THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 HYDERABAD
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A 50-YEAR LOVE STORY In a special report on the rising trend of same sex marriages across the globe, we look at the love between John Darby and Jack Bird which has flourished for more than half-a-century. P8&9
HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER
NO WOMEN CAUGHT
DRUNK-DRIVING! MAYBE PUBS SHOULD STOP SERVING ALCOHOL TO MEN
FLASH
Wind up Jagan case in 4 months: SC tells CBI The Supreme Court asked the CBI to complete investigations into the Jagan Mohan Reddy’s disproportionate assets case in four months. Rejecting Jagan’s bail plea, SC said that he could apply for bail again after four months.
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Those who argue that a woman’s presence in a bar or pub leads to rise in crime better sit down for this. This year, out of the 4,417 people booked for drunk driving, not one of them was a woman. So much for the ban on ladies nights.
SHOW ME THE MONEY China e-commerce giant Alibaba is set to go in for an IPO; valuation could be between $60 and $100 billion.In 14 years, Alibaba Group has grown from a start-up in the eastern city of Hangzhou to an Internet commerce giant which bested eBay in a public battle for dominance of the vast Chinese market. The IPO will give buyers a chance to invest in the Chinese economy, the world’s second largest.
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Toxic deal for aam aadmi The Andhra Pradesh horticulture department estimates that 95 per cent of the mangoes available in the open market today are carbideripened. That could lead to disasterous implications for your health.
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
city events
MANGO MANIA
You can ask for mango cheese cake, mango gateau, mango almond tart, mango milk shake and others at Le Cafe, Novotel. Fest on till May 31.
Weather for Hyderabad
Evening
Overnight
38°C
29°C
Clear with cloudy periods.
A mix of clear and cloudy skies.
Morning
Afternoon
36°C
43°C
Sunny with cloudy periods.
Sunny with cloudy periods.
Mumbai New Delhi Max 34 Max 41 Min 26 Min 28
Chennai Max 37 Min 30
Clear
Clear
Clear
Bangalore Max 37 Min 25 Partly cloudy
AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Samiran Dhar are on display. Where: ICONART Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Till May 11
WORKSHOPS
MISCELLANEOUS
Play pursuits Children’s theatre workshop by Samahaara. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: Till June 1, 5 pm to 7 pm The joy of reading Oxford Bookstore in association with GHAC and LICH is organising an informative, exciting and fun-filled workshop in social sciences and Humanities for kids. Where: Oxford Bookstore, The Park When: Ongoing, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm Spirit of Summer A contemporary jazz workshop is on. Where: Rang Manch, Himayathnagar When: Till June 1, 8 am to 9 am
Listening post Western classical Beatles and Jazz will be conducted. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: May 12, 4 pm to 5.30 pm FOOD HYGIENE IN QUESTION: Amidst the heat and dust a man carrying two trays of uncovered pastries was SRINIVAS SHETTY spotted riding pillion on a bike at Himayatnagar on Wednesday. Summer camp Tailoring training camp for children between the age group of 6 and 16 is being organised. Where: Shilparamam, Madhapurxford Bookstore, The Park When: Ongoing, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Saptaparni (After School Activities), Banjara Hills When: Till May 11, 9 am to 11 am and 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
SCREENINGS
Art lovers An art and craft workshop by Meena will be organised. Where: Saptaparni, Banjara Hills When: Till May 10, From 10.30 am
Commissioner & Spl Officer
Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints
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POLICE CONTROL ROOM Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY General Complaints Breakdown Section
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MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
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It’s showtime Movie Char Adhyay will be screened. Where: Prasads Lab Preview Theatre, Banjara Hils When: May 12, 11 am
ART
Expert talk Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad and Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh present expert talk by Pankaj Sekhsaria on the post December 2004 ecological scenario in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Where: Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad When: May 16, 6 pm
Group show Works of four artists Jaya Prakash K srinivas Murali and Shanti are on display. Where: Di Bella Coffee, Jubilee Hills When: On May 18
Magic of dance Kuchipudi dance workshop by Veena Ganesh will be conducted. Where: Our Sacred Space, Secunderabad When: May 10 to May 12, From 5 pm Potters all A pottery workshop will be held.
screened. Where: Alliance Francaise, Banjara Hills When: May 10, 6.30 pm
Stage is set Telugu play Kokkoroko will be staged. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: May 12, 6 pm
Movie matter French movie L’Arbre will be
WATER SUPPLY Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospital, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar
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BLOOD BANKS Blood Bank,Narayanguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills
The Signature Paintings and poetry by artist
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AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES
Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7
Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum
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Readers’ views
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
news
TODAY’S QUESTION
YESTERDAY’S QUESTION
WILL SC’S STRICTURE AGAINST CBI LEADS TO UPA’S FALL?
IS IT END OF THE ROAD FOR YEDDYURAPPA? 88% 12%
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CRIME
SCANDAL
2 women pick-pockets arrested MOHD SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com
HYDERABAD: The Banjara Hills police have arrested two girls who were involved in dozens of thefts in RTC buses and seized credit cards, valuables and cash, said Crime Inspector K Kiran. The arrested girls are identified as Swarna Lata, 24, and Nandni,
22. Both hail from Kurnool district. They came to the City a few years ago seeking job and they rented a house at AROUND THE
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Shahpur Nagar of Jeedimetla. Both got some jobs with a software company but they said the salary was low and
they have domestic liabilities. Unable to meet expenses, they resorted to picking purses of women passengers in RTC buses, they pleaded. Many cases with Banaja Hills, Madhapur, Jubilee Hills police on pick pocketing reported from passengers of RTC buses remain unsolved. Both are remanded to judicial custody and lodged in prison.
POLITICS
AP Congress shifts base to Delhi Varied interest groups in the Congress and non-Congress are flying to Delhi, leaving a lull in the State capital MD INKESHAF AHMED Ahmed.m@postnoon.com
reportedly over the issue of CM’s unilateral attitude and had come to the conclusion to complain against CM. Speaking to Postnoon, a senior cabinet minister said that they had decided to complain to high command against the CM on his dictatorial attitude. “Before announcing the welfare schemes like Bangaru Talli , he should have consulted us. But he didn’t do so,” he said.
HYDERABAD: AP politics has temporarily shifted its stage to New Delhi. The detractors of the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy are making an effort to clip his wings while the Congress MPs are to face a Rahul Gandhi test today. CM’s critics are his cabinet colleagues themselves. Many of them take the view that welfare
T-MP’S TOO JOIN
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measures are not discussed at the Cabinet meetings and Kiran takes unilateral decisions. Opponents are planning to go to Delhi and present their woes to the Central leaders. Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana, who recently
dashed off a report to the high command on the cabinet ministers’ serious complaints against CM, has already reached Delhi. Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, bitter critic of the CM Dr DL Ravindra Reddy, senior cabinet minister K Jana
Reddy and are also expected to join the PCC chief in the national capital. Other ministers like Vatti Vasantha Kumar, N Raghuveera Reddy are also likely to join their cabinet colleagues in Delhi. These leaders have already held a series of meetings with the PCC chief
According to party sources, the party MPs from Telangana are planning to lodge a complaint with Rahul Gandhi against the CM over his anti-Telangana statements.The CM faced the wrath of Congress MPs when he threw a challenge to the TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao that he would not scrap the Bayyaaram mining deal with Vishakapatnam steel plant.
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Enron boss sentence is cut in deal NEW YORK: The prison sentence of disgraced former Enron chief executive Jeff Skilling will be cut by as much as 10 years under a deal announced Wednesday by federal criminal prosecutors. Currently in prison on a 24 year sentence for for securities fraud, false statements and other charges, Skilling will see his jail term reduced to between 14 years and 17 and a half years under the agreement that will end his long battle against conviction. Judge Sim Lake, who presided over Skilling's trial in 2006, set AROUND THE
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Thousands of people lost their jobs and life savings when Enron collapsed. The scandal undermined faith in corporate America and fed a massive stock market sell-off. his new sentencing for June 21, 2013. Under the deal set Wednesday, Skilling agreed to allow $40 million of his forfeited assets to be distributed to victims of his crimes. He also agreed to stop appealing his conviction and sentence, drawing a close to a legal struggle that began with the spectacular collapse of the high-flying Texas energy and trading conglomerate in 2001. The government has invested "extraordinary resources" in the Skilling case, the agreement revealed Wednesday said.
CITY BRIEFS UGC gives nod to OU to conduct SET
Youth killed by friends in Old City
Lawyer files complaint against Ram Charan
Certificate course in International Banking
Kiran leaves to Guntur to launch Rythu Sadassu
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niversity Grants Commission has given permission to Osmania University to conduct the State Eligibility Test (SET). UGC has, in a letter, empowered S Satyanarayana, VC of OU for conducting SET for the recruitment of teachers for a period of 3 years in 27 subjects pertaining to Science, Social Sciences and Humanities.
ohd Abdul Azam, 27, a resident of Shahgunj, was allegedly killed by his friends last night at Koka ki Tatti, Hussainialam in the Old City. He had been invited to a party and in an intoxicated condition, his friends are said to have manhandled him, resulting in his death while undergoing treatment in the hospital.
complaint has been filed with the State Human Rights Commission against K Ram Charan, actor and son of the union minister K Chiranjeevi ,for allegedly roughing up two software employees on a main road in Banjara Hills the other day. Petitioner, lawyer by name Salim urged the Commission to take suitable action against the actor.
he Directorate of Placement Services, OU launched 10–week certificate course in ‘International Banking Services & Operations’ by Stratadigm Education and Training. Over 47 students are shortlisted out of 175 candidates of the OU campus and constituent colleges for their Train-n-Hire Programme as per the screening test held on Feb 25.
hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy left for Guntur this morning. He will launch Rythu Sadassu (Farmers' Convention) programme in the district. During the convention, the CM will address the farmers on the welfare schemes being implemented by the government for their welfare. Agriculture minister K Lakshminarayana will take part.
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE Love ‘bug’ stumps cops
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ast year we had reported how many men chat with girls not knowing if it is a woman, man or eunuch or even his own wife masquerading someone else. A woman had filed a domestic violence case against her husband in 2010. After their divorce, the husband filed a cheating case against his exwife for deliberately making a fool of him by posing as someone else online.
MAY 9, 2012
NUMEROLOGY
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lakh Olive Ridley turtles arrived at the Nasi-1 nesting ground to lay eggs on the sandy beach in Kendrapara district during March.
DRUNK DRIVING
Ladies tread a sober path
Not one woman driver has been caught since January this year for drunk driving, blunting the argument that women’s pub-hopping impels nocturnal crime. ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com
no solidarity among men. “They take the woman’s side always.”
HYDERABAD: Those who argue that women’s presence in bars or pubs led to rise in crimes get a wallop across their face. This year, of the 4,417 people booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, not one is a woman driver. Declaring women winners in beating the breath-analyser, S Shyam Sunder, DCP 2 (traffic), told Postnoon, “Since January this
NO WOMEN COPS?
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What I actually saw was screaming, over-excited and enthusiastic kids being very warm and very friendly. Julia Gillard The Australian PM was speaking about being pelted with a sandwich when she was touring a school.
THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the world functions.
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Finally, someone sees there’s no point in study tours. The mayor has said that the corporators of his party, the MIM, will first address the issues plaguing the City before undertaking study tours to other cities.
CITY
year no woman was caught for drunk driving. Last year, of the 10,000 odd cases, less than five percent were women in the driving seat. Need we say more about their caution and sagacity?”
MEN HOWL FOUL Allegations are rife on the Internet, with bloggers accusing traffic policemen for going soft on women drivers. “Why don’t they employ women cops for the job?” asks a blogger whose net name is Rajavembala. “Then you will see the game.” Another regrets that there is
The Hyderabad traffic cops were supposed to form a team of women traffic police to check women for drunken driving, but so far there has been no team. But that does not mean there is discrimination. “When it comes to checking for drunk driving, there is no discrimination. It is not possible to deploy women traffic police at all junctions since there are only seven women police constables and two head constables,” says a senior police official. “Breath analyser will not discriminate, will it?” argued a traffic police officer. “If ever we conduct a test, the blood alcohol level is never alarmingly high for a women. Most of the time, the BAC is less than 40 per cent. BAC exceeding 70 per cent is very rare among women drivers. Women are usually accompanied by a male when they are driving late or are with two-three friends. Around 95 per cent of them do not drink and drive. If they drink, it is on a moderate scale. That is the reason women do not get caught,” says DCP Syam Sunder.
Don’t block out all the sunlight. Exposure to sunlight may reduce risk of hear attack, blood pressure, stroke, and may even prolong life, a new study has found.
Congress MPs to be put to test today. The MPs have gone to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi.
women are sensible drivers, what it the whole fuss about not having women’s nights at pubs or asking women not to go out late at night to avoid any risk?” ask women’s organisations. “It’s not that by having ladies nights at pubs the number of females caught drunkdriving has been increasing. So why have restrictions of this sort?” asks L Sangeeta, a member of a women’s organisation.
The shock finding means that scores of patients with unrelenting lower back pain will no longer face major operations.
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yathi Jha (name change) a 26-year-old MNC employee in the City, says, “When I go out partying, I do not hire a cab to get back because I do not trust the cab services. Neither do I drive myself because I know it’s not safe after a couple of pegs. So most of the time I get dropped by a friend if I am drunk and I’ve never faced any problems with cops.” “When it is evident that
ABX can cure back pain
Summers get unbearable — impact of global warming? Schools in Agra are being shut down by 11am due to the scorching heat. The streets are pretty much deserted after noon.
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MARVELLOUS FIND
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Gay marriages gain traction world over. Talking about gay rights and gay marriages, activists say the world has gotten much smaller and what happens in one part of the world influences people in the other parts.
