering support and service for all existing Toshiba HD DVD products.

"We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop," Toshiba President and Chief Executive Atsutoshi Nishida said in a news release.

Toshiba's HD DVD business has been suffering recently with a string of major retailers and rental companies announcing their preference for Blu-ray, developed by Sony.

Musharraf faces call to resign

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- The ruling party of Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf admitted defeat in parliamentary elections Tuesday, and one senior opposition leader said it was time for the president to step down.

Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted from power in Musharraf's bloodless coup in 1999, was one of the winners in Monday's election.

His Pakistan Muslim League-N party was coming second, having won 67 seats, with only a few results still to be confirmed.

Only the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in the run-up to the elections, won more national assembly seats -- 92 so far.

The Musharraf-allied Pakistan Muslim League-Q had won 38 seats in preliminary results at 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Sharif said: "Musharraf doesn't understand this decision. He has closed his eyes. He has said before that he would go when the people want him to do so and now the people have given their verdict."

Sharif, like Bhutto, returned from exile late last year to compete in the elections

Cuba quiet after Castro announces resignation

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Although the news that one of the longest-serving leaders in the world was officially stepping down sent ripples around the globe, Fidel Castro's resignation announcement barely registered in Cuba.

Castro, 81, revealed his plans in a letter published in the middle of the night in the online version of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma.

"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard."

President Bush said Castro's decision ought to spark "a democratic transition" for Cuba.

"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections," Bush said Tuesday in Rwanda. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty." Video Watch Bush's reaction to Castro's resignation »

But the streets of Cuba's capital, Havana, reflected the normal comings and goings of residents. No gatherings or rallies erupted at Castro's news.

Despite the story later consuming the entire front page of the print version of Granma, complete with a banner headline, many Cubans said they hadn't heard the news when asked by CNN.

Ong: It’s my last general election

PENANG: This general election will be the last one MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (pic, left) will contest. Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister, made the announcement at the state MCA Chinese New Year Solidarity Dinner at the Esplanade last night.

“I am already 51 years old this year and have been the party’s president for more than four years. This will be my last time standing in general elections.
“Unlike the Opposition where a candidate can keep on contesting until he is old, the MCA has a policy where a leader can serve a maximum of nine years as president or three terms,” he said, adding that it was healthy to have new blood in the leadership.

Ong was appointed the party president in 2003 and retained his post in 2005. He has been the Housing and Local Government Minister since 1999.Ong said the Chinese must unite and support the MCA to ensure that they are well represented in the government.

Reminding the community that the party has championed the rights of the Chinese for more than 58 years, Ong said the Chinese community had played an active and effective role in mainstream politics. “Since the early days, we formed a party to protect our rights and represent us in the government.

“Unlike the DAP, which has nothing to show after 42 years of being set up, the MCA has a solid track record." “The DAP keeps telling the MCA what it should do for the Chinese, yet it does not have a vision for the community,” he said, adding that the Chinese must be optimistic and confident about their future in the country.

“We have always done well in education and many of our children are students who have gained places in local universities. “The community has also produced a large pool of professionals who are all doing well

DAP had done things that Ong yourself cant do, so please dont comment on what people do and dont, but just to yourself.....

Seven ministers likely to miss out on elections

Seven ministers likely to miss out on elections

KUALA LUMPUR: As many as seven of the 32 Cabinet members may not be fielded to contest in the general election.

Two of them – Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi – have publicly confirmed that they are retiring from politics but sources said about five others may also step aside.

Among the ministers speculated to be retiring are Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Rural Development Minister Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zain and Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor.

A total of 32 people were appointed ministers when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reshuffled his Cabinet in 2006.

Earlier this year, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek resigned as health minister after a sex DVD was circulated by unknown people.

This means there could be at least eight vacancies to be filled.

Speculation about the positions of Dr Rais, Azmi and Aziz arose because of their ages.

Dr Rais and Azmi are both 66 while Aziz is 70. They are the incumbent MPs for Jelebu, Padang Besar and Shah Alam respectively.

Azmi is also being speculated as a possible mentri besar of Perlis.

Aziz was admitted to hospital for two weeks because of hernia in 2006 and his health has also been cited as another reason for him not to be fielded.

However, Aziz said his health was improving and stressed, “My age is not an obstacle to continue with my work. I’m ready to serve (the people) but I’m a party man.

“I abide by all party decisions and now it is up to the party leader whether he still wants me. If he needs me, I will continue to do my best. If not, I will support the party.”

Talk about Tengku Adnan not defending his Putrajaya seat arose because of the controversial Lingam video clip and the just-ended Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Asked about speculation of him being dropped, 57-year-old Tengku Adnan said, “I can’t comment on that. (But) I’m already working for the election campaign. We have started the ball rolling. So let’s wait and see.”

Dr Lim had said in an interview yesterday that he was not the only one leaving the Cabinet.

“Even though some of them (his Cabinet colleagues) know this could be their last Cabinet meeting, they still refused to say,” said Dr Lim.

Effendi, in an article in The Star yesterday, said it would be healthy for the Cabinet to be “infused with new blood, new talent”.

