A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, June 19, 2008

10
DEATH
MAGNETIC
Metallica’s next album
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 2 No. 119

in fact, holds the wider appeal of not requiring a specif-

ic e-mail domain.

Scrap vs Wall
Some are of the opinion that ‘scrapping’ is more
convenient than leaving a message on someone’s Fa-
cebook wall: Vasugi Kailasam of AdWords supports
Orkut because it is “not as complicated”. “Although
there have been cases of security breach on Orkut,
you can hide your profile and lock your album from
public view.” Contrary to what many believe, se-
curity IS just as much an issue with Facebook as it
is with Orkut. Earlier this year, the BBC Technol-
ogy program, Click, found that personal details of
Facebook users could potentially be stolen
through the misuse of applications.
Undeniably though, Orkut still rules when it

a s g o ne the comes to the Real Slim Shady. Take for instance,

h the Kill.Sex.Marry application. Here, one can
Orkut k way and ; rate friends and decide whether they want to
oo s’
Faceb application
have sex with them; if you don’t like them, “fin-
ish” them off. ■
‘
MITHRA SURESH
added Facebook
mithra@goergo.in
ill ?
but w te the bait

E
ver since Orkut introduced applica-
bi
tions on its site a few months ago, the
notion has arisen that Google’s social
users
networking site is attempting to replicate
the Facebook model; at the same time, curi-
ously enough, Facebook is shedding its elitist
tag and gone populist.
At this point of time, Orkut is arguably the
more popular site of its kind in India; but some
users believe it is running the risk of losing its
identity – what is to stop Orkut-loyalists from
moving to Facebook?
R
“Facebook is not connected to gTalk, which UMA
OS: S.S.K
happens to be the most convenient messenger, PHOT
whereas through Orkut I can check their gTalk on-
line status,” says Manoj Naduvath, a usability pro-
fessional with eBay. He says he wants to keep in
touch with friends; of course, Facebook has nullified
that complaint by adding a chat application – which,

10 more winners of 21
‘21’ is the fact-based story about six students of which college:
A: Stanford
B: MIT
C: Boston
Send in your answers to 21contest@gmail.com. Winners will get passes for the special
screening of 21, at Four Frames this Sunday.
Winners of June 18:
Nithin Krishnan, Bala Kumar, Sandilya Garimella, Mahalakshmi
Viswanathan, Indhumathi P,
Shiva, Veeravel M, Tamilselvan G, Jaya Jayaraj, Sathish Kumar
02 NAMMA CHENNAI Many, many ha
ppy returns ... ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

God bless you

Dear Karun, ry happy birthday. May
u a ve
Wishing yo ess and success.
ppin
with all the ha k, Pavithra and friendsw
om Ka rt hi
Wishes fr friend with a
surprise your to
If you want to g, send us your message
tin
birthday gree

Case of IT’S TIME TO TOSS THAT

2 Ravis
PETLEE PETER
Police arrested a 47-year-old woman who
used her husband’s death certificate to
LEATHER WALLET OUT
obtain a mutual fund amount of Rs. 22 lakh
that belonged to another dead man who
shared her husband’s name. Of the total
amount, only Rs.10 lakh was recovered.
The Central Crime Branch of the city police
identified the arrested woman as Rajini of
Thiruvalluvar Street in Tondiarpet. Rajini’s
husband, Ravi, had received a letter three
months ago, asking him to collect mutual
funds worth Rs. 22 lakh. However, the letter
sent by a nationalised bank was actually
meant for another Ravi who died. Rajini’s
husband Ravi also passed away recently.
While going through her late husband’s
files and documents, Rajini came across the
letter and informed two of her male friends
about it. Later, the three worked out a plan
according to which Rajini produced her
husband’s death certificate at the bank to
avail of the mutual fund amount. She
managed to trick the bank employees, who,
Sand sculpture by PETA in a protest against leather shoes in
in turn, deposited the money in a bank
Puri beach. PHOTO: JAYASIMHA N.G
account given by her.
When the bank realised the error, the bank
officials tried to explain the situation to
Rajini and asked her to return the amount.
When she refused to do so, the bank
lodged a complaint with the city police Ending worldwide cruelty to animals is possible if we just
commissioner, who transferred the case to
Central Crime Branch. say ‘no’ to leather and opt for alternatives.
Rajini was arrested on Tuesday and her
bank account, which had a balance of Rs. The Campaigns Manager of PETA India tells us how
10 lakh only, was frozen. Police are
searching for the two men who aided her JAYASIMHA N.G. dangerous substances including where all their four feet are
in the crime. jayasimhang@petaindia.org mineral salts, formaldehyde and bound together and their throats
finishes, some of which are cya- slit. The solution is as simple as

E
very year, the global leather
industry slaughters more
than a billion animals.
Leather production is cruel
worldwide; in Western countries,
animals suffer the horrors of fac-
tory farming, extreme crowding
and confinement, deprivation of
all that is natural to them, castra-
tion without anaesthesia, brand-
ing, tail-docking and dehorning
and cruel treatment during trans-
port and slaughter. Countries like
India, Pakistan and China either
have no animal welfare laws or
the laws are blatantly ignored.
Leather from Bangladesh comes
from animals that are illegally
smuggled from India.
Dangerous for the
environment
Although leather manufactur-
ers like to tout their products as
“biodegradable” and “eco-friend-
ly,” the process of tanning stabil-
ises the collagen or protein fibres,
so that they actually stop biode-
grading. Animal skin is turned in-
to finished leather with
nide-based. Tannery effluent
contains large amounts of other
pollutants, such as protein, hair,
salt, lime sludge, sulphides, and
acids.
The leather and meat industry
in India causes serious damage to
the local ecology. For decades,
waste water has been discharged
without treatment. Local water
bodies have been severely pollut-
ed. Solid waste has been dumped
in the open contaminating both
surface water and ground water.
Chemicals from leather tanneries
have rendered much farm land
useless.
Cruelty
A PETA investigation into cattle
slaughter in India revealed that
old cows are sold at auctions and
then marched long distances to
illegal transport trucks. As many
as 50 cattle are crammed into
trucks designed to hold no more
than 12. They are then driven
over rutted roads — all the while
goring and trampling each other
— to ancient slaughter houses,
making a conscious choice to
boycott leather.
Some cruelty-free alternatives:
Bags and wallets: Synthetic
leather
Shoes: Synthetic leather (Rex-
ene), canvas and rubber or mix-
tures of the above
Car seat covers: You’re the cus-
tomer, so insist on a non-leather
seat cover. ■
For more information please visit
www.Petaindia.org or email at
info@Petaindia.org
ERGO PETS’ PICK
OF THE WEEK
The Cattitude Trust’s Guardi-
an Angel programme thanks Pri-
yanka R, Shrinidhi Hande and
Indhu who offered to fund the
treatment of injured animals
and give them a new lease of
life. Your generosity is much ap-
preciated.
To contribute to this worthy
cause, write to copycatt@hathway.com
for details.
 ng
m orn
i
AI
Thursday, June 19, 2008
03
Go
od
N N Divyadarshini, RJ-cum-VJ
E
CH
Chennai is home for me. The noise that prevails in the city
just keeps me going, makes me active through out the
day. Above all, people in Chennai are warm and
affectionate.
Compiled by V. Lokpria

