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AUGUST 24, 2013 HYDERABAD

ON SATURDAY

BJP’s LATEST

FLIP-FLOP ON T HAS ONE EYE ON 2014 REPORT ON PG 3

With the BJP stalling the suspension of agitating Seemandhra MPs from the Lok Sabha, political analysts are wondering whether the party is changing its tune on Telangana.

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Helen Styles’ day starts with feeding and caring for her four adopted dogs and later heading to Blue Cross where she takes care of the dogs at the re-homing ward.

PG 18

`3

32 PAGES

SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS

With passing time, patience for achievements through the conventional route is running short.

These are the times of ‘instants’, and self-help books promise instant success.

PG 15

ENTERTAINING DUO TEAMS UP AGAIN

Vishnu Manchu and Brahmanandam join hands again after their hit venture Dhenikaina Ready.

Doosukeltha is being directed by Veeru Potla.

PG 21

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PAGE TWO SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

TRANSFUSING LIFE

Yoga classes Parental yoga classes will be held.

Where: The Birthplace, Banjara Hills When: August 24, 11.30 am Contact: 98855-69459

Art show A solo show by Devangana Kumar, Pageants of the Raj will be held.

Where: Kalakriti Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Till August 25, 11 am to 7 pm Contact: 66564466

Art exhibition Art exhibition Artist Chinna and his friends will be held.

Where: Alliance Française of Hyderabad, Plot No. 4, Aurora Colony When: 22nd August till August 31.

Over 500 employees of Incredible India donated blood at the 4th Annual Blood Donation camp that was organised in association with Chiranjeevi blood bank at Vasavi Towers, West Marredpally on Friday.

This food festival will focus on South Indian specialties and gourmet delicacies from interiors of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Where: Chill Restaurant and Terrace, Radisson Blue When: Till August 30 Contact: 7799917999

Where: Nautanki Galli, Madhapur When: Zodiac Hall, Golkonda Hotel.

Contact: 12 noon, Till August 31.

Fish fest

Try the tea flavours of Budlabeta, Hapjan, Khobong and Sessa. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to WWF India's onehorned Rhino Conservation project in Assam.

Where: Oxford Bookstore, The Park, 22 Rajbhavan Road When: Ongoing Contact: 8790432354 Oriental food festival is on.

Contact: On Facebook

Art of the matter Solo art exhibition by Anisha Tandon is on.

Where: Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre, Secunderabad When: Till August 24, 11 am to 7 pm Contact: 93964-44424

Sizzling South

CINEMAS

Gig in town Alter Egoz – Tribute to Pink Floyd will be performing.

Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills

Tea flavours

Delectable fare

putting up a performance.

Where: Our Sacred Space, Secunderabad When: August 24, 7 pm Contact: 90300-13344

To showcase a slice of Indian culinary heritage, Taj Krishna is hosting the Simply Fish Festival.

Where: Firdaus, Taj Krishna When: Lunch and dinner, Till August 31 Contact: +91 9246 21 5332

India on a Platter A culinary journey across the country at The Square.

Where: The Square, Novotel Contact: 8686080577

Dance performance Kathak dancer Mangala Bhatt and Odissi dancer Jyoti Rout will be

When: August 30, 9 pm Contact: + 91 88864 80007

Comicon workshop Comic Con India in association with The Coffee Cup presents a special workshop on Graphic Novel Project conducted by Jaideep Khare.

Where: The Coffee Cup, Sainikpuri When: August 24, 1 pm till 3 pm Contact: +91-9711335505

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

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CITY SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Wedding called off over dowry demand Since the bride’s family was unable to pay the amount he demanded, the groom refused to go through with the marriage.

MOHD SUBHAN

mohd.s@postnoon.com

A

wedding was cancelled a few hours before the function on Thursday in Kalapathar area of Old City when the bridegroom’s family demanded more dowry.

The bride’s brother, Mohammed

AKRAM’S PARENTS HAD DEMANDED `1 LAKH IN CASH, A BIKE, GOLD AND VALUABLES AS DOWRY. THE BRIDE’S FAMILY COULDN’T FULFILL THEIR DEMANDS DUE TO FINANCIAL TROUBLE. Farooq, has lodged a complaint with the Kalapathar police, stating that the groom, Mohammed Akram, and

his family had taken nearly `66,000 in net cash in the name of dowry and were asking for more.

According to the police details, the groom, Akram, is a resident of Yakuthpura. The 28-year-old had been working as a marble and tiles contractor for the past few years.

The bride, Sameena, 20, has been working at a sewing centre for the past few years. At the centre, she became friends with Farheen, Akram’s sister. Recently, Farheen proposed that Sameena marry her brother, Akram. Sameena asked them to approach her family. Akram and his family met Sameena’s mother and brother and decided to go ahead with the marriage.

The wedding date was fixed for August 22 in Kalapathar. Akram’s parents had demanded `1 lakh in cash, a bike, gold and other valuables as dowry. The bride’s family couldn’t fulfill their demands due to financial problems.

When the groom’s family didn’t turn up for the mehendi rasam, the bride’s brother, Farooq, contacted them. They said that they refused to marry Akram to Sameena because her family did not fulfill their demands. Farooq then approached the police to lodge a complaint.

BJP changes T-stand?

With the BJP stalling the suspension of agitating Seemandhra MPs from Lok Sabha, political analysts are wondering whether it is changing its tune on Telangana.

Md Inkeshaf Ahmed

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

H

as the staunch supporter of separate Telangana state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), deserted the sacred cause even before the realisation of the separate state?

If the political developments of the last couple of days are anything to go by, it becomes clear that the BJP, which spearheaded the fight for Telangana state along with another T-champion Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), is acting against the interests of Telangana state. It was evident from the fact that the national party did not allow the suspension of agitating Seemandhra MPs from Lok Sabha and forced the ruling dispensation to postpone the house for the entire day.

The unexpected support from the BJP to Seemandhra leaders, who are agitating to stall the entire process of separate Telangana state, did not go down

well with majority of proTelangana activists. They allege that the BJP is scared of losing the credit for achieving the separate T-state to the ruling Congress.

“Let me tell you that the BJP never wanted Telangana. If it wanted to give Telangana, it would have given it when it carved out three states in the past. It supported the separate Telangana (movement) to gain political mileage over the ruling Congress party.

Now when the Congress party had finally decided to fulfill the aspirations of four and half crore Telangana people, the BJP is trying to stall for its political gains,” OU Students Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) spokesperson Krishank Manne told Postnoon.

He also referred to the statement made by BJP veteran leader M Venkaiah Naidu and said that the former BJP president had criticised the Congress party for announcing the creation of separate Telangana state. “Venkaiah Naidu categorically said that the

Congress announced the T-decision in haste. This is nothing but double speak of the BJP. We want to tell the BJP that the decision was not taken in haste but after holding the widest possible consultations with all political parties,” Manne added.

TRS leader Gadari Kishor Kumar also expressed similar views. TRS MLA K Tarka Rama Rao said that the people of Telangana are waiting for answer for BJP’s act in Lok Sabha. “The people of Telangana are watching everything. BJP’s act did not go down well with them,” he said.

OUJAC

MULLS STIR AGAINST

BJP

Meanwhile, the OUJAC is seriously mulling whether to hold an agitation against the BJP’s sudden change of attitude over the Telangana issue. Clarity over the issue is likely to emerge in the next couple of days. A group of pro-Telangana activists held a protest programme on OU campus and criticised the BJP’s stand.

Counting in Avanigadda polls begin

T

he counting of the votes in the bypoll held at Avanigadda Assembly constituency kicked off this morning amidst tight security. As expected, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate Ambati Srihari Prasad was on his way to secure the victory. Prasad is the son of deceased TDP MLA Ambati Brahmanaiah. By the end of 14th round, he secured majority of over 45,000 votes against his rivals. The counting of seven more rounds is expected to be completed by the end of this afternoon.The authorities will officially declare the name of the winner after the completion of the entire counting process.

Builder arrested for Moulali collapse

T

he Malkajgiri police have arrested a builder, Abdul Aziz, in a wall collapse incident that occurred on July 22 at MJ Colony in Moulali. Six people from two families had died in the collapse. Aziz was arrested and sent to prison. One more builder, Sridhar, and a site engineer are still absconding in the case, Malkajgiri police said. The incident occurred shortly after the City Lights Bakery collapse in Secunderabad. The GHMC has been slammed for not demolishing derelict structures in the City.

Man goes missing in Abids

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man has gone missing in suspicious circumstances from the Abids area. The missing person, D Raghupathy, 45, is a resident of Sitapally, Sangareddy. He works as an agriculturist and had come to the City to see his wife who has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital for the past few days. He saw her and then left the hospital. When his family members tried contacting him on his mobile phone, they were unable to do so. They later got the recorded message that it was switched off. Alarmed, they lodged a complaint with the Abids police. The police is investigating the case.

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CITY SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Looking to the sun for answers

AP’s power crisis has made it necessary to look for alternative sources of energy. An exhibition in the City highlights the advantages of solar power.

MOHSIN ALI

ali@postnoon.com

A

ndhra Pradesh has been facing a serious power crisis for the past couple of years.

Despite heavy rainfall, power plants in the State have been unable to generate sufficient power.

The State had 19 power plants, including both thermal and hydel projects, and the generating capacity of these plants is a total of 16,817 MW. However, only 7,458MW is being generated.

On the other side, consumers are suffering from hefty electric bills and constant price hikes in electricity charges. Unless steps are taken, AP’s power crisis will come to a head very soon.

One method of beating the system is by generating your own power. The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a Solar Roof Top Photovoltaic Power System (net metering). On installing it, every individual can generate power at homes.

A two-day exhibition is being

held in co-ordination with the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation Andhra Pradesh and AP Transco at Necklace Road to create awareness among people about solar power.

Talking about the exhibition to Postnoon, special chief secretary, energy department, M Sahoo said that “the government is taking initiative to encourage solar power with the help of the ministry of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation Andhra Pradesh.

This is not only for the benefit of

the government but for the people as well. It’s a good opportunity for those who would want to install solar panels”.

He added that the government had announced the project in March 2013 itself but due to lack of information, consumers were not coming forward to install solar panels on the rooftops. Tapping solar power would also be helpful in reducing the power shortage throughout the State and consumers can avoid paying heavy bills, he said.

Breaking down the numbers, chief managing director of

EVERYONE WHO INSTALLS A SOLAR PLANT ON THEIR ROOFS WILL GET 50 PER CENT SUBSIDY — 30 PER CENT FROM CENTRE AND 20 PER CENT FROM STATE. APTransco, Hira Lal Samaria, said: “Everyone who installs a solar plant on their roofs will get 50 per cent subsidy — 30 per cent from the Central and 20 per cent

Protests follow fast disruption The bandh was near total in Guntur district as YS Vijayamma is continuing her indefinite fast at the government hospital.

Md Inkeshaf Ahmed

dent and stopped her without following the basic rules.

“The police stopped the fast unto death without issuing any prior warning. This is strongly condemnable. The ruling Congress leaders are responsible for this as they got scared the response the fast unto death programme received from the people,” he said. The party is planning to hold a series of programmes to cash in on the fresh political situation in its favour.

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

T

he Seemandhra agitation took a new turn this morning following the bandh call given by YSR Congress in protest of the busting of the fast unto death programme of its honorary president YS Vijayamma early Saturday.

The bandh was near total in Guntur district as YS Vijaya-

TDP

THE POLICE AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO BUSTED THE FAST UNTO DEATH PROGRAMMES OF MAIN OPPOSITION TDP IN GUNTUR IN THE EARLY HOURS THIS MORNING. mma is continuing her indefinite fast at the government hospital. The doctors at the hospital are continuously attending on the YSRCP leader and monitoring her health condition.

The disruption of Vijayamma's fast unto death forced the party cadres to launch

protest programmes across the 13 Seemandhra districts to make the bandh call given by the party high command a success. The bandh call had its effect on commercial activities and transport, which were already reduced due to the ongoing strike of various sections of the society in the Seemandhra region.

HUGE TURNOUT AT HOSPITAL

On the other hand, the Guntur Government Hospital became the

focus of all eyes as hundreds of YSRCP activists turned out at the hospital in an expression of solidarity. Many entered into an argument with the police to allow them to get a glimpse of the party president. The party had also condemned the manner in which YS Vijayamma's fast was busted by the police. Speaking to Postnoon, party spokesperson Jupudi Prabhakar Rao said that the police did not show any mercy against their party presi-

FAST ALSO DISRUPTED

The police authorities have also busted the fast unto death programmes of main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Guntur in the early hours this morning.

Party MLC N Rajakumari, MLA Y Srinivasa Rao and former minister Dr S Aruna undertook the fast unto death programme with a sole demand to keep the State united.

Scores of police personnel suddenly descended at the fast spot and swooped down on the activists and took them away from the site.The leaders were later shifted to local government hospitals for medical treatment.

from State government.”

He added that “users can generate approximately 9,000MW power with the solar panel. They can use it (the power) and can sell it to the government if it sufficient for them.

The government will pay them cost as per unit.”

“There are two ways to save power generated by solar energy.

Either the owner can generate and use it directly without using power line or can save it in the power grid with automatic transferring being maintained by the government. The owner can monitor the calculations through the Net Metering System,” he added.

Kamlakar Babu, managing director of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation Andhra Pradesh, said, “Subsidies for solar energy are being monitoring by the NREDCAP. Using solar power will reduce regular electricity bills by 50 per cent, which would be very helpful to consumers.”

On solar power plants in rural areas, he said that after implementing the project in Hyderabad and surroundings, they have plans to take this project to the rural areas. He added that it would take some time.

Toll in refinery fire rises to four

T

he death toll in the major fire that broke a day ago in the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) refinery in Andhra Pradesh's coastal city of Visakhapatnam rose to four, police said Saturday.

Five workers are still reported missing, officials said, adding that 39 people are under treatment in hospitals, many of them battling for life.

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the search operation at the mishap site.

According to officials, two people died on the spot, while two others succumbed at a hospital.

The fire broke out after a major blast in an under-construction cooling tower in the state-owned HPCL refinery Friday.

With five workers still reported missing, authorities have opened a control room at the district collectorate.

Relatives of the missing workers staged a protest Saturday at the main entrance of the refinery.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum Pannabaka Lakshmi visited the site and spoke to the officials about the disaster. IANS

5

CITY SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

BEWARE THE BITE 2.5 bn

50mn

or two-fifth of the world’s population risk contracting dengue, according to the World Health Organisation.

Every year, there may be up to 50 million cases of the viral disease across the globe.

Even though the monsoon is coming to an end, cases of dengue fever continue to occur in the City. There is a lot of misinformation about this viral disease, primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. Postnoon gives you the facts on dengue.

