Epaper 24 september 2013

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 HYDERABAD

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WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 31°C

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SOMALIA’S SHEBAB: DANGEROUS WHEN CORNERED The massacre at a Kenyan shopping mall by Somalia’s Shebab insurgents has shown the still potent threat of the Al-Qaedalinked group even as fighters struggle at home, analysts say.

PG 16 & 17

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER

REPORT ON P3

The Chanchalguda Central prison resembled a fort under siege today with scores of armed policemen standing vigil while hundreds of people gathered around, waiting for the release of Jagan Mohan Reddy on bail. It was not a sombre ambience, though.

For many it was a happy occasion.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

city events

ROMANTIC DINNER

Is your wife pissed at you again for not spending time with her?

Forgotten the anniversary too? If you don’t want for her to get mad at you for various other reasons, then whisk her away to Basil, Vegetarian Restaurant and bar for candle light dinner, held every Tuesday.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

Overnight

Morning

Afternoon

24°C

30°C

A mix of cloud and sun. Windy

A mix of sun and cloud. Showers

20°C

24°C A mix of clear and cloudy with showers.

A mix of cloudy and clear skies

New Delhi Mumbai Max 42 Max 31 Min 29 Min 29 Sunny. Slight chance of a thunderstorm

Chennai Max 37 Min 28

Cloudy with a chance of showers.

Mostly sunny

Bangalore Max 31 Min 18

Mostly cloudy with showers.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES DANCE

Hyderabad Student’s Festival The Hyderabad Students Festival 2013 is being held where students of various streams will put up performances for entertainment.

Where: Exhibition Ground, Mukkaramjahi Road, Nampally When: Sept 28-29, 10am to 7pm Contact: 9951465546/ 9985822393

Dandia Nights Sashi Nahata is organising Dandia Dhhoom.The entry is by invitation only. Are you one of the lucky few?

Where: Taj Deccan, Road No.1, Banjara Hills When: Sept 25, 3pm to 6pm Contact: (040) 66663939 Let’s do some Zumba Probably the best way to burn out a ton of calories is by doing Zumba.Ditch the workout and join the party!

Where: 360 Degree Fitness, 2nd floor, Above Tata Croma, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, When: Sept 26, 7pm to 7:30pm Contact: 9000111360

LEARNING FROM THE BEST: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) - Hyderabad Chapter organised the Entrepreneurship programme for school going students at Rockwell International School, Madhapur

WORKSHOPS Ballet Mark your calendars people! Don’t miss Gandhari: English Dance Ballet

by Rajeswari Sainath and Troupe.

Where: Ravindra Bharti, Opposite Legislative Assembly, Saifabad When: Sept 27, 6:30pm Contact: 23233672/ 9866704171

Study Abroad If you are planning to study abroad this year, then do attend the Canadian Universities and College Admissions Fair and Workshop 2013.

Where: Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills When: Sept 24, 11am to 6pm Contact: (040) 30661218/23

Block Printing Have an artistic streak to you? Love colouring and painting? Then, have fun with block printing by attending this workshop.

Where: Colorama Printers, No 7-1-19, Near Railway Station Gate, Begumpet, Secunderabad When: Sept 23-25, 2pm to 4:30pm Contact: (040) 23730328

Bonsai Training Bonsai training classes are being held by the Agri-Horticultural Society.

Where: Public Gardens, Assembly Road, Nampally When: Sept 25-27, 11am to 2pm Contact: (040) 23299779

SHOWS Retrospect The band Retrospect is going to be performing at Hard Rock Cafe. Go on ahead for some good quality music, drinks and amazing food!

Where: Hard Rock Cafe, GVK One, Road No.1, Banjara Hills When:Sept 26, 9pm onwards Contact: (040) 64636375

Commissioner & Spl Officer

Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints

198 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOM Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY General Complaints Breakdown Section

155333 23431178 23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333

WATER SUPPLY Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospital, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar

155313 23307328 23313163

27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666 39879999

BLOOD BANKS Blood Bank,Narayanguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills

27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445

AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES

Play All you theatre enthusiasts, gear up for an interesting evening. Miss Meena - A play in Telugu is being staged.

Where: La Makaan, lane adjacent to CBAY, Opposite GVK One, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, When: Sept 28, 7:30pm to 9pm Contact: 9642731329/ 8341120303 Flash Mob Do you love dancing? Also, would you like to be featured in the Limca Book of Records? Well, here’s your chance then. Spirit of Hyderabad is organising its 100th Flash Mob for the Limca Book of Records.

Where: Necklace Road, Tankbund When: Sept 27, 4:30pm to 5:30pm Contact: 23448989/ 9989929991/ 9885816322

Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings.

For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7

Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum

24523211 232431300/7641 24521029

Readers’ views

We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or # Plot no.550-A1, 3rd floor, Road no-92, Jubilee hills, Hyderabad-500033 a call on a call on 4067 2222

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

news

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION

SHOULD COPS FOLLOW RULES THEY TRY TO ENFORCE? 14% 86%

YES (A) NO (B)

TODAY’S QUESTION

WILL HIS RELEASE ON BAIL MAKE JAGAN THE KING-MAKER AFTER THE 2014 ELECTIONS? A)

YES

B)

NO

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

JAGAN GETS OUT TODAY

City halts for Jagan’s release There is a huge crowd of his supporters including senior leaders of the YSRC before the prison waiting to greet him.

Mohd SUBHAN and INKESHAF AHMED feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: The Chanchalguda central prison was akin to a fort under siege today with scores of armed policemen standing vigil while hundreds of people gathered around waiting for the release of Jagan Mohan Reddy on bail. It was not a sombre ambience. For many it was a happy occasion.

The CBI court has given him conditional bail after all the chargesheets against him have been filed. He was arrested on May 27, 2012. The city police have made a grand bandobast with special armed police besides local police and three Border Security Force companies taking up positions at all vantage points.

Jagan is likely to come out in the afternoon and head to his Lotus Pond residence in Banjara Hills. However, sources told Postnoon that he was planning to move the court to get a special leave to visit his father’s tombstone in Kadappa to pay respects to his late father. As of today, the bail condition does not allow him to travel out of Hyderabad.

Hundreds of his followers including senior leaders of YSRC and party workers had gathered near the jail waiting for

his release. This has disturbed the traffic around the prison.

But his Lotus Pond residence wore a deserted look till noon.

Barring two policemen on guard the sprawling residence was bereft of any activity.

CRIME

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Man wanted in many cases held POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: The Task Force West Zone team has nabbed a rowdy-sheeter with Mangalhat police staion, Shaik Rasheed Ali, who is said to have been involved in many criminal cases.

He was arrested with swords which he was planning to use on his rivals, Asifnagar police said.

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Rasheed is only 23 years old but has scores of offences registered against him in various police stations. He works with a private firm and is a resident of Muradnagar in Asifnagar.

Police said he has been in the crime scene at a very early age.

Very serious crimes like murder, attempt to kill, extortion, blackmailing are registered against him. It is said that he was planning an attack on his rival when police took him into custody.

‘IT’S CLEAR MATCH-FIXING BETWEEN C AND YSRC’ Reacting on the release of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s the ruling Congress party’s senior leader and 20-point programme chairman Dr N Tulasi Reddy said that it would not lead to any drastic AROUND THE

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a deal to defeat TDP in the state.

It was confirmed with the grant of bail to YS Jagan. We will tell this fact to people of the state and continue our fight against congress and YSRCP,” he said.

The BJP leader N. Ramachandra Rao said that grant of bail to YS Jagan was the handiwork of the CBI. He said agency played a questionable role in the entire bail episode. “ The entire role played

by CBI is debatable. We think it was the handiwork of the CBI which led to the grant of bail to Jagan,” he said. Rao made it clear that Jagan’s release will not have any impact on the political scenario of the state.

changes in the state’s politics.

Dr Reddy said that there would not be any exodus of leaders from the Congress party to the YSRCP. He also rejected the allegations made by the opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu that YS Jagan got bail following a deal with the Congress party and its president Sonia Gandhi.

“Those were all baseless allegations. Our party is no where involved in anything related to Jagan. He got bail in the usual judicial process after spending 16 months in Chanchalguda jail.

The bail was granted as per laid down procedure and completion of investigation,” he said.

Reddy also prophesied that YSRCP would not get any benefits in coming days, as the Congress stood number one in cooperative and local body elections despite the sentiment attached to YS Jagan.

The TDP Leader S Chandramohan Reddy alleged that the bail was granted following a deal struck between Congress and YSRCP. However, he said that the TDP was not worried about the Jagan’s release and added that they would continue to expose the nexus between the Congress and YSRC. “There is clear indication that both Congress and YSRC struck

ACB nabs official for accepting bribe

Four arrested for theft; loot seized

Kishan rubbishes talks of truck with Naidu

Bhatkal remanded till October 17

Manda wants Telangana ‘asap’

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CITY BRIEFS Srilatha, superintendent, prohibition and excise department, was caught by anti-corruption bureau when she was accepting `40,000 from Satyanarayan, junior assistant of her office on September 23 at her office. The Superintendent demanded and accepted the bribe amount from one M Jagan Mohan for doing an official favour.

he Bhawaninagar police have arrested four alleged thieves Shaik Yousuf, resident of Alibagh, Haaroon, resident Kishanbagh, Jahangir Khan resident of Akber Nagar and Ali Khan, resident of Eddi Bazaar and seized five tolas of gold, 38 tolas silver and cash of `3.38 lakh from their possession.

tate BJP president G Kishan Reddy here on Monday reiterated that his party would contest all seats in the 2014 General Elections in the State. Speaking to the media here, Kishan Reddy made it clear that his party would go it alone and there was no truth in the media reports that the BJP was trying to forge an electoral alliance with Telugu Desam

ujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA), Hyderabad, is remanded to judicial custody till October 17. The 30-yearold Bhatkal is charged with planning and executing Dilsukhnagar blasts. He is said to have had the helps of local IM modules in Hyderabad.

RPS founder-president Manda Krishna Madiga has urged the Centre not to delay carving out of Telangana on pretext of trying to find a solution to row over Hyderabad City. Krishna Madiga said there was a chance that the Seemandhra leaders would put hurdles for creation of Telangana State.

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News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE Exam trouble

L

ast year we had reported about how Indian entry for the Oscars, Barfi! completely lost the plot while depicting the love story of an autistic girl with a dumb boy. People were going gaga over what a cute movie it was. But later it turned out it had been a hash of other English movies.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

28.5

A total of 28.5 million children in conflict-plagued countries are being denied an education, leaders from governments and international organisations said at the UN General Assembly here.

With Bo, Xi Jinping has made his point. Obedience to the party is more important to the party leadership than corruption.

Willy Lam, China politics expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong See page 14

THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY

The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the world functions.

1

Rare feat of Germany’s Merkel Angela Merkel becomes only the third post-war chancellor to secure a third term, alongside fellow conservatives Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, the father of national unity.

2

Fearing your wife is good — ask Obama: he knows US President Barack Obama said Monday that he stopped smoking out of fear of his wife, in an unwitting admission captured by a loose microphone.

3

Good news for Oz climate change watchdog An independent Oz climate change watchdog axed last week by the country's new conservative government was resurrected Tuesday.

4

Too busy to comply by Supreme court directions The District Medical and Health Officer in the city has not formed an internal complaint committee.

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T parties making grand plans for win It has started rolling and parties here are bracing for the poll storm.

GHMC MEETING

Big row over bad roads All the party leaders who attended the GHMC council meeting were united about one issue: bad roads.

ALEENA ALICE Aleena.t@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: All the party leaders who attended the GHMC council meeting were united about one issue: bad roads.

Also, the meeting on Monday was different from the previous ones in some aspects.

For one the council meeting saw no abrupt adjournment.

The party leaders were fuming when they spoke to the GHMC chief for the poor condition of roads.

TDP floor leader Singi Reddy questioned the civic authorities as to why only patch work was being taken up and not re-laying the entire road stretch in core areas. He also pointed out the bad quality of material used for mixing and the lack of supervision by the officials.

MIM floor leader Syed Naseeruddin commented on how there seems to be no end on filling and re filling potholes. He suggested that the civic officials should consider laying all weather withstanding roads and use such material.

Several wondered why could the roads be damaged by drizzles.

The GHMC officials, however, defending themselves, committed to complete the works on

October 10 T

he commissioner on Monday promised to repair the battered roads

by October 10.

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damaged roads by October 10.

Engineer-in-chief R Dhan Singh stated that most of the city roads were BT and prone to damage due to water-logging, road-cuttings and urban-flooding. He said that compared to the quality of material used by the Roads and Building Department and the National Highway authorities, the GHMC has been using superior quality of material. “We are using 60/70 grade compared with the R&B and the NHA who go with 80/100. All mandatory procedures like density testing is being conducted as per norms,” he said.

Agreeing that filling of the potholes have not been taking place in a scientific manner, GHMC Commissioner Krishna Babu said that because of insufficient staff they are not able to keep a check on the contractors.

