Philippines' dancing inmates set for movie

An inmate at the island province of Cebu in central Philippines impersonates the late Michael Jackson as he leads in the music icon's "Thriller" to pay tribute to Jackson. Source: AP

SIX years and 52 million YouTube hits later, Filipino inmates who danced to Thriller are having their stories of redemption made into a movie.

Dance of the Steel Bars was shot in the Cebu provincial prison, the same place where up to 1500 inmates dressed in orange uniforms danced to global fame in 2007. Their choreographed act still attracts thousands of tourists who troop to the prison to watch the performance, which recently included Gangnam Style. Some of the dancing inmates appear in the movie too.

It stars Irish actor Patrick Bergin, who played Julia Roberts' husband in Sleeping With the Enemy, and Filipino heartthrob Dingdong Dantes.

The Dubai-based producer, Portfolio Films International, said the story follows Bergin's character, Frank Parish, a retired US firefighter and philanthropist wrongly jailed for murder in the Philippines.

He befriends Mando, played by 32-year-old Dantes, a convicted murderer who denies his passion for dancing to prove his masculinity. Another character, Allona, played by Joey Paras, is a transsexual who teaches dance to his fellow inmates to contribute to prison reforms. They are caught up in a struggle between the positive changes being implemented by the new jail warden and a corrupt prison system.

Marnie Manicad, who co-directed the movie with television reporter Cesar Apolinario, said on Wednesday that the story is fictional but inspired by real stories of the inmates.

"We made this film to tell the story of redemption, and of the human spirit's ability to change for the better," she said.

Manicad, her husband and television reporter Jiggy Manicad, and Apolinario co-wrote the story. The screenplay is by Cris Lim.

Shooting inside the actual prison, with dance sequences of the inmates included, presented a unique challenge, Manicad said. But she praised the inmates for their discipline and self-respect. The prison scenes were shot over a week in 2010, and the entire production took about three years.

"I cannot do much for them except tell their story to the world through this movie," she said.

The movie is set for local release on June 12. Its creators plan to enter it in international film festivals and for screenings in major cities abroad.
 

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Third man dies from China bird flu

Workers unload chickens from a container at a wholesale market on in Shanghai, China. Scientists taking a first look at the genetics of the new bird flu strain said it could be harder to track than its better-known cousin H5N1 because it might be able to spread silently among poultry. Picture: AP Source: AP

A MAN in the Chinese province of Zhejiang has died of the H7N9 strain of bird flu, state media said, bringing the total deaths attributed to the virus to three since the first human cases.

He was one of two H7N9 avian influenza infections reported in Zhejiang in eastern China, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing local authorities, bringing the country's total number of cases to nine.

Chinese authorities are trying to determine how exactly the new variety of bird flu infected people, but say there is no evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.

The latest fatality was a 38-year-old man who worked as a chef, media website Zhejiang Online said. The province's other case was a 67-year-old retiree who was being treated in hospital.

Two other deaths have been reported, both in China's commercial hub of Shanghai. Other cases have occurred in the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, the government has said.

The World Health Organisation on Tuesday played down fears over the new outbreak of bird flu, but said it was crucial to find out how the virus was spreading.

One expert warned of the risk of a pandemic if the source of infection is not identified, saying H7N9 had likely crossed over from poultry.

A woman and her daughter are frightened by ducks at an amusement park in Beijing. Picture: AP

"If one can identify that, then you have possible interventions to reduce human exposure and ideally to stamp out the virus," said Malik Peiris, Chair Professor of the Virology School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong.

"If we don't do that and do it quickly, we probably will lose the opportunity to eradicate this virus," he said.

"If we don't eradicate it pretty quickly, this virus will become endemic and spread across China and beyond China," he added.

China's neighbour Vietnam has announced an immediate ban on all Chinese poultry imports and stepped up border controls in response to the outbreak.

Hanoi has imposed the ban to "actively and efficiently prevent the intrusion of the H7N9 virus into Vietnam", according to an urgent message signed by the Minister of Agriculture Cao Duc Phat.

Taiwan, which is separated from mainland China by a narrow strait, said it had raised its level of alert and set up a group tasked with preparing to prevent a possible epidemic.

A worker spays disinfectant liquid to chicken cages at a chicken wholesale market in Shanghai. One expert has warned of a pandemic if the source of infection is not quickly identified. Picture: AP

In Shanghai, where two people have died from the virus, some residents expressed worries over eating poultry.

"I'll stop buying chickens for the moment and wait until the situation eases," said a middle-aged woman at a traditional food market.

Shanghai officials have assured people that the city's chicken and pork are safe to eat, after the H7N9 cases and the recovery of more than 16,000 dead pigs from the city's main river last month, but many are unconvinced.