Do you know
GERMAN?
Max Mueller Bhavan is organising a job
fair where recruiters will be looking for
candidates well-versed in German
LIFFY THOMAS Head of the Language Depart-
liffythomas@goergo.in ment, Max Mueller Bhavan,
Chennai. “This is from the six lev-

A
fter international educa-
tion fairs and career expos,
Chennai could host an ex-
clusive job fair to tap tal-
ented young people who can
speak German.
Pleased with the numbers ea-
ger to pick up the language, and
to help cater to the increasing de-
mand from job-hunters, Goethe-
Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan is
planning to conduct a job fair,
which is guaranteed to attract top
companies.
“We have companies like TCS
and Citi Group, to name a few,
ready to absorb students who
have just completed their Level
2,” says Prabhakar Narayanan,
els a student has to complete to
Students gathered at Max Mueller Bhavan for the Open House Event.
get the C1 certificate.”
While the modalities are still next two months and will see over
being worked out, Prabhakar says six companies looking for candi-
that the fair should be held in the dates with knowledge of German.
Goethe-Institut had 1,200 stu-
From multinational dents registered for the language
companies, like class the previous year, and this
year the enrolment has increased
Accenture and to 300 more.
Thomson, to e-
Corporate calling
publishing houses to From multinational compa-
tour guides, those nies, like Accenture and Thom-
proficient in the son, to e-publishing houses to
tour guides, those proficient in
German seem to be in the German seem to be in great
great demand. demand.
“We have been getting many
German projects and the person
employed has to be familiar with
the language,” says Simon Paul
Rajesh of DiacriTech, an e-pub-
lishing company in Chennai. “So
far we have only got three candi-
dates. We are looking at recruit-
ing around 15 to 20 more for our
upcoming projects.”
Foreign lingo
Language Labs, which under-
takes classes in Mandarin, Japa-
nese, Spanish and German, also
agree that the demand for corpo-
rate training in foreign language
is on the rise; this apart from its
retail programmes. “We get re-
quests from companies including
Satyam Computers, Hindustan
Motors, CTS, Citi Group to offer
classes to a batch of 20 to 25 em-
ployees,” says Sarah Zareen, Pro-
gramme Coordinator, Language
Labs.
Also interesting is the fact that
employees these days upgrade
their skills in a foreign language
even if they are going abroad for
an onsite project or a short travel.
“We send trainers to these com-
panies to train employees for a
couple of months,” says Zareen.
■

The professional touch

His mother’s last words became the title of
Subroto Bagchi’s new book for young professionals
V. LOKPRIA experiences. In this book, he talks book will also be an inspiration to
about three stages in his life: his “young India” and to those who

L
andmark, in association with
Penguin Books, hosted the
launch of the book Go, Kiss
the World by Subroto Bagchi,
the author of the bestselling The
High-Performance Entrepreneur.
“Go, kiss the world” were Bag-
chi’s blind mother’s last words to
him. These words became the
guiding principles in his life.
Through personal anecdotes and
simple words of wisdom, Bagchi
brings to the young professional
lessons in working and living,
energising ordinary people to
lead extraordinary lives.
The book is in a narrative style
and is based on the author’s life
childhood days in Orissa, the sec-
ond stage as an ambitious young
professional, and the final stage
as that of the journey of life in his
40s.
Speaking at the launch, Bagchi
said, “It’s the first time in history
that in India professionals define
the future of the country”. This
It’s the first time in
history that in India
professionals define
the future of the
country
come from small-town India,
urging them to recognise and de-
velop their inner strengths, there-
by helping them realise their own
unique potential.
The book launch was followed
by the author reading extracts
from the book.
Subrato Bagchi is best known
for co-founding Mind Tree and
was its Chief Operating Officer for
the first eight years of the compa-
ny. His first book, The High-Per-
formance Entrepreneur, received
critical acclaim and broke new
ground in management literature
in India.
The book is priced at Rs. 399. ■ Subroto Bagchi at Landmark on Tuesday. PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI
04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

‘‘
There is nothing more difficult for a
truly creative painter than to paint a
rose, because before he can do so he has first to
forget all the roses that were ever painted
Henri Matisse

쒀 karaoke machine in October in
The controversial installation of Christ
mounted beneath an American FH 107
fighter aircraft, known as ’Western Christian
Civilization’ (1965), by Argentine artist Leon
World’s smallest
karaoke machine
starts them young
A
Japanese toy maker will
launch a karaoke machine
measuring a mere seven
centimetres (2.8 inches)
this year, letting pop star wan-
nabes – particularly children –
hone their skills on the go.
Tomy Co. Ltd. said it would be-
gin sales of the world’s smallest
Japan, targeting those who are
too young to enter the karaoke
parlours that dot the country’s ci-
ties. The Hi-kara machine comes

Ferrari hangs in the Museum of
Contemporary Art during the 16th Biennale
of Sydney exhibition on Tuesday. The
annual festival of contemporary art presents
works by more than 180 artistes from 42
countries and will be on display until
September 7. AFP PHOTO
with headsets, meaning that only
the users can hear the music.
“Absorbed in the music from
the headphones, I found myself
singing in an embarrassingly loud
voice,” Tomy spokeswoman Mei
Kudo said.
The machine, which can also
be used with a second set of
headphones or put on speaker
mode, targets elementary school
girls who adore pop stars.
“Their mums and dads are also
from a generation who grew up
with karaoke,” she said.
Tomy plans to sell the Hi-kara
abroad as well, but no date has
been set for that launch.
The machine will be priced at
US$ 100. Players will have to buy
a US$20 cartridge that holds 10
pre-installed songs or they can
download 10 songs over the in-
ternet from a choice of 3,500 ti-
tles.
Karaoke has turned into a mul-
AFP PHOTO
tibillion-dollar industry since be-
ing invented in 1971 by Daisuke
Inoue, a Japanese club keyboar-
dist looking to provide music for
a customer who wanted to sing
on a company trip.
A new trend in Japan is ‘hitok-
ara’ – literally ‘lone karaoke’ –
which means going out to sing
karaoke alone. ■
AFP

