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A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, July 17, 2008

Elliot’s Beach
PLUS 10 DEGREES CELSIUS
Turn to last page to see what is
FREE CIRCULATION
Vol. 2 No. 139
hotting up the Besant Nagar sands

PHOTO: PTI
02 NAMMA CHENNAI ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

Flabs to abs
Vanilla Children Place has introduced a new programme
called ‘Flabs to abs’ for all those watchful about their
waistline. The 45-minute workout will include crunches,
pilates, yoga and floor routines to develop curvaceous
waistline. For details, call 4553 4145.

3 held in Rs. 40
lakh robbery case
Police have made a breakthrough in the case
where three jewellers from Madurai were
Time to iron out
robbed of Rs. 40 lakh by a seven-member gang
on Monday night near Koyambedu.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, city
police Commissioner R. Sekar said, “Three
people have been arrested in connection with
your child’s
the robbery just before they were about to slip
into Andhra Pradesh, and the rest of the gang
will be nabbed soon.”
The arrested were identified as Kumar (26) of
Vysarpadi, Michael (29) of Kodungaiyur and
health problems
Yogeshwaran alias Mani (26) of Madhavaram. Britannia to launch iron supplementing programmes among school children
Man run over by bus V.HARIPRIYA
haripriya@goergo.in
A middle-aged man was run over by an MTC bus

E
while he was attempting to cross the road in ver wondered why so many
Mylapore at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The cereals and infant formulae
deceased remains unidentified. are fortified with iron? You
According to Adyar Traffic Investigations, the need it as iron is needed for
victim met with the accident on Royapettah the production of haemoglobin.
High Road near V.M. Street in Mylapore. The Without Red Blood Cells (RBC),
M21G route bus plying between Parrys and oxygen is not delivered to all the
Tambaram knocked the man down, trapping cells. And poor haemoglobin lev-
him under the right front wheel of the vehicle. el leads to anaemia and poor im-
The driver of the bus, Kumar (45), was arrested munity.
and booked. Britannia, one of India’s lead-
ing biscuit company, as part of its
Man jumps from balcony, initiative to help combat iron de-
ficiency among children, is
dies launching a mass awareness pro-
gramme on the importance of grossly under-nourished. The on- schools in these cities and bring
A 44-year-old man committed suicide by jumping iron for children through schools ly way to create awareness nutrition awareness to the school
from his fourth-floor apartment on Taylor’s Road across Tamil Nadu. The pro- among children and parents is children. This will be done in an
on Tuesday night. Police say he had a history of gramme will start from July-end. through schools. “As part of our interesting story telling manner
mental illness. At a press conference in the city programme, we have selected 10 to internalise the nutrition mes-
Kilpauk police identified the deceased as on Wednesday, Anuradha Nara- cities in Tamil Nadu where the sage,” Anuradha said.
Karthikeyan, a resident of Millennium Towers, simhan, category director, Bri- awareness programmes will be Britannia has already launched
4th Block, Taylor’s Road, Kilpauk. tannia Industries Limited, said held.” Tiger Banana and Tiger Glucose
At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Karthikeyan had that children in the country were “Our target is to cover all the biscuits rich in iron content. ■
reportedly leaped from his balcony. He was then
rushed to hospital, where he died, police added.

Abracadabra!
ERGO CORRESPONDENT
feedback@goergo.in

T hey are known as the IT theatre


group; meet Rebelz, a bunch of
software engineers who like to ●
Know it all
unwind on stage. They enjoy When
writing their own scripts and em- July 26th & 27
ploying histrionics instead of cal- ●
culating figures all day. Rebelz Where
have been around since 2006 and Sivagami Pethachi
have put up several theatre pro- Auditorium, Mylapore
ductions like Phantom Parody ●
and Let’s Find Love in, which Tickets available at
have entertained audiences in Crossword, Fruitshop,
Chennai. Now, they are back with Subway, Gangotree,
yet another play and this time Honda-TVS Sundaram
with tales all the way from Arabia. Showroom, Limelight
A farcical fairy tale, Once upon Parlours, SAE College.
a time in Arabia is a humour- princess Ayesha. The beautiful la- ●
packed spoof on the classical Ara- dy must get married in a week, Online booking
bian tales of Aladdin and Alibaba. else the kingdom might fall into www.ticketnew.com
And yes, it has all that magic, the hands of the evil minister.
splendour and plotting villains. What is in store for the people of
The story revolves around the an- Petra and the damsel in distress?
cient Arab city of Petra and its Watch to find out. ■
Thursday, July 17, 2008

Cooking contest
03
Sowbaghyavin Samaiyal Thiruvizha, a cookery contest for women, will be
held on July 27 at M.L.M. Kalyana Mandapam, Mahalingapuram. Dishes can
be prepared at home and brought to the venue. Each entry should carry one
item, sweet or savouries. The last date for registration is July 23. Entry is free
and all the participants will get surprise gifts. For details, call Twilite Corpos
at 98843 31103, 97909 83382.

