WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013 HYDERABAD
WEATHER: CLEAR. WINDY AT TIMES; 23°C
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AS GOVT DRAGS FEET ON ALLABANDA, PEOPLE SUFFER
Dhoolpet has been plagued by water problems for several years. And with the construction of the Allabanda water reservoir crawling, it doesn’t seem like their problems will be alleviated any time soon.
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HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER
Will the peaceful agitation for a separate Telangana turn into a violent struggle if the Centre does not concede? ‘Our strike will be an historic one aimed at paralysing the entire machinery of the State government’, said T-JAC chairman Prof Kodandaram.
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A VIOLENT UPRISING? JUBILEE HILLS RECORDS SERENA SHOCKED SECOND-HIGHEST RATE OF American teenager Sloane Stephens ended Serena Williams’s bid for a historic calendar-year Grand Slam when she sent the injury-hampered favourite crashing out of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
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DRUNK-DRIVING
Nearly 830 cases of drunk driving were booked at the Kacheguda traffic police station. Jubilee Hills stands second with 790 cases. A total of 230 and 240 cases were reported from Asifnagar and Bahadurpura police stations respectively.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
city events
URANIUM FILM FESTIVAL
The Uranium Film Festival that started in Rio, Brazil. It includes various animations, short films, documentaries and feature films on nuclear fuel chain and radioactivity. It is at La Makaan, Banjara Hills, on January 25, 6:30pm onwards.
Weather for Hyderabad
Evening
Overnight
Morning
Afternoon
23°C
16°C
22°C
30°C
Clear. Windy at times.
Clear.
Mostly sunny. Windy at times.
Mostly sunny.
New Delhi Mumbai Max 18 Max 29 Min 6 Min 17 Clear skies.
Chennai Max 30 Min 23
Clear skies.
Partly cloudy.
Bangalore Max 28 Min 20 Mostly sunny.
AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Mukarramjahi Road, Nampally, When: Up to February 15, 4pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 2460 3015
ART Rural Excerpts An exhibition of paintings and sculptures, of village depictions and life in rural areas, by Narsimlu Kandi. The preview is on January 19. Where: Aalankritha Art Gallery When: Up to January 30, 11am to 7pm Contact: www.alankritha.in
Shoppers Stop sale Sale up to 51 per cent off on international and Indian brands across categories at Shoppers Stop, HomeStop and Mothercare outlets with Shoppers Stop. Where: Shoppers Stop outlets, Hyderabad When: from January 12 Contact: www.shoppersstop.com
Diva Divine Deified An exhibition of ceramic and terrakota sculptures by artist Jayaprakash. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing Contact: www.iconart.in Code Red Countdown Code Red Countdown is an art collection revolving around ecology, by New York based artist Asher Jay. The theme is endangered wildlife. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public gardens When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888
DINING Hot Dog food festival ITC Kakatiya’s multi restaurant, Deccan Pavilion, is organising a hot dog festival. Hollywood hot dog, Philadelphia cheese steak dog, Garden Dog and Arizona rush are some of the items on the menu. Where: Deccan Pavilion,
ON DUTY: A policeman near City College, Hyderabad. ITC Kakatiya When: 18-27 Contact: (040) 4008 1816
When: Up to February 10 Contact: (040) 2355 0105
Kashmiri Food Festival Wazas, who are the Master Chefs of the Wazwan cuisine, are specially flown down from Kashmir to prepare a royal Kashmiri cuisine. Where: Ohri’s Jalvihar, Necklace Road When: Up to January 27, 1pm onwards Cafe Classics Month Truffles cafe pays tribute to some selective cafes and restaurants in India and the world. The cafe will be serving some of their special dishes. This weekend starts with Britannia restaurant & cafe located in Bombay, with delicious Parsi dishes. Where: Truffles cafe Plot no. 376, Road no. 10, Jubilee Hills,
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
M ANIL KUMAR
SHOWS The Monsoon Oracle The Monsoon Oracle is a factual film based on ritualistic practices that take places in the country. It revolves around the rituals performed, predicting the arrival of monsoon. Where: NIFT, Madhapur, Hyderabad When: January 25, Contact: (040) 2311 4537 Tribute to Rajesh Khanna There will be dance performances on Rajesh Khanna’s songs to pay tribute to the superstar. The dance will be choreographed by Mahesh L Munde, who has choreographed national and international performances. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam,
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
Public gardens, Hyderabad When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888
MISCELLANEOUS Buy Art It is an anniversary art show of affordable art by 30 artists. All artworks are priced between Rs1,000 to Rs10,000 Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad When: January 18-February 18 11:30am-7pm Contact: www.iconart.in
Nikhil Chinappa Night Sky lounge is set to host its first ever grand party on the January 23, with celebrated DJ Nikhil Chinappa entertaining the guests over a gala dinner. Exquisite variety of food and beverages will be served, with a wide selection of alternative Tapas cuisine. Where: Sky Lounge, Madhapur, Hyderabad When: January 23, 8pm onwards
Numaish Numaish is the 73rd All India Industrial Exhibition is an ongoing event in the City. Where: Exhibition Ground,
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
The Republic Ride The biggest corporate cycling event at Hyderabad is being organized by The Atlanta Foundation on republic day. The aim is to promote educational programs for underprivileged children. Where: Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad When: January 26, 6:15am onwards Contact: atlantafoundation.org
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 #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
City
YESTERDAY’S QUESTION
IS OWAISI-BASED POLITICS A BANE FOR THE CITY? 78% 22%
YES (A) NO (B)
TODAY’S QUESTION
SHOULD THE GOVT GIVE A FINAL DEADLINE FOR THE ALLABANDA WATER RESERVOIR? A)
YES
To vote visit www.postnoon.com
CRIME
B)
NO
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Drunk driving cases shoot up Traffic police has booked nearly 13,000 drunk driving cases in the City so far. To curb this, apart from using new breath analysers and issuing challans, police say stricter punishment will be given to offenders. Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com
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tender for 35 new breath analysers has been called for by the Hyderabad traffic police, who have booked nearly 13,000 cases of drunk driving in the City since November 2011. The police plans to take some serious measures to curb the number of drunk driving cases in the Twin Cities. The special drive against drunk driving started in November 2011. Even after one year, in the last three months (November 2012 to January 2013) alone, 434 fresh cases have been
booked against offenders. Interestingly, the number of cases against auto drivers is just 566, as compared to nearly 8,800 cases registered against bike riders, who ride in an intoxicated state. Nearly 3,500 cases have been booked against car drivers. Additional commissioner of police, traffic, CV Anand, appreciated his team’s efforts in this special drive. He has, therefore, planned to procure 35 new analysers to bring down the number of drunken driving cases. He said strict action will be taken against offenders, adding that challans will not be the only type of punishment.
Of the 13,000 cases, north zone reported nearly 7,000. Compared to this, Old City, south zone and other zones reported fewer cases (5,000). Nearly 830 cases of drunk driving were booked at the Kacheguda traffic police station. Jubilee Hills stands second with 790 cases. A total of 230 and 240 cases were reported from Asifnagar and Bahadurpura police stations respectively. As maximum accidents occur due to drunk driving, Anand said he will take precautionary measures to save lives. He said after the special drive started, people have started fearing the law.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE Farmers fox bullies
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ast year we had reported how NH-7 had become a hot spot for farm fresh produce. Earlier, farmers had to struggle to find a place in the local market to sell their produce, but now they had an exclusive space for themselves. Farmers from Telangana, who faced losses due to irregular monsoons, could earn some money through this new venture.
JULY 20, 2011
NUMEROLOGY
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per cent of harassment cases in family courts are filed by men against their wives. These men say they are mentally tortured and demand the right to custody of their child.
If I get 10 cases every day, nearly five happen to be men who state that they are being subjected to mental harassment. Men also want custody of their children. Ramani Jonna, advocate See page 7
THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the City functions.
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We need a final deadline for Allabanda reservoir project. Allabanda water reservoir could have addressed the water woes of Dhoolpet residents. But work hasn’t started even two years after the foundation was laid.
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Be warned before you drink and drive in the City. City traffic police has called a tender for new breath analysers. Stricter punishment will be given to offenders to reduce the number of accidents due to drunk driving.
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Dilly-dallying on T-issue may cost the City its peace. There are indications of agitations turning violent in the City if the Centre does not give a concrete answer to the T-issue this time.
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A quick, revenue generating amendment? The GHMC plans to amend the Municipal Act, after which private property on government land can be legalised after due penalisation.
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Men, too, are subject to harassment. Men say they are harassed and tortured by their wives. Family courts are piled with such cases.
RTI CAMPAIGN
What we owe the RTI Act In the last part of the campaign on Right To Information (RTI) Postnoon lays stress on the importance of the RTI Act and takes a look at how it has helped in holding the government accountable.
M ANIL KUMAR
RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com
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he year 2012 alone recorded some of the biggest scams being unearthed by activists like Arvind Kejriwal and Team Anna with the power of RTI, and Hyderabad too witnessed quite a few changes because of this Act. The year 2012 also recorded the highest number deaths of activists, either attacked or murdered. While activists decry the many veiled attempts and apparent “errors” to silence the Act, the State information commission too needs to pull up its act together. The activist community also worries that the ‘adversary stand’ assumed by the public information officers (PIOs) and activists has only deteriorated the situation. “ If only they were trained to understand what we needed to know and worked towards helping us, the number of pending files or appeals would come down drastically,” said Manikyam Rao, an activist from Guntur. The many allegedly cooked up statistics in the annual report of the State information commission show that it is not functioning ably. More importantly, there was no continuation of the RTI awareness week that was carried out earlier in 2011. The proposal of the commission to include a school lesson on RTI failed to materialise. Despite all this, the budget of the commission was increased from `2.5 crore to above `5 crore from 2010-11 to 2011-12. What can be expected this year is a massive convention of RTI activists in Hyderabad for the first time. “The National Campaign for People’s Right to Information’s (NCPRI) annual convention this year on
PIC COURTESY SOUL HYDERABAD
February 17 and 18 is expected to raise all these issues and have a public platform for discussion in the City,” said Rakesh Reddy. Chief information commissioner Jannat Hussain also promised to reduce the time limit for second appeal to three months at a recent convention organised by activists. However, his promises are yet to materialise. Recent developments in the City through RTI activism: The GHMC was held account-
able for reckless spending on foot-over-bridges (FoBs) after activists filed RTIs on the state of unfinished FoBs and their finances. The GHMC was forced to get its act together after the RTIs received media attention. Encroachments around the WIPRO lake were investigated by the Lokayukta after City activists from It’s Time to Make a Difference (pictured above) and Save Our Urban Lakes (pictured below) pursued the mat-
ter. Other lakes in Chandanagar and Miyapur areas too were restored and fenced after the activists’ vigil. MLAs and MPs from AP continue to owe BSNL `41 crore as dues, an issue which was brought out by activist Rakesh Reddy. Another RTI reply revealed that 25 cabinet ministers from AP went on world tours for 500 days in three and a half years, an issue which stung the otherwise aloof ruling class.
NEWS BRIEFS Underground metro near UMAC leaders to meet heritage areas? PM in Delhi
Five day week for industries
CM on an official visit to Medak district
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he Heritage Conservation Committee submitted a petition to the chief secretary demanding that the Metro Rail line project go underground in nine areas along the metro rail plane. They argued that the projects in Bangalore and Delhi too had gone underground in some places to conserve the environs of heritage areas.
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eaders of United Muslim Action Committee (UMAC) would be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi to discuss various issues, including the arrest of the Owaisi brothers. They will fly to New Delhi within a day or two after celebrating Milad-un-Nabi in the City.
he CII, FAPCII and the FICCI proposed a five day week for industries to save power. The proposal was taken up to save six MU of power daily, in the wake of severe power crisis in the State. It was decided that the saved power could then be extended to other power starved industries across Andhra Pradesh.
hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will undertake an official visit of Medak district today. As part of the visit, the CM is scheduled to participate in many official programmes. He will inaugurate newly constructed government buildings of women federations, and hostel complexes for tribal students. He will later address a public.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
POLITICS
Movement may take a violent turn
T-parties are planning massive agitations in case the Centre goes back on its word to form a separate state. INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com
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ill the peaceful agitation for a separate Telangana turn into a violent struggle if the Centre does not concede the demand this time around? If the developments of the last couple of days are anything to go by, there is an indication that the agitation might turn violent. Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (T-JAC), which is spearheading the ongoing fight for achieving the separate Telangana state, publicly announced that they would go to any extent this time to achieve their sacred goal. “We are fed up with the dilly-dallying of the Centre on Telangana issue. We have decided to undertake innovative, serious and unprecedented agitations if the Centre does not announce the formation of separate Telangana state this time,” T-JAC chairman Prof Kodandaram (in pic) said while addressing a meeting of the com-
POLITICS
Danam not against T-state
mittee held in the City recently. The leader also said that they would launch special programmes to counter the false and poisonous propaganda launched by Andhra and Rayalaseeema leaders to prevent the creation of separate Telangana state. The TJAC has also primarily decided to launch a 100-day massive general strike with around seven lakh Telangana employees working in government sectors immediately after January 28, the
deadline set by the Centre to solve the Telangana issue. Speaking to Postnoon, Telangana Gazetted Officers’ Association president V Srinivas Goud confirmed the news and said that the proposed general strike would completely cripple all the functions of the State government, including delivery of services to the people of the State. “Our proposed strike will be a historic one and is aimed at paralysing the entire machinery of the State government in discharging its duties. We will send out a strong warning to the Centre if it goes back on its promise of formation of a Telangana state,” he said. The other programme being planned by the T-JAC is to block crucial railway links in the State with an objective to cut off links between the North and South India. “The blocking of railway lines will have tremendous impact on the Centre as they are pivotal in connecting South India with North Indian states, including Delhi,” Goud added.