China is considered one of the countries at greater risk from bird flu because it is one of the world's biggest poultry producers and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans.

The more common strain of avian flu, H5N1, has killed more than 360 people globally from 2003 until March 12 this year, according to the World Health Organisation.

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Down's syndrome boy sets Everest record

Eli Reimer poses at Everest Base Camp in the shadow of Mount Everest. The 15-year-old has become the first teenager with Down's Syndrome to reach Everest Base Camp. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

A 15-YEAR-OLD American has become the first teenager with Down's syndrome to reach Everest Base Camp, according to his father, in an attempt to inspire different attitudes towards disabilities.

Eli Reimer, from Oregon, reached the 5364-metres high camp in Nepal's Himalayan mountains in mid-March after 10 days of trekking.

"Part of the focus of this trek was on having at least one disabled trekker go with us and, through their attempt, point to the abilities of the 'dis'-abled," said his father Justin, who was part of the expedition team.

The trek was also a fundraiser for the Elisha Foundation, founded by Eli's parents, which works with disabled people and their families.

While Eli is thought to be the first teen to reach the base camp, a 35-year-old man with Down's syndrome from Britain had previously made the same trip.

Down's syndrome, a condition in which the person has an extra chromosome, can cause cognitive delays, but advances in medicine, education, and social inclusion have meant that many live independently as adults.

"He's sort of a superstar at school now," his father said, explaining that Eli is in his second year of high school and attends a combination of "life skills" and mainstream courses.

Asked what he would tell his classmates when he returned to school this week, Eli said: "I liked base camp and being with my new friends on the trekking team."

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first summit of Mount Everest, which has subsequently been scaled thousands of times including by dozens of world record breakers.

Tom Whittaker, a British mountaineer, became the first person with a disability to summit the peak in 1998 after a car crash almost two decades earlier had forced him to have his foot amputated.

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The smack heard around the UK

A pharmacist's smacking of a child has left a mark on British society. Photo: Stock Source: news.com.au

DEBATE about whether it is OK to slap someone else's child has been common in Australia since Christos Tsiolkas's novel The Slap was published in 2008.

But now the British are getting in on the act after a shop assistant slapped a three-year-old girl who knocked some items off a shelf in a chemist.

Angela Cropley demanded an official apology from the Boots store after a female pharmacist in her 50s smacked her daughter Lora on the bottom.

When Ms Cropley first complained the manager said: "It was only a tap."

"Nobody has the right to punish my own daughter - just me and her dad but we would not do it like that," the Lincolnshire mother told UK tabloid The Daily Mail.

"It was hard enough to shunt her (Lora) forward into the display," the mum told the Daily Mirror. "I knew it wasn't right."

Ms Cropley eventually received a letter of apology from Boots after she went to the police.

The apology said the staff member's action was "a gesture of empathy".

The founder of parenting website Netmums.com said the incident was "shocking".

"Shop staff wouldn't slap an adult who knocked over a display so why hit a child," Siobhan Freegard said.

A British legal expert told the Daily Mail smacking someone else's child was unlawful and likely to be considered an assault.

Tsiolkas's novel, set in Melbourne, was turned into a hit eight-part drama series that screened on ABC TV in 2011.

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Kony 2013: Troops stop hunt for warlord

The hunt for fugitive warlord Joseph Kony has been suspended.

AFRICAN troops in Central African Republic have suspended the hunt for the fugitive warlord Joseph Kony because the new government there is not cooperating with the mission, Uganda's top military official says.

Operations against Kony were put on hold until the mission's status is clarified by the African Union, under whose mandate the forces are deployed in the expansive central African country where rebels deposed a president and took the capital, Bangui, more than a week ago, said Ugandan army chief General Aronda Nyakairima.

"We put a halt to operations until we consult," General Nyakairima said. "We're still there and we are going nowhere until we have consulted. We're officially there under the African Union."

About 3000 African troops, the bulk from Uganda, are currently deployed against Kony's Lord's Resistance Army in Central African Republic, where a former rebel leader named Michel Djotodia has since appointed himself president and announced a new government. The African Union forces are supported by about 100 US military advisers.

General Nyakairima said Ugandan troops would stay in Central African Republic until the AU clarifies their status. The AU has suspended Central African Republic's membership and imposed travel restrictions on the country's self-appointed leaders.

Kony, who over the years has taken advantage of weak governments and porous borders to regroup and recruit fighters, would get a lifeline if those deployed to catch or kill him are forced to leave Central African Republic.

It will be a "catastrophe for civilians in the Central African Republic" if the African troops left the country, said Kasper Agger, a researcher with the US-based Kony watchdog group Enough Project.