A victim of the elements LANKA ON SCREEN


T o commemorate 60 years of
diplomatic relations between
India and Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan
Film Chamber Theatre, 606 Anna
Salai.
Sakman Maluwa – The Garden
Deputy High Commssioner, will be screened on July 21 at 6.45
Chennai, Indo Cine Appreciation p.m. Sudo Sevaneli – Shadows of
Foundation and Madras Film So- White, directed by Prof. Sunil Ari-
ciety in association with the yaratne, will be screened on July
Federation of Film Societies of 22 at 6.30 p.m.
India (Central Office) are organis- Others films include Sooriya
ing a Sri Lankan Film Festival. Arana (July 23) and Theertha
The films will be screened from Yathra and Gamperaliya (July 24).
July 21 to 24 at the South Indian For details, call 97910 77106. ■


Star Events, a wing
of ETA Star, is
organising a series
of hot air balloon
rides across the city
as a part of its
brandbuilding
exercise. The first
such event for the
employees of HCL on
Tuesday at the ETA
Technopark at
Navalur fell prey to
the elements, after
they discovered that
the location and the
wind speeds were
not suitable for
flying. (Inset) Imo
Chaoba, a qualified
pilot who was
brought down from
Delhi for the event,
was a harried man
at the non-show.
PHOTOS : R.RAVINDRAN
04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

‘‘
An individual who is active in higher
learning soon becomes an individual
active in higher earning
Michael Gulliver

MS says Yahoo
misrepresents
latest offer
Keen to close deal before Yahoo’s annual meeting on Aug 1

M
icrosoft denied that its
offer to buyout Yahoo 쒀
was contingent on the re- British musician Pete Doherty performs with
moval of the Internet his group Babyshambles at the Miles Davis
firm’s top management and the Hall during the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival
board of directors, it was report- on Tuesday in Montreux. The festival runs
ed on Tuesday. from July 4 to July 19. AFP PHOTO
In a statement issued late Mon-
day, Microsoft said Yahoo mis-
represented its latest proposal,
the San Jose Mercury News re-
ported.
Microsoft also said it never is-
sued a “take it or leave it” ultima-
tum, as Yahoo had charged, the outcome of a proxy battle Icahn claimed his deal, which
according to the report. launched by dissident sharehol- amounts to a partial sale of Ya-
The duelling statements illus- der Carl Icahn to take control of hoo, was worth 33 dollars a share.
trate how frayed the relationship Yahoo and force a sale to Micro- Microsoft previously offered to
between the two companies has soft. buy all of Yahoo for 33 dollars a
become as they struggle to ham- Meanwhile, Icahn has provided share but withdrew the offer after
mer out a deal before Yahoo’s an- a detailed accounting of the deal Yahoo sought more.
nual meeting on Aug. 1. That’s he intends to close with Microsoft Under Icahn’s deal, Yahoo
when shareholders will decide if he is successful, the report said. would sell its search business to
Microsoft for 7.7 billion dollars.
Shareholders would receive 16.
Icahn has provided a detailed accounting of the 25 dollars a share in a distribution
made up of cash and stock, and
deal he intends to close with Microsoft. Icahn Yahoo would be left as a stand-
claimed his deal, which amounts to a partial alone company that provides In-
ternet content. ■
sale of Yahoo, was worth 33 dollars a share Xinhua


Chilean pole dancer Monserrat Morilles (C)
smiles before starting to dance surrounded

India urged to sign internet by the subway’s security personnel on


Tuesday in Santiago. Monserrat has been
entertaining commuters for several days

treaties on copyright
with her erotic performance along Santiago
subway stations. AFP PHOTO

T he World Intellectual Organisation (WIPO)


has called on India to become a signatory to
the two internet treaties which will provide for
treaties. It would ensure a strong protection
about the use of creative works on the world
wide web not only in that country but also STOCKTRACK
global protection of the rights of copyright hol- abroad,’’ Director of Copyright Law at WIPO Jor-
ders, performers and producers of phonograms. gen Savy Blomqvist told PTI in Geneva. 12575.80 3816.70
The WIPO Copyrights Treaty and the WIPO With internet, web piracy is also fast gaining
Performances and Phonograms Treaty, collec- grounds in the world. As Indian products gener-
tively termed as Internet Treaties, were negotiat- ate big money in that country and in the over- -100.39 -44.40
ed in 1996 under the auspices of WIPO. But seas, signing the treaties would ensure that
India is yet to sign them. producers of creative works in India get their fair
“India has got huge information, film and en- share of income the products generate abroad,
tertainment industries. For its own benefit, the the Director said. ■
country must become a signatory to the two PTI
SENSEX NIFTY
Thursday, July 17, 2008
05
Websites of the day
Keep an eye on this multimedia version US $ 43.17

SOURCE: RBI
of an even sillier You’ve Been Framed:
www.skoopy.com The information not Pound 86.46
good enough to make it on to Wikipedia: Euro 68.68
www.wikidumper.blogspot.com 100 Yen 41.34

Marital woes? Log on


to eHarmony.com
Computerized program helps couples communicate better, rekindle romance,
and resolve conflicts more compassionately

T
ried everything but still unsuccessful
in making your marriage work? Well, Barbie’s new look
don’t sweat it, for help is at hand, or in
this case just two clicks away.
branded ‘filth’
A computerized program called eHar-
mony Marriage has been launched, which
seeks to help couples communicate better,
B arbie’s new kinky collection
that has the S&M look has
come under fire - with protesters
rekindle romance, and resolve conflicts dubbing it “filth.”
more compassionately. The cute and pretty doll’s im-
According to The Christian Science age has been transformed with
Monitor, the US site is an offshoot of the kinky fishnets, motorcycle jacket,
Internet matchmaking service, eHarmony- black gloves and boots.
.com. Makers Mattel say Black Can-
Les Parrott, creator of the program with ary Barbie, out in September, is
his wife, Leslie, a marriage and family ther- based on a DC comic superhero
apist says that the ‘online counselling ser- of the same name, reports The
vice’ is perfect for people not quite ready Sun. However, religious group
for face-to-face counselling, who want to Each partner answers separately. A re- cles, and resources. Christian Voice said: “Barbie has
do something practical to improve their re- port is generated outlining their strengths Couples pay 150 dollars for the program, always been on the tarty side and
lationship, reports Courier Mail. and weaknesses as a couple. For instance: which takes six to eight weeks to complete. this is taking it too far. “A chil-
The counselling session begins with a You do really well in communication until Women tend to be the first to seek coun- dren’s doll in sexually suggestive
40-minute online questionnaire covering you get to the in-laws. From that summary, selling, Parrott says. Men tend to be more clothing is irresponsible – it’s
everything from finances to housework, the computer produces an action plan that oblivious to the problems. ■ filth.” ■
trust, family relationships, and spirituality. includes interactive video exercises, arti- ANI ANI