The civic authorities also confessed about not having necessary equipment for road maintenance. “We are running short of staff; however, very soon we will fill up the posts and there should not be any problem.

Since there are not many rollers, the pothole filling is taking place in an unscientific manner.

However we have hired rollers and are using them on continuous basis so that the pothole filling will be more long lasting,” said Krishna Babu

Various party leaders also suggested that regular workshops should be conducted for the engineers and engineers from other states should be invited to interact and discuss on the improvement of the roads.

After months of dealing with bad roads if this could come as any sort of relief for the public, the GHMC chief Krishna Babu fixed a time frame to improve the condition of the roads. The commissioner on Monday promised to repair the battered roads by October 10.

LACK OF FOOD INSPECTORS DRAWS FLAK

Another major issue that drew ire at the council meeting was the insufficient number of food inspectors in the GHMC. Most of the party leaders and corporators pointed out how there are only four food safety officers in the entire GHMC limits. BJP floor leader Bangari Prakas pointed out on how most of the hotels were still continuing to use adulterated oil.

HEALTH CARE

Apollo launches personalised medicine initiative

The project expects to bridge health care and life-sciences and further research and diagnostics applications for better patient care.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: An initiative to study disease epidemiology, validate new diagnostics, identify new drug targets and evaluate new drugs was launched here on Monday. The joint venture to create a world-class human bio-bank and personalised medicine company will enable innovative research and clinical applications.

Apollo Hospitals launched the joint venture Sapien Biosciences along with Saarum

Innovations, which according to its co-founder Sreevatsa G Natarajan, aims at utilising human tissues, primary cells and stem cells to understand better disease biology, develop novel biomarkers and diagnostics, discover novel drug targets and drug therapeutics that translate into improved clinical successes. On the occasion, Sapien Biosciences also announced Myplatelet, which determines patients’ response to their blood-thinning medication and supports decision-making by their cardiologists to person-

alise therapy for better outcomes.

This test combines both genetic and platelet function response to enable tailored antiplatelet therapy for each patient.

Shobana Kamineni, executive director, new initiatives, Apollo Hospitals, said, “This is a proud moment for us at Apollo to be a part of this landmark initiative in the history of Indian health care. Sapien will help fulfil our vision of delivering better clinical outcomes through this bench-to-bedside innovation.”

The plan

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pollo Hospitals launched the joint venture Sapien Biosciences along with Saarum Innovations, which according to its co-founder Sreevatsa G Natarajan, aims at utilising human tissues, primary cells and stem cells to understand better disease biology, develop novel biomarkers and diagnostics, discover novel drug targets and drug therapeutics.

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News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

POLITICS

ANALYSIS

T parties making grand plans for win While Seemandhra is still a cauldron. It is a role reversal where Seemandhra historically enjoyed economic advantage while Telangana suffered.

Md INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: While 13 districts of Seemandhra region continue to burn with unabated agitation for keeping the State united the Telangana region is witnessing a different situation altogether.

The announcement of creation of a Telangana state has prompted key political parties in the region to devote their attention now in strengthening their base.

The ruling Congress which has already started the process of reconstitution of APCC (AP Congress Committee) and District Congress Committees (DCCs) even before the announcement of creation of separate Telangana state has now decided to leverage the advantage that it has got with the proposed T-state formation.

The party is busy preparing strategies to cash in on the positives waves created for the party in the 10 districts of the Telangana region. It has already decided to hold party-based programmes in every nook and cranny of the region and own up the credit for the Telangana state formation.

“We have been telling the people that we would bring the Telangana state and we finally brought it and kept our word. It is now time for us to cash in on our success completely. We are in the process of doing it,” APCC Spokesperson Pyata Ramesh told Postnoon.

Similar is the situation in proTelangana national party BJP. The party is in no mood to lose the credibility it achieved following its bitter struggle for the separate Telangana state.

After successfully holding its prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s first public meeting in Hyderabad last month, the party is now planning to hold a massive public meeting with an aim of fielding Sushma Swaraj in Mahbubnagar district. This meeting is being held on September 28. The meeting is christened as Telangana Vijayabheri.

As the Centre has made it clear that there is no doubt over bifurcation, the Congress, BJP, TRS and even TDP are trying their best to take credit.

By holding this meeting, the BJP wants take credit for the achievement of Telangana state with its strenuous years-long struggle.

“We have already launched the campaign to leverage on the wave created for our party due to the T-factor. We will hold many such programmes in coming days so that the people of Telangana can vote for us,” BJP leader NVSS Prabhakar said.

On the other hand, main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which did not make any concrete effort in the ongoing Telangana state struggle to achieve the state also has grand plans.

The party’s Telangana Forum leaders are already making claims that they played their role in forcing the Congress high command to concede the

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demand of Telangana state.

The leaders are also planning to hold public meetings in all the 10 Telangana districts and attract the attention of the people and win their confidence.

TRS TOO OCCUPIED

The champion of separate Telangana state, the TRS, which surrounded by the reports of merger with ruling congress party, is also busy albeit for a different cause.

The party is holding meetings of students and intellectuals in the name of ‘Hyderabad Sirf Hamara’ in an attempt to counter the efforts of Seemandhra for keeping the state united.

“The TRS has achieved the Telangana state after a 13-yearlong struggle. Now we have become more vigilant as our aim is to ensure that the process of creation of Telangana state concluded peacefully. Until this process is completed, we will act as watchdogs and confront any obstacle that come in the way of the creation of separate Telangana state,” TRS leader Ch. Rakesh said on Monday.

AP drama will end on a farcical note The TDP with no second rung leadership and political acumen is going to be the gross loser in 2014 where the Congress, YSRC and TRS would all gain money and laurels.

PK SURENDRAN surendran.pk@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Postnoon’s prognosis of YSRC and Congress (September 19) is coming true. The abrupt grant of bail to the YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy yesterday is a concrete evidence of the game plan the Congress hatched to win maximum seats for itself in 2014 to further the cause of making Rahul Gandhi prime minister.

The whole plan, say insiders now, has been to ensure the numerical advantage, not common weal.

The party has through various agencies (including that of the governor) realised that there was no way it could recapture the whole of Andhra Pradesh like it did in 2009.

“It has to have a different equation for the 2014. In the scheme of things, there were two factors of paramount importance: to decimate the TDP and to win numbers through tie-ups and adjustments,” says a Congress leader said to be close to Rahul Gandhi.

Accordingly, the plan was to either assimilate or partner the TRS which will deliver at least 10 of the 17 seats from Telangana.

As the Seemandhra is seething with anger and the Congress is doubtful if it ever will regain the popular trust in view of its support to the Telangana, it knew well that the only hope is the YSRC which is nothing but an offshoot sprouted after Jagan was denied the crown after his father’s death.

The party honchos calculate that merging YSRC after it reaps the benefits flowing directly from Seemandhra anger against the Congress would be easy if Jagan is given chief ministership. All will sing hosanna and go back to the pavilion happy.

For the Congress, it would be gaining at least 20 of the 25 seats by proxy. With the T seats, it would ensure the Congress some 35 seats which is sufficient to make up the loss it may suffer elsewhere.

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WHY TDP?

The reason why TDP became a Congress focus is the surprising performance it staged in the recent local body elections.

While local elections are apolitical, there is no denying the fact that the TDP as the only alternative to a nonCongress platform had gained many of its lost grounds in all the regions.

This set alarm bells ringing in the Congress corridor which thought of clipping its wings in the 2014 polls.

The party knew by forging new marital ties and adjustments with TRS and YSRC, it could achieve it.

The whole drama of CBI probe, set upon Jagan by the TDP, may end with a farcical note.

In the whole game, the real loser will be the TDP which does not have advisors with political acumen.

Even the BJP will be a gainer in Telangana, point out political circles.

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News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

PAPER TIGER

Stringent laws to protect women lie inanimate

While people are outshouting each other to protect women from sexual harassment, many recently-passed laws remain on paper. Culprits of this indolence are both private entities and the government.

MOHSIN ALI ali@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: As atrocities, especially rape and sexual assault, against women increase by the day all over the country, sympathisers are busy protesting and demanding death sentence for culprits but practically nobody seems serious in implementing laws meant to protect women.

Even though the Supreme Court has issued directions to all organisations where women work to establish the Internal Complaint Committee under the Sexual Harassment at Workplace 2013 Act passed by the Parliament, government and non-government organisations are either unaware of it or are too busy to attend to the pressing need.

The District Medical and Health Officer here, where over 50 women employees work, has not formed an internal complaint committee. When asked about the delay to form a committee, administrative officer Shanti, said, "Yes we have got the orders from the government, but we have not formed the complaint committee yet as this is the district headquarters for health and we are in the viral infection season. The organisation is busy in its preventive works and has not been able to form the committee.”

When the government sector itself neglects orders of the apex court, the private sector can’t be blamed of similar lethargy. As per the law, complaint committees should also be functioning in schools, colleges, universities,

cinema halls, shopping malls and multinational companies where groups of women work.

Worried over increasing atrocities on women, member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association Swaroopa Rani, said "Many rape cases in Andhra Pradesh are taking place, AROUND THE

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but only cases occurring in the City are being reported. Nobody seems to have any concern for women in villages and gram panchayats. Are not women who live in villages human?”

“No matter how many laws are made to protect women, until we change men's mentality

R&D

How less is more useful Worldwatch Institute’s research and degrowth highlights the need to live on less and encourage only sustainable growth, which means using resources prudentially and in nature-friendly manner.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

A

t a time when our societies continue to be committed to endless economic growth, and attempts to redirect our economy seem futile, what is the role of ‘degrowth’ in humanity’s future?

According to Federico Demaria and Filka Sekulova, members of the academic association Research and Degrowth, degrowth is an essential redirection of the economy that will

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help us live sustainably and prosperously. In other words, not over production but living on less and living in a sustainable manner.

Sekulova and Demaria highlight the need for a new economic system — or at least a new economic indicator that reflects the ecological and social health of societies — that is discussed and forged democratically. Citing the natural and psychological limits to growtheconomies, they argue that we should stop consuming and working in excess, instead, learn how easily we can live on less. As Sekulova soundly notes: “Growth will end whether we want it to or not.” So we should transition to a new economy before further environmental and social crises occur.

Further evidence has emerged emphasising the need to shift away from a reliance on gross domestic product (GDP) as our leading economic indicator.

According to a new article in the journal Ecological Economics, if we instead use the Genuine Progress Indicator — which incorporates environmental and social factors in assessments of economic welfare — we will do better.

R&D’s Can Decreix centre, showcases ways to live according to these principles.

about women, nothing much can be achieved. It is a fact that though the Delhi rape case was one of the most heinous cases, similar incidents are taking place in AP and elsewhere but they are not being treated with an iron hand as the laws demand,” added Rani.

Taking a serious note of the law chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Tripurana Venkataratnam, directed all organisations in the State that come under the purview to form internal complaint committees and send detailed reports to the commission.

"If the required committees are not formed within October this year, strict action will be taken against them. No excuses will be entertained,” she warned.

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News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

THEATRE

Praja’s view of Noor Jahan Popular theatre artistes Aamir Raza Hussain and Virat Hussain were in town recently to showcase their play Noor Jahan at the ITC Kakatiya. Saying that presenting Noor Jahan to the common man today is a challenge, they share with Postnoon a few inputs of the play and more.

ARUN D YELLAMATY arunyellamaty@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Starting with coming to Hyderabad again, Virat said, “I always love coming back to Hyderabad for any excuse, most definitely for a show as we have the greatest audiences here.

This historical play, Noor Jahan, is right for the Hyderabad audience as this city is rich in culture and royalty. This is one audience that will be a very discerning one, so it is a challenge and fun so I’m looking forward to it.”

On showcasing the play in Hyderabad Virat said, “Whenever we talk about anything historical or about royalty, we always think of it as larger than life. This is the first time we have attempted to do a play that one would generally visualise on a much larger canvas. It’s been a challenge to crunch it and bring it down to a confined space but we are looking forward to it. It’s on the life of Noor Jahan, her love story with Jehangir, how they fell in love, were separated and then got back together.

The focus is on people, relationships and love. It focuses on Noor Jahan’s progression as the empress of Hindustan; history repeating itself in the form of them not agreeing to the wedding of Shah Jahan and Arjuman and it goes to the exile of Noor Jahan.

We are trying to portray this with a small cast of seven people, which is challenging, but we focus on these people and bring out even other aspects of the period. It is a true reflection and depiction of costumes and jewellery.”

Virat feels the government should use it to showcase our heritage. She says, “Indian history can seem academic but there is very little that actually fills the colours of our past. Whenever I

look at a historical monument, I wish the walls would whisper to me. I think culture cannot really be preserved by the Government of India. It has to be let out to people to be displayed and enjoyed. This is what will actually protect it. You can recreate an era, enjoy history and be proud of the heritage, like in London.

