Kidney Failure: Treat Your Cat with Care 34 Week’S Pick by Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester

18 December 2010 Weekend®

MDTimes Number 1192 Weekend Times No. 71 December 18 2010 Times Weekend Number 1192 MDTimes Festive Season Culinary Arts • Christmas food history • Variation on a ‘Bolo Rei’ recipe 1 eekend W Times

Weekend

2 18 December 2010 Cover story 16 Mouse Click by António Espadinha Soares 32 Press Play by MC LA

4 Festive Season Culinary Arts by Dr Baudouin Neirynck photos MDT, AFP, EPA 14 Cooking Times Variation on a ‘Bolo Rei’ recipe (Christmas King Cake) by Carlos Balona Gomes photo by Fabrizio Croce 10 Do you know Macau? Fr. Don Bosco and Macao by Alberto Ung

22 Caviar: the ultimate delicacy, from a farm near you? by Emma Charlton photos by Fred Dufour

World of Wonder 20 18 Food for Health Offbeat Christmas food history 28 by Eugénia Santos Silva 29 This Day in History 26 Ask the Vet 30 Infotainment Kidney failure: treat your cat with care 34 Week’s Pick by Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester

Administrator: Kowie Geldenhuys Other contributors for this issue: Director: Rogério Beltrão Coelho Alberto Ung, António Espadinha Soares, Baudouin Neirynck, Carlos eekend Editor: Cecília Jorge Balona Gomes, Emma Charlton, Eugénia Santos Silva, Everett Kennedy W Design Editor: João Jorge Magalhães Brown, Fabrizio Croce, Fred Dufour, MC LA, Ruan du Toit Bester Macau Daily Times’ Saturday magazine E-mail for news and agenda: [email protected] Address: 2nd Floor 62 Av. Infante D. Henrique, MACAU SAR Telephones: + 853 287 160 81/2 Fax: + 853 287 160 84 E-mail for advertisement: [email protected]

3 eekend W Times

hristmas, beside the pine tree and gifts usually evokes in western memories pictures of turkey, chestnut stuffing, foie gras, oysters, stolen, gingerbread house and other delicacies along with sumptuous wines and liqueurs served with petit fours at the end of a slow enjoyable meal. The presence of Cfamily members, perhaps a log fire in the chimney and lots of Christmas gifts under the tree convey a festive atmosphere and warm feelings. When it comes to complete a Culinary Arts picture, beverages play as much a role as the food in establishing a festive mood. In Europe and the United States, traditional Christmas and New Year fare usually included both expensive and non-expensive items to re- flect the wide spectrum of wealth. Oysters and other delicacies from the sea such as smoked salmon, lobster, crayfish and shellfish have been served at Christmas tables for over two centuries already, in fact since ice was available. For less financially able people, chestnut, mushroom, fruits, grains, bread and sometimes poultry were married with beer and other homemade brews. About hundred years ago, Christmas and New Year menus were long affairs, meals lasting four to five hours were not uncommon and diners had inter- vals in the form of sherbets as well as spirits in order to allow for some form of digestion. As to the main courses, they featured turkey – a staple of Thanksgiving Day in the USA – with or without stuffing.T he stuffing allows the meat lining the cavity of the turkey not to dry up and also provides succulent meat and other ingredients to soak the excess juices and mix flavors. Alternating turkey was game and

Festive Season Culinary Artsby Dr. Baudouin Neirynck* , PhD 4 18 December 2010

*Assistant Professor Festive Season Culinary Artsby Dr. Baudouin Neirynck* , PhD at Institute For Tourism Studies 5 eekend W Times

Choristers perform in front of Westminster Abbey’s Christmas tree in Westminster, London venison. Christmas being at the end Cuvée, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin of the hunting season, these meats 2002 and Dom Perignon 2002. are still available and because of These three wines were exceptional their rich flavour represent a very but the one that matched all dishes good middle menu feature. At the was the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin end came the desserts but only af- 2002. Champagne is a very versa- ter cheeses. tile type of beverage. Originally de- The next question is: what kind of signed with high acidity in mind wine is the best match for all these for all non-vintage versions, it is re- rich foods? With colleagues from freshing and an excellent taste buds the Institute for Tourism Studies, opener. When it comes from an ex- we sat down around a Christmas cellent vineyard and in a year with Set Menu and tried to pair the items exceptional climatic conditions, the with what is in our opinion the best result is a very different wine with Krug wine: Champagne. On offer were perhaps some residual sugar, a wide Grande Cuvée three excellent ones: Krug Grande array of flavours and a much heavier

Krug is a Champagne house created by a German immigrant more than 200 years ago. The Krug family is still heavily in- volved although the brand is property of LVMH since 1999. Grande Cuvée is a mix of 35- 50% reserve wines with more re- cent vintages. Although its price places it in the special wines of other houses, Krug is in a league of its own. Best matches for this wine would be cold lobster, mild savoury dishes, oysters and shell fish as well as mild fresh cheeses such as Camembert, Brie and mozzarella. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.

6 18 December 2010

South Korean postmen wearing Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, outfits ride motorbikes to deliver Christmas gifts to poor people during a charity campaign in Seoul

Dom Perignon 2002

Named after the monk who perfected the art of blending the various cuvees, Dom Perignon is the epitome of highest end Champagne. With fresh almonds, lemon peel and zest accompanied by dried fruits and toasted brioche, this wine explodes on the nose as much as in the mouth by its power, elegance and finesse. The palate, very concentrated and creamy with still the perfect acidity places this wine in the league of best match with a wide array of dishes. It paired best with the Turkey on the menu but would do well with flavourful and even spicy dishes. Drink at 10 degrees.

