SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741 inside A different CAMPUS • Saudi Falcons driver way of using visits German Facebook International School P | 4

P | 12 COMMUNITY • Winners of penultimate GMC TriSeries Triathlon announced

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BOOKS • 10 best selling books: Academic Books (Science, Math & English)

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FILM • I cannot cope with another film: Kristin Scott Thomas

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HEALTH • Home blood pressure monitoring may find hidden risk

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A 30-day Oscar diet to get you up to Learn Arabic speed with some of the most interesting • Learn commonly and important wins from the jaded history used Arabic words of the Academy Awards. The diet dates and their meanings right back to earliest days of the Oscars. P | 13 2 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 COVER STORY

Oscars diet: An Academy award-winning film a day

Here’s the quick and easy “write-in” nomination for her pow- DAY 7: BEST MUSIC: DAY 11: BEST WRITING: erful lead performance in Of Human LIMELIGHT (1952) THELMA & LOUISE (1991) way to become fitter, leaner Bondage, the incomparable Bette Davis Chaplin’s masterpiece was released A home run for screenwriter Callie and more (film) buff, in time won her first best actress Oscar in internationally in the 50s, when the US Khouri for her brilliantly vibrant and the tempestuous role of Joyce Heath. had closed its doors to the film pioneer defiant road movie about two women for what will undoubtedly be A second Oscar, for Jezebel, followed. amid allegations of communist sym- on the run from the police. “I just got a marathon Academy Awards Years later, Steven Spielberg bought pathies. It wasn’t until 20 years later, fed up with the passive role of women,” both of Davis’s statuettes at auc- when Limelight received a belated US Khouri later said of writing the movie. night on March 2. tion and returned them to the acad- release, that the academy awarded Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis were emy to “prevent further commercial Chaplin and collaborators Ray Rasch both nominated for best actress, with By Mark Kermode exploitation”. and Larry Russell the Oscar for best Ridley Scott (who has yet to win an dramatic score. It was Chaplin’s only Oscar) earning the first of three best DAY 1: BEST FILM: SUNRISE DAY 5: BEST SUPPORTING Oscar win — his other statuettes were director nominations. (1927) ACTRESS: THE YEAR OF honorary. There were two best picture winners LIVING DANGEROUSLY (1982) DAY 12: BEST EDITING: THE at the first Oscars ceremony on May 16, Proving there is no limit to the DAY 8: BEST MUSIC: JAWS FRENCH CONNECTION (1971) 1929; William Wellman’s Wings, a box- versatility of a talented performer, (1975) Key to its haul of awards (which office hit which scooped the main prize; American Linda Hunt earned a best When his mechanical shark failed included best picture, director, actor, and FW Murnau’s Sunrise, which was supporting actress Oscar playing him on screen, director Steven and adapted screenplay) was the recognised as best “unique and artis- Chinese-Australian man Billy Kwan, Spielberg turned to composer John work of Oscar-winning editor Gerald tic picture” (and received two other becoming the first person to win an Williams to give his drama some teeth. Greenberg, who cut the celebrated car/ awards) despite failing to court large Oscar portraying a member of the Williams responded with a theme now train chase. During the shooting, stunt audiences. The battle for the soul of the opposite sex. Peter Weir’s critically synonymous with underwater terror - driver Bill Hickman ran real red lights, best picture category — ticket sales v acclaimed political thriller, adapted two notes powerful enough to scare a weaved through traffic, and creased a artistic clout — has raged ever since. from Christopher Koch’s source text, generation of moviegoers out of the sea! city bus. Meanwhile, Gene Hackman remained banned in Indonesia until As memorable as Bernard Herrmann’s was accidentally broadsided by a driver DAY 2: BEST ACTOR: THE 1999. stabbing strings from Psycho, the score - which Greenberg used in the final cut. GODFATHER (1972) for Jaws earned one of its three Oscars. Settle into the night with this best DAY 6: OUTSTANDING DAY 13: BEST ACTRESS: film big hitter. Marlon Brando stars PRODUCTION: REBECCA DAY 9: BEST WRITING: MILDRED PIERCE (1945) as Vito Corleone, earning his sec- (1940) CHINATOWN (1974) “Please don’t tell anyone what ond statuette for best actor after On “Last night I dreamed I went to “Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.” Mildred Pierce did!” begged the pub- the Waterfront. Boycotting the 45th Manderley again...” Alfred Hitchcock Screenwriter Robert Towne was licity for Michael Curtiz’s adaptation Academy Awards, where the film won never won an Oscar for best director Chinatown’s only winner at the 47th of James M Cain’s novel. On the night three Oscars, Brando sent Native (he got five nominations before finally Academy Awards, his script for Roman of the 18th Academy Awards, Joan American Maria Cruz to reject his receiving the Irving G Thalberg memo- Polanski’s neo-noir masterpiece Crawford lay in bed, allegedly feign- award in protest at “the treatment of rial award in 1968). But this dazzling becoming a blueprint for note-perfect ing pneumonia, firmly believing that American Indians today by the film adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s screenwriting; it is still used in workshops she would lose to Ingrid Bergman in industry” and “recent incidents at story picked up gongs for “outstand- and teaching seminars today. Towne and The Bells of St Mary’s. After hearing Wounded Knee”. ing production” and “cinematography Polanski fought over many elements of that she had won, Crawford allowed - black and white” (George Barnes), the script, including the ending, which the press to photograph her holding DAY 3: HONORARY AWARD: along with several nominations. was darkened to Polanski’s taste. her statuette in her sickbed. SBOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937) DAY 10: BEST SUPPORTING DAY 14: BEST FILM: MIDNIGHT Perfect afternoon viewing for all the ACTRESS: GONE WITH THE COWBOY (1969) family! To date, no animated feature WIND (1939) John Schlesinger’s tale of a hustler has ever won the Oscar for best pic- Nearly four hours long, this Hollywood (Jon Voight) and his sickly friend ture. But Walt Disney’s first feature- epic, awarded several Oscars, will fill (Dustin Hoffman) struggling to earn length animation was nominated for an entire afternoon. Hattie McDaniel a living on the streets of New York “music (scoring)” at the 10th Academy became the first African American remains the only X-rated feature Awards, and the next year Walt him- to win, triumphing as supporting (in the US system) to win best pic- self was honoured with eight statuettes actress in this adaptation of Margaret ture. Schlesinger won best director - one tall, seven small, in recognition of Mitchell’s story of the old south. and Waldo Salt earned an adapted “a significant screen innovation which Recently rereleased in the UK, this screenplay award. John Barry’s has charmed millions”. “outstanding production” winner makes theme and Harry Nilsson’s version DAY 4: BEST ACTRESS: for uncomfortable viewing alongside this of Everybody’s Talkin’ became sound- DANGEROUS (1935) year’s favourite, 12 Years a Slave. track standards. Having received an unofficial PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 3