What is dengue?

Symptoms Mortality Treatment of dengue and dengue Dengue is not always fatal. Only in five per cent of cases can there be severe disease, which can then lead to low platelet count. This could lead to risk of bleeding, fall in blood pressure, fluid accumulation in the chest and abdomen and sometimes, fatal liver damage. In most cases, the patient will suffer from the dengue symptoms for three to five days and then begin to improve.

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is caused by one of four serotypes of dengue virus and it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times.

However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a simple course. The ‘dengue triad’ — fever, rash and headache — is characteristic of the disease. n n n n n

Fever Rash Headaches and body pain Swollen lymph nodes Exhaustion

The carriers Dengue is not contagious. It cannot spread from person to person. The virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The mosquitoes, found in tropical and sub-tropical conditions, breed in discarded vessels and stagnant water.

Unlike malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Incubation period Preventive measures The time between a patient being bitten by a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of the symptoms averages four to six days, with a range of three to 14 days.

There are no vaccines to prevent against dengue. The same precautions taken to avoid mosquito-carried diseases apply for dengue too. Use mosquito repellent creams, get rid of stagnant water, and spray pesticides.

Dengue fever is caused by a virus, and antibiotics do not work against viruses.

For most patients, the treatment only deals with alleviating symptoms like fever and body ache. Rest, plenty of fluids and general observation at home is all that is needed for mild cases.

For more severe cases, where the patient suffers from high fever and weakness, admission in a hospital may be necessary. In severe cases, where the patient suffers from bleeding gums, black stool, swelling, difficulty breathing, distention of the abdomen and cold extremities, the patient will need specialised care in a hospital.

Suspect: Dengue When a person starts showing symptoms of dengue between July and November, it is advisable to consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend a blood test to confirm the disease.

SOURCE: Dr Farhan Shaikh, MD, DNB (Peds), Fellow Paediatric Critical Care, Rainbow Hospitals For Women & Children.

6

NATION SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

50 ascetic arrested

F

ifty ascetics from Rajasthan headed, by bus, to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to undertake the 84-kosi parikrama were arrested around midnight at the Chauma Shahpur border and sent to jail temporarily. Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur said the ascetics will be lodged for a while at the police lines in Agra.

Credibility is currency: PM

Journalist shot dead

C

A

redibility is currency, when it comes to the media, and a witch hunt cannot substitute investigative journalism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. Dr Singh said the growth in India’s media sector began during the 1990s, and expressed confidence that the media would help to consolidate India as an inclusive, progressive society.

journalist with a Hindi daily was shot dead in Etawah, home district of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Police said the incident took place in the Bakewar area as he was returning home after the day’s work. Unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted the journalist at Bharthana Road and pumped bullets into him.

Mumbai gangrape: 1 more held The accused, whose identity is not yet officially disclosed, was nabbed early Saturday from a video parlour in the congested Madanpura area of south central Mumbai.

3-year-old raped in UP

MUMBAI: The investigation into the gang-rape of a woman photojournalist two days ago in Mumbai inched ahead as police nabbed another of the four absconding accused, taking the total arrests to two so far, an official said Saturday.

The accused, whose identity is not yet officially disclosed, was nabbed early Saturday from a video parlour in the congested Madanpura area of south central Mumbai, an official of the N.M. Joshi Marg Police, which is spearheading the probe, said.

One of the accused was nabbed Friday. Both the men now arrested will be produced before the Bhoiwada Magistrate Court Saturday afternoon.

The second absconding

LUCKNOW: A three-yearold girl was raped by her school van driver in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh Friday, police said.

The girl was dropped by the driver outside her house, about 120 km from the state capital, profusely bleeding and crying in pain.

A student of the nursery class, the girl used to take the van to go to school from

BOTH THE MEN NOW

ARRESTED WILL BE PRODUCED BEFORE THE BHOIWADA MAGISTRATE COURT SATURDAY AFTERNOON. accused had been holed up in the Madanpura area since Thursday night, after the gang-rape of the intern, who was at work shooting the deserted Shakti Mills Compound, near Mahalaxmi railway station. The incident left the nation stunned.

While one accused was held around noon Friday, the other four involved had been absconding. Home Minister R.R. Patil said Friday that the case would be handled by a fast track court to ensure speedy justice to the victim. Describing the incident as “horrific”, Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh assured media people Friday that all the remaining accused would soon be arrested. In one of the biggest manhunts launched in the city, 20 teams of local police and Crime Branch personnel have been formed to nab the remaining three absconders.

Based on accurate descriptions by the victim and her male colleague who was with her just before the crime occurred, police released sketches of the accused which have been circulated to all police stations in the city and surrounding areas.

HRC wants BSF man held KOLKATA: A rights body Friday moved the National Human Rights Commission demanding an independent probe and arrest of BSF trooper allegedly involved in committing “sexual offence” on a Bangladeshi woman last month.

Drawing the NHRC chairman’s attention to the incident at the village of Khedapara in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, the NGO MASUM alleged the Border Security Force (BSF) trooper “raped” the woman in front of her six-year-old son when she was trying to cross the India-Bangladesh border July 11. “In this awful incident the BSF personnel committed rape on the woman in front of her six-year- old son. The woman was trying to cross the IndoBangladesh border near the Angrail BSF camp under Gaighata Police station with her husband and minor son after reaching the place from Mumbai where her husband used to work as the helper of a mason,” said the letter from Kirity Roy, secretary, MASUM. He said the family, living in penury, used to cross the border on and off to visit their native village and their workplace.

her Dargah Sharif area residence.

The driver of the van, Anil Kumar Beria, 19, after dropping all the other children off, drove the victim to a desolate place in the Civil Lines area and raped her.

After committing the crime, he dropped her back home and fled.

The girl narrated the ordeal to her family, which

lodged a complaint with the police.

Initially, the police faced a huge mob defending the van driver, protesting his innocence and attempting to hush the matter up.

Angry members of the girl’s family and neighbours of the victim threatened to reach the media and contact senior police officials.

IANS

7

WORLD SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Ben takes a beating over Batman

39 killed in Bolivian riot

A

t least 29 people were killed and some 50 others injured in a violent prison riot in the eastern Bolivian city of Santa Cruz early Friday.

One of the dead was a child living with incarcerated parents. The melee began about 0900 GMT, when the sound of gunfire was heard, and a huge fire fueled by exploded propane gas tanks injured inmates severely.

India, Iran ink 4 deals

I

T

ndia and Iraq Friday inked four agreements, including on energy cooperation, and decided to go in for joint exploration for oil and setting up of petrochemical complexes as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his visiting Iraqi counterpart Nouri-alMaliki held talks here. Iraq also sought India’s help in reconstruction of its infrastructure.

he casting of Hollywood A-lister Ben Affleck as the new Batman sparked fan outrage Friday, with petitions calling for the coveted role to be recast and widespread howling on Twitter.

Affleck’s debut as the savior of Gotham will come in a film slated for release in 2015, and also to feature Henry Cavill as Superman. Zack Snyder is to direct.

Fans cried foul, with more than 20,000 people signing a petition at change.org calling on Warner Bros. to ditch the 41-year-old star.

US mulls action in Syria

Daniel DE LUCE

Agence France-Presse

ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday strongly suggested the Pentagon was moving forces into place ahead of possible military action against Syria, even as President Barack Obama voiced caution.

Obama has said Washington must be wary of costly and difficult foreign interventions, as calls mount for action against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over alleged chemical warfare.

US commanders have nevertheless prepared a range of “options” for Obama if he chooses to proceed with military strikes against Damascus, Hagel told reporters aboard his plane en route to Malaysia.

“The Defense Department has a responsibility to provide the president with options for all contingencies,” Hagel said.

“And that requires positioning our forces, positioning our assets to be able to carry out dif-

ferent options — whatever the president might choose.”

But Hagel declined to provide any details on the positioning of US ships, aircraft or troops, as the Obama administration reportedly contemplated cruise missile strikes against Assad’s forces.

Hagel’s comments came as a defense official said the US Navy would expand its presence in the Mediterranean with a fourth warship armed with cruise missiles.

The US Sixth Fleet, with responsibility in the Mediterranean, has decided to keep the USS Mahan in the region instead of letting it return to its home port in Norfolk, Virginia.

Three other destroyers are currently deployed in the area — the USS Gravely, the USS Barry and the USS Ramage. All four warships are equipped with several dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The reinforcement would allow the Pentagon to act more rapidly if Obama were to order a military strike.

US weighs it options DAMASCUS: A top UN official was to visit Syria Saturday for talks as demands grew for a prompt probe into opposition claims the regime unleashed a chemical attack that killed hundreds.

US President Barack Obama said the alleged use of chemical weapons was “a big event of grave concern,” while Russia hit out at calls for force against its ally Syria.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel strongly suggested the Pentagon was moving forces into place ahead of possible military action against Syria, even as Obama voiced caution.

US commanders have nevertheless prepared a range of “options” for Obama if he chooses to proceed with military strikes against Damascus.

Even stupid officials don’t discuss graft over phone: Bo JINAN: Fallen Chinese politi-

A rebel fighter ducks from sniper fire as he walks up stairs during clashes with Kurdish fighters in the outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, on August 23, 2013. More than 100,000 people have died in Syria’s war, the UN says.

AFP/ALICE MARTINS “The president has asked the Defense Department for options. Like always, the Defense Department is prepared and has been prepared to provide all options for all contingencies to the president of the United States,” Hagel said.

The Pentagon chief made clear that no decision had been taken on whether to employ military force as the more than two-year-old conflict rages on.

US newspapers have suggested disagreements within the administration over the risks of another American military intervention in the Middle East.

In an interview aired earlier Friday on CNN, Obama voiced caution.

He said Syrian opposition

allegations that hundreds of people had been killed in a gas attack near Damascus this week were more serious than previous charges against Assad’s regime.

“What we’ve seen indicates clearly this is a big event, of grave concern,” Obama said.

One year after warning that the use of chemical arms in the vicious Syrian conflict would cross a US “red line,” Obama said Americans expect him to protect their long-term national security interests — but avoid foreign entanglements.

“Sometimes what we’ve seen is folks will call for immediate action, jumping into stuff that does not turn out well, gets us mired in very difficult situations,” Obama said.

cian Bo Xilai Saturday launched a scathing attack on a key witness in his corruption trial, saying even the most stupid official knows not to discuss bribery where they can be overheard.

The scandal which has rocked the ruling Communist Party was triggered by the death of a British businessman — for which Bo’s wife Gu Kailai was convicted of murder — and the courtroom drama has gripped the nation.

Bo’s performance has been defiant, denying bribe-taking and embezzlement, with accusations of abuse of power still to be addressed as the trial — widely expected to be only two days long — moved into an unexpected third day.

Wang Zhenggang, a former planning official in Dalian, where Bo was the mayor in the 1990s, told the court the politician had telephoned Gu in front of him and told her to take delivery of five million yuan ($820,000) from a local government construction project.

Bo said the claim of a phone call did not make sense. “It is not even what the most stupid corruption offender would do,” he said.

Mayor in US quits over sex charges

Mexico seeks to block Fort Hood shooter drug lord’s release bid faces death

LOS ANGELES: The mayor of the US city of San

MEXICO CITY: Mexican prosecutors have urged the

FORT HOOD: A US Army officer who killed 13 peo-

Diego resigned Friday amid a wave of sexual harassment complaints, issuing a blanket apology but also decrying the “hysteria” surrounding the case. Mayor Bob Filner, a Democrat elected mayor of the southern Californian city in November, endured weeks of calls for his resignation. Angry citizens even organized a recall effort to remove him from office. “I apologize to all of you,” said Filner, 70, as he announced his resignation after a closed-door meeting with City Council members. Filner, however remained defiant. “I have never sexually harassed anyone. But there’s a hysteria that has been created, that many of you helped to feed.

It’s the hysteria of a lynch mob.”

Supreme Court to block a bid by a second drug lord to overturn his sentence for the 1985 killing of a US law enforcement agent. Ernesto Rafael Fonseca Carrillo, alias “Don Neto,” has filed a petition before a lower court for his release after fellow kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero was abruptly freed on August 7. The attorney general’s office, which was apparently caught off-guard by the Caro Quintero decision, said on Friday that it had asked the SC to take the Fonseca case away from the tribunal in Jalisco. The same lower court freed Caro Quintero, 28 years into his 40-year time for the abduction and killing of US Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena and his Mexican pilot Alfredo Zavala.

ple in a rampage on a Texas military base was found guilty of premeditated murder Friday and now faces a possible death sentence. The verdict against 42-yearold Major Nidal Hasan was handed down by a US military jury after a court martial at Fort Hood, the site of his 2009 shooting spree. Hasan sat stoically looking as the foreman, a female colonel, read the verdict in the killings of 12 service members and a civilian. There were no outbursts of emotion from family members of the victims, but some cried while leaving the court.

“So overwhelmed with joy and tears!” a former police sergeant Kimberly Munley, who was wounded in the shooting, wrote on Twitter.

8

COMMENT SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

YUUZA

EDITORIALS FOODIES WILL DEFY calorie counting app Studies have shown that most people, including trained dieticians, have difficulty in estimating the calorie count of foods, which makes it difficult for people to watch calories in order to avoid weight gain.

Needless to say, diet is one of the most important factors contributing to obesity, and obesity an important factor contributing to disease.

The New York health department has launched a free mobile app to help cooks calculate how many calories are in the food they prepare and find ways to reduce the calorie counts.

Restaurant chefs or home cooks can enter the ingredients and number of servings of a recipe with ‘CalCutter’ and the app will calculate the number of calories per serving in the finished dish.

The app will also suggest alternative ingredients in order to bring the final count down if one has overshot a calorie limit, thus keeping the bulge the eater is bound to put on under check.

Now that’s one app that’s going to face a big challenge convincing the typical Hyderabadi food connoisseur.

Neither the cooks here, nor the eater will compromise on taste; the app can go take a walk in the park, and the dietician a stroll in the garden.

Aren’t we the clan of the Nawab? Don’t we need to preserve that family name? We are a race that has always indulged in the best of the foods, the world over. It is just not biryani if it is not marinated with the exact spices that the royal cook used and recommended, and cooked in desi ghee. The experience should benumb the eater, nothing less.

Apps are for lesser mortals... like the ones interested in a lazy game. Burp!

UNPREDICTABLE...

Public reactions Superior present-day communication is doing a wonderful job to help bring people together in displaying outrage. Be it a Delhi or Mumbai gang rape, the response time of a reaction has reduced — sometimes to nothing... like when a woman committed suicide in Kolkata in full public view without invoking a reaction from passersby!

Not to worry.

Here’s how Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR

T

he air in urban India is thick with worry.