Facebook’s redesigned profiles

eBay wins trademark case


1 mln iPhones sold in one week Retail giant eBay has emerged the victor in a
Officials at Apple said they sold around one million of the counterfeit case against jewellery maker Tiffany.
latest model of iPhone in their first week of sales, which is on a A U.S. district judge in New York ruled that the The look of social networking site Facebook
par with what financial analysts were predicting. company cannot be held liable in the sale of hasn’t changed much since its launch, but a num-
The original iPhone introduced in June 2007 sold around counterfeit good as it’s the brand’s responsibility ber of blogs are posting links that show redesigned
270,000 phones in its first days of sales, but popularity steadily to ensure that counterfeit goods are not being pages.
grew. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said he was pleased sold. The blogs allow users to see the changes about to
with the results, saying, “iPhone 3G had a stunning opening Tiffany’s said the site did not go far enough in take place and the new features that can be used.
weekend. It took 74 days to sell the first one million original preventing the sale of counterfeit goods. The Enthusiasts say the design is a bit convoluted at
iPhones, so the new iPhone 3G is clearly off to a great start judge proclaimed that eBay did do enough to ad- first, and there are many features that need to be
around the world.” dress the claims, and no further action was re- turned on.
WENN quired on behalf of the website. WENN
06 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

A potato a day
You have to eat 11 pounds of
potatoes to put on one pound of
weight. A potato has no more
calories than an apple.

US divided on racial Teenager hijacks bus in Japan to


spite parents
lines ahead of
A 14-year-old Japanese boy who wanted to cause
trouble for his parents was arrested on Wednesday for
hijacking a bus at knifepoint on a major highway,
police and news reports said. No one was hurt in the

Presidential polls
incident, which was resolved within an hour after the
teenager called police from his mobile telephone. “I
was scolded by my parents so I did this to cause them
trouble,” the teen told police after his arrest,
according to Jiji Press. The boy had run away from

A
mericans are sharply divid- vourable opinion of Obama while home and was wielding two knives. He hijacked the
ed on racial lines heading only 30 per cent Whites had the bus, which was carrying about 10 passengers to Tokyo
into the first presidential same feelings for him. from the central city of Nagoya, police said.
election in which an Afri- Nearly 60 per cent of black re- AFP
can-American will be the major spondents said race relations
party nominee, a new poll shows. were generally bad, compared
Barack Obama, who is at- with 34 percent of whites. How-
tempting to script history by be- ever, black and white Americans Student finds money; 50 people
ing the first black President of the agree that America is ready to
United States, leads his Republi- elect a black president, but dis- claim they lost it
can rival John McCain among all agree on almost every other ques- A university student found 100,000 Taiwan dollars
registered voters by 45 per cent to tion about race in the poll. (3,000 US dollars) lying on the ground, prompting
39 per cent. Four in 10 blacks say that there about 50 people to claim they had lost it. Hsieh Chia-
However, in a sign of how ra- has been no progress in recent yin found the bag of money on Monday in Taichung in
cially polarised US voters are, years in eliminating racial dis- central Taiwan and waited for 10 minutes at the
Obama draws support from 89 crimination; fewer than 2 in 10 location.When no one came she took the money to a
per cent of blacks, compared with whites say the same thing. police station. After newspapers reported about the
2 per cent for McCain, the latest About one-quarter of white re- money bag about 50 people phoned the police station.
spondents said they thought that The callers correctly described where they had lost the
However, Americans too much had been made of ra- money because press reports had mentioned it, but
cial barriers facing black people, when police asked them from which bank they had
agree that America is while one-half of black respon- withdrawn the new bills and asked them to show
ready to elect a black dents said not enough had been police their chequebooks to prove they had withdraw
made of racial impediments
president, but disagree faced by blacks, the poll found.
100,000 Taiwan dollars, they all hung up.
DPA
on almost every other The survey suggests that even
question about race as the nation crosses a racial
in the poll
threshold when it comes to poli-
tics- Obama is the son of a black
Russian cosmonauts complete
New York Times/CBS News poll.
father from Kenya and a white
mother from Kansas - many of
spacewalk
Russian cosmonauts completed a six-hour spacewalk
Among whites, Obama has 37 the racial patterns in society re- early on Wednesday and installed an earthquake
per cent of the vote, compared main unchanged in recent years. research equipment on the outer surface of the
with 46 per cent for McCain, said The poll showed markedly little International Space Station (ISS). During the second
the poll reflecting the race rela- change in the racial components routine spacewalk, Cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg
tions in the country. In a finding of people’s daily lives since 2000, Kononenko also inspected the locating holes of an
that would require the 47-year- when The Times examined race antenna adapter, which is used for long-distance
old senator to make a major effort relations in an extensive series of tracking of the approach of spaceships, Itar-Tass cited
to win White voters in the No- articles called “How Race Is Lived the mission control center near Moscow as saying. The
vember election, more than 80 in America.” ■ third ISS crewmember, NASA astronaut Gregory
per cent of black voters had fa- PTI
Chamitoff, remained inside the descent capsule of the
Soyuz spaceship during the spacewalk.
Xinhua

Student pours cold water


on school reform
A student poured cold water on Chile’s unpopular
education reform on Monday – literally. The 14-
year-old schoolgirl threw a pitcher of cold water
in Education Minister Monica Jimenez’s face at an
event to discuss reform of a sector that students
and teachers complain is underfunded and
neglects the poor. “They could have thrown a
pitcher, a glass pitcher and I could be in hospital
now,” Jimenez told reporters. “I particularly blame
the teachers union. If they are inciting acts of
violence, they should answer for what happened
today."
Reuters
Thursday, July 17, 2008
07
64 kg tumour removed This day, that year
An Oregon woman who couldn’t shed her weight finally figured out why. It was in July 27, 1920 that ’Main
She’d had a 64 kg cancerous tumour growing in her stomach for the past Street,’ the now famous novel, was
20 years. It took over numerous surgeries to remove the tumour. finished by Sinclair Lewis.

