Closed Zone

The new animated film created by Yoni Goodman, Director of Animation for the Academy Award-nominated film "Waltz with Bashir", together with the human rights group Gisha. "Closed Zone" shows the closure of the Gaza Strip and its effects on the ability of 1.5 million human beings living there to fulfill their daily needs, as well as their dreams and aspirations

Closed Zone - Click here for more blooper videos

Waltz with Bashir - Cannes 2008

Among the most intriguing movies selected for Cannes 2008 official competition, there's the animated documantary by Ari Folman, Waltz with Bashir. The director explores through memories and surreal images, the Israeli Army mission in the first Lebanon War of the early eighties.

Bashir animator makes film on Gaza

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:02:03 GMT | PressTV

A frame from Goodman's 'Closed Zone'

One of the creators of the Oscar-nominated animation Waltz with Bashir has released a short film about the recent Israeli war on Gaza.

Yoni Goodman's 90-second Closed Zone shows a Palestinian boy trying to chase a blue bird, but large hands block his way.

The film highlights Israel's tight blockade on Gaza, which has deprived dozens of Palestinians of medical and food supplies from the past 19 months.

"I'm very much against the Israeli blockade policy, and the last war was just a mistake," Goodman told The Jerusalem Post.

"People talk about Hamas, but there are many civilians there who are not Hamas supporters but who are suffering from this blockade," he said.

The blockade is a major issue in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and the UN and international aid groups say crossing points into Gaza must be opened to allow in much-needed living supplies.

The film has been launched online and Goodman hopes it can help people “see that there are people in Israel who are against war, who want peace," AP quoted him as saying.

Goodman says he started the project before the Israeli offensive against Gaza in December and that the conflict has affected his story.

Israel's three-week offensive against Gaza -- aimed at toppling the democratically-elected government of Hamas in the Palestinian territory -- left nearly 1,300 Palestinians dead, more than half of them civilians.

United, Chelsea in FA Cup semis

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:35:13 GMT     |  PressTV

Carlos Tevez (R) shoots and scores his 2nd goal against Fulham.

Manchester United and Chelsea march into the FA Cup semi-finals raising speculations of a rematch of last season's UEFA Champions League final.

United thrashed Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage, moving a step closer to an unprecedented quintuple.

Carlos Tevez scored the opener for The Reds 20 minutes into the game, before curling in a magnificent 25-yard power drive 10 minutes from half-time.

Wayne Rooney found the bottom-left corner for the net five minutes into the second half making it 3-0 to United. Ji-Sung Park's 81st minute shot went exactly where Rooney had sent the ball some 30 minutes earlier.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov before two crucial clashes one against Inter Milan in the Champions League and another against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Fulham's best goal attempt came early in the game when an Andrew Johnson effort was met with a terrible mistake by Edwin Van der Sar resulting in the ball moving towards the line, where it was bundled off by Nemanja Vidic.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates his goal.

At Coventry, Didier Drogba put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute and Alex doubled the lead after a fine counter-attack with 18 minutes from time.

Manager Guus Hiddink praised Drogba describing him as a dangerous striker. "He is working hard and he is good for the team". "He, however, still has to make some small improvements in his game," the manager added.

Hiddink said that his side would keep up the pressure on Manchester United "for as long as they can mathematically catch them."

The Blues and The Reds could meet up at either the semifinal or the final. In other FA Cup matches Everton takes on Middlesbrough on Sunday, while Arsenal and Burnley meet in a fifth-round tie.

Champions League results

Liverpool win 1-0 at Real Madrid

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso (left) heads the ball overReal Madrid’s Lassana Diarra (right) during a Champions League, Round of 16, first leg football match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid yesterday.

— AP pic

MADRID, Feb 26 ( Malaysianinsider — AP)

— Yossi Benayoun scored with a late header yesterday to give Liverpool a valuable 1-0 away win at Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 knockout match.

In a game of few chances, Benayoun powered Fabio Aurelio's curling free kick past Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 82nd minute to give the English club an all-important away goal.

Casillas denied first-half scoring chances from Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, while Arjen Robben created the Spanish champion's best effort with a rising shot that went through the fingertips of goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 71st but over the crossbar.

Both teams were largely restricted to long-range efforts. Alonso nearly caught Casillas off his line from inside his own half in the 45th but the Madrid goalkeeper backpedalled before tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Nine-time champion Madrid has underperformed in the competition in recent seasons and hasn't reached the quarter-finals since 2004. Nevertheless, president Vicente Boluda had predicted a 3-0 victory.