Konkani music transcends

traditional boundaries
쒀
K onkani music has transcended
its traditional boundaries and
is now available worldwide
ture, a non-profit making body,
said. Lobo said he hit upon the
idea when his US-based friend
Goans alike.
“I wanted to take the idea of Ra-
dioGoa further, I wanted to create a
Miss El Salvador 2008 Rebeca Moreno arrives
thanks to an Internet radio ven- asked him to send some Konkani radio service that not only broad-
at New World hotel in Ho Chi Minh city on
ture by a Dubai-based Goan. CDs as he was longing to hear casts good music but provides good
Monday. Moreno will comptete in the 57th
“Being an NRI residing in Du- some old Konkani interactivity with the listener and
annual Miss Universe contest which will take
bai I came across peo- songs. was different and better then the ex-
place in the central coast city of Nha Trang
on July 14, 2008. AFP PHOTO
ple listening
oa .net RadioGoa, an In- isting radio stations,” Lobo added.

Radiog
to Internet ternet based medi- For this purpose, he had developed
Radio in Ma- um giving all kind of an in-house software. ■
layalam, Ta- Konkani music, has become a hit PTI
mil and other languages and with non-resident Goans and
STOCKTRACK have always thought to myself
why not Konkani?,” Benedict Lo-
15404.44 4571.35 bo, who runs ’Radiogoa.net’ ven-

RadioGoa, an Internet
-292.46 -81.65 based medium giving all
kind of Konkani music,
has become a hit
with Goans in India
and abroad alike
SENSEX NIFTY
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
05
Websites of the day
Everything you need to know about the ice US $ 42.90

SOURCE: RBI
cream sundae - from its history to popular
recipes: http://www.icecreamsundae.com/ Pound 83.74
Celebrate comedy or downright stupid demises: Euro 66.46
http://www.darwinawards.com/ 100 Yen 39.70

PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR
WiCamp and We
Participants from start-ups, educational institutions, large firms, research institutes and
government bodies meet up for an informal idea-sharing session, this time in Namma Chennai

F
riday the 13th is consi-
dered inauspicious by
most, and that’s possibly
why Wipro conducted its
flagship event WiCamp to turn
the tide around in Chennai. Wi-
Camp (pronounced as we-
camp) is an attempt by Wipro to
host an informal platform where
practitioners from IT and non-
IT firms can share their perspec-
tives on innovation and creativ-
ity. These un-conference styled
meetings facilitate sharing of
practices and perspectives
around various dimensions of
innovation and creativity.
Participants (aka campers)
come from various runs of life,
including start-ups, educational
institutions, large firms, re-
search institutes and govern-
ment bodies, among others.
After conducting successful Wi-
Camps across Bangalore, Hyd-
erabad and Pune, the
bandwagon moved to Chennai,
where 150 campers joined in
from across 35 firms sharing
their experiments and experi-
ences on the subject.
Some of these campers joined
WiCamp from firms like Satyam,
Accenture, Cognizant, IIT-Ma-
dras, NASSCOM, iMorph Inno-
vation Centre, NIIT
Technologies, Ergo, Vembu
Technologies and Great Lakes
Institute of Management, apart
from a lot of freelancers and in-
dependent consultants. The dis-
cussions spanned areas like
ideas sources, ways of validating
ideas, establishing a culture,
nurturing talent, measuring the
returns, and sustaining the cre-
ative spirit. Heart-to-heart dia-
logues were inspired than
making presentations, and all
this was kept very informal in
ensuring that energy levels were
high at the camp.
Abound a dozen campers
shared their thoughts on the
subject and inspired a lot of de-
bate around their topics, which
resulted in some serendipitous
ideas and unanswered ques-
tions.
All in all, the event was well-
received by the audience, and and more value to be created
they were visibly excited to- through these informal interac-
wards the whole concept and re- tions. I encourage you to check
freshing sessions. the proceedings at http://bar-
Wipro’s WiCamp promises to camp.org/WiCamp ■
be a quarterly event in Chennai, Article contributed by Pavan
seeking more enthusiasm to Soni, Innovation Evangelist,
flow in from all parts of the city Wipro Technologies
After conducting successful
WiCamps across Bangalore,
Hyderabad and Pune, the
bandwagon moved to
Chennai, where 150 campers
joined in from across 35
firms sharing their
experiments and experiences
06 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

Cheeky monk
A celibate monk has set up a
website telling Catholic couples
how to have better sex.

TOP-5 FINEST FLICKS IN 10 CLASSIC GENRES

T ANIMATION
he American Film Institute
(AFI) has released the top-10 The genres defined are Animation, Romantic FANTASY
lists of the best movies in 10 1. Snow White and the Comedies, Western, Sports, Mystery, 1. The Wizard of Oz, 1939
classic genres. Seven Dwarfs, 1937 Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Gangster, Courtroom Drama 2. The Lord of the Rings:
The genres defined by AFI are 2. Pinocchio, 1940 The Fellowship of the
Animation, Romantic Comedies, 3. Bambi, 1942 and Epic Ring, 2001
Western, Sports, Mystery, 4. The Lion King, 1994 3. It’s a Wonderful Life,
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Gangster, 5. Fantasia, 1940 1946
Courtroom Drama and Epic,
reports afi.com.
COURTROOM EPIC 4. King Kong, 1933
5. Miracle on 34th Street,
1. Lawrence of Arabia,
The winners were chosen by
actors, filmmakers, critics and WESTERN DRAMA 1962 1947
other people from Hollywood 1. To Kill a 2. Ben-Hur, 1959
1. The Searchers, 1956 Mockingbird, 1962 3. Schindler’s List, 1993
from ballots that included 50 2. High Noon, 1952
nominees in each genre. 2. 12 Angry Men, 1957 4. Gone With the Wind,
The winners included Snow
3.
4.
Shane, 1953
Unforgiven, 1992
3. Kramer Vs. Kramer, 1939 MYSTERY
White and the Seven Dwarfs for 1979 5. Spartacus, 1960 1. Vertigo, 1958
5. Red River, 1948 4. The Verdict, 1982
animation; The Wizard of Oz, for 2. Chinatown, 1974
fantasy; 2001: A Space Odyssey, 5. A Few Good Men, 3. Rear Window, 1954
with HAL the demented 1992 4. Laura, 1944
computer, for science fiction; City
ROMANTIC SCIENCE FICTION 5. The Third Man, 1949
Lights for romantic comedy; and 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey,
Marlon Brando’s The Godfather
for gangster flicks. COMEDY 1968