Delhi cheapest place to park,


London most expensive
Australia has some of
the most expensive
cities in the world for
parking as a result of
its strong economy
and surging currency

D
elhi is the cheapest city in
the world for parking
while London has earned
the dubious distinction of
being the costliest place for the
same, a study indicated on
Wednesday.
In Delhi it costs less than a
Pound (Rs 86.4) to park a car per
day. The monthly rate for a
space in London tops the list at
586 pounds - exactly double
midtown New York, according
to the first global study of park-
ing charges.
Close behind is the West End,
where monthly rates for motori-
sts are 568 pounds. Daily park-
ing follows a similar pattern, expensive cities in the world for Perth make the top 10. structured. have access to parking any time
with the City costing 34 pounds parking as a result of its strong Regions such as Latin America, However, global financial cen- during the month, the world’s
followed by Amsterdam, the economy and surging currency. Africa and the Middle East are tres dominate the list, compiled top financial centres are among
West End, Moscow and The Sydney is the third most expen- relatively inexpensive but are by Colliers International, a prop- the most expensive in the
Hague. sive city on a monthly basis at 387 showing signs of car park infla- erty consultancy. world,” the report said. ■
Australia has some of the most pounds, while Brisbane and tion which is becoming more “Whether to park for a day or to PTI

Taiwan twin brothers Bon voyage


collaborate to cheat Army
T wo Taiwan twins collaborated to his brother’s barracks posing
to cheat the army when one as Huang-hsiang.
posed as his brother to serve, a This went on for four months,
newspaper said on Wednesday. but Ming-chin began to worry
Shen Ming-chin and Shen because ‘Huang-hsiang’ had
Huang-hsiang, 23, from Chiayi, deserted the Army once, so ar-
central Taiwan, are twin broth- my counsellors talked with him
ers. They are described as high- regularly to make sure he did
ly identical, except for a small not flee again, and this made
difference in their accents and Ming-chin fear that the Army
Ming-chin’s inability to fully was suspicious of his ruse.
raise his left arm due to a child- In January, Huang-hsiang
hood injury. and Ming-chin traded places
Ming-chin wanted to join the again. Due to his long absence,
Army but failed the physical ex- Huang-hsiang’s behaviour
amination, while Huang-hsiang aroused suspicion in an officer,
hated military service but was who went to the Huang-
conscripted, as are all men in hsiang’s home to investigate
Taiwan unless rejected and learned of the twin
for medical reasons. For four brother.
In September 2007, On Tuesday, Shen
Huang-hsiang joined months Ming-chin was charged
the Army. In January, brothers with document forgery
while on leave, Huang-
hsiang remained at
cheated and Shen Huang-hsiang
with desertion, the Unit-
쒀 Actress Jaya Bachchan with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
leave to attend Amitabh Bachchan’s ’The Unforgettable Tour’ which begins on
home, and the unem- the Army ed Daily News said. ■ July 18, at Sahar Airport in Mumbai on Wednesday. PTI PHOTO
ployed Ming-chin went DPA
08 SPORT ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

Spain name Del Bosque as new coach


Former Real Madrid boss Vicente del Bosque was named as the new coach of the
Spanish national team to replace Luis Aragones who masterminded the successful
Euro 2008 campaign last month. The 57-year-old Del Bosque will take charge of his
first match on August 20 when Spain face Austria in a friendly international in
Copenhagen. His first competitive game will be a 2010 World Cup qualifier against
Bosnia in Murcia on September 6.

Sania crashes out


Sania Mirza’s woeful run of form continued
and the Indian ace crashed out of the WTA
Bank of the West Classic tournament with a
straight-set opening round defeat at the
AC Milan signs
Ronaldinho
hands of British
qualifier Anne
Keothavong in
Stanford, United
States. The world
number 33 Sania
went down 6-7 (4-7),
1-6 to number 83
Keothavong in a Milan seal 30-million-dollar deal
one-hour-twenty-
minute contest of the

B
tier II USD 600,000 razilian superstar Ronaldinho agreed to
event. Sania, who has leave Barcelona, where he was deemed sur-
been battling injuries plus to requirements, and sign for AC Mi-
and poor form this lan in a deal reported to be worth US$
year, and Keothavong 30 million. “AC Milan and FC Barcelona have
were facing each reached an agreement for the transfer of
other for the first Ronaldinho,’’ said a Milan statement re-
time and both the leased on the club’s official website on
players broke each Tuesday. “Wednesday the player will be in
other once in the Milan for a medical and to sign the contract
opening set before the Brit seized the set in which will tie him to Milan until June 30,
the tie-breaker. If the first set was hard- 2011.”
fought, the second set turned out to be Barcelona and Milan officials held talks in
exactly the opposite with Sania hardly giving the Catalan capital on Tuesday to thrash out
a fight to her lower-ranked opponent. the details of the 28-year-old’s move. The Gaz-
Keothavong broke Sania thrice before racing zetta dello Sport reported that Milan will pay
away with the set and the match to set up a Barcelona 18.5 million euros (USD 29.5 million)
second-round clash with sixth seed Marion for the World Cup winner with the figure likely to be
Bartoli of France. However, Sania is still in increased by performance-related bonuses. The news
contention in the doubles competition of the deal was a body-blow to English Premier League
where she will pair up with Russian Anna side Manchester City who had offered 32 million euros
Chakvetadze. The duo will open their for the two-time world player of the year. Ronaldinho,
campaign against the Czech pair of Eva who was not wanted at the Nou Camp by new Bar-
Hrdinova and Vladimira Uhlirova. celona coach Pep Guardiola following a dip in
PTI form last season, scored 70 goals in 145 appear-
ances for the Spanish side.