7 eekend W Times

A Palestinian carver works on a wooden figurine of the Virgin Mary at a workshop next to the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem

body. This in turn ensures the wine can be paired with more flavourful and even spicier dishes. To design a festive menu is a unique occasion to bring along some dishes usually consumed only once a year. Spices, herbs, al- coholic beverages all become part of the raw ingredients in the search towards a unique culinary and ol- factory experience. The menu at IFT includes a choice between two appetizers, three main courses as well as the access to a comprehen- sive dessert buffet. Appetizers present the choice between a plate of salt cod, chick peas and tomato salad or green pea pu- Veuve Clicquot rée with pata negra. Main courses Ponsardin 2002 feature turkey with its traditional garnishes, risotto with clams, octo- Indonesian visitors have their pictures This was the most adaptable pus and prawns or Tacho, an array taken next to a giant Christmas tree at Champagne of the three. Its am- of Macanese meats and vegetables a shopping mall in Jakarta plitude of smells, aromas and stew. The menu is sold at MOP180 flavours equip this wine with per person and served from Mon- A giant illuminated Father Christmas figure stands in Berlin’s busy extraordinary matching abilities. day to Friday. Call 8598 3077 for Tauenzienstrasse near a traditional The nose is full of aromas with bookings. W Christmas market cinnamon and other sweet spices such as vanilla together with citrus Conclusion fruit such as grapefruit and tropi- cal lime complemented by acacia While the Krug Grande Cuvée flower and subtle minerality and is perfect for preparing the pal- toasted brioche. In the mouth, ate for the dinner, Dom Peri- the delicate spices blended with gnon 2002 is the best match for tea leaves notes match the citrus the roasted turkey and the Veuve fruits and the flowery character of Clicquot 2002 vintage comple- this exceptional wine. Can match ments the rest of the menu. most dishes included some light Merry Christmas and Happy desserts. Serve at 10 degrees. New Year.

8 18 December 2010 & C&C - Lawyers Office

Partners: Rui J. da Cunha* Álvaro Rodrigues*°● Nuno S. da Mata* Zhao Lu *°● Connie Kong

Associates: Adelino Correia* Zelina Rodrigues ● Nuno L. Martins Susana Batalha ● Luís A. Pinto Rita Andorinho Maria J. Marques ● António I. Azeredo João N. Marques Jennifer Lao ● Icília Berenguel Isolda Brasil Mariana A. Esteves Francisco M. Cameira Maria A. Giestas

Trainee Lawyers: Carlos S. Ferreira Octávio Tavares Fong Kit In Cao Lemeng, Rui Wong Pou Ngai, Karen António Santos

*Notary ° China Appointed Attesting Officer

www.ccadvog.com 9 eekend W Times Fr. Don Bosco and Macao

by Alberto Ung, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT)

nside the Montanha Russa Park in Macao stands the statue of a foreigner. Even many people in Ma- cao are not sure who the statue of the man is. He is St. John Bosco - or Fr. Don Bosco - founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Roman Catholic religious order.I He had never been to Macao so why was his statue erected in Montanha Russa Park? What is the relationship between him and Macao? Fr. Don Bosco was an Italian, whose father died when he was still very young. He was brought up by his mother Mar- gherita Occhiena. Born to a poor family, he had to work at a young age to supplement his family income, during which time he learned how to make bread, work wood and sew. These skills enabled him to complete his studies on a part- time basis. He was able to cultivate his talents in the face

10 18 December 2010 Fr. Don Bosco and Macao of adversity not merely because of his hard work but because of his mother’s love and the enlighten- ment of the gospels. He was ordained and became a priest in 1846, and thereafter dedicated himself to helping poor young people and saving them from going astray. He founded a youth centre and a polytechnic school, which provided learning and studying opportunities for young people, and through more contact with young people he was able to preach the gospels. Fr. Don Bosco founded the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1859, which was dedicated to serving young boys; later, in 1872, he founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with the aid of Saint Maria Mazzarello. Fr. Don Bosco died in 1888

11 eekend W Times and was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1934. Although Fr. Don Bosco had never reached the soil of Macao or China, a group of Salesians led by Fr. Luis Versiglia arrived in Macao in 1906, ten years after his death. They embarked upon their journey of teaching, preaching the gospel and saving the poor in Macao, later establishing the Immaculate Polytechnic School - now the Instituto Salesiano - in Macao. In addition to Instituto Salesiano, the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians manage a number of institutions in Macao, including Yuet Wah College, Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College, Escola Dom Luis Versiglia, and Bosco Youth Service Network, all of which have significantly contributed to Macao’s educational cause. Consecrated and inaugurated by Monsignor José Lai Hung Seng, Bishop of the Diocese of Macao, on 24th May 2010, the current statue standing in Montanha Russa Park replaces the original bronze edifice which had become eroded and damaged over time. W

12 18 December 2010

13 eekend W Times

Variation on a Bolo rei recipe Times (Christmas King Cake) Cooking

olo Rei (King Cake) is a must on then throughout the country. any traditional Portuguese Christmas Traditionally this cake features a ‘fava’ (dried Lima bean) table. This kind of sweet bread with hidden in its dough to symbolise luck. Some people consider a hole in the centre, decorated with whoever ends with the slice with the fava bean as the king of candied fruit and nuts, is commonly the celebration. Others commit the finder to bake or to buy Benjoyed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and the next Bolo Rei, so be aware of “fava evaders”! Kings Day (January 6th). My Princess doesn’t like the usual candied fruits nor It is thought to have arrived in Portugal near the raisins in this royal cake composition, so I switched for end of 17th century, originating from the France cranberries, blueberries and several kinds of nuts to suit of Luis XIV, where it was calleds a “Gâteau des her taste. As a matter of fact, Christmas is all about caring Rois”. It quickly became popular in Lisbon and and sharing, right? W

