The New Zealand city of Christchurch hopes that putting the American crooner's smooth and gentle tones into the mix of music to be broadcast through the central mall district, with classics such as 'Can't Smile Without You' and 'Mandy', can pacify un
ruly teens who congregate there spraying graffiti, using drugs and swearing at passers-by – or at least convince them to go elsewhere.
"The intention is to change the environment in a positive way… so nobody feels threatened or intimidated," Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said. "I did not say Barry Manilow is a weapon of mass destruction."
SPAINThe prime minister has become one of the biggest hits on the internet after he accidently uttered the F-word in a news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was outlining a Spanish-Russian plan to promote tourism during Medvedev's state visit.
"Tourism is an area of special economic importance in relations between Spain and Russia," said Zapatero, below, speaking in Spanish. "Therefore we have reached an agreement to stimulate, to favour, to f***." With barely a pause, but looking down at his lectern, he quickly continued, "…to support tourism."
The Spanish word "to support" has a similar sound to the expletive uttered by Zapatero (see www.viralvideochart.com/youtube/zapatero_dice_para_ follar_en_vez_de_para_ apoyar?id>Mj6MjaJ1H-Q).
INDIAPolitical parties in India's forthcoming election have been scrambling to associate themselves with the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
The ruling Congress party has bought the rights to play 'Jai Ho', the winner of best song, which translates as Be Victorious, at its election rallies, said senior Congress official Digvijay Singh.
In the northern state of Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar took a break today to see the film, abandoning his motorcade to ride a bicycle rickshaw to the cinema.
INDONESIAHappy couples in Indonesia have to pay for more than a ring, a dress and a "good do".
Couples planning to get married are being ordered to provide 10 trees to local authorities for a reforestation programme.
Anyone filing for divorce in Garut in West Java would also have to fork out for at least one tree, said Wibowo, the district secretary.
"The Garut government wants to encourage couples getting married, as well as those seeking divorce, to support a national reforestation programme, given budget limitations," said Wibowo.
Indonesia has some of the world's biggest remaining reserves of tropical forests, but growing pressure from agriculture as well as illegal logging has damaged huge tracts of forest.
TAIWANA four-year-old boy has won the use of an uninhabited tropical island, with white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, in a Taiwan lottery aimed at boosting spending during an economic downturn.
Officials said Yeh Chien-wei, who won the prize at Thursday's draw, will get exclusive rights to the tiny plot in the Taiwan Strait from May to September.
MOVERS & SHAKERSCARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY
France's first lady is ready for a baby with President Nicolas Sarkozy. And Carla Bruni-Sarkozy said she will adopt a child if, at 41, she cannot have her own, despite
her seven-year-old boy from a previous relationship and Sarkozy's three boys from two earlier marriages.
She has also announced plans to create a foundation aimed at developing education among youth.
FREDERICK FORSYTH
Real life has ended up beating fiction for British author Frederick Forsyth, who jetted into Guinea-Bissau this week for book research. Before he touched down, a bomb hidden under a staircase had blown apart the West African nation's armed forces chief. Hours later, the country's president was gunned down. Forsyth, author of the novel The Dogs Of War about an African coup, said that he did not go for "a coup d'etat or regime change, but that's what I ran into."
MANDLA MANDELA
Nelson Mandela's grandson is entering politics. Businessman Mandla Mandela is to become a member of parliament for the African National Congress after April elections. He has ties to presidential candidate Jacob Zuma who faces corruption charges.
ELI MAROM
Israel's navy chief has apologised after being caught in a strip club. Admiral Eli Marom was spotted by a reporter in the Go-Go Girls club in Tel Aviv last week. Defence officials say Admiral Marom apologised in a letter to the military chief of staff, saying it was a one-time slip, not in keeping with the values expected of a military officer.