“In India, we are not allowed to do that. We have suggested to the government to train actors from the ‘Song & Drama’ division instead of having guides to bring the monuments alive but there is no vision. No one wants to take

The focus is on people, relationships and love.

It focuses on Noor Jahan’s progression as the empress of Hindustan. that extra step. There is an inherent desire not to let any progress and development happen because of which the monuments are dead grounds and have lost their pride.

I have been going to the Lal Qila for the last three years and have

seen a gradual deterioration of the Diwan-e-khaas, which is one of the most exquisite buildings, and this breaks my heart. The ceiling with the golden gilded work has fallen off; there is no proper maintenance. They preserve the monument by not allowing anyone to go inside. Even the ceiling in Sheesh Mahal of Lal Qila has fallen off due to moisture and weather changes,” she said.

About working with Virat for many years, Aamir Raza said, “We direct together. We both use the same style so often have differences on how to achieve the

same result but that’s alright.

Fortunately, we both believe in the same school of thought in theatre. We both believe that the presentation has to be as enriching as the performance.”

Describing their style of theatre, he said, “Our style is grand; it is not minimalistic. We believe in being true to the script or the play. The tradition of ‘Stanislavski’ is one which we both do not agree with as we think that everything in that is against the style of the theatre that we follow, but a lot of people in England, America and India follow this tradition.”

WORLD BRIEFS Gunmen kill 10 in northern Mexico

Former FBI agent pleads guilty in AP leak case

DR Congo neighbours call ‘Aussies should be told for accord with rebels of boat turn-backs’

Guatemalan army admits theft of 1,400 grenades

CIUDAD JUAREZ: Gunmen carrying assault rifles opened fire on a crowd celebrating in a house after an amateur baseball game in northern Mexico, killing 10 including a sixyear-old girl, authorities said on Monday. Some 30 people were in the house near the field late on Sunday on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, which borders the US state of Texas.

WASHINGTON: A former FBI agent is pleading guilty to charges he leaked secrets to journalists about a failed Al-Qaeda plot in a case marked by the controversial seizure of reporters’ phone records, US prosecutors said on Monday. He also planned to plead guilty to separate charges he possessed and distributed child pornography.

UNITED NATIONS: African leaders on Monday called on the Democratic Republic of Congo government and opposition rebels to quickly make an accord to end renewed conflict in the east of the country. The heads of state and government at a meet at UN headquarters called for a “swift conclusion” to talks being held in Kampala.

GUATEMALA CITY: The Guatemalan military acknowledged on Monday that 1,449 grenades were stolen from an army base in the country. The grenades, for use with M-79 assault rifles, disappeared from the armory of the First Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces Air Command, a defence ministry spokesperson told reporters.

SYDNEY: A retired Australian navy chief, who once led the turning back of asylum-seeker boats, Tuesday criticised the government’s decision to keep operations to repel vessels under wraps. Australia’s new conservative government led by Prime Minister Tony Abbott has promised to turn back asylum-seeker boats when it is safe to do so.

8

News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

RE-EDUCATION

INCREDIBLE INDIA! Man shot at for not putting onions in omelette LUCKNOW: A man was shot at in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah town for not putting onions in an egg omelette, police said Tuesday. The incident took place in the Aliganj area in Etah.

Pujari, who the police described as a criminal, ordered an omelette for four of AROUND THE

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his friends. When they found there were no onions in it, the group became furious.

Egg vendor Deepu Kashyap told them he could not not afford to buy onions, which have become expensive over the past few weeks.

Pujari then whipped out a pistol and shot at the vendor.

The victim was rushed to a medical facility.

Inspector General of Police (Agra) Ashutosh Pandey said that the assailants were local criminals with many cases registered against them.

IANS

MODEL COURSE

Attacked prof to dispel notions about Sikhs 10 per cent of Sikhs in NY and the San Francisco have experienced bias-based assaults or property damage.

NEW YORK: A Sikh professor who was attacked over the weekend by a large group of teenagers shouting “get Osama” and “terrorist” wants to show core American and Sikh values are the same.

“It’s clear that the associations between beards and turbans and terrorism are devastating for an entire community,” said Prabhjot Singh, assistant professor at Columbia University, who was attacked Saturday evening in Harlem, New York City.

The teenagers surrounded him on bicycles, pulling his beard and punching him. Shortly after the incident a Muslim woman was attacked a few blocks away.

“So I want to continue working to show that core American values are core Sikh values as

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well,” said Singh. “Most importantly, I want it so that my oneyear-old has nothing to fear in this neighbourhood.”

State and federal law enforce-

ment authorities in New York City are investigating the attack as an alleged hate crime, according to two community organisations, the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the Sikh Coalition.

An ambulance rushed Singh to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he also works as a resident physician, SALDEF said. He was hospitalised with displaced teeth, severe bruising and swelling, a small puncture in his elbow, and a possible fracture in his lower jaw.

According to Sikh Coalition community surveys, approximately 10 per cent of respondents in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area have experienced bias-based assaults or property damage because of their Sikh identity.

IANS

NATURE’S FURY A man runs away from a huge wave pushed up by Typhoon Usagi on a wharf in Shantou, south China’s Guangdong province. Typhoon Usagi killed at least 25 people after crashing ashore in southern China, throwing the region’s transport systems into chaos and leaving tens of thousands of airline passengers stranded in Hong Kong on September 23. AFP

Axed Oz climate body reboots with donations SYDNEY: An independent Australian climate change watchdog axed last week by the country’s new conservative government was resurrected Tuesday as a non-profit body funded by public donations.

Formerly known as the Climate Commission, the rebranded Climate Council will continue public information campaigns about the science of climate change, emissions targets and international action.

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“Make no mistake, we’re in the middle of a Titanic struggle, indeed I think that the fight for a clean and safe environmental future is reaching its peak,” Tim Flannery, who previously headed the commission, said.

“The resistance and the disinformation just keep growing.

That’s why we are here today.”

The body was dumped last week by PM Tony Abbott — who once described the science behind man-made climate change as “absolute crap” — in a bid to find savings and trim the civil service.

Flannery said a huge groundswell of public support for the commission had prompted him to resurrect the watchdog as a publiclyfunded operation, with donations pouring in at a rate of Aus$1,000 per hour since midnight.

AFP

NATION BRIEFS Teen raped by neighbour in park in front of PS

Fasting Ganga activist taken to hospital

Encephalitis claims four more lives, toll 289

Dec 16 gangrape: HC Ordinance to exempt hearing from Wednesday lawmakers before Cabinet

GHAZIABAD: A 13-year-old girl was raped by her neighbour in a park situated right in front of a police station in Vijay Nagar area here. Amit, 25, was arrested after locals nabbed him on hearing the girl’s cry for help last night, police said. “The girl and accused’s families lived together in rented accommodation few years ago.

DEHRADUN: Save Ganga activist GD Aggarwal, who has been on indefinite fast since June to protest hydel projects on the river’s tributaries in Uttarakhand, was brought to a city hospital after his condition worsened. The 81-yearold activist was brought to Doon hospital after a team of doctors examined his condition.

GORAKHPUR: The encephalitis menace continues unabated in eastern Uttar Pradesh as four more children succumbed to the disease at BRD Medical College Hospital here, bringing the toll in the disease to 289. “Four children have succumbed to encephalitis in last 48 hours,” sources in the office of additional director (health) said here today.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court will start from Wednesday the day-to-day hearing on the death sentence awarded to four men in Delhi’s December 16 gangrapecum-murder case. The trial court Sep 13 awarded the death sentence to all five convicted, and referred the case to the high court for confirmation of their sentence.

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to today consider an ordinance to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from facing immediate disqualification after having failed to get a Bill to this effect passed in Parliament. According to the Supreme Court verdict, lawmakers convicted in criminal cases with imprisonment of two years or more face immediate disqualification.

9

News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

NAIROBI TERROR ATTACK

Troops ‘in control of mall’

A spokesman said the siege, in which the attackers massacred at least 62 shoppers and staff, was close to being declared over. Special forces were no longer encountering any resistance.

PETER MARTELL & HELEN VESPERINI feedback@postnoon.com NAIROBI: Kenyan troops are in “control” of Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall three days after a deadly siege by Islamists, who, according to Kenya’s foreign minister, include “two to three Americans” and a British woman.

As the interior ministry said that all hostages trapped by the militants are believed to have been freed, Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed underlined the global scope of the attack.

Somalia’s Al Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents have claimed the attack, which began on Saturday when the armed militants marched into the complex, tossed grenades and fired automatic weapons and sent panicked shoppers fleeing.

A government spokesman told AFP the siege, in which the attackers massacred at least 62 shoppers and staff, was close to being declared over. He said special forces combing the building were no longer encountering any resistance.

“Our special forces are inside the building checking the rooms. We think that everyone, the hostages, have been evacuated, but we don’t want to take any chances,” Manoah Esipisu said.

“The special forces call this sanitising.

At the moment they have not met any resistance, but of course we are not ruling out the possibility that there are a couple of them hiding in a remote room or corner,” he added.

“We’re in control of Westgate,” the interior ministry said in a message on Twitter. Throughout the night the area around the mall was quiet, with security personnel either moving or appearing

relaxed.

No details on the numbers of hostages released have been given, but 63 people were earlier recorded missing by the Red Cross, a figure thought to include hostages as well as those possibly killed.

Almost 200 were wounded in the attack, and at least 11 Kenyan troops were wounded in intense gun battles on Monday, the army said.

Special forces on Monday also killed at least three gunmen and wounded several in bitter fighting in the part Israeli-owned complex, which was popular with

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wealthy Kenyans and expatriates. A Kenyan security source and a Western intelligence official said Israeli forces were also involved in operations, along with British and US agents.

Kenyan army chief Julius Karangi said the gunmen were of different nationalities. Many foreign fighters, including Somalis with dual nationalities, are mem-

bers of the Shebab force.

“They are from different countries. We have sufficient intelligence this is global terrorism,” Karangi said.

The Shebab rebels said the carnage was in retaliation for Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia where they are battling the Islamists.

“If you want Kenya in peace, it will not happen as long as your boys are in our lands,” rebel spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage said in a statement posted on an Islamist website.

SEE SOMALIA’S SHEBAB: DANGEROUS WHEN CORNERED PG 16 & 17

KICKING THE HABIT

Obama stopped smoking out of ‘fear of wife’ NEW YORK CITY: US President Barack Obama said Monday that he stopped smoking out of fear of his wife, in an unwitting admission captured by a loose microphone.

The US leader, taking part in an event on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly on the importance of civil society, was exchanging small talk at the end of his remarks.

In a recording taped by CNN, Obama is standing up after the event and asking the man next to him if he had given up smoking.

When the question is returned to

him, Obama, in a light-hearted tone with a smile on his lips, said: “I haven’t had a cigarette in probably six years. That’s because I’m scared of my wife.”

Usually known for his fit figure

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and healthy lifestyle, Obama has long had a weakness for cigarettes and depicted himself as a smoker in his memoir of his youth, “Dreams From My Father.”

Obama’s smoking habit and his efforts to quit became favorite topics in the US media from the time he started his campaign for the White House in the 2008 election.

In his first year in office, Obama described himself as “95 per cent cured” from smoking but admitted he has occasionally “fallen off the wagon” in his efforts.

First lady Michelle Obama, a campaigner for public health, has been open about her distaste for her husband’s smoking but said that he never lit up in front of their two daughters.

PICK YOUR

@

Across Stores

ities Twin C

News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

WAR! OH WHAT FUN!

CHARGE OF THE LAST BRIGADE History buffs will never forget the disastrous Last Cavalry Charge during Worldf War II. Some scenes from a reconstruction of the theatre at Lomianki, Poland.

AFP/JANEK SKARZYNSKI

10&11

ARMY conscription dies out in Europe However, not all are swimming with the tide. Switzerland Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Austria, Greece and Cyprus have kept their system of conscription.

GENEVA: Swiss voters on Sunday rejected plans to axe compulsory military service, but the practice has become increasingly rare in Europe since the Cold War ended.

In place since the 19th century in most European countries, conscription armies have gradually been replaced by professional forces since the 1960s.

In the region, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Austria, Greece and Cyprus are the only other countries to have kept their system of conscription.

Led by Britain and Luxembourg in the 1960s and followed in the 1990s and 2000s by nations including Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Germany, successive European countries have abandoned the call-up.

When it comes to those that maintain conscription, Norway has gone against the tide and is set to extend it to women, in line with a decision by parliament voted last June.

This measure, passed in the name of equality between the sexes and expected to enter into force in 2015, is easy to exchange for civilian service.

In Finland, military service is compulsory for stints of between six and 12 months. Civilian service, which is available for conscientious objectors, is not encouraged as it is twice as long as military service.

In Denmark, military service is still in theory obligatory, but out of nearly 5,000 people in service in 2012, 95.8

percent were volunteers, with the remaining 4.2 percent being drawn out of a hat.

Estonia maintains obligatory military service for a period of eight to 11 months.