14 18 December 2010

Questions and comments to [email protected] Variation on a Bolo rei recipe To publish at http://www.sundayflavors.blogspot.com

by Carlos Balona Gomes Photo by Fabrizio Croce (Christmas King Cake) YOU WILL NEED: 900 g / 1 lb and 15 ¾ oz of all purpose flour or bread flour; 50 g / 1 ¾ oz of active dry yeast; 100 ml / 3 ½ fl oz of warm milk; 350 g / 12 ¼ oz of sugar; 5 eggs; Scrapings of 1 orange; Scrapings of 1 lemon; Pinch of salt; 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon; 150 ml / 5 ¼ fl oz of black beer; 100 g / 3 ½ oz of butter, melted; 100 ml / 3 ½ fl oz of Port Wine; 75 g / 2 ½ oz of pine seeds; 75 g / 2 ½ oz of walnuts; 75 g / 2 ½ oz of almonds; 75 g / 2 ½ oz of Brazil nuts; 100 g / 3 ½ oz of dried cranberries; 75 g / 2 ½ oz of dried blueberries; Egg wash; Dried figs for decoration; Dried dates for decoration; 4 tablespoons of apricot jam; Icing sugar to dust the cake; Butter to grease; Flour to dust; METHOD:

Spread all the nuts on a baking sheet and take it to the oven for a very light toast; Chop coarsely all the nuts, saving some for the decoration; Soak the chopped nuts, cranberries and blueberries in Port Wine and reserve until you need to incorporate it in the dough; Dissolve active yeast with 100 ml / 3 ½ fl oz of warm milk and let it stand for 10 minutes; In a large bowl incorporate the dissolved yeast with 250 g / 8 ¾ oz of flour and mix very well. Add water or dust with flour to handle the mix until soft, rolling the dough into a ball; Place the bowl in a warm place and let it rise for 1 hour; Add into the dough ball the remaining flour (650 g / 1 lb and 7 oz), sugar, orange and lemon scrapings, a pinch of salt, cinnamon, and black beer and mix everything very well; Add eggs, one at a time and beat well in between; Incorporate melted butter and mix well; You may add some extra flour if the dough is too sticky and knead it, pushing the sides in, until the dough is soft and elastic; Add nuts, berries and the Port Wine mix and incorporate everything very well; Dust the dough with flour and keep it in a warm place to rise again for around 90 minutes, until it doubles in size; Grease a baking sheet with butter and dust it with flour, tapping out any excess; Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet, dust with flour and form a large ring with a hole in the centre; Wrap the dried fava bean in a piece of baking paper and insert it into the dough ring, concealing it as best as possible (optional step); Leave the ring to rise in a warm place for a further 30 minutes; Preheat your oven to 180º C / 350º F; Mix egg yolk with a little water to make egg wash and brush top and sides of the ring; Decorate with reserved nuts, dried figs and dates or extra cranberries (you can chose a different decoration); Bake it in the oven for 45 minutes, until golden brown; When baked, remove the cake from the oven and brush top and sides with apricot jam; To finish, dust some parts of the ring with icing sugar, using a tight sieve, and allow your Bolo Rei to cool for a while. A Merry, Merry Christmas to all of you!

15 eekend W Times

Mouse Click by António Espadinha Soares

Video of the Week The GE Show The Order Electrus http://youtu.be/5jUZhbRVjsE

Evolution, the process by which life on earth diversi- fied itself in order to reach any and every habitable part of our planet Earth, has created not only forms most beautiful but some pretty bizarre ones as well. With the impact humans have had on this planet there are many species which have adapted and thrived in environments which are fruit of our industrial and consumerist waste, a concept which is taken to an odd, yet visually entertaining, extreme in this short film on a fictional new order of insects which have evolved in the industrial waste of old factories.

http://www.ge.com/thegeshow/flight/index.html#ch1

General Electric, or GE as it is better known, is a huge industrial conglomerate that fabricates all sorts of equipments for several types of heavy industries. This particular website is a fun and educational outreach to the general public on their activities, with this particular episode being dedicated to their contributions to the world of aviation. It features some pretty cool videos and a fun game that’ll teach you the fundamentals of airplane design. Software of the Week - DivX HiQ http://labs.divx.com/

Flash video has certainly left it’s mark on the age of the Internet with the standard being adopted by many websites to display video content. However, the nifty little standard uses up a consider- able amount of computing power which can overburden a CPU, especially if you’re multitasking, one of the reasons why Apple’s mobile devices don’t support it. With this little plugin you’ll now be able to use the power of your computer’s GPU, the graphics card processor, instead of your computer’s CPU to handle Flash video on websites, making your computer runs smoother. It’s still a beta release so be sure to check out the compatibility issues that still exist.

16 18 December 2010 The Hunger Site http://www.thehungersite.com/

Recommended to me by a friend who is always on the lookout for any sort of charitable cause, this site was founded in 1999 with the goal of using the power of Internet to help eradicate world hunger. You simply click on the link on the site to donate cups of food paid for by sponsors, which are then distributed by established charitable organizations. Also, you can purchase items through its online store and through each item generate funds for the hungry. The site is also part of a larger network with other charitable goals.

Blog of the Week Forgotten Bookmarks Software of the Week - DivX HiQ http://www.forgottenbookmarks.com/ Reading a good book is an experience like no other, if anything due to the practicality and functionality of the technology especially when compared to today’s gadgets. And when you’re done with a particular passage or section you probably do what most people do and just use any random piece of paper as a bookmark. This blog is run by someone who works at a used and rare books store. Given that he buys books from people every day he ends up finding all sorts of “personal, funny, heartbreaking and weird things” which people use as bookmarks, and shares them with the world via this bog.