Milan happy
Bopanna-Qureshi in Meanwhile, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is
looking forward to having Ronaldinho in his
Indianapolis quarters team as the San Siro giants aim to bounce
back from their disappointing 2007/2008 sea-
Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner son which saw them finish in fifth place in Serie
Aisam-ul-Qureshi stunned fourth seeds Igor A and miss-out on Champions League qualifi-
Kunitsyn and Dmitry Tursunov in the cation. “The important thing is to have quality
opening round to advance to the quarter- players and Ronaldinho is without doubt one of
finals of Indianapolis Tennis Championships those,” Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport ear-
in United States. The un-seeded Indo- lier on Tuesday. He added that the team will
Pakistani pair beat their Russian rivals 2-6, line-up so as to make best use of the Brazilian
7-5, 10-6, Bopanna and Qureshi, who and his international teammate Kaka, with the
finished runners-up in last week’s Hall of pair playing behind either veteran Italy interna-
Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, tional striker Filippo Inzaghi or teenage Brazi-
will now be up against the Australian- lian sensation Alexander Pato. “We will play with
American pair of Ashley Fisher and Tripp a 4-3-2-1 formation. It’s a model that has worked
Phillips. Fisher and Phillips beat Frenchmen well for us and brought us great satisfaction. It’s
Nicolas Mahut and Giles Simon in their our trademark and it will be again this year, with
opening round match of the USD 525,000 or without Ronaldinho. Our only objective is to
hard court event. win playing good football. This is Milan,” he add-
PTI ed.

New targets
Having won two Champions League titles, 49-
year-old Ancelotti said that returning to the pin-
nacle of the European club game was the team’s
priority. “We start the season wanting to improve;
being out of the Champions League is hard to
take, therefore we will do everything to return
there as soon as possible.” ■
AFP

PHOTOS: AFP
Thursday, July 17, 2008
09
Foul play
In a new twist to the Indian weightlifting selection controversy, Shailaja Pujari’s sister Ambika on
Wednesday accused the Sports Ministry of influencing the trials to ensure a Beijing Olympics berth
for Monika Devi. Ambika said the IWF’s decision at the selection re-trials at Bangalore on Tuesday
was influenced by some “information sent by Ministry’” because of which Shailaja lost the race to
Beijing Olympics to L Monika Devi.

22 DAYS TO GO....
Zheng Jie
I
f Zheng Jie thought winning two Grand Slam real after the breakthrough of Chinese women large-
events was tough, she now faces an even tougher ly inspired by Zheng in 2006, but a fragile left ankle
job to do – to claim her first ever Olympic title on ruled Zheng out for much of last season. Deputy
home soil. director of China’s Tennis Administrative Center resurfacing
Zheng’s latest success at Wimbledon has demon- Gao Shenyang chose to see the different side of the
strated that she is more than a doubles specialist. coin, saying after Zheng’s Wimbledon success that
Recording the best performance by the injury has unexpectedly turned in Zheng’s favu- in time for
a Chinese player at a grand slam to or. “After recovering from the injury, Zheng has ma-
date, wildcard and 133rd ranked
Zheng beat top seed Ana Ivanovic,
tured a lot and played with much clearer mind. For
many times against higher ranked players in the Olympics
15th seed Agnes Szavay and 18th tournament, she was just able to play cool,” he
seed Nicole Vaidisova, bowing out saidZheng’s long-time injury in the left ankle aggra-
to Serena Williams after a second vated in the French Open in 2007 when she suffered
set tiebreak in the semi-finals. both early exits from the singles and doubles events.
The sensational run in particular Since then, Zheng was rested for more than half a
boosted China’s chances of land- year and applied for protected ranking, part of the
ing tennis gold at the Games after a Center’s careful plan in build-up to the Beijing
largely bleak 18-month run for Chi- Games.
na’s leading women players.
“After the August Olympics I Good year so far
might put more efforts on the sin- Back on court early this year, Zheng was dumped
gles, but as for the Beijing Games, out of top 100 in the world rankings, but her beauti-
my focus is still on the doubles,” ful move and all-court running seemed restored
said Zheng, who just turned 25 on while baseline work looked even more aggressive
July 5. “Everybody wants more medals, but I think than before. Zheng, with a protected singles ranking
my partner Yan Zi and I appear more hopeful in the of 60, will play both in singles and doubles. In sin-
women’s doubles and we have been preparing for it gles, she will be joined by former world top 20 player
for a long time.” Li Na, Yan and Peng Shuai, the first time China
clinched all four entries in the event since the sport
Injury lay-off came back to the Olympic family in 1988.
Zheng, who missed most of last year with an ankle In women’s doubles, Peng and Olympic cham-
injury, is a former Wimbledon and Australian Open pion Sun Tiantian also qualified for the 32-team
doubles champion as well as an Asian Games dou- line-up. ■
bles and singles winner. Xinhua
Before the injury she had won 10 doubles titles
with Yan and three singles titles but only added the
Sydney doubles title after returning this season.
With long-time partner Yan, however, she is still
considered the best chance of China retaining the
Olympic women’s doubles gold medal won by Sun
Tiantian and Li Ting in Athens. Zheng and Yan also
had their first taste of the Olympics in Athens, but
were sent packing in the quarter-finals.
China’s hopes of success in Beijing had seemed
10 FLICK ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

School of Rock
All the kids really play their
instruments, and the backup singers are
real vocalists. Jack Black also played a
bit of guitar in the movie but he didn’t
do the guitar solos.