In Austria, citizens overwhelmingly voted by 59.8 percent in January to maintain conscription. Some 22,000 every year carry out six months of military service.

Austrians who do not want to do military service can do nine months of civilian service.

In Cyprus and Greece

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conscription has also been maintained, while its duration has been progressively been reduced to nine to 12 months.

Sunday's referendum in Switzerland marked the latest attempt by anti-military campaigners to use the Alpine country's system of direct democracy to scrap conscription, but 73 percent backed the status quo in Sunday's referendum.

AFP

12

News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

ABOUT A CHANCELLOR

The pastor’s daughter who conquered Germany Angela Merkel’s historic victory in Sunday’s vote was a personal triumph, bringing home the conservatives’ top score since reunification in 1990 and nearly capturing an absolute majority.

DEBORAH COLE feedback@postbnoon.com BERLIN: Angela Merkel, an unflappable pastor’s daughter, cemented her title as the world’s most powerful woman Sunday, triumphantly romping home to a third term as German chancellor.

Her position going into the election had already been so strong that she often seemed to transcend politics, simply ignoring her opponent Peer Steinbrueck along the way.

But her historic victory in Sunday’s vote was a personal triumph, bringing home the conservatives’ top score since reunification in 1990 and nearly capturing an absolute majority.

She becomes only the third post-war chancellor to secure a third term, alongside fellow conservatives Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, the father of national unity.

This month a giant billboard went up at Berlin’s main train station featuring only a picture of the 59-year-old chancellor’s hands folded in her trademark diamond-shape gesture.

Quite simply, the mighty Merkel was the message.

After eight years at the helm of the top European economy, and three as the go-to leader in the eurozone crisis, Merkel was rewarded for navigating the country through the turmoil and leaving it stronger than before.

But abroad, angry protesters have marched through the streets of Athens, Lisbon and Madrid blaming her for national budget cuts they say are choking off desperately needed economic growth, some even brandishing caricatures of Merkel in Nazi garb.

“I am determined to see Europe emerge stronger from the crisis,” she intones regularly.

“Germany can only be strong with a strong Europe”.

During a widely criticised campaign virtually devoid of real substance, observers complained that Merkel lulled the prosperous country into a false sense of security 23 years after its joyful reunification.

“Merkel perfectly embodies the sensibilities of the Germans in the early 21st century,” the publisher of the influential week-

Angela’s Ascension

ly Die Zeit, Josef Joffe, wrote last month.

“You don’t have to expect any threatening new tacks from her, no tough decisions for or against. She is perfectly predictable in her flexibility and the risk-averse electorate loves it.

Merkel is us, and we are Merkel.”

Her late biographer Gerd Langguth found a “sphinx-like quality” in her, allowing Merkel to quietly triumph in the most unlikely circumstances.

Merkel dispensed with rivals in her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) despite being a misfit in a party of mainly Roman Catholic family men from the wealthy southwest.

A twice-married childless Protestant raised in communist East Germany, she has become the unchallenged conservative leader of her generation.

Power player and Swabian housewife The girl born Angela Kasner in 1954 left Hamburg in then West Germany a few weeks after her birth when her Protestant preacher father decided to tend to the flock in the East.

Locals remember her fierce

‘Merky’ figures

4

Merkel’s position on Forbes list of The World’s Most Powerful People, 2011.US President Barack Obama tops the list, while the Prime Minister is, appropriately, at no. 10.

66%

Merkel’s personal approval rating in Germany, as of July 2012.

17

Number of countries around the world with women as head of government or head of state, as of 2012.

intellect and discretion as a Christian in a totalitarian state.

She earned a physics doctorate, married and divorced fellow student Ulrich Merkel, and stayed out of politics until the

Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

In 1990 she joined the CDU and won her first parliamentary seat.

Then chancellor Kohl made her minister for women’s issues and later environmental affairs, and bestowed on her the fond but patronising nickname “the girl”.

But in 2000, the frumpy newcomer rose to the head of the CDU when she alone had the courage to tell Kohl to quit as party chairman over a slush fund scandal.

In 2005 she unseated Social Democratic (SPD) chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after seven years in power, becoming Germany’s first female chancellor as well as its youngest.

She is also the only woman to lead a major European power since Margaret Thatcher of Britain. During her first term, Merkel presided over a loveless “grand coalition” between the conservatives and their traditional rivals, the SPD. Her decisive victory in the 2009 vote allowed her to drop the SPD in favour of the smaller, probusiness Free Democrats, but her junior ally crashed out Sunday sending Merkel back to a right-

1954 Angela Dorothea Kasner is born in Hamburg, but her family later moves to communist East Germany, where she is raised.

1982 Angela Merkel’s first marriage to physics student Ulrich Merkel ends in divorce after five years.

She decides to keep his surname.

1998 Merkel marries her second husband, quantum chemist Joachim Sauer.

1999 Merkel writes an open letter, printed on the front page of the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine calling for the Christian Democrats to reject Helmut Kohl 2005 Merkel becomes the first female chancellor of Germany and the first former East German to hold the post.

2009 Bucking the post-financial crisis trend for European leaders to be ousted, Merkel is reelected chancellor.

May 2012 Hollande’s victory in the French presidential election and a defeat for the Christian Democrats in a key German local election, marks the beginning of a European backlash against Merkel-fronted austerity.

July 2012 After a regional court outlaws circumcision in Germany, Merkel speaks out in favour of allowing the practice.

left tie-up.

Forbes magazine has named her the world’s most powerful woman for seven out of the last eight years.

Critics say her science background leads her to scrutinise the minutiae and at times dither, which in the euro crisis has left ailing European partners to twist in the wind. Rivals also find her chameleon-like qualities exasperating.

Merkel was a staunch defender of nuclear power until Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011, prompting a dizzying about-face that has seen her pledge to phase out all of Germany’s nuclear power reactors by 2022.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Business

ASIAN SHARES SLIP AFTER WALL STREET LOSSES

Asian markets slipped on Tuesday following losses on Wall Street, while attention turns to a brewing row in Washington over the budget that threatens to shut down parts of the US economy.

FISCAL WOES IN THE US

TIE-UP WINS IMMINITY

Federal agencies set for government shutdown The current fiscal year ends September 30 and Congress remains bitterly split over spending, in particular over President Barack Obama’s landmark health care law.

MICHAEL MATHES feedback@postnoon.com WASHINGTON: The Obama administration warned US federal agencies to prepare for a possible government shutdown that could hobble the US economy, as Congress wrangled over a fast-approaching budget deadline.

The current fiscal year ends September 30 and Congress remains bitterly split over spending, in particular over President Barack Obama’s landmark health care law.

The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would prevent a shutdown at the price of defunding what has become known as ‘Obamacare’.

The president has warned that this is a non-starter, and now the House and Senate are left with one week to thrash out a compromise. Should they fail, several government agencies will close on October 1, placing hundreds of thousands of nonessential staff on unpaid leave.

Agencies are finalizing contingency plans. The Pentagon said some civilian employees would be ordered to stay home, and Congress would have to ensure retroactive pay for civilians required to come to work.

“Military personnel would be paid but maybe not on time,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

White House senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer sought to lay blame squarely on Republicans, some of whom he accused of

13

WASHINGTON: The US government granted Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways antitrust immunity for their proposed transatlantic joint venture, saying it would likely boost competition. The Department of Transportation said it had approved the request from the two airlines for protection from prosecution over antitrust issues.

“We have concluded that, overall, the alliance and joint venture will be pro-competitive and are likely to generate substantial public benefits to the traveling public,” DoT said in its order. DoT said that it had received no objection to its tentative decision, announced August 30.

NUMEROLOGY

$4.7

bn

is the buyout amount agreed to by BlackBerry. The bid was made by a consortium.

BB RETREAT PLAN UNLIKELY TO STEM DECLINE PG 20

GOOGLE VS AUTHORS

caring “more about scoring political points on Obamacare than keeping the government open and our economy moving forward.

“This kind of up-to-thefinal-hour brinksmanship is beyond irresponsible,” he said in an email to Obama supporters.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget recently issued a memo on how agencies should plan for a “lapse in appropriations.”

The Democratic-led Senate is expected to amend the House’s bill, which funds government at current levels until

December 15, by removing the clause defunding Obamacare.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid set up a test vote for the bill this Wednesday, insisting he would not let Republican “fanatics” hold the government “hostage to their demands.”

A handful of Senate Republicans led by upstart Senator Ted Cruz have pledged to try to block Reid, but by Monday their supporters were peeling away.

Pfeiffer said he was looking to “reasonable congressional Republicans” to help avoid a government shutdown or

worse, a default on US debt, with Congress needing to increase the nation’s legal borrowing limit in coming weeks or face default.

Americans are firmly opposed to shutting down government, polls show, even over an unpopular health law.

A CNBC poll showed 59 per cent oppose the idea, while 19 per cent would support shutting down government rather than funding Obamacare.

The last two shutdowns happened in November and December of 1995, the second lasting 21 days, when Democrat Bill Clinton was president.

GOLD `29,835 10g SILVER `49,287 1kg

24C

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NEW YORK CITY: A federal judge pointedly questioned attorneys for the Authors Guild in a long-running case on whether Google’s bookscanning project violates copyright law. The two sides presented oral arguments in a hearing on whether the case should be dismissed, or whether the authors can maintain their challenge to the massive digitization project.

US District Judge Denny Chin said a core question in determining the case is whether there is “benefit to society” in helping users find information from books, or permitting data mining.

THUS SPAKE [The sale] will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees.

BSE NSE

PREM WATSA, HEADC OF FAIRFAX, BUYERS OF BLACKBERRY

19,985.13 84.17

5,918.00 28.25

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Comment

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

With the proceedings and trials to continue even after it, we smell a rat in the timing of grant of bail to Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy, for it exposes a possible political understanding between YSR Congress and the ruling Congress.

THE DRAGON RISES

14

THE WARNING’S ON THE WALL NEIL CONNOR

CHINESE WHISPERS

T

he conviction of disgraced top politician Bo Xilai was less about eradicating ubiquitous corruption in China and more about warning Communist Party cadres to stay loyal to the new leadership or suffer the consequences, observers say.

President Xi Jinping, who took office earlier this year, has vowed to tackle both low-level “flies” and high-ranking “tigers” in an anti-corruption drive that has led to expectations that past and present political big-hitters could be targeted.

But despite the downfall of the former Chongqing party chief — jailed for life on corruption charges Sunday — the tough rhetoric is unlikely to be matched with action against endemic graft as long as the newly installed leadership can count on loyalty, experts say.

Bo’s spectacular fall from grace came after he became a standard bearer for those who favoured his populist left-leaning policies.

Observers say this became more of a threat to the legitimacy of the reform-minded political elite than the sensational scandal that engulfed him, including the murder of a British businessman for which Bo’s wife was convicted.

The former elite politburo member was convicted of taking $3.3 million worth of bribes.

It is an amount that pales into insignificance compared with the huge fortunes alleged to have been amassed by the families of Xi and former premier Wen Jiabao in investigations by US media, said David Zweig from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

But he said that the objective of Bo’s trial was not to uncover corruption, but to ensure he was silenced.

“They have really kept this small, which is an important message they are trying to send,” he said, adding that Communist Party top brass do not want to

discuss huge sums, “just a few million”.

“They do not want to reflect on other people in the way that Bloomberg and the New York Times have both accused the Xi and Wen families of massive wealth.”

Zweig added that the ending of Bo’s political career has the broader aim of weakening the party’s left-wing elements.

“It is not just the standard purge,” he said. “He will spend a lot of time in jail. It is a message to the left they do not have someone they can rally around here.

He is done for.”

Bo staged a feisty defence in court that surprised many observers, and his show of defiance was seen as a factor behind his heavy sentence.

He again erupted in anger when the life sentence was handed down, shouting out “Unfair!” and “Unjust!” according to the South China Morning Post which did not say how it learned of the comments were not in official accounts of the closed-door hearing.

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that Beijing could take the drastic step of targeting an even higher-ranking figure

and Bo ally, the recently retired Zhou Yongkang.

The former security tsar served until last November on the then nine-member super elite politburo standing committee, but Willy Lam, China politics expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said a move to investigate him is highly unlikely.

“With Bo, Xi Jinping has made his point,” said Lam. “Obedience to the party is more important to the party leadership than corruption.”

“All this going after big tigers is divisive and causes disunity among the factions, and this is why Xi will not go after Zhou Yongkang.”

Bo’s leftist revival during his tenure as party chief in the southwestern mega-city of Chongqing saw thousands of officials sent to the countryside to get closer to ordinary people, and the staging of mass concerts with “red songs” praising former leader Mao Zedong.

After his downfall, factions in the upper echelons of the Communist Party were reportedly split on how to handle him, and a year and a half passed following his detention before he went on trial.

“Many Chinese people liked Bo for his populist approach to politics and policy,” said Mary Gallagher, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan.