17 eekend W Times

December 2010 December 18 18 Times

eekend

18W 18 December 2010

19 eekend W Times

Food for Health by Eugénia Santos Silva Christmas food history

ood and drink play a significant role in Christmas celebrations since ancient times. The feast starts on Christmas day and continues till the Epiphany. In China, as a great percentage of the ChineseF population is not Christian, Christmas Day is not a major holiday. The main winter festivity, in China, is the Chinese New Year celebration. In spite of this, Christmas celebration is becoming popular, especially in big cities, where we can find Christ- mas trees and other decorations on the streets. The Christian children hang up muslin stockings on the hope that Dun Che Lao Ren, the Chinese version of Santa Claus, will visit them and leave gifts. A similar trend can be observed in Japan, where the potential commercial of the Yuletide season has also emerged. While in China and Taiwan Christmas is a private celebration, in Macao and Hong Kong December 25 is a public holiday by western influence. Special Christmas food varies, around the world, with the different cultures and their influence on food. The turkey is often regarded as the traditional Christmas meal, but it appeared on the Christmas menu only in the sixteenth century. Prior to turkey, swan, goose, peacock or boar were been associated with the Christmas feast. Her Majesty Queen Vic- toria, had, for her Christmas buffet, amongst other delicacies, beef, boars head, and woodcock pie. Nowadays, a large variety of dishes are enjoyed. In Western culture, Christmas day is time to spend with family, all together, having a special meal with delicious food and desserts. Instead of turkey, some families prepare roast chicken, barbecued pork or kid goat. There is an excessive consumption of fat, sugar and salt rich foodstuffs. A special Christmas meal with salted dry-cod fish, boiled potatoes and ening are consumed on Christmas meal. In South with cardiac disease. Over the Christmas period (Circulation Journal, American Heart Association, cauliflower, eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve, is a Hemisphere, Christmas is during the hot summer a great number of individuals refer an increase in 2004). tradition in Portugal. In Norway, cod and pork chops season and lunch is often a steak and chicken or weight which is maintained for several weeks. This For many people Christmas represents an exception are part of the Christmas meal, eaten at Christmas prawns barbecue and ice cream as dessert, may be may signify additional calories intake due to over- to the rule within the diets, and the idea of eating in Eve. Traditionally, farmers leave a bowl of gruel in at the beach. eating, there is also an excess of salt and alcohol excess is well accepted. A balance is needed. Mean- barns, on Christmas Eve, for the magic Gnome who Each year during Christmas/New Year holiday sea- consumption, lack of sleep and emotional stress. while, the season is here. Although traditions differ protects their farms. In United Kingdom, Christmas son, many people change their eating, drinking, ex- These factors are associated with cardiac problems. around the world, the original Christmas message pudding and mince pies containing a typically pre- ercising, working and travelling patterns. These be- In USA, research found a peak in cardiac mortal- remains the same: Peace on Earth. served apple, dried fruits, spices and vegetable short- havioral changes may affect health, especially those ity during the Christmas/New Year holiday season Merry Christmas with more flavor and fewer calories!

20 18 December 2010

Christmas food history

ening are consumed on Christmas meal. In South with cardiac disease. Over the Christmas period (Circulation Journal, American Heart Association, Hemisphere, Christmas is during the hot summer a great number of individuals refer an increase in 2004). season and lunch is often a steak and chicken or weight which is maintained for several weeks. This For many people Christmas represents an exception prawns barbecue and ice cream as dessert, may be may signify additional calories intake due to over- to the rule within the diets, and the idea of eating in at the beach. eating, there is also an excess of salt and alcohol excess is well accepted. A balance is needed. Mean- Each year during Christmas/New Year holiday sea- consumption, lack of sleep and emotional stress. while, the season is here. Although traditions differ son, many people change their eating, drinking, ex- These factors are associated with cardiac problems. around the world, the original Christmas message ercising, working and travelling patterns. These be- In USA, research found a peak in cardiac mortal- remains the same: Peace on Earth. havioral changes may affect health, especially those ity during the Christmas/New Year holiday season Merry Christmas with more flavor and fewer calories! W

21 eekend W Times Caviar: the ultimate delicacy, from a farm near you?

Petrossian told AFP at his flagship Paris store, wearing trademark waxed moustache and bow tie. “There is nothing generic about caviar – it’s a complex product,” he said. “We select and refine the eggs, we let them mature. It’s a job as important as a winegrower who trans- forms his grape.” Petrossian sources from a network of producers in southwestern France, but also in the United States, China and Bulgaria, working with them to improve the quality of the raw material. “When we visit farms we can in- tervene on the number of fish, their food, the position of the pools, the moment at which they cull the eggs,” he said. Twelve years on, he claims the farmed result can match the origi-

Armen Petrossian poses in Paris

he grey pearls burst black gold trafficked out illegally on the tongue to re- from the five countries that share the lease their salty, marine Caspian Sea shores. aroma, lifted by notes Deprived of wild raw material, cavi- of nut or fruit. Caviar ar houses turned towards an alterna- remainsT the ultimate luxury food – tive source, like France’s Armen Pet- except these days the Caspian deli- rossian, whose Armenian father in- cacy likely comes from a farm near troduced the delicacy to Paris in the you. 1920s and who started using farmed Exports of wild sturgeon eggs – eggs in 1998. culled to make caviar – have been Today Petrossian – a veritable cav- severely restricted since 1998 under iar “tsar” whose specialist boutiques UN quotas set to protect the species account for 15 percent of the world from chaotic overfishing after the fall market – works exclusively with of the Soviet Union. farms, as do his global competitors. For the past two years, there have Farmed caviar – whose pearls range been next-to-no wild sturgeon’s eggs in colour from honey to dark grey available on world markets, save for – can offer the “best or the worst”,