However, the vacancy created by Dr Lim is already spoken for.

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has confirmed that he is going to the federal level.

Time for the truth and payback....

McCain, Obama take rivalry to new heights

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Their tempest began well before their bids for a presidential nomination.

When Senator John McCain claimed victory for a round of primaries on Tuesday, it was little surprise that he skipped over criticism of Senator Barack Obama’s policies. There will be plenty of time for that.

Instead, Mr. McCain zeroed in on another long-held annoyance, a perception that Mr. Obama wears a political halo.

“I don’t seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness,” Mr. McCain said. “That history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need.”

A contentious relationship between Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, and Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, has been percolating on Capitol Hill for more than two years.

My opinion is that in any way, Obama is a loser at the end of this race..... because.......

Edmund Tadros
February 14, 2008 - 3:09PM


What started out as a cautionary tale about storing lurid digital photos of past lovers on the computer has become one of Asia's biggest internet celebrity sex scandals and a focal point for censorship in Hong Kong.

Hundreds of photos featuring what appears to be at least five of Hong Kong's best-known entertainers have been uploaded to the internet after being copied from the laptop of Edison Chen, 27, a singer and actor.

Hong Kong police have now arrested nine people for uploading the images, which are being constantly posted and then deleted from message-boards across the region. The pictures have also been posted to file-sharing networks with new images being uploaded daily.

The photo scandal has been front-page news across Hong Kong tabloids for weeks and has led to users almost overwhelming various Hong Kong discussion forums.

In mainland China the images are being reposted to message boards as soon as they are removed by moderators, The Guardian reported.

A single discussion threat in the Tianya message-board about the pictures has attracted 25.8 million page views, with posters sharing tips on where to download the images.

This week the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, John Tong, was moved enough to ask people to delete the photos.

"It is also biblical teaching that we should speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil," he told the South China Morning Post.

"It is important that we should keep our mind decent and perhaps, needless to say, we should not post or circulate pictures."

Photos show sex scenes

The files were copied from the customised pink MacBook belonging to Chen when he took his computer in for repairs, Hong Kong police said.

The dozens of photos show Chen in separate scenes, some featuring sex, with at least six women, including Canto-pop singers Gillian Chung, 27, Cecilia Cheung, 27 and Bobo Chan, 28. The former two are also actors.

The pictures began surfacing on the internet late last month where they immediately caused a frenzy in celebrity-obsessed Hong Kong.

Representatives of the pop stars at first said the images were faked, message-boards lit up with hundreds of thousands of comments and Chen reportedly went into hiding.

Despite the initial denial about the authenticity of the photos, Chung, one of the country's most popular singers and part of a duo called The Twins, held a news conference on Monday at which she said she had been "naive and very silly" in her youth, The New York Times reported.

Chung, who features heavily in the advertising for Hong Kong Disneyland, refused to confirm or deny that she is featured in the material.

Cheung and Chan have not made any further public comment on the photos.

In a video statement, the Canadian-born Chen asked for the public to delete any copies of the photos.

"The lives of many innocent people have been affected by this malicious and criminal conduct, and in this regard I am filled with pain, hurt and frustration," Chen said.

"I hereby use this opportunity to apologise to anyone who has been affected by this strange, strange ordeal."

A Government mouthpiece, The Beijing Youth Daily, has taken a moralistic tone, calling Chen's behaviour "vulgar" in an editorial today.

"It is vulgar for him to develop the habit of taking nude photos or videos of others," the daily said.

"If the women stars were willing to have their photos taken, then they are also leading a dissolute life.

"If not, Chen is simply a scoundrel.

"In view of this, it is time for fans to reflect upon their infatuation with pop stars.

"Obviously these stars do not live up to their public image. So it is worthless for fans to believe blindly in their idols and regard them as spiritual beacons."

Hong Kong tabloids are now running reports that there are plans by gangsters to "teach a lesson" to Chen, the Times reported, noting organised crime was a key element in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

It is important that people to learn new lesson on how to protect themself at the first place, not going after the aftermath...... but these shocking images in our asia culture does tell us that in the world of entertaiments, things can get pretty lusty..... sad way to start year of RATT

Thursday February 14, 2008

Angry youths surround and jeer Samy at school event

PETALING JAYA: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was surrounded by some youths who jeered him during the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Tamil school here.

Samy Vellu was walking back to a canopy after performing the ceremony for the SRJK Tamil Seaport in Kampung Lindungan when the youths surrounded him.

The school is being relocated from Kelana Jaya.

MIC supporters quickly came in to help but Samy Vellu and the youths were already involved in a heated argument by then.

Police were called in and they escorted Samy Vellu from the area.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was also at the ceremony.

Earlier, as Samy Vellu got down from his car, a group of about 30 people held placards stating that the land area for the school had been reduced.

After listening to their grievances, Samy Vellu assured them that the new school building would be bigger.

He said the new building could hold 450 pupils compared to the 150 now.

“We should be happy that an extra RM500,000 has been allocated to build this school at a cost of RM1.5mil,” he said.

PADAN MUKA la u samy, ask you to do more good deed don wan, see now sudah kena padah