Major Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Tsunami Warning Lifted

JAKARTA (AFP) - A major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Monday, destroying houses and triggering a tsunami warning but there were no reports of fatalities, officials said.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which initially said the quake had a magnitude of 7.8 before downgrading it to 7.5, said it struck 136 kilometres (84 miles) off the coastal town Gorontalo at a depth of 21 kilometres.

US officials issued a tsunami warning for an area within 1,000 kilometers of the epicentre, but a similar warning from Indonesian authorities was withdrawn shortly after being issued.

The Indonesian state-run Antara news agency said thousands of people fled their homes and hotel rooms in Gorontalo, with a population of several hundred thousand, when the quake struck around 1:02 am (1702 GMT Sunday).

It said one person had been injured and several buildings had collapsed in Gorontalo. One official told AFP that residents of Tolitoli, around 250 kilometres away, had also reported collapsed buildings.

"In an earthquake like this I think it's likely there will be victims," Indonesian geological official Sutiono said. Police on Sulawesi were not immediately available for comment.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "this earthquake has the potential to generate a destructive regional tsunami along coasts located within a thousand kilometers (620 miles) of the earthquake epicenter." It advised that authorities in the region "take immediate action to evacuate coastal areas."

"This earthquake is located outside the Pacific. No tsunami threat exists to coastlines in the Pacific," it added. The USGS reported two powerful aftershocks.

The Indonesian archipelago straddles several continental plates in an area known as the Pacific Ring of Fire where seismic and volcanic activity is recorded on an almost daily basis.

Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the earthquake-triggered tsunami in December 2004 that killed more than 200,000 people in 11 countries across Asia, including over 168,000 people in Indonesia's Aceh province.

Monday's quake comes less than a week after Indonesia launched a high-tech tsunami warning system in a bid to prevent a repeat of tragedies like that in 2004.

The 1.4 trillion rupiah (130.2 million dollar) system is able to detect an earthquake at sea and predict within five minutes whether it could cause a tsunami.

The system, built with German technology and funding from a number of foreign nations, will eventually include 23 or 24 buoys linked by cables to detectors on the ocean floor.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch Tuesday that Indonesia was "living on the edge."

"Three tectonic plates -- the Eurasian, Indo-Australian and Pacific -- meet here," Yudhoyono said. "This kind of disaster can strike at any time."

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Modern Version of Leaning Tower of Pisa: Capital Gate, Dubai

If you thought the Leaning Tower of Pisa was messed up, get a load of the Capital Gate tower currently being constructed in Abu Dhabi. Actually, saying it is “messed up” is incorrect given that the 18 degree westward incline was completely intentional.

In fact, the project’s architects have submitted a joint application to the Guinness Book of Records to recognize the tower as the ‘most inclined in the world’. In order to support the awkward angle of the 35-story structure, the design called for a foundation of extremely dense reinforced steel mesh and 490 piles sunk nearly 100 feet into the ground.

Simon Cowell’s $9 Million Gift To His Ex-Girlfriend

Both sides say that the split was amicable. In fact, Simon Cowell says he and his ex, Terri Seymour, will remain good friends. It’s totally possible since he has been generous to his ex. According to reports, Simon gave Terri US$5 million in cash plus a home in Beverly Hills worth about US$4 million as a goodbye gift.

And, the reason for the split? Terri wanted to settle down and have kids but Simon didn’t want that. “I don’t want to marry anyone, because whoever marries me will end up hating me,” he has said. “She wants a different path in life and I totally respect her for it. We will be the best of mates, but I think in relationships, you have to be totally honest.”

Simon was apparently honest about not wanting to marry and have kids from the start but the idea just didn’t sink in with Terri until recently. Other reports though claim that Simon buying a house for Leona Lewis also had something to do with it.



In any case, there is no one new in his life right now: “I can honestly say some of my best friends are girls, but we’re not dating, and that is that.”

Court frees Raja Petra

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is to be freed Friday.

He succeeded Friday in his bid to obtain a release order from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) via his habeas corpus application.

The judge ruled that the Home Minister had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued the two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA.

The High Court here also allowed Raja Petra to be brought to court to be released today.

He was detained for a second time under the ISA on Sept 12.

On April 11, 2001, Raja Petra along with 10 other activists were detained under the ISA for allegedly plotting to overthrow former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Raja Petra was released 52 days later.

Razak cancels press conference

KUALA LUMPUR: Abdul Razak Baginda, acquitted last week of abetment in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, cancelled a press conference scheduled for yesterday.