Agnetha avoids
A
fter a self-imposed exile, ABBA’s ulti- It’s not the way it is. I just want to live in

ABBA
mate sex symbol Agnetha Flatskog final- peace and quiet,” she said.
ly made a public appearance with her The past 25 years have been difficult for
other band members but refused to be Agnetha. She was emotionally shattered by
clicked with them. the split with Bjorn in 1979. They divorced
Living in one of Stockholm’s rural outlying after having two children, at a time when the
islands for some years now, the 58-year-old
star attended the Swedish film premiere of
Mamma Mia!
The event was the first time in 21 years since
the Abba foursome were seen together in pub-
bandmates at band was at the peak of its fame. While Bjorn
had a new girlfriend within a week, Agnetha
opted for counselling.

The last straw


lic.
While she did link arms with former band
member Anni-Frid and the film’s
leading lady Meryl Streep, she did
premiere It was when ABBA’s great, deeply bitter
song ‘The Winner Takes It All’ was written
and she had to find the emotional
strength to sing: ‘Tell me does she
not pose with her other band- kiss/Like I used to kiss you?’
mates, Benny Andersson or Bjorn While the band did try to return
Ulvaeus - who also happens to be to the studio in 1982, they real-
her former husband. ised that, with both couples now
“She refused to do the picture divorced (Benny and Anni-Frid
which everyone wanted, which split in 1981), it was no longer any
was the four of them together,” fun being Abba.
The Daily Telegraph quoted a Now, Agnetha admits that she
source, as saying. found the closing years miser-
“They do not socialise with able. Terrified of flying, after be-
each other. They just happened ing caught in a storm on a private
to come to the same premiere. It jet, she hasn’t taken a flight in
was nothing they organised more than 20 years till date and is
themselves,” said Steffan Linde, terrified when she knows her
Agnetha’s spokesman. family are flying.
In fact, she also found the Abba
Garbo the second fans alarming and would have
Today, Agnetha hates to ac- terrible daydreams in which they
knowledge her part in pop history set upon her and consumed her
and is known as ‘Garbo the sec- alive.
ond’ in Sweden. Being reclusive Above all, she is plagued by
in nature, she said that this nick- guilt at being away from her chil-
name actually infuriates her. dren, Linda and Christian, when
“They spread that I am hiding, they were so young.
that I am the new Greta Garbo. ANI

TODAY, SHE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE


HER ROLE IN POP HISTORY

Bollywood, guv’nor?
JAKE IS A NATURAL WITH KIDS Sylvester Stallone is trying his best to convince his long time
buddy Arnold Schwarzenegger to appear alongside him in a
American actress Maggie Gyllenhaal opened up about her Bollywood flick.
family, especially her brother actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Impressed with the enormous popularity Bollywood has gained
Gyllenhaal revealed that her brother, often seen in the around the globe, the Rambo star is reportedly all set to do a
company of girlfriend Reese Witherspoon and her children, cameo in an Indian film called Incredible
was a natural when it came to Love, which revolves around the tale of
handling children. “He’s great with an Indian stuntman struggling to
kids - it comes naturally to him,” make it big in Hollywood. “Sylvester
People magazine quoted Maggie is excited about doing a Bollywood
as saying in the August issue of movie. He knows the industry is
Marie Claire, “He really has that huge,” Daily Express quoted a
touch,” she said. source close to Stallone’s mom, as
The knowledge of his magic saying. The buzz is that
touch with kids is something his Schwarzenegger, the Governor of
sister has seen first hand, with her California, is solely focussing on
daughter, Ramona, turning two in politics at present, as the state requires
October. his attention.
“I’ve spent all my time Thus his role in the film is quite
learning how to be a mother uncertain, though Sly still
and make a home with a seems hopeful that his pal
child,” she tells the magazine, would enact in the
out July 15. movie alongside him.
ANI ANI
Thursday, July 17, 2008
11
Suttapazham to hit screens on July 18
Actor Mohan who churned out romantic film hits is back. This time
he won’t be spotted with the same genre, but with a thriller and a
murder mystery. Suttapazham features Mohan in the lead role, as the
owner of a holiday beach resort. The film will release across theatres
on July 18.

HEATH’S Cine City


FAMILY ATTEND DARK KNIGHT PREMIERE

L
ate actor Heath Ledger’s family was
spotted attending the premiere of
his movie The Dark Knight in New
York on July 14.
Attending the show was Kim Led-
ger and his wife Ines, Heath’s
stepmother, who bypassed the
red carpet and ducked into the
theatre to watch his late son
play The Joker in the
latest Batman film.
Heath’s mother
Sally Bell and her
Rambha! Oh! Oh!
husband, and
Heath’s older sister,
Kate were also present
at the premiere. At the end
of the show, his father Kim was Rambha’s fans have some good news in
asked how it felt to attend, and he store. The actor, who took a brief break from
responded with the thumbs-up, tinsel town, is back to woo her fans. She
and also told reporters it was “very plays the lead actress in Vidiyum Varai
good.” Kaathiru, which also has Prakash Raj in the
Heath Ledger’s co-stars, mean- lead. Talking about her re-entry Rambha
while, used the occasion to pay trib- says, though many directors and producers
ute to him. have approached her she was waiting for a
“Working with Heath was fantastic. good script to make a comeback. Producers
He steals the movie and I’m quite happy of this film are planning to release the film
to say that. He’s a hell of a talent and in Telugu and Tamil.
created a joker that’s very iconic and
one that will become a classic por-
trayal of the ages,” People magazine
quoted Christian Bale, 34, as
saying.
ANI
New kids on the block
Director Kalaprabhu’s Sakkarakatti isn’t just a
flick that has newcomers starting new
ventures in tinsel town, but a lot more. We
GETTY IMAGES hear that Soundarya Rajinikanth is sure
to stun everyone with her computer
generated works. A.R. Rahman’s music is