The other No. 1 movies were: 1. City Lights, 1931 GANGSTER 2. Star Wars: Episode IV - A
New Hope, 1977 SPORTS
Westerns, The Searchers; sports, 2. Annie Hall, 1977 1. The Godfather, 1972 3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1. Raging Bull, 1980
Raging Bull; courtroom drama, 3. It Happened One Night, 2. Goodfellas, 1990 1982 2. Rocky, 1976
To Kill a Mockingbird; epics, 1934 3. The Godfather Part II, 4. A Clockwork Orange, 3. The Pride of the
Lawrence of Arabia; and 4. Roman Holiday, 1953 1974 1971 Yankees, 1942
mysteries, Vertigo. ■ 5. The Philadelphia Story, 4. White Heat, 1949 5. The Day The Earth 4. Hoosiers, 1986
ANI 1940 5. Bonnie and Clyde, 1967 Stood Still, 1951 5. Bull Durham, 1988

Recordings of world’s oldest computer

music released
Recordings of a Ferranti Mark 1
computer playing Baa Baa Black
Sheep and In the Mood, thought
to be the oldest recordings of
computer generated music in
existence, have been released.
The scratchy songs were
World’s most expensive burger captured by the BBC in the 30,000 pounds
Fast-food giant Burger King has Autumn of 1951 during a visit to
launched world’s most expensive burger the University of Manchester. for sex work
- named simply ‘The Burger’. Priced at The recording has now been unveiled as part of the 60th
95 pounds, the fine ingredients of ‘The Anniversary of "Baby", the forerunner of all modern computers. co-ordinator
Burger’ include flame grilled Wagyu ANI A local council in the UK
Beef, white truffles and an Iranian has resorted to a novel
saffron and truffle bun. The sandwich measure to reduce
will make Guinness World Record history London Olympic stadium to cost US$ 1 prostitution in a city - a
beating a similarly extravagant American Double Truffle 30,000 pounds-a-year ‘sex
Burger, which cost 65 pounds back in 1994. billion work co-ordinator.’ The
ANI The main Olympic stadium for the London Olympics in 2012 is odd job has been slammed
now expected to cost US$ one billion having risen sharply in the as ‘a waste of taxpayers’
’Polite burglars’ rob octogenarian last few months, it was announced on Tuesday. New London
Mayor Boris Johnson ordered the review of estimated costs which
money,’ reports The Sun.
Muriel Cole, a Lib Dem
widow have shown a 29 million pound
increase since November which is
councillor in Bristol, said
that the salary was more
An octogenarian woman not only had her home burgled by part of an overall 106 million than paramedics and
’polite’ thieves, but was also given a few pointers in safety by pound rise in all venue costs. firemen earn. “How on
the robbers. The burglars, who introduced themselves as Marc The figures form part of business earth can one person
and Francois, took jewellery, and 200 pounds in cash from tycoon David Ross’ high-level change something that has
82-year-old Simone Delapierre’s villa in Belgium. Before review of London’s preparations been taking place in this
leaving however, they didn’t forget to give her a hug and a for the Games commissioned by city for centuries?” she
peck on the cheek, reports the Mirror. Johnson. said.
ANI AFP ANI
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
07
Gays and females
This day, that year The brains of gay men and women look like those found
It was in June 16, 1910 that in heterosexual people of the opposite sex, research
Father’s Day was celebrated suggests. The Swedish study, published in the
for the first time, in Spokane, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal,
Washington. compared the size of the brain’s halves in 90 adults.

FUNNY TRANSLATIONS
Foreign visitors are shocked over
the official English translation of
local dishes in China

A
s the world readies for
an influx of visitors for
the Beijing Olympics,
the Chinese capital
has offered eateries an offi-
cial English translation of
local dishes whose exotic
names and alarming trans-
lations can leave foreign vis-
itors shocked, frustrated
and famished.
If the authorised bodies
have their way, the English-
speaking tourists, would be
able to order “beef and ox
tripe in chili sauce” - an ap-
petiser - rather than “hus-
band and wife’s lung slice”.
Other favourites have also
received a linguistic make-
over. “Bean curd made by a
pock-marked woman”, as
the Beijing Youth Daily ren-
dered the spicy Sichuanese
dish, is now “Mapo tofu,”
and “chicken without sexual
life” becomes mere
“steamed pullet”. As the
Beijing event is approaching
fast a notice on the city tou-
Controversy has
already broken out
over the new
translations
rism bureau website told
restaurants to come and
pick up a book with the sug-
gested translations.
In China agreeing on the
English-language menu has
taken many rounds of dis-
cussions over previous
drafts since last year.
Controversy has already
broken out over the blander
new translations.
“I don’t like this new
naming method, it’s aban-
doning Chinese tradition,”
the australian quoted one
internet comment, as stat-
ing.
“There are many stories
in the names of these dis-
hes,” the comment added.
■
ANI