DAY 15: BEST FILM: DAY 19: FOREIGN LANGUAGE DAY 23: BEST DIRECTOR: THE DAY 27: BEST ACTOR: CASABLANCA (1942) FILM: LA STRADA (1954) HURT LOCKER (2008) TRAINING DAY (2001) “Here’s looking at you, kid.” The academy ushered in the official It took 82 years for a woman to 38 years after Sidney Poitier made Celebrate with the winner of the “out- foreign language film category in its be recognised as best director - yet history (and on the same night that standing motion picture” prize at the 29th year, with Fellini’s bittersweet another reminder of just how archaic Halle Berry scooped best actress), 16th Academy Awards. A timeless love tale of a brutish strong man (Anthony and slow to change these awards Denzel Washington became the second triangle between Humphrey Bogart, Quinn) and the young charge (Giulietta can be. Winning six Oscars in total, African American to win the Oscar Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid Masina) whom he takes with him on Kathryn Bigelow’s brilliantly tense for best actor — and the first to do so provides the vehicle for some of the the titular road. Although the category and gruelling Iraq war drama beat under an African American director, most quotable lines in movie history, remains a regular source of contro- the behemoth Avatar in the best pic- Antoine Fuqua. Washington’s portrayal although debate still rages about who versy (the qualification and selection ture category, meaning that if Gravity of a corrupt LA cop initiating a “new- wrote what (Howard Koch shared the process is, frankly, absurd), many sub- triumphs this year, it will be the first bie” in the ways of the street is full- screenplay Oscar with the Epstein titled films have benefited from Oscar’s science fiction movie to take home the throttle and fearsome fare. brothers). attentions. top prize. DAY 28: BEST ACTOR: RAGING DAY 16: BEST FILM: THE DAY 20: BEST ACTRESS: ON DAY 24: BEST FILM: BULL (1980) SILENCE OF THE LAMBS GOLDEN POND (1981) LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) Robert De Niro performed self- (1991) Katharine Hepburn set two records Is this the best looking film ever taxidermy for this biopic of boxer “I ate his liver with some fava beans at the 54th Academy Awards: the made? David Lean’s sweeping epic Jake LaMotta, eating his way through and a nice Chianti.” The 64th Academy most wins for any performer (this (which bagged several Oscars includ- northern Italy to pile on 60lb for the Awards have earned a place in history was her fourth; all her wins were for ing best picture) contains some of the heavier segments of the role. He also as the only time a horror film bagged best actress), and the longest gap most memorable images of modern brushed up on his boxing, entering the top prize - although many insist between first and last wins (48 years). cinema (Omar Sharif’s arrival still daz- three boxing matches, of which he won that this grisly adaptation of Thomas Hepburn generally avoided the Oscar zles), beautifully captured by Academy two. Director Martin Scorsese initially Harris’s novel only won because acad- stage, appearing only once to present Award winner Freddie Young. A Blu- balked at the project, on the grounds emy voters were convinced (by publi- the Irving G Thalberg memorial award ray is available, but ideally this master- that “even as a kid, I always thought cists) that “it ISN’T a horror movie!” to producer Lawrence Weingarten. On piece should be viewed in a theatrical boxing was boring”. It also picked up Stars Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Golden Pond also won best actor and 70mm presentation. best editing. Foster took home statuettes. It won best screenplay. five in total. DAY 25: BEST DAY 29: BEST ACTOR: MY DAY 21: BEST ACTOR: LILIES CINEMATOGRAPHY: LEFT FOOT (1989) DAY 17: BEST ACTRESS: MARY OF THE FIELD (1963) WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939) Daniel Day-Lewis earned his first POPPINS (1964) Sidney Poitier (who celebrated his Cinematographer Gregg Toland best actor Oscar with this brilliant Julie Andrews was one of the very 87th birthday last month) became the changed the face of film with his portrayal of Christy Brown (Brenda few things PL Travers liked about first African American to win best extraordinary use of lighting and deep Fricker scooped best supporting Disney’s adaptation of her books - as actor, starring in “perhaps the most focus on Citizen Kane, with many film actress). Later wins for There Will Be viewers of Saving Mr Banks will know. extraordinary story of courage, conflict historians crediting the revolution- Blood and Lincoln made Day-Lewis a Andrews took home one of five prizes and devotion ever filmed!” Poitier plays ary genius of that film to the director record-breaker. He is also that rare for Poppins. Her rendition of Feed former GI Homer Smith, who helps of photography rather than to Orson thing: an Oscar winner who has been the Birds remains a matchless treat, five nuns to build a church in this odd- Welles. Before being been nominated portrayed by a president. “The cos- and watching this wonderful family ball, upbeat affair. “Prepare yourself for Kane, Toland earned a statuette metics were challenging,” said Barack film is still the best way to spend an for something deliciously, refreshingly at the 12th Oscars for William Wyler’s Obama, playing Day-Lewis playing afternoon. different,” enthused the trailer. classic Bronte adaptation. Obama, in a short spoof.

DAY 18: BEST FILM: SLUMDOG DAY 22: BEST FILM: IN THE DAY 26: BEST ACTRESS: DAY 30: BEST FILM: THE MILLIONAIRE (2008) HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) MONSTER’S BALL (2001) ARTIST (2011) In the history of the Oscars, only 12 The second part of our Sidney Poitier Halle Berry became the first African The first “silent film” (though it does films financed outside the US have won double-bill. Oscar glory in five catego- American to win the prize for best include some synched sound-effects best picture, of which 11 were (in part ries, including best picture, for this actress for her barnstorming per- and fleeting end dialogue) to win best or whole) backed by the UK. Danny broiling tale of murder and racial ten- formance in Marc Forster’s powerful picture since the first ceremony in Boyle’s brilliant tale of Mumbai street sion, which twinned Poitier (in the role drama. In a historic acceptance speech, 1929, The Artist proved that it’s still life nearly went straight to video in the of Mr Tibbs) with Rod Steiger, named she declared that: “This moment is possible for the Oscars to provide US following the closure of Warner best actor as police chief Bill Gillespie. for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, pleasant surprises. In an age of ever- Independent Pictures. Rescued by Fox Stirling Siliphant’s screenplay was also Diahann Carroll... And it’s for every more spectacular 3D digital effects, Searchlight, it became a worldwide hit, a winner, while Hal Ashby (director of nameless, faceless woman of colour who would have predicted that a black- taking more than $360m. Took eight Harold and Maude, Coming Home and that now has a chance because this and-white, French-backed film would Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards. Being There) earned his only Oscar - door tonight has been opened.” win five awards and become the toast for editing. of Hollywood? The Guardian 4 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 CAMPUS

Saudi Falcons driver visits German International School

D-SBG surprised pupils at two-time GT3 Cup Challenge champion “It’s great to be back in Doha with local track and get in a go kart it will German International School on his experiences, how drivers keep fit the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and be a success,” AlFaisal said QDoha with a visit by Saudi and healthy, and what it takes to become even better to share my passion for The Doha rounds of the Porsche GT3 Falcons driver Abdulaziz AlFaisal in a bid a racing driver. AlFaisal treated the stu- racing with the young people in the Cup Challenge Middle East are sup- to help promote the sport in the region. dents to a look under the bonnet of the city. Even if just one of the students ported by QD-SBG. More than 60 students heard from the car which features in the series. we met is inspired to get down to their The Peninsula

Orientation ceremony for new Bahraini students in Qatar

Gulf Air and the Bahraini Embassy in Doha recently sponsored the annual orientation ceremony held by the embassy’s cultural attaché’s office for new Bahraini students in Doha. The ceremony was held at Diplomatic Club.

MES Indian School’s management felicitated Qatar National Day partici- pants who won the first prize and a cash award of QR10,000 in school- level competitions organised by the Ministry of Interior, during a ceremony at the school recently. V V Mahamood, President, K P Abdul Azeez, General Secretary, P K Mohammed, Vice President, Kashif Jaleel, Deputy General Secretary, Hazmal Ismail, Director, Cultural and Co-curricular Activities, P K Anvar, Director, Finance, A P Khaleel, Officiating Director, Islamic Affairs, M P Saleem, member, governing body, other members of the management, Principal A P Sasidharan, teachers and students attended the function. Cherian Jacob, welcomed the gathering while Moideen P compered the programme. COMMUNITY / MARKETPLACE PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 5

Dance Fest — 2014

Skills Development Centre recently conducted ‘Dance Fest – 2014’ at Maestro community hall, with a vari- ety of Indian classical dance pro- grammes. A team of 30 students of the institute performed various Indian classical dances, especially Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. The event was organised to pro- mote Indian classical dances and encourage the young dancers. The festival was inaugurated by a team of parents and compered by Kalamandalam Devi.

VCUQatar faculty participates in ‘Dressing Up, Going Out, Eating In’ exhibition

atara Art Center is hosting ‘Dressing Up, The travel jackets have detachable hoods, which are Going Out, Eating In,’ an exhibition by covered by Reams’ knitted wool fabric, featuring KVirginia Commonwealth University faculty Arabic writing that says “Jacket”. The jackets are in collaboration with other designers. The exhibition casual when the hoodies are worn with them, and runs from January 28 to March 8 at Katara Concept more formal when the hoodies are detached. Space. The event is open to the public. The dining area will feature a wooden table and The exhibition is a collaboration among design- leather-covered chairs by Granberg, ceramic table- ers Della Reams, assistant professor in the Fashion ware by Hill Rasmussen, digitally-designed laser-cut Design department at VCUQatar, Johan Granberg, fibreboard lighting by Rwaished, and a woollen knitted assistant professor in the Interior Design depart- carpet by Reams, which has “Carpet” in Arabic knit- ment at VCUQatar, Jeanine Hill Rasmussen, and ted into it. The sitting area has a wooden table and VCUQatar alumna Rana Rwaished. It is a sceno- leather-covered chairs by Granberg, with a wool tex- other items. Granberg will have digitally etched cut- graphic setting of the dining ritual featuring fashion, tile centre by Reams (which spells “table” in Arabic), ting boards among the items for sale (which include furniture, textiles, tableware, lighting and Arabic a ceramic teapot and cups by Hill Rasmussen, lighting almost everything in the exhibit.) calligraphy — all of which are being produced col- by Rwaished, with another carpet by Reams. All four designers have exhibited internationally laboratively using a relay method among the creators. The majlis area has two leather majlis sofas, with prior to this exhibition, “but this is a special exhibi- The setting comprises three areas: a dining area, two leather chaise longues, a wooden coffee table with tion where we have been working to create an envi- a sitting area, and a majlis area. The exhibition Arabic lettering etched in the centre, wooden end ronment together. We use a relay method, where includes new clothing for two couples — hand-manip- tables (by Granberg) lighting by Rwaished and a wool one person designs a part of an item, then passes it ulated machine-knitted mohair dresses by Reams, knitted carpet and silk-covered cushions by Reams. on to the next person to finish it,” says Reams. and men’s travel jackets (with pants) by Granberg. The walls will feature a few more rugs and possibly The Peninsula