22 18 December 2010 Caviar: the ultimate delicacy, from a farm near you? by Emma Charlton

nal. Global production of farmed caviar 228 euros. “It is extremely difficult – not to say has soared from 500 kilogrammes Angling to seduce a younger cli- impossible – to tell the difference be- (1,100 pounds) in 1998 to 150 tonnes entele, Petrossian recently launched tween a very good farmed caviar and today – even as legal sales of wild slightly lower priced formats like a wild one. At the top of the range, caviar dwindled from 300 tonnes to pressed caviar, caviar aperitif cubes even a specialist would have a hard close to zero. or tiny caviar-on-the-go boxes. time telling which is which.” Prices have also fallen, as expanding “But it will never be a cheap prod- Petrossian laments the fact not all farms yield economies of scale, but uct,” he admitted. caviar houses are transparent about even farmed, the delicacy remains Wild sturgeon was taken under the the fact they are selling farmed eggs, out of range for all but the best-lined protection of the UN Convention on however. of pockets. International Trade in Endangered “The customer has to know what At Petrossian, for example, 30 Species (CITES) after a period of species he is buying.” grammes (one ounce) of the most af- dangerous overfishing in the mid- fordable caviar – Baeri Royal – will set 1990s. -- ‘We thought the fish you back 60 euros (80 dollars), while “Coming out of a time when you was going to disappear’ -- the same amount of Beluga Royal, could get 30 years in the Gulag for the Rolls-Royce of caviars, sells for fishing a sturgeon, when theR ussian

23 eekend W Times

Caviar at the Armen state controlled production, two things happened: economic inter- Petrossian’s shop, the est and the attraction of a forbidden fruit,” said Petrossian. world’s leading distributor The caviar boom – also fuelled by the Islamic Revolution in Iran of caviar, in Paris – led prices to collapse as the market was flooded with product selling for as little as 100 euros per kilogramme, against a minimum of 1,400 euros today. “During the worst years, in 1993 to 1995, we thought the fish was going to disappear completely.” But a decade on, Petrossian believes the CITES effort has back- fired. Since 2002 the convention has required the five Caspian Sea producer states – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmeni- stan – to agree a small, sustainable quota for exports of stocks of the fish eggs each year. They have repeatedly failed to do, against a backdrop of regional wrangling and rivalries – and last year trade in Beluga caviar was halted altogether as they fell short of a deal. This year the five agreed on a tiny quota – a total of three tonnes – but even that was rejected as unsustainable by the European Union. Meanwhile, sturgeon numbers in the Caspian are shrinking inexo- rably, lost to the black market. “We should have got local fishermen to manage the stocks – since they would have had an economic interest in being good stewards,” argued Petrossian, who set up a non-governmental group, the Inter- national Caviar Importers Association (ICIA), to lobby for a different approach to the trade. Instead, by banning exports, he argues, the international communi- ty deprived local communities of any incentive to protect the fish. “It is a failure of CITES. We haven’t managed to stabilise world production and we did everything to destroy the market,” he said. AFPW

24 18 December 2010

25 eekend W Times

by Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester Kidney failure:

Question Categories to be covered are: treat your cat with care -All about Dogs. -All about Cats. -All about Exotics. recently lost my cat to -All about pet kidney failure and is unfor- ownership. tunately the most common -All about nutrition. W condition I see in cats. Kidney failure in cats is a grim We will be focusing on diagnosisI that is incurable, but the the following; Please send all your questions to concerned pet owner can help make Allergies [email protected] life more comfortable for his or her Avian/Exotics or mail to; cat as it copes with the disease. Behavior Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester Cats can live months or even years Rua, D.R, L, P, Marquest 2/F, Flat B, after diagnosis, so owners facing the

Boarding Vet The Ask Ponte 6A, Macau SAR. reality of a cat with renal (kidney) fail- Dental Tel: +852 66706906 Digestive System ure should understand the reasons Diseases behind and treatment of the disease. Ears General Symptoms of Kidney Failure Heart Hormones When owners suspect kidney failure, Husbandry the cat should be taken to the vet. Medications The symptoms of kidney failure in- Musculoskeletal clude: Neoplasia Nervous System Excessive thirst/drinking Nutrition Excessive urination Reproductive System Loss of energy Respiratory Loss of appetite Skin Excessive licking of lips Surgery Vomiting Travel Weight loss Urinary Excessive drooling Vaccinations Dry, coarse coat of fur Oral ulcers Halitosis (bad breath) Ask the Vet - is a service that allows you to ask questions about your pets’ health and behavior. My goal is to help you, the pet owner, improve the knowledge of your pet’s everyday needs and health care in Macau through a variety of pet services and veterinary Chronic versus Acute resources that where never available to pet owners before. Pets have become a very important part of our families. In many cases they have become as much a part of our lives as children or grandchildren. And, in certain ways, just Cats may be diagnosed with either as complicated. Think of all the questions raised by wanting a pet. Pet ownership has definitely become more complex. Everybody seems to have an opinion on what pet you acute renal failure or chronic renal should get and what being a good pet owner means. My goal is to answer your questions failure. Chronic kidney failure in and try making things simpler for you. I want to give some of the basic information that will help you to raise a healthy, happy and family compatible pet. And, of course, have cats is a long-term, progressive shut fun while you are doing it. down of the kidneys, while acute The ideas listed in this column come from many years of studying and practicing veterinary medicine in South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and Macau. And they are just that, kidney failure is abrupt and more my ideas and opinions. They are not meant to be all-encompassing or correct for every quickly fatal. Chronic kidney failure situation. Use this information as a tool, along with the advice from your veterinarian, to help you make the interaction between you and your pet a wonderful experience. is more often seen in older cats and As far as I am concerned, there are two kinds of people; those who really love animals, may be attributed to a poor diet or a and those who have never owned any. People who say they do not love pets have usually never owned one. And for those who say they hate them, well, let’s just not talk about lifelong diet of only dry food (which them! The picture above is of a 150kg sea turtle at Australia Zoo that I did abdominal lacks sufficient moisture to keep surgery on after it ingested a ball of fishing line. Indiscriminate and over fishing causes this to happen too often. the cat properly hydrated over its I hope this section helps you enjoy that perfect life with your pet. And I would love to lifespan). It may also be related to ge- hear the stories of how you came to own your particular pet and any interesting experi- ences you have had. netics, environmental stresses, high