Playing smart
LONDON: Up to 40 per cent of cases of chronic back pain could be cured with a course of antibiotics. The discovery has been hailed as worthy of a Nobel prize by the medical fraternity. Surgeons in the UK and elsewhere are reviewing how they treat patients with chronic back pain after scientists discovered
that many of the worst cases were due to bacterial infections, reported the Guardian. The shock finding means that scores of patients with unrelenting lower back pain will no longer face major operations but can instead be cured with courses of antibiotics costing around £114. One of the UK's most emi-
nent spinal surgeons said the discovery was the greatest he had witnessed in his professional life, and that its impact on medicine was worthy of a Nobel prize. "This is vast. We are talking about probably half of all spinal surgery for back pain being replaced by taking antibiotics," said Peter Hamlyn, a consultant neurological and spinal surgeon at University College London hospital. Hamlyn recently operated on rugby player Tom Croft, who was called up for the British and Irish Lions summer tour last month after missing most of the season with a broken neck. Specialists who deal with back pain have long known that infections are sometimes to blame, but these cases were thought to be exceptional. That thinking has been over-
turned by scientists at the University of Southern Denmark who found that 20 per cent to 40 per cent of chronic lower back pain was caused by bacterial infections. In Britain today, around four million people can expect to suffer from chronic lower back pain at some point in their lives. The AROUND THE
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latest work suggests that more than half a million of them would benefit from antibiotics. "This will not help people with normal back pain, those with acute, or sub-acute pain – only those with chronic lower back pain," Dr Hanne Albert, of the Danish research team, told the Guardian.
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
SARABJIT RELOADED
Pak prisoner Sanaullah dies Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the body will be handed over to Pakistan. CHANDIGARH: Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who went into a coma after being badly beaten up by a fellow inmate in a Jammu jail last week, died this morning at PGIMER hospital here. "The patient was brought in a brain dead condition and died this morning due to multiple organ failure," a PGI spokesman said. The condition of the injured Sanaullah, who was serving a life term after he was convicted under TADA provisions following his arrest in 1999, had worsened yesterday following kidney failure and neurological problems. Sanaullah, 52, was airlifted from Jammu to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on Friday ater he was beaten up by an Indian inmate, a day after the death of an Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh
who was brutally attacked by fellow inmates in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the body of Sanaullah will be handed over to Pakistan even as Islamabad demanded an investigation into the attack. The victim's relatives arrived here on Tuesday from Pakistan. "We will hand over the body to Pakistan," Shinde said. AROUND THE
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Shinde said the Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with the Pakistani authorities to complete the formalities to send back his body home. "Once the formalities are done, we will hand over the body," he said. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Chaudhry said
Pakistan was making arrangements to repatriate the body. Sources in Delhi said a detailed post-mortem of Sanaullah was being done in Chandigarh and that the travel arrangements would be made as per the request made by Pakistan. Government has been informed that Pakistan is arranging an aircraft to fly his body back home, the sources said, adding "If they arrange a nonmilitary registered plane, the clearance would be prompt". In view of the tragic events, including the killing of two Indians in Pakistani jails and the Sanaullah incident, India has proposed that the officials of the two countries meet and take forward the recommendations of a judicial committee on humane treatment of prisoners, he said. PTI
RESEARCH
HEATWAVE
Agra shuts schools by 11am With the searing heat, roads in the City are virtually deserted by noon AGRA: With the mercury crossing the 44 degrees Celsius mark, the Agra district administration has ordered all schools till Class 8 to close by 11 am. The order, passed by District Magistrate Zuher Bin Sagir, was passed in response to the appeals from parents. Principals of schools would be held responsible if anything went wrong due to the heat, an official said as the temperature crossed 44 degrees Celsius Tuesday. With the searing heat, Agra roads are virtually deserted by noon itself. "With power and water crises
File photograph of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay being carried from a hospital to an ambulance in Jammu before being transferred to a hospital in Chandigarh for treatment. AFP
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defying resolution, the plight of the common man without means is a cause for concern. In winter, they have the night shelters, what about summer? The shady trees along the roads have disappeared. The shelters at the bus stands have been encroached upon. What should a pedestrian do?" asked social activist Devashish Bhattacharya. Tourists who haven't done their research properly are suffering. "A group from the northeast had no idea about
how oppressive Agra weather can be and had a tough time at the Taj. They just wanted to take a look and rush back to their hotel rooms. Normally, a tourist wants to spend several hours at the Taj Mahal. The sale of handicrafts has fallen, hotel owners are unhappy with tourist arrivals," said tourist guide Amit Sisodia. Demand for bottled water and cold drinks has escalated at the monuments. "The ASI could consider putting up temporary tented shelters inside the monuments," suggested tourist guide Ved Gautam. IANS
Sunshine may prolong your life
LONDON: Exposing skin to sunlight may help reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack, stroke and even prolong life, a new study has claimed. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have shown that when our skin is
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exposed to the sun's rays, a compound is released in our blood vessels that help in lowering blood pressure. The findings suggest that exposure to sunlight improves health overall, because the bene-
fits of reducing blood pressure far outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer. Production of this pressurereducing compound -called nitric oxide -is separate from the body's manufacture of vitamin D. Researchers studied the blood pressure of 24 volunteers who sat beneath tanning lamps for two sessions of 20 minutes each. In one session, the volunteers were exposed to both the UV rays and the heat of the lamps. In the other, the UV rays were blocked so that only the heat of the lamps affected the skin. Scientists claim that this shows that it is the sun's UV rays that lead to health benefits.
NATION BRIEFS Omar offers apology to Pak prisoner's family
US varsity invite for UP minister
Congress will win all future polls: Chavan
Couple killed in mishap, villagers clash with cops
Khurshid arrives in China on two-day visit
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah offered "sincere apology" to the family of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Chandigarh today. "Although it's scant consolation, I'd like to offer a sincere apology to the family of Sanaullah and my sympathies for their loss," Omar tweeted.
LUCKNOW: Irrigation Minister Shiv Pal Singh Yadav has been invited by the US’ John Hopkins University to share his experiences on flood control and expediting a water sector restructuring project. The invitation comes weeks after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav cancelled his lecture at the Harvard Business School.
MUMBAI: Welcoming the Congress party’s thumping victory in the Karnataka assembly polls, Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan Thursday claimed it would make way for “victory for the party in all the future elections”. “The Congress will emerge victorious in all the future elections. The Karnataka success is only the first step,” he said.
BAREILLY: A couple was killed when a tanker hit their motorcycle, triggering protests by locals who attacked a policeman. Police said the couple were killed in the mishap last night. In the meantime, a rumour spread that policemen had allowed the tanker driver to escape. The villagers then held a demonstration and clashed with the cops.
BEIJING: External affairs minister Salman Khurshid arrived here today on a two-day visit for the talks with Chinese leaders, just days after the resolution of a row over Depsang Valley in Ladakh. Besides talks with his counterpart Wang Yi, Khurshid is expected to meet new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is planning to visit India later this month.
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
FIRE MISHAP
DARK AND COOL
8 die in Bangla textile tragedy A fire at a garment factory killed at least eight people even as the nation reels from the deaths of almost 900 people in a building collapse. broke out during the night on the third floor of an 11-storey building housing two garment factories in the capital’s Darussalam district. The owner of the Tung Hai sweater factory was among the victims, but there were no workers among the casualties as there was no overnight production, police and fire service officials
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Excavators clear debris as Bangladeshi rescue and army personnel continue recovery operations at the site of the eight-storey building collapse in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka, on May 8. Recovery teams have so far recovered 782 bodies and that figure is expected to rise still further as AFP/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN bulldozers continue to churn through the rubble.
SHAFIQ ALAM Agence France Presse DHAKA: A fire at a garment factory killed at least eight people Thursday in the latest disaster
to hit Bangladesh’s textile industry, still reeling from the deaths of nearly 900 people in a building collapse. The cause of the fire was not known but authorities said it
said. “It was a big fire but we managed to confine it on one floor,” Mahbubur Rahman, operations director of the nation’s fire service department, told AFP. He said the victims died of suffocation after rushing into a stairwell and becoming overwhelmed by “toxic smoke from burnt acrylic clothing”. Local police chief Khalilur Rahman told AFP the fire killed “eight
people including the owner, his four staff, a senior police officer, and a low-level police official”. “We have identities of seven people. But we have not identified the eighth,” he added. The fire comes as recovery teams are still finding bodies in the ruins of the nine-storey Rana Plaza garment factory complex that caved in on April 24 while some 3,000 garment workers were on shift. Scores more bodies were recovered overnight, according to the army, which is overseeing the operation at the town of Savar, a suburb of Dhaka. An army spokesman, Lieutenant Sadiq Walid, told AFP the overall toll now stands at 892. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest apparel maker and the $20 billion industry is a key driver of the impoverished country’s economy — about 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s annual exports last year.
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Dark chocolate keeps you calm MELBOURNE: Researchers claim that the polyphenols in dark chocolate increase calmness and the sense of contentment. Polyphenols are found naturally in plants and are a basic component of the human diet. These compounds have been shown to reduce oxidative stress which is associated with many diseases.
OTHER BENEFITS
n Reduces heart attack risk n Lowers blood pressure n Lowers cholesterol n Makes you happy n Acts as an aphrodisiac
DEFENCE
‘Pak missiles pose new challenge to India’ NEW DELHI: With Pakistan arming itself with nuclear-capable cruise missiles with stealth capabilities, a new dimension has been added to India’s maritime security challenges that will contribute to the changing strategic environment in South Asia, a leading Indian defence expert said here. “Taking a leaf from China, Pakistan seems to be investing in cruise missiles,” said C Uday Bhaskar, Distinguished Fellow with the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi, referring to Pakistan’s indigenously developed cruise missile Babur, which can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. “This has lowered the index of stability in the region,” Bhaskar said at an Asia-Pacific security seminar on India’s Maritime Security Challenges at the East-West Centre Tuesday. But in dealing with issues ranging from low intensity conflict and piracy to major-power strategic contests, India’s key challenges were resource constraints, ship building capabilities, maritime infrastructure and the changing geo-political environment, he said. The rapidly changing strategic environment in South Asia and emergence of an “extended global common” posed another challenge, said Bhaskar, a visiting fellow at the National Maritime Foundation in New Delhi. Over the next
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decade, the US, China and India will form a critical strategic triangle and their individual relationships with the ASEAN, Iran and Pakistan will have significant regional and global implications, he said. Given its distinctive geography and the recent shift of global maritime focus from the Atlantic-Pacific combine to the Indo-Pacific continuum, the importance of the Indian Ocean Region in India’s national security calculus has greatly increased in the post-Cold War/post 911 era, Bhaskar said. IANS
News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
FOOD
POLITICS
TJAC gears up for House siege
Toxic deal for aam aadmi
POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: After the successful organisation of Sansand Yatra at New Delhi, the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee is gearing up to hold a Chalo Assembly agitation involving a lakh proTelangana activists, party sources say. The programme was conceived by TRS’s social front, the TJAC, as part of its plan to mount pressure on the Centre to create a separate Telangana State. The extended meeting of the TJAC is being held in the City tomorrow to chalk out an action plan to make the programme a grand success. The TJAC has tentatively decided to hold the agi-
Andhra Pradesh horticulture department estimates that 95 percent of the mangoes available in the open market today are carbide-ripened.
POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Among the few advantages of a scorching summer is the promise of sweet succulent mangoes. Especially in the State where 25 per cent of the total land area is allocated for the king of fruits. But where farmers once naturally ripened the fruit by waiting until maturity and/or using organic manure, they are now seeking to cut their losses by harvesting early and resorting to using chemical components like calcium carbide. Consumption of calcium carbide, known to be cancer-causing, has other terrible health
implications that can negatively affect skin, kidneys, heart and liver, and causes ulcer and gastric problems. “Industrial grade calcium carbide contains arsenic and phosphorous. It’s highly dangerous for those consuming it and also those handling it. It can not only cause cancer, ulcer and other ailments but also severely impede neurological functions. It’s especially dangerous to pregnant women as the babies can develop abnormalities, which is why it’s banned in every developed country of the world,” says activist and paediatrician, Sanjay Jajju. Waking up to the threat, the Centre passed an ordinance in
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2012 calling for a ban on artificial ripening of fruits using carbide, especially mangoes. Following the GO, earlier this season States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra has been conducting raids, seizing and destroying hundreds of tonnes of mangoes. In Andhra Pradesh, however, AROUND THE
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there has been little action in eliminating these poisoned mangoes from the market. Vidya Shankar, Deputy Director of the Andhra Pradesh horticulture department estimates that 95 percent of the man-
Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy at the Mango Mela, being held at Nampally Exhibition Grounds.
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goes available in the open market today are carbide-ripened. He places the onus of the blame solely on the responsibility of the marketing wing of the government. “The department officials conducted tests at the beginning of the season and identified a majority of them were artificially ripened, but when it came to a confrontation the traders and commission agents put up resistance and so these officials gave in,” he rues, adding that the government must take this up more seriously or will end up having a public health menace on its hands. While it may not be preventing the harmful fruit from hitting the open market, the State government has been taking measures to promote carbide-free mangoes through farmer-friendly initiatives like subsidies on plastic crates, transportation fees, cold storage facilities and ripening chambers. This has led to quality-controlled and selected farmers displaying their produce at mango melas that are being held all over AP in a bid to make carbide-free mangoes available to public. The government organised Mango Mela is currently ongoing it the City at Nampally Exhibition Grounds.
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tation in June when the second phase of the Budget Session House begins after a recess of over one month. TJAC leader and Telangana Gazetted Officers Association president V Srinivas Goud said that the JAC would organize the Chalo Assembly programme in a neverbefore manner drawing a lakh T-people. The entire Telangana region would lend support, he claimed. Another TJAC leader and TNGOA state president C Devi Prasad was equally enthusiastic about the programme. He said the march will bring the City to a halt and compel the government to listen to people’s voices. Prasad said the Centre should immediately take steps to create the separate state.
WORLD BRIEFS Three Interpol agents go missing in Mexico
Taiwan seizes ketamine worth $10 mn
Russian deputy PM steps down
China reiterates sovereignty over Diaoyu
Exiled Tibet PM ‘not challenging’ China
CIUDAD JUAREZ: Authorities are searching for three Mexican investigators working for Interpol and a federal agent who went missing in northern Mexico, the governor of Chihuahua state said. Duarte gave no further details. Chihuahua, which borders Texas, has seen some of the worst drugrelated violence in Mexico.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese police said Thursday they had seized 450 kilograms (nearly 1,000 pounds) of ketamine smuggled from China in one of the island’s biggest drug busts in recent years. Police arrested three suspects after discovering the drugs in a cargo container at Taichung harbour in central Taiwan on Wednesday after a tip-off.