"A full withdrawal of the Ugandans will also mean that the Americans have to leave as well," Mr Agger said.

"All the top commanders of the LRA are in the Central African Republic. That is where the centre of gravity of the operations should be. This will only give the LRA a new safe haven."

Former Central African Republic President Francois Bozize was a strong supporter of the military effort to eliminate the LRA. African and US forces use two military bases in Central African Republic for their operations against Kony, an elusive warlord whose precise whereabouts are not known.

Kony and the LRA were the subjects of a popular online video, Kony 2012, by the charity Invisible Children which was released in March 2012 to bring global attention to his many crimes. The video was seen by more than 100 million viewers online and created international outrage against Kony. The LRA is accused of recruiting child soldiers and taking girls as sex slaves in a brutal campaign for power that originated in Uganda in the 1980s.

Although the LRA continues to abduct children and raid villages in Congo and Central African Republic, the group is not as strong as it once was. Ugandan officials estimate the rebel group's strength at about 250 men, most of them scattered in small groups that are constantly moving in the jungle to elude detection.

Most LRA fighters are operating in Central African Republic, according to Ugandan officials.

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Pistorius wants to train again

Oscar Pistorius wants to get his life back on track and is eager to return to training. Source: AFP

OSCAR Pistorius wants to train again and recently went back to visit his regular track in South Africa's capital, the double-amputee athlete's agent has said.

There was still no decision on an exact time-frame for the multiple Paralympic champion's return to regular running, but Pistorius told his agent Peet van Zyl and longtime coach Ampie Louw at a Tuesday meeting that he was "definitely keen to get back on track to resume training", the agent said.

"When, exactly, is his choice," Van Zyl said in a telephone interview.

Pistorius had also revisited his practice track in Pretoria on March 24, although he didn't train, the agent said.

Pistorius last trained on a track over two months ago, and his last competitive race was his victory in the 400 metres final at the London Paralympics in September last year.

Van Zyl said Pistorius wasn't ready "mentally" to compete yet after he was charged with murder in the February 14 shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home.

"From our meeting, it was clear and evident it's going to take some time for him (to be ready to compete)," Van Zyl said. "He's trying to process this whole ordeal."

Pistorius had also told his agent and coach that he would only consider running at the world championships in Moscow in August if he was in the right shape to run at the top level again.

"He (Pistorius) stated to me clearly yesterday, for the world champs, first he needs to be in some form," Van Zyl said.

Still, Pistorius' first significant move toward a return to the track on his carbon fibre running blades came at the meeting with his management team at the home of his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old Olympian has been staying at the house in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria since he was freed on bail on February 22.

Pistorius denies murdering Steenkamp and says he shot her accidentally after mistaking her for an intruder in his house. Prosecutors have charged him with premeditated murder and say he intentionally shot Steenkamp multiple times after the couple argued in the early hours of Valentine's Day.

His next court appearance is June 4.

Pistorius had visited his training track at the University of Pretoria with some other athletes, but hadn't worked out properly, only doing a little jogging, Van Zyl said. Although a high court ruling last week eased Pistorius' bail restrictions on appeal and allowed him to travel to compete, Van Zyl said it would still take time to be ready for track meets.

"He hasn't trained at all since the incident and you can't expect him to go into competition. More important, mentally he is not there yet, he is some way off," the agent said.

Longtime coach Louw, who discovered the double amputee's talent for running when he was still a teenager, was eager, however, for the athlete to get back to training to help his mental process.

"Ampie was quite keen for him to start training as soon as possible so Oscar can get into some kind of routine," Van Zyl said.
 

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Court says princess is a suspect

Spanish Princess Cristina (L) and her husband Inaki Urdangarin. Source: AFP

A SPANISH court named the king's daughter Princess Cristina as a suspect in a corruption case involving her husband.

The Palma de Mallorca court said that the 47-year-old princess is to be called in for questioning on April 27. She has not been charged with any offense.

Investigating magistrate Judge Jose Castro said that the princess was a board member of two of her husband's companies and that there were indications that she was aware that her husband used her name and status in his dealings, from which both benefited.

He said that for the probe to be complete and to show that justice treats all equally she would have to be questioned.

Her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, and his former business partner, Diego Torres, allegedly funnelled about 5 million euros ($6 million) in public funds to companies they controlled. The two ran a non-profit body called the Noos Institute, of which the princess was a board member, through the funds were channeled.

The Royal Palace refused to comment.

Mr Urdangarin hasn't been charged with a crime, but is a suspect in the case. He has been questioned twice by investigating magistrate Judge Jose Castro since the probe began two years ago.