“His tendency to look for popular support hurt him with his colleagues, but I think it gave some citizens the taste for more democratic politics.”

EDITORIAL Supreme relief for aam aadmi

T

he tax payers of the country, who have always been at the receiving end, had been cruelly tortured by the Congress government with its ‘Unique Identification Authority of India’, known as the Aadhar card. Never in independent India had a government bent on thrusting a provision on the people with such ferocity and all right-minded people who are free from political sycophancy had ever been convinced the urgency of the Aadhar card when one is already saddled with one dozen cards — from and identity card to a PAN card. Now, the apex court has mercifully used the surgeon’s knife to dissect the government Aadhar, which we dare say was a conspiracy

READERS’ VIEWS

to milk the exchequer. “The Aadhar card cannot be made mandatory. If anyone applies for it, then it should be verified if that person is a genuine citizen of India or not,” remarked the court. How true we have been when we pointed out long ago that this attempt was a Congress game to swell its vote bank by issuing this card to lakhs of immigrants camping in various parts of the country. There are all sorts of immigrants, legal and illegal, lurking in various states protected under a false charitable notion of ‘humanitarian grounds.’ Will any country accept poor Indians on humanitarian grounds? The legal circles had pointed out that many Burmese and Bangaldeshi people, who

have either been driven out from their countries or sneaked in, are given ration cards, which become a basis for Aadhar card too. It was in a way a betrayal of citizens born here. It is not clear how many crores have been sunk on a non-essential service like the Aadhar card. Only a new government in Delhi will probe the murky affair. One thing is sure. The Supreme Court has brought relief to the common man who has been constantly harassed over this card at every turn to such an extent that the government even insisted you have to have an Aadhar card to get your pension! Not even Mussolini or Hitler has brought out a law like this. And, we are a democratic country.

We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or # Plot No 550-A1,3rd Floor, Road No 92, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad-500033 Landmark – Volkswagen showroom or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams

AFP

15

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

workplace LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

KNOW YOUR COMPANY

Moulding them right When you are negotiating for a new job, also negotiate for learning and development, which eventually gets added to the company’s growth.

I

t has been a known culture globally with companies to have regular training sessions for their employees. The sorts of training employees are referred to depend on the level at which they currently are and what it is that they are looking for.

Why do companies do this? What can be accomplished? Is it a good practice?

The reason why companies invest in additional training sessions is so that employees can find new ways of enhancing their work quality. This, in turn, ensures the constant growth of the company. With the rise in competition of skills possessed by an individual and their value at the workplace, companies are making it mandatory for their senior officials to take part in external training sessions.

There are companies and people who work daily on increasing your capabilities, potential and knowledge on the subject of your role. It is no longer enough that you are a capable manager, what you need is all skills that are required to be the manager who can be promoted to a

higher post — someone your team members can look at with awe. How do you come to becoming this holier than thou manager? One way is hard work, and hard work

always pays. Another way is by attending a workshop or lecture on how to enhance your skills.

No two people are the same, hence no problems are the same and no problem has just one solution. What if you find more than one way to fix

a problem, a complex problem with lots of small nuts and bolts missing? What if you could multitask and delegate all your work, without being a pushover? What

would you do if your CEO walked into your office tomorrow and asked you to head the company’s biggest account?

When under pressure, the smallest of problems sometimes feel like giant mountains that cannot be moved.

This has become a leading cause for under performance; it is not the lack of skills but the lack of understanding how to stay calm and achieve what may seem difficult but is not impossible.

This is where companies like Webinar come into play.

These are the guys that come into your office, sit down or stand behind a podium, with a cup of coffee and tell you how to be superman.

These guys and countless guys like these show the light at the end of the tunnel, they help you become better managers, fix that gigantic complex problem with all the missing nuts and bolts, teach you how to be a leader that can lead, make you the man that the CEO chooses to walk up to for solutions.

What do you have to do?

Nothing! All you need to do is be part of the sessions; it’s your company and your CEO who has invested the money and time in you, so that in three months or three years you’re still their best man/ woman for the job.

EA Games It is an American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of videogames. It was founded and incorporated in 1982 under Trip Hawkins. The company was one of the first to have pioneered the home computer games revolution. It was known for promotings it designers and programmers who were responsible for designing those games. EA develops and publishes games under several labels including EA Sports titles. The other labels produce Battlefield and Need for Speed.

DID YOU KNOW...

$66.7mn is the amount designer Ralph Lauren takes home as a compensation for one year. He opened his flagship store in the fall of 2010 in New York City. The company now sells clothing, shoes, jewellery, home goods and fragrances.

WORK CULTURE

Contributed by Mariam Ali, an HR expert

I work as a copywriter. I like working here because it gives me the freedom to think at my own pace.

No one is in a rush which does not mean we are lazy. I am given my own space, without anyone looking over my shoulder, plus there seems to be a lot to learn from the seniors and I am learning through experience.

It doesn’t seem like work because of the fun we have. Some of us just pull out the bean bags and sit and work instead of working like robots glued to their chairs, like in other companies. The activities that take place every few weeks makes us feel like we are back in school.

Amazing cafetaria with shelves filled with food!

Bandhur Bajaj Umayma Dastagir White Thoughts Google

18

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

spotlight A TIME OF REMINISCENCE

1

5

6

FOND MEMORIES Sherry Javeri organised a get-together at Radisson Blu to honour the life of her late husband Rai Sahib Sadruddin Hashim Ali Javeri 2

3

4

7

9

10

11

8

15

16

13

18

19

17

14

14 Hasan & Renu

1 Nida Khan

8 Aalim & Jasinta

2 Rekha Jain & Prakash

9 Ravi & Preeti

15 Moushmi & Sudheer

3 Lakshmi Devi & CP

10 Kiran & Nitin

16 Dalim

4 Swarnjeet & Anita

11 Mohammed Khan

17 Rummy Azad & Samer

5 Bobby Khandari

12

& Sherry

6 Karuna Gopal

12 Surender & Kamlesh

7 Guests at the event

13 Mubashir & Zia

18 Aniqa & Ali Bilgrami 19 Andrew McAllister

& Sanghee

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

health

THE FEEL-GOOD MOVIE SYNDROME

Recent research points out that media can be used as to uplift viewer’s moods and could be a powerful means of generating hope. Exposure to different types of positive entertainment media, led to positive emotional responses.

PREGNANT MUM SPARKS OUTCRY

19

Weight-lifting while you are

Two weeks shy of her due date and lifting weights. Lea-Anne Ellison sparks a debate JACQUE WILSON feedback@postnoon.com

PREGNANT?

encouraged,” Kristen Funk wrote.

Exercise is encouraged durhave been ing pregnancy, says Dr. Siobhan CrossFitting for 2½ Dolan, an ob-gyn and medical years,” Ellison posted adviser for March of Dimes. on CrossFit’s Ellison’s routine is an extreme Facebook page, “and strongly example, but most moms can believe that pregnancy is not an benefit from aerobic activity and illness, but a time to relish in strength training before and after your body’s capabilities to kick childbirth, she says.

“A woman’s overall health, ass.”

The photo of the 35-year-old including obstetric and medical former bodybuilder from risks, should be evaluated before California prompted a slew of prescribing an exercise procomments — both positive and gram,” the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ negative.

“This is shocking and not in a guidelines say. “Generally, pargood way. Lifting heavy things ticipation in a wide range of during pregnancy is dangerous recreational activities appears to to you and your baby,” Natalie be safe during pregnancy; however, each sport should be Rose wrote.

“Why would you risk hurt- reviewed individually for its ing your baby just to stay in potential risk.”

In general doctors recomshape?” Stephanie Herrera asked. “This is the stupidest mend 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the thing I’ve ever heard.”

Others jumped in to defend week, Dolan says. What “moderate” means varies from person to the fit mom.

“I’m 6 months pregnant with person, and depends on how triplets and am still Crossfitting active someone was before as much as I can!” Carol Bolliger becoming pregnant. Competitive athletes, the gynecologists’ shared.

“Doctors say it is perfectly organisation notes, may be able fine to stick to your exercise to perform at higher rates during route while pregnant, in fact it is pregnancy and return to vigor-

“I

ous activity sooner after giving birth.

It would be great if everyone got in shape and started exercising before becoming pregnant, Dolan says. “But in the real world, I get it, you’re working, you’re busy.

“Pregnancy is a great motivator,” she says, but women who have never exercised before should be careful about starting a strenuous program right off the bat. Walking is a good way to start; you can begin slowly and then build up.

There are certain things pregnant women should avoid while exercising. Activities with a high risk of falling or abdominal

injury, such as horseback riding or downhill skiing should be avoided, as should scuba diving.

Lying flat on your back or on your stomach can slow blood flow back to the heart, Dolan says, so pregnant women should also modify these exercise positions.

Modification can help you keep up with your normal workout routine. For instance, sit-ups can be done on the side instead of on the back. There’s even a website dedicated to WODs — or workouts of the day — created specifically for CrossFit moms.

“CrossFit is a strength and intensity-based fitness program,” a warning on the site says. “However, during pregnancy you want to concentrate on strength and keeping your body healthy, rather than the intensity.”

Intensity is the bigger concern about what Ellison is doing, says Dr. Raul Artal, chairman of St. Louis University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health as well as the lead author of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidelines for exercise and pregnancy. Lifting

big weights — in excess of 15 pounds — could put both mom and baby at risk, he says.

When lifting weights, Artal explains, you divert blood flow from internal organs, including the uterus, to your muscles. That can prevent oxygen from getting to the baby. He compares it to stepping on the umbilical cord for 20 or 30 seconds, or however long you are exerting yourself.

Weightlifting can also put the mom at risk for premature labour, Artal says. Bearing down could potentially lead to uterine activity — i.e. start contractions — or rupture membranes in the gestational sac, which surrounds the embryo in early pregnancy.

“What’s important to point out is that individuals may get away with this activity and nothing will happen,” he says.

“What’s difficult for doctors to predict is which mother will have a problem.”

While Artal says he would advise women not to engage in this type of activity any time during the pregnancy, “this is a very personal decision. A woman would have to decide if she’s willing to take the risk.”

Ellison has obviously made her choice.

20

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Technology THE INSIDE STORY

BB retreat plan unlikely to stem decline BlackBerry Ltd’s plan to retreat from the consumer market in favor of its serving businesses and governments is expected to make its case worse.

TORONTO: BlackBerry Ltd’s plan to retreat from the consumer market in favor of its traditional strength serving businesses and governments is widely seen as a desperate move that industry watchers warn will only accelerate its downward spiral.

The strategic shift and dramatic restructuring are fueling fears about BlackBerry’s longterm viability. The uncertainty created could easily push a growing number of its telecom partners, business customers and consumers to abandon the platform.

“Perception is nine tenths of reality and if customer and supplier confidence continues to fall it doesn’t matter how much cash they have on the balance sheet.

Things could get worse,” said GMP Securities analyst Deepak Kaushal.

The Canadian smartphone maker, once the leader in wireless email, announced the change in focus on Friday afternoon when it also said it will report a quarterly loss of close to $1 billion and slash more than a third of its workforce.

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE

In response to queries about its future sales strategy BlackBerry said on Sunday it would provide more detail when it announces quarterly earnings on September 27.

On Friday, Chief Executive Thorsten Heins said the strategic shift to focus on so-called

Z-10 bet... a bad bet

B

lackBerry bet heavily that its Z10 touchscreen smartphone - the first powered by its new BlackBerry 10 operating system - would help it recoup some of the luster it enjoyed when users of these devices were mostly lawyers, bankers and politicians. The bet has not paid off.

enterprise customers would play to the company’s strengths in security and reliability.

“Security matters and enterprises know the gold standard in enterprise mobility is BlackBerry,” he said in a statement.

Blackberry still has a substantial subscriber base - 72 million users globally at the end of June, though that did decline from 76 million three months earlier.

The company has struggled ever since Apple Inc’s iPhone and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd’s Galaxy phones, using Google’s Android software, grew to dominate a market that was previously BlackBerry’s and had once made it highly profitable.

BlackBerry bet heavily that its Z10 touch-screen smartphone - the first powered by its new BlackBerry 10 operating system - would help it recoup some of the luster it enjoyed when users of these devices were mostly lawyers, bankers

Fan base

B

lackberry still has a substantial subscriber base - 72 million users globally at the end of June, though that did decline from 76 million three months earlier.

and politicians.

The bet has not paid off.

GMP’s Kaushal estimates as many as 3 million of the latest BlackBerry 10 phones are gathering dust with distributors who have been unable to sell them. For the second quarter, the company said it expects to have sold about 3.7 million BlackBerry smartphones to end users.

“I don’t understood why they thought they ought to be pursuing the consumer at all, given the fact that Apple and Samsung really had the strength in that area,” said Ross Healy, a

SAMSUNG, LG SETTLE

SEOUL: South Korean electron-

ic giants Samsung and LG have agreed to end a year-long battle over display technology patents that spawned a series of lawsuits.