MOSCOW: Russian deputy PM Vladislav Surkov has stepped down, the Kremlin said, amid increasing tensions over the embattled Skolkovo innovation hub that has been targeted by law enforcement agencies. Surkov, a powerful Kremlin ideologue, submitted his resignation after meeting President Vladimir Putin.
BEIJING: China has reiterated its claim over disputed Diaoyu islands, stating that they are its “inherent territory”. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday that the Diaoyu island and its affiliated islets were part of China’s inherent territory and had never been part of Liuqiu or Okinawa, reported Xinhua.
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he leader of Tibet’s exiled government said Wednesday he would accept the Communist Party rule, assuring Beijing it faced no threat to its sovereignty if it eases its grip. Lobsang Sangay, who was elected in 2011, appealed to China for new talks on the grievances that have triggered a wave of self-immolations.
Special report on same sex marriage
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
The dawn of a gay new world
A 50-YEAR T
They went from having to hide their relationship from their families to being able to hold hands in the street, but for over 50 years, the love between John Darby and Jack Bird has been on solid ground.
ROBERT MacPHERSON feedback@postnoon.com
JOSH EDELSON / AFP
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hile in Tokyo for the city’s first Rainbow Week, Boris Dittrich could not help but notice gay pride marchers with banners demanding marriage equality. “I asked why and they said, ‘Well, we’ve seen what’s happening in other countries and we feel the time has come to push for this in Japan’,” said Dittrich, a well-traveled point man for LGBT issues at Human Rights Watch. “The world has gotten so much smaller,” the activist told AFP. “When things happen in one part of the world, people (in other parts) get inspired.” Twelve years after the Netherlands broke the longheld norm that only a man and a woman can vow to love and cherish each other, support for same-sex marriage is gaining global momentum. In April, three countries — Uruguay, New Zealand and France — recognised gay marriage, bringing the total to 14 nations in North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. That’s in addition to 10 states and the US capital Washington, where a landmark ruling from the SC on same-sex marriage is due by the end of June, as well as parts of Mexico and Brazil. “It’s like in the movies, when someone stands up in the crowd ... and then another and another,” said Renato Sabbadini, co-secretary of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The trend however is by no means universal. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
In some 75 countries, including most of Africa and the Middle East, homosexuality remains a crime — and decriminalization, not marriage, is the number-one objective for LGBT campaigners. “We are seeing (the issue of same-sex marriage) being used as a bludgeon in places where it is not a goal,” said Roberta Sklar of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in New York. In places that do have marriage equality, several factors paved the way. “The world has become urbanised, and that’s a major factor in knocking down traditional norms,” said demographer Joseph Chamie, who’s been monitoring same-sex marriage from a global perspective for years. That in turn has prompted a rethink of what marriage means, said Chamie. Another factor is a growing acceptance of sexual minorities in mass media and popular culture. Then there’s the simple fact that more and more people personally know someone — a friend, a colleague, a family member — who can identify themselves as LGBT. “When visible people allow you to frame issues not in abstract terms, but in very concrete terms, then most of the population is much more advanced and willing to concede that (LGBT) people have equal rights,” Sabbadini said. AFP
GLENN CHAPMAN feedback@postnoon.com
he love between John Darby and Jack Bird has been on solid ground for more than half a century. It is the social landscape around the gay couple that has shifted. After they got together in 1959, they kept their relationship a secret, save for an inner circle of gay friends. Today, Darby and Bird walk hand-in-hand, occasionally sharing kisses or words like many other married couples. “It was the society we lived in,” Bird, 84, said in an interview with AFP in the couple’s home in a retirement community. “I learned I was gay, but I hid it.” Darby, 86, and Bird will celebrate their 54th anniversary as a couple in July and their fifth wedding anniversary two months later. “ I will
Pak gay says life easier JENNIE MATTHEW feedback@postnoon.com
Q
asim and his partner Ali are in love and live together. They talk about going abroad to marry, but the only weddings they attend in Pakistan are arranged unions between their gay friends and unsuspecting women. Despite that, “it’s actually easier being gay in Pakistan than in the US,” says Qasim, 41, as he explains how to live under the radar in the conservative country. “We can hold hands,” says Qasim. “We can sit casually like
this. Nobody gives it a second thought in Pakistan.” Qasim says he is never insulted in the street, or called names — something that happened when he lived in the US. In tribal societies in Pakistan’s northwestern border areas with Afghanistan and in southwestern Baluchistan, there is an ancient custom of tolerated, albeit secret sexual relationships between men and young boys. In a society where women are kept to the sidelines and premarital sex is a taboo, there are no concerns when it comes to men holding hands or hugging
LOVE STORY always remember putting this on his finger,” Darby said, touching the wedding ring on Bird’s hand. “It is so important to realise that gay life is so much more than just sex; it is love,” he continued as Bird nodded. “It would be lovely if we could die together, just go to sleep holding hands and let relatives get rid of everything for us.” Darby was freshly back from trips to Cuba and Mexico when he went to a party at a friend’s apartment in San Francisco in 1959 to celebrate Independence Day, feeling very much the “closeted tourist” and alone in his sexuality. “It was just something you didn’t talk about,” Darby said. “There was a lot of homophobia in the late 1950s and early 1960s.” It was a time when professional, single men lived with ‘male assistants,’ keeping what went on behind closed doors private. “We didn’t talk about it with our families,” Darby said. “We expected them to understand but didn’t want to rub their noses in it.” Darby was living with another man as ‘roommates’ sharing occasional intimacies when Bird won his heart at the party. “I was younger, a lot younger and taller,” Darby recalled. And then he spied the blue-eyed Bird. “I fell in love,” Darby said. Darby went to use the bathroom only to find a queue, with Bird among those waiting. “He looked at me and I looked down and kissed him,” said Darby, who stands taller than 5-foot, 4inch Bird. Within six months, the pair considered themselves engaged and found an apartment in the city of Sausalito. They had a joint checking account, a rarity at the time. “Thank god we had a broadminded real estate agent,” said
Darby. “We were careful.” They only much later found out that two women living next door were lesbians. Darby and Bird took a trip in the summer of 1960 to the California coast city of Carmel to visit family — not all of whom were so welcoming. One aunt drove Darby to tears when she demanded he abandon the relationship and focus on his future career as an audiologist, but the couple persevered. Within two years, they had bought a house. For the most part, they didn’t
tell relatives of their union. Bird had an aunt and uncle who thought it was wonderful he had a housemate. Darby even had a brother-in-law accuse Bird of having an affair with his wife. “How could he be so naive?” Darby said. “He was so homophobic that he just blocked out what was in front of him.”
‘TODAY, HELL, WE TOUCH EACH OTHER QUITE OFTEN’
Darby and Bird confided in gay friends and spent little time socialising with straight people. Bird was a successful controller for a shipping company. Darby was the local Hearing Society director. “We never held hands; never kissed or made overt gestures of
affection in those days,” Darby said. “Today, hell, we touch each other quite often.” Gradually, they brought colleagues into the loop, but prejudices remained. Darby recalled being told an offensive joke at a conference in Ohio in the 1980s that began, ‘Do you know what is magical about AIDS?’ When gay marriage opponents launched a political attack on a move by then San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom to allow such unions, Darby and Bird raced to City Hall to find it ‘an absolute zoo.’ Instead of waiting until after a planned election that would close the door on gay marriages in California, the couple of 49 years got their marriage licence in the neighboring community of Marin. They wed in San Francisco in 2008. A friend made them wavedesign wedding rings on just two days’ notice. The couple enjoyed champagne and chocolate cake — with two male figurines on top. “What was really amazing was two days later there was a bag hanging on our door with a bottle of champagne and a card from an elderly widow who I thought didn’t even know what the word ‘gay’ meant,” Darby said. By then, they were living in an apartment in San Francisco Towers, a residential facility for seniors. “A group of residents had a big dinner party to congratulate us,” Darby said. “There were some people who never spoke to us again. What do you expect?” When the couple moved into the Towers in 1998, they were told two men couldn’t share a singlebedroom apartment, so they got a two-bedroom unit and used the second to maintain a facade. Now, the couple’s photo is on promotional material for the Towers. AFP
at home than in US AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI
in the street with what is viewed as platonic affection. Born in Pakistan, Qasim migrated to the US with his parents when he was three years old. Qasim was working for Microsoft when he was diagnosed with HIV in his mid-20s. Under the law, naturalised US citizens had to give up citizenship if they were HIV positive. After a fruitless battle, he renounced his US citizenship and flew back to Pakistan, where homosexuality is illegal. “When I came here it was a culture shock. I wasn’t comfortable. Then I moved to Sydney for
six months but couldn’t find a job, but I’m happy here,” he said. Qasim set up a charity for gay men and transgenders. Under the radar, with no public profile, it is supported by the government. It provides medical care and runs drop-in centres. “I get respect. I feel appreciated for the work I’m doing. Hopefully I’m making a difference,” he said. The couple say they welcome the legalisation of gay marriage in other countries, but do not believe in making an issue out of gay rights in a conservative, religious country like Pakistan. AFP
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Aussies head to Kiwi A
fter New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country to legalise gay marriage last month, some 1,000 same-sex Australian couples indicated that they planned to travel to New Zealand to marry in a recent survey conducted by lobby group Australian Marriage Equality (AME), which described the new law as a “game-changer” —despite the fact that such marriages are not legally recognised back home. Tourism New Zealand has already moved to capitalise on the demand. AFP SAEED KHAN/AFP
Lebanon not so liberal L
ebanon has a reputation as the most liberal country in conservative Middle East, but a night on the town for gays can end in arrest and humiliating sexuality “tests”. They might be less persecuted than elsewhere in the region, but outside a few areas of the capital Beirut, Lebanese homosexuals are largely stigmatised and discriminated against. Lebanese homosexuals are now working to overturn Article 534 of Lebanese law” which punishes “unnatural sexual intercourse” by up to one year’s imprisonment. AFP JOSEPH EID/AFP
Minor hostility in France L
esbian life in the backwaters of northern France is not without its complications. Subtle forms of hostility, like anonymous tips being sent to church officials and youngsters in the village unleashing homophobic tirades online, have convinced homosexuals in the country, especially those living in rural areas, that France’s Socialist government was right to push through legislation that will result in the country’s first gay marriages next month, providing a constitutional challenge fails. AFP LOIC VENANCE/AFP
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 TEEN PRANK
Gillard gets ‘sandwiched’
HEALTH
STONE STRUCK
Sars-like virus in France
SYDNEY: Investigations were under way Thursday into who lobbed Vegemite sandwiches at the Australian prime minister as she toured a Queensland school. Julia Gillard tried to play down the prank on Wednesday
PARIS: France has identified its first case of coronavirus infection, a virus akin to SARS, the health ministry announced Wednesday. "This is the first and the only case confirmed in France to date", with an infection by a new
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at Brisbane's Marsden state high school. "One kid thought he might just be a little bit naughty," the prime minister said. The culprit has been identified as Kyle Thomson, 16, and has been suspended for two weeks. Kyle has denied any wrongdoing. AFP
WORLD
A boy walks in front of a monument of the WWII open-air museum in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on May 8, 2013, prior to the Victory Day celebration. AFP/SERGEI SUPINSKY
virus from the coronavirus family, the ministry said. It said the infected person had stayed in the United Arab Emirates before returning to France, and is now placed in isolation, reported Xinhua. IANS
ENVIRONMENT
It’s time Odisha turns turtle
Under watchful eyes of conservators, lakhs of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests and head for the sea. KENDRAPARA, ODISHA: Surfacing of millions of baby Olive Ridley marine turtles along the serene Gahirmatha beach along Odisha coast has cheered conservationists across the globe. Wildlife lovers are elated as hatchlings broke out of eggshells and crawled towards their seaward journey in the tranquil nesting grounds at Island. Around 4.26 lakh turtles had arrived at the Nasi-1 nesting
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ground to lay eggs on the sandy beach in Kendrapara district during March. For last three days, newborn babies are emerging with mother turtles nowhere in sight. The whole of Nasi-1 Island is teeming with baby turtles and officials of
Bhitarkanika National Park were sole witness to the unique natural heritage involving birth of babies sans mother, said forest officials. Tourists and researchers are denied entry to the area as the unmanned islands are located in close vicinity of Wheeler's Island defence test range centre, a prohibited territory. "The emergence of hatchlings from egg shells is expected to continue for at least a week. The one-km beach is virtually littered with hatchlings. The babies were literally jostling for space to loiter around before their final plunge into seawater," said Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, divisional forest officer. The babies broke out of eggshells and wandered around the sandy beach for nearly an hour before making their way to swirling seawater, says a wildlife staff. The Olive Ridley turtles enjoy threatened status equal to that of Royal Bengal Tigers in the country. About 50 forest personnel have been deployed on the
Turtle tales n An Olive Ridley usually lays about 120 to 150 eggs and the hatchlings emerge after about 45 days. n An estimated 4.26 lakh turtles had arrived en masse to lay eggs, a phenomenon called Arribada in Spanish, in March. n The mortality rate of hatchlings is exceedingly high as one out of a thousand survives the life cycle to grow into an adult. n About 50 forest personnel have been deployed on the beach to keep vigil and to ensure safe and undisturbed nesting. n Tourists and researchers are denied entry to the area as the unmanned islands are located in close vicinity of Wheeler's Island defence test range.
beach to keep vigil and to ensure safe and undisturbed mass nesting of turtle species, he said.
"The presence of forest personnel at the nesting ground did not bother the turtles as they maintained a distance," Mahapatra, who himself witnessed mass nesting popularly known as 'arribada', a Spanish term. "It's a virtual treat to watch as these species made their nocturnal visits. Emerging from the seawaters, they headed towards the sandy beaches making some kind of noise," an official on turtle protection duty said, adding that after laying their eggs in the pits dug by them, the turtles stay more than an hour before undertaking their seaward journey. An Olive Ridley usually lays about 120 to 150 eggs, which are incubated in the nest sans the mother turtle and the hatchlings emerge after about 45 to 50 days. But not all eggs remain intact as predators devour it. Besides, eggs are also washed away by sea waves during high tide, Mahapatra said. IANS
HEALTH
Alzheimer fight takes a hit as trial fails
WASHINGTON: An experimental treatment designed to slow the mental impairment of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease has been unsuccessful, US pharmaceutical giant Baxter announced Tuesday. Baxter said participants with
a moderate form of the disease and those with a genetic mutation increasing the risk of Alzheimer's who took higher doses of the treatment appeared to have shown some benefits but their number was too small to be regarded as conclusive.