POLITICS
Neglecting the state In their fight over the separate state issue, Cabinet leaders have abandoned their duties in the State. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com
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he ongoing war between Seemandhra and Telangana leaders over the division of the State have disrupted the official functions of State Cabinet ministers.
Apart from the CM, the deputy CM and three other Cabinet ministers, all the rest are in Delhi, fighting over the separate state issue. The impact of separate Telangana issue has hit these ministers so hard that their regular duties have gone for a toss. It has even forced them to shift base from Hyderabad to New Delhi. On Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh was witness to a rare development. Barring Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, deputy chief minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and three other Cabinet ministers, the remain-
ing ministers were out of the State on the separate state issue. The sacred missions of these ministers from the three regions of the State affected their functions and responsibilities as public representatives. Some of these responsibilities include clearance of departmental files and review meeting with officials on the activities of their departments. A State Cabinet minister confirmed that the ongoing fight over the division of the State had a terrible impact on their functions as ministers. “I was supposed to hold a review meeting with my department officials to monitor the progress of various development programmes. But the division of the state issue forced me to cancel all my duties and rush to Delhi,” the senior Cabinet minister from Andhra told Postnoon. Another from Telangana expressed similar feelings. “Though we are regretting not attending to our regular duties, it is inevitable for us to do so when an issue of this nature occurs,” he said.
NEEDS OF INDUSTRIES A Classified Display Feature
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averick labour minister Danam Nagender, who had created a controversy when he demanded that Hyderabad be declared a separate state, on Monday changed his tune by asserting that he was never against the creation of a separate Telangana state. Speaking to the media, Nagender pointed out that there was a lot of speculations and talk that people residing in the City were opposed to bifurcation of the State. “When reports circulated that Hyderabad might be made a union territory, I had pointed out that it is tantamount to a separate state. Except making this point clear, I had never opposed the formation of a Telangana state,” he added. The labour minister further observed that leaders like Lagadapati Rajagopal were putting spokes in the formation of Telangana state. The sooner the Seemandhra leaders resign, the quicker Telangana state would be realised, he added. NSS
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
NO ROOM FOR PROTEST
CIVIC
Penalise and legalise The State hopes to generate crores in revenue by legalising illegal buildings on government land. FILE PHOTO
Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com
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Police detain activists of Left parties who were protesting against the power tariff hike at Hyderabad Collectorate on Tuesday. N SHIVA KUMAR
ith the objective of generating crores of rupees in revenue, the State government will be amending the Municipal Act, whereby an illegally constructed structure on government land can be legalised after due penalisation. A high-level meeting, to be held this week, will decide the fate of a number of structures erected on government properties. According to a senior GHMC official, the government would regularise the structures after estimating the loss to public property and penalising the owner. Similar to building penalisation scheme (BPS), which has been generating crores in revenue, this scheme will be a landmark legislation. “If the amendment takes place, it can be implemented throughout the State. Most departments have given
REVENUE
2 lakh tax defaulters found in City
POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com
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ore than two lakh citizens have not being paying property tax for the last four years, found the GHMC. The corporation will be taking strict cognisance of this and will pressurise those whose taxes are pending since three years. GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu, who held a review meeting with senior officials recently, focused on property tax, trade licences, rent collections, BPS and LRS. It was found that nearly 2,17,270 properties have not been paying tax for the last four years. New assessments were not on par with the increase in building permissions. Last year, around 10,000 building permissions were given, but no new assessments were made. While reviewing property tax collec-
tions, the commissioner said that by this time last year, the GHMC had collected `349.43 crore in property tax. This year, the property tax collection is `460 crore. The commissioner directed the zonal commissioners to furnish property tax collection details every day by 6pm. He also stated that property tax payers who have more than `1 crore arrears due to financial problems are to be taken care of in a proper way and the taxes would be collected in a phased manner. The commissioner directed the deputy commissioners to inspect personally all the vacancy remission cases. As such, there should not be any lapses while sanctioning vacancy remissions. The commissioner also appreciated the work of ED Vijaya Raju, deputy commissioner, Serilingampally, for rendering his services to achieve 70 per cent of property tax collection.
approval for this, except the revenue department,”said an official. However, the resident welfare associations expressed skepticism about the amendment. Dr Rao Chelikani, United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, finds the new amendment to be redundant. If a structure is above 50 sq ft, there are already provisions for both rural and urban areas separately.
“These politicians can do anything with the intention of generating votes. One of the reasons for the hectic conclusion is possibly an eye on the elections,” said Dr Rao. He points out that if the amendment takes place, it would send a wrong signal that the government has succumbed to the lobbying of a few. Moreover, it would be detrimental for the Urban Ceiling Act, which maintains a balance.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
DOMESTIC ABUSE
Desperate husbands seek help One glance at the family courts and you will be surprised at the number of men filing harassment petitions against wives. Nearly 40 per cent of these cases are filed by men. ALEENA AT aleena.t@postnoon.com
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walk into any of the family courts in the City and you will be surprised by the number of men thronging the advocates. And no. These men are not present as accused in any case but instead to file petitions of harassment against their wives. Women approaching the courts and filing cases of harassment has been a common scene in our country, however over the past year there has been a change in this trend. The family courts in the City have been witnessing a rise in the number of harassment cases filed by men. Today more than 40 per cent of harassment cases that are piling up in the courts are filed by men against their wives. City-based advocates say that men aged between 2535 years have been approaching the court stating that their wives have been ill-treating them and subjecting them to mental torture. “If I get 10 cases every day, nearly five clients happen to be men who state that they are being subjected to mental
harassment. Most of them are from the IT background and well settled, but have issues with their marital lives. Many of these cases happen to be a dispute between the spouses over trivial issues. In most
against her.” Commenting on the changing trend, advocate CV Srinath says, “There have been cases where husbands have undergone unnecessary punishment because of their wives taking
cases the men also want custody of their children,” said advocate Ramani Jonna. “Recently a client, who has been married for less than a year, approached me stating that that his wife was harassing him and his aged parents. She apparently did not want to live with her in- laws and wanted to move out. However, when the man refused because his parents were old and he wanted to stay with them, she began ill treating him and his parents. With no other alternative he decided to file a case
advantage of the law. To avoid that, these days most of them feel it is better to approach the court in the initial stage itself rather than having to run around the courts later to prove their innocence. However, even now we cannot say that the husbands who file the petition are innocent, the law will decide based on the evidence produced by both the parties,” he said. Sudhakar (name changed on request) says, “I have been married for five years now and have a 2-year-old son. My wife
has been quarrelling with me and my family over trivial issues and also threatens to commit suicide. Since our law favours women I had to take this decision and approach the court before things got worse,” he said Speaking about how there have been cases where women have acted as abusers of Section 498A and taken advantage of it, R Suresh, an advocate says, “There have been many cases where women have misused the section and filed cases of harassment against their innocent husbands and in-laws to get their way. However, if in such cases the accused is able to produce evidence showing he is not guilty, the law will favour him and finally justice will be given to him.”
CRIME
Agricultural conference from Jan 28 Agricultural Biotechnology has gained significance in the recent years with the increase in demand for efficient agricultural production. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com
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ecognising the role of modern technologies in addressing some of the key challenges related to Food Security and Climate change; it is for the first time that BioAsia will organise AgBioAsia. The stand alone agri track of the annual international event organised by the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the government of Andhra Pradesh will be held in conjunction to BioAsia 2013 from January 28 to 30 at HICC. The first agri-summit of its kind, AgBioAsia 2013 is based on
the theme “trends and technological advancements in agriculture: a special focus on biotechnological interventions”. The event is a platform created solely to bring together the powers of research and industry to leverage agriculture and move towards sustainable level of global food security. Agricultural Biotechnology has gained significance in the
recent years with the increase in demand for efficient agricultural production and food management to provide sufficient food for the growing population, which is estimated to increase by 3 billion over the next 50 years. Agricultural Biotechnology has a promised potential to reduce crop losses from pests and diseases; improve the nutrient efficiency of food etc.
POLITICAL Judgment on Jagan’s bail plea posted to Jan 24
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he High Court, which heard arguments in favour of and against the bail petition of the Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy, has posted its judgment to January 24.
The agency has pointed out that the Supreme Court had already stated that Jagan’s bail petition was not a fit case for hearing. While Additional Solicitor General argued for the CBI, Niranjan Reddy argued for Jagan. CBI has informed the court that the government was not cooperating with it in the investigation. The counsel
of the agency said that they had represented to the government about information and permissions and had not received any reply. The agency has pointed out that the Supreme Court had already stated that Jagan’s bail petition was not a fit case for hearing. The agency told the court that it would require more time for completing investigation. The court then asked the agency how long it would take to complete the investigation. The agency said it was unable to state a time frame because of the non-cooperation of the government. Earlier when Jagan’s lawyer was arguing, the judge reminded him that the SC issued some guidelines with respect to the case. NSS
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
INFRASTRUCTURE
A reservoir of suffering
Residents of Dhoolpet have been plagued by water problems for several years. However, the construction of the Allabanda water reservoir gave them hope. But with the work crawling at snail’s pace it doesn’t seem like their problems will be alleviated any time soon. ANUBHA K SINGH anubha.k@postnoon.com
W
ater problems are the bane of almost e v e r y Hyderabadi’s life. But for Dhoolpet residents water supply itself is virtually non-existent. Be it summer, winter or spring, the dearth of water is so acute in this area that residents have almost given up hope. When, if by any chance, they do receive water supply the pressure is so low that it is of barely any use. Most of the residents in Dhoolpet are either daily wage labourers or gudumba makers and cannot afford to have individual water pumps installed nor can they call a water tanker on a regular basis. While some families do use motors to pump up water, owing to the low pressure, others who do not have connections in their homes have dug up pits adjacent to the water pipelines. However, even that doesn’t help. Most families in this area have been living here for more than 20 years and have been struggling with the lax water supply. However, in 2011 they got a ray of hope when the hurdles for the construction of the Allabanda water reservoir in Goshamahal Assembly constituency was cleared and Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy laid the foundation stone in June that year. Residents, had hoped that the construction of this reservoir would help allevi-
N SHIVA KUMAR
ate their problems. But as all government projects go, this one too is fraught with delays. Nearly one and a half years later, work on this project is yet to begin in full swing. “The work is dragging at a very slow pace. To make matters worse, the construction material that is being used has been lying here in the open for the last two years and has begun to wear out. It took a lot of following up by residents and local leaders for the work
Locals allege that during the Assembly elections Congress and BJP candidates had promised to help. But nothing has been done so far. to at least be started. If it continues to crawl at this pace, I doubt it will be completed in the next five years,” said Dinesh Singh Hazaari, local leader, Dhoolpet and TDP youth vice president. Meanwhile, residents in the area have lost hope that their problems will ever come to an end. “We’ve been facing water problems for the last decade. Ministers come and make tall promises every election year but they are nothing but empty promises,” says Rammanhor Lodh, a resident. Women find it the hardest to deal with this problem. “Water is supplied only once a day
and that too in the afternoons. We women have to rush to fetch water. Those who can afford the electricity bills have installed water pumps to draw water, but there are many lower middle class families here, who can’t afford to pay hefty power bills. They are forced to carry water up to their houses from the main road,” said Meera Devi, resident of the area. Locals allege that during the rup up to the Assembly elections Congress and BJP candidates had promised to help them. But nothing has been done so far. Locals are also worried about the quality of material being used in the construction of the reservoir. “The proposed reservoir is expected to cater to the needs of over 2.5 lakh people residing in the localities and `20 crore was sanctioned for the project in 2011. Then why are they using sub-standard material for constructing the reservoir? Why is there no check on the quality of material being used for construction? There are many such questions on everybody’s minds, but there is no one to answer them,” adds Dinesh. Ghode-ki-Kabar, Dattatreya Nagar, Razzakpet, Ganga Bowli, Natraj Nagar, Allabanda, Mangalhat, Jirrah, Uppera, Lower Dhoolpet, Sitaram Bagh, Azizbagh and Jiyaguda are expected to benefit from the reservoir. The project will improve the water pressure and stabilise supply.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
focus
LITTLE EXPERIENCE
Forty-six-year-old Dijsselbloem — pronounced day-sell-bloom — has just 11 weeks of ministerial experience on Monday, when the relative unknown is tipped to begin leading the battle against the 17-member eurozone’s worst crisis yet.
EUROGROUP
Father Christmas in reverse Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem’s reputation as an austere bridge-builder will serve him well as he becomes the head of the Eurogroup, coordinating deficit-busting policies in the crisis-hit eurozone.