Winners of penultimate GMC TriSeries Triathlon announced

annai Auto Group and GMC have announced the results of the third event in the current season of the MGMC TriSeries Doha, which is being hosted by the triathlon club, TriClub Doha, and held at Aspire Zone. GMC is the title sponsor of the series for the 2013-14 season, which is being held using Aspire’s indoor pool and outdoor areas. Adults competed in a 3/4th Olympic-distance course comprising a 1,000m swim, cycling 30km, Mohammed Helmy, Group General Manager, to the full Olympic-distance event on April 5.” and an 8km run for both individuals and teams Mannai Automotive, said: “We hope that the GMC Philip Templar, Director of Venues and Events (relay). Ryan Christian and Rebecca Grace were TriSeries Doha will encourage more people from at Aspire Logistics, said, “Aspire Zone is proud to the top individual finishers in the men’s and wom- all over Qatar to take the next step forward in be the official venue sponsor of the GMC TriSeries en’s categories. Jay Toet and Isabelle White were making sport an active part of their life. The GMC Triathlon. This ongoing partnership represents a the top finishers among the junior men and women, TriSeries is welcoming everyone in Qatar to join.” shared vision of encouraging community mem- respectively, who completed a course of a 100m Nickel Nijman, chairman of TriClub Doha, said: bers to become more active by taking part in fun swim, 2km cycling and a 1km run. “The GMC TriSeries is designed to appeal to both activities.” A special race category called the “Try-Athlon” beginners, who may be participating in their first The final leg will be held on April 5, and will was also held on the day, covering a 200m swim, triathlon, and more experienced athletes. The club feature a full Olympic-length course covering a 5km cycling and a 1,500m run. Ahmad ElGuindy will provide informal training sessions before the end 1,500m swim, a 40km cycling route and a 10km run. among the men and Judith Vocking among the of the season to allow anyone who may be new to the To register, visit www.stuweb.co.uk. women were the top finishers. sport to learn from other members in the build-up The Peninsula 6 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 MARKETPLACE

McDonald’s Doha Senior appointments at opens 29th outlet InterContinental Doha afa Raie has been cDonald’s Qatar has Sappointed Director announced the opening of of Human Resources at Ma new restaurant in Dar Al InterContinental Doha. Salam Mall in Abu Hamour, making Safa comes from Jordan, it the 29th McDonald’s restaurant to where for four and a half open in Qatar. years she was Director Safa Raie Children and families enjoyed of HR and a certified the presence of McDonald’s famous trainer for the Holiday character “Ronald McDonald” and Inn Resort and the his friends Birdie, Hamburglar and Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Grimace. Gifts were distributed to Resort & Spa. visitors by McDonald’s. Keshav Kant has Keshav Kant On the occasion of the opening, recently joined as Kamal Saleh Al Mana, Managing Revenue Manager. Director of Al Mana Restaurants Keshav brings with him over six and Food Co, the owner and operator years of extensive experience in rev- of McDonald’s restaurants in Qatar, enue management and has worked said: “As we are part of the Qatari in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur (India) society, the new opening reiterates our for Starwood Hotels, and for Rotana strong presence in the country and Hotels in Dubai. Prior to joining our commitment to our McDonald’s InterContinental Doha, Keshav held fans by providing the highest quality Mall is a new designation for Qataris across the city, as well as to fortify the position of Revenue Manager for and standards that they have grown and expatriates, and this led us to our investment in the local Qatari Rooms and Meetings and Events at accustomed to.” make sure our expansion plans made economy.” Radisson Blu in Lagos. The Peninsula Al Mana added: “Dar Al Salam it more convenient for our customers The Peninsula

Home Centre promotion Grohe has revamped its Zedra faucet, which now comes with improved func- tions and a rejuvenated look for today’s kitchen sinks. The single most important element on the new Zedra kitchen mixer is the smoothly integrated diverter Home Centre has launched a 50 percent discount promotion in its outlets on button on the pull-out spray. Its toggle design makes it particularly easy to a selection of home furnishing. Home centre stores are located in City Center, switch between the mousseur and the spray modes — simply push either end near Jaidah Flyover and in Al Asmakh Mall. The Home Centre sale commenced of the switch to lock it into place. As it is no longer necessary to keep the button on January 26 and is on till February 15. From bedroom, dining and living room pressed while using the spray mode, you have both hands free to wash your sets to linen, bath accessories and striking décor pieces, the offerings are lettuce or rinse your plates. packed with aesthetic appeal and utility value, with something for every taste.

Darwish Technology and Bang & Olufsen dazzled the audience at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters with the latest state-of-the-art built-in sound system comprising the newly unveiled TV from B&O, BeoVision 12. Golf aficionados rel- ished the set of Bang & Olufsen active loudspeakers and the vivid quality of the plasma TV. The newly launched BeoLab 17, 18 and 19 wireless speakers were also on display. Bang & Olufsen show- cased the superiority of its products in the market. The company recently won the international CES Innovations, Design & Engineering Awards in 2014. BOOKS PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 7 Currency is power and the 10 BEST SELLING BOOKS Academic Books (Science, Math & English)

dollar’s still got it, says book 1 2 By Sara Ledwith underpin a reserve currency’s function as a store of value - and that’s critical - takes decades to develop. t seems counterintuitive but cash-hoarding criminals can be depended upon to uphold the And in geopolitical terms? Iinternational monetary order, or so a new book The lessons of history are clear. The currencies of maintains. The vast quantity of $100 bills in hard big countries take on a greater international role as currency held by drug dealers outside the United their economies grow. And countries like to use that States is a key to America’s global dominance, power. I mean power in its broad sense. It could be E-Z Math (5th edition) Principles of Language according to economist John Williamson. using the currency to coerce another country - the by Anthony Prindle Learning and Teaching The criminals’ currency of choice is both a vote of US forced Britain to retreat from Suez in 1956 by by H Douglas Brown confidence - because they choose dollars over euros, threatening to trigger a sterling crisis - or it could yen or Swiss francs — and an interest-free loan to be exercising influence more subtly. the United States. Now, imagine if China gradually conducts more 3 4 It’s a point Williamson and others bring home in trade with oil and commodity producers in RMB. The Power of Currencies and Currencies of Power, a That would give China more leverage over those collection of essays edited by former Reuters global countries — if, say, they got into financial trouble one economics correspondent Alan Wheatley that shows day, and had a choice between turning to China for how the world’s currencies work to reinforce the help or to the IMF. Like it or not, the IMF is often geopolitical pecking order. seen as a US proxy. So you can see the potential for Crime is not the only key. Anyone assuming geopolitical strains to build up as a result of currency China’s renminbi is poised to snatch the dollar’s developments. A way will have to be found of accom- pre-eminent position may find the book a practical modating China’s rise. That’s as true in monetary guide on how China could become top dog. matters as it is in the military and diplomatic fields. Around 60 percent of all dollar bills circulate out- How to Research Probability and Statistics for side the United States, Wheatley says. In the same The book makes clear how the US used not by Loraine Blaxter, Christian Engineers and Scientists way as American Express profits whenever people just the dollar, but also its control of the global Hughes, and Malcom Tight by Ramond Meyers hold its travellers’ cheques, the United States makes financial infrastructure, to maximise the impact money when foreigners hold dollars on which no of sanctions against Iran. Is that something it 5 6 interest is paid. could still do today? By that token, in 2003 Saddam Hussein indirectly In fact the book argues that the very reason sanc- paid for the cost of his own invasion by the United tions against Iran have been so effective is thanks States. The more than 100 aluminium boxes filled to the dollar. Because all dollar payments ultimately with $700m in cash that invading US forces found are cleared through New York, any bank found to in his palace had been paid for with the proceeds of be trading with Iran could be threatened with los- Iraqi oil exports. ing their US licence - a death threat to most banks. Wheatley discussed the book: I see these sanctions as the 21st-century equiva- lent of gunboat diplomacy. Selected Solutions for Cambridge IGCSE When you were editing the book, what did you Iran was forced to negotiate not because warships fundamentals of Physics Physics find most surprising? were pointing their gun barrels in its direction but by Robert Resnick and by Malcom Bradley Not being a student of economic history, it was an because of the dollar. And yes, absolutely, any other David Halliday eye-opener to be able to pinpoint so many examples country under international sanctions could come down the ages of how the power of a country’s cur- under the same pressure. 7 8 rency in particular — not its all-round military and political strength — has been decisive. What most useful insights do you think the One reason France lost the Peninsula War (1808- book gives into China’s strategy on the global 1814) to Britain and its allies is that Wellington’s stage? armies could pay for supplies with Bank of England China reckons the present international monetary notes. Napoleon’s credit wasn’t as good and so he system is past its sell-by date. So China needed to had to rely on gold. start carving out an international role for the RMB A more recent example is how the US paved the if it wanted more say in how the system should way for the invasion of Afghanistan by buying the involve. And they’ve been phenomenally successful. allegiance of local warlords with wads of $100 bills. After just four years something like 15 percent It’s this capacity to mobilise resources in an emer- of China’s trade is already settled in RMB. But if Research Methods for Edexcel IGCSE gency that defines a major reserve currency such the RMB is to become a serious reserve currency, Business Studies Accounting as the dollar. central banks have to be able to move their money by Mark Saunders by Sheila I Robinson in and out of China as they please and invest it in What implications might that have for foreign large volumes in Chinese bonds. That means letting exchange strategists? market forces — more or less — determine exchange 9 10 Many FX strategists are advising reserve manag- rate and interest rates. ers to diversify — the Australian and Canadian dol- The Chinese know that, but I just don’t see how lars have been big beneficiaries in recent years — and the Communist Party will be willing to give up that that seems sensible. As economic power shifts from much control over the economy because that is what West to East, you’d expect the dollar’s dominance to underpins its monopoly of political power. be eroded gradually. An interesting chapter looks at whether the need Anything that you think the book left out? for FX stability in global supply chains will lead I would have liked to explore more deeply what Cambridge IGCSE to the emergence of some currencies as regional would happen if China persuaded Middle East and Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics: Mathematics champions. African oil producers to take payment for their oil Chemistry Coursebook Core and Extended But the book also reckons that some of the specu- in RMB rather than dollars. by Ric Pimentel & Terry Wall lation about the RMB (renminbi) catching up to the The Power of Currencies and Currencies dollar as a reserve currency within a decade or so is of Power, edited by Alan Wheatley, is published fanciful. For a start, there’s just so much inertia built by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. into the system. And the trust and credibility that Reuters 8 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 ENTERTAINMENT PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 9