The 18-month clinical study involved some 390 patients with early stage and moderate Alzheimer's. The study had involved Baxter's Gammagard drug, which is immunopglobulin derived from antibodies extracted from donated blood.
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Researchers had hoped to find that the substance helped to attack beta-amyloid plaques,
whose build-up in the brain is associated with neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, affecting memory and cognitive skills. Alzheimer's sufferers usually die within eight years of diagnosis. No cure has yet been developed. AFP
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
CIVIC
ART WORLD
MIM skips tour
Cezanne painting goes for $41.6 mn NEW YORK: Paul Cezanne's Les Pommes sold for $41.6 million at an auction of Impressionist and Modern art held by Sotheby's in New York, while a painting owned by pop star Madonna went for $7.16 million. Les Pommes, a landmark still life of apples on a table from 1889-90, went for the highest price at the Tuesday night auction, followed by Amedeo Modigliani's famed portrait L'Amazone, which went for $25.9 million. AROUND THE
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"Les Pommes is one of Cezanne's most perfect still lifes," Charles Moffett, vice chairman of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern Art, said. The painting had been expected to go for $25-35 million. "These moving compositions, which explore the paradoxes of forms in space, inspired the Cubism of Picasso and Braque and signal the birth of modern art." AFP
The party leadership is making the corporators work hard to raise the Assembly tally, while other party members are on a jolly ride to many cities. Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Setting an example to other parties, the ruling party of the GHMC, the MIM, decided to skip the annual ‘study tour’ to other cities as it wanted Hyderabad’s problems sorted out first. “We will think of sending the corporator for tour after the monsoon as the City currently has several problems to be addressed,” said mayor Mohd Majid Hussain. In a chat with Postnoon on Wednesday, Hussain said he was not against studies but everybody knows nothing much comes out of it. “When the City needs our attention on scores of issues, where is the sense in studying the issues of other cities?” he asked. His motto is work now and study would come later. All other parties have sent their corporators on a study tour, which came under severe criticism of the Lokayukta, which wanted to know what the outcome of the earlier study tours was. “They are wasting public money in the name of study tours,” observed Lokayukta, when a petition came up before it demanding to know what good was came of the corporators’ study tours. Hussain wanted to sort out problems of the south zone and
THE COCA HIGH
Coca beer helps cure altitude sickness LA PAZ: A Bolivian brewer has come up with an innovative solution for quenching thirst and coping with altitude sickness: coca beer, based on the same leaf used to make cocaine. AROUND THE
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parts of Nampally Assembly constituency. His party is keen on raising its strength in the Assembly at the next elections. All attention is therefore focused on nurturing the Assembly constituencies in the City. In fact, the MIM is already in election mode. Even as the corporators of Congress, TDP and BJP are out on their study tours, Hussain kept his gaze on the prospective MIM strongholds like Red Hills. Regular meetings are also being conducted in Darussalam, the MIM headquarters, where
corporators are taken to task for not solving public problems. “Corporators from other political parties have conducted area sabha and ward sabha after court orders. But we have an indisputable record of conducting these meetings. Basti-level elections have been conducted for decades. It is how we address the grassroot level problems,” said Hussain. The TDP corporators, who went to Kerala on April 29 returned from the study tour on May 6. The Congress corporators, who left to Pune, after spending a couple days there, reached Mumbai on May 6. The BJP corporators, who met the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on May 4, are currently touring Gujarat cities.
The juice from the leaves has a mild stimulant effect, easing stomach pain and helping people from the lowlands cope with altitude sickness. Coca has only recently acquired its nefarious reputation: for millennia, people living along the Andes mountains have chewed coca leaves. The juice from the leaves has a mild stimulant effect, easing stomach pain and helping people from the lowlands cope with altitude sickness, known locally as soroche. AFP
CHHOTA BHEEM MANIA
Every child’s hero! KEERTHANA MURALIDHAR feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: From Tom and Jerry, Popeye and Shin Chan to Pokemon, cartoon characters have been idolised by most of children world over. Chhota Bheem is the most recent animated series that has managed to make a place in the heart of every child. Leading textile brand Max is conducting a children’s festival this summer and has games and shows with Chhota Bheem as its central theme. McDonalds is also having promotional offers and goodies with Chhota Bheem as the face. In IPL 2013 too,this character has been used to promote the extra innings, by making it do the signature step on song Jhamping
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Jhapang. Chhota Bheem series, developed by India-based company, Green Gold Pictures, has a plot with different adventures set in the fictional city of Dholakpur. Little Bheem is accompanied by his friends — Chutkia young girl, Raju, a 4-year-old child and Jaggua the monkey — who help him with his missions of saving his kingdom and its people from attacks of enemies. SM Anushka, a class III student, is so obsessed with Chhota Bheem that she imagines he would come to her rescue when she is in trouble. This cartoon, that started in 2008, now has fans among high school children, too. Malavika and Pankaj, class VIII students, love watching Chhota Bheem because he acts as a saviour.
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Across Stores
ities Twin C
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News THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING NT BALANARAYAN
BEST OF THE BEST TRYGHOST.ORG
W
hy carry keys around when your smartphone can unlock the door? Kwikset has come out with a new lock that lets you lock and open doors via smartphone app. They also have keyfobs that can open doors so you can still get in when your phone is out of juice. The lock uses bluetooth to communicate with the phone and runs on AA batteries that last for a year. If you're interested head over to www.kwikset.com
TRYGHOST.ORG
BEYOND THE THUMBNAIL
Skeuomorphism
Thumbnails don’t always do justice to videos and Videogram, a new platform created by Cinemacraft, has a solution. WHAT IS VIDEOGRAM?
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T
urns out the world now cares about design online that they did five years back. Medium is a blogging platform created by Evan Williams of Blogger fame, but it redefines the traditional blogging. You don't get a site for yourself with Medium, instead you write posts that can be posted under different 'collections' aka categories. It also replaces traditional comments with notes. The site still is still not open to public and needs an invite for you to start blogging.
The video is automatically analysed for motion, colour, image, clip duration, etc and represented with different-sized keyframes packed in a visually pleasing form that allows videos to be browsed and discovered with the same simplicity as photos.
STORY BEHIND VIDEOGRAM
W
hile browsing YouTube, you’re entirely dependent on the name of the video and the thumbnail to figure out what it’s about. However, a thumbnail doesn’t always give a complete account of what a video is about. Videogram, a new platform creates a collage by analysing all the frames in a video and brings out the key action moments so you can figure out what it’s about. The platform and the app should not be confused with Instagram as this does not involve filters and is not just about beautifying your creative work. The term Videogram traditionally means a medium that carries an audio-visual work; this technology however, is a pic-
They say it takes a good decade for technology to move from research centres into the hands of the customers and such is the story of Videogram, a technology that lets one interpret a video at a glance. The technology was born in FX Palo Alto labs, a multimedia research centre owned by Fuji Xerox and Fujifilm back in 2002. However, online video hadn’t taken off back then so the IP did not garner as much interest as it should have. To put things in perspective YouTube was started in 2005, so in those days you had to download special codecs to watch videos online. To know more about the technology and read the full interview head over to http://is.gd/videogrampostnoon.
RUMOUR HAS IT ... D
GEEKSPEAK
torial summary of a video.
n the past decade, we haven't seen any seen new blogging platforms that offers something different from what we already have. Ghost, a new platform being created by an ex-Wordpress developer, claims to do just that. It is a designcentric, minimalist platform that puts blogging front and centre. This is in contrast to Wordpres that has evolved beyond blogging to become a Content Management System.
MEDIUM.COM
TRUE SUMMARY
When numbers lie: PC is dead
idn’t you hear? PC is dead and Widows 8 is to blame. The evidence? PC sales have been slowing down for the past couple of years and Microsoft’s new operating system hasn’t been able to bring up the numbers. Now if these details were presented in a court of law as evidence, the lawyers and judges will resort to a collective facepalm and dismiss it for lack of evidence. To begin with I believe that the ‘death of PC’ itself is slightly overrated. While, the numbers may signify a fall in demand for new computers it forgets to add that processors inside computers haven’t evolved at such a radical pace to demand a new purchase.
If the newer devices with innovative designs are not taking off yet, it is because the market is still flooded with older devices that are cheaper and good
enough. Once these newer touchscreen devices become more common in stores people will have a reason to update their
older devices. This trend will change soon from the look of it. Sony just announced that they are rebranding their laptop series by ditching confusing series names and replacing it with ‘Fit’ moniker. The newer laptops will be start around `30,000 while still carrying the thin frame that has been to date exclusive to higher-end devices. Then there is Acer and Asus that has been slowly pushing touch-screens and thin designs to lower end devices. Oh and then there’s Windows Blue, a update to Windows 8 that will fix bugs and add new features to the OS. So can we please start writing premature obituaries?
W
hen a design on an object is made to resemble another material or technique it is considered to be skeuomorphic. The term has been the topic of discussion for the past few months now and now it’s become the talking point again with talks of Apple ditching it for a flatter UI. Skeuomorphism has been part of Apple’s design for a while now, the OS user interface is littered with leather, satin textures; wooden panelling and other real-world designs which looks out of place in a minimalist 21st century device. These same designs made sense in the early days of smartphone as it made people comfortable with these apps because of the presence of objects they were familiar with. However over the past couple of years, with the rise of Android and Microsoft’s Windows 8 there’s been a general disdain for the use of such imagery in iPhone. Sir Jonathan Ive who is currently heading the net iPhone design is allegedly going for a flatter look that’ll sit well with these critics. The new iPhone will also have a more flatter UI. That said, this is not the first time that skeuomorphism has become the topic of such serious decision. Everyone in the design community was talking about it back in early 2000s when a lot of websites started using custom mouse pointers (a fork for a restaurant website, pen for a publisher’s website etc). That trend thankfully, died as Google and it’s minimalist design became popular.
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
Business
FITCH UPGRADES MEXICO CREDIT RATING
Fitch Ratings upgraded Mexico's sovereign credit rating on Wednesday, citing what it called the country's strong economic fundamentals and commitment to structural reforms. Mexico's credit score was upgraded by one notch to BBB+ from BBB.
PERSONAL FINANCE
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NEWS CORP PROFIT TRIPLES
Exchange Traded Funds choice for new investors with a small corpus. The minimum ticket size is 1 unit (in case of IIFL Nifty ETF, 1 unit is approximately 1/10th of the Nifty level, that is `500, when Nifty is at 5000).
MONEY MATTERS Nupur Pavan Bang
HYDERABAD: Regarded as the most revolutionary alternative investment instrument, Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs have evolved rapidly in the last few decades. However, despite proving their effectiveness globally, ETFs are yet to make a stronghold in India.
DISADVANTAGES
WHAT ARE ETFS?
ETFs are index funds that, like stocks, are traded on the stock exchange; but unlike stocks, they are the shares of a portfolio and not of a particular company. Like mutual funds (MFs), ETFs represent a collection of stocks; but unlike MFs, they are traded throughout the day. ETFs closely track the performance of different market indices during the trading day. Unlike closed-ended funds, they do not have a limited number of shares. An ETF’s trading value is based on the market price of the underlying stocks in the target index, like a Nifty ETF will look to replicate CNX Nifty returns.
ADVANTAGES
ETFs can be traded real time during market hours as well as in advance. Since they are a passive investment tool with low turnover, ETFs, compared to active MFs and closed-ended funds, have a lower expense ratio and transaction cost. They do not impose backend redemption charges. Adding to the attractiveness of ETFs is their high diversification quotient, simplicity and transparency. In
ETFs the underlying stocks are known and quantities are already defined. Investment in ETFs can be directly made through the fund house or the stock exchange. Unlike MFs, ETFs report holdings on a daily basis and transact based on the market price. They are tax efficient as they seek to minimize capital gains by exchanging the stocks that are sold out of the index with those funds that are added to it. ETFs are a good
These advantages notwithstanding, ETFs have certain demerits that have derailed their growth in India. ETF investments are limited to narrow-based market indexes and some of them result in higher costs and risks as they do not track the widely accepted indexes. With ETFs being limited to large-cap stocks in some countries, investors could be deprived of gains from investments in mid/small-cap stocks. Compared to actual stocks, ETF investments are generally made in a low volume index, which could result in a higher bid-ask spread. Further, ETFs, like stocks, cannot be wilfully sold if it is a thinly traded issue or if the market is experiencing high volatility. These might explain why ETF investments, though attractive, have yet not found a significant place on the investment bandwagon in India.
BANKING State Bank of Hyderabad's net down by 3.70 per cent HYDERABAD: State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) has reported net profit decline of 3.70 percent for fiscal 2012-13. The profit during the year was `1,250 crore against `1,298 crore during 2011-12. Announcing the results for the fourth quarter and the year, SBH managing director M Bhagavantha Rao (pictured) attributed the decline to `485 crore provided for strengthening the balance sheet. He said
`4,388.80 crore to `4,893.90 crore. The net interest income increased by 16.45 per cent from `3,364.49 crore during 2011-12 to `3,917.90 last fiscal. "Total deposits reached a level of `1,18,509 crore, recording a YoY growth of 16.41 per cent over `1,01,806 crore as on March 2012," said Rao. Advances increased by `13,711 crore to `92,023 crore, registering a YoY growth of 17.51 per cent. IANS
the bank increased the provision coverage ratio to 65 per cent from 62.40 per cent. The bank crossed the `.2 lakh crore mark in total business. Its business during 201213 was `2,10,532 crore, a yearon-year growth of 16.89 per cent. The operating profit for the year increase by 5.11 per cent from `2,652.99 crore to `2,788.44 crore on the back of 11.50 per cent increase in net operating income from
GOLD `27,168 10g SILVER `45,275 1kg
24C
for
for
DOLLAR `54.24 POUND `84.30
News Corp said Wednesday profit in the past quarter tripled to $2.85 billion, boosted by a one-time gain from its German satellite TV operations, and improvements in cable TV and film operations. The profit in the quarter to March 31 rose to $2.85 billion from $937 million a year ago, with $2.1 billion coming from a one-time gain from the inclusion of its Sky Deutschland satellite television operations. The sale of its 44 percent stake in New Zealand-based Sky Network Television Ltd. produced a one-time gain of $321 million. Revenues in the fiscal third quarter rose 14 percent to $9.5 billion.