Good neighbours topping charts. Let’s hope the film


proves lucky for newcomers Santhanu
Bhagyaraj and Eshitha Sharma, too.
www.cinesnacks.com
COLIN HAS A LITTLE SON AND I’M PREGNANT, SO
IT WAS JUST SORT OF DISGUSTING AND WRONG

T he pregnant Good Will


Hunting actress Minnie
Driver has expressed gratitude
bours took serious um-
brage at the fact that their
community had been so
to the surfers who drove the disrupted by these people,
paparazzi away from her when who were just total pira-
she was relaxing at a beach in nhas,” Contactmusic quot-
Malibu. Photographers who ed Driver, as saying.
wanted to pick exclusive snap- “Colin has a little son
shots abruptly targeted the ac- and I’m pregnant, so it
tress who was relaxing in peace was just sort of dis-
along with fellow actor Colin gusting and wrong.
Farell and his little son, but It wasn’t a happy
thankfully was rescued by the experience of tak-
fuming surfers. ing lovely pic-
“We were chased off the tures; it was rabid
beach by these paparazzi and and weird,” she
then my local community and added.
my lovely friends and neigh- ANI

GETTY IMAGES
12 SCAN ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

Knighted Khan
According to tv.com, Shah Rukh studied
in St. Columba’s school in New Delhi,
where he was awarded the ’Sword of
Honor’, the best student award.

PICK OF THE DAY

Star Movies Zee Studio Star World Zoom


16 Blocks – 9 pm Signs – 8-15 pm Ghost Whisperer – 10 pm Main Aisa Hi Hoon – 9-30 pm
Aging cop is assigned the ordinary Mel Gibson plays a former priest Jennifer goes to Melinda’s store to Main Aisa Hi Hoon is the compelling
task of escorting a fast talking who lost his faith after his wife was sell some belongings that came story of Neel, a mentally challenged
witness from police killed in a freak car accident. Six from her deceased parent’s house. father raising his daughter Gungun,
custody.However forces trying to months later, he discovers a gigantic with the help of friends after her
stop them from making it. crop circle in his yard, similar events disturbed mother Maya, abandons
happen all over the world. them..

Jack of all trades,


also master of interviews
Gobinath has learnt to juggle several hats but stands out for his casual interviews.
Tharini Viswanath puts him on the interviewee chair for a change

A
Radio City fan’s morning they can’t be compared.” The tel- must feel that I’m sitting next to
would probably begin at 7 evision covers a wider angle and him, talking only to them.” He
a.m. with a taste of Good addresses a large audience. When likes both, he adds, as they are a
Morning Chennai. people watch TV, the idea is that mode of communication, en-
Though Gobinath has made a all of them must feel that they are abling him to meet a lot of peo-
name for himself in the fields of being addressed. The radio, on ple.
journalism and a talk show host the other hand, addresses the in- Being a people’s person comes
on television and radio, he is best dividual. “A person driving so- in handy, especially in a job in-
known for his interviews of Kolly- mewhere alone with the radio on volving constant interaction like
wood celebrities, ranging from this one. Managing both calls and
top directors to playback singers. What is in your pocket the music at the same time can
When asked about it, Gobinath right now? be quite a challenge, he admits.
says with an easy smile that he Visiting cards, my purse and Around twenty people call at the
has, in his experience, inter- I had a pen till sometime same time especially during the
viewed everyone from actors to back… City Panchayat hour, where the
the Prime Minister. On air, it The book you’re currently listeners get a chance to voice
helps that he does not tread reading their opinions on an issue or even
dangerous waters by asking con- Che Guevara offer a solution. The RJ has to talk
troversial questions. He admits Life’s motto to them all and then put them on
he does his own research, asking Rest when you’re tired … air based after listening to what
celebrities what his listeners want not when you still have they have to say. This needs to be
to know. According to him, the energy to go all out. timed exactly as the RJ is expect-
mark of a good interviewer is to In your DVD collection ed to be on air, usually with the
make the interviewee speak com- Sachin, Veyil, Varsham 16, caller, once the music track
fortably without being guarded or Mouna Ragam, Children finishes.
constantly worried about what of Heaven and lots of Being an RJ may not be as easy
they are saying. Vadivelu comedy as it looks, but it certainly makes
The lyrics of a song you
Despite having been a part of life a little less stressful for the
know by heart
the media for so long, Gopinath Ammavai Vanangadha people tuning in. Gobinath, I fig-
says that he cannot choose be- Uyir illayae, most of the ure, has the toughest job of all …
tween TV and radio as they are new songs… Kangal he has to not only wake his listen-
completely different. “Both have Erandal to begin with. ers up but also promise them a
different attitudes,” he says, “and good day! ■ Gobinath. PHOTO: R. ASHOK
Thursday, July 17, 2008

Dead rat dinner


13
A Wisconsin woman has been accused of placing a dead rat in
her food - and then trying to sue the restaurant she was eating
at. The woman threatened to alert the media unless the
restaurant paid her US$ 500,000. She now faces criminal charges.