BOLLYWOOD NEWS I cannot cope with Priyanka is not my role model: Parineeti shaqzaade star Parineeti Chopra in one of her latest interviews to fashion Imagazine Vogue India says that she seeks help from her actress-cousin Priyanka Chopra, but the latter is not her role model. Parineeti said that she doesn’t want to emulate the former Miss World, who has delivered hits like Krrish 3, Barfi! and Kaminey. another film: Kristin “She’s not my role model. In fact, nobody is my role model. In this pro- fession, you cannot aim at having a career like someone else’s. I could be inspired by different people for different things, but that’s about it,” said Parineeti, who will be on the cover of Vogue India’s February issue this year. “Where it’s helped me is that when I am in doubt I can call her and she always has the right answers,” she added. Scott Thomas Parineeti, known for playing bubbly characters, made her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl. She’s the go-to actor for elegant despair – but after 20 years, Kristin Scott Thomas is done with movies. She talks shambolic film sets and the joys of saying no. Shaadi Ke Side Effects allowed me

By Decca Aitkenhead to do a lot of comedy: Farhan Akhtar of Four Weddings And A Funeral had an “ageing actress” and keeps saying, so heavy that her arms would ache just got the characters, once you know who this has something to do with her 2006 catapulted her into Hollywood A-list “I’m terribly old” or, “I’m positively to lift them. “I didn’t want to wear the they are, they’re going to repeat them- divorce. In fact, she says, it was her arhan Akhtar says of all the films he has done as an actor till now, ristin Scott Thomas has had roles in The Horse Whisperer, Mission: ancient.” She got a terrible shock a few wigs and I didn’t want to wear the cos- selves, aren’t they, for the next five rediscovery of theatre just over a dec- FShaadi Ke Side Effects gave him the chance to do maximum comedy. enough. She has been work- Impossible and The English Patient. “But years ago when a close-up portrait taken tumes. I don’t know how those women years? It just goes on and on and on. ade ago that transformed how she felt “I got to do a lot of comedy in the film. The dialogues and the situations ing flat out for 30 years, and it was geographically unfriendly, because for this newspaper was reprinted in a did it,” she marvels coolly. I get terribly bored. Series bore me.” about herself and her work. are very funny. I think out of all the films that I have done as an actor till Kmade 65 films: having lived in I just didn’t want to go to America.” She glossy magazine, without being digitally Wardrobe discomfort notwithstand- I suspect she is cast in unhappy roles In 2001, she played the title role in now, this is probably the most humourous film I ever did,” the 40-year-old Paris since the age of 19, she effectively was married to a Frenchman, had two retouched. “It was a really great pic- ing, however, period dramas often seem because she has a gift for looking so Bérénice on stage in France, having not said at a promotional event for the film at Radio Mirchi. has two careers, one in English and one young children, and the family wanted ture, and looked fine on a grainy piece of to provide the most substantial roles for compellingly beautiful when misera- been on stage for more than 15 years. It The actor also says that Shaadi Ke Side Effects has the elements of a in French. Even her cleaner thinks her to live in France or, at the very least, paper in black-and-white,” she says now. older actresses, raising the disquieting ble. “Thank you very much, I’ll try and was a revelation. “I suddenly felt inde- basic rom-com. workload is insane. Last September, for Europe. “But on the gloss of a magazine cover, thought that perhaps older women were make the most of that,” she jokes. She pendent. You could walk on stage and “Actually most of my scenes in the film are comic because the film is the first time in her life, she reached a But it wasn’t just about that. “No, it’s without being retouched, it was the most accorded greater status in Victorian has another theory: “Although I don’t you could stand on your head if you essentially a comedy. It has that classic format of a rom-com where things point where she could no longer go on. also that I can’t bear all the kind of rub- terrifying thing. It really brought home times than they are today. “I don’t really think of myself as a sad person, really wanted to. No one’s going to say get serious when the resolution of the story is about to happen and all life “I just suddenly thought, I cannot cope bish that goes on on those big films. I just to me how the images of women we see know,” she ponders. “It’s an interesting there has been a lot of sadness. I’ve stop, don’t do that, that’s a ridiculous secrets tumble out,” said Farhan. with another film,” she says. “I realised can’t stand sitting around for hours in a are so manipulated.” thought. Is it to do with our mania for known a lot of sadness; I know what it’s idea. There’s this feeling of independ- Directed by Saket Chaudhary, Shaadi Ke Side Effects features Vidya I’ve done the things I know how to do so great big luxury trailer, waiting, bored As a middle-aged woman, she finds youth, our kind of addiction to youth?” like to be sad. So I guess I have access ence and trust – I could give myself Balan opposite Farhan. It hits theatres on Feburary 28. many times in different languages, and I out of my head. I used to do,” she offers herself increasingly overlooked in eve- Then again, she points out, The Invisible to that, and can tap into it.” permission to play things in a certain just suddenly thought, I can’t do it any drily, “a lot of tapestry. Yes, I had a lot ryday life, and has talked a lot in recent Wo m a n is a tale of a 45-year-old man Scott Thomas was born in Cornwall way and see if they worked or they more. I’m bored by it. So I’m stopping.” of cushions around.” years about the unnerving experience leaving his wife of 22 years in 1858 for a in 1960, the eldest of five, to a former didn’t. I could trust myself.” Having always been a workaholic, she She did have one minor relapse of becoming invisible. So it’s ironic that woman not even half his age, so perhaps drama student mother and Royal Navy If Scott Thomas used to come across now likes to think of herself, she jokes, five years ago when she appeared in her latest film is called The Invisible then and now are not so different after pilot father who died in a flying acci- as somewhat aloof, she thinks this had as a “recovering actress”. the airhead comedy Confessions Of A Woman (the title actually refers to its all. In The English Patient, Fiennes and dent when she was five. Her mother a lot to do with her own ambivalence Main Tera Hero trailer For the past 15 years, the actor has Shopaholic, but at its mention her face young heroine, Charles Dickens’ secret Scott Thomas played lovers; 18 years married another pilot, who died in an about her acting, and self-disdain for crosses two million views fashioned a highly respected career freezes in a pantomime of horror. “I mistress, Nelly Ternan). It is a screen later, the 51-year-old actor’s love inter- almost identical accident when Scott the narcissism of a career spent chiefly out of small parts in biggish English- thought it would be quite good fun. But adaptation of Claire Tomalin’s biography est is an actress 21 years his junior, while Thomas was just 11. She was sent to sitting around in trailers, waiting to avid Dhawan’s language films, such as the John Lennon I spent my entire time waiting. I hated of the 18-year-old actress, who captured Scott Thomas must play her mother. a girls’ boarding school, before enroll- be told what to do by a director. Since Dlatest directorial biopic Nowhere Boy, and big parts in it, hated it, hated it, and I said that I Dickens’ heart when he was a married I tell her that, for me, the film’s most ing at drama school in London, where Bérénice she has starred in five West venture Main Tera smaller French films, such as the pris- wouldn’t do another one.” Grinning, she father of nine and more than twice her compelling characters are all middle- she was told she would never make the End plays, including two Chekhovs and Hero has got over oner returning home in I’ve Loved You adds, “Funnily enough, I haven’t been age. Felicity Jones plays Ternan and aged. Alongside Fiennes she co-stars grade and so decamped to Paris to be two Pinters, won an Olivier award for two million hits on So Long. But she is tired of working on asked to.” Scott Thomas plays her widowed mother with the magnificent Joanna Scanlan an au pair. There she studied drama best actress, and every time she talks video-sharing website films whose scripts keep being rewritten Actors are seldom this candid. It is an Catherine, who oversees the affair with and Tom Hollander, and it’s they who again and was spotted by, of all peo- about being on stage, her face lights up YouTube. at the last minute. “The kinds of films unwritten rule of the profession to speak worldly maternal anxiety, part Victorian bring the screen alive. “Well,” she nods, ple, Prince, who promptly cast her as with excitement. The first trailer of that I do are usually quite rapidly put highly of every film you’ve ever been chaperone and part pragmatic. “I don’t want to go and see a film about his love interest in his vanity project She says she will still make some the film that features together, and it always seems to be a lit- involved in – but then, Scott Thomas has It is a slow-paced but beautifully shot young people. I’m just not remotely Under The Cherry Moon. She was, crit- films, but only those she absolutely David’s son Varun tle bit of a shambles. I like filming, but always been a singular sort of film star. and absorbing film. For Scott Thomas, interested. When I go to the movies, I’d ics agreed, the only decent thing in can’t resist. For the first time since in the lead role with what I don’t like is having to rearrange Very few British actors work in a for- its principal appeal was the chance to rather watch people who’ve lived, who it, and has been working more or less her 20s, she is getting accustomed to Ileana D’Cruz and Nargis Fakhri, was things and rewrite scenes. I just can’t eign language, for a start, and when she work again with Ralph Fiennes, who have gone through the mill, who’ve had nonstop ever since. the novelty of choice, for her daughter launched on Youtube be bothered.” arrives at the studio in Paris where we plays Dickens and also directed the their heart broken a million times and But, by her own account, she was and eldest son are now in their 20s on January 23. She is tired, too, of being cast in films meet, she’s so out of the habit of speak- film. Like her, he puts in an electri- are still looking for love. That’s what’s not a happy young woman, and spent themselves, and her youngest son is 13, The actor took interesting to me.” that need her more than she needs ing English that she keeps beginning fying performance – which is all the several years in analysis. She has been so the financial pressure of supporting to microblogging them. “I’m often asked to do something sentences in French. She is makeup- more remarkable given that he appears She is encouraged by the success of free of depression for years now, and her family is beginning to ease. She website Twitter to because I’m going to be a sort of weight free and wearing glasses which, she says, on screen in almost every scene and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and by comes across as conspicuously at ease met her former husband, a gynaecolo- thank his fans. to their otherwise flimsy production. are very useful for deflecting attention: has previously directed just one film. the rumours of a sequel. Even the recent with herself: grounded, good-natured gist, when she was at drama school, “I do read all your They need me for production purposes, “Because people don’t think, oh, who’s “It’s a brilliant performance,” she says, return to TV of Birds Of A Feather is good and unflappable. Her comments about but since their marriage ended she has tweets. Also the Main basically. So they give me a little role in that old woman with the round glasses?” “and it was so lovely to work with him news, she thinks, its female stars now all the things she no longer likes about been facing a new freedom she’s still Tera Hero trailer hit something where they know I’m going There is no publicist in attendance, again. But it wasn’t just that. There was being in their 50s and 60s. What about her film career may make her come not entirely sure what to do with. “I’m two million views, to be able to turn up, know what to do, and she submits to the attentions of the something about playing a woman who Downton Abbey, I ask. Scott Thomas’s across in print as rather grumpy, but starting to think, hang on a minute, thanks to you people cry in the right place. I shouldn’t bite the hairstylist and makeup artist without has to make decisions about her child great heroine, Maggie Smith, is flourish- her critique seems to derive from a soon my youngest is going to go off and honestly. I feel hand that feeds, but I keep doing these fuss. She has the sort of informality that and evaluate her child’s chances, and I ing in the drama at 79, and so is Shirley newfound sense of liberation and self- do whatever he’s going to do. But this is blessed because of things for other people, and last year I comes from having done this many times found that very moving, the responsibil- MacLaine. Scott Thomas starred in belief. She is no longer the guarded, what’s quite fun about being me at the you,” Varun tweeted. Produced under Ekta just decided life’s too short. I don’t want before, and talks freely without appear- ity of the mother of this daughter. I just Downton creator Julian Fellowes’ first rather remote character who – as moment – making one’s own choices, Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures banner, Main Tera to do it any more.” ing to wonder or worry about how she wanted to do it.” feature film, Gosford Park – another she herself says – invariably used to for reasons of one’s own, and not try- Hero will hit the screens on April 4. This is the second time Scott Thomas might sound in print. At 53, she is more The only downsides were the corsets country-house period drama – so I ask attract freezing water-based meta- ing to please a career person, or make has decided to walk away from work preoccupied by how she looks. and petticoats and bustles. Her waist if she could see herself joining the cast. phors. In recent years, interviewers money. I guess that’s a sign of maturity, that many actors would kill for. The first Scott Thomas is mesmerisingly had to be drawn so tightly that she was She shakes her head. have remarked on how much she has I think.” was in the late 1990s, when the success beautiful, but she refers to herself as physically sick, while the petticoats were “I can’t do miniseries. Once you’ve thawed, and it would be easy to assume The Guardian 10 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 INTERNET