Worry about the economy, worry that the growth rate is down, worry that the rupee is down, worry that everything’s so expensive, worry over inflation, worry over the rising home loan interest rates… there’s no end to it.

The finance minister came on live TV on Thursday to tell people not to worry. He looked calm (which helped a lot) and beneath talk of the economic environment and the financial burdens was telling Indians to not worry because there are too many confusing messages. He said that the true numbers that tell the real story are actually lost in this din.

If you are worrying about the rupee rate versus the dollar, or wondering if your job will be

secure (in the face of many companies executing rightsizing exercises), then read the following points to bring yourself back to focus on the things that are most important. Calm yourself, be willing to take responsibility for your actions, and add fresh perspective to your life. n Breathe. It’s simple, and many books and self-help gurus tell you just this. They do so because it works wonders.

When anxious, we tend to breathe shallow from the chest.

Focus on your breathing and breathe deep from your stomach. Doing this just about 10 times, by staying with each slow breathe-in and breathe-out, you are already calming yourself down. n Laugh. My social networks the past few days are filled with jokes about the low rupee. Those who are depressed by the current situation will not exactly find these funny but it sends a strong message to the subconscious that there’s a lighter side to life and it should be enjoyed.

It’s best to ride the ebb and flow of life with humour by our side rather than be stuck on some-

BOND WITH YOUR INNER SELF. MEDITATE, PAINT, LISTEN TO YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC, PLAY WITH YOUR PET, COOK,

OR SIMPLY SIT AND STARE AT THE MANGO TREE IN THE BACKYARD. thing that’s not in our control.

Subscribe to funny jokes on the Internet, forward jokes that appealed to you, and share the laughs as you lighten the burden of these difficult times. n Acknowledge. Take responsibility for your own feelings.

Know that there are various external circumstances that you cannot control. But the one thing that you can control is how you think about these situations. There will be times when you feel like nothing’s working out anymore. Your attitude at this time will determine how you tackle the rough patch.

Know that things change, and acknowledge what’s in your con-

trol, and what’s not. n Sitting in a corner all by yourself and brooding is not going to get you anywhere. If you need to speak to someone, pick up the phone, or better still land up at a friend’s home and share your worries. You will feel lighter and more ready to face the turbulence ahead. Asking for professional help (finance experts) to help you review the situation clearly (which you may not be able to do on your own), will lay all the cards on the table for you and help you clarify the extent of the problem. n No matter what the situation, do not barter your alone-time for anything. Use your me-time to do anything that you truly enjoy. Send a message to yourself that you are caring for your physical and spiritual growth.

Bond with your inner self.

Meditate, paint, listen to your favourite music, play with your pet, cook, or simply sit and stare at the mango tree in the backyard (which is also a form of meditation). This will help you centre yourself and make you realise that you are indeed special.

9

COMMENT SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

School gives hope to pregnant South African girls The Inside Story

THE SMALL ESTABLISHMENT DOES NOT PRO-

SIBONGILE KHUMALO

MOTE ITS SERVICE AND REMAINS LOW-KEY, AMID DEBATE OVER HOW TO REMEDY SOUTH AFRICA'S SCHOLASTIC EXCLUSION OF PREGNANT TEENS.

O

utcasts elsewhere, the schoolgirls chatter, compare homework and shuffle to class just like other teens but with one big difference — all are expectant mums in South Africa's only school for pregnant girls.

This is Pretoria Hospital School where students, some as young as 13, are given the chance to carry on learning in a country where expectant schoolgirls — and their numbers are alarming — are often expelled.

"We offer them an environment where they can learn without being prejudiced, but that does not mean that we condone early pregnancy," said principal Rina van Niekerk.

The small establishment does not promote its service and remains low-key, amid debate over how to remedy South Africa's scholastic exclusion of pregnant teens.

"The aim of the school is to ensure that they do not miss out on education just because they are pregnant," said Van Niekerk.

She has been at the facility for 25 years, amid a lack of clear policy on pregnant learners in other

Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU

state schools where treatment varies and many just shut the girls out.

Change may be afoot, however, as in July the Constitutional Court forced two state schools to end their practice of banning pregnant students from class.

Teenage pregnancy rates remain high in South Africa, despite years of campaigns

against unprotected sex in a country where more than 10 percent of the population live with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. An official study in 2002 said one in every three teenage girls in South Africa had been pregnant by the age of 19, with little apparent improvement since. The education ministry estimates that some 94,000 teenagers fell pregnant in

2011.

Poverty and other factors, like rape, have not helped .

With nearly 65,000 attacks a year, South Africa has one of the highest incidences of reported rape in the world, and the unemployment rate continues to exceed 25 percent .

The Pretoria school, in the heart of the capital, opened in the

1950s as a school for sick children in city hospitals. The first expectant girls were enrolled in the 1980s, when pregnancy out of wedlock was taboo. It has 108 students, aged 13 to 18, following a peak in 2011 with 134 girls. After giving birth, the teens return to finish the academic year as new mothers.

Van Niekerk is protective of her students, who playfully pat each others tummies under the blue uniforms. She is adamant that pregnant learners pose special challenges. "Some girls have trouble concentrating and they sometimes suffer from pregnancy related sickness," she said. "We have to be really patient sometimes."

Not all agree, like Andile Dube, the director of LoveLife, South Africa's largest youth-targeted HIV/AIDS campaign.

Global edits

Mosque

The Guardian (UK)

Unthinkable? A clock tsar

P

erhaps WH Auden is to blame.

Stop all the clocks! he commands in the poem made famous in Four Weddings and a Funeral and, walking through most big towns, there's a sense that this order has been too closely obeyed. Big Ben bongs on, but many others are stopped for good. From Newcastle upon Tyne to Salisbury and many points between, these symbols of a more communal age lie idling, or altogether idle. Their mechanisms are hard to get at and the cost of correction prohibitive, so they simply go on disconsolately telling the world it is, say, 10:15 when, except at two points in the day, it isn't. Even worse are the clocks whose hands still revolve, but misleadingly.

They tell a plausible story, but are either mildly slow or modestly fast.

Where they're fast they cause unnecessary alarm; where they are slow, they create a false sense of security, causing trains to be missed. What's to be done?

Nestlé keeps the Rowntree factory clock running for less with solar panels. One blogspot, Stoppedclocks, is trying the naming and shaming route. But maybe it's time for a public clock tsar, with

WITH A NATION OF IDLE HANDS – THE HANDS OF OUR CLOCKS, THAT IS – PERHAPS IT IS TIME FOR A TSAR TO STEP IN AND DEMAND RESTORATION.

Rowntree factory clock power to demand that owners restore their timepieces to reliable service.

Perhaps some of these misinformers would be removed, but others would be repaired. And those which are part of a building's fabric and cannot now be extirpated? Here there is only once answer. The tsar would issue the order: off with their hands! (The hands of the clock, that is, not their errant proprietor's; this is the Guardian.)

10

BUSINESS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

ABN Amro to be privatised

Four British firms barred BUENOS AIRES: Four British oil com-

THE HAGUE: State-owned Dutch

panies carrying out exploration work near the Falkland Islands have been banned from operating in Argentina, the Buenos Aires government confirmed on Friday. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner's office said the four companies had carried out "illegal and clandestine" operations near the Falklands.

lender ABN Amro will be sold preferably through an initial public offering, the Dutch government said on Friday.

According to a privatization proposal for the bank brought forth by Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, an IPO was the best option for the eventual sale of the bank rescued by the Dutch government in 2008.

Brazil to spend $55B on real SAO PAULO: Markets and analysts cheered Friday after Brazil's central bank pledged $55 billion until year's end to prop up the sagging real while Latin America's biggest economy is showing weak growth. The Brazilian currency, which has been at its lowest level against the dollar in four years, closed at 2.35 to the greenback Friday, up 3.2 per cent from Thursday's close.

Blackstone eyes Europe, Asia for real estate investment Global investment giant Blackstone is reshuffling its vast real estate portfolio, shedding US assets to buy new ones in Europe and Asia.

NEW YORK CITY: New Yorkbased Blackstone has plenty of firepower, with $64 billion in real estate assets under management it is the world’s largest portfolio in the sector.

Blackstone recently has been lining up its strategy with an eye on juicier investment prospects outside the United States.

That includes a slew of asset sales and IPOs of units to generate cash for other acquisitions.

“We are in a period of time where you can expect to see realestate realization growing,” Tony James, Blackstone’s president and chief operating officer, said in a July conference call.

Overall, the company raised $14 billion in the second quarter alone, mostly from its real estate and credit businesses, Blackstone chief executive Steve Schwarzman said in the same call.

In the US, Blackstone, the country’s leading hotel owner, is working on an initial public offering of Hilton Worldwide, its biggest real estate asset, bought in 2007 for $25 billion including debt.

Blackstone also appears to be seeking a disposal of La Quinta Inns & Suites hotels, acquired in 2006 and valued at about $4.5 bil-

lion. It also is planning IPOs for Brixmor Property Group, a grocery-anchored shopping center owner that is the company’s third-largest real estate investment, and Extended Stay Hotels, which it co-owns.

The company, meanwhile, is going ahead with several acquisitions, including the purchase of 30,0000 apartments from US

BLACKSTONE RECENTLY HAS BEEN LINING UP ITS STRATEGY WITH AN EYE ON JUICIER INVESTMENT PROSPECTS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. industrial conglomerate General Electric for about $2.7 billion, a source close to the situation told AFP last week.

In last month’s conference call, Schwarzman said that “in the US, markets are healthier, properties are doing better and credit markets are very accommodating.”

“In Europe though... to the contrary there’s been a lot of distress,” the CEO said.

“But the spigots are starting

to loosen up and people are starting to face that and want to sell assets.”

Blackstone itself is selling its 50 per cent stake in Broadgate office complex in London to GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, AFP learned from sources familiar

with the situation on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Blackstone has targeted a $5 billion European real-estate investment fund, a person close to the matter said.

“In real estate, we had our first Asia fund closing of $1.5 billion, marking strong investor reception to our first dedicated

fund in the region,” Schwarzman told analysts in the July earning call.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the private-equity firm also is in negotiations to buy Chinese property developer Tysan Holdings, based in Hong AFP Kong, for $2.5 billion.

Ex-servicemen to guard Noida industries LUCKNOW: The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) would soon engage people with earlier experience of working in the Army to ensure the security of industrial units in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

A decision to spruce up the security arrangement of the industrial hub was taken at a meeting between entrepreneurs and officials of the state government Friday, and it was decided that the ex-

servicemen could work in collaboration with local police.

Principal Secretary Surya Pratap Singh of the Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department (IIDD) of the state government said problems in security were being studied, and an action plan was being readied.

“There is a need to fill the gap between perception and reality, and the state government is making sincere efforts to do that,” Singh told IANS. The industrialists

expressed concerns over the quality of policing in the area, the reliability of electricity supply, and the availability of public conveyance for employees.

On improving power distribution efficiency, Singh said issues concerning the Noida Power Company Ltd, the local distribution agency, would soon be resolved.

He said GNIDA was going to buy its own buses for use in the Greater Noida area to better public transport.

State government officials said “early bird” projects — the proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), including multi-modal logistics hub at Dadri and multi-modal transit hub at Bodaki, along with the integrated industrial township in GNIDA, and the Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Investment Region, will make this region the hub of economic activity. It would also emerge as the focal point for export shipment in north IANS India.

11

FOCUS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 Tangi QUEMENER

Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON: History will remember Barack Obama as America’s first black president, but he has taken pains to ensure that race is an undertone, not a dominant theme of his White House years.

On only a few occasions since taking office has Obama stepped up and addressed his nation’s scarred racial past and sometimes uneasy present.

In his most direct intervention, just weeks ago, he gave an unusually sweeping discourse on race after a trial into the killing of black Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.

Obama will have no choice but to take on the topic when he stands on the same Lincoln Memorial steps next Wednesday where 50 years ago, civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr delivered his “I have a dream” speech.

Obama’s historic election victory in 2008 dispelled the still widely prevalent idea that America was not yet ready to elect its first black president.

This son of a Kenyan father and white African mother went some way to fulfilling King’s dream of equality, taking office a century and a half after the abolition of slavery, and 50 years after the end of segregation in the American Deep South.

But though Obama believes racial discord is ebbing, his own story alone does not mean all the wounds are healed.

“Things are getting better,” Obama said in July.

“It doesn’t mean we’re in a post-racial society. It doesn’t mean racism is eliminated.”

In some ways, it has been easy to forget the historic nature of Obama’s presidency, as the White House downplayed it, keen to position him as president of all Americans.

And the gales of economic crisis howling when Obama took office soon

OBAMA’S DELICATE PATH ON RACE

Obama will have no choice but to take on the topic when he stands on the same Lincoln Memorial steps next Wednesday. grabbed more attention than the president’s racial heritage. But race has been an ever present, if muffled, theme.

It was hinted at in some political attacks on Obama by some radical critics.

The president himself often compared his change crusade to King’s belief that the “arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

Obama’s strategy was shrewd, according to Kareem Crayton, professor of political science at the University of North Carolina.

though America was now used to a black First Family, Obama’s reticence on race is telling. “It highlights how intractable this issue of race is in political circles.”

An early sign of that came when Obama criticized as stupid the arrest of a black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates in his own home.

Obama smoothed over the issue with a “beer summit” at the White House with the professor and the

arresting officer, after his comments caused a furor.

That incident was an anomaly. In fact, it could be argued that the president has addressed race only when it has been politically unavoidable.

Only when his 2008 campaign was in peril over the incendiary remarks of his former pastor Jeremiah Wright did Obama speak out.

When he did, he delivered the most startlingly direct discourse on race in

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF OFTEN COMPARED HIS CHANGE CRUSADE TO KING’S BELIEF THAT THE “ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARDS JUSTICE.” “It’s a rational decision, because most people in this country who are voters are not minorities.

“In order to win, a candidate needs to reach out to both non-white and white voters alike,” he said.

But Crayton said that

Pick

at the

modern America by a major politician since King gave voice to his dream.

“Working together, we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds,” he said.

Obama faced a political imperative on race again following the acquittal of Florida man George Zimmerman of the murder of Martin, a black teenager gunned down in February 2012. “Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago,” Obama said, voicing anguish felt in the black community over what many see as racial profiling of many young African American men.

It is indisputable that some in the African American community have been disappointed with Obama’s presidency.

Jody Armour, a law professor at the University of Southern California, noted the enormous disparity of incarceration rates and unemployment between black and white Americans.

“There was so much hope that there would be change during the administration in some of the issues affecting the black community, and sadly that hasn’t been the case,” he said.

The White House responds to such criticism by pointing out that the president has made tackling unemployment — which disproportionately impacts African Americans — as the centerpiece of his presidency.