26 18 December 2010 Kidney failure: treat your cat with care

blood pressure, dental disease and low potassium levels. Acute kidney failure can occur at any age and can be due to a blockage in the urinary tract, trauma, infection or ingestion of poison. Chronic kidney failure offers more hope for longer survival, but immedi- ate medical intervention may be able to save cats with acute kidney failure and, unlike with chronic kidney failure, restore full function of the kidneys. sleep on discovery. Kidneys have a vital be supported by a proper diet. Dys- However, the chances for survival are role in the life of cats. More frequent functional kidneys in cats can lead to often slim. in older cats, the feline kidney dis- anemia, nausea, high blood pressure ease may affect younger cats with diet and a build-up of toxins in the blood. Treatment based mainly on dry foods. The cat Additional drugs will be needed to kidney disease may also be a genetic treat or manage these conditions. There is no cure for chronic kidney condition. failure in cats, but some acute kidney 3. Diet failure cases can be cured. The best The cat renal disease cannot be treat- Changes in the diet are not sufficient course of action for the concerned ed but can be manageable to delay the to manage the feline kidney disease, owner to take is to ensure that the kidney failure. but associated with medication can cat’s remaining days are as pleasant give good results. The cat’s diet should as possible. Fresh water should al- 1. Injecting Fluids be poor in protein, sodium and phos- ways be available; the owner of a cat To make the task of the kidneys easier, phorous compounds. with kidney failure may have to refill fluids may be injected under the skin The cat’s diet should also contain a lot the bowl more than once a day. Keep- of the cat that is suffering from feline of wet foods to keep your pet hydrated. ing the cat’s weight up is essential to kidney disease. These are also known The dry foods can worsen your pet’s keeping the disease from progressing as subcutaneous injections. This pro- condition, as these reduce the absorp- quickly; owners should feed their cats cedure must be performed every day. tion of liquids. Keep a bowl with fresh a specially formulated food with extra For better results, the injections may water for your cat at all times. potassium. A vet may also recommend be associated with drug treatment. You will be able to find cat food spe- medication. In less severe cases, the injection may cially made for felines with kidney dis- Unless the vet recommends otherwise, be performed at home. The injection ease. These foods need prescription. regular shots and inoculations are no of fluids can postpone the renal failure, The feline kidney disease has no cure longer necessary in cats with kidney provided it is administrated during the and is a fatal condition. Fluid injections, failure. The side effects that are harsh entire life of your pet. If your cat has drugs and a proper diet are a few options on those with kidney failure outweigh a chronic renal failure, he will need to to help your cat cope with the disease. the potential benefits of the shots, get treatment within a hospital, where Diagnosing your cat in time is impor- which will no longer be as effective. he can be kept under supervision. I tant, so pay attention to the kidney The cat, who should be kept indoors usually prefer to treat all CRF and ARF disease symptoms. Symptoms of kid- for the remainder of its life, will not be in hosp. It just has a bigger effect on ney disease include permanent thirst, as likely to endanger itself or others. the flushing of the kidneys. frequent urination, weight loss and There are steps that responsible own- vomiting. An early detection of renal ers can take to ensure that their cats’ 2. Drugs dysfunction can significantly extend remaining days are as comfortable Drugs are an alternative to the injec- your pet’s life and avoid renal failure possible. As treatment is not compli- tion of fluids as a solution to manage for as long as possible. W cated or expensive, and survival may the feline kidney disease. Phosphate extend for months or years, kidney binders can help in preventing kidney Hope this helps. failure is one diagnosis that doesn’t failure and extend the life of the sick Till next week always necessitate putting the cat to cat. However, kidney medication must Dr Ruan

27 eekend W Times

Offbeat Mogadishu’s ‘first tourist’ When Mike Spencer Bown disembarked from his flight in Mogadishu this week and described himself as a tourist, Somali immigration officials thought the Canadian man was either mad or a spy. “They tried four times to put me back on the plane to get rid of me but I shouted and played tricks until the plane left without me,” the 41-year-old told an AFP correspondent in Mogadishu on his hotel’s roof terrace. Somali officials then tried to hand him over to the African Union military force in Mogadishu, refusing to believe that he was in the city for pleasure. China uncovers “We have never seen people like this man,” Omar Mohamed, an immigration official, said Friday. “He said he was a tourist, we couldn’t believe him. But later 2,400-year-old soup on we found he was serious.” Chinese archaeologists believe they have discovered a “That makes him the first person to come to Mogadishu only for tourism but 2,400-year-old pot of soup, sealed in a bronze cooking- unfortunately this is not the right time,” he added. vessel and dug up near the ancient capital of Xian, state The world traveller claims to have visited 160 countries since he sold his press said Monday. business in Indonesia years ago and he had yet to tick Somalia – which has “It’s the first discovery of bone soup in Chinese been devastated by a brutal civil conflict for almost 20 years – off his list. archaeological history,” the Global Times quoted Liu Mogadishu is one of the world’s most dangerous capitals, a place where no Daiyun of the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology foreigner can survive very long without heavy protection, but Bown said he as saying. had hoped to see Somalia’s beaches and landscapes. “The discovery will play an important role in studying the Somalia used to attract some visitors before it plunged into chaos following the eating habits and culture of the Warring States Period 1991 ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre. (475-221 BC).” Mogadishu’s Italian architecture and tree-lined avenues were renowned but The soup and bones were discovered in a small, sealed the city is now a field bronze vessel in a tomb being excavated to make way for of ruins where life is the extension of the airport in Xian, home to the country’s cheap. famed ancient terracotta warriors, the report said. “Even though I was The liquid and bones in the vessel had turned green due told not go beyond to the oxidation of the bronze, it said. Scientists were the gate of the hotel expected to conduct further tests to confirm the liquid for security reasons, was indeed soup and to identify the ingredients. I still found Somalia Archaeologists also dug up another bronze pot that an interesting place contained an odourless liquid believed to be wine in the with funny people,” tomb, which could belong to either a member of the land- the backpacker said. owning class or a military officer, the report said. “Everyone I met kept Xian, a city that served as China’s ancient capital for over laughing whenever 1,100 years, is famed for the terracotta army at the burial they heard the word site of Qin Shihuang, who presided over the unification of tourist,” he said. China in 221 BC and declared himself the first emperor. Putin turf grass on sale in Russia Turf grass with the image of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the slogan “Get Ready for the 2018 WC” is available for purchase on the Russian Internet. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Moskovsky Komsomolets tabloid that he was looking into the report, but the Russian prime minister never authorised for his use of the image. The paper said the bags of seeds were probably put on sale immediately after Russia last week was awarded the rights to stage the 2018 World Cup – a campaign spearheaded by the sports-loving Putin.