Madrid, which came into the match on a nine-game league winning streak, started the better of the two sides. Robben found Raul Gonzalez inside the area as early as the fifth minute, but Madrid's all-time leading scorer failed to beat Pepe Reina with his angled effort.

Reina again denied Madrid in the 16th minute, parrying Marcelo's hard drive.

Casillas dove to his right in the 21st to keep Torres' shot out, and the Spain striker appeared to hurt his right ankle soon after.

Robben was Madrid's biggest attacking threat, darting free into the middle in the 39th only to send his shot wide. A minute later, the Netherlands forward duplicated the play with exactly the same result.

Madrid coach Juande Ramos brought on Jose Maria (Guti)Gutierrez for Marcelo to start the second half but Liverpool pushed up with Alonso volleying wide in the 50th. Two minutes later, Robben dribbled through two defenders into the area but hit the ball into the side netting.

Torres didn't manage to snap his scoring drought at the Bernabeu as the former Atletico Madrid striker came off to jeers from the 80,000-plus in the 62nd, replaced by Ryan Babel.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard came on in the 87th for his first appearance after a three-week layoff due to a hamstring injury.

Liverpool will be without Riera for the return leg after the Spanish midfielder was booked in the 84th.

The second leg will be on March 10 at Anfield.

Chelsea defeated visiting Juventus 1-0 on a 12th minute goal by Didier Drogba, just his fourth of the season and first since Dec 26.

Giuseppe Rossi, a 22-year-old forward born in the United States, converted a tying penalty kick for Villarreal in the 67th minute of a 1-1 draw against visiting Panathinaikos after Robert Pires was fouled by Jakub Wawrzyniak. Giorgos Karagounis had scored on a 25-yard shot in the 59th that tipped off a hand of goalkeeper Diego Lopez and the crossbar before bouncing in.

Bayern Munich won 5-0 at Sporting Lisbon as Franck Ribery and Luca Toni had two goals each and Miroslav Klose scored once.

On Tuesday, defending champion Manchester United tied 0-0 at Inter Milan, Barcelona was held 1-1 at Lyon, Atletico Madrid tied 2-2 with visiting Porto and Arsenal beat visiting AS Roma 1-0. Second legs for those matchups will be March 11.

Shoe-hurlers target Israeli official

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:06:01 GMT      |    PressTV

A shoe modelled after the ones thrown at the former US president George W. Bush

Pro-Palestinian protesters pelt an Israeli official with their shoes before he starts 'justifying' Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip. 

On Sunday, Israeli reserves officer Ron Edelheit was about to brief an Amsterdam conference on the situation in Israel and Gaza when three protesters hurled four shoes at him, wrote Turkish daily Cumhuriyet, a Press TV correspondent reported. 

The protesters, two men and one woman, had managed to get in the Apollo Hotel's venue where the Center for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI) had arranged a conference. 


The shoes reportedly hit the Israeli official who served as the army spokesman during the recent 23-day Israeli attacks on Gaza. 


The demonstrators claimed the lecture was meant to "justify the massive destruction Israel planted in the Strip," Ynet reported. 


The attackers, whose identities are yet to be disclosed, were immediately arrested and accused of insulting the Israeli official. 


"This was an actual physical assault - past the limits of good taste," said Edelheit. 


"Once they throw a shoe - I'm in good company. Bush got two shoes thrown at him, I got four," he added referring to the Iraqi reporter Muntadhar al- Zaidi who earned worldwide fame for hurling his shoes at the former US president during a press conference in Baghdad. 


About 50 protesters had also gathered in front of the hotel. Another hotel had been chosen to host the event but the location was changed after the officer received death threats.  

Israeli envoy 3rd shoe-hurling target

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:52:20 GMT      |     PressTV

Shoe-throwing has turned into a symbol of protest worldwide. Iraqi protestors holding shoes demand the US forces to  leave their country.

Israeli ambassador to Sweden was welcomed by a shoe at Stockholm University as angry audience condemned Tel Aviv for attacks on Gaza.

Benny Dagan was giving a speech at a seminar on Israel's elections and the Middle East situation this week when a shoe and books were thrown at him.

The protesters shouted 'murderers' before throwing the objects including books, condemning Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched a 23-day unilateral war against the Gaza Strip in December, which left almost 1,400 people killed and injured at least 5,450 others.