NUMEROLOGY
$2.56
bn
is the National Australia Bank’s firsthalf net profit, powered by higher revenue from personal and wholesale banking.
TESLA POSTS FIRST PROFIT Tesla Motors said Wednesday it posted its first-ever quarterly profit as the electric carmaker beat its own forecasts and surprised market analysts. The California-based firm said it earned a profit of $11 million in the first quarter as revenues rose 83 percent from the prior quarter to $562 million. Tesla cited "strong global demand for Model S" saying it is "currently receiving orders at a rate greater than 20,000 per year worldwide" and noted that it seen "significant upside potential in Europe and Asia." Tesla conducted an initial public offering in 2011, raising $226 million. The first model, the Tesla Roadster, cost more than $100,000 and can go nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers) on a single charge. It later launched the Model S, starting at $49,900, but with financing, tax incentives and resale guarantees aimed at winning over consumers. Tesla also provides electric powertrains and other equipment to carmakers including Toyota and Mercedes-Benz.
BSE NSE
19,962.68 27.50
6,060.50 8.80
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
Comment You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
IPL FEVER
VESSELA SERGUEVA Agence France-Presse
A
s her master’s degree in economics is proving of little use in her job at a Sofia call centre, Rumyana Ganeva, 26, is thinking of leaving Bulgaria. “I could do this without a diploma,” she says bitterly and she is now planning another master’s, but this time in Britain, which her grandmother will help pay for by selling her apartment. Ganeva is joining an exodus of the best and brightest that is draining EU-member Bulgaria — which holds elections on Sunday — and exacerbating the problem of an ageing population. According to a study by the Podkrepa trade union, between 20,000 to 25,000 Bulgarians aged between 25 and 39 years old emigrate every year to another EU country with some even younger in their wake. “Most of our graduates can’t wait to get their diplomas to leave for somewhere in Europe,” says Ginka Slavcheva, a teacher in one of Sofia’s best high schools. And those who study abroad often stay there, knowing that if they return, a monthly salary of 1,000 leva (511 euros, $670) awaits. Polls have shown Bulgarians are among the most upbeat in the European Union about membership of the 27-nation bloc, even if it remains the poorest member six years after joining. But as the Trud newspaper joked, “the main reason behind Bulgarians’ love for Europe is the chance to escape there.” Other aspects of life besides wages also make it difficult to stay.
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PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER BUT... SERIOUSLY
William Faulkner American author
The Bulgarian exodus
HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS
In the whole history of sports there is no figure like Sir Alex Ferguson. And if there is one thing that sums him up, it’s his longevity apart from the undying desire for victory. In this case, it will be a very long time before another Fergie comes our way.
Ajay Hotchandani
T
he events of the past couple of weeks have been a bit of a blur for me. I am currently on “vacation” yet I find myself doing more work than I normally would have done if I were back in my clinic. My daily routine includes waking up ridiculously early (6.30am) only to quickly fall back asleep and have a weird dream that somehow involves vitamins, midgets and fake eyelashes. I even told my gynecologist about it, but she had no idea what those dreams meant or why I was even there in the first place. After my early awakening and awkward dream I wake up and get out of bed and a not so unholy hour, 9:30am. Coffee, cricket and logging into my computer is what closely follows. Somewhere between Perera’s wickets and my ovaltine biscuits I was reading the international news. Again I can’t remember the order that it occurred, but two event that might not appear to have anything to do with each other might have more pieces to it that one would think. The South China Morning Post article title read, “China cuts
ties with North Korea’s main forex bank”. The LA Times had it as, “China closes down North Korean bank account”. What does this mean? Well beside the obvious, Kim Jung Un can’t get money out to buy donuts and Mercedes, North Korea’s main ally has had enough of Kim’s nonsense and won’t put up with Kim not wanting to pay his outstanding credit card bill to the Bank of China. Another somewhat random news story. The Indian Express reports “India, China border face-off ends, both sides agree to withdraw troops”. Border tension? Really? OK, so along the Depsang Plain things got a bit heated because of what could have been a misunderstanding. I believe it is due to IPL season. Think about it. Soldiers in a remote region watch cricket and then go out and play. Well you need at least 22 players for a good solid match. Each post may only have 5-6 soldiers, so what do they do, the call the other posts and tell them to join them. One morning the Chinese soldier notices an increased presence of soldiers and mistakes it for an increased in military presence. Things get blown out of proportion and the next thing you know the Chinese are setting up a football, baseball and basketball game all at one in one camp. Gulfnews.com reported “
India and China have ended a three-week standoff on a windswept Himalayan plateau where they fought a war 50 years ago by pulling forces back to positions held before the confrontation”. For 50 years they have had this stand-off and a three week intense stand-off comes to an abrupt end? About a day within each other China closes North Korea’s account and India pulls back its troops. There is another piece of the puzzle here people. This is how I see it. The US needs to cripple North Korea because they were threatening war and releasing their own pop song similar to Gangnam Style, forcing us to endure another year of Korean pop. Seeing how most sanctions weren’t having
its desired effects and China was protecting North Korea, they realized the key lies in China. So the US tells China to close the account and we will get India to back off. China agrees and gets to look good in the eyes of its people, all while slowing cutting away the tumor that is North Korea. Now India wouldn’t have just agreed to just back off from the border (or not until IPL season is over) without some form of compensation, and I don’t think agreeing to put Amitabh Bachchan in a Hollywood movie is it. Keep an eye out for a deal between India and either the US or another major country… .because this won’t all be over until Kim Jung Un pays his credit card bill.
EDITORIALS There’s blood on your branded shirt
T
he garment industry in Bangladesh is tumbling like a house of cards. After the devastating building collapse that claimed more than 900 garment workers, a fire has broken out in a textile factory, which has claimed eight lives. As days pass by and new mishaps happen, more and more stories of blood and tears emerge from hen-coup like buildings that lack the basic of facilities and minimum requirements prescribed to be legit. These incidents have also helped in bringing the double standards of the fashion industry. Many of the famous brands get their wares made in these building of horror. Only some of them have acknowledged their association with these sweatshops and in the wake of the tragedies offered condolences to the victims and
READERS’ VIEWS
promised compensation. On the other hand, there are other brands that have disavowed any ties with any such workplace in Bangladesh despite their labels being found amid the rubble. And nothing major has been done to bring help to the survivors of the disaster. The pitiable truth is that many workers have not been paid their pay for periods that stretch to years. And the compensation offered by a central body concerned with the garment industry is just so meagre that survivors have lashed out at the ill-treatment. And consider the contrast in the big amounts at which branded clothes are priced and the beggarly sum offered to the survivors? Next when you buy a branded shirt, you may not see it, but there is blood on it.
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
tELEVISION
BIGG BOSS GOES TO BENGAL ETV Bangla now gears up to entertain viewers with India's biggest reality TV show — Bigg Boss. While Bigg Boss will now speak in Bengali, the affable and effervescent Mithun Chakraborthy will be seen hosting the show; but in an all new avatar.
ON THE RUN
Stealing lives of others BBC America's new TV series Orphan Black is an edge of the seat thriller about a woman who steals the identity of her look alike which in turn triggers a series of events that have far reaching consequences.
NEW SERIES
Dancing with the stars Colors’ upcoming season (6) of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa has gotten in an interesting line-up of contestants in singer Shaan, actress Drashti Dhami, Siddharth Shukla, Meghna Malik, Aarti Chhabria, Laurien Gottlieb, amongst others. Though the name of Karanvir Bohra has also been making rounds for a while now. Along with him, the ace comedian Suresh Menon will also be part of the show. The much talked about dance reality show will hit screens from June 1.
DID YOU KNOW...
CBS
HEMANTH KUMAR hemanth.k@postnoon.com
T
here are several philosophical questions that one comes across while watching BBC America's new TV show Orphan Black. One of them being — What does it mean to live the life of another person? And then there's a whole lot of debate about how ethical is it to steal the identity of another person, even when you are trying to run away from your past, and can you really get into the shoes of your new-found identity without raising a doubt in the minds of others? This is precisely what Orphan Black tries to do. The lead character Sarah Manning, played by Tatiana Maslany, is as clueless as we are about what she's going to do with her new identity. She doesn't have a plan and all she's looking for is a quick solution to put an end to her problems before she realizes what she has got herself into. Created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, Orphan Black opens with a scene where Sarah
Manning comes out of hiding after nearly a year. She doesn't know where to go and while she's trying to figure out what to do next, she spots a woman at a train station who seems quite disturbed. Before she can talk to her, the mysterious young woman turns around and commits suicide by leaping in front of a train. Sarah is shocked beyond belief that the lady who has just committed suicide looks just like her. In a hurry, she steals the lady's bag and finds out more details about her. Since Sarah has nowhere else to go, she assumes the identity of
Elizabeth Childs and heads to her apartment. Elsewhere, Sarah's foster brother and confidant Felix, played by Jordan Gavaris, begins to get worried about Sarah's plans but decides to help her. Soon, Sarah realises that Elizabeth has $75,000 in her bank account, which is enough to get rid of all her problems. In no time, Sarah begins to talk and walk like Elizabeth, but all that goes for a toss when she's picked up by a police detective for a hearing. Sarah is shocked to know that Elizabeth was a police detective who was under
suspension. Amdist all this chaos, two people seem to be desparate to get in touch with Sarah and in the end, she realises that she has got herself into a bigger conspiracy. Orphan Black packs the best of suspense drama and action which never gets overboard. Tatiana Maslany looks her part in the series, although it's a million dollar question as to how she's so street smart. She has a backup plan every time she's in trouble. The best part about the opening episode is of course its ending. When Sarah realises that Elizabeth is not her only look alike, there's every chance that the cycle of her stealing someone's identity repeats again. With a mysterious person at large to kill her, it seems quite plausible that Sarah would do just that as the story unfolds. It's a complicated setting and midst of all this is a woman trying to untangle herself and figure out what exactly is happening in her life. Quite frankly, it's always a pleasure to watch a femme fatale on the run.
can now officially stand for Chuck as top producer Chuck Lorre will have four series on the network in the fall. CBS will pick up Lorre’s comedy pilot Mom to series tomorrow, a full week before the network’s upfront presentation. It will be the first pilot from this year’s crop to get a series order. A select few A-list producers get early pickup deadlines from the networks, giving them a window to shop elsewhere if they get a pass.
TRENDING...
ABC Family has added another Ravenswood resident. Former Kyle Xy and Supernatural actress Merritt Patterson has joined the Pretty Little Liars spinoff series Ravenswood, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Ravenswood centers on a town not far from Rosewood, Pa., that has suffered for generations under a deadly curse.
Lana Parrilla is getting her fairy tale ending. Once Upon a Time's Evil Queen gets to add wedding planning to her everyday routine, with beau Fred Di Blasio popping the question in Israel's Negev Desert on April 28. The couple were on a trip along with stars from fellow ABC hit Scandal as part of America's Voices in Israel, according to the Los Angeles Times.
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
spotlight
SALSA NIGHT
Cuba Libre is hosting Salsa Socials tonight. So head to the pub with a partner in tow and learn a few salsa moves.
WEDDING BELLS RINGING
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1
A FASHIONABLE FINALE
Glittering soiree Sangeet ceremony of Sujith Reddy and MLA Laxma Reddy’s daughter Spoorthy was a gala do. Bride-to-be and her friends entertained the crowd, dancing to the latest chartbusters. 2
3
Summer wedding collection was launched in style at Mebaz showroom, Begumpet on Wednesday. Models displayed saris, lehengas and other traditional wear.
4
WEDDING CARNIVAL Tollywood actress Sri Reddy inaugurated Parinaya Wedding Fair organised at Sri Satya Sai Nigamagamam, Srinagar Colony on Wednesday.
1 Spoorthy
3 Laxma Reddy, Swetha
2 Sujith
4 Sudadha, Jai Chandra Reddy
SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil launched a recipe book dedicated to Indian cuisine featuring 10 best recipes for simple and easy cooking at home. The book was launched by Chef Puneet Mehta (Master Chef Season 2 Finalist) at a glittering do held at The Square, Paryatak Bhavan, Begumpet.
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
health
‘DECLARE THALASSAEMIC PATIENTS AS DISABLED’ Shimla-based public welfare trust Umang Foundation Wednesday asked the state government to include thalassemics in the category of disabled so that they could avail facilities being provided to the physically challenged. IANS
PERMANENT CONTRACEPTION
NO LOOSE ENDS
Previously we discussed some reversible methods of birth control. Today we focus on 'permanent infertility' or more permanent methods of contraception. disadvantages. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops in the fallopian tubes rather than in the uterus.
FLEME VARKEY
fleme.v@postnoon.com
FOR MALES
T
he decision to become permanently infertile is one that needs to be thought out and planned carefully. Once done, there are no means of reversing it. There are two permanent options for females.
STERILISATION This involves a small metallic implant that is placed into the fallopian tubes of women who wish to be permanently sterilised. During the implantation procedure, the doctor inserts one of the devices into each of the two fallopian tubes. The device works by making scar tissue form over the implant, blocking the fallopian tube and preventing fertilisation of the egg by the sperm. The procedure can be performed in the doctor's office. No anesthesia is required, though local anesthesia may be used, depending on the procedure and the patient. Backup contraception is required until you have your three-month follow-up appointment to ensure the inserts are in place and the fallopian tubes are blocked. Advantages: Female sterilisation does not involve hormones. It is a permanent form of birth control. There are no changes in libido (sexual desire), menstrual cycle, or breastfeeding ability. The procedure is usually a sameday procedure done in a surgical outpatient clinic. Disadvantages: This is a permanent method — there is no room for regret.
TYING OF THE FALLOPIAN TUBES
No looking back
In this procedure, the fallopian tubes are surgically closed, either by burning or severing and/or blocking with a clip. It is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital and can be done laparoscopically, using a telescope-like device that is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. With both forms of permanent birth control, the hormones that control a woman's menstruation and sexuality will not change, therefore your menstrual cycle or your desire for sex will not be affected. Your ovaries will continue to produce eggs; your body absorbs the unfertilised eggs just as it did before the procedure. These procedures will not bring on early menopause.