Hong Kong remains the place to go for a fast internet connection, with a peak average speed almost four times the global average. Internet connection speeds have climbed around 10% worldwide since mid-2013 AVERAGE PEAK CONNECTION SPEED* Megabits per second Hong Kong 65.4

South Korea 63.6

Japan 52.0

Singapore 50.1

Israel 47.7

Romania 45.4

Latvia 43.1 *Average of highest Taiwan 42.7 connection speeds on each unique IP address Netherlands 39.6

Belgium 38.5 ATTACK TRAFFIC Country of origin – usually Switzerland 38.4 country of compromised Bulgaria 37.0 system, not necessarily of criminal behind it U.S. 37.0 China Indonesia 35% 20% Kuwait 36.4

UAE 36.0

UK 35.7 U.S 11% Canada 34.8

Czech Republic 34.8 Taiwan 5.2% Macau 34.4 Others Brazil Russia Sweden 33.1 24.1% 2.1% 2.6% World’s fastest broadband fastest World’s 015304560 Source: Akamai Global average 17.9Mbps © GRAPHIC NEWS HEALTH / FITNESS PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 11

Faster ways to catch food poisoning microbes Home blood pressure team of scientists, led by an Indian-origin Aresearcher Sibani Lisa Biswal, has devel- oped a faster method to catch unwanted microbes monitoring may find before they can make people sick with food poisoning. The Rice University scientists used an array of tiny ‘nanomechanical cantilevers’, anchored at hidden risk one end, kind of like little diving boards. The cantilevers have peptides attached to them that bind to Salmonella — one of the pathogens most commonly associated with foodborne illness which can cause fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. When the bacteria bind to the peptides, the By Shereen Jegtvig cantilever arm bends, creating a signal. home reading of 130/85 or above group, 404 people had masked The screening system rapidly distinguished to indicate masked hypertension hypertension, 695 had white coat Salmonella from other types of bacteria in a eople with normal blood when the person did not meet the hypertension and 924 had sus- sample. pressure at the doctor’s criteria for high blood pressure at tained hypertension. One of the peptides could tell eight different office but high blood the doctor’s office. Staessen’s team found that types of Salmonella apart from each other. Ppressure at other times By that standard, they found masked hypertension raised risk The researchers stated that the technique may have a doubled risk of heart that 5 percent of those with “opti- for cardiovascular events in the could be applied to other common food pathogens. attacks and strokes, according to mal” blood pressure at the clinic, untreated group by 55 percent “The new approach for pathogen screening is new research reviews. 18.4 percent with “normal” clinic compared to people with normal far faster than current commercial methods,” In two analyses covering four readings and 30.4 percent with blood pressure. said Biswal, assistant professor of chemical and industrialized countries and more “high-normal” clinic readings had White coat hypertension raised biomolecular engineering at Rice University. than 5,000 people, research- masked hypertension at home. the risk by 42 percent and sus- Conventional methods to detect harmful bacte- ers also found that home blood During a median 8.3 years tained hypertension more than ria in food are reliable and inexpensive, but they pressure monitoring frequently of follow-up, participants with doubled it. can be complicated, time consuming and thus picks up that so-called masked masked hypertension had between Even among the participants allow contamination to go undetected. hypertension. 2.24 and 2.65 times the risk for who were being treated for high The findings are reported in the ACS journal If that leads to more people with cardiovascular events when com- blood pressure, masked hyperten- Analytical Chemistry. hidden high blood pressure getting pared to those with true normal sion diagnosed by home monitor- treatment, it would be affordable blood pressure. ing raised cardiovascular risk by and worthwhile to expand home In a commentary published 76 percent. Teens should have hearty monitoring, they say. in PLOS Medicine, Dr. Mark The patients with masked “We know that a lot of cardio- Caulfield of Barts and The London hypertension were probably breakfast, says study vascular complications occur in School of Medicine and Dentistry undertreated because of their low people who are normotensive if points out that cardiovascular dis- office blood pressure, Staessen and at breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince you measure the blood pressure ease is the leading cause of death his colleagues write. Eand dinner like a pauper, goes an adage. in the regular way in the office,” worldwide. Whether people are already on Now, scientists at Umeå University in Sweden Dr Jan Staessen said. blood pressure treatment or not, have put their stamp on this, claiming that ado- Staessen, a researcher in About 10 percent of the Staessen told Reuters Health, lescents who ate poor breakfasts in youth dis- the Division of Cardiovascular general population has those who have risk factors for played a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome Diseases at the University of normal or high-normal masked hypertension, including 27 years later. Leuven in Belgium, is senior smokers, obese people and older The study shows that the young people who author of the studies published in blood pressure readings people, should monitor their blood neglected to eat breakfast or ate a poor breakfast PLOS Medicine and Hypertension. at the doctor’s office, but pressure at home. had a 68 percent higher incidence of metabolic About 10 percent of the general they actually have high “The clinical relevance of syndrome as adults. population has normal or high- masked hypertension is that often This conclusion was drawn after taking into normal blood pressure readings at blood pressure at home our blood pressure assessments account socio-economic factors and other lifestyle the doctor’s office, but they actu- or at work. are done in the clinic in a sort of habits of the adolescents in question. ally have high blood pressure at an ideal setting where there’s a In 1981, the study asked students completing home or at work. This is known as “With a growing burden of high nurse or a medical assistant and year nine of their schooling to answer questions masked hypertension and it often blood pressure and a growing provider,” said Dr. Edgar Miller, about what they ate for breakfast. goes untreated because it’s hard availability of affordable devices, III, an epidemiologist at Johns Twenty-seven years later, the respondents for doctors to detect. home blood pressure monitoring Hopkins University in Baltimore. underwent a health check where the presence To see how masked hyperten- could be used to diagnose high Miller, who was not involved in of metabolic syndrome and its various subcom- sion affects risk for cardiovascu- blood pressure and help decide the studies, said that home moni- ponents was investigated. lar events like heart attack and whom to treat,” he writes. “It toring of blood pressure is becom- “Our results suggest that a poor breakfast can stroke, Staessen and colleagues empowers patients to take on a ing popular, but it’s not standard have a negative effect on blood sugar regulation,” analyzed data from five previous role in assessment of their blood yet, because current treatment said Maria Wennberg, the study’s main author. studies of home-monitored blood pressure.” guidelines are built around clini- Abdominal obesity and high levels of fasting pressure done in Finland, Japan, In a separate analysis, Staessen cal assessments of blood pressure. blood glucose levels could be most clearly linked Greece and Uruguay. looked at how home blood pressure “We need to figure out ways to with poor breakfast in youth, said the study pub- For the new study, blood pres- monitoring affected the cardiovas- encourage home blood pressure lished in the journal Public Health Nutrition. sure readings with a top number cular risk profiles of patients with monitoring, figure out standard- Metabolic syndrome is a collective term for