Carol Swain, of Vanderbilt University law school, said that while Obama had played an important symbolic role and promoted diversity in his cabinet, he could be questioned on substance.

Sensing such disappointment, the Republican presidential campaign of Mitt Romney believed that dismay among blacks could hinder Obama’s re-election hopes. But 93 percent of black voters went for Obama in 2012 — just two percent lower than four years earlier.

airport,

-

12

TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK www.kidrex.com arents worried about a child’s Internet search accidentally turning up X-rated content can set KidRex as the home page on the family computer. With every letter a different color, it resembles Google, but with a twist.

P The man

A

llmer, known for his competitive nature and outspoken, bombastic style, contrasted with the famously nerdy Gates.

MOBILE GAME REVIEW

APP OF THE WEEK

MAN OF STEEL

BT Sport (Free)

B

T Sport went live this week in the UK to give BSkyB a run for its money in TV sports coverage. Its app promises live streams of the BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN channels (plus the odd exclusive).

Based on the blockbuster movie, Man of Steel, is a 3D-brawler that lets players combat General Zod and his invading Kryptonian forces on both ground and air in a fast-paced mobile adventure.

Gates’ ‘best man’ calls it a day Despite more than 13 years at the helm, Ballmer has remained in the shadow of his former Harvard classmate Bill Gates, who turned over the CEO job in 2000 and left the operations side in 2008 to focus on his foundation.

SAN FRANCISCO: Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's outgoing chief executive, was a close friend of company founder Bill Gates, but in many ways his opposite.

Ballmer, known for his competitive nature and outspoken, bombastic style, contrasted with the famously nerdy Gates.

The two were close friends at Harvard University, but Ballmer managed to graduate, while Gates became one of the venerable school's most famous drop-outs.

Ballmer, the best man at Gates's wedding in 1994, joined Microsoft in 1980 as operations manager, after a stint with consumer products group Procter & Gamble.

A native of Michigan, Ballmer grew up in the Detroit area, where his father was a Ford executive.

Ballmer, now 57, earned his Harvard degree in applied math and economics, and later attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

While Gates was the quiet, skinny computer nerd, Ballmer was a beefy, brash jock who liked playing basketball and once had to have surgery on his vocal cords after screaming out "Windows! Windows!" at a 1991 meeting in Japan.

Before becoming CEO in 2000, Ballmer was senior vice president of sales and support, senior

vice president of systems software and vice president of marketing.

Independent tech analyst Jack Gold described Ballmer as a "masterful salesman" who "promoted Microsoft incessantly, and was hugely successful in his first decade."

He drew criticism more recently, however, as Microsoft slipped behind longtime rival Apple and other tech giants.

"Lately (Ballmer) has

and Google.

In a memo to employees, Ballmer pointed out Microsoft's progress since its early days.

"We have grown from employing just over 30 people to almost 100,000. I feel good about playing a role in that success and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way.

"We have more than one billion users and earn a great profit for our shareholders."

His ‘Good’

His ‘bad’

B

T

in the most recent year.

today, and it has been overtaken by rivals Apple and Google.

lost touch with his marketplace and customer base. The infighting and turnover of execs has been dramatic. The seeming lack of vision he exhibited was destructive," Gold said.

Ballmer nonetheless oversaw growth at Microsoft: revenues went from $23 billion in the fiscal year 2000 to more than $73 billion in the most recent year.

But the company's market value slid from some $600 billion in 2000 to less than $300 billion today, and it has been overtaken by rivals Apple

Despite more than 13 years at the helm, Ballmer has remained in the shadow of his former Harvard classmate Gates, who turned over the CEO job in 2000 and left the operations side in 2008 to focus on his philanthropic foundation.

While Ballmer has amassed a fortune of $15 billion, earning him the rank of 51st richest individual in the Forbes magazine ranking, that remains well behind Gates, who is number two worldwide and number one in the United States with $67 billion.

allmer nonetheless oversaw growth at Microsoft: revenues went from $23 billion in the fiscal year 2000 to more than

$73

billion

he company's market value slid from some $600 billion in 2000 to less than

$300

billion

13

ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

PET NEWS Wolf’s howl

T

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Sleeping baby owls

he “woe is me” sound of a wolf howl is tied to loneliness and affection for others, a new Current Biology study suggests. What’s more, each howl appears to be uniquely matched to the quality of a specific wolf relationship.

B

Speed limits

aby owls and baby mammals, including humans, sleep in an analogous manner, spending a similar amount of time in an awake-like phase called REM (rapid-eye movement), in which dreams are thought to occur.

B

irds might be paying more attention to road speed limits than some humans. A new study finds that some European birds factor in average traffic speeds when determining when they need to take off to safely avoid oncoming cars.

CATS AND DOGS The Animal Care Clinic 040-2335 2474 Pet’s World Dog Clinic 98856 46259 Blue Cross of Hyderabad 040-3298 9858, 23544355/ 5523 Vet-N-Pet 040-6553 9535, 93463 05890 Bluplus Pet Clinic 040-2712 1739, 2716 2636 Sri Sai Pet Clinic

040-2779 7458, 9848645350 Claws & Paws 98662 82772 All Creatures Animals Clinic 040-2773 0885 BIRDS Govt Veterinary Hospital 040-2331 9656, 2753 5755 Bird Watcher’s Society 040-2355 6166 Friends of Birds9391048315 SNAKES Friends of Snakes 8374233366

SIGNS OF FELINE DEPRESSION 1. Lack of grooming 2. Signs of lethargy or changes in personality 3. Aggression

When pets get the blues If you catch your pet being listless and withdrawn more often than not and it remains in the state for prolonged periods, you know there is cause for concern.

AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

I

t is no pretty sight to watch your pet that was once bustling with happiness, sulking in a corner. Just like humans, animals also have their bad days when nothing can seem to make them happy.

Nonetheless, when your pet employs the same behaviour for prolonged periods of time and you catch them listless and withdrawn more often than not, you know there is cause for concern.

Animals too experience bouts of depression time and again. And there are many reasons that contribute to this state. Sometimes, it might be the result of major

changes in their routines, such as the death of a family member or companion animal.

“Your dog no longer wags its tail endlessly to its happiness on your arrival and your cat doesn’t meow as frequently as it used to nor does she purr. These are some of the signs that say that your pet is down in the dumps and needs special attention to cheer up,” Dr Kadambari says.

Most of the times, pet owners look forward to the time of the day when they get to see their four-legged friends at home and seeing them depressed can be huge downer.

“Their energy is contagious.

You cannot help but laugh when watching your pet’s happiness after it sees you. Even when I am having a bad day, what I look forward to is the time when I get to see my dog bustling with excitement. And when he is depressed

there is no reason you won’t feel bad about it,” pet owner Samuel Simon says.

Depressed animals are not an uncommon phenomenon.

According to a new documentary Home Alone Dogs, one in four of Britain’s eight million pet dogs are said to be suffering from depression of their own.

“It is not fair to leave a dog alone for long hours inside the house. There is no harm in leaving a cat alone since they are capable of entertaining themselves. But when alone in the house, a dog can end up barking and howling for long periods, defecating and even self-harming.

If you are a dog person and a busy working person then my advice would be to get two dogs so that they will have each other for company,” Dr Lakshmi S says.

Lavishing your pet with attention is the only way to help your pet get rid of the blues.

“Make sure your pet gets a lot of exercise. Make them chase balls and run so that your animal will feel good,” Dr Kadambari says.

4. Increased sleeping 5. Hiding in an isolated place for extended periods of time 6. Loss of appetite

SIGNS OF DOG DEPRESSION 1. Withdrawn: A depressed dog may stop interacting with his companions, including his special people.

2. Inactive: The dog might no longer show any interest in taking walks or playing.

3. Changes in appetite: The dog might lose his appetite, and this could lead to weight loss.

Alternatively, a depressed dog might eat more and begin to gain weight.

4. Changes in sleep habits: Depressed dogs tend to sleep more, but some may become more restless and unable to sleep well.

14

BOOKS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

SHORT READS Title: Leviathan Author: Philip Hoare Publisher: Fourth Estate You don't have to be obsessed with Moby Dick to love this book. Hoare's extraordinary, complex relationship with the whales takes him back to the history of whaling, to a time when entire cities were lit by whale oil; to places far below the surface of the ocean.

Title: A jury of her peers Author: Elaine Showalter Publisher: Knopf Fascinating, incisive, intelligent and never afraid of being controversial, Elaine introduces us to more than 250 writers. Here are the famous and expected names, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Willa Cather, Grace Paley, Toni Morrison, and Jodi Picoult.

Title: The Empire Stops here Author: Philip Parker Publisher: Pimlico The frontier of the Roman Empire stret-ched for 5,000 kilometres. Yet, far from being at the periphery of the Roman world, the frontier played a crucial role in making and breaking emperors, creating vibrant societies along its course, and ensuring Rome’s cultural legacy.

Title: Home Author: Marilynne Robinson Publisher: Picador The Reverend Boughton's hell-raising son, Jack, has come home after 20 years away. Home is a luminous and healing book about families, family secrets, and faith from one of America's most beloved and acclaimed authors.

Not just Taliban and war

Part memoir, part newspaper reporting and part storytelling, Afghan Rumour Bazaar is a heady ride into the craziness that is Afghan life.

JYOTSNA NAMBIAR

jyotsna.n@postnoon.com

A

fghanistan has been at war for the longest time. A country of warlords and warrior poets was not made for peace, its people believe. Its forbidding mountains and desolate plains make an ideal setting for a hard life. But Afghanistan is so much more than just religious extremists and militants, argues Nushin Arbabzadah in her wonderful new book, Afghan Rumour Bazaar. Part memoir, part journalism and part storytelling, the book is a heady ride into the craziness that is Afghan life.

Nushin escaped Russian-occupied Afghanistan as a teenager and emigrated to Germany with her family. She now teaches at UCLA and writes regularly for The Guardian. While she spent her early years learning to be a quiet, meek Afghan girl, she had to change that image once she fled the country. When she returned to Afghanistan as a confident, confrontational woman, she realised that her country had changed as much as she did.

But the Afghanistan she remembers, with its opinionated people, flashy cars and quarrelsome behaviour still exists.

Regimes may have changed, but the basic nature of the Afghan remains the same.

The author's memories of the place form the first part of the book. Dark humour colours most of her stories, be it driving home drunk communists, bribing officials with alcohol at the airport or staring down traditionalists at a bookstore. Her deep affection for Afghanistan is as obvious as is her amusement about the absurdity of life there.

Even as she talks about the contradictions and complexities of life as an Afghan, Nushin draws on her own Afghan-ness to write this book. Poetry and literature have long been a mainstay of

Afghanistan's culture, and the tendency to exaggerate and tell stories is almost inbuilt. The author employs a similar method in the second half of her book, telling short anecdotes that illustrate how life is in the war-torn country.

Since Afghanistan has been in a constant state of war, outsiders see it as the only facet of the country. Apart from the militant activities, religious persecution is the most prominent point of discussion when it comes to the mountainous country. Where Nushin's books stands out is the way it gives Afghanistan a more human face. Women being denied education is no longer just a UN report; it gains colour from the

experiences of an NGO worker in Kabul. That homosexuality is a taboo is not just a statement; the experiences of openly gay writer Hamid Nilofar make it all too real. Assassinations for political and gender reasons do happen, as the case of Malaila Kakar, a senior police officer shows.

The international community's interference in Afghanistan forms the last chapters of the book. Russia, the US, aid workers, mercenaries and the Taliban have played with Afghanistan and abandoned it, much like an unwanted toy. Their inability to bring stability to the region is not simply their own shortcomings; Nushin argues that the country

Name Afghan Rumour Bazaar Author Nushin Arbabzadah Pages 224 Publisher Pan itself has no idea what it wants and what its identity is. As young men emulate the fashions of New York, young women remain indoors and ignorant, and government officials continue to demand bribes, the country remains in limbo, waiting for a firm hand to steer it to normalcy.

At the end of the book, Nushin writes: “If you read this book and found your head spinning, then don't worry. This is exactly how Afghans feel most of the time.” For a look into a often misunderstood country from a woman who is both an outsider and an insider, Afghan Rumour Bazaar is a must read.

WHAT’S SELLING Walden’s best in fiction

Landmark’s best in fiction

New York Times' best in fiction

New York Times' best in non-fiction

n And The Mountains Echoed

by Khaled Hosseini

n Manuscript found in Accra by Paulo Coelho

n Zealot by Reza Aslan

n The Cuckoo's Calling

by Robert Galbraith

n Inferno by Dan Brown

n The day I stopped drinking milk by Sudha Murty

n Asura by Anand Neelakantan n Like It Happened Yesterday by Ravinder Singh n Oath Of The Vayuputras by Amish Tripati

n What young India wants by Chetan Bhagat n The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho n Dongri to Dubai by Hussain Zaidi

n Proof of heaven by Eben Alexander n Orange is the new black by Piper Kerman n This Town by Mark Leibovich n Lean in by Sheryl Sandberg with Nell Scovell

n Mistress by James Patterson and David Ellis n Inferno by Dan Brown n And the mountains echoed by Khaled Hosseini n Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

15

BOOKS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS

With passing time, patience for achievements through the conventional route is running short.

These are the times of ‘instants,’ and self-help books promise instant success.

A motivated person doesn’t always just do, they also read up. When they get back to the doing, they continue to achieve, but start attributing the book they just read for their achievements. The word of mouth does wonders to the sale of a product.

This observation may be robbing such books of their utility in these ever-demanding days.

That is not the case.

How much ever bookish knowledge a person may be having, survival is difficult without street smartness in a rat race.

Rest assured, reading, assimilating and exercising the ways preached by such books builds confidence that leads to success.

The four books that I read and reviewed for the Postnoon reader below emphasised the need to be positive in all circumstances. Confidence, they advocated together, does wonders to a person’s esteem. And, that there was no point in staring at the dark could: the gloom can be lifted by concentrating on the silver lining.

SYED SHOAIB

shoaib.s@postnoon.com

T

he career a person chooses and the height they can climb to, are determined by education, by and large. By and large, because there are other ways: the easiest way is promised by selfhelp books.

So it is not surprising that there has been a deluge of books of this genre published in the recent past.

The last 50 years has seen the number of such books unleashed on the public grow tenfold.

Self-help books promise you the Earth, they even promise to teach you creativity! But they seem to work. This, mind you, is because the person picking up a book of this kind is one who is already motivated.

Leading a motivated person is a lot easier than choosing somebody randomly and teaching that person ‘gyaan’. When the intention to achieve comes from within, the chances of success is higher.