LG Display and Samsung Display -- respectively the world’s top and number two display panel manufacturers -- had locked horns over a number of patents for next-generation display technologies for TVs and other devices.

“It was agreed that we two should focus more on cementing our leadership in the global market by cooperation, instead of engaging in all-consuming patent disputes,” Samsung Display said in a statement late Monday.

CHRYSLER HEADS TO IPO

CHICAGO: US automaker

Chrysler reluctantly filed papers Monday for an initial public stock offering after Italian parent Fiat failed to reach a deal to purchase the stake of a workers’ trust fund.

Sergio Marchionne, who leads both Chrysler and Fiat, had repeatedly said he hoped to avoid an IPO as he seeks full ownership of the third largest US automaker.

But the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust has demanded a stock offering in hopes of getting a better payout.

portfolio manager with MacNicol & Associates, whose clients own BlackBerry shares.

A shift back to corporate customers is no clear fix. Many big organizations are already handling rival devices on their internal networks and employees are increasingly allowed to choose their preferred device, blurring the boundary between business and consumer markets.

For example, Credit Suisse is not supporting the Blackberry 10 and is helping employees globally to switch to iPhone and Android-run devices.

“We don’t support BlackBerry 10 because of the added cost to our servers,” said Credit Suisse U.S.-based spokeswoman Marcy Frank.

The bank still supported older BlackBerry devices because there were plenty of staff who continued to use them, she said, but added: “We’re driving people toward bring your own device (BYOD) ... we encourage people to give up their BlackBerry.”

The head of technology procurement at a major North American bank, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak to media, said that while email and security are features in BlackBerry’s favor, employees were increasingly turning to Apple and Android.

“We will purchase a limited number of BB10 but our inventory of BlackBerry devices will definitely and drastically reduce as we implement a broader BYOD implementation over the next 18 months,” he said.

BlackBerry was losing support at companies even before Friday’s warning, said Phillip Redman, vice president of mobile solutions and strategy for Citrix Systems Inc, which provides software that helps companies manage mobile devices.

He said he had met with technology staff at 60 companies in various industries and none had a strategy of adding more BlackBerrys to their mobile device fleets.

ELDRIDGE FOR CONGRESS? WASHINGTON: Sean Eldridge, husband of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, has announced he is running for the US Congress next year.

The 27-year-old Democrat posted a message on Twitter late Sunday saying he will run for a seat in New York’s 19th congressional district.

“Right now the voices of everyday New Yorkers are being drowned out by the special interests and party politics, causing gridlock in Washington,” Eldridge said in a YouTube video announcing his campaign.

“We need an independent voice who will fight for us, that’s why I’m running for Congress.”

21

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Entertainment RELEASE DATE

ATHARINTIKI DHAREDHI to release on September 27

A

ctor Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film, Atharintiki Dharedhi is all set to release on September 27.

The film unit, however, was shocked to know that about 90 minutes of the film’s footage was leaked online. Emergency measures have been taken to make sure that nothing like this is repeated in the future. Directed by Trivikram Srinivas and produced by BVSN Prasad, the film stars Pawan Kalyan and Samantha in the lead.

CINE BYTES ANR deserves a Bharat Ratna

W

hile addressing an audience at a recent event, noted politician T Subbirami Reddy had only good words for ANR. “ANR deserves a Bharat Ratna for his contribution to cinema.

His discipline is an example to one and all,” Subbirami said.

Thaman gets gifted by Sivamani

M

usic composer S S Thaman was gifted a pair of drumsticks by ace drummer, Sivamani.

The drumsticks were autographed by the drummer himself. Thaman was ecstatic and considered it to be a like a lifetime achievement award.

Sunil as Baktha Kannapa

S

ources have confirmed that actor Sunil is being roped in to play the lead in Tanikellani Bharani’s next. The film is going to be based on the story of Baktha Kannapa who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

Final touches to the script are being rendered presently and the film will go on floors early next April.

22

Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

IN THE LEAD

BIPS likes her own screen space

CINE BYTES

Shaadi ke Side Effects to release in 2014

A

ctress Vidya Balan has confirmed the release date of her next film, Shaadi ke Side Effects.

“My next movie is releasing on February 14, 2014. It’s with Farhan Akhtar. We are almost done with the shoot,” says Vidya.

The 35-year old actress was last seen in Ghanchakkar which didn’t do too well at the box-office.

Hopefully her next film will be a laugh-riot.

Badtameez Dil gets postponed

T

A

ctress Bipasha Basu likes to be in the lead.

Recently, she was considered for a role in two biggies – one to play a third actress alongside Yami Gautam and Sonakshi Sinha in Prabhudeva’s Action Jackson and another to play Riteish Deshmkh’s love interest in Humshakals.

She refused Action Jackson but agreed for Humshakals as it is a lead role. What she probably doesn’t know is that she would still be sharing screen space with Esha Gupta and Tamannah Bhatia, who is quite popular down south.

Is Bips quite obsessive with her screen space? Let’s wait and watch.

he cast and crew of Badtameez Dil, starring Kareena Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi was to go on floors but currently shooting has been postponed. A source close said that Emraan Hashmi said that he had initially given dates to Badtameez Dil but forgot that he had allotted the same for Kunal Deshmukh’s Shaatir.

Suhana doesn’t recognise Deepika

F

or her upcoming film, Happy New Year, Deepika Padukone plays a Maharashtrian girl.

When King Khan’s daughter, Suhana saw the test shots on Deepika’s phone and couldn’t recognise her. Deepika sure knows how to get in character.

Let’s hope you don’t get too carried away with the characterisation that we don’t recognise you anymore.

Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

23

Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

24

25

Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

APOLOGY ACCEPTED

CINE BYTES

I've taken my share of lashings: CHRIS BROWN R

apper Chris Brown says he too had his share of problems and that he is a changed man now.

In 2010, the 23-year-old condemned for physically assaulting his then girlfriend Rihanna.

"You have to go through the struggle before you can get to the good part. I don't try to lash out at people, or be as mad or impulsive as I used to be," mirror.co.uk quoted Brown as saying.

"I got to the point where it's only so much you can take from the master, you feel me?

I've taken my fair share of lashings," he added. – IANS

Hurley upset Warne wouldn't set a wedding date

A

ctress Elizabeth Hurley has reportedly broken off her engagement to Shane Warne because the former cricketer refused to set a wedding date.

Hurley, 48, wanted to set a wedding date and take their relationship to the next level but Warne was happy with the way things were going. IANS

Quentin Tarantino to play Roger Corman

F

ilmmaker Quentin Tarantino will reportedly star as filmmaker Roger Corman in a new biopic.

Corman is known for making mostly B-grade movies and the film, which is titled The Man with the Kaleidoscope Eyes, will be on his controversial drug drama The Trip, reports IANS femalefirst.co.uk.

Michelle Keegan gets back her engagement ring

A

ctress Michelle Keegan was seen flaunting her engagement ring after getting it resized.

Keegan was proposed by fiance Mark Wright a fortnight ago but the ring didn't fit her well, so she gave it to a jeweler to get it resized. The actress was on her way to the airport here, when the engagement ring was seen on her finger, reports dailymail.co.uk.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Chai Time

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Civilized life has altogether grown too tame, and, if it is to be stable, it must provide a harmless outlets for the impulses which our remote ancestors satisfied in hunting.

Bertrand Russell

KAKURO

QUICK CROSSWORD

26

SUDOKU How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers.

However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number.

Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once.

Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on...

So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run.

Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

ACROSS

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

SCRIBBLING PAD

1 Mischievous rascal 6 Invitation initials 10 Takes measures 14 Courtroom address (with ‘your’) 15 ‘Too many to list’ abbr 16 What an X-Acto knife might make 17 A face in the crowd?

18 Grand Theft ___ 19 Vocal pitch 20 Where expensive furs may be 23 Greenskeeper’s purchase 25 ‘The Rum ___ Tugger’ (‘Cats’ tune) 26 Stir from sleep 27 It may be gross 29 Email command 32 Basement’s opposite 33 Certain muscle injury 34 Make a quick note of 37 Cabbie’s question 41 Unwelcome answers, usually 42 ‘Beau Geste’ author 43 Classic TV’s ‘The ___ Limits’ 44 Track of a wild animal 46 Certain Greek islander 47 WWI French common soldier 50 Winning X or O 51 Checks for ages, say 52 Safe 57 Internalize one’s anger 58 Paris’ ___ Gauche 59 Hot rod’s sound 62 Flower box location 63 Creative starting point 64 The blahs 65 Hard to catch, in a way 66 Company car, for example 67 Bow lubricant

DOWN

1 Feminine pronoun 2 ‘Cougar Town’ actress Courteney 3 Remedies 4 Daybreak, in poetry 5 It makes perfect 6 Bailiwick 7 Alternative to draw or hold ‘em 8 Winery vessels 9 Central story line 10 Off-track 11 Dagger’s go-with 12 Hint of color 13 17th-century painter Jan 21 Caught stealing 22 Head-turner in a tree 23 Salmon do it 24 Prefix for ‘pedic’ 28 Christmas tree type 29 Direct to a source 30 Make, as a salary 31 A person paid to play 33 Bullfight word 34 Throws, as from an airplane 35 Mountain nymph of Greek myth 36 Some swallows 38 More than one 39 Besides 40 ___ and cry (public clamor) 44 At a snail’s pace 45 Sta-___ (old fabric softener brand) 46 Act lovey-dovey 47 Ad hoc group of lawmen 48 Navel formation?

49 ‘What did ___ you?’

50 Make a minor adjustment to 53 Big game-show prize 54 Animal cover or take cover 55 ‘Thanks ___ so much!’

56 1962 Bond thriller 60 ‘OK by moi’ 61 60 secs

Chai Time TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 25-9-2013

27

As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Businessmen will effect drastic changes to ensure business picks up. Children will make you proud and happy. You are likely to get some memorable gifts from close friends. Be cordial with spouse and ensure they don’t change their intentions.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

Spouse will co-operate very well. Though enemies try to tarnish your image, you will be remain unscathed. Son will excel in studies and get your affection in abundance. Some have a bright chance to add valuables to their household.

Those longing for a child will hear good news. Be careful while driving and avoid speeding.

Children co-operate with you and show improvement in stu dies. You will purchase important household gadgets, which will make your spouse happy.

Children will be interested in a jolly trip, which you are obliged to. Avoid recalling old blunders of the spouse even as a joke.

Businessmen need to put extra efforts to improve business.

Health problems are likely; take proper treatment.

A harmonious situation will prevail at home. Influx of visitors will make you cheerful and spouse will treat them to their satisfaction. Businessmen will make sincere efforts and put in hard work to ensure that they earn good profits.

Employees will get recognition.

Couples will be more affectionate towards each other. Health looks fine. Happy events are likely to take place at home.

Businessmen will be able to improve their profits well with a minimum investment.

Avoid unwanted travel as a health problem is likely. You will be glad to see your son or daughter giving you suggestions, which if implemented will yield good results. Avoid overworking as relaxation will work well for your health.

Business will improve with the help of friends and relatives.

You will clear a major portion of debts and get partial relief. Be careful while allowing your children to play with valuable articles. Spouse will help you with savings when in trouble.

Travel and expenses will increase; reduce them with effective planning. Employees are likely to complete responsibilities given to them in time.

With patience you will be able to put your children in the right path.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

Two of Swords – There may be running around at government offices to get a job done.

Do not lose your patience. Get hold of an official to explain the process.

LEO:

Ten of Cups – You are amused by a lad, who will uncannily give you a different world view. Coming from a young person, you tend to not take it seriously. But think.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

The Emperor – If you are a shareholder in a reputed company, take stock of the situation and conduct a routine review to know where you stand.

SAGITTARIUS:

Three of Wands – Don’t get caught up with sentiments and emotions. In a cold and unemotional world, they have no meaning. Be practical and clinical.

TAURUS:

Five of Cups – You need to polish your tone/ choice of words when communicating in a group. By speaking your mind frankly, you come across as being harsh.

CANCER:

The World – You cannot dwell too much on which group you have to belong to. You cannot avoid being labeled, no matter who you choose to hang out with.

VIRGO:

Queen of Wands – Do not fear that you will fail. If you think too much about it, it may lead you to failure. Think positive and wish well for you and everyone else.

SCORPIO:

Seven of Wands – Advice, when given free, has little value. It can also be a pain. When you pay for the same advice, it has a lot of value.

CAPRICORN:

Nine of Pentacles – If you’re feeling low, just think of all the wonderful things life has in store. You are but a dot in this large galaxy, but the world is interesting.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

The Tower – There are many mysteries to solve.

You will never know all that you really wish to. Learn to live with the suspense. It can be tough.

NUMBER GAME

You are trying to escape your destiny and it is pulling you back into the same situation repeatedly. Stay put, meditate on your life.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: King of Cups –

POOCH CAFE

You need to adopt healthy food habits to avoid deficiency.

Spouse will give importance to your suggestions. Businessmen will make use of the favourable situation to improve business.