THE HAGUE: Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem’s reputation as an austere bridgebuilder will serve him well if, as expected, he becomes the head of the Eurogroup, coordinating deficit-busting policies in the crisis-hit eurozone. But Dijsselbloem, 46, has just 11 weeks of ministerial experience on Monday, when the relative unknown is tipped to begin leading the battle against the 17-member eurozone’s worst crisis yet. “A staggering strategist,” according to Dutch financial daily the Financieele Dagblad, Dijsselbloem — pronounced ‘day-sell-bloom’ — is also, says the centre-left De Volkskrant, “a little stuffy and as loyal as a guide dog”. Protestant daily Trouw describes the curly haired minister with a slightly pinched face as “a likeable man behind a mask of rigidity”. “He’s an affable man in pri-
In an interview at the end of December, Dijsselbloem told De Volkskrant that as finance minister he was “Father Christmas in reverse”. “Because I have to make sure that no presents are handed out, and that everyone pays up on time,” he said of the unenviable role that he will now have to bring to bear upon the eurozone.
vate but always very serious when you talk about work,” said Staf Depla, who along with Dijsselbloem and current Labour leader Diederick Samsom was part of the so-called “Red Engineers”. The three men took their name from their scientific backgrounds — Dijsselbloem studied agricultural economics in the Netherlands and business economics in Ireland — and campaigned for 2003 elections by visiting low-income neighbourhoods and calling for better integration of Muslim immigrants. Campaigning in appropriately red jumpsuits, the trio shocked the Labour (PvdA) party’s old guard by suggesting that immigrants had duties and should be educated about Dutch society — ideas more usually associated with the farright. Dijsselbloem acquired a rep-
utation as a strategist, quietly working away from the limelight, and for years held planning roles within the Labour party. His focus was on education, healthcare, asylum policy and youth — but not finance or the economy. In a frank expression of his inexperience, Dijsselbloem on Friday thanked current Eurogroup head Jean-Claude Juncker for “all the advice he has given me as a newcomer to this financial world.” Positioned on the Labour party’s right, Dijsselbloem shares his party’s pro-European vision, backing balanced budgets and austerity measures. He emerged as a compromise candidate because he comes from one of the few remaining top AAA-rated countries, which is also a founding EU member, he is Social Democrat like the government in France, and backs
austerity like Germany. Like some other top EU officials, the most remarkable thing about Dijsselbloem is how little known he is, even in the Netherlands. “Dijsselbloem is a blank page and choosing him as finance minister was a surprise because he’s never had a financial profile as a politician,” said Bas Jacobs, economist at Rotterdam’s Erasmus University. Dijsselbloem was born in the eastern city of Eindhoven, into a largely apolitical family. His political awakening came aged 15 when he took part, against his parents’ will, in a protest against a Cold War missile installation in 1983. He was raised in a Catholic environment and many of his family members, including his parents, grandmother, uncle and aunts, were teachers. Before becoming minister, Dijsselbloem was best known
in the Netherlands for arguing in parliament for less violent music videos on MTV, acquiring the nickname of “moral knight”. A father to a teenaged son and daughter, Dijsselbloem has cited Dutch left-wing wartime leader Wiardi Beckman, who died in Dachau after being arrested by the Nazis in 1942, as his greatest political inspiration. He is also an admirer of trumpet great Miles Davis and of British comedy series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”. In an interview at the end of December, Dijsselbloem told De Volkskrant that as finance minister he was “Father Christmas in reverse”. “Because I have to make sure that no presents are handed out, and that everyone pays up on time,” he said of the unenviable role that he will now have to bring to bear upon the eurozone. AFP
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Quick facts Dijsselbloem was born in the eastern city of Eindhoven, into a largely apolitical family. His political awakening came aged 15 when he took part, against his parents’ will, in a protest against a Cold War missile installation in 1983. Before becoming minister, Dijsselbloem was best known in the Netherlands for arguing in parliament for less violent music videos on MTV, acquiring the nickname of “moral knight”. Dijsselbloem has cited Dutch left-wing wartime leader Wiardi Beckman, who died in Dachau after being arrested by the Nazis in 1942, as his greatest political inspiration. He is also an admirer of trumpet great Miles Davis and of British comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Business
MICROSOFT IN TALKS ON DELL BUYOUT
Microsoft is in talks with private equity investors on a possible buyout of US computer giant Dell, the Wall Street Journal reported. The reports, citing sources close to the discussions, said Microsoft was considering investing $2 billion to $3 billion.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
GOOGLE PROFITS SURGE
The success package
Ability to sniff out opportunities for business is the cornerstone for success, vows City entrepreneur AB Kulkarni. PRUDHVI RAJU K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
A
B Kulkarni (right) stepped into entrepreneurial world by starting Nirmala Industries in 1990 with an investment of around `1.75 lakh. Over time, the company has become synonymous with invention of new products for packaging needs of different industries in the State. Later in 2000, the firm underwent restructuring and evolved as Nirmala Pet A Pack. The business took birth from the sheer passion of Kulkarni to get into manufacturing industry and create an industry of his own, and also generate employment. He says, “With six years experience in marketing, I wanted to start-up an enterprise of my own. It was 1990s, there was an option to choose either manufacturing or trading and there were not much of opportunities in service industry. I am the first entrepreneur to set up a unit after completion of Entrepreneurship Development Programme that was introduced by APSFC.” Talking about idea, Kulkarni says, “Ice cream companies used to import plastic cups from Mumbai. There was an opportunity to manufacture ice cream cups locally and offer them to the companies here. We succeeded in doing that. However, in those days, ice cream was only a seasonal product — sold from January to June. This pushed me to go around different industrial units in Hyderabad to get work for the industry fort
the remaining half of the year. The idea was to utilise the equipment that we own for various other packaging needs. To understand their needs, we talked to process and purchase managers and eventually converted this knowledge and contacts into opportunity.” The journey in search of opportunity has changed the course of the enterprise as it invented and introduced many products for the first time in the State. “I found that pharmaceutical companies are importing ampoule trays from Japan even with heavy import duty. Without having any experience in packaging, we could manufacture these trays, which gave me confidence and interest to get in to the packaging the field. This success helped us to design many more products for different industries like biscuit
trays (which are put inside the biscuit packets) that brought humongous benefits to the companies in terms of faster packaging,” he says. Talking about challenges, he says, “There were not many challenges during that time. As I got financial support from APSFC and SBI, I did not worry about working capital. However, being first in the industry to introduce new products has its own disadvantages. Although, these are useful products to adopt for packaging, there was always a resistance to change in the companies. After few years, we only targeted few companies who are looking for such kind of products. We also changed our strategy in marketing by talking about advantages that a product offers to them rather than talking about our intervention of product.” The business, which grew around 10 per cent since inception had to limit itself with around eight per cent growth for last three years due to macroeconomic conditions. “As entrepreneurs, we always look for growth. However, with the current power crisis and non-availability of human resource, we are struggling to manage the industry without looking for growth. The challenge for us is to retain the trust among our clients by delivering the products within deadlines. We are even cutting down orders from the clients to meet the deadlines in these tough times. We are confident to grow the enterprise by ourselves if government can provide us with at least basic resources,” he adds.
for the five-day annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The 2012 meeting was dominated by the euro crisis and fears Greece could be forced out of the eurozone, but this year’s gathering is marked by a feeling of cautious optimism the worst may be over. Opening the meeting, WEF founder and host Klaus
Schwab, 74, called on delegates to turn the corner on the eurozone debt woes that have tipped the region into a recession. In a major survey released by financial services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Tuesday on the eve of the meeting’s official opening, chief executives said they were marginally more optimistic on the global economy.
Only 28 per cent of CEOs said they expected the world economy to decline further in 2013, against 48 per cent last year, while 52 per cent expected it to remain stable. But only 36 per cent said they were “very confident” in their companies’ growth prospects in the next 12 months, down from 40 percent last year and 48 percent in 2011. AFP
GOLD`31,100 10g SILVER `60,100 1kg
24C
for
for
DOLLAR `53.79 POUND `85.15
NUMEROLOGY
51.2 % is the share of Apple’s iPhone in the US smartphone market
YAHOO! BUYS SNIP.IT
World elite gathers in Davos DAVOS: The world’s political and business elite gather in the snow-covered resort of Davos from Wednesday, aiming to instil some confidence in the global economy amid tentative signs of recovery. Some 45 world leaders will rub shoulders with around 2,500 lobbyists, journalists, captains of industry and economists in the picture-postcard Swiss ski resort
Google reported Tuesday that its profit climbed and its annual revenue hit an unprecedented high last year as it evolved to stay in tune with people using smartphones and tablets. “We ended 2012 with a strong quarter,” said Google co-founder and chief executive Larry Page. “We hit $50 billion in revenues for the first time last year; not a bad achievement in just a decade and a half.” The fourth quarter profit was up 6.7 per cent from a year earlier at $2.89 billion, and for the full year Google’s earnings grew 10 percent to $10.74 billion. Revenue in the quarter that ended December 31 was up 36 percent from the same period a year earlier at $14.4 billion. For the year, revenues grew to $50.2 billion. Google shares jumped more than five percent to $738.20 in after-market trading that followed release of the earnings figures, which topped most Wall Street estimates. Google dominates the US online advertising market, which grew 14.9 per cent to $10.58 billion in the final three months of last year, according to eMarketer. The market tracker estimated that Google takes in more than 41 per cent of digital ad revenue in the United States.
Yahoo! confirmed Tuesday that it bought Snip.it, a young San Francisco startup that lets people create scrapbooks with pictures, articles, videos and other content found online. A message posted at Snip.it told users it was “joining forces” with Yahoo! and that the service was no longer available. A link was provided to a hall of fame honouring top Snip.it contributors. Snip.it launched in late 2011 as a place where people could share digital “scrapbooks” based on topics or themes of their choosing. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed but unconfirmed online reports estimated the figure to be in the vicinity of $15 million.
BSE 6,057.70 NSE
20,025.67 44.10 9.20
11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
nation
HUSBAND SHOOTS WIFE DEAD
A woman was allegedly shot dead by her husband over some dispute in Shivala Sikrohari village in Tadiyawa area of Uttar Pradesh, police said today. The accused fled from the spot after the incident. The police have launched a manhunt for him.
KARNATAKA
Jolt to Shettar as 2 BSY loyalists quit Public works minister CM Udasi and energy minister Shobha Karandlaje handed over their resignations to the Chief Minister this morning. BANGALORE: In a development that could trigger fresh crisis for ruling BJP in Karnataka, two Ministers loyal to the BS Yeddyurappa-led Karnataka Janata Party today resigned from the Jagadish Shettar ministry. Public works minister CM Udasi and energy minister Shobha Karandlaje handed over their resignations to the Chief Minister this morning. Official sources said the resignation letters have been sent to Governor HR Bhardwaj for acceptance. Udasi said they have been hurt by the attitude of Shettar towards MLAs and Ministers supporting Yeddyurappa, adding, the time has come to build KJP. “Though we had indicated that we are going to submit resignation, we are getting information that the Speaker (KG Bopaiah) is out of station”, Udasi said, adding, he, Shobha and a few MLAs would submit their resignation from Assembly membership to the Speaker’s office later today. Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar, a
staunch Yeddyurappa loyalist, termed the “foreign tour” of the Speaker as political “strategy” of the BJP to scuttle the plans of Yeddyurappa-supporting MLAs and Ministers (who wanted to resign). He said in case the Speaker’s office hesitates to accept the resignation letters, they would meet Bhardwaj. A cloud of uncertainty has been hanging over the Shettar ministry ever since Yeddyurappa quit the party to float his KJP in
December last. The former BJP strongman has repeatedly put the government on notice about their stability, claiming support of 20-30 BJP MLAs. Yeddyurappa’s party had set two deadlines earlier to unseat the government but they turned out to be a damp squib. Brushing aside the threats to his government, Shettar had said he would present the state budget on February 8, the last ahead of assembly polls due in May. PTI
WASHINGTON: The United States has ruled out any extradition for the American born LeT terrorist David Headley, in lieu of providing critical information to the US agencies about various other terror outfits. The Mumbai attack accused also agreed to co-operate with the government, as well as any foreign judicial proceedings held inside US through video conferencing or deposition, Attorney Gary S Shapiro informed a Chicago court. The attorney ruled out any extradition for the 26/11 accused under a guilty plea that the Pakistani-American had entered into with the US government and in lieu of the co-operation he extended to the government and the crucial information about various terrorist outfits that he shared with the American investigating agencies. “As the Court knows, Headley’s testimony helped secure a conviction against (Tahawwur) Rana. Further, Headley has agreed to provide truthful testimony in any proceeding in the United States if called upon by the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as any foreign judicial proceed-
BJP LEADERSHIP
Modi welcomes Rajnath return
NEW DELHI: Gujarat CM Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated BJP leader Rajnath Singh who is likely to become party president, and said the party would “gain from this” move. “I called up Shri Rajnath Singh ji and congratulated him. He brings with him vast experience of both organisation and administration,” Modi said on
micro-blogging site twitter. “Rajnath Singh ji served as agriculture minister in Atal ji’s government. He has always been associated with the farmers. BJP will gain from this,” he said. In dramatic developments Tuesday, incumbent BJP president Nitin Gadkari announced that he would not seek a second term. Former Uttar Pradesh chief
minister Rajnath Singh emerged as Gadkari’s likely successor. Rajnath Singh’s name emerged after a series of meetings involving party leaders Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Ram Lal and Ananth Kumar. BJP leaders are meeting in Delhi and name of the new president is likely to be announced later during the day. IANS
Pick
26/11 TRIAL IN US US rules out Headley extradition to India
at the
To seek 35-yr jail term
U
S federal prosecutors are seeking 30 to 35 years in prison for David Headley. Ahead of Headley’s sentencing set for Thursday, Gary Shapiro, the acting US Attorney in Chicago, in a memo to the federal district court Tuesday said that the 30-35 year sentence recommended by the prosecution for Headley was fair. Headley could receive up to life in prison.
ing held in the United States by way of deposition, videoconferencing or letters rogatory,” Acting United States Attorney Gary S Shapiro told the Chicago Court in a 20-page submission made today. In addition to meeting with investigators from the United States, Headley was interviewed by Indian law enforcement officers for seven days, Shapiro said. “Headley answered their questions without any restriction, and the government understands that the Indian government found the information to be useful. Additionally, Headley has taken other steps and provided other information to assist authorities,” he said. PTI
Only UNSC can end Kashmir mission: Ban UNITED NATIONS: ‘As India and Pakistan clashed in the Security Council over relevance of the UN observer group at the LoC, a spokesperson for UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the force can be terminated only by a decision of the 15-nation body. The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan was “established in 1948 by the Security Council. The SecretaryGeneral’s position has always been that UNMOGIP can only be terminated by a decision of the Security Council,” Ban’s spokesperson Martin Nesirky said in an email to PTI. During a UNSC open
debate on peacekeeping organised by Pakistan yesterday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri had said that UNMOGIP’s role had been “overtaken” by the 1972 Simla Agreement, which was signed between India and Pakistan. Following the Simla pact, the two countries had resolved to settle their differences by “peaceful means through bilateral negotiations,” Puri said. The Indian envoy had also suggested that it would be better to spend the resources allocated for UNMOGIP in other areas or missions to ensure the finances are better utilised elsewhere in times of austerity.
airport,
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
World KOREAN CONUNDRUM
Tougher sanctions on Pyongyang UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council ordered tougher sanctions Tuesday against North Korea for a banned rocket launch, triggering a defiant pledge by Pyongyang to bolster its nuclear deterrent. The Security Council added North Korea’s state space agency, a bank, four trading companies and four individuals to the UN sanctions list. The council threatened “significant action” if the North stages a nuclear test. The resolution, proposed by the United States and passed unanimously by the 15-nation council, “condemned” North Korea for what its “ballistic missile technology” test on December 12.