No room for the good guy

G

ood guys finish last. Or do they? Give and Take by Adam Grant has the answers to this and other such queries on the positioning of morals in the race to success. People are broadly classified into three categories. Taker: all that belongs to me and that which belongs to you, is mine; Giver: all of mine and, obviously, that which belongs to you is yours; and Matcher: yours is yours and mine mine. Using his own cutting-edge research, the author shows how smart givers avoid becoming doormats, and why his route to success has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire organisations and communities.

Name Give and Take Author Adam Grant

Pages 300 Publisher Hachette India

39 rules to stay in business

I

t is not enough to have motivation, ability and opportunity, success depends heavily on how we approach our interactions with other people.

Lee Cockerell comes up with a specific number of essential rules for delivering sensational service: 39! If you want to stay in business, you have to operate with such consistency, integrity and creativity that people not only keep coming back for more, but recommend you to everyone they know, since customers today have so much choice, is Cocherell’s warning. He does through 39 tried and tested, easy to follow rules that apply to any company, large or small, to secure a reputation for brilliant service.

Name The Customer Rules Author Lee Cockerell

Pages 190 Publisher Hachette India

Lessons from the global crisis

T

argeted specifically at those concerned with effective, high achievement organisation and management with positive implications for the future of work and society, huff puff, Don Young’s Enterprise Rules reminds its reader of the global financial crisis and corporate scandals that highlighted the degree to which many businesses have lost touch with the fundamental values and practices that long-term high achievement depends upon. Young takes it upon himself to remind the world lessons that have been forgotten despite the fallout. It examines the roots of high achievement from many angles, and then integrates action programmes.

Name Enterprise Rules Author Don Young

Pages 260 Publisher Hachette India

To win even while you relaxed

M

artin Bjergegaard and Jordan Milne offer a number of strategies for succeeding in business while living a happy and balanced life for their readers from interviews with 25 business role models from all over the world: entrepreneurs who have seen the light a bit earlier than the rest of us, who have found the secret to having it all. The book instills in us the essence of their unique ability and mindsets and shares the secret to success. One of the strategies tells us not to try too hard, and that sure is a path to success we would be too happy to follow. Who wouldn’t want to, if told, “The road to success should be paved with relaxation.”

Name: Winning without Losing Author: Martin Bjergegaard and

Jordan Milne Pages: 290 Publisher: Hachette India

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WOMEN SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK The Good Guide: GoodGuide ranks on green-ness, healthiness and safety. Users can search or browse over 145,000 food, toys, personal care and household products to discover the best of each category.

Girls Who Code: On a mission to provide computer science education and exposure to 1 million young women by 2020, Girls Who Code provides immersion programs.

Pick The Brain: PickTheBrain encourages selfimprovement on a broad spectrum, covering topics in the realms of productivity, motivation, self education, psychology and philosophy.

Helen Styles’ day starts with feeding and caring for her four adopted dogs and later heading to Blue Cross where she takes care of the dogs at the re-homing ward.

Are you a woman who wants to get ahead?

T

A LIFE OF SERVICE H Amy Rose Thomas

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

ers is a perfect case of dedicating life to the four-legged. Helen Styles’ day starts with feeding and caring for her four adopted dogs and later heading to Blue Cross where she takes care of dogs at the rehoming ward.

“Blue Cross is primarily for street dogs but when you find dogs which were pets once in their lives being stranded on the street, you cannot help but rescue them. What I find quite appealing is that in spite of having a traumatic past after being thrown away from their respective homes, these dogs are still receptive to affection and love. Especially when they see familiar faces every day they become more open to people. Most of the times, I think they are wondering where their owners are. Srinu, the ward boy, takes care of their cleaning and feeding. He is a great dog lover and gives the dogs lots of love and attention which is just what they need,” Helen says.

Before her stint with Blue

Cross she was actively involved with working BSPCA (Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

“I have always been very passionate about animal welfare and support several organisations involved in improving rights for animals (PETA, WSPA, RSPCA in the UK and several others). I first became actively involved in Bahrain from 2002, where I was a volunteer at the BSPCA. As well as helping out at the shelter whenever I could. I was also their fundraising co-ordinator and organised events such as the annual sponsored dog walk, which was a very popular event for dog lovers in Bahrain and a great way to raise money for the shelter,” Helen says.

Among her four dogs, two of them Billie and Tootsie are adopted from Bahrain while two others Puppy and Misty are from Blue Cross.

“I have four dogs in total, two from the Blue Cross— I adopted Puppy in June last year. I actually took her home for fostering as she was a very sick puppy and I knew she stood a better chance of surviv-

ing at home, but once she got better, we had all fallen in love with her so she never went back! And I adopted Misty this year. She’s an adult dog from the re-homing ward. The two others (Billie and Tootsie) are from Bahrain. Billie was rescued from the street and Tootsie came from the shelter run by the BSPCA (Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). We’ve had

them for about eight years — they are well travelled dogs, having been from Bahrain to the UK and France and then to India,” she says.

She says that most of the times, smaller dogs end up getting stuck at the re-homing ward and it is the bigger ones that get adopted.

“We have many Pomeranians at the ward which haven’t been adopted for a while. I think it is an Indian thing to have bigger dogs. Some of these dogs when they come to the ward are aggressive. This is more so because they are scared; once they were in the comforts of the home and the next day they are on the street and later in a cage. It is usually one family member who wouldn’t be okay with the dog and it ends up on the street. My advice is to not get a dog unless all members in the family are for the idea. I believe in doing my best for animal welfare,” she says.

We need more Helens to bring about a difference in the way animals are perceived and treated. Kudos to Helen for her efforts and work.

hen stop doing all of these things. Right now.

Be nice. Be kind. Be good.

Work hard. They’re among the most common lessons taught to young girls by well-meaning parents. But when that little girl becomes a woman in the workplace, they can really limit her potential to get ahead.

That’s the take home message from Dr Lois Frankel, the American best-selling author and executive coach who arrived in Sydney this week to lead a workshop run by women’s networking group Business Chicks.

Well actually, it was one of many messages Dr Frankel managed to squeeze into the two hour workshop aimed at preventing women from sabotaging their own career prospects.

Dr Frankel said that boys are often taught to be fearless, competitive and tough - ready to hide their feelings and put themselves first. While girls are told to behave themselves, be good, be nice and be aware of the needs of others. And it’s that distinction that’s ultimately responsible for the inequality of the modern workplace.

According to Dr Frankel women who want to get ahead need to break that cycle and lose what she describes as the ‘nice girl image’ and be assertive.

‘We need to unlearn the lessons of childhood. They restrict us,” she said.

“That doesn’t mean you walk all over everyone else to get what you want,” she said.

“The workplace is a game. You have to play to win and to do that properly you need to understand the rules.”

Each workplace comes with a different set of rules but Dr Frankel said there are several unconscious things most women do that prevent them from getting where they want to be.

But get rid of them and Dr Frankel insists we’ll be well on our way to getting ahead.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/

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SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 1

Fashionable cause

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Fashion followers had a field day at Taj Krishna where Akriti Elite expo was launched. A portion of the proceeds will be donated for the cause of educating the girl child.

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1 Ashu

3 Pooja

5 Esha, Reema

7 Bina Mehta

2 Geetika

4 Richa

6 Laila Khan

8 Sushila Bakodia

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All bright now 6

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5

Fashion Runway, a luxury fashion exhibition was launched at The Park Hotel with much fanfare.

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1 Jyoti 2 Upasana Kamineni 3 Payal 4 Sameera, Anisha 5 Pavani Khurana 6 Neha Gandhi 7 Madhurima 8 Swati, Bobby 9 Nikita

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RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

I AM ALL EARS

I

t has been two years to our relationship and I feel that my boyfriend does not understand me. He gets moody, jealous even when I get busy with my work or enjoy a night out with my friends — girls and boys alike. I feel he is trying to control me. What do I do? This habit of his irks me. Please help.

Dear irked kid, You won’t always be on the same page. It sometimes is difficult for partners to relate to each other. I am sure he understands you well enough.

Both of you have different ideas of togetherness and space in a relationship, therefore the conflict.

Trying to force a solution can cause even more problems. So make sure you first understand why he is doing this, or else things could blow out of proportion.

P

eople usually feel good when they make a charitable donation, but they feel even better if they make the donation directly to someone they know or in a way that builds social connections. The research investigates for the first time how social connections help turn generous behaviour into positive feelings on the part of the donor.The overarching conclusion is that donors feel happiest if they give to a charity via a friend, relative or social connection.

THE SAFETY NET Growing up with siblings may provide some protection against divorce as an adult, a new study reveals. We also celebrated Raksha Bandhan recently and so it gives us all the more reason to talk about this net in our lives.

FLEME VARKEY

fleme.v@postnoon.com

A

ccording to the study the more siblings, the better: Each additional sibling a person has reduces the likelihood of divorce by two per cent. More siblings means more experience dealing with others, and that seems to provide additional help in dealing with a marriage relationship as an adult.

Growing up in a family with siblings, you develop a set of skills for negotiating both negative and positive interactions. You have to consider other people’s points of view, learn how to talk through problems. The more siblings you

have, the more opportunities you have to practise those skills,” said Doug Downey, coauthor of the study and professor of sociology at the Ohio State University. “That can be a good foundation for adult relationships, including marriage.”

Parents teach us a lot and so do our siblings. Their lessons and ways of teaching also differ. While our folks teach etiquette, manners, how to eat, how to cross the road, how to behave, it’s the siblings who give us some of the most important lessons in life — how to make friends, how to pick oneself up, how to be cool, basically how tos on living life when your parents are not there to guide you.

“My family consists of three sisters and myself. I am the youngest in the family and my eldest sister is 10 years older. She has always been the

most influential person in my life. In fact I think of her more like mum, because she used to take care of me most of the time. My other sisters too, they are more like my friends, it’s from them I learnt how to take care of myself. All of them have different temperaments and being around all that I think, has helped me in more ways than one. My attachment to my parents is not so strong as the one I share with my siblings. They taught me people management,” says Vinod Shah, a theatre teacher in Delhi.

The foundation of all future relationships starts with this bond in childhood.

That is why parents are encouraged to strengthen this bond.

Neelima Mishra, a young entrepreneur based in Hyderabad says, “My parents

separated when I was barely 10. The earliest memories I have of my childhood is of hanging around the garden with my elder brother and younger sister. I think my brother understood what was going on in the house, so he tried to protect us and ready us for the eventuality. So at that time I think I was not affected much. I only was looking to go where my siblings were. Our

trio helped us overcome the emotional upheaval and till today we believe we are the closest. Any problem at school or in my relationship, it would be my brother whom I would turn to for help. He is always there. He taught me many important lessons in life and that’s how I am here confident of making a life for myself all alone.”

When siblings discover that their parents are so absorbed in themselves that they have little interest in their children, the children cling together. That’s when most of the lasting bonds are born. But psychologists also say that this behaviour can be a negative influence on a person’s life. One can even lose their individuality and it may prevent them from believing in other relationships in the future.

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CINEMA SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Arya, Vijay Sethupathi team up for Purampokku

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ctors Arya and Vijay Sethupathi have teamed up for an upcoming Tamil project titled Purampokku, which will be helmed by SP Jhananathan in the same language. The film is slated to go on floors later this year. Purampokku will be jointly produced by UTV Motion Pictures and the director's banner Binary Pictures.

"We are delighted to work with SP Jhananathan, who is known for his mass commercial films which have a strong message for the audience. We are happy to have Arya and Vijay Sethupathi on board as the leading actors," G Dhananjayan, chief — South Business, Studios, Disney UTV, said in a statement. "In addition, it will also have many international techni-

cians working on the action sequences. The film will be a mass commercial film and will be our next release after Ivan Veramathiri and Sigaram Thodu," he added. The hunt is underway for the leading lady of the film, which will be shot across various locations in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Chennai. It is being slated for an April or May release next year." The film will deal about how lands meant for the common use of the public are cornered illegally by powerful individuals in the recent past, and the film takes up this issue strongly in a commercial format like my earlier films,� said director Jhananathan.

IANS

ENTERTAINING DUO TEAMS UP AGAIN

V

ishnu Manchu and Brahmanandam entertained the audience with Dhee and later in Dhenikaina Ready, both of which scored gold in the box office. Now again they are getting back together for yet another comedy Doosukeltha.

Veeru Potla is the director of this movie and he has reportedly come up with some very entertaining comedy sequences for these two actors. Those who have seen the footage are saying that the film is set to bring one more hit for Vishnu.

Chiranjeevi owes us a film: Puri Jagannadh P

uri posted on his Twitter page in Telugu: "Mee cinemalu choostu perigamu.

Kani meeru maaku oka cinema bakipaddaru. Adi eppudu (We grew up watching your films, but you owe us one film.

When will you repay?)"

Chiranjeevi, who was last seen on in the 2009 Telugu film Magadheera in a cameo alongside his son Ram Charan Teja, hasn't done any movie after entering politics by launching the Praja Rajyam Party. Chiru, as he is fondly called, has acted in 149 films including Tamil, Kannada and Hindi in a career spanning over three decades.Some of his best films include Khaidi, Swayam Krushi, Indra and Shankar Dada MBBS. IANS

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CINEMA SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

My friends don’t appreciate Shlok: Avinash Sachdev

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Dating is cool, says

VAANI KAPOOR V aani Kapoor, whose debut film Shuddh Desi Romance is about conflict between love and commitment, supports dating culture and says it should not be confused with sex.

“I don’t think that dating leads to sex every time you like somebody or wanting to know somebody. I don’t think we should be backwards when it comes to dating,” Vaani said Wednesday while promoting Shuddh Desi Romance, which is coming out September 6.

“Everybody dates these days. Like you get to know someone before you end up getting married, committing for a lifetime relationship. So dating is cool, date as much as you want, get to know the person,” she added.

However, one should have a set of principles while dating.

“There are some principles you always abide by and live with, have your conscience clear. As long as you know you are not hurting anybody, I don’t think there is any issue with it,” she said.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma, Shuddh Desi Romance also stars Sushant Singh Rajput as the male lead, besides Parineeti Chopra. IANS

V actor Avinash Sachdev, who will be seen as male chauvinist Shlok Agnihotri in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon - Ek Baar Phir, says his friends don’t appreciate his character.

Contrary to his role of a loving and caring husband in Choti Bahu, Avinash will seen as a guy who hates women and challenges their need for equality.

“It’s a different character all together. I am playing a male chauvinist who feels that women are inferior to their male counterparts. My friends have never seen this side of me and therefore, they are shocked and extremely surprised with my behaviour. Moreover, they are claiming that I am slowly becoming like my on-screen character— cold and rude,” he said in a statement.