F
emale sterilisation does not involve hormones. It is a permanent form of birth control. There are no changes in libido (sexual desire), menstrual cycle, or breastfeeding ability. The procedure is usually a same-day procedure done in a surgical outpatient clinic. No anesthesia is required, though local anesthesia may be used, depending on the procedure and the patient. Backup contraception is required until you have your three-month follow-up appointment to ensure the inserts are in place and the fallopian tubes are blocked.
Advantages: Tubal ligations can sometimes be reversed, but success rates are low. As far as longterm effects are concerned, tubal ligations have not been associated with any diseases. In fact, a protective effect of tubal ligation against ovarian cancer has been reported in several studies. Disadvantages: Damage to nearby organs such as the bowel or ureters infection, inflammation and pain, which can occasionally be caused by a clip used in the tubal ligation procedure, haemorrhage infection of the wound or a fallopian tube, pregnancy (the method is more than 99 per cent effective, but there is a very small chance of the tubes becoming unblocked), ectopic pregnancy in women who become pregnant after having the tubal occlusion procedure, are sp,e of the
Contraception: A brief history
1969
Barbara Seaman publishes The Doctor’s Case Against the Pill, which exposes side effects including the risk of heart attack, stroke, and weight gain.
1988 Original high-dose pill are taken off the market; an FDA study shows the health benefits of newer pills, including decreased risk of ovarian cancer and iron deficiency anemia.
1992
1998
Already used by over 30 million women worldwide since 1969, the FDA approves DepoProvera, the first hormone shot to prevent pregnancy for several months.
The FDA approves the first emergency contraceptive in the United States — morning-after pill. It can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
2000 to 2002 Four new birth-control products enter the US market. They are Ortho Evra, a birth-control patch; NuvaRing, a vaginally inserted ring; Lunelle, a hormone injection; and Mirena, an intrauterine device.
Permanent birth control for males is called a vasectomy. This procedure is performed under the doctor’s supervision. The scrotum is numbed with an anesthetic, so the doctor can make a small incision to access the vas deferens, the tubes through which sperm travels from the testicle to the penis. The doctor then seals, ties or cuts the vas deferens. Following a vasectomy, a man continues to ejaculate, but the fluid does not contain sperm. Backup contraception is required until the doctor verifies that sperm are no longer present. It usually takes several months after a vasectomy for all remaining sperm to be ejaculated or reabsorbed. One must use another method of birth control until you have a semen sample tested and it shows a zero sperm count. Otherwise, you can still get your partner pregnant. Advantages: Vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control. Once your semen does not contain sperm, you do not need to worry about using other birth control methods. Vasectomy is a safer, cheaper procedure that causes fewer complications than tubal ligation in women. Disadvantages: Pregnancy may occur after vasectomy because of: n Failure to use another birth control method until the sperm count is confirmed to be zero. It usually takes 10 to 20 ejaculations to completely clear sperm from the semen. n Spontaneous reconnection of a vas deferens or an opening in one end that allows sperm to mix with the semen again.
2006
Implanon — a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive — enters the US market, which can be implanted in the skin of a woman's arm.
Sources: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/history-of-birth-control-1
2007
The FDA approves Lybrel, the first lowdose contraceptive pill that gives a woman the option to stop her menstrual cycle. Researchers say it should have no adverse health effects.
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
Technology BIG LAUNCH
Show me the money PATENT FIGHT DRAGS ON...
China e-commerce giant Alibaba to go for an IPO; valuation could be between $60 and $100 billion
Apple, taking its patent fight to Google through its infringement litigation against Samsung, is asking a judge to force Google to turn over documents related to its Android operating system. Apple told U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal in San Jose, California, that Google is improperly withholding information about what terms it’s using to find the documents Apple has requested in pretrial information sharing. Apple, as part of its second patent-infringement lawsuit against Samsung in the same court, argues that Android is used in all of Samsung’s allegedly infringing products and “provides much of the accused functionality”.
YAHOO! TWEAKING SEARCH
An Alibaba employee walking through a communal space at company headquarters.
BILL SAVADOVE feedback@postnoon.com SHANGHAI: As Alibaba chief Jack Ma steps aside after building the world’s largest online retailer, the Chinese firm is preparing a huge stock offer prompting comparisons with Facebook — whose profits it dwarfs. In 14 years, Alibaba Group has grown from a start-up in the eastern city of Hangzhou to an Internet commerce giant which bested eBay in a public battle for dominance of the vast Chinese market. Expectations are building for an overseas initial public offer (IPO) as early as this year with 48-year-old founder Ma due to move aside as chief executive officer on Friday, dropping hints without revealing specific plans. “The whole world knows Alibaba is going to launch an IPO, but I do not know when,” he said just days ago, according to a Chinese newspaper report. A diminutive former English teacher, Ma set up Alibaba in 1999, convincing friends to fund him with $60,000 and picking a recognisable name with the aim of
helping small firms find treasure by selling through the Internet. He will remain as chairman to provide strategic direction but will leave daily operations to right-hand man Lu Zhaoxi. The IPO will give buyers a chance to invest in the Chinese economy, the world’s second largest, as well as an Internet success story, analysts said. “Any institutional investors who have funds where they want exposure to the Internet and to China are going to be almost automatic buyers of Alibaba,” said Bill Bishop, a columnist for The New York Times’s DealBook. China’s annual online sales are forecast to reach between $420 billion and $650 billion by 2020, by which time it will be the world’s largest online retail market, consulting firm McKinsey estimates. Alibaba, which provides a platform to connect online buyers and sellers, now controls more than 90 percent of the market for consumer-toconsumer transactions in China and over half of business-to-consumer deals, McKinsey said.
The group includes China’s most popular online shopping destination Taobao Marketplace, which marks its 10th anniversary Friday and had more than 800 million product listings and over 500 million registered users last year. An IPO could value Alibaba at between $60 billion and $100 billion, according to analysts. “They could probably get somewhere in the Facebook range,” said Bishop. The US social media giant raised $16 billion when it went public in May last year, valuing the company at more than $100 billion at the time, but a fall in the share price since has sparked investor anger. Facebook recorded profits of $64 million in the fourth quarter of last year. In contrast, Alibaba Group made $642 million in the same period, the latest available figures show. Ma sold a 43 percent stake in Alibaba to Yahoo! for $1 billion in 2005, but relations with the US Internet pioneer were stormy and last May Yahoo! said it had agreed to sell its shares back to Alibaba for more than $7 billion.
Analysts said a smooth leadership transition, restructuring of business units and recent purchase of a stake in China’s dominant microblog provider Sina Weibo all appeared to be preparing Alibaba for an IPO. “His stepping down won’t have a big impact on the current business of Alibaba. It’s all about paving the way for establishing a good successor system,” said Yang Xiao, an analyst at Beijing-based Analysys International. But Ma has inspired strong devotion in employees and users, drawing comparisons with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs -- although he practises a more open management style. A devotee of t’ai chi, he has made references to Chinese martial arts in both business strategy and corporate culture. Porter Erisman, a former Alibaba employee who has made a documentary about the firm, “Crocodile in the Yangtze”, said: “What Silicon Valley is known for, he embodies a lot of that with Chinese characteristics -- that spirit of openness, risk-taking, innovation.” AFP
Yahoo! Chief Executive Officer Marissa Mayer plans to unveil tools for search, including making it easier to find information on mobile devices, stepping up efforts to nab share from Google. “We’ve got some really cool things in the pipeline, which we’ll be announcing and rolling out over the coming months,” Laurie Mann, senior vice president of search, said in an interview in February. Some of the upgrades are being developed in tandem with Yahoo’s search partner, Microsoft.
CLOSING THE WINDOWS Citing stability issues NASA has announced they will be migrating the ISS laptops and PCs from Windows to Linux. Linux has been used in many of the ISS systems but they announced their decision to shift entirely to the open source alternative recently. It looks like NASA is heavy into Debian but also uses Red Hat and Centos. The ISS workstations will be Debian 6. A quick search for Linux on the NASA website shows that there is a substantial Linux culture at NASA within research and operations. Lets not forget the recent Robonaut 2 Linux powered robot NASA developed.
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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
Entertainment ON THE FUNNY TRACK
I took Jim Carrey as an inspiration : AADI Aadi gets talking about his upcoming film Sukumarudu and finding inspiration from Chiranjeevi and Jim Carrey.
A
adi may be just two films old but he has a lot going in his favour these days. After films like Premakavali and Lovely, which established him as a talent to watch out for, his upcoming film Sukumarudu is expected to be a big leap ahead in his career. Directed by G Ashok, who previously made Pilla Jamindar, the film also stars Nisha Aggarwal, Bhavna Ruparel, Krishna and Sharada. Talking about the film and his role, Aadi says, “There are a lot of variations in my characterisation. Humour and sadness coexists in several scenes in the film. I took Jim Carrey as an inspiration for the role. It was quite challenging, but I guess I managed to pull it off.” His character in the film, as the title suggests, is named Sukumarudu; however, Aadi confesses that there’s no other relation to what he does in the film. “Although my name is Sukumarudu in the film, the characterisation is quite the opposite. He’s very self-centred and doesn’t believe in relationships. The film is about how he changes after he goes to a village to meet his grandparents,” he reveals. So what made him say yes to the project? One of the reasons, Aadi says, was G Ashok himself. “When I saw Pilla Jamindar, I found a director who’s sensible enough to merge family values and entertain-
ment quite effortlessly. Sukumarudu is also a big step for Ashok. The entire team worked really hard on the film. There are about 60 artistes in the film and some of them are quite busy which explains why we had to shoot for nearly 100 days to complete the film,” Aadi reveals and adds, “It was a pleasure working with Krishna and Sharada, who play my grandparents in the film. Although I don’t have any scenes with Superstar Krishna, I used to observe him in the sets and there’s so much one can learn from the way he emotes and even his dialogue delivery. Sharada’s characterisation is a huge asset to the film.” It’s not just Jim Carrey, Aadi has admits that he was hugely influenced by Chiranjeevi right from his childhood. “People say that I dance well and a lot of that credit goes to Chiranjeevi. He’s my biggest inspiration when it comes to dances and after I became an actor, I thought I would achieve a lot if I manage at least 10 per cent of what Chiranjeevi did in terms of dance,” he says. In this film, there’s a particular scene where Ashok wanted
him to imitate one of NTR’s greatest dialogues from the movie Dana Veera Sura Karna. “Of course, I couldn’t manage to match up with NTR in that scene. I hope people like what I did,” he smiles. Sukumarudu is slated for release on May 10.
CINE BYTES Sahasam’s trailer launched
T
he trailer of Gopichand, Taapsee starrer Sahasam was launched yestersay morning. The film is about an ATM security guard who goes on an extra-ordinary journey across the border to find a treasure which belonged to his ancestors. Sri has scored the music.
Charmee does a cameo
C
harmee has done a cameo in Varun Sandesh’s upcoming film Saradaga Ammayilatho. Bhanu Shankar has director the film. “It’s the first time I have done such a cameo role and I don’t think I’ll do one in future. Bhanu Shankar and the producer Kumara Swamy managed to convince me,” Charmee says.
Action 3D to release on May 31
A
llari Naresh’s upcoming film Action 3D is gearing up for release on May 31. Anil Sunkara has directed the film and it also stars Shaam, Vaibhav, Raju Sundaram, Sudeep, Neelam Upadhyaya, Kamna Jethmalani, Ritu Barmecha and Sneha Ullal. The promotional campaign will kickstart soon.
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
fashion
DAVID BOWIE HIRES MARION COTILLARD
DAVID BOWIE has recruited Dior muse Marion Cotillard to appear in his latest music video, The Next Day. The French actress plays a prostitute suffering from stigmata, while Bowie features as a Christ-like figure dressed in a long smock.
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JOHN GALLIANO’S PARSONS WORKSHOP CANCELLED
JOHN GALLIANO's workshop at Parsons design college in New York has been cancelled. The designer was due to teach a three-day master class called Show Me Emotion at the celebrated school.
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Entertainment THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
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Entertainment THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
25
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
Chai Time
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Teach you children poetry; it opens the mind, lends grace to wisdom and makes the heroic virtues hereditary. Walter Scott
KAKURO
QUICK CROSSWORD
26
SUDOKU How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.
ACROSS
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
SCRIBBLING PAD
1 Bit of trivia 5 Analyze in English class 10 "... and ___ the fire" 14 Lumbago, e.g. 15 Bracket-braced window 16 Stretched out, as in bed 17 Afternoon cupfuls 18 1964 Rex Harrison musical 20 Toil in the cutting room 21 Margarine portion 22 Addition to a building 23 To mature, as fruit 25 Skin care woe 27 Very tall 29 Main vessel of a sea-going line 33 Word before "tower" or "Coast" 34 Barkeep records 35 Address for a king 36 Perignon's title 37 Premiere 38 "I tawt I taw a puddy ___!" 39 "It's a pity!" 41 Command post on a ship 42 Derby roller 44 Missing companionship 46 Playwright, slangily 47 Competes in a regatta, say 48 Working again 49 Desert refuge 52 Good friend 53 Dubai VIP 56 A proverbial giggler 59 Film in Cannes 60 In ___ of (replacing) 61 State flower of New Mexico 62 Inquires 63 Bet equalizer 64 Key in 65 "Over here!" sound
DOWN
1 Inescapable outcome 2 Did extremely well on, as a test 3 Committee leader, sometimes 4 More grumpy 5 First Triumvirate member 6 Indo-European, once 7 Break in friendly relations 8 ___ of Galilee 9 New Haven Ivy Leaguer 10 Health problem 11 Indian flatbread 12 Mariner's concern 13 Cameo stone 19 Tolled, as a bell 24 Snoop 25 There are tracks on it 26 Play mates? 27 Kind of basin or wave 28 Architectural ellipse 29 Aesop's output 30 Inconsistent 31 Ticked and then some 32 Pumpkin-eater of rhyme 34 Pours 37 Indian Ocean vessel 40 Not kidding 42 Word with "appeal" or "symbol" 43 Start of the strike zone 45 "I've been better" 46 Building support 48 Absurd comedy 49 Scandinavian seaport 50 LSD, informally 51 Tool repository 52 Early inhabitant of Britain 54 Calligrapher's fluids 55 Take a relaxing break 57 Caustic soda 58 Battleship feature
Chai Time THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 Thiruvaikumar
STAR POWER for 10-5-2013
27
As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Tensions and worries existed will disappear. All the new efforts will be successful and yield expected results. Avoid taking major and vital decisions with the advice of inexperienced friends. Money will come by from all expected sources.