The envoy was not injured as the shoe only 'brushed' his leg and the books did not hit him, AP reported.

Two suspects were arrested following the incident but they were consequently released.

The Israeli envoy is the third target of shoe-hurling, as the move has turned into a symbol of protest worldwide.

In December, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist threw a pair of shoes at George Bush at a press conference in Baghdad.

The second shoe victim was the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao when he was making a speech at the Cambridge University on Monday. 

PUISI TAHUN BARU CINA : KHATIMAH

Khatimah

I

Kau tentu ragui taksiranku tentang sejarah manusia
Yang bermula bukan dengan Zaman Batu Insan Purba
Yang tidak tahu martabat dirinya dan peranannya di dunia
Yang melihat ke belakang penuh kemunduran dan derita.

Kau melihat masakini dengan segala permasalahan
Mengharap masadepan menjanjikan lebih kebaikan
Degan pengalaman silam dan masakini
Serta ilmu perubatan dan teknologi tinggi.

Kau menganggap perjanjian insan di Alam Sana
Tiada kaitannya dengan hidup kita di dunia.

Kau tidak patut meragui pandanganku ini
Jika kau mengakui, walau samar sekali
Akan kedatangan hidup ukhrawi tidak terhalangi
Babak terakhir kehidupan insani
Yang menjejaki segala niat dan amal kita di Sini.

Wajarkah kau menerima Babak kedua dan terakhir?
Babak Pertama di Alam Sana kau rela mungkir?

II

Kau mungkin berkata sudah lupa Perjanjian Dulu
Yang kau anggap mungkin tidak pernah berlaku?
Apa hubungannya dengan pergolakan di dunia ini
Kekadang difahami, kekadang sukat dimengerti?

Kau bimbang jika berpegang pada Perjanjian Dulu
Yang samara-samar diingat itu, kita tentu terbelenggu
Dengan masa lalu dan gagal melangkah maju
Mencapai kehidupan penuh bermutu
Agar dihormati kawan dan tidak ditindas seteru.

Walau pandanganku pada zaman kita ini
Tidak di fahami dan akan disalah –mengerti
Dulu pegangan ini dimiliki ulama, umara dan awam
Pegangan inilah memicu mereka memimpin zaman
Mengalah semua musuh, luaran maupun dalaman
Mengejar ilmu pengetahuan dari Mekah, Cina dan Yunan.

Tuhan pernah berfirman, dan kebenarannya tidak pernah diragukkan
Gunung dan langit berkecai jika memikul Risalah Tanzilan
Tapi Mustafa yang kerdil jasadnya membukti keunggulan
Memikul Amanah Suci dua puluh tiga tahun penuh cabaran.

Kita harus juga bisa membukti kekuatan
Bukan melihat Tanzil dengan warna kemodenan
Menolak Babak Awal dan Akhir sejarah insane
Yang menafikan martabat kita mengatasi semua kejadian:
Sama ada binatang, malaikat, tumbuhan,haiwan
Atau kehidupan mungkin ditemui di masa depan
Di atas bulan dan bintang-bintang gemerlapan

III

Kita masih bebas merubah cita dan cara lebih bertaqwa
Mungkin sekarang masih belum wajar berbangga
Perubahan kearah kebaikan inilah disebut pengislahan
Pembangunan sebenar bagi kita masyarakat insan kita.

Jangan sekali-kali pandangan ku di perkudai
Mengekalkan kelemahan dan kejahatan masakini:
Jika terjebak di kancah maksiat dan kezaliman
Kau bebas bertaubat dan menukar haluan
Bagai Umar al-Faruk dan Khalid Pedang Tuhan
Atau Ibrahim Adhan putera bangsawan.

Jika telah bertapak dalam kebaikan akal dan amalan
Kau bebas meningkat ke tahap tinggi mencapai ihsan
Mengekal makam sehingga bertemu tuhan
Seperti Ali dan sebarisan dalam perjuangan:
Atau seperti anak Nuh di dalam hujan dan kelam
Menolak tangan ayahnya memilih jahanam.

Jika kau sedang bertukar amal dan pendapat
Sentiasa berubah antara baik dan jahat
Kau masih berupaya bertekad bulat
Mendalami ilmu, menolak zann dan syakk.
Tetap berdiri, tidak lagi berganjak dalam akhlak.