below 120 and a bottom number masked hypertension or with the ized ways to report it to your pro- factors that are linked to an increased risk of below 80 were considered “opti- opposite problem - so-called white vider, and there’s more research suffering from cardiovascular disorders. mal.” Normal blood pressure was coat hypertension. That’s when needed into how providers should Metabolic syndrome encompasses abdomi- a reading of 120-129/80-84, “high- patients have high blood pressure react to home blood pressure nal obesity, high levels of harmful triglycerides, normal” was 130-139/85-89, mild readings at the doctor’s office but measurements,” Miller said. low levels of protective HDL (High Density hypertension was 140-159/90-99 normal blood pressure at home. SOURCE: bit.ly/1dQCAAl and bit. Lipoprotein), high blood pressure and high fast- and severe hypertension was a top The study included 6,458 par- ly/1dR40fr PLOS Medicine, online ing blood glucose levels. number of 160 or higher and a bot- ticipants, 5,007 of whom were January 21, 2014; bit.ly/1iPEqth Agencies tom number of 100 or more. not being treated for blood pres- Hypertension, online January 13, 2014. The researchers considered a sure problems. Of that untreated Reuters 12 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 TECHNOLOGY A different way of using Facebook By Will Oremus

rom the time that Google killed off Google Reader (R.I.P.), there has been speculation that Facebook was working on a sort of news Freader of its own. In a way this seemed odd, because Facebook already is a sort of news reader of its own, albeit one in which much of the “news” is about your friends’ cats, babies and vacations. And it’s getting newsier all the time. Why, then, would Facebook want or need another product that does the same thing? Well, this week Facebook launched that new app, called Paper, and it looks gorgeous. The company’s best designers have clearly been hard at work design- ing a mobile app that makes the best possible use of a small screen. Photos and videos appear at full- screen size. You navigate by swiping, a natural motion that mobile news-reading apps like Flipboard have employed to great success. Stories and updates from your friends appear in the form of cards that can be readily scrolled, shuffled, maximised and minimised. Here’s the thing: It’s still not clear what’s so differ- ent about this app from the wildly successful mobile app that Facebook already has. Is Paper essentially Paper, in this view, is essentially just a second ver- to go away. Paper gives the company a way to hand just a simplified, prettified version of Facebook with sion of the Facebook app that’s tailored to a different some of the keys back to the individual user: “Here, a different name? use case. If that sounds odd, consider that Google has you tell us what kind of stuff you really want to see.” In short, yes — but that might be a good thing. a whole bevy of apps for different use cases. My iPhone It’s too early to tell whether Paper will really catch First of all, as big a hit as Facebook’s mobile app alone has Gmail, Chrome, Google Maps, Google, Google on, especially since it won’t be available in the app is (and as the company’s latest quarterly earnings Plus (don’t judge), YouTube and Chromecast apps. store until February 3. Remember, it was less than a demonstrate, it is a huge hit), it’s far from the most Paper would be only my third Facebook app, after year ago that Facebook launched another beautiful- aesthetically pleasing thing in the app store. Nor is Facebook and Instagram. (Facebook Messenger has looking mobile product, called Home, which turned it optimised to offer a pleasurable reading or view- also proven popular as a standalone offering.) out to be a resounding flop. It’s possible that a lot of ing experience. And finally, as much as people check But there’s a second thing that’s different about users want less Facebook in their lives, not more. Facebook on their phones, they tend to sort of hate Paper: It’s manually customizable, giving users the And it may be that when people want to read the themselves for doing it. ability to swipe between content sections like “Tech,” news, they’d prefer to read just the news, not the The Facebook app works best as a simple tool for “Planet,” “Headlines” and “LOL.” That positions it as news combined with their friends’ Facebook posts. checking in on what friends are up to, or to quickly a possible answer to one of the loudest user criticisms That said, the basic idea of launching standalone share your own photos or status updates and see of Facebook over the years — that, for all its advanced apps — of which Mark Zuckerberg has promised what your friends are saying about them. It’s great algorithms, the News Feed never seems to show you more in the years to come — is a smart one for a for pulling out of your pocket and glancing at the exactly the kind of things you want it to show you. company whose biggest problem may be the public’s little “notifications” icon to make sure you haven’t People have long complained that their News Feed fatigue with its primary brand. Note that Instagram missed anything important. Paper, meanwhile, may is cluttered with junk and social detritus, despite the has not seemed to suffer from the same complaints be better for the occasions when you actually have a best efforts of Facebook’s engagement-maximization about coolness as Facebook, even though it’s part of little time to read some articles, watch videos, and machines. At the same time, the bizarre complaint Facebook. Paper doesn’t look “cool,” per se, but it does so forth. It represents a way for Facebook to go after that Facebook is “hiding” worthwhile stories and look different from Facebook. For some people, that the Flipboard audience without detracting from the updates (Out of sheer spite? As a way to blackmail may be reason enough to give it a shot. utilitarian functionality of its main app. people into paying to promote their posts?) refuses WP-Bloomberg

Synopsis: A helping hand

ubai based tech start-up weblinks. To make it easy for you to you prefer. Milestonepoint Technologies understand and navigate through this • Creating Titles and Headings Dhas created Synopsis, an simple iPad App, all sections have a for your Notes iPad tool for emphasizing, reviewing, distinctive help panel, apart from a • Exporting it as a PDF file memorizing and categorizing. comprehensive help section. There is • Exporting it as a Notes File Whether you are studying or even a synopsis of ‘Synopsis’ in the that you can then share with reading a non-fiction book or review- app, making sure that there is a help- your colleagues, friends or ing a seriously long study document, ing hand throughout. study mates you can now note all your important What Synopsis can do for you. • Print your PDF Document points in one place which you can • A very simple reader with only the directly from Synopsis later use to summarise. That’s not tools you require • All your Notes can be con- all, you can even create some of the • Read PDF Documents and high- verted into Flash Cards which more attractive Flash Cards avail- light important points in the is accessed from the Flash able on the AppStore to review and document Cards module. memorise effectively. There is an • All highlighted points from your • Review, edit, reorder and save intuitive library which allows you to PDF document are automatically your Flash Cards store all your document links in one copied into the Notes Module of • These flash cards can also be iOs app of the day iOs app place so that you don’t have to waste Synopsis reviewed in any mobile device time document hunting on the web. • Access the Notes area and fine • Synopsis provides a Library to Anybody can use it easily, effec- tune your highlighted notes save all these cloud services tively. All you need to have is PDF • Creating manual notes and modi- document links. documents on Google Drive, Drop fying your notes. (www.mysynopsisapp.com) Box, Box, Sky Drive or even PDF • Ordering the Notes in an order The Peninsula COMICS & MORE PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 13