N Korea hints at nuke test SEOUL: A defiant North Korea today condemned a new round of UN sanctions and hinted it might carry out a nuclear test, while ruling out a resumption of talks on denuclearising the Korean peninsula. “We flatly reject and condemn the UN Security Council’s extremely unfair resolution that attempts to violate our sovereign rights,” the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. “We will take physical actions aimed at expanding and strengthening our selfdefensive military forces, including nuclear deterrence,” the ministry said. The statement came hours after new sanctions were imposed on the nation.
MANILA MOVES TRIBUNAL AGAINST CHINA The Philippines took a desperate legal step against China’s claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, formally notifying the Asian superpower that Manila is seeking international arbitration to declare Beijing’s moves in the potentially oil-rich waters “unlawful.”
MALI
Army vows to take Timbuktu in a month French planes bombed a major base of the al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) near Timbuktu.
A Malian army armed pickup truck drives near Markala on on January 22, 2013. Italy said Tuesday it will send three planes to Mali to help support French and Malian troops battling Islamist rebels after parliament gave the green light for a two- to three-month logistical mission. AFP/ISSOUF SANOGO
DIABALY, MALI: Mali’s army chief Tuesday said his French-backed forces could reclaim the northern towns of Gao and fabled Timbuktu from Islamists in a month, as more offers of aid poured in for the offensive. French planes bombed a major base of the Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) near Timbuktu, a defence ministry official said on condition of anonymity, as officials said a mansion belonging to Libyan former strongman Moamer Kadhafi was destroyed. “In the course of the last French bombings, several jihadists died and the residence of Kadhafi which had become the headquarters of
US offers to help in Algerian attackers hunt New York: The Pentagon said that there were "strong indications" that al-Qaida in the Mahgreb (AQIM) was behind last week's attack on an Algerian gas field, raising the prospects of heightened US involvement in the French-led counter-insurgency in the region, the Guardian reported. The Algerian authorities said that five foreign workers at the In Amenas complex were still missing after being taken hostage by a jihadist group. Thirty-seven foreign contractors and an Algerian worker were killed in the attack, which was launched last Wednesday. The attackers called themselves the "Signers in Blood battalion".
the Islamists was destroyed,” a Malian security official said, adding there were no civilian deaths. A local resident said: “Three or four other areas housing Islamists were also bombed,” adding that three houses “used by drug-traffickers were targeted”. International moves to aid the operations revved up with the US military airlifting French troops and equipment from France into Mali. “We expect the mission to last for the next several days,” an AFRICOM spokesman, Chuck Prichard, told AFP in Germany. The Pentagon said the United States would not demand payment from France for the use of US transport planes. The US Air Force deployed a small team of airmen on the ground and C-17 cargo planes for five flights to Mali since Monday, ferrying 140 tons of supplies and 80 French troops, Pentagon officials said. “We know from our bilateral contacts that the United States is going to be a substantial contributor,” France’s UN ambassador Gerard Araud said. He added that the European Union would help to pay the salaries of the African force and with humanitarian aid. Italy said it would send three planes to Mali to help support French and Malian troops for a two- to threemonth logistical mission. AFP
NEWS BRIEFS Jordan goes to polls today; Islamists boycott
US man gets 15 years in Veteran BBC man Stuart Army militia plot Hall charged with rape
Gen. Allen cleared in misconduct probe
AMMAN: Jordan votes on Wednesday in an election boycotted by Islamists behind strident proreform protests who have already labelled as illegitimate what is expected to be an opposition-free parliament. The king is hoping that the polls will produce a new crop of MPs who will work efficiently to jump start reform.
HINESVILLE, GEORGIA: A 22-year-old ex-soldier has pleaded guilty to more than 30 charges for his involvement with a group of Army soldiers who authorities say planned acts of domestic terrorism. Prosecutor Isabel Pauley says Timothy Joiner pleaded guilty yesterday to burglary, theft, and violations of the street gang terrorism.
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has cleared General John Allen, the top US commander in Afghanistan, of wrongdoing over emails with a woman tied to the sex scandal that forced CIA director David Petraeus to resign. General Allen may take up command of NATO forces in Europe, the official said. “Allen has been cleared by the IG,” the official said.
LONDON: British police has charged veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall with one offence of rape and 14 of indecent assault committed between 1967 and 1986. The assaults involve 10 girls aged between nine and 16-years-old and the rape charge concerns a woman aged 22 when the alleged offence took place in 1976.
12
TWITTER KING
Pop star Justin Bieber has become the most-followed person on micro-blogging site Twitter, surpassing previous record holder Lady GaGa. The Canadian teen sensation successfully scored 33,315,521 followers, a massive amount that was enough to beat GaGa’s 33,315,459 followers. The “Boyfriend” singer garners an average of 40,055 followers a day, while Gaga adds around 30,495 users to her follower list each day, reported Aceshowbiz.
NUMEROLOGY
75
-YR-OLD
blue-blooded Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg is proving a serious contender in his country’s first direct presidential election.
NETANYAHU PARTY WINS Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to remain in power despite the poor showing by his Likud-Beitenu list, which will push him into an alliance with the centrist Yesh Atid, the surprise winner of Tuesday’s vote. According to exit polls, Likud-Beitenu, the joint list uniting Netanyahu’s Likud with the hardline nationalist Yisrael Beitenu, suffered a serious setback, winning just 31-33 mandates in the 120-seat Knesset, down from 42 in the outgoing coalition. The centrist Yesh Atid, launched in April 2012 by former TV anchor Yair Lapid, made an unexpectedly strong showing.
We flatly reject and condemn the UN Security Council’s extremely unfair resolution that attempts to violate our sovereign rights. N Korea Foreign Ministry about UN sanctions
13
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Technology MICROBLOGGING
A BILLION’S COOL
Tweets will live forever Library of Congress to archive billions of tweets posted by Americans
ANNE RENAUT feedback@postnoon.com
T
he Library of Congress, repository of the world’s largest collection of books, has set for itself the enormous task of archiving something less weighty and far more ephemeral — Americans’ billions of tweets. The venerable US institution is assembling all of the 400 million tweets sent by Americans each day, in the belief that each of the minimessages reflect a small but important part of the national narrative. “An element of our mission at the Library of Congress is to collect the story of America, and to acquire collections that will have research value,” according to Gayle Osterberg, director of communications at the library. The Library of Congress, located off the National Mall in Washington, houses millions of hard copy books and historic documents, and its online archives amass millions of additional works produced by Americans for more than two centuries. Now it wants to be keeper of the nation’s brief Internet messages as well: Twitter in
April 2010 inked a deal with the Library, giving it access to tweets dating back to the company’s inception in 2006. Collecting the 140-character micro-missives, said Osterberg, is in keeping with the library’s main goal “to collect the story of America and to acquire collections that will have research value.” One major challenge to the Library, however, is storing the messages from the popular social messaging site, which now number 170 billion. Twitter last month said the number of active users on the messaging
The Library of Congress’s tweets are being stored by Gnip, Inc., a social media aggregation company headquartered in Colorado, which has put 133,000 GB storage space available. platform has topped 200 million, most of whom are in the United States. Tweets that have been deleted or that are locked will
not be among those gathered by the Library of Congress. Among the messages to be preserved for posterity are the first-ever tweets sent by one of the company’s founders, Jack Dorsey. Also saved for all time is a famous tweet sent by President Barack Obama after his historic November 2008 victory to claim the White House in his first term. “We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion. All of this happened because of you. Thanks,” read the micro-message from the famously tech-savvy US president. Unlike traditional bound books or even digital web pages, the real challenge of preserving tweets is keeping up with their number, which has continued to grow almost exponentially. There were 140 million tweets sent each day in February 2011, but more than three times as many — about a half billion — by October 2012. The Library of Congress’s tweets are being stored by Gnip, Inc., a social media aggregation company headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, which has put more than 133,000 gigabytes of stor-
age space available. Gnip says it is a particular challenge to gather tweets during “peak” times, such as news event watched the world over like the Japanese tsunami in March 2011, which generated many thousand tweets per second. It has proven to be a Herculean challenge for Gnip to make tweets accessible to all those who wish to view them. So far it has been unable to meet the demands of researchers worldwide who hope to access the archive. Even a search among the first four years of tweets, from 2006 to 2010, could take about 24 hours. “It is clear that technology to allow for scholarship access to large data sets is lagging behind technology for creating and distributing such data,” said a recent white paper published by the Library of Congress. “This is an inadequate situation,” the Library concluded, calling the massive archiving project “prohibitively costly.” And yet Lee Humphreys, a professor of communication at Cornell University in New York, said that the brief online messages can reveal volumes “about the culture where they were produced.”
Google spent more than a billion dollars on infrastructure in the fourth quarter, representing the company’s second-biggest quarterly expenditure ever. As it competes against Facebook, Apple, Yelp and Amazon, the company can’t afford to stop building data centers now. Excluding the fourth quarter of 2010, though — in which Google plunked down $2 billion for a massive data center/office location at 111 8th Avenue in New York — the company’s last quarter represents the biggest infrastructure investment in its history. Facebook has also been investing heavily in infrastructure, meeting Google’s expense only in case of FB, it is 1/3 of the company’s earnings.
FREE FOR NOW
Airtel has announced free access to the mobile application of Facebook for its prepaid mobile customers. Airtel mobile customers can now access the Facebook mobile application free of charge for up to 500MB of monthly data usage till 15 February. Beyond free usage, prevailing rates will apply. With the move, the company will be trying to woo more people to try out mobile Internet services. Service providers have special plans in place so that users can access social networking sites at a minimal rate.
EMBED THEM Twitter has announced changes to the code it uses to embed tweets. Now you’ll be able to display more details with the tweet than ever before if you decide to embed a tweet in your blog post or article. For example, if the user has linked to a photo or a YouTube link, they will also be embedded with the tweet. To try it out, click the "More" button in any Tweet on twitter.com, and then select “Embed this Tweet” to enrich your blog posts or pages. You can do the same on TweetDeck. You can also view retweet and favourite counts to better understand engagement.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Comment You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.
GADKARI’S EXIT
THE HUMAN CONDITION Dean Williams
R
ick Tumlinson, the chairman of the superbly named Deep Space Industries, is poised to go boldly where only science fiction writers have gone before. His company plans to begin mining of near-Earth asteroids for minerals by 2016. Now for those of us who have always looked to the stars in wonderment and unabashed delight, this may seem like the pinnacle of cosmic derring-do, but is it at all possible? Well it may just be. So much so that even Google’s Larry Page and (wait for it) film-maker James Cameron’s, Planetary Resources, unveiled plans of their grand space mining plan. Of course all this is reliant on 3D printing technology advancing to the extent that data can be converted into usable products. That technology is well on the way to bearing fruit that will change the way we live, but actually getting something on an asteroid to mine it is a whole different matter altogether. There is, however, a warning, as one of my colleagues morbidly pointed out, and it comes from another film-maker, in fact from the man whose vision of space is steeped in terror and silent screams. Wasn’t the ill-fated spaceship, The Nostromo, in Ridley Scott’s seminal Alien, a mining vessel? Not that we’re going to have aliens hopping on to Tumlinson’s Von Neumann’s and heading to Earth. There’s a lot to be done before we go out and buy a metal box made in the Atiras, but then again, I bet 50 years ago no American thought he’d be buying a tablet made in China.
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BLOW TO BJP, BOOST FOR MODI FUSILLADE
Walter Hagen Golf Great
Deep space rock ‘n’ roll
HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS
Finland’s Rovaniemen Palloseura football club is based in the Arctic Circle and play football in below freezing conditions for months on end. Some matches are played when temperatures are below -18 degrees Celsius, reports the Guardian. Boy, don’t they need a long, long warm up?