Daughter Rowena later apologised for her “still adjusting” father.

In an e-mail sent yesterday to the press, Rowena said her father would be staying in Malaysia for the coming weeks owing to concerns about his health.

Local and international reporters had turned up at the hotel in anticipation of Razak breaking his silence since his acquittal.

Although several media organisations had received information on Wednesday night that the press conference had been cancelled, reporters and photographers still turned up at the hotel yesterday morning in case Razak changed his mind.

A retired couple living in Bangsar also made their way to the hotel because they wanted to personally hear what Razak had to say.

Apart from publicly expressing relief over the acquittal and about his daily fasting when under remand, Razak had not spoken to the press – despite the media occasionally gathering outside his house in Damansara Heights hoping for a chance to speak to him.

Rowena, in her e-mail, apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the press conference.

“We apologise profusely for any inconvenience and confusion in this matter,” she wrote. “As you can imagine, there is much readjustment that my father has yet to do. He is still adjusting to life as a free man after being in prison for close to two years.”

She added that Razak had assumed he could readjust as soon as he was released.

“But it seems that it will take a little more time. He is also concerned with his health, and as such he will be staying on in Malaysia for the coming weeks,” she said.

Last night, Razak held thanksgiving prayers at his house.

His father, Datuk Abdullah Malim Baginda, said besides holding thanksgiving prayers for his son, a tahlil was also held for the late L/Kpl Othman Abdul Rahman, 47.

L/Kpl Othman died after complaining of breathing difficulties while accompanying Razak, and the other two accused in the murder case, C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, at the Shah Alam High Court on July 25.

Abby: I still want to divorce Norman

ACTRESS Abby Abadi is determined to divorce her husband Norman Hakim although he has tried to make up with her through the short messaging service, reported Harian Metro.

“I still want to get a divorce although I have received some SMS from him seeking reconciliation.

“I am no longer bothered to know about him and Memey. I do not know if they are getting married, the only thing I am sure is, I do not want to stand in their way,” she said.

On Norman expressing his willingness to take starlet Memey Suhaiza as his second wife, Abby said Norman was talking about marrying again when he had not fulfilled his responsibility to the family.

“My heart is really closed. Before he announce his intention, he needs to be sure that he is capable of doing so. The wife is not properly cared for now,” she said.

Abby said her intention to divorce Norman was not due solely to his khalwat case as she had wanted to do it sometime back.

“All I can say is, I can no longer take it. Many things have happened but I do not want to talk here,” she said, adding that she would win the divorce petition because Norman’s khalwat case was proof of “the bad things he had done to me.”

Memey told Harian Metro she had continued to keep silent although she had been flooded with telephone calls and SMS asking her to tell her side of the story.

Result UEFA (6/11/2008)

Kumpulan A

Manchester City 3 (Wright-Phillips 2, Robinho 57, Mwaruwari 62)

FC Twente 2 (Elia 17, Wielaert 65)

Racing Santander 1 (Tchite 57)

Schalke 4 1 (Engelaar 61)


Kumpulan B


Metalist Kharkiv 0 - Hertha Berlin 0

Benfica 0 - Galatasaray 2 (Emre Asik 51, Umit Karan 69)



Kumpulan C

VfB Stuttgart 2 (Gomez 76, 80) - Partizan Belgrade 0

Standard Liege 1 (Mbokani 38) - Sevilla 0



Kumpulan D

Spartak Moscow 1 (Rodriguez 17) - Udinese 2 (Quagliarella 12, 60-pen)

Tottenham 4 (Bent 30, 33, 70, Huddlestone 59) - Dynamo Zagreb 0



Kumpulan E

VfL Wolfsburg 5 (Dzeko 34, 60, Grafite 39, Misimovic 53, Krzynowek 71) - Heerenveen 1 (Vaayrynen 31)

AC Milan 1 (Ronaldinho 90+3) - Sporting Braga 0

Ajax 1 (Suarez 41) - MSK Zilina 0

Slavia Prague 0 - Aston Villa 1 (Carew 26)



Kumpulan G

St Etienne 3 (Ilan 59, P. Machado 62, Mirallas 76) - Rosenborg 0

Valencia 1 (Morientes 61) - FC Copenhagen 1 (Santin 85)



Kumpulan H

Lech Poznan 2 (Peszko 5, Stilic 22) - Nancy 2 (Malonga 10, Zerka 81)

Feyenoord 1 (van Bronckhorst 29) - CSKA Moscow 3 (A Berezutski 13, Vagner Love 40, 81) - AFP

Injuries force Malaysian team to reshuffle line-up

SETIU: Injuries to two riders have forced the Malaysian team to reshuffle their line-up at the 11th hour for the 12th FEI-World Endurance Championship (FEI-WEC), which begins at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, yesterday.