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vazhtukal...Salgirah Time to start
Mubarak.
Kartick, VIdya, Dinesh ticking
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TOP 5 TAJ TRIVIA Ustad Ahmad Lahori is


believed to be the
architect of Taj Mahal. The area
Hello gang, around the Taj
Send your greetings Arjumand Bano Mahal is a
to sticky@goergo.in, It is believed that Begum christened pollution free
with the word in her last breath by Shah Jahan as zone, so no It is believed
‘greeting’ and the Mumtaz secured a Mumtaz Mahal, diesel or petrol 35 million
promise from meaning the driven vehicles rupees were
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Shah Jahan that "chosen one". are allowed. spent to build
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organise the column. her memory with black
Also, those who want Shah Jahan fell in marble!
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please send your full beautiful Arjumand
name, company Bano Begum and
married her,
name and contact
making her his
number for third wife.
verification.
Cheers,
Team Ergo
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

Charging into the pool


A Scottish family were about to enjoy their
swimming pool for the first time when a bull
charged into the water. The pool had just been
filled with a thousand gallons of water, and
had to be immediately drained so that the bull
could be tranquillised and pulled out.

sudoku

B.S.Arunsri
of Hexaware
Technologies,
Ambattur
clicked this
photo at
Karaiyar Dam
near
Papanasam on
her Sony
Ericsson W580i
mobile.
Hobbies
include music,
singing,
cooking,
reading novels
and clicking
pictures.

KAKURO
So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the platform?
Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit.
E-mail: clickpick@goergo.in

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Editor: Karthik Subramanian
karthik@goergo.in

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N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar

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KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,
CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,
Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin:
603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860,
Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik
(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
Thursday, July 17, 2008
15
Shattered love letter fixed
A widower has spent 15 years piecing back together
the love letters he wrote for his late wife. The letters
Word’s worth
were torn into tiny pieces after the man’s wife found "Yisel" (Yiss-ul) an obsolete word meaning ’a
someone reading them, and she then stuffed them into hostage.’
a pillow. The letters dated from the 1940s and 50s.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20


Ganesha finds you under some sort of tension
related to work. On the personal front, your
relations with beloved may remain bit stretched.
Ganesha advises you to try and sort out personal
problems so that you can remain tension free.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20


Health may be the cause of concern today however,
luck is supporting you at work. You may not be in
a good mood and it is not even advisable to push
yourself hard for the work today. Lovers are likely to
remain in good mood. A mixed day for you.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20


It is time to expect rewards of past efforts. Work
BORN LOSER may become bit demanding causing anxiety but the
rewards will be satisfactory. In relationship matters,
you could be forgiving. You may also be
affectionate and enjoy intimacy with the partner.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
Ganesha finds you concerned about public image.
At a smaller scale, you can be worried about how
others will look at your actions. Your partner will
play the role of ’stress reliever’. In short you are
likely to be at ease at the end of the day.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
You may have a tight schedule today but you may
be able to handle the day well. If there is an
unexpected change in your schedule you may not be
able to accept it – or may get upset. Avoid
misunderstandings in love relationships.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Luckily you are likely to learn new things concerning
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT your work. . Your practical nature will be very
helpful today. If you propose someone, answers
could be positive. If already in love or if married,
you may be enjoying the fragrance of love today.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Ganesha finds you thinking seriously about domestic
matters. At the same time, you may be least
bothered about work. You can be bit tricky with
people around you. You may demand attention from
beloved. If you don’t get it not be disheartened.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Meetings arranged today may go well so if you
have not planned one go ahead and do it. You may
be active physically and mentally. You may seek
truths of matters, specifically to philosophical quests.
You may remain expressive with your beloved.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
At the beginning of the day, you may not feel
energetic. Day is unfavourable for taking decisions.
Ganesha advises you not to expect much from
others. Despite this, Ganesha feels that you may be
favoured by your life partner/beloved one.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
Today, you may feel very energetic. Creative ideas
may be shimmering on the back of your mind. It is
a good day to plan next month’s activities. You may
keep your personal life aside. Still, emotional
attachment with beloved may remain stable.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS You may try to read something new. You may
prefer isolation at work. In other words, you require
ISSUE’S some time and space. You do not seem to be much
interested in ’emotional interactions’ with your
SOLUTIONS beloved one. Ensure that no one is hurt.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Ganesha finds you becoming surprisingly practical
today. You will be attentive enough at work place.
A right day to take firm decisions. Ganesha finds
you much involved in the relationship but you may
need to put in more efforts to woo your beau.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Thursday, July 17, 2008

Science up in flames
A Scottish scientist who thought it
would be a good idea to rid his garden
of weeds with a mini-blow torch ended
up incinerating his neighbour’s garden.

Beach volleyball comes to Elliot’s Beach ERGO CORRESPONDENT


feedback@goergo.in

E
lliot’s Beach is bracing
up for the first ever
beach volleyball tourna-
ment in India starting
from Thursday. Sixty teams
from 21 countries are com-
peting for the top honours
and hosts India have fielded
11 teams for the meet.
With a total prize money of
$40,000, the four-day-long
event is being organised by
the Volleyball Federation of
India (VFI) under the aegis of
International Volleyball Fed-
PTI PHOTOS/ R. SENTHIL KUMAR

eration (FIVB). “This tourna-


ment is going to be a fantastic
opportunity to popularise the
game in the country and also
a good chance to attract more
sponsors. It will also bring
great opportunity for the In-
dian teams, who will get some
international experience,” Ya-
niv Noyman, FIVB’s technical
supervisor for the tourna-
ment, said.
Beach volleyball was intro-
duced as an Olympic sport
during the 1996 Atlanta
Games and till date Brazil, the
USA and Australia are the on-
ly countries to have won gold
medals. ■

Man spent $1,000


a week on beer?
An Australian man convicted
of his seventh drink-driving
charge was
spending
about
A$1,000
($972) a week
on beer –
enough to
buy more
than 2,500
small bottles
a month, a
newspaper
said Tuesday.
The heart-
broken construction worker be-
gan drowning his sorrows after
breaking up with his partner five
years ago, the Northern Territory
News said, quoting his defense
lawyer as telling a court in Aus-
tralia’s remote, tropical north.
The magistrate declined to jail
the father of four, Michael Leary,
noting he had quit drinking
since his latest arrest, but he
banned Leary from buying or
even holding a beer for 12
months. ■
Reuters

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