Arun Koshy Philip
E
very effort of embattled BJP chief Nitin Gadkari to wiggle out of the Spurti quagmire has backfired and the proverbial final nail on the coffin was stuck by the I-T raids on the company stakeholders’ offices. As the negative publicity brought by its appointee became too big to be pushed under the carpet, even the all powerful RSS could not help him. Rajnath Singh’s return could not be more spectacular. Gadkari’s term at the helm was a disaster. Revolt after revolt broke out in the party’s state units — its Karnataka situation is the worst scenario. It was not long ago that the party’s national leadership was forced to kneel down before the Bellary brothers and revoke all disciplinary actions against them and their confidants. Late realisation of its mistake and the subsequent tough posturing before BS Yeddyurappa have resulted in its sole government in the south hanging to power by a wafer-thin majority. The Lingayat strongman enjoys considerable support among the party’s cadres and has the abili-
ty to spoil it for the saffron party. And more than anyone else, one person stands to gain the most — Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Modi’s chance of being the party’s prime ministerial candidate got a major boost with Gadkari out of the way. Modi and Gadkari had clashed several times in the past with the pracharak CM skipping the party’s national executive meetings in protest. The harbinger of Gadkari’s dwindling elbow room was the May conclave where the party body had to drop Modi-baiter and Gadkari loyalist Sanjay Joshi. With an outspoken Hindutva hawk like Rajnath Singh at the helm of the party, Modi will look like a moderate (though he is anything but one). Singh’s elevation also spares Modi of worries about strengthening the party before laying siege to Delhi — the former has proven his mettle with excellent organisational skills during his previous stints. Modi has also greatly benefitted from Rahul Gandhi’s elevation to the number two slot in the Congress. While junior’s tearjerker speech might have sent the nation reaching for tissue paper boxes, the ‘anointment’ has effectively ruled out the possibility of any leader of
calibre rising to the top in near future. Every time Rahul has tried to take on Modi politically, his rhetoric failed to scratch Modi’s image, let alone dent it. Sonia’s last best shot — maut ka saudagar (merchant of death) — boomeranged and Modi emerged stronger than ever. The recent state elections underscored the Gujarat’s CM’s upper hand in this unequal fight. Modi’s success has been in forcing his most vehement critics to come out with praise for him through good governance. Congress leaders, civil society activists and even leading Muslim figures have turned fans. With booming business opportunities in Gujarat prov-
ing to be too lucrative to be ignored, most countries which blacklisted him in the wake of 2002 riots have quietly backtracked, the UK being the latest to join this list. In the US too, the number of voices calling for going soft on Modi is increasing by the day. Though kin of victims of 2002 massacres in Gujarat continue to wage their legal battles, a series of clean chits by courts have boosted Modi’s credentials. Gadkari was a weight that was dragging the BJP down (no pun intended), and freed of that, the main Opposition party is in a better position to put its house in order and pose a credible challenge to the ruling combine in the 2014 General Elections.
EDITORIALS The rise of the Green Ninja Lance eats own words
W
hen times are such that raging wildfires, hurricanes, hailstorms, unexpected turn in seasons are predicted to be the norm, we need a super hero to jump in and do what’s needful to save the earth from the abyss of doom. We have Superman, Spiderman, Batman and so many others, but none of them have made it their prime aim to fight global warming, which is fuelling climate change. So here’s Green Ninja. The Guardian reports that Dr Eugene Cordero — Green Ninja’s creator and a climate scientist at San Jose State University—has created a series of videos and lesson plans for teachers. And the creators are looking forward to produce a 16-episode series to upload on YouTube. The masked man in green will “whip up all sorts mayhem” when it comes to teaching kids about important aspects and factors of global warming and climate change like “carbon footprint, energy-saving strategies and gas guzzling leaf blowers”. Mayhem or not, we must not pooh-pooh the martial art expert in green. Like the Green Ninja, it’s time to stop talking and taking action.
READERS’ VIEWS
L
ance Armstrong long back when Doeshe-dope story was raging, said: “There are journalists who are willing to lie, to threaten people and to steal in order to catch me out. Ethics, standards, values, accuracy – these are of no interest to people like Walsh.” He was trashing Alan Walsh, chief sports writer of with the Times, who played a key role in showing what Lance truly was. And he had to apologise to him on Oprah. Eating own words and humble pie at once, eh?
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Cinema
PERSONAL TOUCH
Actress Jessica Alba has written a book on lifestyle and parenting to provide an honest account of everything. Titled The Honest Life, the book reveals the actress' personal experience as a parent.
TOP COPS
Mirror mirror…
...Who’s the toughest of them all? With Sachiin Joshi being the latest to jump onto the Bollywood policeman bandwagon, Postnoon charts the changing face of the B-Town cops. NIDHI BHUSHAN nidhi.b@postnoon.com
was the ‘money’ maker.
A
The ‘90s was all about setting things right. It was all about trapping the demons of society. With terrorists and bomb blasts making headlines those days, the glitzy Bollywood world banked on them to create ripples at the box office. In Khalnayak (1993), Jackie Shroff portrayed the urban inspector Ram, who successfully traps a wanted terrorist Ballu. It was in the ‘90s too, that Akshay Kumar’s tryst with uniforms began as well. Donning the role of inspector Karan Joglekar, Akshay too played the scheming, plotting khaki man in the 1994 release Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Among others, he has played a cop in Khakee and in his latest Khiladi 786. B-Town perfectionist Aamir Khan also made it big as IPS officer Ajay Singh Rathod in the 1999 release Sarfarosh. The ever-so-serious Khan also takes the credit of bringing back the ‘70s cop image to the 21st century with his role as inspector Shekhawat in his 2012 release Talaash.
s far as one can recall, Hindi cinema’s ‘khakiness’ began with Iftekhar. Known for donning the maximum number of cop roles in Bollywood, Iftekhar was nothing less than ‘the’ B-Town inspector, just like Nirupa Roy was tinseltown’s soppy mother. However, Amitabh Bachchan changed it all with his 1973 release Zanjeer. Playing a cop was no longer the role of a sidekick; it was one for the heroes. As the angry inspector Vijay Khanna, Big B changed the face of the Bollywood cop. Honesty, righteousness and fearlessness were some of the characteristics that became a standard formula for the man in uniform. Whether it was Sanjeev Kumar in Sholay or Shashi Kapoor in Deewar or Vinod Khanna in Amar Akbar Anthony, the onscreen policeman held the moral torch in the ‘70s.
The sex appeal of the Indian cop was taken to another level by Ajay Devgn with his man-of-steel image as inspector Bajirao M Singham in Singham. The early ‘80s Bollywood cop was not entirely different either. While Dilip Kumar played the beaten-by-life-yetholding-strong DCP Ashwini Kumar in the 1982 release Shakti and Vishwa Pratap Singh aka Rana in Karma (1986), Om Puri dealt with corruption, brutality and injustice as newly-appointed sub-inspector Anant Velankar in the 1983 release Ardh Satya. However, it was Anil Kapoor’s role as a corrupt inspector Lakhan Pratap Singh in the 1989 release Ram Lakhan that changed the face of the Bollywood cop significantly. While Jackie Shroff, who also played the titular role of inspector Ram Pratap Singh in the movie, was the regular honest khaki man, inspector Lakhan
THE STING OPERATOR
THE ENCOUNTER SPECIALIST
Whether it is Manoj Bajpai as inspector Samar Pratap Singh in the 1999 release Shool or Nana Patekar as inspector Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan or Mohanlal as police commissioner Srinivasan in Company, they all had one thing in common — encounters.
SCREEN POOPERS
What happened? She kickstarted her career with a promise not to get pulled into the shallow world of glitz and glamour. Critically acclaimed for playing Geeta Rao in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Chitrangada Singh started off on the right foot. However, after a series of disappointments like Kal, Sorry Bhai and Basra, Singh vowed to do better. She went from disappointments to out-and-out disasters! Desi Boyz and her latest Inkaar seem like just the beginning of that phase!
The titular lead Jamie Foxx may have played the title role in Django Unchained, but it wasn't him we were looking at. A suave Leonardo DiCaprio and a brilliant Christopher Waltz neatly stole the show. The awards too seem to second that. It's a pity, since Jamie was good as the cocky Django. Guess it wasn't good enough. Pick a movie with a less awesome cast next time.
TRENDING...
THE STYLISH COP
The tall and groovy Abhishek Bachchan started it all with his portrayal of the very stylish non-uniformed ACP Jai Dixit in the Dhoom series. The style and sex appeal of the Indian cop was taken to another level by Ajay Devgn with his man-of-steel image as inspector Bajirao M Singham in Singham and Salman Khan’s corrupt and playful portrayal as police officer Chulbul Pandey in the Dabangg series. Bollywood has indeed seen a number of khaki changes. While Sachiin Joshi is an attempted mixture of all the above as inspector Abhijeet Patil in this year’s Mumbai Mirror, he has a long way to go.
Oscar hopeful Bradley Cooper, who earned his first Oscar nomination for his work in last year’s hit romance Silver Linings Playbook, was honoured with a different acting prize in Rome Monday, when the CapriHollywood Film Festival presented him with its actor of the year award.
Relativity Media is hooked on Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Don Jon's Addiction. The actor's feature directorial debut co-starring Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore has been snapped up in a massive $4 million deal and commitment for a wide 2,000-screen release in summer.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
spotlight
GROOVY NIGHT
Twister Sports Pub is hosting Band Night tonight where DJ Joshua will be playing famous songs of Byran Adams all night long. Head to the pub to let your hair down and have a good time.
One for the album
HONORARY MENTION 1
2
3
The lovely couple Dinesh and Nita Patel had an amazing time last night when their friends and family turned up and took part in their wedding anniversary celebrations at Radisson Blu. 1
STRIKING GOLD 4
2
3
Prshant Lahoti was conferred with Chevalier dans lordre Arts et des Lettres at Taj Falaknuma Palace on Tuesday. French ambassador Franรงois Richier was present at the event.
5
4
6
1 Mahaveer,
3 Anand, Neha
Sangeeta 2 Neeta, Dinesh
4 Jitendar, Sandhya 5 Sangeeta
5
7
1 Suryaprakash 2 Franรงois
Richier 3 Princess Asra 4 Naina 5 Prshant,
Srikanth, Rekha Lahoti
6 Girish, Shruti 7 Shravan,
8
Shreya 8 Anuj,
Alankritha 9 Anand,
Rachana
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A HEALTHY RIDE
Corporate cycling event, Republic Ride 2013, was launched on Tuesday. The event will be organised at Gachibowli Stadium on Republic Day.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
health KIDNEY STONES
SCIENTISTS MAKE BREAKTHROUGH IN HIV RESEARCH
US researchers have cracked a system that renders certain types of immune cells impervious to HIV infection, possibly paving the way to its eradication from the body. The system's two vital components are high levels of a molecule that becomes embedded in viral DNA like a code written in invisible ink and an enzyme that switches from repairing the DNA to chopping it up.
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STOMACH THIS
Painful as they are kidney stones can be prevented. All you need to do is keep yourself well hydrated – something most people tend to forget. Mostly adults in the 30 to 50 year age group develop stones. Lifestyle habits to some extent play a role here. “People who are on the move, who neglect adequate fluid intake, people addicted to colas (rich in oxalates) or drink too much tea suffer more. Colas, foods rich in oxalate (like spinach) if taken uncooked repeatedly could contribute to stone formation. It is always a good idea to reduce salt intake to reduce precipitation,” he explains. Treatment depends on type of stone, size, location, and complications. “With proper dietary counselling patients are given adequate hydration. There are medical options for stones that don’t obstruct the tract. Stones that block the tract are treated by the Urologists. Options include laser lithotripsy and open surgery for large stones.” Preventive measures include adequate fluid intake, restricting salts and medical therapy.
RANJANI RAJENDRA
ranjani.r@postnoon.com
P
ratik had always been careful to stay fit. Exercise was an integral part of his life. If there was one thing he repeatedly slipped up on, it was lack of adequate water intake and too many carbonated drinks in a day. Not surprisingly he was assailed by an intense pain in his abdomen one day. Doctors told him, it had everything to do with his habit of drinking too much soda and not as much water. As a result he had formed kidney stones, which were now causing him so much pain. Fortunately, it was easily treatable, as long as he took all the precautionary measures. Kidney stones affect nearly 10 per cent of the population. “Stone incidence is high in tropical climates. On an average kidney stones account for one in every 1,000 admissions in the hospital. About 10 per cent of the population would develop a stone in their lifetime. Not all of them are symptomatic,” reveals Dr S Krishnan, senior nephrologist at Apollo Hospitals. “The formation of kidney stones with calcium salts (most common) is still not fully understood. Factors that contribute are high calcium levels in urine that would precipitate (nucleation) forming crystals. Subsequent crystal growth and aggregation lead to stones. These aggregates adhere to the lining of the urinary tract and continue to grow and obstruct the urinary flow,” he says. “The status of hydration, lack of stone inhibitors that are naturally secreted by the kidneys, high levels of calcium or uric acid in the urine – all contribute to stone formation.”
ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF WiScale This application allows you to easily monitor essential health and fitness data: weight, fat mass, lean mass, BMI, blood pressure and heart rate. Thanks to the graphic displays, you can check changes in health trends with just a glance. The Withings app helps one stay on track for a healthier lifestyle.
Fact file n The largest known kidney stone weighed 1.36 kilograms. The smallest kidney stones are microscopic crystals; it is possible to analyse stones weighing less than 0.1 mg. n Kidney stones come in virtually any colour; but most are yellow to brown. n The shape and size of the stone may tell something about how it was formed. n Most stones are formed and excreted singly. n Kidney stones typically occur in healthy men aged between 30 and 50. The male to female ratio for kidney stone disease is 4:1. Source: www.herringlab.com
HOUSECALL Mitochondrial cytopathy The mitochondria are energy-producing structures found in every cell in the body — they're the body's power plants. If they don't work properly the problem is known as mitochondrial cytopathy. There are many different types of mitochondrial cytopathy. The mitochondria may be damaged by inherited problems or acquired problems.
DID YOU KNOW?
PIONEERS
Blood Distance
Daniel Hale Williams
Blood has a long road to travel: Laid end to end, there are about 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. And the hardworking heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood through those vessels every day. The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body.
Born on January 18, 1856, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Daniel Hale Williams pursued a pioneering career in medicine. As an AfricanAmerican doctor, in 1893 he opened Provident Hospital, the first medical facility to have an interracial staff. He was also the first physician to successfully complete open-heart surgery on a patient. Williams later became chief surgeon of the Freedmen’s Hospital.