Speculation that the princess could be involved began when Mr Torres reportedly began turning over to the judge copies of emails he exchanged with Mr Urdangarin.

The judge recently set joint bail of 8.2 million euros for Mr Urdangarin and Mr Torres and said the two "ignored the rules of public contracting as long as they achieved their aim, which was no other than to divert public funds for their own benefit or that of others.''

He said the two agreed to make as much as possible out of Mr Urdangarin's relationship with the Royal Palace in their dealings with public and private entities.

Mr Urdangarin, 45, is a former professional and Olympic handball medalist and the deals he landed were for things such as organising seminars on using sports as a tourism lure.

Mr Urdangarin comes from a wealthy Basque family but is not nobility; he became Duke of Palma because Cristina is Duchess of Palma. The couple have four children. Cristina is the youngest of the king's two daughters and the middle child of his three children.

The royal family decided last year to sideline him from all official royal activities, and recently removed him from the family website
 

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Thieves nick gold Nobel Peace Prize

A boy runs past a Nobel Prize medal on display at a Beijing science museum. UK police say thieves have made off with a gold Nobel Peace Prize medal after breaking into the cellar of Newcastle's Lord Mayor. Picture: AP Source: AP

POLICE in northern England say thieves have stolen a gold Nobel Peace Prize awarded in the 1930s.

 Northumbria Police say burglars broke into the cellar of the Newcastle Lord Mayor's house overnight between April 1 and April 2 and stole "a number'' of very uncommon items valued at around 150,000 pounds ($218,000).

Police say the thieves made off with a large amount of antique silverware in addition to the Nobel, which was awarded in 1934 to former British foreign secretary Arthur Henderson for his work on international disarmament.

They appealed for help tracking down the items Wednesday, saying the stolen prize is "extremely rare, recognisable and historically important.''
 

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Taliban storm court, 44 people dead

The Taliban has stormed an Afghan court killing at least 44 people.  Source: Supplied

AT LEAST 44 people were killed by Taliban militants who stormed an Afghan court complex in an apparent attempt to free insurgents standing trial.

It was not immediately clear whether the accused men had escaped the court complex in the western town of Farah, although a hospital doctor said one prisoner was among those being treated for injuries.

The multiple bomb and gun assault will raise further questions about the Afghans' ability to secure the country as NATO winds down its combat mission in the war-torn country by the end of next year.

"I can confirm that 34 civilians, six army and four policemen have been killed and 91 people, the majority of them civilians, have been injured," Najib Danish, interior ministry deputy spokesman, said.

"Nine attackers have also been killed."

The death toll was the highest in Afghanistan from a single attack since a Shiite Muslim shrine was bombed in Kabul in December 2011, killing 80 people.

"The attack is over, but the casualties have unfortunately risen," Farah provincial governor Mohammad Akram Khpalwak said, putting the final death toll as high as 46.

"In total, 34 civilians and 12 (Afghan) security forces have been killed in the attack. We have also discovered the bodies of eight attackers, more than 100 people have also been injured."

The governor added a group of Taliban had been brought for trial Wednesday, without giving further details.

Taliban militants fighting the US-backed central government claimed responsibility.

"Our fighters attacked several government buildings in Farah according to their planned tactic. They conducted the attack with small arms and grenades," the group said on its website.

"The fighting happened after information that (President Hamid) Karzai's administration wanted to try several fighters in a cruel way in this court."

Taliban fighters frequently target government compounds equipped with suicide vests, rockets and machine-guns.

"At around 8am (2:30pm AEDT) five attackers riding in two military-style vehicles drove to the provincial court building, one (vehicle) detonated at the gate and three attackers entered the building," Agha Noor Kentos, police chief of Farah, told AFP.

Wakil Ahmad, a doctor at Farah hospital, said medics were treating scores of wounded including two judges and one court prisoner.

Abdul Rahman Zhawandon, spokesman for the governor of Farah, said the area was sealed off as firing continued through the day and some attackers had also entered a Kabul Bank office attached to the court building.

The governor's compound was around 200 metres away from the scene of attack.

The Taliban insurgency has raged since a 2001 US-led invasion ousted their five-year regime from Kabul.

The militia has increasingly widened its attacks outside its main powerbases in the east and south, where NATO forces have focused their attention, to other areas such as Farah which borders Iran.

NATO combat troops are due to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, leaving responsibility for security to Afghan security forces, but there are fears that the violence will increase with their departure.

Last year gunmen dressed in Afghan police uniforms and wearing suicide vests stormed a government compound in Farah and killed seven people.

In November a roadside bomb planted by Taliban insurgents killed 17 civilians - mostly women and children - on their way to a wedding party in the province.

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