Malaysian team manager Mohd Din Muhamad said the duo — Bakar Aman and Yusran Yusof — had been replaced by Datuk Abdullah Taib and Che Ahmed Yusri Muhamad.

“Bakar, 55, is suffering from ligament injuries on his left leg, while Yusran, 20, has a back injury,” said Mohd Din yesterday.


Regal presence: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (left) chatting with a team-mate during training at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong Wednesday. — Bernama

“With the two replacements, we have finalised the line-up for registration.”

The FEI-WEC will see 133 riders from 33 countries competing in a 160km race.

The Malaysian team will be led by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who would be riding Taljari Moonlight Pharaoh. — Bernama

Inter Milan coach Mour praises tiny Famagusta

NICOSIA: Cypriot min­nows Anorthosis Famagusta twice came from behind to tame Italian giants Inter Milan in a thrilling 3-3 draw in this action-packed Group B Champions League game here on Tuesday.

Anorthosis showed dogged determination and enjoyed a large slice of lady luck against their more illustrious opponents who will be wondering how they let three points slip from their grasp.

The draw keeps the Italian club atop Group B with eight points, although it failed to clinch a spot in the last 16. Anorthosis earned more respect in Europe’s top competition by holding on to second place with five points and keeping their undefeated home record intact.

Inter twice took the lead against Anorthosis, but the Cypriots bounced back every time and even took the lead in the 50th minute through Nikos Frousos.

Inter substitute Julio Cruz managed a late equaliser nine minutes from the end to save the Serie A side’s blushes.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho praised Anorthosis but said his side were too complacent.

“We came here to win, it was easy to win but we gave the game away ... we could have scored four or five but conceding three was too many,” Mourinho told reporters. “Anorthosis played a fantastic game and I hope this serves as a landmark for progress in Cypriot football.”

After the game Mourinho walked on the pitch to personally congratulate the Anorthosis players.

Home coach Temuri Ketsbaia called the outcome a “just result” and said his team deserved their good fortune as they played with “desire and passion”.

“This result was not an accident,” said the ex-Newcastle player. — Agencies

Parliament: Former judges paid RM10.5m

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and five supreme court judges were paid a total of RM10.5mil as ex-gratia payment.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz said Tun Salleh was paid RM5mil; Supreme Court judges the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh and George Edward Seah Kim Seng RM2mil each; while Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohd Salleh, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin and the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader were paid RM500,000 each.

Nazri said this when he replied on behalf of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department during the committee stage.

Nazri said the six were also paid monthly pensions, of which Salleh received RM5,102, Wan Suleiman RM4,815, Seah RM5,917, Eusoffe (last pension received prior to his death) RM4,815, Wan Hamzah RM6,549 and Wan Azmi RM5,917.

“The payments do not consitute an admission of guilt on the part of the Government. I wish to clarify that their services were terminated, so they have been given pensions for the past 20 years.

“Does that mean that they were considered guilty?,” he said when queried by Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) on why the judges were given pensions.

Nazri said that there would be no end to arguments on whether the payments were too high or too low.

“The ex-gratia payments are not about closure (of the issue), they are about moving on.

“We cannot quantify the quantum that should be given to them based on their services,” he added.

On why the ex-judges were given pensions, Nazri said since it involved early retirement and not dismissal, the Pensions Department had to follow the law and give them their payments.

“They were not sacked, the Government told them to retire early. So they chose to retire and they received their pensions,” he said.

Nazri told the MPs to refer to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s speech during the Malaysian Bar dinner in April, in which Abdullah had said the Government wanted to recognise “the contributions of these six judges, their commitment towards upholding justice and to acknowledge the pain and loss they have endured.”

Khalid Abd Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) said there should be a proper closure of the issue.

“If we really want to clear their names, then the Government has to come clean.

“The Government should admit that there was abuse of power by the Executive against the judiciary. If not, the lesson from this experience would not have been learnt,” he said.

Nazri said MPs cannot bring media reports into the House and claimed that the judges were sacked, because the media had its own “slant” on the issue.

To a question from Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat), Nazri said there would not be a judicial review of the case if no fresh evidence was found.