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health WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
OBESITY
STUDY
Obese likelier
to die in car accidents: Study
Obesity is not just a risk factor for ailments. According to a new study it could also lead to a higher risk of car accidents. So shape up. PARIS: Obese people face a much higher risk — up to 80 per cent — of dying in a car collision compared with people of normal weight, researchers reported Monday in a specialist journal. The cause could be that safety in cars is engineered for people of normal weight, not for the obese, they said. Transport safety scientists Thomas Rice of the University of California at Berkeley and Motao Zhu of the University of West Virginia delved into a US databank on road accidents, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). They dug out data from 1996 to 2008, covering more than 57,000 collisions that involved two cars. This was whittled down to cases in which both parties involved in the collision had been driving vehicles of similar size and types. The team then compared the risk of fatality against the victim’s estimated body mass index (BMI), a benchmark of fat, which is calculated by taking one’s weight in kilogrammes and dividing it by one’s height in metres squared. An adult with a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered of normal weight. Below this is considered underweight. Between 25.0 and 29.9 is considered overweight; and 30.0 or above is obese. The researchers found an increase in risk of 19 per cent for underweight drivers compared with counterparts of normal weight. For those with BMI of 30 to 34.9, the increased risk was 21 per cent; for BMI of 35-39.9, it was 51 per cent; and for the
extremely obese, with BMI of 40.0 or above, it was 80 per cent. Obese women were at even greater risk. Among those in the 35-39.9 BMI category, the risk of death was double compared with people of normal weight. The estimates were made after potentially confounding factors — age and alcohol use, for instance — were taken into account. Further work is needed to explain the big differences, but the researchers noted that obese people suffer different injuries from normal-weight individuals in car accidents. Data from intensive-care units say that obese patients tend to have more chest injuries and fewer head injuries, are likelier to have more complications, require longer hospital
stays — and are likelier to die of their injuries. Another question is whether obese people properly use their seat belt, rather than leave it unbuckled or partially fastened because it is uncomfortable — and whether safety designs in cars are flawed. Crash tests, conducted with cadavers, found that in a frontal collision, people of normal weight lurched forward slightly before the seat belt engaged the pelvis bone to prevent further movement, says the study. But obese cadavers moved substantially forward from the seat, especially in the lower body. This was because abdominal fat acted as a spongy padding, slowing the time it took for the belt to tighten across the lap.
“The ability of passenger vehicles to protect overweight or obese occupants may have increasing important public health occupations,” says the study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal. In the United States, “currently more than 33 per cent of adult men and 35 per cent of adult women are obese,” the paper notes. “It may be the case that passenger vehicles are well designed to protect normalweight vehicle occupants but are deficient in protecting overweight or obese patients.” The final dataset used in the study entailed 3,403 pairs of drivers for whom data on weight, age, seat belt use and airbag deployment were available. AFP
Hearing loss speeds up cognitive decline WASHINGTON: Older adults with hearing loss tend to develop problems of thinking and remembering, a new study says. In the Johns Hopkins study, volunteers with hearing loss, undergoing repeated cognition tests over six years, had cognitive abilities that declined some 30 percent to 40 percent faster than in those whose hearing was normal. Levels of declining brain function were directly related to the amount of hearing loss, the researchers say. On average, older adults with hearing loss developed a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing, the journal JAMA Internal Medicine reports. Known as the Health, Aging and Body Composition, or Health ABC study, the latest report on older adults involved a subset of 1,984 men and women between the ages of 75 and 84, and is believed to be the first to gauge the impact of hearing loss on higher brain functions over the long term, according to a John Hopkins statement. Senior study investigator, Frank Lin, from Johns Hopkins, said all participants had normal brain function when the study began in 2001, and were initially tested for hearing loss, which hearing specialists define as recognising only those sounds louder than 25 decibels. “Our findings emphasise just how important it is for physicians to discuss hearing with their patients and to be proactive in addressing any hearing declines over time,” said Lin, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He estimates that as many as 27 million Americans over age 50, including two-thirds of men and women aged 70 and older, suffer from some form of hearing loss. IANS
RESEARCH
‘Ugly cholesterol’ spurs risk of heart disease COPENHAGEN: The risk of ischaemic heart disease affecting millions worldwide is three times higher in people with high levels of the so-called ‘ugly’ cholesterol, according to a finding. “By examining 73,000 people, we found that an increase in the ugly cholesterol triples
the risk of ischaemic heart disease, which is caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle due to narrowing or blocking of the coronary arteries,” said Borge Nordestgaard, chief physician at Herlev Hospital. “LDL cholesterol is of course bad, but the new study reveals that the ugly cholesterol
is the direct cause of arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) resulting in ischaemic heart disease and early death,” said Nordestgaard, also clinical professor of health sciences at the University of Copenhagen, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports. High cholesterol is life-
threatening. But very few know which type of cholesterol is the most frequent killer. If the levels of normal fat, triglyceride, in the blood are high, then the levels of ugly cholesterol are also high. This can be determined by a blood sample. IANS
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Entertainment CINE BYTES
CHALLENGES ON SET
Jabardasth’s audio launch on January 27
T
he audio of Siddharth, Samantha and Nithya Menen starrer Jabardasth is going to be launched on January 27. Nandini Reddy has directed this romantic entertainer and SS Thaman has scored the music. Siddharth is extremely confident that the film will be a hit after watching the film. Jabardasth is likely to release in February.
Nani dubs for D for Dopidi
N
ani has dubbed for Varun Sandesh, Sundeep Kishan starrer D for Dopidi. Siraaj Kalla has directed the film, which dabbles with bank robbery. “Thank @NameisNani for taking the time out to give the voiceover for #Dfor Dopidi,Owe you 1 buddy (sic),” Sundeep Kishan tweeted. The film is releasing on February 14.
Kamal Haasan all set to fly to US
K
amal Haasan is going to fly to the US later this week to attend a special screening of Vishwaroopam in California. Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah and Sekhar Kapur are expected to join him. Vishwaroopam is releasing all over the world on January 25 and it will premiere on DTH on February 2. Kamal Haasan has directed the film.
K
riti Kharbanda is eagerly awaiting the release of her upcoming Telugu film Ongole Githa. She’s playing the lead role opposite Ram in this film, which has been directed by Bhaskar. The film has been primarily shot in Guntur and Tanuku, and Kriti confesses that it was quite challenging to shoot for the film. “Bhaskar is a taskmaster and I had to always be on my toes while shooting for the film. I play a firebrand girl from a small town in the film and it’s the first time I have played such a role in Telugu. More than anything, it’s extremely tough to match Ram’s energy, especially while dancing with him. I suffered so many bruises while rehearsing for one of the songs and when I see Ram dancing effortlessly, I would wonder how he manages to do all that. The Challe Challe song is my first mass number and I can’t believe I pulled it off because it’s the first time I have danced so much on screen. The best part was hearing Bhaskar and choreographer Prem Rakshit praise my dancing skills after the song was shot. I’ll never forget that moment,” Kriti said.
It’s tough to match Ram’s energy:
KRITI
KHARBANDA
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
NOT SO PARESHAAN
What is ironic about SHALMALI’S success?
T
he word ‘pareshaan’, which in English means troubled, may not to be everybody’s favourite word, but playback singer Shalmali Kholgade says it’s ironical but the word has spelled happiness for her. Pareshaan from the film Ishaqzaade was Shalmali’s debut Hindi song, which has music by Amit Trivedi. She has won the Filmfare and the Screen Award for best female playback singer for the song. “I have sensed the irony of it every single day since Pareshaan released, but to be a part of it, and then garnering the kind of audience response that it did, makes me very happy,” Shalmali said. ”The awards I’ve won for the song is the ultimate reward. It’s the cherry on the already delicious cake,” she added. She feels post the awards, people’s expectation from her will go up. “This is my first year in the award season and I am conscious of the fact that after the buzz of winning these awards dies out, there’ll be higher expectations, tighter schedules and longer days in store, but I look forward to it all,” she said. The 23year old recently crooned her first Tamil number for the upcoming film Naan Rajavaga Pogiren. IANS
CINE BYTES
Marriage won’t affect my work, says Vidya
N
ewly-wed Vidya Balan, who stars opposite Emraan Hashmi in upcoming comedy Ghanchakkar, says that her marriage won’t have a bearing on her career in Bollywood. When asked if she would be okay doing bold roles or kissing scenes post marriage, Vidya said, “Both of us (husband Siddharth and I) respect each other and our work.” PTI
Manoj Bajpai gets international offers
M
anoj Bajpai, who garnered acclaim for his portrayal of a ganglord in Gangs of Wasseypur, has received several acting offers from abroad, courtesy filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. “I am going through a script. It has come from an American independent filmmaker and not from any studio,” Bajpai said. PTI
Emraan wants to do family films
E
mraan Hashmi is consciously choosing films that will help him overcome his serial kisser image and the actor says that he won’t mind being part of a family film. Hashmi, who had surprised everyone with his performance of a small town journalist in Shanghai last year, has Ghanchakkar and Ek Thi Daayan in his kitty this year. PTI
Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
INTERPRETING HAIRSTYLES
Compliments don’t matter if you are confident:
CINE BYTES
KANGNA A
ctress Kangna Ranaut says compliments don’t matter much if you are confident of who you are. “You may get a lot of compliments but if you are confident and you are sure of who you are, compliments don’t matter,” the 25-year-old said. Kangna, whose curly hair grabbed attention when she entered Bollywood with Gangster - A Love Story, says while enacting a role, she emphasises on the hairstyle of her characters too. She, in fact, sported straight tresses in Life In A...Metro and a retro hair-do in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. “I think all actors say that it is important to get into the skin of the character. But if you have seen my characters, I have to understand the hair of the character as well because the kind of hair a character has is important because it reveals a lot about one’s personality,” she said. Kangna has an impressive line-up of work in the pipeline — I Love New Year, Shootout At Wadala, Queen, Ungli and Krrish 3. IANS
It seems my life is quite set: Saif
A
fter an eventful 2012, Saif Ali Khan is looking forward to a racier 2013. The Race 2 actor is at peace with his personal and professional life. His last film Cocktail managed to do well at the box office and he wed his lady love Kareena Kapoor. Life’s set, Saif, isn’t it? asked a reporter. “It feels great! It seems my life is quite set... nazar mat lagao yaar (don’t jinx it),” said the actor. IANS
Hasi Toh Phasi to go on floors in April
S
iddharth Malhotra has signed his second film Hasi Toh Phasi, a romantic comedy with a middleclass backdrop, and says shooting will start in April. He is paired with Parineeti Chopra in the film. “It’s by a new director, Vinil Matthew, an ad filmmaker. It’s an interesting script, a rom-com different from SOTY,” he said. IANS
Anushka to start shooting for Peekay from Feb
P
ost the success of Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, actress Anushka Sharma is now geared up for Rajukumar Hirani’s Peekay and says she will start shooting from February. “I am very excited to be working with Raju Hirani and Aamir Khan. We will start shooting for the film in February. I hope we try to make a better film than 3 Idiots for the audience,” Anushka said. IANS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Chai Time
Play & Win
Please send in your filled-in entries to Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will be announced on this page in Sunday’s edition.
KAKURO 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 refer-
QUICK CROSSWORD enced 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.
Play & Win
voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally
ACROSS
SCRIBBLING PAD
Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally
SUDOKU
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
26
Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally
1 Leading the pack 6 Pop in the mouth? 10 Took to the air 14 Fellini’s “La ___ Vita” 15 Horse’s hoof sound 16 “Thumbs way up!” review 17 Humped oxen 18 Large fruit 19 Group of soldiers 20 Monthly periodicals, checked-out library books, etc. 23 Be inaccurate 24 Rabbit’s tail 25 Pitches between innings? 28 Glasgow hats 31 Mold in relief 35 Sound made when passing the sound barrier 37 2.2 pounds 39 Unoriginal 40 Currently warring 43 The A in WASP 44 A fan of 45 Computer command 46 New World pyramid builders 48 Make a blunder 50 Burst a bubble 51 Sign of impact 53 Caspian, for one
55 What one may reveal on Facebook 61 Prefix with “dynamic” 62 Common test answer 63 Winter throat malady 65 Biblical birthday party? 66 Part of some juiceblend names 67 Eldrick Woods’ alias 68 Whodunit feature 69 Sentry’s imperative 70 Loud argument in public, e.g.
DOWN 1 Wood-shaping tool (Var.) 2 Made a row on the ground 3 Temporary home for Napoleon 4 Not chronic 5 Low-rain region 6 Bath-water residue 7 “Eugene Onegin” girl 8 Knuckleheads 9 Individually 10 Flying foxes, e.g. 11 Turner of Hollywood 12 More than bad 13 Freshly applied, as paint 21 Sir Francis ___ 22 Dance of Cuban ori-
gin 25 Crosswise on a ship 26 Summer or Reed 27 Much more than moist 29 Calf-length skirt 30 Broken arm support 32 Ready to serve, as beer 33 Barrage 34 Result of counting sheep 36 Bungling 38 Aware of the real nature of 41 One not long for this world 42 Give a leg up to 47 Turn informer 49 Banquets 52 ___ firma 54 Overhead storage 55 Thanksgiving tradition 56 Jason’s fleece-finding ship 57 Like some track meets or personalities 58 Headed for its destination 59 Powerful impulse 60 Spotted 61 Band booster 64 Phone with a slideout QWERTY
Chai Time WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013 Thiruvaikumar
STAR POWER for 24-1-2013
27
As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Those in romance will be happy as good support from both the families is likely. Businessmen might face hurdles and minor tension but they will come out of them with their timely and wise action. Your charisma is likely to increase.
STRIP TEASE AGNES
Deficit financial situation is likely to put you under pressure. Working women might face internal issues at office which might force them to quit. Professionals like doctors, lawyers and CAs will be very much prosperous.
Women will keep their spouses happy by fulfilling their wishes. Avoid making new friendships blindly as you might land in trouble due to such friends. Success is certain in all the works undertaken. Unexpected financial fortune is likely.
Promotion and pay hike on cards for employees. Unexpected financial fortune likely with which you will reduce the debts considerably. Businessmen are likely to get new and promising opportunities.
You will complete all those difficult tasks which were unable to be completed by anyone else. You will be a straight forward person and never allow anyone to go in a wrong way. Expenses will rise, and so will your income.