Maulana Iqbal bermata tajam pernah menyaran
Tinjaulah ke belakang jika ingin maju ke depan.

Tinjauan kita pastinya bukan bermula
Pada titik terjadi makhluk benda dirasai indera lima
Yang masih di batasi ruang waktu di alam deria.

Renungan kita kembali jauh pada bila
Ruang dan waktu belum di kira
Di mana ruh telah mengenali Yang Maha Esa
Dan Tegas mengakui ketuhanan dan ketuanan-Nya
Dan beza darjat dan murtabat antara kita dan semua
Bila Amanah Agung diterima sukarela.

Kita lihat ke depan jauh melintasi hidup ini
Memikirkan nasib diri selepas ruh mengecap mati
Apakah Allah Taala redha menerima kembali diri ini?
Menyambut baik segala niat suci dan amal bakti
Segala salah dan silap akan dimaafi?

Merenung masa depan yang pasti datang
Malikul Maut tidak biasa dihalang atau dilambatkan
Dengan riyadah, pemakanan dan teknologi perubatan
Yang hanya merupakan iktiar tugas insan
Membanyakkan taubat atas silap dan kesalahan
Meningkatkan niat suci menambah amal kebajikan.

Malikul Maut akan tepat tiba saat dikehendaki.
Seperti tercatat di Lauh Terjaga lagi suci.
Merenung masa depan bererti mati sebelum mati
Sentiasa mengira-ngirai diri sebelum dihisabi:
Dengan siapa akan dikumpulkan nanti disana?
Dengan Fraun, Hamman, ibn Ubayy dan sepertinya?
Menyesal berpanjangan, memohon kembali ke Sini
Atau dengan Mustafa, sahabat dan pewarisnya?
Bahagia tidak kehabisan, kekal abadi.

Setiap diri berkuasa atas Panggung Agung ini
Banyak bisa diperbaiki : niat dan amal-bakti
Bermulalah dengan diri sendiri biarpun selalu dipuji
Dan selari, kaum keluarga dan institusi diamanati.
Masa terus berlalu, kubur tidak sabar bertemu
Mulakanlah hari ini : janganlah berlenggah dungu.

Dalam Terang
Prof Dr Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud

United on top with last-minute winner

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:53:51 GMT

United's Berbatov (R) celebrates scoring against Bolton Defending champion Manchester United has reached the top of the Premier League with a last-minute winner by striker Dimitar Berbatov. The game against Bolton Wanderers brings to seven the number of 1-0 league wins United has managed to secure this season. The sole goal was scored when Carlos Tevez provided a chance to Berbatov, who headed home a vital winner. United has 47 points from 21 matches, one ahead of Liverpool -- which can reclaim the top spot with a victory over Everton on Monday. Alex Ferguson's side has now kept 10 consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, equaling the record held by Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea defeated Stoke City 2-1 thanks to Frank Lampard's goal four minutes into stoppage time. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side stayed third, just ahead of Aston Villa which came from a goal down to beat Sunderland 2-1 away despite having striker Ashley Young sent off. Chelsea has 45 points from 22 matches with Villa on 44.

Chelsea mesmerized by United triumph

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:43:33 GMT | PressTV.ir

Defending champion Manchester United has leapfrogged Chelsea in the English Premier League following a narrow home victory over Wigan Athletic.

United is currently two points adrift league leaders Liverpool, which has 46 points. Ferguson's men still have another game in hand and would go to the top should they defeat Bolton on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney reacts after scoring the winner against Wigan athletic

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:13:14 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) was among several players booked in a high-tempo match.

Defending champion Manchester United makes a bold statement of its season intentions by defeating title rival Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Goals from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov allowed the English, European and world champions move within five points of Premier League leader Liverpool.

United now has 41 points with 19 played games, while Chelsea remains second, chasing Liverpool, which has 46 points from 21 games.

George W. Bush Invites you to his whitehouse farewell dinner

Matrix 4 Thriller : BUSH FAREWELL DINNER

Throw a shoe at George Bush.

You are welcome to throw shoes at the outgoing American President, who causes millions to suffer in Iraq and Afghanistan and seriously curbed civil liberties in America. [click here]

Throwing of Shoes at Bush has become a standard symbol of protest throughout the world against Bush's two terms US Presidency, where he has messed up the world peace, the US civil liberties, the US and world economy.