LEARN ARABIC

The Numbers: Ninteen Tisçata Çašar

One Waid Twenty Çišroon

Two Inan Twenty-one Waid wa Çišroon

Three alaa Twenty-two Inan wa Çišroon Four Arbaça Twenty-three alaa wa Çišroon Five amsa Thirty alaoon Six Sitta Forty Arbaçoon Seven Sabça Fifty amsoon Eight amania Sixty Sittoon Nine Tisça Seventy Sabçoon Ten Çašara Eighty amanoon Eleven Ida Çašar Hoy en la Historia Ninety Tisçoon Twelve Ina Çašar One hundred Mi'a Thirteen alaa Çašar February 2, 1914 Two hundred Mi'atan Fourteen Arbaçata Çašar Charlie Chaplin, one of the Fifteen amsata Çašar Three hundred alami'a greatest stars of the silent movie Sixteen Sittata Çašar One thousand Alf

Seventeen Sabçata Çašar Two thousand Alfan era, made his film debut in Making

Eighteen amaniata Çašar Three thousand alaat Ailaf a Living, without his soon to be famous moustache and cane Note: = ‘sh’ as in ‘ship’ ç = ‘a’ in ‘agh’ when surprised 1709: Alexander Selkirk, inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, was rescued after five years on an unihabited island Baby Blues by Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman 1989: South African President PW Botha resigned as leader of the ruling all-white National Party 1994: Elder statesman Rafael Caldera was sworn in as president of Venezuela 2004: The Hubble Space Telescope detected oxygen and carbon in the atmosphere of a distant gas-giant planet, named Osiris Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS ALL IN THE MIND Hagar The Horrible by Chris Browne Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

Zits by Dennis Young and Denis Lebrun

ACTION, ACTOR, AUDIENCE, AUDITION, BACKSTAGE, BOX OFFICE, CABARET, CAMERA, CAST, COMEDY, COSTUME, CURTAIN CALL, DIRECTOR, DRAMA, ENCORE, ENTERTAINMENT, EXTRA, FILM, FOOTLIGHTS, GREASEPAINT, HOLLYWOOD, LIGHTING, LINES, LOCATION, MOVIE, MUSICAL, PERFORMANCE, PLAY, PRODUCER, PROMOTER, PROP, RADIO, REVIEW, ROLE, SCENE, SCORE, SCRIPT, SPOTLIGHT, STAGE, STAND IN, STAR, STUNT. 14 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 CROSSWORDS

ACROSS 45 Greek restaurant menu 10 Cold war grp.? 44 Jacinthe or jonquille 56 William Tell territory CROSSWORD 1 “Spin the Black Circle” subheading 11 “___ gather” 46 Salon service 57 Old Eastern alternative 12345678 91011121314 Grammy winner of 48 Realization vocalization 12 Military brass 47 Late notices? 58 Rankin who created 1995 51 Plumber’s union? 13 Horror-struck, 48 Peeved, after “in” Inspector Rebus 15 16 9 Sort who needs to 52 Catcher of the rye? apparently 49 Play both sides, in a 59 Juice fiend 17 button up 53 Dipsticks 14 First moment way 15 Buttoned up 55 Part of the Ring of Fire 16 Goose 50 Pro grps. 18 19 20 17 Not have a hunch? 60 Light alternative 22 Ferry ride, say 53 Xanadu’s river 21 22 23 24 18 What shy people often 61 Modern resident of 23 Ushers in 54 It may have a row of have ancient Ebla 24 Assault team 28-Down, briefly 25 26 27 28 19 Trendy tuna 62 Many gallerygoers 25 Depart from 20 With 22-Across, CAESARSALAD CBS 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 26 Punish by fine runner’s woe ARCH I PELAGO ORE DOWN 28 They get stuck in 37 21 Prohibition, e.g. MAK I NGARUNFOR I T 1 ___-Calais (French corners 22 See 20-Across 38 department) 29 Arizona’s ___ Fria River EBERT FOREFRONT 24 City near Pyramid Lake LIRE BAKES INGE 39 2 Imparter of fruity 30 Some of a caterer’s 25 Uglify overtones inventory SAD JOREL CEASE 40 41 27 “Superman II” villainess 3 Hub for Jordan Aviation 31 Upscale Italian shoe LUGER CONDOS 29 Atlas offerings 4 Half-pint brand 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 MA I L ER BOS TON 37 Ivory tower setting 5 Eyeshades? 32 Where Captain Cook CARNEY LAMBS 51 52 53 54 38 Some expressions of landed in 1770 6 Vingt-et-un, e.g. ANTES HONEY ADS false humility 7 How some instruments 33 “___ first …” 55 56 57 58 59 TOFU LARKS STEP 39 Large wire are sold 34 Conductor Leibowitz 60 40 “Boxing Helena” star 8 Gessen who wrote the 35 Crew at a pileup SLOPSOVER FERMI Sherilyn 2012 Putin biography PERSONALOP INION 61 62 36 Short term? 41 Squad leader? “The Man Without a 42 Toronto team, briefly ATM RENELACOSTE Face” 42 Comic response, in 43 Dental gold, e.g. WE S T RA I LMARKER Variety 9 Bayou predator

HYPER SUDOKU How to play Kakuro: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells - called a run - any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once.

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate How to EASY SUDOKU play Hyper Easy Sudoku Puzzles Sudoku: Place a digit from 1 to 9 in A Hyper Sudoku each empty cell so every Puzzle is solved row, every column and by filling the every 3x3 box contains all numbers from 1 the digits 1 to 9. to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear YESTERDAY’S only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is ANSWER solved like a normal Sudoku. CINEMA / TV LISTINGS PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 15

SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Jai – Ho (2D/Hindi) – 2.30pm TEL: 444933989 444517001

