Nicole Kidman highlights violence against women

Actress Nicole Kidman speaks during the "International Violence Against Women: Stories and Solutions" hearing on October 21 in Washington, DC. Kidman is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women and said in her address that violence against women and girls was "perhaps the most systematic, widespread human rights violation in the world".

WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Bringing a splash of Hollywood glamour to Capitol Hill, Australian movie star Nicole Kidman has testified before lawmakers as part of her effort to stop violence against women around the world.

Kidman, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), told Congress on Wednesday that violence against women and girls was "perhaps the most systematic, widespread human rights violation in the world.

"I am far from an expert, I rely on the people I've met to make the case," admitted the actress, adding that it "recognizes no borders, no race or class."

Representatives at a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee have been hearing testimony as they debate the International Violence Against Women Act, which could influence US foreign policy in relations with countries where women's rights are not respected.

Kidman said systematic rape in ethnic conflict, forced marriage at an early age and domestic violence required treatment "not with a box of band aids but with a comprehensive, well-funded approach that acknowledges that women's rights are human rights."

Kidman, who once starred in the controversial Lars von Trier film "Dogville" as an on-the-run woman who was repeatedly raped, was asked by one representative whether Hollywood could be accused of legitimizing violence against women, the actress replied: "Probably so, but it has also contributed to solutions."

She described her work with UNIFEM as "incredibly inspiring" and vowed to continued working for "the rest of (her) life."

During the hearings, NGO representatives said one in three women worldwide have been victim of rape or beating at some point in their life; more than half of the world's sexual assaults are committed against girls younger than 15.

In the United States, 89,000 cases of rape were reported last year.

Anggota Boyzone mati mabuk

Stephen Gately

LONDON: Anggota kumpulan Boyzone, Stephen Gately dilapor mati selepas parti liar arak selama lapan jam.

Akhbar The Sun yang diterbitkan di London melaporkan, Gately, 33, yang jarang minum, mabuk teruk ketika menghadiri parti di sebuah kelab gay di Majorca, Sepanyol, bersama temannya, Andy Cowles.

Mereka dilihat minum terlalu banyak sebelum bertemu lelaki Bulgaria berusia 25 tahun dan kembali ke apartmen mereka untuk sambung minum.

Mayat Gately ditemui oleh Cowles keesokannya.

Polis percaya dia tercekik muntahnya sendiri.

Gately dan Cowles meninggalkan apartmen mereka berhampiran Port D’Anratx jam 9.30 malam (waktu tempatan) Sabtu lalu untuk ke sebuah bar di Palma.

Mereka kemudian berlepas ke kelab gay terkemuka, Black Cat.

Seorang saksi yang turut berada di kelab itu berkata, pasangan berkenaan minum terlalu banyak.

“Gately mabuk teruk,” katanya.

Gately dan Cowles kemudian menemui Giorgi Duchev yang mengekori pasangan itu pulang ke apartmen berkenaan pada jam 4.30 pagi.

Cowles masuk tidur jam 5.30 pagi, meninggalkan Gately yang lena di atas sofa.

Dia menemui temannya dalam kedudukan mencangkung dengan muka tersembam pada bantal sofa tengah hari berikutnya..

Polis semalam cuba mengesan Duchev.

Sumber polis berkata: “Kami tidak percaya ada perbuatan khianat tetapi kenyataannya amat penting.”

Anggota kumpulan Boyzone lain, Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham dan Shane Lynch tiba di Majorca malam tadi.

Seorang jurucakap Keating berkata, dia begitu sedih dengan kejadian itu.

Pengurus kumpulan, Louis Walsh membatalkan kemunculannya dalam rancangan X-Factor untuk bersama-sama-sama keluarga Gately. - Agensi

Malaysia Animated

I had a chance to visit Cannes today to speak to the participants of MIPCOMM, one of the world's biggest annual trade shows for multimedia content developers of the world. I am glad that my working visit to Paris coincided with this year's MIPCOMM and I was able to make time to travel to Cannes from Paris to meet with key people in the Multimedia content industry.

Content development, in particular digital animation is an industry that has vast potential in this Cyber age, and I believe it is an area we should explore thoroughly. As I said in my speech themed "Developing Content for the World" I told the participants of MIPCOMM that Malaysia's content industry is growing very fast indeed with more than 200 companies generating revenues of over USD200 million and creating more than 7000 high-value added creative jobs. I was delighted to give them insights about world class animation works such as Saladin, Upin & Ipin and ABC Monster all of which involved homegrown Malaysian talent in their development and production.

I truly feel that digital content development, in particular high quality animation, is a field in which many Malaysians can excel. I am well aware that there are many young Malaysians out there who are incredibly creative. I know that many of our youth have colourful imaginations and they have the talent to translate that imagination into lively animation characters and enthralling story lines. If we focus on this industry and nurture it well, it will provide opportunities to such Malaysian youngsters, from the cities as well as from the urban areas, to put their artistic ability to good use and generate better income for themselves. In that process they will catapult Malaysia to a higher standing in the digital content industry. We may even someday emerge as the animation content centre for this region.

Seeing this potential, the government, through MDeC, has increased funding for the industry and have initiated a special program called the MAC3 or the Multimedia Creative Content Centre which provides funding for co-production opportunities for animation, games and visual effects development. I hope Malaysian companies take full advantage of this to increase their production capabilities and to find partners at the global level. In doing so, I also hope that they would put special focus on identifying and nurturing local animation and content development talent from among Malaysians, especially the younger set who can potentially bring Malaysian animation to much greater heights.

I am glad I was able to speak and invite international companies to invest and participate more in Malaysia's Multimedia content development industry. I believe the time is right for us to go into this industry in a big way and I sincerely hope that Malaysian companies seize the moment and make the most of the opportunities that are available to them now.

1malaysia.com.my