28 18 December 2010 This Day in History Japan invades Hong Kong

into negotiations for the surrender of Hong Kong...” The first wave of Japanese troops landed with artillery fire for cover and a “Take no prisoners,” order from their commander. Upon overrunning a volunteer antiaircraft battery, the Japanese invaders roped together the captured soldiers and proceeded to bayonet them to death. Even those who offered no resistance, such as the Royal Medical Corps, were led up a hill and killed. The Japanese quickly took control of key reservoirs, threatening the British and Chinese inhabitants with a slow death by thirst. The Brits finally surrendered control of Hong Kong on Christmas Day.

On 18 December 1941, Japanese troops landed in suggested that the at- Hong Kong and a slaughter started. tacks had little impact, Earlier, a week of air raids over Hong Kong, then beyond the additional British crown colony, was followed up on December death and destruction 17 with a visit paid by Japanese envoys to Sir Mark they caused. Young, the British governor of Hong Kong. The Even the chief US envoys’ message was simple: The British garrison negotiator, Henry there should simply surrender to the Japanese— Kissinger, was report- resistance was futile. The envoys were sent home with ed to have said, “We the following retort: “The governor and commander bombed the North in chief of Hong Kong declines absolutely to enter Vietnamese into ac- cepting our conces- “Christmas Bombing” sions. The chief impact may of North Vietnam have been in convinc- ing America’s South In 1972, also on this day, President Richard Nixon an- Vietnamese allies, nounces the beginning of a massive bombing campaign who were highly sus- of North Vietnam for nearly two weeks, following the picious of the draft treaty worked out in October 1972, that breakdown of peace talks on December 13. the United States would not desert them. In any event, the The North Vietnamese and American negotiators had final treaty did not include any important changes from the traded charges and countercharges as to who was to October draft. blame on the talks and retaliatory bombings of North Vietnam were ordered by Nixon. Beginning on Decem- ber 18, American B-52s and fighter-bombers dropped over 20,000 tons of bombs on the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong. The United States lost 15 of its giant B-52s and 11 other aircraft during the attacks. North Vietnam claimed that over 1,600 civilians were killed. The bombings continued until December 29, at which time the North Vietnamese agreed to resume the talks. A few weeks later, the final Paris Peace Treaty was signed and the Vietnam War came to a close, ending the US role in a conflict that seriously damaged the domestic Cold War consensus among the American public. The impact of the so-called “Christmas Bombings” on the final agreement was difficult to assess. Some histo- rians have argued that the bombings forced the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table. Others have

29 eekend W Times The Born Loser by Chip Sansom

Sudoku Cinema Cineteatro Easy Easy + Room 1 Harry Potter Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 2:15/4:45/7:15/9:45pm Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint Director: David Yates Language: English (Chinese subtitles) Duration: 146 min

Room 2 The Chronicles of Narnia The voyage of the Dawn Treader 2:30/4:30/7:30/9:30pm Starring: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley Medium Hard Director: Michael Apted Language: English (Chinese subtitles) Duration: 115 min

Room 3 Metal Fight Beyblade the Movie 2:30/4:00/5:30/7:30pm Director: Kunihisa Sugishima Language: Cantonese (Chinese subtitles) Duration:111 min

As Harry races against time and evil to destroy Room 3 the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three The Social Network most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows. 9:30pm Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake TV Director: David Fincher Language: French Canal Macau (English and Chinese subtitles) Duration: 120 min Saturday Sunday 10:50 Dougie in Disguise 11:00 Sunday Mass The Chronicles of Narnia 11:00 The Three Bears 12:00 Documentary in Portuguese The voyage of the Dawn Treader 11:30 Detective Bogey 12:30 Cooking 12:00 Sandokan the Tiger of Roars Again 13:00 TDM News (Repeted) 13:30 News at 24H (RTPi) Delayed Broadcast 12:30 Cooking 14:30 Soap Opera 13:00 TDM News (Repeted) 17:00 Jazz Music 13:30 News at 24H (RTPi) Delayed Broadcast 17:50 Competition 14:30 Soap Opera 18:45 Contest 18:45 Contest 19:30 Modern Music 19:30 Documentary in Portuguese 20:00 TDM Interview 20:00 TDM Talk Show 20:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report 20:30 Main News, Financial & Weather Report 21:15 Documentary in Portuguese 21:00 Variety 22:15 That 70’ Show Sr.4 23:00 TDM News 22:30 Steam Cells & Miracles 23:00 TDM News 00:00 FIFA Club World Cup Final (Live) Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with 23:30 TDM Talk Show (Repeted) 02:00 Main News, Financial & Weather Report (Repeted) their cousin Eustace where they meet up with 00:00 Non-Daily Portuguese News Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard 02:30 RTPi Live 00:30 Non-Daily Portuguese News the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way 03:00 Spanish League: Espanyol vs Barcelona (Live) they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a 01:00 Main News, Financial & Weather Report (Repeted) band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of 05:00 RTPi Live 01:30 RTPi Live the world.