Income through ancestral property is likely.

for 25-9-2013

Knight of Swords – Bake a pie; arrange flowers and clean and dust your home. This will make you feel good. Make your home more welcoming.

NON SEQUITUR

You will undertake a jolly trip with family members on the request of children. Written-off dues will get collected for businessmen, which will ease their deficit financial situation. Stay away from enemies or you may land in problem.

SUDUKO

Travel mission will be successful and yield desired results. Be patient while correcting your children’s bad habits. Enemies might seek your help indirectly.

You will extend help to your blood relatives and make them comfortable and happy.

Boggle BANJO CELLO VIOLIN GUITAR Vol: 3, No 63 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at # Plot no.550-A1,3rd floor, Road no-92, 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 040-23541412,

28

Entertainment TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

SPOTLESS MIND

CINE BYTES

Hollywood stars flock to Chinese film centre

S

inger Mollie King says given a chance she would like to erase the memory of her first kiss.

This is so because the 26-year-old, member of The Saturdays band feels that her first lip-locking experience was “awkward”.

“The first boy I kissed, maybe that would be erased. It was so awkward, he just pounced on me. I’d erase that memory,” Bliss magazine quoted Mollie as saying.

She was recently romantically linked to music producer Jordan Omley and before that she was in a relationship with model David Gandy.

– IANS

Mollie King wants to erase ‘first kiss’ memory

T

op Hollywood actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and John Travolta paraded on the red carpet at the inauguration of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis in China.

The megaproject, aimed at making the city the mecca of filmmaking when it opens its doors in 2017, is the latest ambitious initiative of China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin.

IANS

Jemima Khan finds Russell obsessive!

S

ocialite Jemima Khan is reportedly worried because she feels that British comedian Russell Brand is getting obsessed with her.The duo is said to be dating. However, Jemima is unable to handle the affection Russell is showering on her.

“It’s like he’s addicted to her.” a source said.

IANS

Perrie Edwards needs no make-up

S

inger Perrie Edwards says she doesn’t need to put layers of make up when with fiance Zayn Malik, member of One Direction band.The couple got engaged last month.

“I can’t be bothered to wear make-up every day. I’m lucky with Zayn - he likes me either way,” Now magazine quoted Edwards as saying.

sports

29

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

CHESS

Teja, Varun, Jaswanth in lead

HYDERABAD: After the completion of the fourth round of AP State challengers (Int Dist) Chess Tournament being held at LB Stadium, three players are in joint lead with 4 points each; S Ravi Teja , V Varun and K Jaswanth.

They are followed by 7 players in joint second with 3.5 points.

Teja of Krishna district defeated V Lakshmi Sandeep Naidu of Hyderabad. V Varun of Hyderabad beat Malla Nooka Raju of Vishakhapatnam while K Jashwanth of Mahaboobnagar got the better of Anigani Kavya of Ranga Reddy district to join the lead.

SELECTED RESULTS: V Lakshmi Sandeep Naidu (3) lost to S Ravi Teja (4); B Harsha (3.5) drew with J Sai Agni Jeevitesh (3.5); Ch Sahajasri (3.5) drew with Y V K Chakravarthi (3.5); V Varun (4) bt Malla Nooka Raju (3); K Jashwanth (4) bt Anigani Kavya (3); C R G Krishna (3.5) bt M Chakravarthy Reddy (2.5); J Rama Krishna (3.5) bt M Y Raju (2.5); K V K Karthik (2.5) lost to N Krishna Teja (3.5); P Kranthi Kumar (3) drew with D Bala Chandra Prasad (3); M Deepthamsh Reddy (3) bt M B Vignesh Reddy(2).

OBITUARY

Cycling great Szozda dies at 62 WARSAW: Poland’s former amateur world time-trial champion and double Olympic silver medallist Stanislaw Szozda has died at the age of 62, following a long illness, the Polish cycling Union announced on Monday.

Szozda won the 1973 and 1975 global crowns against the clock and also helped Poland come second in the 100km team time-trial at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games.

As well as winning silver in the world road race in 1973, he won the 1971 Tour of Poland, 1973 Tour of Algeria and 1974 Peace Race.

He retired from the sport at just 28 following a nasty crash during the 1978 Peace Race.

The nature of his illness was not disclosed and he would have been 63 on Wednesday.

AFP

CORPORATE OLYMPICS

LOCAL SPORT

HSBC take top honours HYDERABAD: The third edition of the Hyderabad Corporate Olympics, which began on September 21 saw HSBC defeat Virtusa in a thrilling basketball men’s final encounter. HSBC got the better of the opponents when they beat them 57-56. n HSBC also went on to win the Basketball women’s event. n In the throwball event, Deloitte thrashed TCS 14-21, 21-19, 15-11 to win the final.

A DIVISION TWO DAYS P&T Colony 129 (Rana Pratap Reddy 33, G Srinivas Rao 7/56) lost to Syndicate Bank 131/1 (Arvind Shetty 78) News Blues 303/7 (Bhagath Pratap Goud 80, Datta Prakash 54, G Sanketh 58, Vallabh Reddy 45, Sai Venkatesh 4/151) vs Team Speed Vijay Hanuman 201 (Shareef Pathan 76, R S Vamshi 37, Sai Kirth 7/86) vs Visaka 110/2 (Revanth Sai 46no) Budding Star 160 (Nikhil Yadav 50, Sireesh Goud 31, Dharan 7/44) vs Mega City 79/3(Amrith Yadav 33no) Zinda 321 (Shyam 38, Mohammed Hussain 39, Mohammed Faraaz 48, Kaleem Khan 35, Shahbaaz 38, Avinash 56, Manideep 4/41) vs Sai Satya 10 for no loss Cambridge XI 204 (Md Asifuddin 45, Syed Ali Hyder 31, Kamran Khan 35, Parvez Khan 3/40, Abdul Ela Qureshi 4/73) vs CCOB 22/2

RESULTS: BASKETBALL (MEN) n Finals: HSBC def. Virtusa (57-56) n III Place: Deloitte def.

Amazon (48-39) n Semifinals 1: HSBC def.

Deloitte (68-57) n Semifinals 2: Virtusa def.

Amazon (54-32) n GOLD: HSBC; SILVER: Virtusa; SILVER:Deloitte n Best Shooter: Srikanth Reddy (Virtusa) n Best Defender: Srikanth (Virtusa) n Most Valuable Player: Sharath (HSBC) BASKETBALL 3-ON-3 (WOMEN) n The teams were ranked based on the points scored overall as only 4 teams were participating.

League cricket

n n

GOLD: HSBC; SILVER: TCS; BRONZE: Deloitte Most Valuable Player: C.Shireesha (HSBC)

THROWBALL n n n

Finals: Deloitte def. TCS 1421, 21-19, 15-11 (2-1) III Place: HSBC def. ADP 21-18, 21-15 (2-0) Semifinals 1: Deloitte def.

n n n n

HSBC 21-13, 21-10 (2-0) Semifinals 2: TCS def. ADP 21-13, 21-14 (2-0) GOLD: Deloitte; SILVER: TCS; SILVER:HSBC Most Valuable Player: Shirisha (Deloitte) Throwball: GOLD: DELOITTE; SILVER: TCS; BRONZE: HSBC

A division one day AVCC 220/9 (Sai Pragnay Reddy 106, Alankrith 4/48) bt Reliance 88 (Deepak Dixith 5/7, Samhith Reddy 3/18) Lal Bahadur CC 370/8 (Giresh 37, Dinesh Mohan 120, Prameshwara Reddy 56, Jai Chandra 50, Mohammed Attar 3/73) bt All Saints 243 (Vamshi Srivastav 55, Mohammed Nawaz 54, Mohammed Attar 43, BH Raj 3/80) ST-Patricks 265/7 (Hrishikesh 58, Saathyakhi M 74, Daniel 62, KVI Satwik 4/67) bt Manikumar 212 (Srinath Naik 68, Rahul Kumar 46, N Uday 30, Saathyakhi M 6/52)

AMERICA’S CUP

Kiwis fail once again WELLINGTON: Nervous Kiwis questioned whether Emirates Team New Zealand was choking Tuesday after they again failed to secure the single victory needed to seize the America’s Cup from Oracle Team USA. The New Zealanders have needed just one win since last Wednesday — when they led the regatta 8-1 — but the Americans have stormed back with five straight victories in San Francisco Bay to make it 8-6.

The New Zealand media late last week was confidently examining the economic spin-offs of hosting the next regatta in Auckland and speculating on knighthoods for the catamaran’s crew.

Since then, coverage has turned to agonised reflection on how Team NZ raced to such a commanding lead but has failed thus far to land a killer blow in

Oracle Team USA waves to spectators after winning race 16 of the 34th America’s Cup on Monday in San Francisco.

AFP/JOSH EDELSON

the face of a barnstorming fightback from Oracle.

“The question now on everyone’s mind is: Are Team New Zealand blowing it?” TV3

reporter Hilary Barry wrote from California under the headline “America’s Cup 2013 biggest choke in NZ sport?”

Wellington’s Dominion Post

newspaper splashed the headline “In the doldrums” across the front page, contrasting the chipper demeanour of Oracle’s Australian skipper Jimmy Spithill to Team NZ’s Dean Barker.

The New Zealand Herald simply ran a giant black and white photograph on its front page of a hand with fingers crossed. The regatta is already the longest in the 162-year history of the America’s Cup and each day it goes on prolongs the New Zealanders’ agony and diminishes their chances of winning sailing’s top prize.

Huge crowds anticipating a win gathered on the Auckland waterfront last week, many wearing red socks, a lucky symbol for the late Sir Peter Blake when he led New Zealand’s first successful America’s Cup campaign in 1995.

AFP

30

sports TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 SOLHEIM CUP Iowa all set to host Cup in 2017 DES MOINES: The 15th Solheim Cup between US and European women’s golf teams will be staged in 2017 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, LPGA commissioner Michael Whan announced Monday.

The course also hosted the 1999 US Senior Open, luring a record 252,800 spectators to the US Midwest venue, located about 540km west of Chicago.

“The support that the Des Moines community has shown for golf events has been tremendous,” Whan said. “I have no doubt that the 2017 Solheim Cup is already on track to be the best event we’ve ever staged.” The European squad routed the Americans 18-10 in August at Denver for their first win on US soil and the first back-to-back triumphs by Europe in the biennial showdown after their 2011 victory in Ireland.

The US women lead the all-time rivalry 8-5 with the 2015 edition of the Solheim Cup set for Germany. AFP

THAILAND OPEN

Double Dutch in Bangkok Igor Sijsling shocked Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen to set up an all-Dutch tie as Spain’s Feliciano Lopez cantered to an opening victory.

BANGKOK: World number 75 Igor Sijsling shocked Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen on Monday to set up an all-Dutch second round tie at the Thailand Open as Spain’s Feliciano Lopez (in pic) cantered to an opening victory.

Sijsling overcame the seventh seed and 2010 finalist 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) and will play compatriot Robin Haase in the next round after he saw off Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-2, 6-4.

“It’s good to have one Dutchman in the quarter-finals,” said Haase. Spanish sixth seed Feliciano Lopez put out Serbian teenager Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-3.

With the top four seeds granted a bye into the second round, top seed Tomas Berdych and second seed and defending champion Richard Gasquet took to the courts for some practice.

Canada’s Milos Raonic, a quarter-finalist last year, is seeded third with Gilles Simon, fresh from his title win over compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga indoors at Metz, the number four seed.

Simon, who became a father for the second time recently,

Sijsling overcame the seventh seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) and will play compatriot Robin Haase in the next round after he saw off Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

comes into the tournament full of confidence after his title success, the 11th of his career. He reached the final in Bangkok last year, losing to countryman Gasquet.

Simon’s appearance in France last week was his first since retiring in the first round in August in Cincinnati against Vasek

Pospisil due to a hip injury.

A year ago in Bangkok he was feeling the pain from several injuries but comes to Asia this time around with apparent good fitness and will await the winner from the first round match between Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Australian Bernard Tomic.

Simon is putting career ahead of family for the moment as he plays in Thailand.

“I cannot become a father every week. It’s a beautiful story for sure. It was a great moment for me because I missed the birth of our first child and this time I was able to be there. I was very happy about that.”

Berdych, the world number six, this month helped the Czech Republic to reach a second consecutive Davis Cup final.

He last played Bangkok five years ago, reaching a semi-final with Novak Djokovic. Berdych admitted that he was yearning to try some Thai cuisine but his main focus is on the tennis as he bids for his first title since last October in Stockholm.

AFP

FORMULA ONE

Red Bull slam ‘unfair’ Vettel boos

TALEK HARRIS Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE: Red Bull boss Christian Horner lashed out at the fans who continue to boo Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel and suggested they were hurting the young German’s feelings.

Horner said it was “unfair” to boo Vettel, who has suffered repeated ill-treatment this year and was again subjected to loud chants and heckles after winning Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old star did his best to shrug off the jeers but Horner said the booing, blamed on a particular group of fans, might be getting under his skin.