Glamour and business Piggy girls

mix it up on Sao
Paulo’s catwalks
L atin America’s most important
fashion event, the Sao Paulo
Fashion Week, opened on Tues-
day with much attention on
shows due to feature supermod-
els Naomi Campbell, Giselle
Bundchen and Raquel Zimmer-
man.
But off the catwalk, away from
the glare of the TV lights, another
sort of spectacle was transfixing
the invited celebrities and the
wealthy. A business fiasco involv- Herchovitch, told the O Estado de
ing an investment fund’s attempt S. Paulo newspaper that “I was
to buy some of the biggest labels tricked” by the fund, and said he
in Brazilian fashion has severely too almost didn’t make the show.
dented egos and finances. The matter revolves around a
One of the hottest brands in- move by a new company, Identi-
cluded in the acquisition spree, dade Moda, to buy Zoomp, 쒀
Zoomp, has even pulled out of Herchcovitch and other brands Environmental activists demonstrate about piggeries on Tuesday in Arnhem, to
the fashion week, citing “restruc- Fause Haten, Clube Chocolate protest plans for huge sties for thousands of pigs. AFP PHOTO
turing” problems. and Cumplice this year. ■
Brazil’s top designer, Alexandre AFP
08 SPORT
Thuram and Makelele
call it a day
Defender Lilian Thuram and midfielder
Claude Makelele announced their
international retirements after France were
eliminated from Euro 2008 following their
2-0 defeat by Italy on Tuesday. The 36-year-
old Thuram, who won a record 142 caps but
did not play on Tuesday, was the only
member of the Euro 2008 squad to have
started the 3-0 final win over Brazil at the
1998 World Cup. “That’s the end of my
career for France and of a very important
part of my life,” Thuram said. “There’s a lot
of sadness.”
Makelele, 35, won his 71st cap in the Group
C game. “This tournament was my last for
France,” he said.
Widely regarded
as one of the
world’s best
holding
midfielders,
Makelele never
won a major
trophy for
France. His best
achievement
was being part
of the team
defeated by Italy
at the 2006
World Cup final
in Germany.
Reuters
Prakash ousted in
Wimbledon qualifiers
India Davis Cupper Prakash Amritraj tried
everything he could but he
failed to keep the momentum
and lost his second round
qualifying match, ending
India’s hopes of seeing a player
competing in men’s singles of
the Wimbledon
Championships. Up against a
tough customer in 13th seed
Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky,
who is placed 137 in the ATP
charts, Amritraj, ranked 311,
lost 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 in the match
played last night. Now Indian
hopes surround Fed Cup member Sunitha
Rao, who is competing in the ladies’ singles
qualification. She faces 15th seed Russian
Olga Puchkova in the second round.
PTI
ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008
Pooh-pooh!
Arjuna Ranatunga is concerned about the well-being of the
game in the era of Twenty20 razzmatazz. “It needs only eleven
mucks to win Twenty20 games. Even in ODI cricket you need
seven to eight intelligent players and a captain while in T20 you
need only power-hitters. You don’t even need a good captain,”
said the 44-year-old chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
FEDERER FACES
WIMBLEDON
DOGFIGHT
R
oger Federer’s tradi- on grass since a first round been a little bewildered that
tional Wimbledon exit at Wimbledon at the I judge my performance in
waltz is set to be trans- hands of Croatia’s Mario An- Paris as a success, but I see it
formed into an All-En- cic in 2002 and, despite his like this and I will not give
gland Club dogfight as French Open final trauma up my opinion,” said the 12-
Rafael Nadal plots to shatter where he won just four time Grand Slam title win-
the world number one’s games, he insists he’s not a ner. ■
dream of a record sixth suc- spent force. “Many have AFP
cessive title. The Spaniard,
fresh from his French Open
humiliation of Federer
which delivered him a
fourth Roland Garros crown,
has been further buoyed by
a first career grass-court title
at Queen’s.
He is also bidding to be-
come the first Spaniard
since Manolo Santana in
1966 to win the men’s title
and the first man since
Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win
the French Open and Wim-
bledon back-to-back. In any
other year, Nadal’s task
would have been deemed
impossible, but 2008 has not
been an average year with
Federer having lost his Aus-
tralian Open title and then
slumping to the worst defeat
of his career in Paris. Feder-
er, who is just two Wimble-
don titles shy of Pete
Sampras’s record of seven,
stopped the rot by winning a
fifth title in Halle, his 59th
successive grasscourt victo-
ry, while Nadal was seeing
off Novak Djokovic in Lon-
don. “For sure he (Federer)
will have noticed,” said Na-
dal. “I think I’m playing well.
And if I continue playing like
this, I’m going to have
chances for a good result.”
Nadal had never played
on grass until two years ago,
but has reached the last two
Wimbledon finals and,
twelve months ago, the 22-
year-old came agonisingly
close to upsetting Federer in
an epic five-set title match.
Federer has not lost a match
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
09

‘‘
It is very clear that I support Mr Blatter Pawar for gala dinner
BCCI president Sharad Pawar is expected to attend the gala
who is the current president of FIFA. I do dinner to be hosted by Sunil Gavaskar at Lord’s on June 25 to
hope that he runs for another term in 2011 and I celebrate the Silver Jubilee year of one of India’s greatest-ever
will support him as I always do. feats in world sports, the World Cup triumph by Kapil’s devils in
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam 1983.

Fortune favours Azzuri

Italy join Netherlands in last eight after beating France 2-0

W
orld champions Italy fought their way
back from the Euro 2008 exit door by
beating 10-man France 2-0 on Tuesday to
line up a quarterfinal with Spain. While
Italy breathed a sigh of relief at surviving what
would have been an inglorious early departure
from Group C, the game became a nightmare for
France. Eager to keep their chances of survival
alive and avenge a penalty shootout defeat by
Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, nothing went
right for them and they finished bottom of the
group. They not only lost inspirational playmak-
er Franck Ribery to a knee injury after only nine
minutes but also had defender Eric Abidal sent
off for hauling down Luca Toni in the area. An-
drea Pirlo converted the resulting penalty in the
25th minute and a goal by Daniele De Rossi after
62 minutes gave Italy their first win over France
in normal time without the need of extra time or
penalties since the 1978 World Cup finals.
Romania out
The victory, coupled with Romania’s 2-0 defeat
by Netherlands in Berne, secured Italy’s place in
the last eight. Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Robin van
Persie scored for the rampaging Dutch. Drawn in
the toughest group at Euro 2008, the Romanians
entered Monday’s match above World Cup final-
ists Italy and France and in control of their own
destiny. Although they lost 2-0 to the Dutch at
Stade de Suisse to bow out, the rapturous cele-
brations by Italy’s players in Zurich upon confir-
mation of their progression told its own story.
Setbacks for Italy
The only setback on the night was that mid-
fielders Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso were both
booked and will miss the game against Spain in
Vienna on Sunday. Italy coach Roberto Dona-
doni said: “It was a good performance. Perhaps
we were playing better 11 against 11. After
that, a bit of fear and nerves came in but today
it was a great response from all the lads.”
France coach Raymond Domenech said: “I am
proud of my players. But the circumstances
made it tough. Playing with 10 men for an
hour, Franck being injured after 10 minutes,
just one substitution possible after half an
hour, that’s tough.” Striker Thierry Henry was
on the same wavelength, saying: “Nothing
went our way. Franck gets injured, we concede
the goal and are shown a red card. Everything
went against us. We tried to fight until the end
but luck was just not on our side.”
Pirlo breakthrough
Italy made the breakthrough when Pirlo
lashed home his penalty after Abidal was red
carded for bringing down Toni as he prepared
to shoot. The gap left by Ribery’s absence al-
lowed Italy to largely dominate in midfield and
between them Pirlo, De Rossi, Gattuso and An-
tonio Cassano created three good chances for
Toni to score before halftime. Defender Fabio
Grosso also went close when he thumped in a
43rd minute free kick which France keeper Gre-
gory Coupet touched onto his right-hand post.
De Rossi made it 2-0 when he smashed in a shot
following a rehearsed free-kick routine, with
his drive taking a deflection off Henry to leave
Coupet wrong-footed. ■
Reuters