30 18 December 2010

The Born Loser by Chip Sansom

31 eekend W Times

Post-Grunge Familea Miranda Press Play – Dramones (BCore Disc, 2010) by MC LA Bands like Familea Miranda are not easy to find. The band was formed in Chile nine years ago, and arrived in Barcelona shortly Power pop after. They have been doing things their way since the very first minute. Following their own instincts (both ethical and artistic) The Keys through more than three hundred shows and five albums, Famil- ea Miranda has faced challenges that would have many other – Fire Inside bands abandon. (See Monkey Do Monkey, 2010) “Dramones” is a new step in the evolution of this exciting band. The Mirandas keep doing what made them a unique entity while moving towards new directions, writing songs that show strong inner dynamics. Always in motion. Sometimes building tension up; other times liberating it in a manner that resembles bands like Hoover or Lïsabö. Bass and drums sound just like one big powerful instrument, providing an excellent musical landscape for musical exploration. “Dramones” has a very rich production, sounding powerful and full of details at once. The use of an open range of instruments like trumpets, melodicas, whistles, cellos, hand clapping, etc… demonstrates that this band has a lot of imagination in the studio. They add all these elements without compromising their distinctive, fiery post-punk personality. Familea Miranda exemplifies the great, exciting moment of the Spanish post-hardcore scene.

There was a band in the nineties who did ok by mim- icking The Beatles and they were called Oasis, although I’m not sure that the unpretentious tag would stick quite so easily in their case! The Keys are extremely re- freshing, highly entertaining and merits some serious attention. In their former guise as Murry The Hump, The Keys recorded 3 sessions for John Peel, signed to Too Pure, were lauded by the NME for their ‘glorious jangle-pop’, counted Joe Strummer, Keith Allen and Damien Hirst among their biggest fans and were the “best new band in Britain” according to Alex James and Daman Albarn. The Keys’ new album ‘Fire Inside’ was self produced and recorded with the help of producer Charlie Francis (R.E.M, The High Llamas) at their own studio shared with local comrades El Goodo. ‘Fire Inside’ shows the Keys’ progression as an act, they’re still informed by their classic 60s pop influences but now each piece is more melodic and subtle; swirled with psychedelic patterns. Informed by cult legends like 13th floor Elevators, The Velvet Underground and the Jesus and Mary Chain, at the same time recording with a personal warmth and experimentalism reminiscent of modern artists like Panda Bear, Animal Collective and Spiritualized bandleader Jason Pearce.

32 18 December 2010 Post-Grunge Indie Pop Pascal Pinon Familea Miranda – Pascal Pinon (Morr Music, 2010)

– Dramones (BCore Disc, 2010) The fact that you’re dealing with a bunch of 16-year-old teenage girls is way too evident to merely dismiss it as some kind of “additional cuteness”. Yet, the songs presented by Icelandic twin sisters Jófrídur and Ásthildur and their band mates Halla and Kristín are certainly that: they’re cute. To record this album, the twins borrowed a house in a small town called Vogar and recorded the self-titled album with only one microphone. The main impact on the twin’s music may be a certain shyness when faced with the thin walls of their bedroom. You’ll find a very special record.A twee mixture out of acoustic neofolk and low-fi pop: an enjoyable journey through what it’s like being a teenager. The album was independently released in Iceland, earning them a nomi- nation for “Newcomer of the Year” at last year’s Icelandic Music Awards, and has now been picked up by Morr Music for an international release.

Alt-Country Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender (Great Speckled Dog, 2011)

Back in May, Over The Rhine holed up in Joe Henry’s Garfield House studio to record their latest record. The Long Surrender, the new studio album from the southern Ohio-based husband- and-wife team of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Linford Det- weiler and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Karin Bergquist, otherwise known as Over the Rhine, is something rare and wondrous — an intimate epic. The fan-funded record, to be released Janu- ary 11, 2011 on OtR’s own Great Speckled Dog label (named for the couple’s Great Dane, Elroy), marks 20 years since their 1991 debut. It’s the bountiful result of a collaboration between the couple and Joe Henry, whose songs they’ve long admired. The Long Surrender will be released on January 11, 2011.

Indie Pop Rachel Goodrich – Rachel Goodrich (Yellow Bear, 2011) Hailing from Miami Florida, Rachel Goodrich arrived on the scene with her 2008 debut album Tinker Toys, which turned the heads of some notable press outlets for it’s upbeat, addicting, and eclectic version of vaudeville-inspired indie pop. In a city shock full of djs and electronic artists, Rachel captures a different part of her hometown’s sunny elements to create music that truly stands out from the rest of the pack. The New York Times which dubbed her as a “queen of the Miami indie rock scene,” and her music has already been featured in the Showtime TV series Weeds, the MTV show My Life as Liz, and a national Crayola advertising campaign. Rachel Goodrich is putting the finishing touches on her second full- length album, Rachel Goodrich, which will be released on February 21st, 2011 on her own Yellow Bear Records imprint. Joining the fray this time is Grammy winning producer Greg Wells, who has worked with the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Weezer, Katy Perry, Timbaland, Jamie Cullum, and many more. The 11-song full-length album will be accompanied by a handful of Spring tour dates as well.

33 eekend W Times

Week’s pick Week’s (Photo EPA/Everett Kennedy Brown/ December 14) Brown/ Kennedy EPA/Everett (Photo

Making wish come true…

Master craftsman Sumikazu Nakata, President of the Gunma Daruma Manufacters Association putting the finishing touches on a daruma doll, a symbol of good luck, at a crafts shop in Takasaki city, Gunma province, Japan. Daruma dolls which have been locally made for 200 years are popular among Japanese politicians and business people who paint the right eye of the doll black when making a wish and when the wish comes true paints the left eye. End of the year is the busiest time for the doll makers, as people rush to make New Year wishes to overcome Japan’s lingering recession blues

34 18 December 2010

35 eekend W Times