Those jobless will get a new job soon. Children will cooperate with you well and keep you very much happy. You will attend celebrations at relatives’ place and feel happy by meeting close friends and relatives.
Businessmen are likely to grow steadily and profits too will jump beyond expectation due to their sincere hard efforts. Leave official problems at the workplace and other tensions at home. Misunderstanding with family must be avoided.
Court verdict will go in your favour. Foreign trip which was not materialized since a long time will now be a reality soon. Also purpose of the trip will be successfully accomplished. You will be able to complete all the assignments undertaken.
Those waiting to get married will get good news and soon the marriage will be over. Employees might be entrusted with new responsibilities and recognized if they complete them as per management’s expectations.
TAROT READ
Sumaa Tekur
tarotreadhyd@gmail. com
ARIES:
GEMINI:
Ten of Cups – Family life is in focus. Singles feel the need for the love and security of a strong family life. You can make it happen if you plan well.
LEO:
Temperance – Someone at home is testing your patience. They may be irritating and may taunt you to respond to their weird questions. Don’t pay attention.
LIBRA:
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
Nine of Pentacles – You’re happy in the world of your own making and do not want to be disturbed just yet. You’re in no mood to socialize.
SAGITTARIUS:
Three of Cups – Celebration time! Good news about a family member or about your career is making you very happy. Celebrating it is important.
TAURUS:
Nine of Cups – Your wish is about to come true. If a career matter has been bothering you for a while, it will be resolved and you will be more at peace.
CANCER:
Two of Wands – This is an important waiting period. It’s boring, but it’s very important. Keep busy and focus on your goals at this time.
VIRGO:
Three of Pentacles – Take up a skills upgrading workshop or course that will improve your chances of getting a better paying job in the next year.
SCORPIO:
Queen of Pentacles – Feminine powers are heightened. You feel something and know it to be true. Your connect with the world is also intact.
CAPRICORN:
Judgement – A promotion or raise, which is long overdue finally comes your way. You may not be that excited about it. But accept it with humility.
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
PISCES:
Ten of Wands – You may be taking on too much work – more than you need to, and can, handle. Talk to your boss and draw clear lines of how much to do.
NUMBER GAME
Swords – You’re feeling young and adventurous but may also be seen as insensitive to the emotions of others around you.
SCRABBLE
AQUARIUS: Page of
POOCH CAFE
Journeys are to be undertaken within shortest time. Newly married will feel very much happy as they are likely to get their offspring soon. Father’s health will be a cause for concern. Employees won’t face problems at work.
for 24-1-2013
Nine of Cups – Your wish is about to come true. If a career matter has been bothering you for a while, it will be resolved and you will be more at peace.
NON SEQUITUR
Avoid unwanted anger and emotional outbursts which might spell trouble to you. Be careful while driving as minor accident likely. Newly married will be blessed with an offspring soon. Avoid interfering in anyone’s personal issue.
SUDUKO
Businessmen will be able to face the competition and succeed. They will attract customers with their attractive schemes. Employees will complete tasks without difficulties. Financial position looks very much comfortable.
Boggle CONDOR PARROT CANARY FALCON Vol: 2, No 187 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
NOBODY’S BUSINESS
CINE BYTES
RIHANNA, CHRIS BROWN
collaboration S on new single confirmed
ingers Rihanna and Chris Brown are collaborating on a new single, confirmed a representative to the recently-reunited celebrity couple. Speculation that the controversial couple is currently working together again on another duet began after the pair were spotted sneaking out of a recording studio last week, reported Ace Showbiz. Photographers spotted the two stars going out of the same West Hollywood studio complex on Thursday night. The big confirmation is a revelation considering that just the week before, Rihanna refused to talk about her rekindled relation-
Angelina Jolie never wanted to direct
A
ship with Brown, saying it’s “nobody’s business”, which is, incidentally, the title of their most recent team-up. Brown had appeared in Rihanna’s Unapologetic album, preceding her Birthday Cake track and his Turn Up the Music, both also collaborations of the formerly estranged couple. The upcoming new single will be the fourth time the two are working jointly on a musical project. PTI
ctress Angelina Jolie says she never planned to don the director’s hat for a movie. The 37-year-old had written, directed and produced 2011 release In The Land Of Blood And Honey and says it was a result of a homework she gave herself. “I didn’t set out to ever become a director or write a script,” Total Film magazine quoted Jolie as saying. IANS
Bonham Carter unhappy with voice
A
ctress Helena Bonham Carter has mixed feelings about her performance in Les Miserables as she expected her voice to sound better and bigger in the musical. She underwent intense vocal lessons to prepare for her role as pick-pocketing Madame Thenardier and sang live in director Tom Hooper's film. IANS
Chastian wants to thank Robin Williams
A
ctress Jessica Chastian wants to personally meet and thank actor Robin Williams for providing the scholarship which helped her study in college. “I am the first person to go to college in my family and it was because I got a scholarship from Robin Williams, who made it possible... I sent him a letter when I got the scholarship, but I’ve never met him,” Chastian said on a chat show. IANS
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE
Rhinos, Delhi lock horns Rhinos look for inspiration as they aim to halt Delhi Waveriders.
RANCHI: Ranchi Rhinos would be banking on the vociferous supporters for inspiration as they aim to halt the march of league leaders Delhi Waveriders in their second home game of the Hero Hockey India League at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium on Wednesday. There was not a single seat vacant in the stadium when the Rhinos played their first home game against Dabur Mumbai Magicians and the team rode the wave of support to overpower their opposition. However, the Rhinos would need to do a lot more on Wednesday given the form Waveriders are in. The Delhi outfit scored at will against the Magicians on their home turf in Mumbai to win a 10-goal
The Rhinos would need to do a lot given the form Waveriders are in. The Delhi outfit scored at will against the Magicians to win a 10-goal thriller. thriller 6-4 on Monday and would be riding a wave of confidence when they visit Ranchi looking to extend their lead at the top. The Sardar Singh
DOPING TROUBLE
Houanard gets two-year ban
PARIS: French rider Steve Houanard was on Tuesday banned for two years by world cycling's governing body, the UCI, after testing positive for banned blood booster EPO. Houanard, who has no major wins to his credit, raced for the AG2R La Mondiale team, which has not renewed his contract. A professional since 2009, he tested positive in an outof-competition urine test on September 21. The UCI added that it had asked the Belgian cycling federation to insti-
gate a disciplinary procedure against Belgian rider Leif Hoste "for an apparent violation of the anti-doping rules, on the basis of information provided by the blood profile in his biological passport. "Mr Hoste shall be accorded the right to the presumption of innocence until a final decision has been made on this matter," the UCI said. "In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time."
led side has dropped just three points when they were held to a 1-1 draw by UP Wizards in their first away game but on Monday were quick to allay any concerns about their away form. The only concern for the visitors would be their lack of penalty corner conversion and they are surely missing the Taeke Taekema, who was ruled out due to a back injury days before the start of the tournament. India international Rupinder Pal Singh has been deputising for the Dutch legend but has managed to score just one goal for about 10 attempts and Ranchi won’t mind conceding penalty corners if the Waveriders manage to continuously penetrate their citadel as they did against the Magicians. Almost all their strikers have been in good form and are sure to test Rhinos’ custodian Francisco Juncosa Cortes and their defence throughout the four quarters.
LEAGUE CRICKET South Zone inter state U-14 Round 5 Day 1 Hyderabad 206 (Junaid Ali 66, Sohail Shaik 35, Surya Teja 34 n.o. U Mukilesh 5/60) vs Tamil Nadu 23 for no loss Kerala 226 (Shiv Ganesh 26, Ashwin Anand 100 n.o., Sibin V 33, Balakrishna 4/40) vs Andhra. Goa 11 for no loss A1 & A2 one-day knock out Indian Cements 124 (Chaitanya Reddy 33, A Lalithmohan 4/14, Amol Shinde 3/31) lost to Andhra Bank 127/1 (Ronald Rodrigues 77 n.o., G.H. Vihari 35 n.o.). Team Speed 126 (Himalay Agarwal 3/19) lost to Ensconce 127/4 (Ibrahim Khaleel 52 n.o.).
London Stadium to host rock concerts
LONDON: A string of live rock concerts will be held in London's Olympic Stadium in July, music promoter Live Nation announced Tuesday, making them the first events in the Olympic Park since the 2012 Games ended. Wireless Festival and Hard Rock Calling, hitherto held in Hyde Park in central London, will see the 80,000-seater stadium in the east of the capital used for the first time since the Paralympics closing ceremony in September. The concerts will be held both in the stadium and the park, which is now known as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. "Over the coming weeks, we intend to announce some major concerts with world-renowned artists, to firmly establish the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as the centerpiece for great live music in Europe," said John Reid, concerts president at Live Nation Europe.
HYDERABAD TRACK WORK
Racing Tycoon impresses Staying The Best, Flames Of Forest and Racing Tycoon impressed when the horses were excercised here this morning.
Sand Track 600 Metres: Manyatta (N.Rawal) 41 Moved on the bit. Sand Track 800 Metres: Swift Arrow (Parmar) 1-3, 600/47 Easy. Wunderbar (Nitin Singh) 58, 600/44 Pushed. Vijays Winner (Tograllu) 1-3, 600/47 Easy. Sheer Genius (rb) 58, 600/44 Moved on the bit. Melody Queen (N.Rawal) 57, 600/42 Moved well. La Buena (app) Havok (Parmar) 55, 600/42 They moved together. Ruffiano (rb) 58, 600/43 Easy. Dusty Lady (rb) 56, 600/42 Moved attractively. Sand Track 1000 Metres: Winjoy (Joshi) 1-13.5, 800/57.5, 600/41.5 Pleased. Golden Arrow (Joshi) 1-13, 800/57, 600/43 Moved fluently. Sabareen Princess (Uday Kiran) 1-13, 800/59, 600/44 Easy. Precisely That (Joshi) 1-12, 800/55, 600/40 Impressed. Sand Track 1200 Metres: So Super (rb) 1-33.5, 1000/118.5, 80/1-2.5, 600/47 Easy. Winter Outer Grass 800 metres: Staying The Best (N.Rawal) Aerosmith (Sai Kumar) 51.5, 600/38 They finished together. Winter Outer Grass 1000 Metres: Vijays Conquer (Deep Shanker) 1-8.5, 800/52.5, 600/38.5 Moved
well. Secret Angel (Harinder Singh) Flowers Of Flame (Deep Shanker) 1-4.5, 800/50.5, 600/38 They moved together. Oscar Royal (Harinder Singh) Olympic Whisper (Deep Shanker) 1-13, 800/58, 600/44 They moved freely. Winter Outer Grass 1200 Metres: Dark Avanger (Kiran Naidu) Dancing In The Rain (Imran Khan) 1-23.5, 1000/1-7.5, 800/51, 600/37 Former finished 2 lengths in front. Racing Tycoon (Harinder Singh) Rocking Racer (Deep Shanker) 1-18.5, 1000/1-2.5, 800/49.5, 600/36.5 An impressive display. Joel (Deep Shanker) 124.5, 1000/1-8.5, 800/55, 600/40.5 Moved freely. Equalizer (app) Stamp Of Class (Uday Kiran) 1-29, 1000/1-13, 800/56, 600/42 They moved freely. Gate Practice 1200 metres: Chitrangada (app) Dakshayani (Henrique) 1-17.5, 1000/1-3, 800/51, 600/39 They jumped out well. Max Baby (app) Combined Force (P.Venkat) Mr.Glorious (Tograllu) Sugar Deal (app) Catherine (Joshi) 1 -17.5, 1000/13.5, 800/50.5, 600/38.5 They took a level jump. Beau Ideal (Christopher) Palm Springs (S.Nayak) Over Look (Deep Shanker) Graceland (Kuldeep Singh) Half Moon Bay (Sai
Vamshi) Flamboyant Star (Anil) 121, 1000/1-7, 800/53, 600/40 They jumped out well. Original Gladiator (app) Aventus (Parmar) Sweet Child O Mine (Sreekant) 120, 1000/1-5.5, 800/53, 600/40 Aventus slowly off. Elegant Approach (Sai Vamshi) Cannon Nine (N.Rawal) Chief Executive (B.Shinde) 1-20, 1000/1-5, 800/53, 600/41 They jumped out well. Surya Lakshmi (Ravinder Singh) 1-16, 1000/1-1, 800/50, 600/38 Trouble some at the gates before stall and took a good jump. Tustful (Deep Shanker) Ice Mountain (Anil) Looking For Love (Ravinder Singh) Fashionista (rb) 1-17, 1000/1-4, 800/50, 600/38 They jumped out well and finished in the same order. Ashwa Shakti (Joshi) Alexander Square (Irman Khan) Kings Cruise (Tograllu) Silver Cruise (Sreekant) Time To Party (app) Exclusive Lady (Chary) 1-14, 1000/1-1.5, 800/50, 600/39 Last named slowly off. San Ramon (S.Nayak) Ice Lolly (Kuldeep Singh) Cherry Hil (Sai Vamshi) Sun Strikes (Christopher) Maths Professor (Uday Kiran) Chetak (app) 1-16, 1000/1-3, 800/51, 600/39 They jumped out well. Major Luck (Paramar) Bel Ami (K.Alam) Galaxy Princess (Nitin Singh) 123, 1000/1-6.5, 800/53, 600/40 The youngsters slowly off.
sports
30
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
American teen shocks Serena American teenager Sloane Stephens ended Serena Williams’ bid for a historic calendar-year Grand Slam when she sent the injury-hampered favourite crashing out of the Australian Open.
WILL SWANTON Agence France-Presse MELBOURNE: American teenager Sloane Stephens ended Serena Williams’ bid for a historic calendar-year Grand Slam when she sent the injury-hampered favourite crashing out of the Australian Open Wednesday. As Williams, who was troubled by ankle problems earlier in the tournament, required treatment for back spasms and smashed her racquet as the match slipped away, Stephens held her nerve to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in 2hr 17min. “This is so crazy,” said Stephens, who used to have Williams’ poster on her bedroom wall. “I think I’ll put a poster of myself up now.” Stephens, 19, regarded as Williams’ successor as the force
Sloane Stephens of the US (L) shakes hands after victory in her women’s singles match against compatriot Serena Williams on the tenth day of the AFP/PETER PARKS Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
of women’s tennis in the United States, now goes into a semi-final against world number one and defending champion Victoria Azarenka. The teenager was able to match her elder’s trademark power in the opening exchanges, but errors crept in towards the end of the 28-minute first set. Stephens played a dispirited opening game of the second set and Williams pounced. Appearing untroubled by the right ankle she rolled in the first round, Williams took a 2-0 lead before the youngster fought back. Stephens showed glimpses of her much-hyped shot-making to break Williams’ serve in the fourth game of the second set. Forehands started hitting the mark and her first serve was matching Williams’ deliveries of
107 miles (172 kilometres) per hour. She had a break point on Williams’ serve at 3-2, only for the world number three to slide an ace down the T. At 3-4, 0-30, Williams grimaced after hitting a backhand winner. Close to the net, she had to pull up quickly to avoid making contact with the net and losing the point. She began hobbling between points, lost strength on her serve and Stephens broke for 5-3. Williams attempted to keep rallies short by hitting winners, and Stephens had an attack of nerves to lose serve when trying to level it at a set apiece. Williams called for the trainer at 4-5, complaining of back spasms. Next game, she could barely serve but her groundstrokes remained potent.
Azarenka survives Officials deny Federer onslaught to reach semis favouritism MELBOURNE, Jan 23, 2013 (AFP) Defending champion Victoria Azarenka survived a torrid early battle with Svetlana Kuznetsova Wednesday to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and keep her grip on the number one ranking. A marathon first set took 1hr 17min before the world number one completed her 7-5, 6-1 triumph in 1hr 47min. She will face either Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens for a place in Saturday’s final. The very first game was a drawn-out scrap, lasting eight minutes and going to Russian comeback queen Kuznetsova, a two-time major-winner who is making a successful return from injury. AFP
Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka celebrates victory in her women’s singles match against Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova on the tenth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. AFP/MARK KOLBE POOL
Bopanna crashes out after mixed doubles loss MELBOURNE: It was curtains for Rohan Bopanna at this year’s Australian Open after the Indian and his Chinese Taipei partner Su-Wei Hsieh made an exit from themixed doubles event fol lowing a straight-set quarterfinal loss here today. Bopanna, already out of the men’s doubles event, and Hsieh went down 2-6 3-6 the Czech-Polish combination of the Kveta Peschke and Marcin Matkowski.
The clash was dominated by Peschke and Matkowski, who did not concede a single break of serve during the match. In the first set the Czech-Polish pair broke Bopanna and Hsieh twice and sent down 11 winners to set the tempo for the game. The second set followed a similar script as Peschke and Matkowski clinched the crucial a break of serve to seal the issue in their favour. PTI
MELBOURNE: Australian Open officials have denied any bias towards Roger Federer (right) after he was allowed to play most of his matches in the same evening slot on the centre court, reports said Wednesday. Tournament director Craig Tiley dismissed notions of favouritism after British media reported disquiet in the camp of Andy Murray, who has played all his matches in the afternoon heat and switching courts each time. Federer has played four of his five matches in the primetime TV evening slot at Rod Laver Arena, the tournament’s centre court. The semi-finals and final will also be played in the evening.
He has also been seen practising at Rod Laver Arena before his matches, with Melbourne’s Herald Sun tabloid saying officials had rolled out the “Fed Carpet” for the four-time champion. But Tiley denied the popular Swiss was being given an easy ride. AFP
New fitness test as Djokovic takes on Ferrer ROBERT SMITH Agence France-Presse MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic (in pic) will face another test of his extraordinary fitness when he takes on Spanish terrier David Ferrer for a place in the Australian Open semi-finals Thursday. The Serbian world number one has looked the player to beat so far with an epic five-set, fivehour victory over Stanislas Wawrinka and an untroubled dismissal of fifth seed Tomas
Berdych in the quarter-finals. Now comes a war of attrition with the relentless Ferrer, whose
never-say-die attitude will again test Djokovic’s stamina in an expected long, drawn-out night semi-final on Rod Laver Arena. Ferrer, the fourth seed in Melbourne this year in the absence of celebrated countryman Rafael Nadal, modestly baulks at talk that he belongs to the exclusive group alongside Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. He declares Djokovic is the best, raising questions about whether he has the self-belief that he can deny the top seed his expected place in Sunday’s final.
sports
31
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN
SRI LANKA VS AUSTRALIA
SL chose to field after toss win
Tiger seeks success
HOBART, AUSTRALIA: Sri Lanka won the toss and put Australia in to bat Wednesday in the fifth and final one-day international, with the hosts needing a win to level the series. Michael Clarke failed a late fitness test, handing the captaincy to George Bailey. “I’m disappointed. I rolled my ankle yesterday during practice,” said Clarke.
Tiger Woods returned to Torrey Pines for a practice round ahead of his US PGA season debut. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Tiger Woods returned to Torrey Pines, the site of some of his greatest triumphs, for a practice round Tuesday ahead of his US PGA season debut at the $6.1 million Farmers Insurance Open. “I feel comfortable here. There’s no doubt about that,” Woods said. “There are a few courses like that where I’ve had my share of success.” Woods won his most recent major title at Torrey Pines in 2008, limping to a playoff victory over Rocco Mediate for his 14th major title, only four shy of the alltime record set by Jack Nicklaus. “I do look at that week often,” Woods said. “What
comes back to me is the memory of pure pain.” During his practice round, Woods was more concerned about adapting to a course that was firmer than usual. “I didn’t really think about any of the past stuff,” Woods said. “I was just trying to get a feel for the golf course, what club to use and where my lines are going to be. This golf course was playing different. I can’t remember it playing this dry. It has been a while.” Woods has not won a major crown since the 2008 US Open, struggling with injuries and the aftermath of his sex scandal. But Woods has also won the course’s PGA event six
times, including four in a row from 2005 through 2008 plus 1999 and 2003. That gives him seven career titles at Torrey Pines as well as at PGA events at Bay Hill and Firestone. Sam Snead holds the record for PGA titles at one event with eight at Greensboro. Snead also owns the career mark for PGA victories at 82 with Woods second at 74. Woods, whose most recent triumph came last year at Congressional in the National, says his emphasis this season will be on improving his overall game.
Sri Lanka seized a 2-1 lead last week, bowling out Australia for just 74 runs in Brisbane. The fourth match in Sydney on Sunday was abandoned after rain halted play on Sunday. Teams: Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Matthew Wade, Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kushal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath
NEW ZEALAND’S TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
INDIA VS ENGLAND
Hosts India look to clinch ODI series MOHALI: Bolstered by two emphatic back-to-back wins, India will seek to clinch the ODI series against England by taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the fourth match with the hosts showing signs of rediscovering their winning touch. After a series of indifferent performances in the recent past, the team is beginning to prove its worth with comprehensive victories and captain MS Dhoni will be hoping that his team can maintain the tempo for a third successive win. India’s inexperienced bowlers excelled in the last two matches and were largely responsible for setting up the victories while some of the top-order batsmen, who
Scorecard After 40 overs Australia were 172/3 (Philip Huges 90 n.o., David Hussey 27 n.o., Tillakaratne Dilshan 1/22) vs Sri Lanka
have been woefully out of form, have showed signs of recovery. Clearly, the pressure will be on the visitors who have to come up with a far more inspired show to prevent the Indians from winning the series in what promises to be a thrilling contest at the PCA Stadium. PTI
Kiwis regain lost pride KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA: New Zealand beat South Africa in the second one day international here on Tuesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series. New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson’s superb unbeaten career best 145 saw the tourists to a total of 279-8 while the hosts were all out for 252 in their reply to lose by 27 runs. New Zealands victory goes some way towards putting behind them their 2-0 test series defeat by the South Africans. Williamson’s knock was only the second century for New Zealand on their tour of South Africa and saw him bounce back from a disappointing Test series with a confident, stroke-filled innings.
Scorecard New Zealand 279/8 (K. Williamson not out 145, G. Elliott 48,Kleinveldt 2/45, Tsotsobe 2/38, Morkel 3/71) beat South Africa 252 All out (Q. de Kock 25, G. Smith 66, C. Ingram 79, F. Behardien 31, Mills 2/28, Neesham 1/20)
The New Zealand team celebrate after winning the second ODI against South Africa on Tuesday. AFP/RODGER BOSCH
Despite Williamson’s heroics, South Africa were on course for victory until two run-outs in successive overs derailed their run chase. There were a total of five run-outs as the hosts limped to defeat while the New Zealand players shouted for joy and hugged each other on the field as they retrieved some pride after losing both Test matches by an innings. AFP
FORMULA ONE
Hami upbeat about Mercedes
LONDON: Former world champion Lewis Hamilton has insisted Mercedes could yet challenge the sport’s leading teams when the new Formula One season gets under way. This year will be the 28-year-old Briton’s first season as a Mercedes driver after he joined the team on a
three-year contract worth £15 million ($24 million) per season from UK F1 giants McLaren, the only team he’s driven for in his career to date. Although renowned as one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, Mercedes have struggled of late in Formula One with just one
win since they returned to the Grand Prix grid in 2010. However, Hamilton tried to rally workers at the German firm’s Stuttgart plant on Monday and in a video released Tuesday by Mercedes stressed this year did not have to be the purely “transitional” season forecast by
many pundits. “I think this year is going to be an interesting year, an interesting journey, but I think it’s going to be a journey we enjoy,” Hamilton said. “I live to win. That’s what I work towards every year, so that’s what we’re going to work towards this year.”
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
sports
MAPOU JOINS NEWCASTLE’S FRENCH REVOLUTION
Newcastle United confirmed that France defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has joined the club from Montpellier. He is the second France international to join Newcastle this month after Mathieu Debuchy, while Bordeaux striker Yoan Gouffran and Nancy’s Massadio Haidara are poised to do so.
LEAGUE CUP
ITALIAN CUP
Brad Boys make history
League Two side Bradford become the first team from England’s fourth level to reach the League Cup final since Rochdale in 1962. BIRMINGHAM: Fourth-tier Bradford City continued their League Cup fairytale by completing a sensational 4-3 aggregate semi-final win over Aston Villa on Tuesday that sent them into the final. James Hanson cancelled out Christian Benteke’s opener for Villa and although Andreas Weimann’s 89th-minute goal gave the hosts a 2-1 win, it could not stop Bradford from qualifying for a first major final since they won the 1911 FA Cup. League Two side Bradford, who had previously accounted for Arsenal and Wigan Athletic in the competition, become the first team from England’s fourth level to reach the League Cup final since Rochdale in 1962. “It’s dreamland,” Bradford manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports. “We said we had a chance to make history and we’ve done it. The lads were absolutely fantastic, and what it means for the club and the city is absolutely tremendous. “I think we could fill Wembley on our own. To win it might be going too far, but to get to Wembley is great for us.” The biggest game in the Yorkshire club’s modern history will occur at Wembley Stadium on February 24, when they will face either Chelsea or Swansea City, who resume hostilities on
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Lazio hold Juve in Cup semi The return leg will be played in Rome on January 29. ROME: Lazio scored late on to hold Juventus to a 1-1 draw in Turin in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final on Tuesday. Juve dominated the game but only had a Federico Peluso goal just after the hour mark to show for their superiority before Lazio captain Stefano Mauri levelled for the visitors with four minutes remaining. With the score at 1-0, Arturo Vidal hit the post for Juve and then saw a header cleared off the line by Federico Marchetti. The return leg will be played in Rome on January 29.
Bradford City’s English forward James Hanson (2nd L) celebrates after scoring with Bradford City’s English midfielder Nathan Doyle (C) during the English League Cup second leg semi-final football match between Aston Villa and Bradford City at Villa Park, Birmingham, England on Tuesday. AFP/ANDREW YATES
Wednesday with Swansea 2-0 up from the first leg. For Paul Lambert’s Villa, it was the latest embarrassment in a disappointing season that has seen them thrashed 8-0 by Chelsea and slip to within one place of the
Premier League relegation zone. “That is the worst day of the season. We had two chances to do it and haven’t done it,” said the Villa manager. “We’ve lost four goals from set-pieces over two games,
which is not good enough. I am embarrassed. We will never have a better chance to reach the final.” Lambert had hailed Charles N’Zogbia’s performance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Favourites Ivory Coast struggle to win The Ivorians, favourites to finally land the continental showcase, were on course for a surprise draw after Jonathan Ayite cancelled out Yaya Toure’s opener. Then Gervinho struck with two minutes left. NICK REEVES Agencie France-Presse RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Mistake-strewn Ivory Coast laboured to an opening win over Togo and Tunisia’s artful midfielder Youssef Msakni struck late to deny Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday. Didier Drogba’s Ivorians, favourites to finally land the continental showcase, were on course for a surprise draw after
Jonathan Ayite cancelled out Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure’s opener. But another of the Elephants’ Premier League stars, Gervinho, struck with two minutes left to seal all three points for Sabri Lamouchi’s side to put them top of Group D. Togo had a second-half goal disallowed by the referee for taking a free-kick too quickly and this incensed Togo’s coach Didier Six to such a degree he stormed out of the post-match media con-
ference claiming “the rules weren’t respected”. Lamouchi, meanwhile, lamented an error-riddled display from his players. “I was expecting something better from us -- it wasn’t our best performance,” he said. “I thought the first match was going to be difficult, but it was much harder than I was envisaging. “I’m happy with the win, but we made too many mistakes, and will have to use this game as a lesson.”