STRIP TEASE AGNES
Court case will go smoothly and verdict is in your favour. Avoid taking harsh decisions as the good suggestions proposed by you will draw flak and might get strong opposition. You will be in search of real and loyal people.
Adopt slow and steady policy along with patience. Politicians are advised to keep way from the internal issues and also avoid expressing your opinions in open in the controversial issues. You will show good maturity in your talks.
Marriage of a family member is on the cards. Those deprived of child since long time will get favorable news. Children will make you feel happy and proud. New plans and innovative steps will be implemented successfully.
Speculative deals are likely to bring decent gains. Businessmen are likely to gain sops from the Government. You will not hesitate to punish those who take a wrong path to achieve their goals. Politicians will be in the limelight.
Helps expected from all the sources will come by with which construction of your house will go on without any hurdles. Financial position will be more than satisfactory with which you will clear the old debts and feel relaxed.
Sudden fortune opportunity is likely to keep you financially comfortable. New plans and efforts will be successful. Marriage talks will progress well and finalization is almost certain. You will gain success in all challenging tasks.
A happy atmosphere is likely to prevail at home. Financial position will improve considerably. Some have bright chance to purchase new and valuable movable assets. Plans to construct a new house also will materialize.
Friendship circle is likely to expand with good natured friends. Family will be in a cheerful atmosphere as happy events are likely to take place in line. Recently married can get ready to welcome their offspring.
TAROT READ
Sumaa Tekur
tarotreadhyd@gmail. com
ARIES:
GEMINI:
Death – The forces of gravity are at work. What goes up must come down. You need to reduce your expectations and work for the sake of work.
LEO:
Ten of Wands – A more professional approach at the work place is needed. Getting too close to your colleagues is not a good idea.
LIBRA:
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
The Magician – You function at half your capacity today. You may be feeling fatigued just at the thought of the number of tasks to complete. Use your intuition.
SAGITTARIUS:
Temperance – Diet needs attention. Choose foods that are easy to digest. Take care of your health. It will give you the energy to work well.
TAURUS:
The Moon – You may be becoming too obsessed with achieving a rank or a higher position in the hierarchy. This is not going to matter in the long run.
CANCER:
Judgment – You may be getting addicted to a video game or some arcade game on your phone. There are skills to pick up along the way. But stay in control.
VIRGO:
Eight of Swords – A friend may tag along with your every plan, robbing you the freedom to do your own thing. How about having a frank chat with this friend?
SCORPIO:
Five of Pentacles – Productivity is high today and you complete what needs to be done at quick pace. Avoid conflicts and arguments with coworkers.
CAPRICORN:
Queen of Swords – You like to feel special and exclusive among your friends. You are on a lonely journey and want to make this luxurious for yourself.
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
PISCES:
Strength – You focus on acquiring worldly pleasures and this gives you only temporary happiness. You search for happiness is teaching you new things.
NUMBER GAME
No use imitating someone else’s dress and lifestyle choices because it may not suit you at all. You believe you want what that other person has.
SCRABBLE
AQUARIUS: Ace of Cups –
POOCH CAFE
VIP friends will help you in important tasks and ensure your success. You will be able to raise the income through multiple channels. Real estate matters will bring you decent gains. You will be bold and successful.
for 10-5-2013
The Tower – Put your plans into action. Don’t wait for too long deliberating whether your choices are good or not. You will never know unless you act on them.
NON SEQUITUR
Employees will feel comfortable as management will fulfill their demands. Your stock is set to pile up. Couple who were living apart all these days might come together again and lead a happy life hereafter.
SUDUKO
Daughter’s marriage will get finalized with a good matching groom. Expenses and tension due to children are inevitable but will be resolved soon. Good help and support extended by friends and relatives will make you cheerful.
Boggle CREEK BROOK RIVER STREAM Vol: 2, No 293 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
28
Entertainment THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
HOTNESS
CINE BYTES
IS IT THE YEAR OF Arjun Rampal’s 1st look from D-Day launched
D
D
eepika has been making headlines since the beginning of 2013. And we see that happening only for the right reasons! The year began with the success of Race 2 followed by the next biggie, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Deepika was recognized by Grazia as the cover girl of the year and now Filmfare has declared her the most fashionable star and she has been compared to beauties like Zeenat Aman and Rekha. We've all heard about the actress working too hard this season with no time for anything else but work. Whether it is shooting for Chennai Express, attending promotions for Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani or even travelling for the IPL opening ceremony, flying to Mumbai and flying back to attend the first IPL match…she does it all with ease! But the praises for Deepika don’t stop there. Apart from appearing in some of the most awaited films this year, Deepika recently got voted as Times’ Most Desirable Woman of 2012. Her recent win in a poll conducted by Filmfare that announced her as the Most Fashionable Star has proven that she is a woman of many talents. This hard working superstar seems all set to make 2013 the ‘Year of Deepika Padukone’, with big movie releases, award winning performance and multiple recognitions this year.
irector Nikhil Advani’s new venture, D-Day, has managed to gather a lot of attention among the masses already. Apart from Arjun Rampal, D-Day also stars Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Shruti Haasan and Huma Qureshi in the lead.Arjun Rampal is seen in an all new avatar. The logo was released recently. D-Day is slated to release on July 13, 2013.
SRK, Aamir and Hritik unveil music of YPD2
T
he music launch of Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 Tuesday was a star-studded event with celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hritik Roshan, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia D'Souza, Rakesh Roshan, Kunal Kohli, and Juhi Chawla making the occasion extra special. The cast of the film — Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol — danced to the tunes of Main aida hi nachna.
I wanted Highway to be my first film: Imtiaz Ali
O
ver the years, Imtiaz Ali got busy directing romances like Jab We Met and Rockstar but finally he is happy to revisit his dream story in his upcoming film Highway. "I intended this to be my first film. I thought of it first while I was directing TV serials. Over the years, I wrote the script, forgot about it and continued to visit it time and again but I would always end up doing other movies," Ali said. PTI
sports
29
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
NBA
Heat rout Bulls in chippy playoff Ray Allen scored 21 points as Miami Heat rebounded from a ga me-one loss to rout Chicago 11578, handing the Bulls their most lopsided playoff defeat in franchise history.
Ray Allen #34 of the Miami Heat drives against Marquis Teague #25 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on Wednesday at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. AFP/NBAE JESSE D. GARRABRANT
MIAMI: Ray Allen scored 21 points as Miami rebounded from a game-one loss to rout Chicago 115-78 on Wednesday, handing the Bulls their most lopsided playoff defeat in franchise history. LeBron James finished with 19 points and nine assists and Dwyane Wade and Norris Cole each scored 15 points in Wednesday's chippy National Basketball Association contest that saw Bulls Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson ejected in the second half. "Our guys came in with a stronger disposition," said coach Erik Spoelstra after the Heat tied the second-round series at 1-1. "What we talked about was competing at highest level with composure. Our guys are ultra competitive." Allen came off the bench to
FORMULA ONE
LeBron James finished with 19 points and nine assists and Dwyane Wade and Norris Cole each scored 15 points. Miami bounced back in a big way from a 93-86 game-one loss where they shot just 39 percent from the field. The injury-plagued Bulls lost their composure at times as they compiled a total of 27 fouls, incl-
uding a half dozen technicals. Gibson and Noah were ejected early in the fourth quarter. "They were more aggressive more determined," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We were back on our heels. We got sidetracked and we can't do that. "We allowed frustration to carry over to the next play. We can't get wrapped up in that stuff." The Heat dominated at both ends of the court, forcing the Bulls to turn the ball over 19 times. Marco Belinelli paced Chicago with 13 points and six assists and Noah scored 12 points before being ejected. Game three of this best-ofseven Eastern Conference series is Friday in Chicago.
CITY SPORTS BRIEFS
All eyes set on Spanish Grand Prix BARCELONA: Formula One returns home this weekend for the first European race of the 2013 season with a familiar scenario unfolding amid hopes of an upset to match last year's unexpected dramas at the Spanish Grand Prix. Defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull leads the title race again, this time with 77 points and a 10-point margin ahead of second-placed rival Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus and a 27-point advantage on third-placed
score his 21 points in just 19 minutes of playing time for the Heat, who had six players score in double figures and shot an impressive 60 percent from the field at American Airlines Arena.
Defending world champ Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, leads the title race again, this time with 77 points. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Each will arrive at the track, around 25 kilometres inland to the north of the Catalan capital, with high hopes that the upgrade packages on their respective cars can bring them victory in
Sunday's 66-lap race on a circuit they know better than any other because it is used so much for testing and hosted two-thirds of the pre-season work for the 2013 title race. Last year's winner, Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado is currently without a point in the championship after the four long-haul season-opening 'flyaway' events and is not expected to ignite again the widespread celebrations of a Williams victory that ended with a serious blaze in the team garage. AFP
E-11 take final honours HYDERABAD: E-11 (pic) defeated Team Oxford by six wickets to claim the UHG Corporate T20 Champions Trophy. SemiďŹ nals V-Soft 141/8 (Pavan Katragadda 32, Aiyaz Ali 3/15) lost to Team Oxford 142-6 (Chandrakanth R 55, Mohd. Kareem 35) MoM: Chandrakanth R E-11 168/5 (Damodhar Reddy C 63, Kevin Konda 3/24) bt iGREEN 126/9 (Arafatullah Khan 22, Ramesh S 2/15) MoM: Damodhar Reddy C Final Team Oxford 153/9 (Riyaz Ali 62, Rashid 46, Ramesh S 4-26) lost to E-11 154/4 (Damoshar Reddy C 73*, Yogesh 42) MoM: Damodhar Reddy C. Tournament Awards Best batsmen: Damodhar Reddy C Best bowler: Kevin Konda Man of the Series: Sohail Khan Most Sixes in the tournament: Chandrakanth R
GIRO D'ITALIA
Degenkolb wins fifth stage
Germany's John Degenkolb celebrates celebrates on the podium after winning the 5th stage of 96th Giro d'Italia cycling race on Wednesday. AFP
MATERA, ITALY: Germany's John Degenkolb of the Argos-Shimano team won a rain-soaked fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia Wednesday, held over 203km from Cosenza to Matera, to claim his first victory in the race. Most of the peloton, including race leader Luca Paolini of Katusha and favourite Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky, were held up by several crashes on a dangerous left-hand corner inside the final 1.5km.
However Paolini, who is not a contender for overall victory, and the rest of the peloton benefited from race rules allowing anyone caught up or delayed by crashes inside the final 3km to be given the same time as the winner. "I was lucky," said Paolini, a one-day classics specialist. "I saw the crash and managed to somehow stay on my bike but it was to be expected on a 90-degree turn on a wet road." AFP
Boston Cup Marc Seymour to visit city HYDERABAD: Sentia HYDERABAD: Marc Seymour Global, Meridian High School and SCF (Reds) won their respective cricket matches in the Boston Cup on Wednesday. Brief Scores: Little Flower School 42/6 lost to Sentia Global School 43/0; NRCA 47/3 lost to Meridian High School 48/1; United XI CC 64/3 lost to SCF (Reds) 66/2
Fitness Coach for Andy Roddick & Bryan Brothers would be visiting Hyderabad on May 11 and 12. He will be conducting a Fitness Camp for full time Tennis Players. All the players and Fitness Trainers who are interested can grab the opportunity to know their Fitness Levels, Fitness Program and Nutrition tips for their Tennis Career. For details contact Harsha Midathala on 9985498999
AFP
sports
30
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
MADRID MASTERS
PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nadal cruises, Azarenka out Rafael Nadal made a comfortable start to his quest for a third Madrid Masters title but Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka slumped to a shock exit. KIERAN CANNING Agence France-Presse MADRID: Rafael Nadal made a comfortable start to his quest for a third Madrid Masters title on Wednesday but Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka slumped to a shock exit. Nadal eased past Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4 and will next face either compatriot Nicolas Almagro or Mikhail Youzhny of Russia for a place in the quarter-finals. One break in each set was enough for Nadal as he overcame some impressive variety and touch shown by Paire early on to break when the world number 37 was serving at 2-3 down in the opening set, before eventually sealing it 6-3. Paire had his only look at a break point on the Nadal serve early in the second set but couldn’t take advantage, and in
Rafael Nadal (L) shakes hands with Benoit Paire at the end of their match at the Madrid Masters on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO ARMESTRE
typical Nadal fashion he upped the pressure to break at 4-4 before serving out to book his place in the last 16. Nadal insisted that it would be “arrogant” to consider him-
self the title favourite following the shock exit of world number one Novak Djokovic at the hands of Grigor Dmitrov on Tuesday. “I’m not looking beyond the
next round, it would be arrogant to do that so I am not going to do it,” said Nadal. The seven-time French Open champion has compiled a 27-2 match record this year after missing seven months of with a knee injury. That run has included trophies in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Indian Wells and Barcelona. Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer also made the last 16 with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Last year’s finalist and sixth seed Tomas Berdych stayed on course for a quarter-final meeting with Andy Murray as he recovered from a set down against Jerzy Janowicz to win 67 (3/7), 6-3, 6-2. German 13th seed Tommy Haas, the champion in Munich last weekend, saw off Tommy Robredo 6-3, 7-5 while French seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Dutchman Robin Haase 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1).