“There is a small collective group and it is like a pantomime, but it is so unfair because it is not sporting,” said Horner, according to Autosport.com. “The boy has driven an unbelievable race.

What you have witnessed today is one of the best drives that I have seen him produce in terms of raw pace, and I just don’t think it is sporting to see a driver

anger after Vettel controversially ignored team orders and passed team-mate Mark Webber to win the Malaysian Grand Prix in March.

While Vettel apologised to Webber at the time, he later struck a defiant tone and insisted

Horner said it was “unfair” to boo Vettel, who has suffered repeated ill-treatment this year and was again subjected to it at the Singapore GP. who has put a performance in like that not get the reception he deserves.

“He is a great kid. He has a great sense of humour. He has a big heart at the end of the day.”

Booing erupted after Vettel’s wins in Belgium and Italy, and surprisingly at the less partisan circuit of Singapore, as Vettel moved closer to a fourth straight world title.

The opprobrium has been put down to plain boredom from fans, as the German has won more than half the races this season and already has one hand on the championship trophy. On Sunday night, he led from pole position to the chequered flag in an astounding, if not terribly viewer-friendly, demonstration of uncatchable front-running.

But there is also residual

he would do the same again.

Webber has announced his departure from the team at the end of the season.

Horner said he didn’t know what was behind the booing but “for sure Malaysia did not help”.

“It’s been done, there has been an awful lot written about it and there were circumstances that were involved in that,” he said. “When you have a guy who

is becoming almost a serial winner, it becomes like when people watched Mohammed Ali, they wanted to see who would beat him,” he said.

“That is the case at the moment; people want to see who is going to beat Sebastian.”

The team principal added: “He has got a broad set of shoulders but like anyone he has feelings and I don’t think it is right.”

Red Bull could be forgiven for developing a persecution complex after Webber was reprimanded for hitching a ride with Fernando Alonso — a punishment which will trigger a 10place grid penalty.

The Australian was said to be furious at the reprimand, which means he will be demoted at the next race in South Korea for totting up three tickings-off in the same season. Webber abandoned his smoking Red Bull at the end of the race and then ran on to the track and flagged down Alonso’s Ferrari, leaping on to the side and waving to the crowds as they drove slowly back to the pits.

31

sports TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

ASHES PREVIEW

Eng confident about Monty Long a fans’ favourite for his sheer enthusiasm and ability to spin the ball, Panesar found himself making the wrong sort of headlines.

JULIAN GUYER Agence France-Presse LONDON: England insisted Monty Panesar’s personal problems were behind him as they included the spinner in a 17man squad for the defence of the Ashes in Australia.

Long a fans’ favourite for his sheer enthusiasm and undoubted ability to spin the ball, the left-armer found himself mak-

ing the wrong sort of headlines last month after he was fined by police for urinating on nightclub bouncers in Brighton on England’s south coast.

It was all too much for the 31-year-old’s then employers Sussex, who promptly released Panesar, now completing the season on loan at rival county Essex. But the fact remains Panesar is England’s second best spinner behind off-break

bowler Graeme Swann, a point emphasised by the wretched Test debut of Lancashire leftarmer Simon Kerrigan, whose eight wicketless overs in the drawn Ashes finale at The Oval last month cost 53 runs.

England national selector Geoff Miller, himself a former Test off-spinner, confirmed Panesar’s inclusion in a largely predictable squad led by captain Alastair Cook and featuring the

Fixtures Tests Nov 21-25: 1ST TEST, The Gabba, Brisbane Dec 05-09: 2ND TEST, Adelaide Oval Dec 13-17: 3RD TEST, WACA, Perth Dec 26-30: 4TH TEST, Melbourne Cricket Ground Jan 03-07: 5TH TEST, Sydney Cricket Ground

England Squad: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Monty Panesar (Essex), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey)

ODIs Jan 12: 1ST ODI, Melbourne Cricket Ground Jan 17: 2ND ODI, Gabba, Brisbane Jan 19: 3RD ODI, Sydney Cricket Ground Jan 24: 4TH ODI, WACA, Perth Jan 26: 5TH ODI, Adelaide Oval

Twenty20 Jan 29: 1ST T20, Blundstone Arena, Hobart Jan 31: 2ND T20, Melbourne Cricket Ground Feb 02: 3RD T20, Stadium Australia, Sydney

CLT20 Rain plays spoilsport at Motera MOTERA: Both Group A Champions League Twenty20 matches Monday — between Perth Scorchers and Lions and Mumbai Indians and Otago Volts — were washed out due to heavy rain at the Sardar Patel Stadium here.

In the first match, Lions from South Africa elected to field but before any ball could be bowled, the match had to be called off due to persistent rain.

The rain continued to fall and eventually the second match between the Mumbai Indians and Otago had to be abandoned too.

Each of the four teams get two points each. This puts Mumbai Indians in a sticky situation with just two points from two matches having lost their opener to Rajasthan Royals Saturday.

IANS

bulk of a side who’ve helped the team win the last three Ashes campaigns when he announced the tour party at a Lord’s press conference on Monday.

Slightly less predictable was Miller’s reply when asked if Panesar had sought professional help for his off-field problems and whether it had helped effect a change in his behaviour: “Yes, and yes.”

And as far as Miller is concerned, the talent that has seen Panesar take 164 wickets at 33.78 in 48 Tests, and produce a match-winning performance against India in Mumbai last year, remains intact.

PSPB INTER UNIT TOURNAMENT

National champ Saurabh Verma beat Aditya Prakash in a closely contested three game victory, coming out on top 15-21, 21-17, 21-15.

LONDON: Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance said Monday he’d been taken aback by his inclusion in England’s squad for the forthcoming Ashes tour of Australia but insisted he was prepared for the challenge ahead.

The 23-year-old was one of three players, along with former Ireland paceman Boyd Rankin and Durham allrounder Ben Stokes, yet to make their Test debuts who were included in England’s 17man squad announced Monday.

Ballance, whose lone full England appearance saw him out for a duck in a one-day international against Ireland in Dublin earlier this month, edged out the likes of James Taylor for a position as cover for the middle order on the back of consistent performances for both his county and the second-string England Lions.

“I wasn’t expecting it and I was surprised when I got the call,” Zimbabwe-born Ballance, who came to England as a schoolboy and played for county side Derbyshire while a teenager, said in a Yorkshire statement.

AFP

DIFFERENT STROKES

Kashyap cruises ahead

NEW DELHI: Top shuttler Parupalli Kashyap notched up an easy win on the opening day of the 35th PSPB Inter Unit Badminton Tournament as Team Championships commenced at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Monday. After the initial rounds, the semifinals in the men’s team championships saw ONGC beat BPCL 3-0.

However, the score does not reflect the story of the tie.

Playing for ONGC, national champion Saurabh Verma beat Aditya Prakash in a closely contested three game victory, coming out on top 15-21, 21-17, 2115. B. Sai Praneeth beat Arvind Bhat 20-22, 21-18, 21-11 to take the tally to 2-0 and in the doubles, with the opponents retiring, ONGC won 3-0.

In the other semifinal, IOCL beat HPCL 3-0. Playing for IOCL, Parupalli Kashyap was in full flow beating Laa Talar 2113, 21-13. In the other two

Ballance ‘surprised’ by Ashes call-up

matches, Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold winner K. Srikanth beat Shubhankar Dey 21-19, 2115 while in doubles Arun Vishnu and Srikanth beat Dey and Shyam Prasad 21-19, 21-14.

In the women’s team championship, BPCL beat ONGC 2-0 when P.V. Sindhu got the better of P.C. Thulasi 21-9, 21-10. IANS

Dhoni’s hairstyle a rage

RANCHI: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s new Mohawk hairstyle has become a rage among his fans in the cricketer’s hometown.

From sporting long locks to the latest bald buzz cut, the Chennai Super Kings skipper has been adventurous with his hairstyles. He revealed his new hairstyle when he took off his helmet while wicketkeeping against the Titans at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here Sunday.

The new look reminded the fans of soccer stars David Beckham and Mario Balotelli. IANS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

sports ON THE WRONG FOOT

Balotelli gets three-match ban after seeing red

MARK OUT OF SQUAD TO PLAY FRANCE, CANADA

Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was Tuesday left out of the 24-man provisional Australian squad to play friendlies in France and Canada next month to make room for new players. Coach Holger Osieck defended his decision, saying he was “opening doors to talent”.

LEAGUE CUP

Liverpool buoyed by Luis With the return of Luis Suarez to the side, Liverpool will be looking to inflict misery on Manchester United, who faced a brutal derby defeat.

TOM WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse

ROME: AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has been suspended for three matches after his red card in the 2-1 victory over Napoli on the weekend, the Italian football league announced Monday.

Balotelli saw red after the final whistle when he received a second yellow card for dissent.

The controversial Italy striker will miss Serie A matches against Bologna, Sampdoria and, crucially, champions Juventus.

AFP

32

LONDON: Buoyed by Luis Suarez’s return, Liverpool will visit Manchester United in the League Cup on Wednesday eager to inflict more misery on a team reeling from a brutal derby defeat.

Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Manchester City completed United’s worst start to a season in nine years and prompted renewed scrutiny of new manager David Moyes’s methods. Since succeeding Alex Ferguson, Moyes has seen his side beaten by Liverpool and City and held to a draw

by Chelsea, leaving the defending champions five points off the pace in the Premier League.

Another loss to arch rivals Liverpool would only add weight to the steadily creeping doubts about his aptitude for the job, but striker Wayne Rooney believes Wednesday’s game has arrived at just the right time.

“We have all grown up, whether it is Manchester, Liverpool or somewhere else, having local derbies,” Rooney

Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Manchester City completed United’s worst start to a season in nine years and prompted scrutiny of David Moyes’s methods. told United’s in-house television channel, MUTV. “It is not nice when you lose one. I have been there as a fan

and now as a player. Thankfully we have another massive game against Liverpool.

“It is the ideal game for us.

Any game against Liverpool, whether it is a friendly, Capital One Cup or Premier League, is massive.

“We have to try and get the victory so we can put this defeat to the back of our minds.”

Rooney appears to have put an unsettled close-season to the back of his mind, scoring four goals in his last three games,

and Liverpool will hope that Suarez is able to draw a line beneath his own recent trials and tribulations.

The Uruguayan will be playing in his first official club game since April 21, having now completed a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers chose an unfortunate turn of phrase when he said the striker was “champing at the bit”, but Suarez’s return falls at a timely juncture after Saturday’s surprise 1-0 loss at home to Southampton.

Suarez tried to force through a move to Arsenal during the close season, even accusing Liverpool of breaking promises made to him, but Rodgers is confident that he will be forgiven by the club’s fans.

Referencing Liverpool’s backing of Suarez after he was banned for racially abusing United left-back Patrice Evra in 2011, Rodgers said: “This club has given every single player here everything in the time I’ve been here, and none more so than Luis.

LIGUE 1

Monaco out to extend stay at top MARTYN WOOD Agence France-Presse PARIS: Ligue 1 pace-setters Monaco will aim to build on Sunday’s battling 1-1 draw at defending champions Paris Saint-Germain when they host Bastia on Wednesday.

Monaco were second best at the Parc des Princes but came away with a point in the first meeting between France’s two biggest spenders, to open up a two-point lead at the top of the table.

Claudio Ranieri’s side welcome 10th-place Bastia to the Stade Louis II as part of a full programme of midweek fixtures in France, leaving Monaco just three days to recover from Sunday’s trip to the capital.

“It’s a very good point to pick up. It was a difficult match against an excellent Paris team,” said Monaco midfielder Mounir Obbadi of the draw in the capital.

“Now, we have to recover

very quickly because we play again (on Wednesday) against Bastia, another very difficult match,” added the Moroccan.

Monaco are one of the league’s two remaining unbeaten sides, along with

PSG, and 60-million-euro ($81 million) striker Radamel Falcao has adapted well to life in Ligue 1, having netted five goals in six matches, including the equaliser on Sunday.

“Both teams tried to win and had their chances. In the end it was a draw. The most important thing for us is that the result keeps us top of the standings,” said Falcao.

“We’re making strides as a team. Personally, I’m especially happy to have scored because we stay first,” added the Colombian.

PSG, who climbed a spot to second after surpassing SaintEtienne on goal difference, travel to lowly Valenciennes, who have lost five in a row following their lone victory on

the opening weekend of the season.

France midfielder Blaise Matuidi praised Monaco’s display on Sunday but conceded the Parisians felt they should have won and vowed that PSG would bounce back at the Stade du Hainaut.

“Monaco showed they have a good team, even if I thought we were better than them (on Sunday). We’ll hope to return to winning ways with a victory at Valenciennes on Wednesday,” said Matuidi.

Despite netting a fifthminute opener, Zlatan Ibrahimovic endured a difficult evening against Monaco, spurning several chances to add to his haul, and echoed Matuidi’s sense of regret.