Starting August 26 on Star Plus, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon - Ek Baar Phir revolves around Astha Kirloskar (played by Shrenu Parikh) and Shlok. It’s a love-hate story of the two.

Produced by Sphere Origin, the show also brings together an ensemble cast that includes Manish Wadhwa, Geetanjali Tikekar, Tushar Dalvi and IANS Prachi Shah amongst others.

I would love to work on Ra.One 2: Shah Rukh Khan

S

hah Rukh Khan has said that he would love to make Ra.One 2. The actor, who starred in India’s first sci-fi film Ra.One in 2011, said that the country does not yet have the technicians for a sequel. Speaking to IANS, he said: “We have the latest technology and the equipment, but we lack trained technicians.

For Ra.One, we had hired 50 foreigntrained technicians.

“I would love to work on Ra.One 2, but it’s not easy. For a film with a different genre like Ra.One, I’ll need at least two to three years for preparation.”

Produced by Red Chillies, Khan collaborated with a US special effects studio for Ra.One, which featured over 3,500 VFX shots.

Red Chillies VFX is a subdivision of Khan’s motion picture production banner Red Chillies Entertainment and provides the necessary technology and special effects to other filmmakers in the country.

Khan’s special effects team have worked most recently on Krrish 3.

CINEMA SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

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CINEMA SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

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CINEMA SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

ONE FOR THE FANS ONLY Kick-Ass has defined itself as a superhero movie with heroes wearing silly costumes and little girls brutally beating up tough grown men. Let’s see what Kick Ass 2 is all about.

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he film is the not-exactlydemanded sequel to a 2010 movie, based on the comic book about father-anddaughter crimefighters. Nicolas Cage, at his most entertainingly oddball, was the Batman-styled Big Daddy; Chloe Grace Moretz was his precocious sidekick, Hit Girl.

Cage definitely had fun channeling Adam West, and the first movie sometimes had a bright, comic-book look. But the tone was off even then. The gore was explicit enough to be disgusting,

but not extreme enough to be satiric; the film outraged without being outrageous.

Kick-Ass 2 is a step down.

Kick-Ass 2 is somewhat like any sequel, it heightens the scale to look even more exciting than the first one. Other than that, the rest is mostly the same. As usual, the most entertaining parts are having fun with the characters and some superhero satires. Even if it takes a different direction, the tone surprisingly sticks to the picture which is a joy. The film suddenly

Movie: Kick-Ass 2 Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse Director: Jeff Wadlow becomes intriguing when it discusses about the consequences of being involved in crime fighting, but those elements didn’t

stray far enough.

The best surprise here is the performance of Chloë Moretz.

She already stole the show in the first film, but here she has grown her Mindy Macready into a much mature character than just a simple violent crass as Hit-Girl is, and as Hit-Girl she is still pretty awesome. Aaron Johnson is charming as always as Kick-Ass. Jim Carrey is also delightful as Colonel Stars and Stripes. The villains are kind of caricatures, but the one who played their leader, Christopher

Mintz-Plasse, brings both wimpy and menace to keep him from being too sinister.

The ones who will likely enjoy Kick-Ass 2 more are the fans. It’s almost too identical.

Same entertainment quality, same amount of laughs, and got ironically ridiculous action scenes(from jetpack to lawnmower); while we get an impressive performance from Chloë Grace Moretz and a story that has potential of being compelling. It has the same pros and IMDB cons, but bigger.

Love Hewitt postpones wedding to lose weight

THE HUNGER GAMES:

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W

ennifer Love Hewitt’s wedding to The Client List co-star Brian Hallisay is on hold until after the bride-to-be gets rid of her extra baby weight.

“We’re going to wait,” Hewitt tells People. “I’m going to get down and be cute again and then we’ll be ready to go.”

Hewitt and Hallisay are expecting their first child in December, and the actress says she’s trying to stay fit throughout

her pregnancy.

“I’ve actually worked out more pregnant than when I wasn’t,” she says.

“I’ve been working out about five to six days a week ... I do a lot of swimming, palates, yoga — all good stuff for baby and for me. It gets difficult the bigger you get because it’s more uncomfortable, but it’s important.”

Hallisay popped the question to Hewitt in June, around the end of her first trimester.

Mockingjay finds its Cressida ith Catching Fire hitting theaters in just a few months, the last two films of The Hunger Games franchise have added another key player. Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer will join Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2 as Cressida. Lionsgate made the announcement earlier today via Twitter. Based on the third and final book of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling YA series, the twopart The Hunger Games: Mockingjay finds Katniss Everdeen leading the diverse

districts of Panem in a rebellion against the Capitol. Cressida is a resident of the Capitol who decides to join the growing revolution.

Like Catching Fire, Francis Lawrence is directing both parts.

Danny Strong wrote the screenplay. The “Mockingjay” films will also feature the return of Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Woody Harrelson.

26

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

SUDOKU

THOUGHT OF THE DAY Most new books are forgotten within a year, especially by those who borrow them.

– Evan Esar

KAKURO

How to play kakuro

SCRIBBLING PAD

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Botanical intersection 5 Become troublesome 10 Ends bachelorhood 14 ‘Once ___ a midnight dreary ...’

15 Tonsorial service 16 Fabled fast starter 17 Word with ‘media’ or ‘exodus’ 18 Less dangerous 19 ‘Put ___ writing!’

20 They include kids from other marriages 23 Champing at the bit 24 On edge 25 Groups of indigenous plants 28 Head covering 30 Gutter locale 31 ‘City Slickers’ co-star Kirby 33 ‘___ Blas’ (LeSage novel) 36 Make a bad situation worse 40 Common conjunction 41 Fairytale monsters 42 Cryptographer’s A 43 ___-Penh, Cambodia (Var) 44 Adoptable animals 46 ‘Rolling in the Deep’ singer 49 Preside over, as a committee 51 Colorful opening course 57 Charles family pet, in film 58 Circle measurements 59 Poi, essentially 60 Sgts and cpls 61 Turn aside, as a gaze 62 Good’s opponent 63 Athletic shoe bottom 64 Rancorous, as a divorce 65 It gets you a hand DOWN 1 Ready for the dentist’s drill 2 Lustrous gem 3 Bit of reality?

4 Captures, as a wild animal 5 Balance-sheet pluses 6 ‘Hanging’ problems in the 2000 election 7 Stretchy seaside sweet 8 Pigmented part of the eye 9 It can make waves 10 Frittered (away) 11 Eschew a restaurant 12 ___ up (quits talking) 13 Become aware of 21 Highly reliable evidence 22 ‘___ it’ (thief’s admission) 25 Big cheese in Greece 26 Bad spot for dandelions to appear 27 Roman who recorded Greek mythology 28 Bewildered utterances

49 Relinquishes 29 Atomic number of 50 Bequest recipients hydrogen 31 Abbr in a real estate ad 52 Lab measuring unit 53 Carry on wildly 32 1, 66 or 95, on GPS 54 Cleanse with soap and (Abbr) water 33 ___ monster (lizard) 55 Opera solo 34 Inconclusive 56 Kewpie, for one 35 Sheep hangouts 37 ___ down (softened) PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 38 Teamwork obstacle 39 Told a story 43 Gratify 44 Mental health 45 ‘Whether ___ nobler ...’

46 ‘___ home is his castle’ 47 ‘70s ‘fever’ 48 Sing the praises of

27

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Six of Pentacles

Nine of Swords

Nine of Cups

Ace of Pentacles

King of Swords

Three of Pentacles

W

W

ork – You are inspired by a recent hardback book you read.

It will give you new perspective and make you look at life differently.

Romance – You are charging ahead in a new direction and all your dreams are about to come true. You will see new light in the company of a person. Health – A minor operation may have to be done in order to get rid of a health problem. Take a second opinion and act on it quickly. Money – Take steps to increase your earnings, even if it means moonlighting in your free time. Tarot message – You have to live with people around you. The more you take people on your side the better it is for you.

W

ork – Money is a big area of concern for you right now. You will not be in a position to spend as freely as you wanted to. This hurts your ego. Romance – There will be an opportunity for singles to find a partner. But you need to keep an open mind about it. No one is perfect.

Health – Balance is very important. In eating, sleep, exercise and social relationships, maintain balance and ensure that all areas get equal attention. Money – Be more compassionate with people. Be grateful for their favours. Say thank you when they help you out.

Tarot message – Take steps to be more of a people person. Socialise. Not everyone is as stupid as you make them out to be.

W

W

W

ork – You will be in a sticky situation and will have to dodge a number of questions about a job you messed up. Romance – You should refrain from advising someone else about love matters. If asked, say that you cannot be an advisor.

Health – Optimise your time and take more proactive measures to care for your health.

Money – Beware of investing in any schemes that you haven’t heard of before. Take recommendations with a pinch of salt. Research it all yourself. Tarot message – Be aware that things around you are changing. Do not react to anything. Just observe and take note of the changes and how people react to them.

ork – You will find new forms of selfexpression. It could be through painting or writing poetry. You find new ways to communicate.

Romance – Your romantic life may be impacted by the stress on other areas of your life. You should not allow this to happen. Take steps to keep the two separate.

Health – Try alternative forms of healing if your health issue is not urgent and it can take time healing well and full in the long term. Money – You have some very eccentric ways of dealing with money that people don’t understand. Do not open a joint bank account.

Tarot message – You are in a productive phase and will work a lot. Take time to rest, too.

ork – You have to work harder to find new meaning in your work. You will be bored easily. Take steps to prevent that. Romance – Singles may decide to tie the knot. Making a commitment itself is a big step for you. All will go well. Health – You are filled with anxiety about a relationship that is no longer very active in your life. You will seek closure and want to move on to better things. Money – You will have to crack a puzzle in order to be able to make the most of a business opportunity.

You have it in you to come out successful.

Tarot message – Someone in your inner circle is saying bad things about you.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra

Scorpio

Seven of Pentacles

Four of Swords

W

o rk – Analyse all the information you have before you make any important decisions. You may be missing some crucial points. Romance – You get inspiration from love stories you read, to be more romantic and pay attention to your loved one. Health – Get rid of some habits that are not good for your health. It may be difficult initially but you have to try harder. Money – It may be a good idea to change tack in use of your disposable income. Don’t spend it all away mindlessly. Tarot message – At the end of the day, you have bills to pay.

Your primary responsibility will be towards your family.

ork – Be alert during all transactions that involve large amounts of money. You will be in a position to catch any discrepancies. Romance – You learn from each other, and that is the biggest strength for you as a couple. There are many new things to discover. Health – If a problem, however minor or major, requires treatment, then do not delay taking the treatment.

You will have to nurse the injury or illness. Money – Track your investments closely and do not leave it to others to do the job. It’s important that you’re aware of your current financial situation. Tarot message – You will receive a lot of good luck from an unknown source. Be grateful for all you have.

W

Sagittarius Five of Swords

W

ork –You have a large playing field.

So there is no need to indulge in politicking.

You will be given your due eventually. Romance – Do something special for your loved one instead of expecting them to plan and take the lead all the time. Health – If you drink alcohol, it’s time to cut down. Make a slow and steady effort to completely stop for your own good health. Money – You may visit a foreign country on business or for pleasure. Learn new things, explore and discover. Meeting new people will invigorate you. Tarot message – Making grand plans for something may or may not work. Just go with the flow. It helps to keep an open mind.

Capricorn

Date 25-8-2013

Aquarius

Page of Wands

The World

W

ork – There is not going to be a revolution all too quickly. Things take time to bubble up and make an impact on the masses. Romance – A bunch of roses can liven up a room just as a few good jokes can lighten up everyone’s mood. Health – Read important health information carefully and do what’s needed to take control of your health.

There’s nothing that cannot be corrected with the right action. Money – There is need for you to take some rest. Just like you shutdown your computer for the night, you need to shut off your mind as well. Tarot message – Stay within the limits of what people expect from you. Don’t be too adventurous now.

ork – If you are in a supervisory role, exercise caution. Being too harsh on your subordinates also will get you into trouble. Romance – A nice escape and weekend getaway will make you forget your worries, if only for a brief time. Health – Get into a comfortable healthy routine that you can follow. There will be times when you feel lazy and lethargic. Overcome the laziness and head out.

Money – New investment options may come your way. Do a lot of research and be absolutely sure before you sign up for any of them. Tarot message – Underneath your tough exterior, there is a very humane person with basic needs. Find a partner you can share feelings with.

ork – If your colleagues do not understand a concept, try to explain it to them through a story. Use creativity to make a boring topic interesting. Romance – You and your significant other complement each other in many ways; your differences are amongst the positive attributes of the relationship. Health – You will have to play a more proactive role in tackling a health problem. By being passive and not doing anything about it, it won’t just go away. Money – Having a strong financial background will serve well to give you a kick start to fulfill some of your dreams. Tarot message – Your belief system will be questioned. You will have to realign your thoughts and philosophies to survive.

W

Pisces Strength

W

ork – Stick to the subject matter when you are talking to a group of people. They will get bored and switch off otherwise before you make your point.

Romance – Be dynamic in your relationship.

Change is important to keep the spouse guessing, and interested. Health – There are some foods you should avoid because they not just induce bad health but also bad moods. Money – Be more willing and open to the idea of spending for others. It will not go waste.

Tarot message – Do not mean to others by hiding information or doing things that are not mature. You don’t want to come across as a juvenile.

Vol: 3, No 35 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 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

28

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

IN THE NEWS

TEST YOURSELF

IDENTIFY THESE VINTAGE BEAUTIES

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Solve these riddles.

1

1 2

What gets wetter the more it dries?

1 2 3

In which country were thousands of people, including children killed in toxic gas attack?

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?

What is the name of the Chinese navy hospital ship that reached Chittagong, Bangladesh recently?

A 200 years long ban on entrance of women into which was lifted in August 2013 after being voted to change the rules of the Club?

3 4

Five and five makes ten, I count and type with these.

2

4 5 6

What is Japan's biggest warship called?

5

I have holes in my top and bottom, my left and right, and in the middle. But I still hold water. What am I?

Who is the new President of Iran?

6

What goes around the world but stays in a corner?

Which object of import from New Zealand has China blocked?

3

4

1. Damascus 2. Peace Ark 3. The Royal Yacht Squadron club 4.Izumo 5.Hassan Rouhani 6. Milk Powder

Answers

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY What has the government decided to include in the National Family Health Survey4?

2 3

Where is India's first Cyber Forensic Laboratory?

Which sportsman recently said that he was offered cash to lose tghe 2010 world wrestling championship final bout that was held in Moscow?

Answers: 1. Rolls Royce Silver Ghost (1907-1926) 2. 6 - Mercury Eight (1946-1951) 3. Chevrolet Impala (1963-1964) 4. Porsche 911 Turbo (1974-1989)

1

What can you catch but not throw?