Injured Smith may miss CT JOHANNESBURG: A recurring ankle injury could rule star South Africa batsman Graeme Smith out of June’s Champions Trophy, a national squad official admitted Wednesday. He confirmed that Smith is expected to return home this week from English county cricket duties at Surrey and an operation may sideline him for several months. Losing Smith for the one-day international championship in England and Wales would be a massive blow for perennial tournament ‘chokers’ South Africa after
all-rounder Jacques Kallis declared himself unavailable for selection. A left ankle problem forced Smith to miss the last ODI against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park near Johannesburg last March, which South Africa won for a 3-2 series success. The injury is also a blow to Surrey with Smith scoring 48 against Middlesex in the county championship and 74 against Yorkshire in a 40-over competition after a slow start which included a 67 and three single-figure exits. AFP
Sibanda century steers Zimbabwe to series win
Tough SA tour helped Pakistan — Misbah
Anand held by Aronian in Norway
BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE:
BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE:
Mushfiqur Rahim will quit as captain of Bangladesh after two Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe this weekend. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur made the announcement after Bangladesh lost the third one-day international by seven wickets on Wednesday, conceding a one-day series to Zimbabwe despite beating them by a record margin in the first match. The Tigers began their tour of Zimbabwe as favourites after an encouraging trip to Sri Lanka, but lost the first Test by 335 runs before winning the second to earn a share of the series.
Vusi Sibanda’s second ODI century guided Zimbabwe to a rare series victory as they beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Wednesday’s third ODI at Queens Sports Club. Sibanda had passed fifty on 19 previous occasions and converted only one of those innings to three figures, but he made the most of two dropped catches to hit the winning runs and finish unbeaten on 103 with Zimbabwe having more than two overs to spare. Having limited Bangladesh to 247 for nine, Zimbabwe made a solid start to their reply as Sibanda put on 79 for the first wicket with Hamilton Masakadza, who made 41.
ABBOTTABAD, PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s tough tour of South
SANDNES (NORWAY): World champion Viswanthan Anand could do little with white pieces as his opponent Levon Aronian of Armenia held him to an easy draw in the first round of Norway Chess 2013 super tournament that got underway here. It turned out to be rather sedate Anand who has got a tough draw in the tournament. White pieces against most of the top seeds and black against lower ranked players means that the Indian ace has to be in top form to deliver the goods and in the opener Aronian was not troubled much. Sergey Karjakin of Russia continued from where he had left — winning the blitz drawing of lots.
Africa has put them in the right mindset for the Champions Trophy, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said Wednesday after a training camp aimed at attuning the team to English conditions. Pakistan were thrashed 3-0 in Tests in South Africa, their batsmen unable to cope with the hosts’ blistering pace attack, but fought back in March’s one-day series to lose 3-2. Misbah said the experience had toughened his side up as they head to England for next month’s Champions Trophy, where they face the West Indies, India and South Africa in the group stages.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA: Tiger Woods returns to action for the first time since the Masters this week, the world number one heading a stellar field at the US PGA Tour’s flagship Players Championship. Woods finished tied for fourth at Augusta National last month, but his 2013 season has so far included three titles and a return to the world number one ranking. Although his only victory at TPC Sawgrass came back in 2001, Woods said he was looking forward to the challenge posed by the course. “I feel like I’ve done some very good work, basically a continuation of what I’ve done for the past couple months,” he said. “I took a week off, didn’t really do any golf at all right after the Masters, and then started
Woods returns to action for the first time since the Masters this week, heading a stellar field at the US PGA’s Players Championship.
SPORTS BRIEFS Mushfiqur to quit as Bangladesh captain
Tiger Woods returns to action
kind of training and getting back into it and getting into full swing here probably the last week and a half.” Before getting down to business in Florida this week, Woods took the time to accompany girlfriend Lindsey Vonn on the red carpet of a gala in New York on Monday night -- Woods in a black tuxedo and ski champion Vonn in a white gown. “It was certainly different,” Woods said. “Lindsey wanted to try and grow her brand. She’s come out with a new perfume and makeup line, so that was a big thing for her, and I’m supporting it.” This week’s field includes all of the world’s top 30 players, and 46 of the top 50 in the rankings. AFP
IPL 6
31
BATTLE OF THE TITANS
METRE
6 S 465
Chris Gayle (RCB)
40 4S 1483
Michael Hussey (CRK)
61
HIGHEST SCORE
175*
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 Chris Gayle (RCB)
BEST BOWLER
5-20
James Faulkner (RR)
A chance still remains It [the game] did not go the way we planned. The bowling was very ordinary. We made plans but I don’t think we executed them. Waqar Younis SRH bowling coach
Michael Hussey (CSK) 574 runs
Dwayne Bravo (CSK), 21 wickets
‘We are doing 80 per cent things right’
K
ings XI Punjab may have won just five of their eleven games so far, but coach Darren Lehmann feels the team has been doing 80 per cent of things right but luck has often eluded them at crucial junctures. “We have probably played well, 80 per cent of the time in most games..,” 43-year-old Australian said addressing a news conference. KXIP, which had its practice session at Sector 16 cricket stadium in Chandigarh on Wednesday, will meet Rajasthan Royals in a crucial encounter today. Lehmann said they now need to win the remaining five games and make sure they get the remaining 20 per cent of things going right. PTI W
L
T PT
CSK
13 10
P
3
0
20 +0.687
MI
12
8
4
0
16 +0.644
RR
12
8
4
0
16 +0.441
RCB
12
7
5
0
14 +0.568
SRH
12
7
5
0
14 -0.228
KXIP 11
5
6
0
10 +0.171
KKR
12
4
8
0
8 -0.273
DD
12
3
9
0
6 -0.778
PWI
12
2
10 0
4 -1.291
P-played; W-win; L-lost; T-tie; NR-net run rate; PT-points
NR
G APARNA SAI
aparna.s@postnoon.com
T
he tournament is still very much open for all the teams barring the Pune Warriors India and the Delhi Daredevils, to make it to the playoffs. Today, as Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders take on Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors India respectively, the three teams which still stand a chance of making it to the top-four, will have to give it more than their 100 percent to remain in the contest. The Kings from Punjab have not been among the top teams in this tournament but they have been pretty impressive on more instances than one. After David Miller ’s unbeaten century on Monday against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, KXIP have found
KXIP VS RR AT 4PM PWI VS KKR AT 8PM ON SET MAX
SCORECARD
their hero and would hope that he fires for them once again. But Rajasthan have performed well throughout the season and it will be difficult for the Kings to get past them. The Royals side is a well balanced one and with the likes of Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson and James Faulkner, it will be extremely difficult for the Kings XI Punjab to get past their opponents. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders still have a chance of making it to the playoffs but for that to happen, they will need nothing short of miracle to take place. They are currently placed at the seventh position with eight points from 12 matches. Looking at the performance of Pune Warriors, it does look like KKR stand a good chance of winning the match today but like it has been seen in the past, many a times, the teams which have been knocked out, have the ability to play spoilsports for the other sides.
CSK end SRH’s home run
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD V CHENNAI SUPER KINGS Chennai Super Kings innings (20 overs maximum) MEK Hussey b Perera
67
M Vijay c †Patel b Perera
29
SK Raina not out
99
Dhoni*† c KV Sharma b Perera RA Jadeja not out Extras
4 14
(lb 2, w 5, nb 3)
10
Total (3 wickets; 20 overs)
223
Bowling
O
M R
W Econ
DW Steyn
4
1 17
0
I Sharma
4
0 66
0 16.50
NLTC Perera
4
0 45
3 11.25
KV Sharma
2
0 19
0
A Mishra
4
0 41
0 10.25
DJG Sammy
2
0 33
0 16.50
CSK won by 77 runs
4.25
9.50
Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (target: 224 runs from 20 overs) PA Patel† c Vijay b Sharma 44 S Dhawan run out (†Dhoni) 3 KC Sangakkara* c Morris b Ashwin 3 GH Vihari c Vijay b Raina 3 DJG Sammy c Morris b Sharma 7 NLTC Perera c Badrinath b Bravo 23 KV Sharma not out 39 A Mishra run out (Jadeja) 6 DW Steyn c Holder b Morris 14 I Sharma not out 0 Extras (w 4) 4 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 146 Bowling O M R W Econ MM Sharma 4 0 28 2 7.00 JO Holder 3 0 28 0 9.33 R Ashwin 4 0 23 1 5.75 SK Raina 1 0 4 1 4.00 CH Morris 2 0 24 1 12.00 DJ Bravo 4 0 25 1 6.25 RA Jadeja 2 0 14 0 7.00
HYDERABAD: Chennai Super Kings thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by 77 runs at the latter’s home ground in a lopsided match on Wednesday. The loss brought an end to the Sunrisers’ unbeaten win streak at home. Chasing 224 for victory, Hyderabad fell well short of the target with Parthiv Patel topscoring for his side on 44 followed by Karan Sharma, who chipped in with 39 runs. Earlier, SRH won the toss and elected to field. Chennai, who put up a miserable performance in their clash against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, went hammer and tongs at the Sunrisers bowlers. Openers, Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey got into the demo-
lition act within no time and this was carried forward by Suresh Raina who missed his second ton this season by a whisker and was unbeaten on 99 It was raining boundaries at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal and the hosts were unaware as to what hit them. Ishant Sharma seemed clueless on Wednesday as Raina went on a hammering spree. The lanky bowler who gave away 25 runs in his fourth over, went for 66 runs in his quota of four overs. Although Dale Steyn ended with the best economy giving away only 17 runs from his four overs, it was Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera who got all the breakthroughs for the Sunrisers. AS
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013
sports
BAYERN’S RAFINHA COPS TWO-MATCH BAN AND FINE Bayern Munich defender Rafinha was given a two-match ban and fined $19,737 by the German Football Federation after being sent off for elbowing Borussia midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski in the face in last weekend’s draw with Borussia Dortmund.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
32
Draw clouds Spurs’, Chelsea’s European future With two games to play, Chelsea lead fourth-place Arsenal by two points. Spurs are in fifth.
LONDON: Substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson claimed an 80thminute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw for Tottenham Hotspur at Chelsea on Wednesday that prevented their opponents from effectively securing a place in the Champions League. A goal from Ramires looked
the Iceland midfielder swept a shot home to keep Spurs’ hopes of Champions League football alive and kicking. With two games to play and only the top four teams qualifying for the Champions League, Chelsea, in third, lead fourthplace Arsenal by two points, with Spurs just a point further
to have taken Chelsea to the brink of a top-four finish, after Oscar’s opener for the hosts had been cancelled out by a fine solo goal from Emmanuel Adebayor on a night of high tension at Stamford Bridge. However, Adebayor created a late opening for Sigurdsson with a delightful back-heel, and
back in fifth. The result will also complicate his preparations for next week’s Europa League final against Benfica, but it did allow Spurs manager Andre VillasBoas to depart with a smile after his first game back at Stamford Bridge since he was sacked by Chelsea last year.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON: END OF AN ERA
In the footsteps of a giant The United manager’s job has always been one of the most high-profile coaching roles in football, but his departure leaves his successor facing an unenviable set of quandaries. TOM WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse LONDON: When Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986, he was the latest in a long line of managers bidding to return the club to the heights they had last enjoyed under Matt Busby in the late 1960s. The United manager’s job has always been one of the most highprofile coaching roles in world football, but Ferguson’s departure leaves his successor — tipped to be Everton’s David Moyes — facing an unenviable set of quandaries. The man who steps into the vacuum Ferguson’s departure has created will find comparisons with his feted predecessor awaiting at every turn, and there will be next to no time for a bedding-in period. Such are the heights to which Ferguson has elevated the club that they cannot afford the backwards steps that a newcomer at another
SERIE A
Napoli get CL spot, Inter miss out
MILAN: Edinson Cavani stretched his tally to a leagueleading 27 goals as Napoli secured Serie A’s runner-up spot and Champions League football next season with a 3-0 win over Bologna on Wednesday. Napoli are 11 points behind Juventus, who secured their 29th league title last weekend and beat Atalanta 1-0 for their
27th win of the campaign, but cannot now be caught by AC Milan who are seven points adrift. Earlier Wednesday AC Milan came within sight of the Champions League thanks to a 4-0 rout of already-relegated Pescara. Inter Milan’s hopes of playing any European football next season were derailed by a 3-1 defeat at home to Lazio.
team might be granted. United have not finished outside the top three since 1991. They have not failed to qualify for the Champions League since 1995. Since lifting the 1990 FA Cup, they have finished a season without at least one piece of major silverware on only three occasions. On a more optimistic note, the incoming manager could not wish to inherit a more minutely calibrated winning machine. He will also inherit a team of champions, who romped to this season’s Premier League title with almost disdainful ease. Although he is stepping down as manager, Ferguson is due to remain at the club in as-yet unspecified directorial role. He will remember more than anyone the inadvertent damage that Busby caused by lingering on behind the scenes after leaving the dug-out, but after over 26 years in the role, he, too, may find it difficult to let go.
Days of wine and horses lie ahead PIRATE IRWIN Agence France-Presse PARIS: Alex Ferguson’s replacement in the Manchester United hotseat shouldn’t have to worry about finding the Scot mistakenly sitting in the dugout on match day — his varied interests outside the sport should keep him fully occupied. As befits a knight of the realm he will be able to spend time on the racecourse watching his other favourite sport, racing. Ironically, because of the announcement of his retirement, he was forced to cancel a day at Chester races with his players on Wednesday, so as to avoid the course being invaded by the press pack and missed his Butterfly Queen finishing second. He will also be able to cultivate his other great love of vintage wine. Ged Mason — who co-owns several National Hunt horses with Ferguson — says Ferguson’s knowledge of racing is impressive. “His knowledge of racing is better than mine but we discuss all aspects of each horse, when they are running, who’ll ride and it’s a three-way conversation usually with Paul,” Mason said,. “If we have a winner we’ll have a good glass of wine to celebrate and we’ve made a pact that when we have big winners we donate part of the winnings to charity as we’re in it for the fun.”
LA LIGA
Real put 6 past Malaga
MADRID: Real Madrid once again ensured Barcelona will have to wait a few more days before sealing the La Liga title as they beat nine-man Malaga 6-2 in a wildly open game at the Santiago Bernabeu. With any form of Madrid slip up mathematically handing Barca the title, Pepe’s name
was the big absence from Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up as despite an injury to Sergio Ramos, the Portuguese international was not even named on the bench after his outspoken comments that Mourinho ought to have more respect for captain Iker Casillas. His absence meant a rare
start for Raul Albiol and afterwards the Spanish international became the latest person from within the camp to call for unity between now and the end of the season. “Pepe’s absence in the squad is the decision of the manager,” Albiol told Canal Plus.