PHOTOS: AFP
10 FLICK ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

Nine lives
Sofia’s line in Vanilla Sky, “I’ll tell you in another
life, when we are both cats”, was a phrase
actually uttered spontaneously in a moment of
frustration by Penélope Cruz to Cameron Crowe.

Hats off, Johnny

J ohnny Depp is certainly a man of words. The actor
kept a promise he made to a 12-year-old fan by
sending him the fedora he wore as bank robber John
Dillinger in his latest film Public Enemies.
Young Jack Taylor requested the Pirates Of the
Caribbean star for his hat after he met the actor on
the sets of the movie and Depp had good
humouredly agreed to pass it on after “I’m done
with it”.
When Taylor’s parents reminded Depp of his promise
to the boy, by writing a letter to the movie star’s
production company, the young fan got a package
on his doorstep.
The box carried the hat and various other
promotional items from Depp’s past films. The actor’s
gifts thrilled Taylor’s parents, Kris and Matt Brand as
the box contained enough goodies for Jack and his
four siblings.
“It’s not exactly the easiest thing to make all five kids
happy, but they did a good job. It’s finally nice to see
a celebrity being nice and following through on his
promises,” Contactmusic quoted Kris Brand, as saying.
In fact, the 45-year-old star also sent Jack a short,
personal note telling him to enjoy the hat.
“It was pretty awesome when it came. I didn’t think
it actually would come,” the thrilled youngster told
TheNorthwestern.com.
ANI

H eavy metal band Metallica has re-

vealed that their next studio album
would be called ‘Death Magnetic’.
Produced by Rick Rubin, Death Mag-
netic is due for release in September this
year.
The album has already created its
share of controversy for the band, as sev-
eral British bloggers have heard rough
mixes of six of its untitled songs.
“Once we resurfaced on Tuesday after
a few weeks on tour in Europe, we were
informed that someone at Q Prime (our
managers) had made the error of asking
a few publications to take down reviews
of the rough mixes from the new record
that were posted on their sites,” E!online
quoted the band as saying on its website.
“Our response was WHY?!!! ” the state-
ment added.
The band continued saying: “We fig-
ured why not take matters into our own
hands and just post the links here on our
site.” Death Magnetic is Metallica’s first
studio effort since 2003’s St. Anger. ■
ANI

THE PUP SHE COULDN’T HAVE

P aris Hilton has all the money in the world, but it

was not enough to buy her a puppy she laid her
eyes on.
While going to a photo shoot, the socialite dropped
into the Puppy Store on Melrose Avenue in LA after
deciding that she “wanted a puppy in the picture with
her so it would look cuter.”
However, a store employee refused to sell a Yorkie
pup, feeling that it was clearly “an impulse buy.”
This, according to a source, was enough to make the
27-year-old celebutante go “ballistic.”
“She started screaming, ‘I love my puppies! I want
my baby!’ ” The New York Post quoted the source, as
saying.
However, the store did not pay any heed to her
claims. It has also refused to comment on the issue. ■
ANI
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
Blood relations
In Blood Diamond, when Danny Archer arrives
in South Africa, there are two women standing
in front of the airport and he walks by them.
These women are Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother
and grandmother.
11
Double role
Roberto Benigni’s Oscar for Life is Beautiful
for best actor marked only the second time
that an actor had directed himself in an
Academy Award winning performance. The
other was Laurence Olivier for Hamlet (1948)

No rom-com, this
Film on American polygamous sect
to star Katherine Heigl
K atherine Heigl has signed up to star in
and produce Escape, a new movie about
the American polygamous sect founded by
Warren Jeffs.
The movie will be based on the memoir
of Carolyn Jessop, whose testimony helped
convict the cult leader of incest and sexual
conduct with minors, reports The Sun.
The Grey’s Anatomy star will play the role
of Carolyn, who was born into the sect and
escaped when she was 35.
Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamental-
ist Church of Latter Day Saints, was
jailed for 10 years in November 2007.
Escape is a far cry from the actress’
rom-com stints in Knocked Up and 27
Dresses.
ANI

The movie will be based on

the memoir of Carolyn
Jessop, whose testimony
Cine City
helped convict the cult leader Love Story 2050 and
of incest and sexual conduct
with minors Robot: Spot the
similarities
Director Shankar is busy preparing
for the production work of Robot
that will feature Rajinikanth and
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the
lead roles. But here comes a
Bollywood movie, Love Story 2050,
which seems to share some
similarities with Shankar’s Robot.
Love Story 2050 features Harry
Bajewa and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. Harry along
with Priyanka and her siblings stumble upon a time
machine that will take them to the Mumbai of 2050 –
flying cars, 300-storeyed buildings, robots ruling the city
and everything you haven’t imagined.