PICTURE PUZZLE 81 with Santosh Ghule What effect does the axe have on a tree?

7

What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?

WHO AM I? I am a bollywood actor who was convicted by the Supreme Court of India for the illegal possession of arms relating to the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and havebeen sentenced five years prison.

A skull.

Answer : Sanjay Dutt

9.

Answers:

8.

14. In which year did the famous sculptor and architect Bernini finish working on St Peter's Square in the Vatican?

15. In which year was the first icecream cone sold?

16. In which year was the bubblegum invented?

17. How old was Jamaican singer Bob Marley when he died?

1. Towel 2. A corn kernel 3. A cold 4. Fingers 5. Sponge 6. Stamp 7. A river

7.

10. Which major film studio company's logo is a snow-capped mountain peak?

11. After which American City is a poker variant named?

12. Which ancient civilisation discovered the earliest use of the mascara?

13. What do the Eagles refer to in The Hotel California?

Answers

6.

first defeat the reigning world chess champion?

In which year was Cindrella first published?

In what year was Ray Ban founded?

Which artist painted the Flower Carrier?

Which species does Java Man belong to?

1 Red 2. One 3. 24 4. 8. 5.1997 6. 1697 7. 1937 8. Diego Riveria 9.Homo erectus 10.Paramount 11.Omaha 12.Egyptian 13.Tetrahydrocannabinol 14.1667 15. 1904 16. 1928 17.36

1. What is the first colour of the rainbow?

2. How many strings are there in the musical instrument Ektara?

3. How old was Rossini when he composed The Barber of Seville?

4. What is the atomic number of Oxygen?

5. In what year did a computer

Answer for 80:

1. Hysterectomies 2. Tripura High Court 3. Sushil Kumar

Answers

29

SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Mendez keeps title

New Zealand stretch lead

A

rgenis Mendez retained his International Boxing Federation junior lightweight world title Friday with a majority draw against Arash Usmanee on the first fight card promoted by former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson. Tyson was much in evidence at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York, in his latest incarnation as the head of Iron Mike Productions.

Jamaicans hit back

T

J

eam New Zealand notched another convincing win over Italy’s Luna Rossa on Friday to close in on a berth in the America’s Cup finals.

The Kiwis won the sixth-race in the best-of-13 challenger series finals by one minute, 57 secs to take a 5-1 lead. They need just two more victories to earn the right to challenge defenders Oracle Team USA in the finals.

amaican anti-doping chiefs lashed out at allegations that their battle against cheats is being undermined by incompetence and inefficiency, claiming that they have a budget of over $60 million to fight the scourge.

Former anti-doping head Renee Anne Shirley said there were flaws in the testing program and her efforts to point out inadequacies had met with hostility.

Drivers demand safety assurances SPA: Formula One drivers on Friday asked for guarantees that the Pirelli tyres they use at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix are safe and fit for purpose.

In the wake of two tyre failures which hit champion and fastest man Sebastian Vettel and rival Fernando Alonso during Friday afternoon’s second free practice session, the drivers requested action. They made their feelings clear during the routine pre-race drivers’ briefing with the ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA).

The FIA’s F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting was asked during the meeting to look in detail at the Pirelli tyres for this weekend and to ask the Italian company to guarantee that there are

no structural problems.

The drivers are more concerned than usual not only because of the two blowouts already, but also because Spa-Francorchamps is a traditional highspeed circuit with many of the characteristics of Silverstone where five drivers suffered spectacular tyre failures during the British Grand Prix on June 30.

Pirelli said that both of Ali Abdullah 3/17)

A division two days n Sultanshahi 386 bt Hyderabad n

n

n

n

n

n

Titans 130 (K Rajendar 36) Balaji Colts 294 bt P&T Colony 144 (Sai Santosh 37no, Mahesh Reddy 45, Navjot Singh 5/38) Vijay Hanuman 150 lost to Brothers XI 151/7 (Md Saleem 61, Sri Mukh Reddy 4/32, C Chandrasekhar 3/44) Zinda CC 395 bt HBCC 300/8 (Rohit 33, Akshay 45, Omer 71, Tauseef 68 , Shravan 3/62, Mohammed Faraz 3/94) Osmania 404 bt Raju CC 118 (K Sainath 34, Phaneendra 3/25, Surjan 3/7) Pasha Beedi 104 (Syed Farhan 31, FK Mujtaba 30, Surya Vikramaditya 6/41) lost to Ours CC 109/7 (Saurav Kumar 3/58, FK Mujtaba 4/22) Jai Bhagwathi 245 (Nikhil Naidu 35, Ganapathi Hemanth 32, N Avinash Goud 30, Md Younus Ali 5/75, Obaid Bin Mansoor 3/50) lost to Charminar CC 247/7 (Abdul Rehman 60, Mohammed Saleh Amoodhi 41, Ravi Chandra 30, Md Younus Ali 50)

n St Patricks 140 (Harishikesh 74,

n

n

n

n

A division one day n SUCC 109 (MB Sudheer 4/24)

bt United CC 78 (Feroz 3/10, Hameed 4/23)

HCA Coca Cola cup U-16 inter school Super League quarters n Boys Town 191 (Md Abrar 44, Mohammed Salam 48, C Durgesh 3/34) bt St Marys Junior College 117 (Akshay Kumar 59, Karan Kannan 4/22,

n

CH Rithiwik 4/17, Mickhil Jaiswal 3/32 ) lost to St-Johns Church Junior College 141/3 (K Bhagath Verma 70no, Mickhil Jaiswal 55no) Johnson Grammar School Habsiguda 108/9 (L Sunny 39, N Surya Teja 5/16) lost to Cal Public School 109 for no loss Syed Mohammed Hussain 51no, Abhishek Reddy 52no) Bhavans SA Junior College 191 (Sai Vikas Reddy 71, Nikhil Naidu M 30) bt St-Andrews School 151 (Vijayendra Singh 30, Tapasi Teja 61, Amrith Yadav 4/21) All Saints 199 (G Madhu Kumar 70, Vamshi Srivastav 86, Mohammed Saif Ali 3/39, A Arun 5/42) bt Adilabad Dist 117 (Mohammed Saif Ali 37, Hitesh Yadav 3/28, Vamshi Srivastav 4/31) Gowtham Model School 291 (MSR Charan 96, Mohd Taha Shaik 31,Sagar Chaurasia 56, KB Rakesh 5/39) lost to Wesley Boys Junior College 293/3 (B Srinath 49, Vineeth Reddy 76, Chandan Sahani 108, MB Arjun Kumar 44) Nizamabad District 201 (C Akhil Kumar 72, SK Majeed 39, Sumeeth Joshi 3/23) lost to Sri Chaitanya Techno School 205/3 (Yash Kapadiya 86no, Ashish Kama Shetty 43)

UNDER-19 MATCHES Day 3 n Kerala U-19 299 and 92/3 (S Subin 43) drew with Hyderabad U-19 273 all out (Charan Sai Teja 34, Shinas Hassim 5/49)

Friday’s punctures to the right rear wheels of Vettel’s Red Bull and Alonso’s Ferrari were caused by debris.

One driver, who was not named, told Autosport.com that there was “serious concern."

The driver said: “We’ve left it in Charlie’s hands... We have to trust him."

Pirelli chief Paul Hembery said, “It is a worry for the sport because we have to go out and find what it is. There is not a lot we can do, but we will try our very best to identify it to give us an indication of what is causing it."

Pirelli plan an investigation of the circuit to try and explain the two tyre failures on Friday.

Red Bull driver Mark Webber said: “We need answers — and AFP ‘debris’ is not the answer."

Vettel quickest despite puncture SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Germany’s defending world champion Sebastian Vettel topped the times and then dismissed concerns about his tyre failure during Red Bull’s domination of Friday’s second practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix. The 26-year-old clocked a best lap of one minute and 49.331 seconds to outpace Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber by 0.059 seconds. Overall, it was another demonstration of the defending triple world champion’s mastery of the track and the conditions, until Vettel suf-

fered his right rear puncture close to the end of a long run on medium tyres. The incident immediately revived memories of the dramatic blowouts at the British GP in July, when Italian suppliers Pirelli were at the centre of a controversy over safety that led to threats of a drivers’ strike. Pirelli have supplied their hardest compounds to cope with the demands of the majestic seven-kilometre circuit and have also prescribed precise limits to camber and pressure settings - to avoid any punctures.

AFP

Beats beaten hollow PUNE: It was Pune’s day from the beginning when Anup Sridhar set the tone by winning against Hu Yun of Banga Beats in two straight matches. In no time, Women’s Singles, both Men’s Doubles were also pocketed by Pune. Mixed Doubles was the only win for Banga Beats where they beat Pune Pistons 2021 21-14 11-8.

Anup Sridhar was declared the Vodafone Player of the Tie. Elated, he said, “It was sweet to win own match and then see the team win too. When I get into my rhythm, I can be quite dangerous.”

Commenting on the win he said, “I don’t think I played my best game but a few shots really helped me win the match. My

strategy was to keep the shuttle down. I love Pune crowd, they are simply awesome. We need this spirit to go on till the end of the League.”

Winning the mixed doubles for Banga Beats, Carston Mogensen said, “We both knew that it is going to be a tough match especially when Pune Pistons were leading as a team.

We just tried to smile and enjoyed the crowd. Our win was more of a concerted team effort.”

Post her win Schenk said, “I have been trying to give my best to the League from the beginning. I knew today’s match was tough competition and therefore I had prepared myself well in advance. This planning helped me win over Carolina.”

Winning the Men’s doubles Kiong Tan Wee said, “It was a very close match and there were many critical moments but I was confident of our partnership. The support from the team and the crowd here at Pune was amazing. I am confident that I will continue the momentum of my game till the end of the League.”

Van Garderen stretches lead VAIL: Tejay van Garderen stretched his overall lead in the USA Pro Challenge cycle race on Friday with a victory in the stage five individual time trial.

Van Garderen admitted he was feeling the pain in the closing stages of the 16-kilometer, mostly uphill route in the Colorado Rockies, but his time of 25:01 was four seconds faster than that of runner-up Andrew Talansky of Garmin-Sharp, whose time had held up for much of the day.

“It was certainly a tough eff-

ort. I don’t even know how to describe it," van Garderen said.

“Up there, your lungs are searing in the thin air. I was trying to be conservative on the way up, doing my best to keep the pace, but it’s still such a difficult thing to do when you’re at 10,000 feet.

“I was surprised that I got the stage win because I felt pretty bad coming in there at the end. Hopefully we can hold this jersey through Denver."

Talansky’s teammate Tom Danielson, finished third, 1:02

behind the winner and van Garderen’s BMC teammate Mathias Frank, second overall at the start of the stage, finished 10th, 1:26 off the pace.

Frank remained in second overall, now 1:30 behind van Garderen, who took the lead on Thursday with a runner-up finish to Janier Acevedo in stage four. The race continues on Saturday with the 185 kilometer sixth stage, from Loveland to Fort Collins and concludes on AFP Sunday in Denver.

30

SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Kvitova to face Halep in final

NEW HAVEN: Reigning champion Petra Kvitova (right) breezed into her second straight New Haven WTA final on Friday, where she’ll face red-hot Romanian Simona Halep.

Kvitova didn’t put a foot wrong in a 6-0, 6-1 semi-final victory over her Czech FedCup teammate Klara Zakopalova.

Halep defeated fourth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki — a former world number one and four-time winner of this event — 6-2, 7-5.

Halep broke Wozniacki three times in each set to claim the victory in one hour and 20 minutes.

Kvitova, seeded third, needed just 50 minutes to get past unseeded Zakopalova in the semi-finals of this US Open tuneup on the hardcourts at Yale University.

“I think the beginning of the match was pretty close,” Kvitova said. “Klara had chances to win the first game and the next game when she was serving. I think that was the turning point.

“I was saying to myself, I need to stay focused in the first set and play really well because I know she can come back anytime and I need to be ready for it,” added Kvitova, who had been taken to three sets in her previous three matches.

“Well, she just played fantastic tennis today without any mistakes,” said Zakopalova, ranked 33rd in the world. “I think everything was working for her, so I have to just congratulate her, wish her good luck because she was the better player today, for sure. She can beat anybody with this game.”

Kvitova, who beat Russia’s Maria Kirilenko in last year’s final, will be trying to defend a title for the first time.

The 23-year-old Czech claimed the 11th title of her career in Dubai in February.

She has never before played Halep, a 21-year-old who is enjoying a breakout season that has

included her first three WTA titles.

She gained a further measure of notoriety this month when her second-round victory over Marion Bartoli at Cincinnati was quickly followed by the French Wimbledon champion’s abrupt retirement from AFP the sport.

Monfils, Melzer in title round WINSTON-SALEM: Gael Monfils shrugged off pain in his left hip to reach his second ATP final of the season on Friday at the Winston-Salem Open.

The 15th seed defeated 10thseeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6 (11/9), 6-3 to advance to the title match of this US Open tuneup, where he’ll face ninth-seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer, a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 winner over American Sam Querrey. The win was the first for the 32-year-old Austrian over Querrey after two defeats. Melzer has lost to Monfils in four previous matches, but Monfils said the injuries that have hampered him in recent weeks make him the underdog.

“I still think I’m the outsider.

I am the outsider, and I like it,” Monfils said. “I’m happy that hopefully I can keep going.

“I’m trying get back into shape. I’ve worked hard this week and it’s paying off well.”

Monfils called for the trainer after just 11 minutes on court, having surrendered two breaks of serve to trail Dolgopolov 0-3.

But after a consultation and on-court treatment, he changed his attitude and got on with the job of mounting a comeback. AFP

Shehzad, Afridi mastermind Pak victory HARARE: Ahmed Shehzad shone with the bat and Shahid Afridi struck with the ball as Pakistan opened their tour of Zimbabwe with a comfortable victory in the first T20 international on Friday. Shehzad’s measured 70 allowed Pakistan to post a strong total of 161 for five, before Afridi snubbed out Zimbabwean resistance with three wickets to secure a 25-run victory.

Although Zimbabwe were much improved from the side that lost a recent one-day series against India 5-0, they let things slip in the field midway through the Pakistan innings and also lost their way after a promising start with the bat.

Shehzad’s patience up front proved key to the match as he saw out a tricky opening period when Pakistan lost Nasir

Kuchar edges ahead JERSEY CITY: Matt Kuchar edged past clubhouse leaders Webb Simpson and Gary Woodland on Friday as darkness halted play in the weather-disrupted Barclays, the first event in the US PGA Tour playoffs.

Kuchar had five birdies and no bogeys through 13 holes of his second round and was 10under for the tournament when play was suspended. He’ll return on Saturday morning to try to seal the 36-hole lead.