From Hollywood to Hajj - 6 Dec 2008

Al Jazeera tracks down Omar Regan, a Hollywood actor who appeared as a double for Chris Tucker in the film Rush Hour.

Al Jazeera's Sami Zeidan reports from Saudi Arabia where he talks to Regan on his pilgrimage from Hollywood to Hajj.

KATA-KATA NASIHAT IBNU QAYYIM

Di dalam hati manusia ada kekusutan dan tidak akan terurai kecuali menerima kehendak Allah swt.

Di dalam hati manusia ada keganasan dan tidak akan hilang kecuali berjinak dengan dengan Allah swt

Di dalam hati manusia ada kesedihan dan tidak akan hilang kecuali seronok mengenali Allah swt

Di dalam hati manusia ada kegelisahan dan tidak akan tenang damai kecuali berlindung, bertemu dan berjumpa denganNya

Di dalam hati manusia ada penyesalan dan tidak akan padam kecuali redha dengan suruhan dan laranganNya serta qadha dan qadarNya serta kesenantiasaan sabar sehingga menemuiNya

Di dalam hati manusia ada hajat dan tidak akan terbendung kecuali kecintaan kepadaNya dan bermohon kepadaNya.

Kesentiasaan berzikir kepadaNya adalah keikhlasan sebenar kepadaNya. . . . . . Andai dunia dan isinya diberikan kepada manusia masih tidak lagi dapat membendunghajat hati sihamba itu.

“Prayers to fulfill Desires”.

There was only about a week, between Hari Raya and the PMR. So many put off or place on hold, by taking a break, their 6 days of Shawal fasting. Something has to be slotted in that period – “Prayers to fulfill Desires" - as well wishers, for extremely good results’ for kids taking their PMR and SPM, from parents, close relatives, friends and neighbours. Should I call – that a change is probably needed! A paradigm shift!

Me included, I was in KK doing the “same thing” for both my son sitting for SPM and PMR this year. After Fajr prayers – 1 bull and 1 Cow was slaughtered as aqiqah, and there was a special group handling them, turning into food. Then a PIBG meeting was held in the main School Hall, hailed as the Hargreaves Hall. After solat Asar a khatam Qur’an was done. Before Magrib, the Aqiqah food was served . After Magrib, Solat Hajat was done and Yassin was read, that reaches right to Insya’- After Insya’ supper was served. They had been doing this for the last5 years or so. I was told that lunch was served too, but I missed it for I went to prep school to see my form 1 son. As for me, the prayers were more for general wellbeing, albeit “Islamically”, of the students – which if necessary includes good results ( see Yusuf Ali’s poem below).

50 years after Merdeka. The people are saying that the “religious-Islamic” schools are being secularized and the secular schools are “Islamised”. Anybody not at home with that! Will it be for the better? InsyaAllah. One day, we may have Maahad Melayu Kuala Kangsar, among other things teaching science and IB. Will Hindraf ask for seats for their kids then, if its name is such?

Mum not worry about Mus’ab, here he is into food here, he is very skinny. He is the on the far right, in yellow. YB Sassy Teresa Kok should try the boarding school food and compare it to the one she got, in the police cell while under ISA, that may give her some sense. He is the PMR candidate in the family this year.

His Mum is worried, he is too much into Rugby. He already got College Colours for Rugby. He is second from the right, when he was in action in Bangkok , during the second semester of the school days. According to his coach he did manage to “touch down” on that day, initially awarded by the referee but later, he reversed his decision after concurring with the touch judge. Malay College did well this year, reaching the semi-final in the Perak League 2008. I do not remember about their match with UPSI, I heard that they beat UiTM Perak in the process. Muhammad will sit for his SPM this year.

Mufaddal is into everything as of now, In this photo, in choral singing. He joined the Wind Orchestra, Rugby and now seeking his mum permission to join the Silat Club. No wonder he losing weight very fast. He is in the first row, third from right. Eventually he will settle for less, we hope.

The description of the mother of all prayers:

First comes that beautiful Sura,
The opening Chapter of seven verses,
Rightly called the Essence of the Book,
It teaches us the perfect Prayers,
For if we can pray aright, it means
That we have some knowledge of God
And His attributes, of His relations
To us and His creations, which includes
Ourselves; that we glimpse the source
From which we came, and that final goal
Which is our spiritual destiny
Under God’s true judgment : then
We offer ourselves to God and seek His light.

A. Yusuf Ali – C.42 on al-Fatiha