Oru Indian (2D/Malayalam) – 5.15 & 8.00pm 08:00 European Tour 08:00 News Weekly 09:00 Indian Hospital 1 08:30 Rugby Six 10:30 Inside Syria Lone Survivor (2D/Action) – 11.00pm Nations, Wales 11:00 News V Italy And 11:30 Talk To Al France V Jazeera The Nut Job (3D/Animation) – 2.15 & 6.00pm England 12:30 Risking It All 14:00 Omni Sport 13:00 NEWSHOUR Frozen (3D/Animation) – 4.00pm 14:30 Italian League, 14:00 News Genoa V 14:30 Inside Syria Sampdoria 15:00 Al Jazeera Ride Along (2D/Comedy) – 7.45pm 16:30 Football Asia World 2 17:00 Bryan Robson, 16:00 NEWSHOUR Stars 17:30 Listening Post The Package (2D/Action) – 9.45pm 17:30 Rugby Six 18:00 NEWSHOUR MALL Nations, Ireland 19:30 101 East Raze (2D/Horror) – 11.30pm V Scotland 20:00 News 20:30 Ski Magazine 20:30 Inside Story 21:00 NBA Basketball, 21:00 NEWSHOUR Raze (2D/Horror) – 3.00pm Orlando @ Boston 22:00 News 23:30 Football Asia 22:30 Talk To Al The Package (2D/Action) – 5.00pm 24:00 Rugby Six Jazeera Nations, Ireland 23:00 The Fight for V Scotland Amazonia 3 Lone Survivor (2D/Action) – 7.00pm Labor Day (Drama) – 9.15pm 12:00 English Premier 13:15 Destroyed In League Review Seconds Sparks (Action) – 11.15pm 15:00 English Premier 13:40 How It's Made League Classic 14:05 How It's Made 15:30 Bryan Robson, 15:45 Auction Kings Oru Indian (2D/Malayalam) – 2.30 & 8.00pm Stars 17:50 Border Security 16:00 English Premier 18:40 Border Security 1 Rummy (2D/Tamil) – 5.15 & 10.45pm League, West - Series 6 Bromich V Specials Liverpool And 19:55 Mythbusters Spiders (3D/Thriller) – 2.30 & 11.30pm Arsenal V 21:10 What Crystal Palace Happened 21:30 Electronic English Next? Frozen (3D/Animation) – 4.15pm Premier League 21:35 Head Games 22:30 Spanish League, 22:25 Gold Rush - Sparks (Action) – 6.15pm Athletic V Real South America 2 Madrid 23:15 Gold Fever LANDMARK The Package (2D/Action) – 8.00pm Raze (2D/Horror) – 9.45pm 13:10 Scrapheap 13:00 That Shouldn't Fly Challenge 14:00 Wild Russia The Nut Job (3D/Animation) – 3.00pm 15:20 Gadget Show 15:00 Lords of War 15:45 Tech Show 15:30 Wild Scotland: Labor Day (Drama) – 5.00pm 16:35 Strangest The Western Isles Weather On 17:00 Adventure Wanted Earth 18:00 Aftermath 3 Lone Survivor (2D/Action) – 7.00 & 9.15pm 17:00 Europe's Secret 19:00 Salvage Code Earthquakes Red 20:30 How Tech 21:00 Prehistoric Ride Along (2D/Comedy) – 11.30pm Works Predators 23:00 How Tech 22:00 Salvage Code Oru Indian (2D/Malayalam) – 2.30 & 10.45pm Works Red 1 Rummy (2D/Tamil) – 5.15 & 8.00pm 13:50 World's 13:10 A Farmer's Life 13:00 Do Dil Bandhe Ek 13:00 The Adventures 13:00 Seinfeld Weirdest: For Me The Nut Job (3D/Animation) – 3.00pm Dori Se Of Disney Fairies 14:00 Baby Daddy Animal Taboo 14:00 Doctors 13:30 Ek Mutthi Aasmaan 16:50 Pixie Hollow 14:30 That Mitchell And 16:35 Wild Scotland: 16:30 Weakest Link 14:00 Doli Armaano Ki Raze (2D/Horror) – 5.00pm Games Webb Look The Western Isles 17:15 Monty Halls' 14:30 Jodha Akbar 17:10 Toy Story Toons 15:30 The Daily Show 17:30 Secret Brazil Island Escapes 15:00 Snack Attack 17:20 Jessie With Jon Stewart 20:10 The Invaders 19:30 My Family 2 Sparks (Action) – 7.00pm 15:30 Sapne Suhane 17:45 Dog With A Blog 16:00 Colbert Report 21:50 Secrets Of The 20:00 Stella Ladakpan Ke 18:10 Gravity Falls 16:30 Last Man King Cobra 20:45 New Tricks 16:00 Aur Pyaar Hogaya 18:30 Wolfblood ROYAL – 9.00 & 11.15pm Standing 22:40 Wild Scotland: 22:00 Live At Apollo Lone Survivor (2D/Action) 16:30 Qubool Hai 18:55 My Babysitter's A 17:00 Late Night With The Western 22:45 Him & Her 17:00 Doli Armaano Ki Vampire Jimmy Fallon Isles 23:15 Weakest Link The Nut Job (3D/Animation) – 2.30pm 17:30 Pavitra Rishta 19:20 Good Luck 18:00 Arrested PLAZA 18:00 Bollywood Charlie Development Business 19:40 Jessie 18:30 The Simpsons Labor Day (Drama) – 4.15pm 18:30 Ek Mutthi Aasmaan 20:05 Austin & Ally 19:00 2 Broke Girls 19:00 Do Dil Bandhe Ek 20:30 Good Luck 19:30 Two And A Half Men 12:00 10 Things I 13:00 A Christmas Dori Se Charlie 20:00 Whitney Spiders (3D/Thriller) – 6.15pm Hate About You Kiss 19:30 Jodha Akbar 20:50 Dog With A Blog 20:30 Web Therapy 14:00 Toys 15:00 Wild Card 20:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:40 Shake It Up 21:00 The Daily Show 3 16:00 Love Birds 17:00 You Got Served: 20:30 Sapne Suhane 22:00 Austin & Ally With Jon Stewart Ride Along (2D/Comedy) – 8.00 & 11.30pm 18:00 Who Framed Beat The World Ladakpan Ke 22:50 Good Luck 22:00 Saturday Night Roger Rabbit 19:00 The Impossible 22:30 Silver Screen Charlie Live 20:00 Cherry 21:00 Pitch Perfect The Package (2D/Action) – 9.45pm (Jaanam Samjha 23:10 Wizards Of 23:00 Don't Trust The B 22:00 You, Me And 23:00 Side Effects Karo) Waverly Place In Apartment 23 Dupree 16 PLUS | SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014 POTPOURRI

Who’s who Labrador is Americans’ top dog, Events in Qatar

French bulldog leaps in popularity Wheels and Heels By Marina Lopes are turning back to the big dogs they When: Feb 7, 2pm-10pm love, which cost more to feed and care Where: Museum of Islamic Park he Labrador retriever is the for than the smaller breeds that saw What: All are invited to climb aboard most popular dog breed in the a rise in popularity in 2007 and 2008,” a bike, jump on a skateboard or lace up a pair of trainers to complete The United States for the 23rd during the financial crisis, she said. T Circuit of three kilometres along the straight year, but the French bull- The English bulldog is the most Doha Corniche to help ROTA raise fund dog has gained ground by leaps and popular breed in New York City, while to provide quality education to 48 million bounds, the American Kennel Club the French bulldog rose three spots to children in need across Asia. said yesterday. No. 11 on the national list, its highest Entry: Free entry Labrador retrievers enjoy the long- ranking. “That’s a big jump. I haven’t Fahad Ismail H M Zainal, Chief est consecutive reign of any dog in seen anything like that in any breed,” Administration Officer, Qatar the annual ranking compiled by the Peterson said. Sarah Brightman In Concert When: Feb 9, 7pm-11pm Financial Centre Authority American Kennel Club, or AKC, which The breed has seen a 323 per- Where: Qatar National Conventional Center e has joined the QFC Authority bases its list of the most popular breeds cent leap in registrations since 2003, What: International superstar Sarah in 2011. He has a strong back- on the number of dog registrations according to the AKC. The club would ground in administration, human Brightman is the worlds biggest selling H across the country. not provide registration numbers. Soprano. She pioneered the classical resources and information technology The German shepherd took second French bulldogs require minimal crossover music movement and is famed and has held leadership and execu- place, followed by the golden retriever grooming and exercise, making them for possessing a vocal range of over 3 tive positions, both at Qatar Project and the beagle, respectively. Breeds an ideal choice for owners in apart- octaves. Sarah has been the first to be Management (QPM) and prior to that, pulling ahead in the pack included ments and suburbs. invited to perform at the Olympic Games at Qatar Petrochemicals (QAPCO) the Doberman pinscher, which scur- “It’s a wash-and-wear, easy to care on two occasions. where he worked for more than a dec- ried past 20 other breeds to 12th place for companion dog,” Peterson, the AKC Entry: QR290 to QR1200 ade, overseeing human resources, and the Great Dane, which made an spokeswoman said. information technology, procurement 11-place jump to 16th. After a decade in decline, rare breeds In a testament to their growing pop- made a comeback. Giant schnauzers, the Cinderella Ballet and general services. Fahad earned an When: Feb 5-Feb 8; two shows per day: ularity, large breeds dominated the list. largest of the schnauzer breeds, climbed MBA from the University of Leicester From 4 pm till 5 pm and 7pm till 8pm “Owning bigger breeds - an eco- 13 places in the rankings. The keeshond, (UK) and Bachelor of Electrical Where: Katara Drama Theatre nomic indicator of sorts - has been on a medium-size dog with a plush silver Engineering from Beaumont University What: Moscow State Academic Dance the rise during the past five years,” said and black coat, scrambled up 17 places. (USA). Fahad currently sits on several Theatre “Gzhel’s” Cinderella is performed Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the The AKC announced its rankings in Advisory Committees for Governmental to the choreography of Konstantin American Kennel Club, or AKC. advance of next month’s Westminster and Education Institutions. Sergeyev, under the revision of Natalia “As the economy has improved, people Kennel Club dog show. Reuters Permyakova. Tickets: QR50-QR75 (available at Virgin) IN by Alalvananlingam FOCUS Souq Waqif Spring Festival When: Jan 24-Feb 6 Where: Souq Waqif What: The entire Souq is sprawling with shows for everyone, some of which are Winter Wonderland birds, LED sparklers, Comedy Waiters, Men in Coats etc. The venues for these activities are The Souq Alley, Art Gallery, Main Parking and Outdoor Theater. Free Entry

Disney live Mickey Mouse Music Festival When: Feb 12: 7pm, Feb 13: 7pm, Feb 14: 3pm & 7pm, Feb 15: 11pm, 3pm & 7pm. . Where: Qatar National Convention Center What: The fab four will be performing a mashup of mega proportions where concert goers will here the greatest hits from Disney blockbuster movies. Entry: QR150 - QR1000

Second World Trade Festival When: Until Feb 5 Where: Al W’aab area What: A big tent has been built in Al W’aab area for families to enjoy the world trade festival that has various items such as clothing to accessories and food as well. The tent also has a fun area for kids. Free Entry

A house fly on top of a henna seed at Freej Bin Omran. Send your photos to [email protected]. If you want your events featured here, Mention where the photo was taken. mail details to [email protected]

Editor-In-Chief Khalid Al Sayed Acting Managing Editor Hussain Ahmad Editorial Office The Peninsula Tel: 4455 7741, E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]