Simpson had made a marathon day look easy, firing a secondround 66 to take the early clubhouse lead on nine-under 133.

He was joined late in the day

by Woodland, who notched a sparkling 64 that included eight birdies and a bogey.

“When you’re playing well, you feel like you could play 40 holes in a day,” said Simpson, who in fact played 29 — first finishing up his first round after weather delays totalling almost

MATT KUCHAR EDGED PAST WEBB SIMPSON AND GARY WOODLAND AS DARKNESS HALTED PLAY IN THE WEATHERDISRUPTED BARCLAYS. six hours on Thursday.

Simpson and Woodland were two strokes clear of their nearest rivals in the clubhouse.

Masters champion Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Keegan Bradley were all in on seven-under 135, while England’s Justin Rose, the reigning US Open champion, was at seven-under for the tournament through 14 holes. Fowler set a Liberty National Golf Club course record with a 64, only for Bradley to break it with a 63 — all before Woodland completed AFP his own 64.

Jamshed and captain Mohammad Hafeez to Tendai Chatara, before slowly taking control against Zimbabwe’s other seamers.

“Early on it was doing a bit.

They bowled a good channel and that’s why they picked up a couple of wickets, but after six overs the ball was coming on nicely and I was able to manoeuvre the ball,” Shehzad

said. The opener took 17 runs off Elton Chigumbura’s first over to put the pressure back on Zimbabwe, and shared in a 55-run stand with debutant Sohaib Maqsood.

Shehzad struck six fours and a six in his 50-ball innings before being caught on the boundary off Shingirai Masakadza. Afridi ensured that Pakistan finished strongly, hit-

ting 23 not out from 16 deliveries, and then made key breakthroughs in the Zimbabwean innings in claiming figures of 3 for 25. The home side started brightly with a 53-run opening stand between Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda, but their inability to accelerate from a solid base meant that they never really threatened to AFP achieve their target.

In-Bee shares lead EDMONTON: World number one Park In-Bee (in pic) fired a five-under par 65 on Friday to grab a share of the second-round lead at the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open. Park, who has won three major titles this season, was joined on eight-under 132 by US veteran Cristie Kerr, who carded a 66. First-round coleader Angela Stanford carded a 68 that left her tied for third on 133 with France’s Karine Icher, who posted a 66.

Lydia Ko, whose victory in this tournament last year at the age of 15 made her the youngest player to win an LPGA title, had shared the overnight lead with Stanford. The 16-year-old phenom from New Zealand carded a second-round 69 that left her tied for fifth on six-under 134, alongside England’s Laura Davies (66) and American Paula Creamer (68).

Park got off to a hot start at

the Royal Mayfair Golf Club course with birdies at the first and second. She holed out from a bunker at the par-four first.

“I always love to start with a birdie,” Park said. “It’s like a good luck charm for me. I almost never finish a round over par when I start with a birdie.”

Park, seeking a needed just 25 putts on Friday. Her seven

birdies included three in a row at the 14th, 15th and 16th.

“I hit the ball really good, and I obviously putted really good out there,” she said. “On these greens, you can two-putt from anywhere. I think it’s pretty good. If you slightly over-hit it, you can easily three-putt. So the three-putt is something that I AFP was trying to avoid.”

URN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

IT

31

ASHES 2013

Bell, Root steady innings Ian Bell was left holding the fort for England yet again as they struggled for runs after Joe Root top-scored with 68 on the third day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval.

Julian Guyer

SCORE BOARD Australia 1st Innings 492-9 decl England 1st Innings (overnight: 32-0) A. Cook c Haddin b Harris 25 J. Root c Watson b Lyon 68 J. Trott lbw b Starc 40 K. Pietersen c Watson b Starc 50 I. Bell not out 29 C. Woakes not out 15 Extras (b9, lb5, w4, nb2) 20 Total 4 wkts, 116 overs, 486 mins) 247 Bowling: Starc 26-5-60-2 (1nb, 1w); Harris 23-9-41-1 (1nb); Faulkner 12-3-29-0; Siddle 21-646-0 (1w); Lyon 26-8-41-1; Smith 8-3-16-0.

LONDON: Ian Bell was left holding the fort for England yet again as they struggled for runs on the third day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval on Friday.

England, who at 3-0 up had already won the five-match series, were 247 for four at stumps, still 245 runs behind Australia’s first innings 492 for nine declared but needing just 46 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

Bell, who came into this match having scored exactly 500 runs in the series with three hundreds, was 29 not out off 110 balls in nearly two-and-a-half hours at the crease.

Meanwhile Test debutant Chris Woakes, Bell’s Warwickshire team-mate, was 15 not out following a final session played under gloomy skies despite the glare of the floodlights.

Several England batsmen got in but failed to press on, with Kevin Pietersen making an unusually restrained 50 in 133 balls.

England scored 215 runs in the day’s 98.3 overs, the run-rate rarely rising above two an over, in a match where victory would mean they had won four Tests in a home Ashes for the first time.

But there was still something to be gained for England by denying their arch-rivals a consolation success — Australia’s

England’s Joe Root prepares to hit the ball during the third day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Oval in AFP/IAN KINGTON London on Friday. last ‘winless’ Ashes was in 1977 — ahead of the return series ‘Down Under’ starting in November.

“It’s not easy out there, it’s quite slow and I think we played some good cricket,” opener Joe Root, who on Friday made 68 — only his second fifty of the series following his Test-best 180 in England’s crushing 347-run win in the second Ashes match at Lord’s — told BBC Radio’s Test Match Special.

“You have to give credit to

Australia, they bowled well and we had to work really hard for the runs we got,” the 22-year-old Yorkshireman explained.

Australia paceman Peter Siddle, who finished the day with an economical none for 46 in 21 overs, added: “It’s been hard work out there. All we can do is go out there and try to get the six wickets as quick as we can.

“Our consistency today was spot and I think it showed.”

England resumed Friday on

32 without loss after Shane Watson’s Test-best 176 and Steven Smith’s 138 not out — his maiden hundred at this level — had taken Australia to their imposing total.

Alastair Cook, the England captain, was 17 not out and Root 13 not out.

Cook’s poor series with the bat continued when he followed a delivery angled across him from Harris and edged to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 25 to end a stand of 68 with Root — their

first fifty partnership as an opening duo.

It was another low score for Cook in a series where he has made 243 runs in nine innings at an average of 27 with a best of 62 — a far cry from his 2010/11 Ashes tour of Australia where he compiled 766 at 127.66 with three hundreds.

Root’s pull off Siddle saw him to a 145-ball fifty with eight fours.

But, after lunch, he made a tame exit on 68 when his topedged sweep off spinner Nathan Lyon went straight to Watson at short fine leg, with England now AFP 118 for two.

Darren hypocrite in Broad row: Ian LONDON: Former captain Ian Chappell has accused Australia coach Darren Lehmann of hypocrisy in attacking England’s Stuart Broad for “blatant cheating” during this season’s first Ashes Test.

Lehmann’s comments in an Australian radio interview saw him fined 20 percent of his match in the ongoing fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval.

The 27-year-old Broad angered Australia during England’s narrow 14-run first Test win at Trent Bridge when he refused to walk after a thick edge deflected off the wicketkeeper’s gloves to slip.

Victory sent England on their way to taking an unbeatable 3-0 series lead in the Ashes.

Chappell said Australians, who’ve traditionally always waited for the umpire’s decision, were in no position to

complain about opponents who did exactly the same thing.

“I don’t like to be called a cheat and basically he (Lehmann) is calling all people who don’t walk a cheat, which would include himself,” Chappell told BBC Radio Five on Friday. “’Cheat’ is not a word you

should use very light-heartedly, and even if you are being lighthearted that’s a word you should steer away from,” added Chappell, captain of the successful Australian side of the early to mid 1970s.

“And even when you’ve got your tongue in your cheek it’s pretty hypocritical for an Australian to complain about somebody not walking.”

After Broad defended his actions earlier this week, an unimpressed Lehmann told Australia radio station Triple M in an interview broadcast on Wednesday: “Certainly our players haven’t forgotten, they’re calling him everything under the sun as they go past.

“I hope the Australian public are the same because that was just blatant cheating. I don’t advocate walking but when you hit it to first slip it’s

IAN CHAPPELL HAS ACCUSED AUSTRALIA COACH DARREN LEHMANN OF HYPOCRISY IN ATTACKING ENGLAND’S STUART BROAD FOR “BLATANT CHEATING”. pretty hard,” he said.

“From my point of view I just hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go for the whole summer (during the return series in Australia starting in November) and I hope he cries and he goes home,” Lehmann added.

“I just hope everyone gets stuck into him because the way he’s carried on and the way he’s commented in public about it is

ridiculous.”

England did not initiate any disciplinary proceedings but International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson laid a charge himself and Lehmann pleaded guilty to “publicly criticising and making inappropriate comments” about Broad, having transgressed the ICC’s code of conduct.

He accepted match referee Roshan Mahanama’s punishment of a 20 percent fine — a figure in the region of £,2000.

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Richardson, in an ICC statement issued Thursday, said: “Whilst noting the context and nature of the comments made, showing mutual respect for one’s fellow professionals — including for coaches, players and match officials — is a cornerstone of how we play the AFP game.”

32

SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Respect Cardiff: Pellegrini Manchester City which produced a stylish 4-0 victory over Newcastle, have been warned by their manager Manuel Pellegrini, not to underestimate Cardiff in their Premier League clash.

CARDIFF: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini (right) has warned his side not to underestimate new-boys Cardiff in their Premier League clash on Sunday.

City produced a stylish 4-0 victory over Newcastle in Pellegrini’s first competitive match in charge last weekend, while Cardiff suffered a losing start on their return to the top flight at West Ham. But former Malaga coach Pellegrini is determined to ensure his players do not take victory for granted against the Welsh side, who will be playing their first game at home in the top flight for half a century.

“We will not underestimate them because they are new to the division,” he said.

“They will be very tough opponents on their own pitch.

We know we have to play at our best to take three points but we will be focused and prepared for the challenge.”

City defender Joleon Lescott is also wary of how tough a trip to Cardiff can be having played

with his former club Wolves in south Wales.

“I’ve played there before with Wolves and I know how intense the atmosphere can be,” he said.

“I’m sure Craig Bellamy will be stirring it up to show them how important the game is.

“If we do it the right way we are confident we can come away with three points.”

Lescott will not be playing alongside defender Vincent Kompany after the Belgium international suffered a groin injury against Newcastle and could be out for up to a month.

However, Matija Nastasic has resumed first-team training after suffering an ankle problem in July’s Asia Trophy and Pellegrini is hopeful the Serbian defender will be fit to face Cardiff.

“It is a blow to lose our captain so early in the season but there is nothing we can do about it,” said Pellegrini.

“He is a very important player for us but we are hopeful Matija Nastasic could be available for Cardiff. It is too early to

They [Cardiff] will be very tough opponents on their own pitch.

We know we have to play at our best to take three points but we will be focused and prepared for the challenge.

Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City manager

say but we will see.

“Micah Richards is also improving and he could be available for next weekend, but again, we will wait and see how he progresses.

Bale saga won’t be a distraction: Villas-Boas LONDON: Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists the mounting transfer speculation surrounding Gareth Bale won’t prove a distraction in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Swansea. Bale will be absent from White Hart Lane as the Wales winger moves closer to joining Real Madrid for a world record fee of around £85 million.

Speculation was rife on Friday that Bale would be unveiled in Madrid after the Spanish giants erected a stage at their Bernabeu stadium home, but it is believed Spurs are unwilling to rubber-stamp the transfer until they have signed at least one new player to fill the Welshman’s position. And that means Bale’s dream move could be on hold for a few more days as Spurs’ preparations for Swansea’s visit have also played out to the background of Willian’s on-off move to the club.

Tottenham believed they had struck a £30 million deal with Anzhi Makhachkala for the Brazil playmaker only for Chelsea to move for the player after Willian had undergone a medical at Spurs.

Arsenal confident of Euro boost Arsenal will hope to carry the momentum from their CL victory into the clash against Fulham.

With a host of other players linked with a move to the club, including Erik Lamela of AS Roma, the meeting with Swansea will provide a welcome distraction for VillasBoas and his players. “I don’t think the team will be distracted by the transfers. What we’ve done so far has been great activity,” Villas-Boas said. “We managed to bring in almost all the players we want and will continue to work to strengthen AFP the squad.

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“I’m aware of course that Micah can also play in central defence so we have options while Vincent is recovering.”

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has called on his club’s fans to raise the roof in an attempt to make it an intimidating atmosphere for City and every other team that visits south Wales.

“We’ve got to make sure that any team that comes down to our stadium knows it’s going to be a tough ask for them,” said Mackay.

“I don’t doubt the support our fans will give us this season and the ferocity of their support and passion for our club.

“I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve got the Premier League kicking off in our home stadium and for everyone at Cardiff and associated with the club.

“We’re very proud that we’re here and I’ve got no doubt that our fans will be passionate and supportive of everything we do this season.

“The way our stadium is will lend itself to noise like it did last season. We’ve got top, top teams coming to play us this season and it’ll be a real test for us but we’re relishing that challenge.”

Mackay has a fully fit squad to choose from and defender Andrew Taylor is also available after missing their opening defeat to West Ham because of AFP suspension.

LONDON: Arsenal will hope to carry the momentum from their mid-week Champions League victory over Fenerbahce into their trip to London rivals Fulham on Saturday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came in for heavy criticism after his side crashed to a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season, with the north London club’s lack of activity in the transfer market the subject of particular scrutiny.

However, they planted one foot in the Champions League group phase by winning 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday, and winger Theo Walcott says the setback against Villa is now out of their system.

“You don’t want to start a season like that, but that’s out of the window now,” he said. “We’ve forgotten about that and

we’re concentrating on Fulham. And if we perform like that, with that intensity, we can beat anyone.”

David Moyes admits he is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against Jose Mourinho as the new Manchester United manager faces the first major test of his reign against Chelsea.

Just a week into the new season, the Premier League will witness the first blockbuster clash of the campaign when champions United entertain Mourinho’s Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday.

United began their title defence with an impressive 4-1 win at Swansea City last weekend, but Chelsea’s visit marks the start of a testing four-game sequence that includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester City. Chelsea won 2-0 against Hull City on Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge last weekend and followed that up with a gritty 2-1 success at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

It means Mourinho’s men can open up a six-point lead over their title rivals by winning at Old Trafford.

But for Moyes it is also an early chance to prove United were right to hire him from Everton instead of appointing Mourinho once Alex Ferguson announced his retirement.

“I’ve not seen him (Mourinho) for a long time,” Moyes said. “Our paths have not crossed, probably because I was never in the Champions League, we have AFP not had any reason to meet.