Sneha regrets glam roles

Perhaps, Nayanthara, post-Billa, can be credited for
inspiring heroines in Kollywood to go for image
makeovers. Sneha, who appeared in girl-to-next door
roles all the way, went for a
glamorous role in Pandi. However,

Terminator makeup man dead that didn’t quite work in her favour.
Now she has decided that it was a
mistake on her part and will no more

P ioneering special effects and makeup artist Stan Winston, a four-time Oscar winner who
transformed Arnold Schwarzenegger into ‘The Terminator’ and brought dinosaurs to life in
the Jurassic Park films, has died at age 62, his studio said on Monday.
go for glamorous roles. Soon, she will
be commencing her 50th project, this
one with director Cheran for the film
Winston, whose studio’s work was on display in the high-tech armoured suits worn by Robert Autograph-2.
Downey Jr. in the current superhero blockbuster Iron Man, died at home in Malibu, California, www.cinesnacks.com
on Sunday surrounded by family.
Reuters
12 SCAN
PICK OF THE DAY
Zee Cinema
Bombay to Goa – 12-30 am
The lives of Atmaram and his wife
are turned upside down when they
see their daughter, Mala’s pictures
in a magazine. They arrange for
Mala’s marriage with the son of
Ramlal .Mala is opposed to
marrying anyone who she has not
met.
DEAR D I A R Y
In this week’s ‘Dear Diary’, veteran actress Chachu talks about her reel school life
Star Gold
Krrish – 8 pm
Krrish for many reasons can be
touted as the movie to watch out
for. It’s an absolute treat for Koi.
Mil Gaya lovers as its a sequel of
the blockbuster. After shooting for
a series of never-done-before action
sequences.
Saraswathy alias
Chachu at a felicitation
function. FILE PHOTO: B.
JOTHI RAMALINGAM
ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008
Faithful Brown
Although some claim Brown’s books such as The Da Vinci
Code and Angels & Demons are anti-Christian, Brown
himself is a Christian who says the controversy inspires
“the discussion and debate of this subject will ultimately
lead to a more solidly defended faith."
Travel & Living Vijay TV
Adventures of The Ladies Thirandhidu Sesame – 9 pm
Tailor – 10 pm A gameshow that is based on luck
Travel with me to Goa where I and that tempts the participants
explore a fabulous night bazaar, into taking risks and keeps the
meet a chillum designer and an audience on the edge of their seats.
intriguing tattoo artist. Check out
one of the most exotic hotels and
much more!
T
oday I saw a kid working in
a restaurant and it made
me feel bad. I strongly be-
lieve that children should
experience school life and cher-
ish it for years to come. One
thing I missed as a kid was school
life as I entered the film industry
when I was hardly nine years old
and didn’t have the time.
In my third film ‘Devdas’ we were
shooting for a classroom scene and this is
one of my favourite scenes. I play the role of a naughty kid who
makes fun of a boy- Sattapillai. Even now when I see the film I
laugh to my heart’s content and it is so thrilling as I end up
literally re-living the moments. I remember that classroom
scene was shot on Diwali day and being a kid I was disappointed
that I would have to work on a holiday.
But then I had great fun and was presented with new clothes
and crackers. I also ate many sweets that day! I felt at home and
all this made it even more special. That film made me experi-
ence the fun and frolic of school life.
Even in the film ‘Cinema Paithiyam’ which is the remake of
‘Guddi’, I played the role of a school girl. I used to love wearing
the uniform costume. And the scenes were I bribe other kids for
giving proxy attendance is my favourite. My mom and aunts had
to watch it and say I was as naughty in real life too
as a kid! I really am fortunate to have experi-
enced school through some of my films and
this has made me experience what I always
wanted to.
Compiled by Nandhini Ramkumar, Anusha
Parthasarathy
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
13
Brandy
Formosa Dating back to the
Taiwan was 1600s,
known thermometers were
formerly as filled with brandy
Formosa. instead of mercury.

Truly Creative
TOP 5 DAYS THAT
Asia ACTUALLY DO EXIST
Bee
Watch the streets of Asia come ’Creative Bee’, a special promo-
alive in Chennai this season. JANUARY 13 tion by Fabindia. You can find
Tempted to eat satays, dimsums specially designed hand woven
World Laughter Day. I’ve heard of Laughter therapy, sarees, dupattas and stoles print-
and a whole lot of magical del- but I didn’t know a day for it actually existed… till
icacies from Thailand, China, Ma- ed in natural dyes.
now. Makes sense, though. After all, it is the best Where:
laysia and Hong Kong without medicine…
the crowded shove of the Fabindia Showroom,
II ford House Woods Road
streets? Then don’t delay.. JANUARY 21 When:
Where: Paprika, Manipur Day, Tripura Day and Meghalaya day. Has
Courtyard by Marriott, June 19 - June 21, 11.00 a.m.
anyone thought of celebrating a Tamil Nadu day? We – 7.00 p.m.
Anna Salai, Teynampet should, you know, and spend the whole day speaking
When: Till July 6th in nothing but sen tamizh, reading sangam literature.
Ok, ok, lighter literature allowed.

MAY 3
International Sun Day! The coolest thing about this
day is that even if it falls on a Monday, or any
Get a real feel of watching weekday, for that matter, it’ll still be a Sun Day! Welcome to the world of kimchi,
Euro football 2008

it live. Watch Euro Football doenjang and gochujang! Hip

AUGUST 20

The soul of seoul

2008 at Zodiac, with deco- Asia at Taj Connemara has an un-
rations for this special occa- World Mosquito Day usual treat lined up for its food
sion, complete with a Now this is something I don’t understand at all… We connoisseurs- a Korean Food
cocktail promotion. spend time and money buying the latest mosquito Festival that promises to be a ful-
Where: Zodiac, repellents, sprays, anti-malarial pills and there’s a DAY filling gastronomical experience.
The Accord dedicated to mosquitoes??? Where:
Metropolitan, Hip Asia,
G N Chetty Road,
SEPTEMBER 14 Taj Connemara
T Nagar Hindi Day. No, I’m not kidding. I had a bad enough Anna salai
When: Till June 29th time in school, imagine making a day for it! No When:
Contact: 2816 1000 offence, but Tamizh Vazhge! Till June 25th.
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

Citizenship is the solution

An English ref - who received death threats
after making a controversial decision against
Poland in the World Cup - could be offered
citizenship - so he can never officiate at a
match involving the country again.

sudoku

Venkadesh
Subramaniam
of TCS clicked
this picture
using his Sony
Ericsson
K750i. His
hobbies
include
reading and
getting some
candid shots,
like this one
which he
captured in
front of TCS
Digital Zone
Parking Lot

KAKURO
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the PRB Act).
 Thursday, June 19, 2008
Forgot to vote
A tiny US community doesn’t know
what to do after nobody turned up
to vote in its mayoral election -
including the candidates.
15
Word’s worth
"Elaqueate" (e-lack-we-ate) to free from a noose or other entanglement.
Another literal word that needs a figurative sense: "At first, I felt bad
about being laid off, but then I realized I’d been elaqueated." A related
rare word is illaqueable, meaning ’capable of being snared’: "I applied
there, but I realized the job I wanted wasn’t illaqueable."

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

You will be more concerned about work today. In
order to finish off your work in time, you may put
in lot of effort. In love relationships, you might have
to put in lots of efforts, there may be difference of
opinion between you and your partner or beloved.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

It may be an easygoing day for you, says Ganesha.
You may be taking everything very easy. For
important work, you may expect other people’s
assistance. In love relationships, you may remain
possessive or over-demanding.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

You will not be in a mood to put in extra efforts at
BORN LOSER workplace as you may be feeling low. If you are
going to take a decision on career, Ganesha shows
you red-signal. You may expect partner to love you
intensely but there are chances of disappointment.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
The day is not much in your favour hence you are
suggested to remain cool. If you take up more
activities at once, you may fail to handle them.
Pragmatic approach will help you handle the day.
Your spouse may display lot of love and care.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Things that you are generally able to finish in ’no
time’ will take little more time. You may be dealing
with tasks which need to be done fast. You are
advised to take good care of health. You may
sound very cold about matters related to love.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
It is relatively a hassle free day for you. Ganesha
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT foresees you handling your work very easily. This is
Perfect day to develop new professional skills. It’s
best day to propose someone. Married couples may
enjoy greater intimacy today.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
You will not be able to handle your work very
efficiently today. Be extra careful while drafting
emails. Domestic matters may demand your
attention. You may be very much concerned about
those whom you love the most.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
It is day to deal with lot of mental and intellectual
hard work. Today you will either be attending
important meetings or you may be exchanging
emails with important people. Your spouse may
surprise you by doing something unusual.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
Despite your effort to finish off routine work faster
at office, you may not be able to finish desired
work. If you are patient, you will be able to finish
off considerable amount of work. Love life may be
smooth provided you avoid putting off your beloved.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
It is day to decide deadlines. You may expect
everyone else to put in more effort for you yourself
are very charged up today. Your complete
concentration is on work. Love life may remain
charming and satisfactory by the Grace of Ganesha.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS You should not expect anything great out of this
day as you may be dealing with lot of pending
ISSUE’S work. Ganesha suggests you not to get depressed.
Your subordinates would not be very supporting. On
SOLUTIONS love, Ganesha doesn’t foresee anything to underline.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
At office, superiors will appreciate your efforts. You
will be handling high responsibility job. You may be
very practical in your approach towards everythingIn
ove life, you may remain emotional. Your partner
will try to woo you as nicely as possible.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Thursday, June 19, 2008

Electric blues
A Cambridge, England
mother-of-two opened her
electricity bill - to find a
demand for $180 million.

B
ollywood star Amitabh Bach- Cantopop singer and actress Stephy
chan has been voted Asia’s sex- Tang. Outside Asia, Coldplay singer
No extra-marital relations iest vegetarian male in a survey
by an animal rights group on
Chris Martin, pop star Leona Lewis
and camp British TV host Russell
for military police Wednesday.
Hong Kong singer-actress Faye
Brand were among the celebrities who
polled most votes as sexiest vegetar-
Italy’s highest court Wong was voted Asia’s sexiest vege- ians. PETA Asia-Pacific director said:
has ruled that the Amitabh Bachchan tarian female in a poll conducted “Going vegetarian is the best thing
nation’s paramilitary voted Asia’s sexiest among members of PETA (People for you can do for animals, the earth and
police, the vegetarian male and the Ethical Treatment of Animlas). your health. Plus there’s no easier way
Carabinieri, must Hong Kong actress Faye Runners-up in the competition in- to stay slim and sexy - and Faye and
not have extra- Wong sexiest female cluded Taiwanese drama star Barbie Amitabh are living proof.” ■
marital affairs to Xu, Hong Kong actress Maggie Q and DPA
avoid sullying the
force’s name. The
ruling stemmed
from one Carabiniere’s appeal against a
lower court ruling sentencing him to four
months in jail for insulting and threatening
to throw a desk at his boss, who had asked
the policeman to break off an affair with a
married woman. Italy’s Court of Cassation
agreed that any affair is a private matter,
but noted that the military police were
called to “exemplary conduct and could not
bring discredit to the armed forces with
extra-marital relationships.” The Carabinieri,
Italy’s gendarmerie, are the most prominent
of several national police forces. Their
motto is ‘Faithful through the centuries.’
Reuters

Teacher fired for running

from quake school
A Chinese high school teacher has been
fired and denounced by local media and
internet users for fleeing a classroom before
his students during last month’s devastating

GETTY IMAGES
earthquake. Fan Meizhong, a Chinese-
PTI PHOTO

language teacher at a private high school in

quake-ravaged Dujiangyan in southwest
Sichuan province, has been branded
‘running Fan’ on Internet chat-rooms and
come under fire for defending his actions
online in a lengthy post. The 8.0 magnitude
earthquake on May 12 killed more than
70,000 people, including thousands of
children at their desks in what many
parents believe were shoddily made school
buildings. “At such a life-or-death moment,
I would only consider sacrificing my life for Tears of joy
my daughter. I would not do it for anyone
else, even my mother,” Fan wrote on
popular online portal Tianya.cn ( http:/
www.tianya.cn ).
Reuters

Sometimes it rains cement

Russian air force planes dropped a 25-kg
sack of cement on a suburban Moscow
home last week while seeding clouds to
prevent rain from spoiling a holiday,
Russian media said on Tuesday. “A pack of
cement used in creating good weather in
the capital region failed to pulverize
completely at high altitude and fell on the
roof of a house, making a hole about 80-
100 cm (2.5-3 ft),” police in Naro-Fominsk
told agency RIA-Novosti. Ahead of major
public holidays the Russian Air Force often
dispatches up to 12 cargo planes carrying
loads of silver iodide, liquid nitrogen and
cement powder to seed clouds above
Moscow and empty the skies of moisture. A 쒀 Michael John and Gustavo Montano are joined in wedlock by Sister Unity of the
spokesman for the Russian Air Force refused Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, assisted by Sister Marguerite
to comment. Snatcher as the era of same-sex marriage begins in California on Tuesday in West
Reuters Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO